World Neurosurg
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Acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) have been established as promising alternatives to autologous nerve grafts, which represent the reference standard. Our research group recently performed a systematic review of reported cell-based-enriching methods for recellularization of ANAs. Recellularization results in consistent improvement of peripheral neuroregeneration compared with plain ANAs. We systematically reviewed the effects on nerve regeneration when ANA enrichment was obtained through biological, chemical, and physical modification instead of cells. ⋯ Noncellular-based stimulation of ANAs demonstrated positive effects on recovery of nerve function compared with nerve grafting compared with plain ANAs. The neuroregenerative effect of autografting still appeared superior to ANAs, even with noncellular enrichment of ANAs. However, we found that in a few studies, modified ANAs closely approached or even outperformed autografts. Future research should include more preclinical investigations of this promising tool and clinical translation to increase the level of evidence available in the challenging field of peripheral nerve reconstruction.
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We investigated whether the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlates with the outcomes of anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). ⋯ These results suggest that ACAF could provide good decompression of the spinal cord and neurological improvement. Also, recovery of the CSF space correlated closely with the surgical ACAF outcomes for cervical myelopathy due to OPLL.
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Angiogenesis has been shown to be strictly related to tumor malignancy. Glioblastoma (GBM) is highly vascularized and von Willebrand Factor (VWF) plays a potent proangiogenic role. Dynamic contrast-enhanced and dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represent a widely accepted method to assess GBM microvasculature. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between plasma VWF:Ag, permeability, and perfusion MRI parameters and examine their potential in predicting GBM patient prognosis. ⋯ These findings, in a small group of patients, suggest a role for VWF:Ag, similar to Ktrans, and Kep as a prognostic indicator of postoperative survival of patients with GBM.
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Comparative Study
Cage Subsidence and Fusion Rate in XLIF With and Without Fixation.
To examine the subsidence rate in patients undergoing extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) using data from a 2-year retrospective study to assess the effect of supplemental fixation on the stand-alone procedure. ⋯ Supplemental fixation did not significantly influence cage subsidence or SL angle. Only BPS fixation significantly improved the LL angle. The 2-year fusion rate was satisfactory.
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Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) and cellular schwannomas (CSs) of the eighth cranial nerve are exceedingly rare. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical and genetic characterization of these rare tumors. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first high-resolution genomic analysis of MPNSTs and CSs of the eighth cranial nerve and has shown a significant difference that might be more accurate to distinguish between these 2 types of rare tumors.