World Neurosurg
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Due to the increasing age of patients, the evaluation of bone density is crucial, especially in preparation for spinal surgery. The aim of this study was to determine bone density using a computed tomography (CT) and to correlate Hounsfield units (HU) with bone density values of a quantitative computed tomography (QCT). ⋯ The equation allows calculating bone density values without the need for an additional QCT and without further radiation exposure or costs. With this measuring method it is possible to obtain additional information from a computed tomography.
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The Council of State Neurosurgical Societies surveyed neurosurgeons applying for oral board certification in 2008 to assess their preparedness to practice. This survey was repeated in 2013 for a subsequent group of board applicants to evaluate the quality of neurosurgery training and identify opportunities for improvement. ⋯ The 2013 survey suggests that candidates for board certification in neurosurgery perceive themselves to be adequately prepared to independently perform nearly all neurosurgical procedures. However, additional work is required to optimize neurosurgery training in endovascular procedures and the socioeconomic aspects of neurosurgery practice.
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Case Reports
APPROACH TO THE SUPERIOR OPHTHALMIC VEIN FOR ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF CAVERNOUS DURAL FISTULA.
The cavernous sinus area is the second most common location for intracranial dural fistulas. Although these spontaneous dural cavernous fistulas are self-limited, a sizeable number of patients will develop progressive vision loss, diplopia, or intractable glaucoma, which warrant interventional therapy.1,2 We present the case of a 54-year-old male with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, who presented with a red right eye associated with progressive exophthalmos, ophthalmoparesis, and deterioration of visual acuity. The angiotomography showed the exophthalmos with an ingurgitated superior ophthalmic vein, with early filling in the arterial phase. ⋯ We decided to perform, then, an open approach with the oculoplastic surgery team (Video 1). Through an eyelid dissection, we localized the superior ophthalmic vein and then canalized it by direct visualization.5 With this approach, we were able to perform the cavernous sinus packing with coils and achieved a complete occlusion of the fistula. We reproduced the direct approach to the superior ophthalmic vein in a cadaveric specimen and schematized it step by step with 3-dimensional photographs.6.
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The goal of this study was to identify predictors of prolonged operative time (OT) in patients receiving posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (P/TLIF) and examine the relationship between prolonged OT and perioperative outcomes in this population. ⋯ The results of this study highlight several factors associated with prolonged OT and underscore its association with poorer perioperative outcomes. These data can be used to risk stratify patients before single-level P/TLIF.
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Case Reports
Novel bendable ring curette for endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors. Technical note.
In transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors, even dedicated instruments sometimes cannot readily reach the surgical fields and they interfere with the endoscope and other instruments, making instrumental manipulations difficult and often ineffective. To solve these problems, we invented a bendable ring curette to further improve maneuverability and accessibility. ⋯ Our newly developed bendable ring curette improves maneuverability and accessibility and can be efficiently used as a dissector in the far lateral and frontal sites, compared with the conventional fixed instrument.