Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of mannitol and hypertonic saline in the treatment of severe brain injuries.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mannitol and hypertonic saline in doses of similar osmotic burden for the treatment of intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. ⋯ No difference between the 2 medications could be found with respect to the extent of reduction of ICP or duration of action.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2011
ReviewStandards for reporting randomized controlled trials in neurosurgery.
The Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) criteria were published in 1996 to standardize the reporting and improve the quality of clinical trials. Despite having been endorsed by major medical journals and shown to improve the quality of reported trials, neurosurgical journals have yet to formally adopt these reporting criteria. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in neurosurgery and the factors that may affect the quality of reported trials. ⋯ Despite the growing volume of RCTs in neurosurgery, the quality of reporting of these trials remains suboptimal, especially in the neurosurgical journals. Improved awareness of the CONSORT guidelines by journal editors, reviewers, and authors of these papers could improve the methodology and reporting of RCTs in neurosurgery.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2011
Prognostic factors for the incidence and recovery of delayed facial nerve palsy after vestibular schwannoma resection.
Preservation of facial nerve function in vestibular schwannoma (VS) resections remains a significant operative challenge. Delayed facial palsy (DFP) is one specific challenge yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate DFP among VS resection cases to identify significant prognostic factors associated with its incidence and clinical recovery. ⋯ Although patients with DFP did not exhibit any distinguishable characteristics when compared with patients without postoperative facial palsy, our analysis identified significant differences in patients with palsy presenting immediately postoperatively. Further study of patients with DFP should be undertaken to predict its incidence following VS resection.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2011
Biography Historical ArticleSir Victor Horsley's 19th century operations at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square.
Although he was not the first man to operate on the brain, Sir Victor Horsley was the world's first surgeon appointed to a hospital post to perform brain surgery, which happened in 1886 at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London. The authors examined the patient records between 1886 and 1899 and found 151 operations performed by Sir Victor Horsley at the National Hospital, including craniotomies, laminectomies, and nerve divisions. The authors present the outcome data and case illustrations of cerebral tumor resections and laminectomies from the nineteenth century. Outcomes and notable pioneering achievements are highlighted.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2011
Case ReportsSymptomatic posterior fossa and supratentorial subdural hygromas as a rare complication following foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation Type I.
Symptomatic subdural hygroma due to foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation Type I is extremely rare. The authors present their experience with 2 patients harboring such lesions and discuss treatment issues. They conclude that the possibility of subdural hygromas should be considered in all patients presenting with increased intracranial tension following foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation Type I. Immediate neuroimaging and appropriate surgical intervention provides a good outcome.