Clinical neurology and neurosurgery
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2018
Meta AnalysisThe clinical significance of redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina in lumbar spinal stenosis patients: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is the most performed spine surgery procedure in patients older than 65 years. Around 40% of LSS patients scheduled for decompression surgery have evidence of redundant nerve roots (RNR) of the cauda equina on their magnetic resonance images (MRI). Little is known about the clinical significance of RNR in LSS patients. The objective was to assess the effects of RNR on clinical scores and recovery in older adults diagnosed with LSS. ⋯ There is limited quality evidence that RNR + patients are older, have a longer symptom history and present higher degrees of lumbar stenosis as given by the narrow CSA in comparison to RNR- patients. After decompression surgery RNR + patients have worse clinical scores and lower recovery rates. In view of these results RNR can be seen as a negative prognostic factor in LSS patients.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Oct 2018
Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord following nitrous oxide anesthesia: A systematic review of cases.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to subacute combined degeneration (SCD). Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an anesthetic which oxidizes the cobalt ion of vitamin B12, interfering with its function as a coenzyme. In this study, we conduct a systematic review of reported cases of SCD following nitrous oxide anesthesia. ⋯ In patients with postsurgical myelopathy, surgeons should evaluate B12 status and consider the possibility that nitrous oxide could cause a subclinical B12 deficiency to become overt, particularly in patients with malabsorptive GI comorbidities. Treatment with B12 in this population can result in significant improvement of neurological function.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Apr 2018
Outcomes following minimally invasive lateral transpsoas interbody fusion for degenerative low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis: A systematic review.
A variety of surgical approaches have been described to treat low grade lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Minimally invasive spinal fusion techniques were first introduced to minimize morbidities associated with invasive surgical treatments. Minimally invasive lateral transpsoas interbody fusion, also known as lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), is a relatively new method of lumbar arthrodesis that avoids various approach related complications compared to its posterior and anterior counterparts. ⋯ Three studies also reported that patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo the procedure again approached 90%. Minimally invasive transpsoas interbody fusion possibly leads to favorable clinical and radiological outcomes while avoiding the possible complications of its more traditional open and minimally invasive counterparts. Further studies are needed to better establish its role in the management of low grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2018
ReviewDiagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review.
Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. ⋯ The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2018
ReviewDiagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review.
Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. ⋯ The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.