World Neurosurg
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In the present report, we have broadly outlined the potential advances in the field of skull base surgery, which might occur within the next 20 years based on the many areas of current research in biology and technology. Many of these advances will also be broadly applicable to other areas of neurosurgery. We have grounded our predictions for future developments in an exploration of what patients and surgeons most desire as outcomes for care. ⋯ Additionally, we have discussed the training requirements for future skull base surgeons and stressed the need for adaptability and change. However, the essential requirements for skull base surgeons will remain unchanged, including knowledge, attention to detail, technical skill, innovation, judgment, and compassion. We believe that active involvement in these rapidly evolving technologies will enable us to shape some of the future of our discipline to address the needs of both patients and our profession.
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Transvenous embolization is a not so widely used technique for treatment of arteriovenous malformations.1,2 However, in the reported cases and series in the literature, it is proven to be a safe and efficient method that can lead to total occlusion of the formation in 1 procedure.2-5 The transvenous approach is reserved for small, deeply localized formations with a single draining vein.2-4 In this video, we present a case of a successful single-session transvenous embolization of a ruptured arteriovenous malformation with Onyx. Prior to the injection of the liquid embolic agent, coils were deployed at the proximal part of the draining vein. A balloon was inflated at the arterial part to decrease the pressure inside the nidus, therefore ensuring better penetration of the embolic agent. Control angiogram at the end of the procedure showed total occlusion of the nidus of the arteriovenous malformation.
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Increasing costs put the value of spine surgery under scrutiny. In health economics, cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) are used to compare the value of competing procedures. However, inconsistent methodology prevents standardization and implementation of recommendations. The goal of this study is to perform a systematic review of all U.S. CEAs in spine surgery reported to date, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and define metrics essential for high-quality CEAs. ⋯ Costing methodology remains obscure and inconsistent and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio results incomparable. The language of costing methodology must be standardized and sensitivity analyses of outcome and cost inputs mandatory for publication.
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Managing unilateral vertically displaced sacral fractures remains a challenge. A triangular osteosynthesis (TOS), which involves fixing the fractured sacrum using unilateral spinopelvic fixation and a supplemental ilio-sacral screw, continues to gain popularity as it facilitates early mobilization and improves the long-term outcome. However, it has limitations, such as destruction of the L5-S1 joint, the need for additional removal surgery, and an increased risk of infection due to the large incision. An S1 pediculoiliac construct was proposed to overcome this limitations. Its use also has complications, however, including a painful hardware prominence due to the traditional iliac screw, excessive soft tissue retraction, and limited reduction capability. ⋯ For unilateral vertically unstable sacral fractures, TOS using S1 pedicle screws and S2AIS is safe and has the advantage such as maintaining mobility in the lumbar pelvic region, small size wounds, and reduced soft tissue damage, and it may have a potentially low infection rate. Further studies are needed to determine the specific indications and validate the effectiveness of this procedure.
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Review Case Reports
Corpus callosotomy for refractory epilepsy in Aicardi syndrome: a case report and focused review of the literature.
Aicardi syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs primarily in females and is characterized by seizures, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and chorioretinal lacunae, which occur together in the majority of affected individuals. Seizures begin in infancy and tend to progress in intensity and are often refractory to standard multimodal medication treatments. ⋯ For the subset of children who present with partial, rather than complete, agenesis of the corpus callosum, corpus callosotomy should be considered as a treatment option to reduce seizure burden.