World Neurosurg
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Multicenter Study
Effect of Smoking Status on Successful Arthrodesis, Clinical Outcome, and Complications After Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF).
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a surgical technique indicated for the treatment of several lumbar pathologies. Smoking has been suggested as a possible cause of reduced fusion rates after ALIF, although the literature regarding the impact of smoking status on lumbar spine surgery is not well established. This study aims to assess the impact of perioperative smoking status on the rates of perioperative complications, fusion, and adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ALIF surgery. ⋯ The rate of successful fusion after ALIF surgery was found to be significantly lower for smokers compared with nonsmokers. No significant association was found between smoking status and other perioperative complications or adverse clinical outcomes.
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Review
Mammillothalamic and Mammillotegmental Tracts as New Targets for Dementia and Epilepsy Treatment.
Recently, neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation (DBS) has appeared as a new surgical procedure in the treatment of some types of dementia and epilepsy. The mammillothalamic and mammillotegmental tracts are involved among the new targets. To our knowledge, a review article focused specifically on these mammillary body efferents is lacking in the medical literature. Their contribution to memory is, regrettably, often overlooked. ⋯ A comprehensive knowledge of the white matter anatomy of the mammillothalamic and mammillotegmental tracts is crucial since they have emerged as new DBS targets in the treatment of various disorders including dementia and epilepsy.
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Although the Woven EndoBridge (WEB [Sequent Medical, Aliso Viejo, California, USA]) is a highly innovative technique for the endovascular treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs), there are no studies available comparing this technique with surgical results or other endovascular results of stent-assisted coiling or balloon-assisted coiling for WNBAs. The purpose of this study was to assess complications, complete occlusion rate, and morbidity and mortality of the WEB in WNBA treatment. ⋯ Adequate aneurysm occlusion was found in 81% of WEB cases with low morbidity and mortality.
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Microvascular decompression (MVD) is useful treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS) with refractory hypertension (RHTN). The biomedical glue sling technique is a new method for MVD. In this study, we retrospectively compared the outcome of the biomedical glue sling technique with traditional technique in MVD for HFS with RHTN. ⋯ When HFS is associated with RHTN, the efficacy of the biomedical glue sling technique for MVD is higher than that of the traditional technique for both HFS and RHTN.
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Case Reports
C1-2 and C2-3 Instability in the Presence of Hypoplastic Posterior Elements of C2 Vertebra: Report of 2 Cases.
We present 2 cases involving a previously unreported clinical situation in which basilar invagination, atlantoaxial instability, and C2-3 instability were associated with a bifid posterior arch of the axis bone. ⋯ C1-2 and C2-3 fixation resulted in firm fixation of the region and a remarkable clinical recovery. The most significant features were an immediate postoperative improvement in voice quality and the ability to sleep comfortably in the supine position.