Neurosurgery
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Hypertonic Saline Solution Versus Mannitol for Brain Relaxation During Craniotomies: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis.
The preferred osmotic agent used for brain relaxation during craniotomies remains unclear, either mannitol (MAN) or hypertonic saline (HTS). Hence, we sought to compare these solutions in this population. ⋯ In this updated meta-analysis, consistent results suggest that HTS is associated with more beneficial outcomes than MAN in patients undergoing craniotomy.
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In the following article, we define the practice of global neurosurgery and review the major historical events defining this movement within the larger context of global surgery. The current state of the neurosurgical workforce, disease burden, and ongoing collaborative efforts are highlighted. Ethical practice leading the sustainability is discussed, as well as future targets for the global community as we look beyond the next decade of opportunities to affect the neurosurgical burden of disease.
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Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) made its debut to great fanfare in the mid-1990s. However, the enthusiasm for this technology with seemingly obvious benefits for neurosurgeons has waned. We review the benefits and utility of iMRI across the field of neurosurgery and present an overview of the evidence for iMRI for multiple neurosurgical disciplines: tumor, skull base, vascular, pediatric, functional, and spine. ⋯ Evidence for iMRI use varies greatly by specialty, with the most evidence for tumor, vascular, and pediatric neurosurgery. The benefits of real-time anatomic imaging, a lack of radiation, and evaluation of surgical outcomes are limited by the cost and difficulty of iMRI integration. Nonetheless, the ability to ensure patients are provided by a maximal yet safe treatment that specifically accounts for their own anatomy and highlights why iMRI is a valuable and underutilized tool across multiple neurosurgical subspecialties.