Neurosurgery
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Research on the prevalence of smokers in patients with brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) remains nonexistent, even though smoking is a well-known risk factor for intracranial aneurysms. ⋯ We observed considerably higher rates of smoking among AVM patients when compared to age, sex, and admission year matched general population. Our results suggest that in the development of AVMs, the role played by nicotine and other substances in tobacco smoke should be examined. Cigarette smoking could potentially be a common cerebrovascular risk factor.
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The factors driving the best outcomes following minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are not clearly elucidated. ⋯ Preoperative employment and surgeries, including a fusion, were predictors of superior outcomes across the domains of disease-specific disability, back pain, leg pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Increasing age was predictive of superior outcomes for leg pain improvement and satisfaction.
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New or worsened neuropathic pain is common following nerve biopsy and significantly impacts quality of life. ⋯ Allograft nerve repair significantly reduces the likelihood of postbiopsy worsened neuropathic pain compared to standard techniques. Neuropathic pain significantly impacts quality of life after nerve biopsy, and this is the first technique to demonstrate a significant reduction in neuropathic pain while maintaining the ability to harvest an adequate nerve specimen.
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Spinal schwannoma is a common benign tumor. However, the high recurrence rate and incidence of surgical complications are unsolved problems. ⋯ Spinal schwannoma classification based on a membranous hierarchy provides an intuitive platform for preoperative planning and intraoperative safety. This classification scheme may help surgeons better define surgical goals and anticipate or even avoid complications from resection.
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Although patients with cervical kyphosis are not ideal candidates for cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), there is a paucity of data on patients with a straight or slightly lordotic neck. ⋯ In this series, T1-slope correlated well with global cervical lordosis but did not affect the segmental mobility. After CDA, the changes in cervical lordosis correlated with changes in segmental mobility. Therefore, segmental lordosis should be cautiously preserved during CDA as it could determine the mobility of the disc.