World Neurosurg
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Three-dimensional (3D) printed models of the human skull and parts of it are being increasingly used for surgical education and customized preoperative planning. ⋯ Qualitatively flawless replicas of the skull region investigated are feasible, subject to extensive manual CT image editing. However, neurosurgeons should be aware that models of one and the same patient will vary according to the production chain used by the 3D printing laboratory in charge. Methodologically, both classic anthropological and light-stripe-based comparisons are justified for use in future studies. For trials aimed at assessing mean deviations and topographic distribution patterns, optical 3D scanning technologies can be recommended.
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Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because arterial stiffness has been correlated with vascular risk factors, we evaluated whether the ankle-brachial index (ABI), the ratio of the ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures, can predict DCI. ⋯ In this small single-center study, lower ABI values were strongly associated with SAH-induced DCI, which may provide a tool for managing DCI in aneurysmal SAH.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Assessment of the radiation exposure of surgeons and patients during a lumbar microdiscectomy and a cervical microdiscectomy: a French prospective multicenter study.
Cervical and lumbar disk herniations are the most frequently carried out procedures in spinal surgery. Often, a few snapshots during the procedure are necessary to validate the level or to position the implant. The objective of this study is to quantitatively estimate the radiation received by a spine surgeon and patient during a low-dose radiation procedure. ⋯ Exposure to x-rays for surgeons and patients during surgery for lumbar disk herniation is higher than during surgery for cervical herniation disk. Our results show that radiation exposure to the spine surgeon is still far below the annual dose limits.
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Multicenter Study
Preliminary Analysis of Adjacent Segment Degeneration in Patients Treated with Posterior Cervical Cages - 2 Year Follow-Up.
Select patients with unremitting symptoms of cervical radiculopathy may be treated with indirect foraminal decompression and fusion via placement of a cervical cage placed bilaterally through a tissue sparing, posterior approach. Segmental fusion is known to affect adjacent segments. The aim of this study was to assess the affect of posterior fusion using bilateral cervical cages on adjacent segment degeneration (ASDegeneration) at 2 years postoperatively. ⋯ In the current study, 5.9% of subjects treated with posterior cervical cages placed bilaterally between the facet joints developed adjacent segment degeneration at 2 years. Mild progression of existing degeneration was observed in 11.8% of subjects. Further evaluation to establish long-term incidence is needed.