Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2003
Case ReportsEnd-to-side neurorrhaphy as a salvage procedure for irreparable nerve injuries. Technical note.
After a few reports on end-to-side nerve repair at the beginning of the last century, the technique was put aside until its recent reintroduction. The authors present their results in three patients with median nerve defects that were between 15 and 22 cm long and treated using end-to-side median-to-ulnar neurorrhaphy through an epineurial window. The follow-up times were between 32 and 38 months. ⋯ Motor evaluation was completed by assessing the presence of opposition and by palpating the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. Sensory recovery was observed in all patients in the median nerve dermatome, and motor recovery was absent, except in Case 1. End-to-side nerve repair can be a viable alternative to nerve grafting in patients with long gaps between the ends of the injured nerve.
-
The authors evaluated the efficacy of titanium cage- and anterior cervical plate (ACP)-augmented fusion for reconstruction following decompressive cervical corpectomy in nontraumatic disease. ⋯ Autologous corpectomy bone-filled titanium cages supplemented with ACPs are an effective means of reconstruction after compressive cervical corpectomy. This technique provides a reasonable alternative to procedures involving long solid strut grafts obtained from the bone bank or from the patient.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2003
Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine: surgery-related results and outcome.
The authors conducted a study to determine the surgery-related results and outcomes in patients with synovial cysts of the lumbar spine. They emphasize several specific characteristics useful in clinical management. ⋯ The findings in this series suggest that synovial cysts can occur at multiple lumbar sites within a short period of time and could be predisposed to developing in certain individuals, predominantly in women older than 40 years of age. Postoperative follow up is recommended and MR imaging mandatory in cases of recurrent sciatica.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2003
Relationship between alignment of upper and lower cervical spine in asymptomatic individuals.
The aim of this study was to establish standard values for the normal alignment of the upper cervical spine and to clarify its relationship with the lower cervical spine in terms of alignment ⋯ Such relationships between alignment of the upper and lower cervical spines should be taken into consideration when performing occipitocervical fusion.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2003
Topical mitomycin C-induced inhibition of postlaminectomy peridural fibrosis in rabbits.
The authors conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of mitomycin C in preventing postlaminectomy peridural fibrosis in rabbits. ⋯ Peridural fibrosis can be a devastating condition that develops after laminectomy. Topical application of mitomycin C may be a successful method of preventing postlaminectomy peridural fibrosis.