Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Titanium mesh is a commonly used material for cranioplasty. While it is a safe and highly biocompatable material, it can modify the presentation of post-operative complications. This case report details 3 patients (2 recurrent meningiomas and an extradural haematoma) in whom post-operative complications, although not caused by the titanium mesh, were modified in their presentation by the permeability of the material. The permeable nature of the mesh allows intracranial pathological processes to extend extracranially and vice versa.
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Various clinical signs have been used for assessing difficult intubation in patients with acromegaly. These signs include the modified Mallampati classification, measurement of thyromental distance and head and neck movements. Some authors have also tried to establish a relationship between growth hormone levels and difficult intubation. ⋯ The incidence of Mallampati III and IV grades was higher in patients with acromegaly. Increased thyromental distance was noted in patients with a long duration of disease. However, increased thyromental distance was not associated with difficult laryngoscopy.
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The human sacrum is the target of lumbosacral instrumentation and decompression procedures. Such surgical interventions require detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the human sacrum. The aim of this study was to measure surgically relevant parameters. ⋯ Thus, this study describes anatomical specifications of the sacrum. These defined morphometric details should be taken into consideration during surgical procedures. This study also describes anatomical landmarks which will allow injury of the sacrum during surgery to be avoided.
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This retrospective study evaluated the recovery of ankle dorsiflexion (ADF) weakness following decompressive surgery in order to identify factors indicative of a better outcome. Fifty-six consecutive patients with ADF weakness secondary to nerve root compression underwent lumbar decompressive surgery. The demographic features, duration and severity of preoperative ADF weakness, associated radicular pain, as well as the radiological and intraoperative findings were recorded. ⋯ Only small improvements take place beyond 6 weeks following surgery. The degree of deficit at presentation is predictive of the extent of recovery. Recovery in ADF strength is more evident in younger patients.