World Neurosurg
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Shunt overdrainage is a potential complication in pediatric hydrocephalus. The addition of adjustable gravitational units to previous shunt systems has been proposed as effective management for this problem. These devices have been traditionally implanted over the occipital bone. We propose chest implantation as an easier, safer, and more stable alternative in the pediatric population, especially in those cases with parieto-occipital shunts. ⋯ In our experience, chest implantation for adjustable gravitational devices was a suitable shunt modification in pediatric patients suffering from overdrainage.
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Observational Study
Minimal Invasive Approach toward Percutaneous Direct Pars Repair: An Observational Study.
Spondylolysis refers to a defect of the vertebral pars interarticularis. Percutaneous direct pars repair using a minimally invasive technique was performed in a group of young patients to maintain their spinal segment movement and to restore their normal anatomy. The aim of this study was to present the clinical, functional, and radiologic outcomes of pars defects that were repaired percutaneously via the minimally invasive technique. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgery to treat symptomatic spondylolysis is a safe option that minimizes muscle and soft tissue dissection. In this study, good clinical and functional outcomes were achieved in young patients with low complications and high fusion rates using completely percutaneous treatment.
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Hounsfield unit (HU) of perihematomal edema (PHE) may be a predictor of prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Our study evaluated whether PHE mean HU at the 72 hours after ICH predicts outcome, and how it compares against other PHE measures. ⋯ The PHE mean HU at 72 hours was negatively correlated with the poor prognosis of patients with ICH. The prediction ability of PHE mean HU at 72 hours was better than PHE absolute volume and extension distance, contributing to a rather good index for predicting outcome of ICH.
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Traditional imaging modalities are not useful in the follow-up of irradiated metastatic brain tumors, because radiation can change imaging characteristics. We aimed to assess the ability of treatment response assessment maps (TRAMs) calculated from delayed-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiation between radiation effect and persistent tumoral tissue. ⋯ The presented results show the ability of TRAMs in differentiating radiation effect and persistent tumoral lesions.
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Microsurgical clipping, along with endovascular treatment, has evolved in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA), and these developments have resulted in a reduction of the complication rate. We discuss the need for a central venous catheter (CVC) insertion as an anesthetic preparation for microsurgical clipping. ⋯ CVC insertion for clipping surgery for UIA is not mandatory. Considering the possible complications associated with CVCs, we cautiously suggest aneurysm surgery with CVC insertion in patients with serious medical comorbidities, aneurysm sizes >10 mm, and difficult proximal parent artery control.