World Neurosurg
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Sports-related injuries are the third commonest cause of spine fractures. Spinal fractures incurred as a result of partaking in sport by their nature are different from those associated with frailty and road traffic accidents. The patient demographics and nature of fractures associated with sports activities are not well documented. We aim to describe the management and outcome of patients with a sports-related spine fracture in a single U.K. major trauma center in a 6-year time period. ⋯ Within our population, sports most commonly associated with spinal fractures were horse riding, cycling, and boating. The majority of cases were managed nonoperatively. Further research is required to establish evidence-based guidelines on the management of sports-related spinal fractures.
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There is no comprehensive report of neurosurgery postgraduate education in Africa. This narrative review aimed to map out the landscape of neurosurgery training in Africa and highlight similarities and differences in training. ⋯ This review provides prospective applicants and African and global neurosurgery stakeholders with information to advocate for increased investment in African neurosurgery training programs.
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The urea-creatinine ratio (UCR) has been proposed as potential biomarker for critical illness-associated catabolism. Its role in the context of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains to be elucidated, which was the aim of the present study. ⋯ In this exploratory study of UCR in the context of aSAH, greater early values were predictive for a poor clinical outcome after 12 months, whereas greater critical values were associated with DCI, DCI-related infarctions, and poor clinical outcomes. The clinical implications as well as the pathophysiologic relevance of protein catabolism should be explored further in the context of aSAH.
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Pediatric pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare brain tumor. To date, there are few studies dedicated to this kind of pediatric tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of pediatric PXA. ⋯ Cystic components and peritumoral edema could be seen in most pediatric PXAs, and calcification was also not uncommon. The size of the tumor was correlated with the tumor site and radiologic subtype. Maximal safe resection of pediatric PXA is recommended and was shown to be beneficial for seizure control and survival.
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To evaluate the applicability of corticocortical evoked potentials (CCEP) for intraoperative monitoring of the language network in epilepsy surgery under general anesthesia. To investigate the clinical relevance on language functions of intraoperative changes of CCEP recorded under these conditions. ⋯ The application of CCEP monitoring is possible and safe in epilepsy surgery under general anesthesia. Putative AL and PL can be identified using noninvasive presurgical neuroimaging. Decrease of N1 amplitude >15% from baseline may predict postoperative language deficits.