Neurosurgery
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Comparative Study
Stimulation mapping via implanted grid electrodes prior to surgery for gliomas in highly eloquent cortex.
To evaluate whether preoperative mapping of higher cortical functions with subdural grid electrodes can help to maximize resection in functional areas and avoid permanent injury. ⋯ Preoperative grid mapping is a safe and precise instrument to evaluate language and/or associated left perisylvian functions in patients with gliomas. It may be considered a valid alternative to awake craniotomy to maximize safe resection.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Minimally invasive resection of intradural-extramedullary spinal neoplasms.
Spinal intradural-extramedullary neoplasms are uncommon lesions that usually cause pain or neurological deficit secondary to neural compression. Traditional treatment of these tumors includes open laminectomy with intradural resection. We describe an alternative minimally invasive surgical technique in a consecutive series of patients undergoing treatment for symptomatic lesions. ⋯ Intradural-extramedullary neoplasms can be safely and effectively treated with minimally invasive techniques. Potential reduction in blood loss, hospitalization and disruption to local tissues suggest that, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, this technique may present an alternative to traditional open tumor resection.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Salvage technique of posterior iliac bolt placement in long-segment spinal constructs with a previous posterior iliac crest harvest: technical note.
Fusion between the lumbar spine and sacrum has been used to treat deformity, degenerative disease, trauma, and tumor. These constructs have a higher failure rate when a long construct is designed, in patients with poor bone quality, and in patients with previous irradiation or with significant osteoporosis. ⋯ The purpose of this technical note is to describe our salvage technique of iliac bolt placement as an adjunct to lumbar-sacral fusions in a previously harvested iliac crest.
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Comparative Study
Outcome of surgical clipping of unruptured aneurysms as it compares with a 10-year nonclipping survival period.
Recent studies on the natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms dictate that we reevaluate the risks and benefits of surgical intervention as it compares with the natural course. We analyzed the outcome of surgical clipping of a patient cohort with unruptured aneurysms as it compares with a 10 year nonclipping survival period on the basis of two previously published studies (International Study on Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and a study by Juvela et al. [36] from Helsinki). ⋯ Studies on natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms suggest 10 year cumulative bleeding-related mortality and severe morbidity of no less than 7.5%. In our study, surgical clipping resulted in an 0.8% rate of mortality and 3.4% permanent morbidity. This suggests that surgical clipping has the potential of a superior outcome to the natural history of patients who have an estimated life expectancy of no less than 10 years.
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Comparative Study
Examining concussion rates and return to play in high school football players wearing newer helmet technology: a three-year prospective cohort study.
The purpose of this study was to compare concussion rates and recovery times for athletes wearing newer helmet technology compared to traditional helmet design. ⋯ Recent sophisticated laboratory research has better elucidated injury biomechanics associated with concussion in professional football players. This data has led to changes in helmet design and new helmet technology, which appears to have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of cerebral concussion in high school football players.