World Neurosurg
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Meta Analysis
Influence of the Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Gene rs3918242 Polymorphism on Development of Ischemic Stroke: a Meta-analysis.
The association between matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) gene -1562C/T (rs3918242) polymorphism and the susceptibility of ischemic stroke (IS) has been investigated. However, results were ambiguous and inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this study to better assess the potential relationship between rs3918242 polymorphism and susceptibility risk of IS. ⋯ The rs3918242 polymorphism may be a susceptible predictor of susceptibility of IS. Further large-scale studies are needed to verify the results of our findings.
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Meta Analysis
Decompressive craniectomy for patients with traumatic brain injury: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is widely applied for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although previous studies have indicated that DHC can lead to similar or worse outcomes compared with medical treatment (MT) in patients with TBI, recent trials have suggested the benefit of DHC for neurologic function recovery. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and functional outcomes of DHC in patients with TBI. ⋯ Our results indicate that DHC could be effective in reducing the mortality rate, incidence of ICP, and hospital length of stay in patients with TBI. However, the proportion of patients surviving with unfavorable outcomes was significantly higher in the DHC group compared with the MT group. Despite the limitations of the meta-analysis, our findings target extremely important topic and provide important evidence to facilitate clinical decision making.
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Review Case Reports
Choroid plexus carcinoma in adults: literature review and first report of a location into the third ventricle.
Choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) is a rare intraventricular neoplasm originating from choroid plexus. CPC is the most aggressive choroid plexus tumor. Almost all the CPCs are detected in children, and the preferred location is the lateral ventricle. ⋯ Gross total resection should be the first step of the treatment: however, according to the literature, gross total resection is achieved only in 40-75% of cases in CPC as opposed to 95% in choroid plexus papilloma, mainly due to the difficulty in managing a highly vascularized tumor in such a deep location. Chemotherapy has not an established role and adjuvant treatment is based on radiotherapy. In the case described hereby the gross total resection associated with surgical treatment of hydrocephalus and adjuvant radiotherapy has achieved a good clinical and radiological outcome.
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Traditional manual retraction to access deep-seated brain lesions has been associated with complications related to vascular compromise of cerebral tissue. Various techniques have been developed over time to minimize injury, such as self-sustaining retractors, neuronavigation, and endoscopic approaches. Recently, tubular retractors, such as the ViewSite Brain Access System (VBAS), have been developed to reduce mechanical damage from retraction by dispersing the force of the retractor radially over the parenchyma. Therefore, we sought to review the current literature to accurately assess the indications, benefits, and complications associated with use of VBAS retractors. ⋯ This report is the first formal assessment of the VBAS, highlighting technical considerations of the retractor from the surgeon's perspective, patient outcomes, and complications. The retractor is a safe and efficacious tubular retraction system that can be used for tumor biopsy and resection, colloid cyst removal, hematoma evacuation, and removal of foreign bodies. However, further randomized controlled trials are indicated to accurately assess complication rates and outcomes.