World Neurosurg
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The effect of marital status and living arrangements on health through modified health behaviors and social networks has been well-established in reported studies, with many experts claiming a "protective" effect from married life for individuals. We sought to study the effect of marital and socioeconomic status (SES) on the outcomes of patients with spinal cord tumors. ⋯ Unmarried and widowed status, lower SES, and male sex resulted in a greater risk of mortality. These factors should be considered when tailoring the treatment plan for such patients.
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Apparently similar intra-axial pontine lesions may demand distinct surgical approaches. Selecting the optimal approach reduces unnecessary manipulation of tracts and nuclei. This study aims to reveal a quantitative analysis of main surgical corridors dealing with intrinsic pontine pathology. ⋯ In addition to producing similar areas and angles of attack, the retrolabyrinthine yields a more orthogonal trajectory to lateral pons than the retrosigmoid approach. Adding a tentorial cut and anterior petrosectomy significantly increased areas and lengths of exposure of a regular subtemporal approach. The combined approach significantly increased angles of attack to both the supratrigeminal and lateral pontine safe zones.
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To report the establishment of a new center for deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a surgical treatment for Parkinson disease and the surgical outcomes, from 2014 to 2017 in Shiraz, Southern Iran. ⋯ Bilateral STN DBS is a satisfactory and safe treatment for carefully selected patients with advanced Parkinson disease. According to the results, the procedure can be performed safely and with comparable results in developing countries around the world.