Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Unilateral versus bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation for single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) has become an increasingly popular method of lumbar arthrodesis. However, there are few published studies comparing the clinical outcomes between unilateral and bilateral instrumented MIS TLIF. Sixty-five patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease were enrolled in this study. ⋯ The total fusion rate, screw failure, and general complication rate were not significantly different. Results showed that single-level MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation would be sufficient in the management of preoperatively stable patients with lumbar degenerative disease. It seems that MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation is a better choice for single-level degenerative lumbar spine disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Percutaneous vertebroplasty compared with conservative treatment in patients with chronic painful osteoporotic spinal fractures.
The efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with chronic painful osteoporotic compression fractures remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of PVP and conservative treatment (CT) for pain relief and functional outcome in patients with chronic compression fractures and persistent pain. Ninety-six patients with chronic compression fractures confirmed by MRI and persistent severe pain for 3 months or longer were prospectively randomly assigned to undergo PVP (n=46, Group A) or CT (n=50, Group B). ⋯ Pain relief and functional outcomes were significantly better in Group A than in Group B, as determined by visual analogue scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, and Roland Morris Disability scores at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year (all p<0.001). The final clinical follow-up assessment indicated complete pain relief in 39 Group A patients and 15 Group B patients (p<0.001). PVP for patients with chronic compression fractures and persistent severe pain was associated with better pain relief and improved functional outcomes at 1 year compared to CT.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Posterolateral lumbar fusion versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.
This study compares the safety and efficacy of posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). Forty DLS patients with Cobb angles of 20-60 degrees were randomized into either the PLF or TLIF treatment group, and were followed up for 2-5 years. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, clinical outcomes, complications and imaging were compared between the two groups. ⋯ There were no significant differences in the recovery rates in the Cobb angle and the spinal coronal balance, function, self-image, or mental health scores. Although TLIF increases the surgical trauma and occurrence of complications, it helps to improve lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance and shows better clinical outcomes. For patients without significant loss of lumbar lordosis and with good spinal sagittal balance preoperatively, PLF is still an option.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of patients with spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage treated with intraventricular thrombolysis.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurring after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an independent risk factor for mortality. The use of intraventricular urokinase (Uk) to reduce intraventricular blood clot volume and improve outcome was investigated. Patients with IVH requiring external ventricular drainage were recruited and randomized into a double-blind placebo controlled study. ⋯ Our results showed an increase in both the drained CSF Hb concentration in patients treated with Uk compared to placebo and in the rate of resolution clot volume. No differences were found in the other outcome measures but there was a trend towards lowered mortality in the group treated with Uk. Therefore, intraventricular Uk resulted in faster resolution of IVH with no adverse events.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective study of Gasserian ganglion pulsed radiofrequency combined with continuous radiofrequency for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study to evaluate whether continuous radiofrequency (CRF) combined with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to the Gasserian ganglion (GG) decreases the side effects of CRF while preserving efficacy. Sixty patients diagnosed with classic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) were treated with either 75°C CRF for 120 s to 180 s (SCRF group), 75°C CRF for 240 s to 300 s (LCRF group), or 42°C PRF for 10 minutes (min) followed by 75°C CRF for 120 s to 180 s (PCRF group). Patients were assessed for pain intensity, quality of life (QOL), and intensity of facial dysesthesia before (baseline), and at seven days, three months, six months, and 12 months after the procedure. ⋯ After 12 months, >70% of patients in each group had complete pain relief, and the QOL in all three groups had increased significantly compared to baseline. The intensity of facial dysesthesia was mildest in the SCRF group and most severe in the PCRF group on the seventh day after the procedure, but most persistent in the LCRF group. Patients who receive PRF combined with CRF to the GG can achieve comparable pain relief to those who receive CRF alone, and shorter exposure of CRF could result in less destruction of the target tissue.