Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Factors affecting reduction in low-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.
Lumbosacral spondylolisthesis (LSS) is a common disorder that often requires a stabilization and fusion procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the early neuroimaging-detected results of instrumentation-assisted (in situ) fusion with no attempt at surgical reduction of the deformity in patients with low-grade LSS. The neuroimaging results were evaluated to determine the extent of reduction and its correlation with different parameters. ⋯ The authors found that in cases of low-grade LSS, short-segment posterior stabilization (in situ fusion and fixation) does not require surgical reduction and in fact is associated with a measurable reduction when used as the sole treatment.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Case ReportsNeurophysiological criteria for intraoperative prediction of pure motor hemiplegia during aneurysm surgery. Case report.
The value of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) as an intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring tool for detecting selective subcortical ischemia of the motor pathways during intracerebral aneurysm repair is described and the use of such measures to predict postoperative motor status is discussed. The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman in whom there was an incidental finding of two right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. During the aneurysm clipping procedure, an intraoperative MEP loss in the left abductor pollicis brevis and tibial anterior muscles occurred during an attempt at permanent clip placement. ⋯ A computerized tomography scan revealed an infarct in the anterior division of the MCA territory, including the posterior limb of the internal capsule. In this patient, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring with MEPs has been shown to be a sensitive tool for indicating subcortical ischemia affecting selective motor pathways in the internal capsule. Therefore, intraoperative loss of MEPs can be used to predict postoperative motor deficits.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Prediction and monitoring of cerebral hyperperfusion after carotid endarterectomy by using single-photon emission computerized tomography scanning.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the preoperative measurement of acetazolamide-induced changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), which is performed using single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scanning, can be used to identify patients at risk for hyperperfusion following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In addition, the authors investigated whether monitoring of CBF with SPECT scanning after CEA can be used to identify patients at risk for hyperperfusion syndrome. ⋯ Preoperative measurement of acetazolamide-induced changes in CBF, which is performed using SPECT scanning, can be used to identify patients at risk for hyperperfusion after CEA. In addition, post-CEA monitoring of CBF performed using SPECT scanning results in the timely and reliable identification of patients at risk for hyperperfusion syndrome.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Comparative StudyIn vitro biomechanical effects of reconstruction on adjacent motion segment: comparison of aligned/kyphotic posterolateral fusion with aligned posterior lumbar interbody fusion/posterolateral fusion.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) was developed to overcome the limitations of posterolateral fusion in correcting spinal deformity and maintaining lumbar lordosis. In this study the authors compare the biomechanical effects of three different posterior reconstructions on the adjacent motion segment. ⋯ Compared with kyphotic posterolateral fusion, PLIF may lead to even higher load at the superior adjacent level because of the increased stiffness of the fixed segments even if local kyphosis is corrected by PLIF.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum: a report of 18 cases.
Thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a rare entity, most evident in Japan. The authors studied the clinical manifestations, radiological aspects, surgical treatment, and pathogenesis of this disease. ⋯ Reports of OLF-induced myelopathy are rare and mainly described in Japan. The incidence also seems high in North Africa. An early laminectomy limited to the level of compression is recommended. Ossified ligamentum flavum is different from the calcification of the ligamentum flavum, which is due to crystal deposits.