World Neurosurg
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Gross total resection (GTR) is not always possible in acromegalic patients, especially in patients with invasive growth hormone-secreting adenomas. We analyzed the biochemical remission outcome in relation to extent of tumor resection and effectiveness of medical treatment in cases of remnant tumor. ⋯ The more aggressive surgical resection is, the greater the chance of attaining final biochemical remission, whether or not GTR is achieved. Medical therapy effectiveness is enhanced in cases with STR. Invasive growth hormone-secreting macroadenomas that are not surgically amenable to total resection are best managed with a combination of safe STR and medical treatment.
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Evaluate if dural tears (DTs) are an indirect risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease through increased recumbency in patients undergoing elective lumbar decompression and instrumented fusion. ⋯ While DTs during elective lumbar decompression and instrumentation led to later ambulation and longer hospital stays, the increased recumbency did not significantly increase the rate of symptomatic venous thromboembolic disease.
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Social media have revolutionized access to educational content. Given the extensive presence of social media, these platforms have the potential to influence neurosurgical training and education of residents and fellows. We explored the attitudes of neurosurgical trainees (postgraduate years 1-9) toward social media and their perceived influence on training and education. ⋯ Social media use was ubiquitous among trainees. Although most used social media for personal social communication, most also used it for academic purposes.
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Conservative methods are the traditional options in the management of lumber spondylolysis whereas surgery is indicated for symptomatic patients not responding to medical treatment and cases with a multilevel pars defect. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiologic results of using bone graft and fixation with pedicular screw-rod-laminar hook construct in treatment of lumber spondylolysis. ⋯ Reconstruction fixation of pars defect using this construct is an effective, feasible procedure in the treatment of Lumbar spondylolysis regarding the preservation of lumbar motion and avoidance of adjacent-segment problems after fusion.
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To review our experience with punctate midline myelotomy (PMM) for malignant and benign visceral pain with an emphasis on detailed side-effect profiles and efficacy. ⋯ PMM offers substantial pain relief for carefully selected patients with intractable visceral pain. Relief from primarily endoderm-derived structures was most complete and long-lasting. Relief from mesoderm-derived structures was typically transient or incomplete. There was essentially no relief from pain of ectoderm-derived structures. Detailed preoperative counseling is important, especially for those with pre-existing neurologic deficits.