Neurosurgery
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We have previously reported a method and device capable of manipulating ICP pulsatility while minimally effecting mean ICP. ⋯ Cardiac-gated manipulation of ICP pulsatility allows the study of intracranial pulsatile dynamics and provides a potential means of altering CBF.
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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 prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) in females who smoke cigarettes and the association between smoking and hypertension with purely incidental UIAs have been unexplored. ⋯ Females who smoke cigarettes have a higher prevalence of UIAs than the general population. Smoking confers a higher risk for having a silent UIA, aggravated by hypertension. This population is an ideal target for potential screening.
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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.
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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.