World Neurosurg
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Publication rate can indirectly assess the quality of research presented in scientific meetings. Considering presentations at orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery meetings, 10.5-66% of abstracts are published in scientific journals. Publication rate of abstracts presented at CSS Meetings is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the publication rate of abstracts presented at the Canadian Spine Society(CSS) Annual Meetings from 2005to2014. ⋯ The CSS scientific meeting maintain along the years a steady high quality research presentations as manifested by its significant publication rate(54.8%) in medical journals with mean IF of 3.73. In comparison with other spine scientific meetings, publication rates of abstracts presented at CSS meeting is amongst the highest.
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Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks traditionally involves laboratory testing of markers and appropriate imaging. Surgical localization can be difficult, and the inability to accurately localize skull base defects leads to increased rates of repair failure and complications. Many imaging techniques localizing and identifying CSF leaks have been proposed. Comparisons of current and investigational imaging techniques used to localize CSF leaks are reviewed. ⋯ Although radionuclide cisternography has been the historical standard, recent imaging techniques have emerged considering the low sensitivity. Computed tomography cisternography with contrast also has low sensitivity, even in active leaks. Although high-resolution computed tomography is commonly the initial study of choice, magnetic resonance imaging methods, particularly 3-dimensional imaging, may prove to be a more sensitive study of choice. Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging combination methods may show promise in localizing CSF leaks. Stratifying by status and etiology may be an important determinant. Further studies investigating various imaging techniques for localizing CSF leaks are needed.
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Review Historical Article
A brain hidden in Ferrara cathedral: a novel interpretation of a Renaissance masterpiece.
The aim of present report was to briefly review the history of the anatomical studies during the Italian Renaissance and to outline their relationship to the figurative arts, focusing, in particular, on neuroanatomical studies that have been at the center of the medical and philosophical debate from the 14th to 16th centuries. Therefore, we have presented the interpretation of different Renaissance masterpieces for which some references to brain anatomy have been previously reported. We propose a new interpretation, in neuroanatomical key, of the fresco of the universal judgment in the vault of San Giorgio's Cathedral in Ferrara, Italy, painted around the end of the 16th century.
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In the past decade, prevalence of obesity in the United States have been soaring at a disparaging rate. Previous spine studies have associated obesity with inferior surgical outcomes, increased complication and 30-day readmission rates, and worsening patient-reported outcomes. However, there is a paucity of data identifying whether the impact of obesity is sustained in patients undergoing complex deformity correction involving 7 levels or greater. The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity impacts surgical outcomes, patient-reported pain scores, and 30-day readmission rates after complex spinal fusions ≥7 levels. ⋯ Our study suggests that obesity does not significantly affect surgical outcomes, patient-reported pain scores, and 30-day readmission rates after complex spinal surgery requiring ≥7 levels of fusion. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings.