Neurosurgery
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Understanding sport-related concussion (SRC) mechanisms can aid in prevention and treatment. Concussions in basketball have received relatively less attention compared with collision sports. In a cohort of concussed high school basketball players, this pilot study sought to (1) describe the mechanisms of how concussions occur in basketball and (2) assess the relationship between mechanisms and acute symptomatology and recovery time. ⋯ In this pilot study of concussed high school basketball players, head-to-ground was the most common concussion mechanism, with similar rates during offensive and defensive plays. Although head-to-body contact increased acute symptoms, other mechanisms did not predict recovery time. Given the limited information on concussions in basketball, the preliminary results of this pilot study may help inform larger studies on basketball SRC mechanisms.
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Venous air embolism (VAE) can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Prevention and management of VAE include cessation of air entrainment, positioning changes, and hemodynamic support. The degree to which position change and cardiac output (CO) moderate resolution of intracardiac air has not been rigorously studied using contemporary transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). ⋯ During VAE, both patient position and CO can significantly affect how bubbles move through intracardiac chambers. However, augmenting CO during VAE may be clinically more feasible, efficient, and productive than changing positioning-especially during crises unless the changing in position is intended to halt the entrainment of air. Further TEE studies of intravascular air movement affected by other position changes (lateral, reverse Trendelenburg) and vasopressors should be considered.
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In patients experiencing pain secondary to pathological compression fractures, balloon-assisted kyphoplasty and subsequent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may allow for restoration of vertebral height and irradiation of the underlying malignancy to control local disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of kyphoplasty treatment before SBRT in patients with spinal metastases and benign tumors. ⋯ The combined kyphoplasty and SBRT treatment paradigm can be used to treat patients with painful pathological compression fractures. Long-term LC and patient-reported improvement in pain were observed without the morbidity associated with open surgery.
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Correction with traditional dual growing rods (TDGR) might not be sufficient for severe and rigid spinal deformity. TDGR combines with apical control techniques (ACT) could theoretically improve curve correction and decrease the incidence of mechanical complications. However, long-term results for TDGR with ACT are limited. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review and compare the outcomes of patients who graduated from TDGR with or without ACT. ⋯ Compared with TDGR, TDGR + ACT can achieve better curve correction and apical control and comparable clinical outcomes while maintaining the growth of the spine and chest. Patients may derive more benefits from treatment with TDGR + ACT, including a lower incidence of mechanical complications and revision surgery, better pulmonary function, and the avoidance of final fusion.