World Neurosurg
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A high rate of instrumentation failure is frequently seen in osteoporotic spines, especially at the sacral segment because of the great shear stress. Several techniques of sacral pedicle screw placement, such as bicortical and tricortical fixation, have been developed; however, the problems of loosening and pulling out of the screws are still a concern. Recently, the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-augmented pedicle screws have been shown to strengthen the purchase in osteoporotic spine, but there are few reports on the effect of S1 pedicle screw with PMMA augmentation. ⋯ The S1 pedicle screws with PMMA augmentation achieved better stability with less screw loosening in the osteoporotic spine with lumbosacral degenerative diseases compared with bicortical/tricortical fixation at S1. This procedure is especially recommended for patients with long segment fixation and large postoperative PI-LL, but there is also a risk of bone cement leakage and a learning curve.
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Patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus often undergo multiple follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of the head, increasing the risk for long-term effects of ionizing radiation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the necessity as a routine diagnostic procedure and cost analysis of routine postoperative CT scan of the head after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. ⋯ Routine postoperative head CT scans after fentriculoperitoneal shunting are not necessary in all cases. The reduction of exposure to ionization radiation and the beneficial economic factor are main advantages.
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The management of chronic complete internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (COICA) has been challenging. Endovascular procedures have been performed with variable success and risks, depending on the type of occlusion and distal revascularization. We present a novel hybrid procedure to recanalize the ICA when previous endovascular interventions have failed or been deemed too risky. ⋯ A hybrid technique is feasible and should be considered for patients with COICA in whom maximal medical management has failed and who have a high-risk profile for endovascular intervention or in whom previous endovascular attempts have failed.
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Factors affecting academic productivity of neurosurgeons are increasingly being studied. In the current investigation, we retrospectively reviewed a cohort of early career neurosurgeons to determine if their medical education, residency training, or academic employer had the most influence on a young academician's productivity. ⋯ There is a correlation between the early career academic neurosurgeons' h-indexes and the ranking of all the institutions throughout their education, training, and current employment, but the strongest correlation was with the academic productivity of their residency program.
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Selection of anterior versus posterior surgery for multilevel (≥3) cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) continues to be controversial. A comparison between anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with ROI-C cage and laminoplasty was made to determine the better treatment for MCSM. ⋯ ACDF with ROI-C cage has a similar clinical efficacy to LMP for patients with MCSM. There was less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and improved sagittal balance when ACDF was used. However, a greater decrease in range of motion was observed after ACDF. Preoperative occupying ratio and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score are potential risk factors for different outcomes.