World Neurosurg
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Review Meta Analysis
Radiation safety and spine surgery: systematic review of exposure limits and methods to minimize radiation exposure.
Ionizing radiation is typically used during spine surgery for localization and guidance in instrumentation placement. Minimally invasive (MI) surgical procedures are increasingly popular and often require significantly more fluoroscopy, placing surgeons at risk for increased radiation exposure and radiation-induced complications. This study provides recommendations for minimizing risk of radiation-induced injury to spine surgeons and summarizes studies addressing radiation exposure in spine procedures. ⋯ Spine surgeons should reduce their exposure to radiation to minimize risk of potential long-term complications. Strategies include minimizing fluoroscopy use and dose, proper use of protective gear, and appropriate manipulation of fluoroscopic equipment.
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The anatomy of the skull base is extremely complex with an abundance of critical neurovascular bundles and their corresponding foramina as well as the insertions and origins of multiple masticatory and craniocervical muscles. These anatomic intricacies increase the difficulty of surgery within this area. ⋯ EEAs are important techniques in contemporary skull base surgery. Understanding the indications for and limitations of these approaches help to maximize outcomes.
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Cavernous carotid aneurysms are considered benign lesions with indolent natural history. Apart from idiopathic aneurysms, traumatic, iatrogenic, and mycotic aneurysms are common in the cavernous segment of the carotid artery. With rapid advances in endovascular therapy, management of cavernous carotid aneurysms has evolved. Our aim was to review the management options available for cavernous carotid aneurysms. ⋯ A thorough knowledge of all the options is paramount to individualize therapy. We discuss the indications of treatment, various management options for cavernous carotid aneurysms and their outcomes.
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Spinal imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). In recent years there has been increasing interest in the development of advanced imaging techniques to provide pertinent microstructural and metabolic information that is not provided by conventional modalities. ⋯ Advanced imaging of the spinal cord has tremendous potential to provide patient-specific physiological information about the status of cord integrity and health. Advanced spinal cord imaging is still at early stages of development and clinical implementation but is likely to play an increasingly important role in the management of spinal cord health in the foreseeable future.
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Review
Current purpose and practice of hypertonic saline in neurosurgery: a review of the literature.
To review and summarize controversies and current concepts regarding the use of hypertonic saline during the perioperative period in neurosurgery. ⋯ We suggest that hypertonic saline will emerge as an alternative to mannitol, especially for a long-term use or multiple doses are needed and lead to a great opportunity for collaborative research.