World Neurosurg
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To introduce a novel traction device for management of pediatric atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation (AARS) in source limiting areas. ⋯ This hand-made simple cervical traction device in source limiting centers and hospitals is a good example of doing more with less. It was effective and the tolerance of the patient was acceptable. Further studies with larger series are required for providing appropriate evidence.
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To investigate the baseline patient characteristics, nonoperative modalities, surgical procedures, and complications rates of surgical cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients. To evaluate risk factors for developing complications and compare the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from baseline to 2 years postoperatively. ⋯ The overall complication rate was 7.4% for the cohort. Baseline clinical information, comorbidities, use of nonoperative treatment modalities, and procedure type were not significantly associated with an increased risk of complications. Previous cervical spine surgery increased the risk of complications by 9-fold. The patients showed significantly improved SF-36 PCS, SF-36 MCS, and NDI scores at 2 years after surgery.
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Conservative wait-and-scan management for vestibular schwannomas (VSs) is an important treatment option, but its role is unclear because of discordance between tumor growth and hearing outcomes. ⋯ Conservative management could be especially valid for small (<0.10 cm3), noncystic VSs in patients with Gardner-Robertson grade 1 at diagnosis. However, for tumors with a small-to-medium initial volume (0.10-3.0 cm3), future hearing impairment might be inversely proportional to tumor growth rate. Therefore, small-to-medium sized tumors should be followed-up more closely regardless of the initial hearing impairment.
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The main target of stroke intervention is the revascularization of occluded vessels, usually achieved with thrombectomy or thrombus aspiration. Despite good results in limited series, intracranial primary stenting is controversial for increased hemorrhagic risk owing to the need for dual antiplatelet therapy. ⋯ Our experience with this patient demonstrates that primary intracranial stenting shoud be considered in selected cases when other revascularization techniques are difficult or impossible to perform owing to anatomic reasons. Extreme care should be taken in patient selection because of the risks associated with antiplatelet therapy. In particular, it may be recommended in patients with a small core on computed tomography perfusion or diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and in whom thrombectomy and thromboaspiration are impossible for anatomic reasons.
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Comparative Study
A CT-based Comparison of Abnormal Vertebrae Pedicles between Dystrophic and Nondystrophic Scoliosis in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.
To explore the prevalence and distribution of abnormal vertebral pedicles in scoliosis secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1-S) and to compare the abnormal vertebrae pedicles between dystrophic and nondystrophic scoliosis. ⋯ There is a significantly high prevalence of abnormal pedicles in patients with NF1-S and an increased rate of abnormal pedicles in dystrophic scoliosis compared with nondystrophic ones. The described pedicle classification system could serve as an objective tool to guide preoperative assessment.