Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Nov 2018
Meta AnalysisCivilian Gunshot Wounds to the Head: Prognostic Factors Affecting Mortality: Meta-Analysis of 1774 Patients.
Civilian gunshot wounds to the head (cGSWH) are devastating, but there is no consensus regarding prognosis and management. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify prognostic factors associated with mortality. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were queried for retrospective cohort studies of isolated cGSWH reporting mortality prognostic factors. ⋯ This is the first meta-analysis on cGSWH mortality prognostic factors. Increasing age, suicide attempt, lower GCS, bilateral mydriasis, dural penetration, and bihemispheric and multi-lobar injury are associated with increased mortality. This study can serve as a guide to clinicians and will provide directions for future research to develop evidence-based management algorithms.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Nov 2018
Meta AnalysisEfficacy of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Transplantation in Rat Models with Traumatic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease that results in severe motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction, for which there are currently no available treatments. Subsequent to the primary mechanical damage, progressive secondary damage further exacerbates the functional deficit. Demyelination may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCI. ⋯ The percentage of myelinated axons increased significantly in the OPC group compared to that of the control group after OPC transplantation. Area measurements across groups revealed a significant reduction in cavity size in the OPC-treated groups compared to the control group. In conclusion, OPC transplantation provided considerable beneficial effects after traumatic SCI.