Neurosurgery
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Observational Study
Novel Findings in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Study of Corpus Callosum Volumetry and Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Sensorimotor Network.
The response of the brain to obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is not clearly understood. We propose that even a peripheral insult at the developmental stage may result in changes in the volume of white matter of the brain, which we studied using corpus callosum volumetry and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) of sensorimotor network. ⋯ OBPP occurs in an immature brain and causes central cortical changes. There is secondary corpus callosum atrophy which may be due to retrograde transneuronal degeneration. This in turn may result in disruption of interhemispheric coactivation and consequent reduction in activation of sensorimotor network even in the ipsilateral hemisphere.
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Rapid advancement of medical and surgical therapies, coupled with the recent preoccupation with limiting healthcare costs, makes a collision of the 2 objectives imminent. This article explains the value of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in reconciling the 2 competing goals, and provides a brief introduction to evidence-based CEA techniques. The historical role of CEA in determining whether new neurosurgical strategies provide value for cost is summarized briefly, as are the limitations of the technique. Finally, the unique ability of the neurosurgical community to provide input to the CEA process is emphasized, as are the potential risks of leaving these important decisions in the hands of others.
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Multicenter Study
Outcomes of Operative Treatment for Adult Cervical Deformity: A Prospective Multicenter Assessment With 1-Year Follow-up.
Despite the potential for profound impact of adult cervical deformity (ACD) on function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), there are few high-quality studies that assess outcomes of surgical treatment for these patients. ⋯ Based on a prospective multicenter series of ACD patients, surgical treatment provided significant improvement in multiple measures of pain and function, including Neck Disability Index, neck pain numeric rating scale score, and EQ-5D. Further follow-up will be necessary to assess the long-term durability of these improved outcomes.
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To analyze the role of industry sponsorship of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published exclusively in 3 major North American neurosurgical journals. ⋯ Industry funding was associated with a much greater chance of positive findings in RCTs published in neurosurgical journals. Further efforts are needed to define the relationship between the authors and financial sponsors of neurosurgical research and explore the reasons for this finding.