World Neurosurg
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Clinical Trial
A Blinded, Case-Control Trial Assessing the Value of SSFP MRI in the Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be a useful and readily available adjunct in identifying trigeminal neuralgia secondary to vascular contact (TNVC). This study evaluated the reliability and predictive ability of 1.5-tesla steady state free precession (SSFP) MRI sequences for the diagnosis of symptomatic vascular contact and response to operative intervention in patients with TNVC. ⋯ These results suggest the utility of SSFP MRI lies not in the diagnosis of TNVC, but rather in stratifying the likelihood of response to microvascular decompression in patients with characteristic symptoms.
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Minimally invasive spinal decompression for the treatment of spinal stenosis or disk herniation is often indicated if conservative management fails. However, the influence of old age on the risk of postoperative complications and clinical outcome is not well understood. We therefore sought to compare complication rates and outcomes after minimally invasive surgery decompression and discectomy in elderly patients with a cohort of younger patients undergoing similar procedures. ⋯ Our results indicate that minimally invasive decompressive surgery is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients and does not pose an increased risk of complications. Future prospective studies are necessary to validate the specific advantages of the minimally invasive techniques in the elderly population.
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Silver-impregnated external ventricular drains (EVDs) have reduced the number of cases of ventriculitis. Risk factors for developing ventriculitis associated with plain EVD catheters have been well documented and incorporated into clinical practice, but risk factors in association with silver EVDs are unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the risk factors for developing ventriculitis in patients with a silver EVD. ⋯ We identified an infection rate of 5.2% in this large contemporary series of patients undergoing silver EVD insertion according to a set protocol. These data suggest that targeting strategies to reduce Staphylococcus species is important, and increased vigilance for an increased incidence of gram-negative organisms is needed. Decreasing the need for EVD replacement is important in reducing infection rates further.
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The clinical significance of the Simpson grading system of extent of meningioma resection and its role as a predictor for recurrence of World Health Organization (WHO) grade I meningiomas have been questioned in the past, as microsurgery and knowledge of pathologic details have advanced. ⋯ When histologic grade is fixed, the Simpson grading system is the prime predictor for recurrence of meningioma after resection. Grade 0-I resection is also beneficial in cutting off antiepileptic medication in patients with convexity meningiomas. Although complete tumor resection (grade 0-I) is the goal, the surgical approach should be tailored to each patient depending on the risks and surgical morbidity.
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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed procedure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, although uncommon, may occur and can be a potentially serious complication. Little is known regarding the fusion rate after durotomy in ACDF. This study sought to investigate the clinical outcomes and fusion rates of patients with CSF leak after ACDF. ⋯ ACDFs with CSF leak had a 100% fusion rate in this series, with generally excellent clinical outcomes, although it is difficult to conclude definitively that there is no effect on fusion rates because of the small sample size. However, given the relative rarity of this complication, this study provides important data in the clinical literature regarding outcomes after CSF leak in ACDFs.