World Neurosurg
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To analyze the stability of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and compare various methods of supplemental fixation in adjacent-segment disease. ⋯ LLIF with and without supplemental fixation reduced motion significantly at the adjacent segment as compared with intact disc. There was a trend toward increasing rigidity with supplemental fixation (plate and pedicle screw constructs). Further biomechanical studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these initial findings.
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The Wishbone device is designed to enable surgeons to quickly and accurately localize the cranial midline. It is intended to be of particular use when localizing the burr hole site during posterior ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery. ⋯ We describe a simple, efficient, and cost-effective system for accurately localizing the posterior cranial midline. A larger patient series is required to definitively compare its clinical utility relative to frameless stereotaxis-based midline localization methods.
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The increase of intradiskal pressure on the upper segment resulting from intervertebral distraction after lumbar intervertebral fusion decreases intervertebral height and aggravates degeneration. However, the incidence rate and risk factors of the adjacent intervertebral disk height decrease phenomenon have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence rate and risk factors of the adjacent intervertebral disk height decrease phenomenon after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) of the lumbar spine. ⋯ Distraction of the L4-5 intervertebral space by cage insertion leads to a reduced height on the adjacent L3-4 segment in some patients. In addition, the decrease in L3-4 intervertebral height resulting from L4-5 distraction was correlated with age, preoperative lumbar lordosis, and facet joint sagittalization.
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Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) refers to a clinical constellation of signs and symptoms associated with tension in the spinal cord and associated with pathologies related to abnormally low-lying conus medullaris. As minimally invasive spinal operations have become more prevalent in the past decade, we applied expanding indications to selected intradural procedures, such as tethered cord release (TCR). We present the first series of minimally invasive muscle-sparing TCR in the pediatric population. ⋯ Minimally invasive TCR is a safe and represents a viable alternative to the open approach with advantages such as minimal estimated blood loss, shortened length of stay, and postoperative pain control.
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Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an option for hydrocephalus treatment in patients with myelomeningocele, mostly after a previous shunt dysfunction. Late failure of ETV is a rare event, traditionally associated with dramatic symptoms of intracranial hypertension. In patients with myelodysplasia and neurogenic bladder dysfunction, urodynamic deterioration can be a signal of neurologic worsening as a consequence of tethered cord or shunt problems. ⋯ Pediatric neurosurgeons must follow myelomeningocele patients with successful ETV for a long time and take care of subtle alterations of organic functions that have a close relationship with central nervous system integrity. A multidisciplinary approach can facilitate this strategy and avoid a tragic outcome.