Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2018
Spinal accessory nerve to triceps muscle transfer using long autologous nerve grafts for recovery of elbow extension in traumatic brachial plexus injuries.
Despite continuous improvement and expansion of reconstructive options for traumatic brachial plexus injury, options to reinnervate the triceps muscle remain somewhat sparse. This study describes a novel option, using a spinal accessory nerve transfer to the long head of the triceps muscle with an intervening autologous nerve graft. The resulting quality of elbow extension and factors that influence outcome are discussed.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2018
Direct visualization of microcirculation impairment after acute subdural hemorrhage in a novel animal model.
Direct brain compression and secondary injury due to increased intracranial pressure are believed to be the pathognomic causes of a grave outcome in acute subdural hemorrhage (aSDH). However, ischemic damage from aSDH has received limited attention. The authors hypothesized that cerebral microcirculation is altered after aSDH. Direct visualization of microcirculation was conducted in a novel rat model. ⋯ Microcirculation impairment was demonstrated in this aSDH model. Aspirin pretreatment prevented the diffuse thrombosis of cortical and subcortical vessels after aSDH.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2018
Ventricle contact is associated with lower survival and increased peritumoral perfusion in glioblastoma.
The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate outcome and differences in peritumoral MRI characteristics of glioblastomas (GBMs) that were in contact with the ventricles (ventricle-contacting tumors) and those that were not (noncontacting tumors). GBMs are heterogeneous tumors with variable survival. Lower survival is suggested for patients with ventricle-contacting tumors than for those with noncontacting tumors. This might be supported by aggressive peritumoral MRI features. However, differences in MRI characteristics of the peritumoral environment between ventricle-contacting and noncontacting GBMs have not yet been investigated. ⋯ Patients with ventricle-contacting tumors had poorer outcomes than patients with noncontacting tumors. This disadvantage of ventricle contact might be explained by higher peritumoral perfusion leading to more aggressive behavior.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2018
A propensity score analysis of the impact of surgical intervention on unexpected 30-day readmission following admission for subdural hematoma.
Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common disease that is increasingly being managed nonoperatively. The all-cause readmission rate for SDH has not previously been described. This study seeks to describe the incidence of unexpected 30-day readmission in a cohort of patients admitted to an academic neurosurgical center. Additionally, the relationship between operative management, clinical outcome, and unexpected readmission is explored. ⋯ Over 25% of SDH patients admitted to an academic neurosurgical ICU were unexpectedly readmitted within 30 days. Nonoperative management does not affect outcome at hospital discharge but is significantly associated with readmission, even when accounting for the probability of treatment by propensity score weighted logistic regression. Additional research is needed to validate these results and to further characterize the impact of nonoperative management on long-term costs and clinical outcomes.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2018
Analysis of high-frequency PbtO2 measures in traumatic brain injury: insights into the treatment threshold.
OBJECTIVEBrain tissue hypoxia is common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Technology now exists that can detect brain hypoxia and guide corrective therapy. Current guidelines for the management of severe TBI recommend maintaining partial pressure of brain tissue oxygen (PbtO2) > 15-20 mm Hg; however, uncertainty persists as to the optimal treatment threshold. ⋯ CONCLUSIONSThis analysis of high-frequency physiological data substantially informs the relationship between PbtO2 values and outcome. The results suggest a therapeutic window for PbtO2 in TBI patients along with minimum and preferred PbtO2 treatment thresholds, which may be examined in future studies. Traditional treatment thresholds that have the strongest association with outcome may not be optimal.