Neurosurgery
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Comparative Study
Observation Versus Intervention for Low-Grade Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas.
Low-grade intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) have a benign natural history in the majority of cases. The benefit from treatment of these lesions is controversial. ⋯ Intervention for low-grade intracranial dAVFs achieves superior obliteration rates compared to conservative management, but it fails to improve neurological or functional outcomes. Our findings do not support the routine treatment of low-grade dAVFs.
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American tort law (a.k.a. negligence) is designed to be flexible and elastic to adapt to changes in time and public policy. It provides a structure of elements and factors to be applied to each case's specific facts on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of this structure is to achieve as much uniformity as possible in the application of tort law. ⋯ The physician typically owes her or his patient the duty to exercise care. However, there are special situations in which a physician may not owe a duty of care and thus cannot be held liable for medical negligence. This article is designed to provide an overview of the most common situations and summarizes the processes to determine whether a duty is owed.
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The trigeminal nerve directly innervates key vascular structures both centrally and peripherally. Centrally, it is known to innervate the brainstem and cavernous sinus, whereas peripherally the trigemino-cerebrovascular network innervates the majority of the cerebral vasculature. Upon stimulation, it permits direct modulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF), making the trigeminal nerve a promising target for the management of cerebral vasospasm. However, trigeminally mediated cerebral vasodilation has not been applied to the treatment of vasospasm. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that pTNS is a promising vasodilator and increases CBF, cerebral perfusion, and CGRP concentration both in normal and vasoconstrictive conditions.
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Posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCF) is a common procedure used to treat various cervical spine pathologies, but the 90-d outcomes following PCF surgery continue to be incompletely defined. ⋯ Smoking is a significant predictor of 90-d readmission and reoperation in patients undergoing PCF surgery. Smoking cessation should be strongly considered preoperatively in elective PCF cases to minimize the risk of 90-d readmission and reoperation.
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More effective therapies are needed to treat progressive desmoid tumors when active surveillance and systemic therapy fail. ⋯ Sandwich isolation surgery is effective and safe for local control of desmoid tumors involving neurovascular bundles.