Spine
-
Review Case Reports
Subarachnoid-pleural fistula treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation: a two-case report and literature review.
A report on 2 cases of subarachnoid pleural fistula (SAPF) treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). ⋯ SAPF is often resistant to conservative therapies and has been treated in an invasive manner. NPPV should be considered as an alternative before such interventions because it is effective, noninvasive, and safe.
-
Review Case Reports
Osseous sarcoidosis treated with tumor necrosis factor-inhibitors: case report and review of the literature.
Report of 2 cases of sarcoidosis involving vertebrae successfully treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNF-α antagonist). ⋯ Vertebral sarcoidosis is a rare manifestation of osseous sarcoidosis. Symptomatic patients are treated with various immunosuppressive therapies. We propose utilizing TNF-α blocking agents in patients who fail to respond to first-line therapy.
-
Review Case Reports
False negative and positive motor evoked potentials in one patient: is single motor evoked potential monitoring reliable method? A case report and literature review.
A case report and literature review. ⋯ From our experience of false negative and positive MEP in 1 patient, it is concluded that undesirable events can occur with use of MEP in scoliosis or other spinal surgery. Therefore, we warn the surgeons too heavily rely on the MEP monitoring, and propose a further prospective study as well as use of alternative method that can improve the reliability of single MEP.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Clearance of the cervical spine in clinically unevaluable trauma patients.
Meta-analytic costeffectiveness analysis. ⋯ As currently used, neuroimaging studies for cervical spinal clearance in clinically unevaluable patients are not cost-effective compared with empirical immobilization in a semirigid collar.
-
Review Case Reports
Absent inferior vena cava resulting in exercise-induced epidural venous plexus congestion and lower extremity numbness: a case report and review of the literature.
Case report and clinical discussion. ⋯ This case demonstrates the breadth of anatomic and physiologic understanding a clinician must draw on when approaching patients with nerve root compression symptoms. It is also pertinent to consider performing a hypercoagulable work-up in patients with vascular deformations, as this may prevent future thrombosis.