Neurological research
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Neurological research · May 2017
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy of transsphenoidal surgery in achieving biochemical cure of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas among patients with cavernous sinus invasion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas in adults can result in severe craniofacial disfigurement and potentially fatal medical complications. Surgical resection leading to remission of the disease is dependent on complete surgical resection of the tumor. Lesions that invade the cavernous sinus may not be safely accessible via an endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), and the rates of biochemical remission of patients with residual disease vary widely in the literature. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of biochemical remission after TSS among patients with growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas with and without cavernous sinus invasion. ⋯ The prevalence of biochemical remission in patients with cavernous sinus invasion was lower than in patients without cavernous sinus invasion after TSS for acromegaly.
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Neurological research · Dec 2013
Meta AnalysisRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation versus electroconvulsive therapy for major depression: a meta-analysis of stimulus parameter effects.
Studies comparing the antidepressant effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have reported mixed results, as the choice of rTMS stimulus parameters is essential to its antidepressive effect. This meta-analysis aimed at assessing how rTMS stimulus parameters influence the efficacy of rTMS relative to ECT in treating major depression. ⋯ The results indicate that the efficacy of rTMS is tied to its stimulus parameters. Varying stimulus parameters can result in varying antidepressive effects. Consequently, future research on rTMS or rTMS versus ECT should take the influence of rTMS stimulus parameters into consideration.
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Neurological research · Oct 2010
Meta AnalysisEndovascular reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.
Intra-arterial thrombolysis has been advocated for treatment of acute ischemic stroke and several prognostic factors were identified in these patients. Other endovascular methods aiming to recanalize occluded vessels including balloon angioplasty, stenting and use of mechanical clot retrieving devices were devised. ⋯ MMRT includes intra-arterial infusion of thrombolytics and/or antiplatelet agents, mechanical clot disruption and retrieval and balloon angioplasty with stent placement. Recent results suggest that MMRT results in higher chances for both recanalization of the occluded artery and reperfusion of the ischemic tissue.