Neurosurgery
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⋯ Thoracic elevation or an occipital recess to prevent flexion of the head and neck when restrained supine on an otherwise flat backboard may allow for better neutral alignment and immobilization of the cervical spine in children younger than 8 years because of the relatively large head in these younger children and is recommended. Closed reduction and halo immobilization for injuries of the C2 synchondrosis between the body and odontoid is recommended in children younger than 7 years. Consideration of primary operative therapy is recommended for isolated ligamentous injuries of the cervical spine with associated deformity.
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Case Reports
Treatment of an iatrogenic petrous carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with a Symbiot covered stent: technical case report.
Surgery involving the middle ear or the temporal bone may cause an injury to the petrous carotid artery resulting in a pseudoaneurysm. Conventional treatment of such pseudoaneurysms has ranged from carotid occlusion to conservative management. The use of a balloon-expandable stent and/or Guglielmi detachable coils may be effective in a partially healed pseudoaneurysm. This report details the case of an acute petrous carotid pseudoaneurysm after a myringotomy procedure that was effectively treated with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent. ⋯ The use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent may effectively treat intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms in an acute setting. This treatment allows preservation of the parent artery and immediate treatment by reconstruction of the incompetent arterial wall to prevent potentially life-threatening hemorrhagic complications.
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There is insufficient evidence to support treatment standards. ⋯ Treatment options in the management of isolated fractures of the atlas are based on the specific atlas fracture type. It is recommended that isolated fractures of the atlas with an intact transverse atlantal ligament be treated with cervical immobilization alone. It is recommended that isolated fractures of the atlas with disruption of the transverse atlantal ligament be treated with either cervical immobilization alone or surgical fixation and fusion.
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A three-view cervical spine series (anteroposterior, lateral, and odontoid views) is recommended for radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine in patients who are symptomatic after traumatic injury. This should be supplemented with computed tomography (CT) to further define areas that are suspicious or not well visualized on the plain cervical x-rays. ⋯ It is recommended that cervical spine immobilization in awake patients with neck pain or tenderness and normal cervical spine x-rays (including supplemental CT as necessary) be discontinued after either a) normal and adequate dynamic flexion/extension radiographs, or b) a normal magnetic resonance imaging study is obtained within 48 hours of injury. Cervical spine immobilization in obtunded patients with normal cervical spine x-rays (including supplemental CT as necessary) may be discontinued a) after dynamic flexion/extension studies performed under fluoroscopic guidance, or b) after a normal magnetic resonance imaging study is obtained within 48 hours of injury, or c) at the discretion of the treating physician.