Neurosurgery
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Smoking is a well-known independent risk factor for both aneurysm formation and rupture. There is mounting evidence that aneurysm morphology beyond size can have a significant role in aneurysm formation and rupture risk by its effects on aneurysmal hemodynamics. ⋯ The differences in aneurysm morphology between smoking and nonsmoking patient populations may elucidate the effects of smoking on aneurysm formation and eventual rupture. We identified several aspects of aneurysm morphology significantly associated with smoking status that may provide the morphological basis for how smoking leads to increased aneurysm rupture.
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Cervical cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 hyperintensity is used as evidence of cord trauma in the evaluation and management of athletes in contact sports. The long-term pathophysiologic and prognostic value of this finding is poorly understood, especially in return to play (RTP). ⋯ MRI T2 hyperintensity in contact sport athletes who are symptom-free with normal examination and no evidence of spinal instability may not be a contraindication to RTP. Additional observations are needed to confirm this observation.
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Although rare, de novo intracranial aneurysms (DNIAs) may develop in patients with a history of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). ⋯ The low 1.14% per-person year risk of DNIA detection and small DNIA size at detection cannot justify routine screening for DNIAs in all patients with a personal history of IAs. If imaging follow-up is considered for selected patients, early screening will likely yield the most benefit in patients who continue to smoke cigarettes.
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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety indicators (PSIs) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) are publicly reported metrics that illustrate the overall quality of care provided at an institution. The national incidences of PSIs and HACs in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients were estimated using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. ⋯ These data may be used as reference values for hospitals reporting their own rates and seeking to improve the quality of care they provide for TBI patients.
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Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) syndrome is a disorder with recessive inheritance caused by biallelic mismatch repair gene mutations, in which mismatch repair defects are inherited from both parents. This syndrome is associated with multiple cancers occurring in childhood. The most common tumors observed with CMMRD include brain tumors, digestive tract tumors, and hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to report new phenotypic expressions of CMMRD syndrome and add new insight to the existing knowledge about this disease. A review of the literature was conducted and recommendation for surveillance and follow-up in patients with CMMRD are proposed. ⋯ Many aspects of this disease are still unknown. We identified a case of CMMRD in a patient presenting with an anaplastic ganglioglioma, who underwent successful surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and has had one of the longest survival periods known with this disease. This case broadens the tumor spectrum observed with CMMRD syndrome with anaplastic ganglioglioma and osteosarcoma as new phenotypic expressions of this genetic defect.