World Neurosurg
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The burden of pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unknown. To fill this gap, we conducted a review that aimed to characterize the causes of pTBI in LMICs, and their reported associated mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Less than a quarter (n = 32) of all LMICs have published high-quality data on the volume and burden of pTBI. From the limited data available, young male children are at a high risk of pTBIs in LMICs, particularly after road traffic accidents.
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Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) may complicate the post-operative course of patients undergoing craniotomy. While prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been shown to reduce VTE rates, twice-daily (BID) and three-times-daily (TID) UFH dosing regimens have not been compared in neurosurgical procedures. The objective of this study was to explore the association between UFH dosing regimen and rates of VTE and ICH in craniotomy patients. ⋯ UFH TID dosing is associated with lower rates of PE when compared with BID dosing in patients undergoing craniotomy.
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Post-traumatic syringomyelia develops years to decades after spinal trauma in up to 28% of patients. We report a case of a man who developed extensive syringomyelia 14 years after spinal trauma, but had only minimal symptoms. Presumed pathophysiology of this condition and options for surgical management are briefly reviewed.
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Inflammation plays a pivotal role in acute ischemic stroke, and various inflammatory markers are known to predict prognosis of acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke caused by large artery occlusion. ⋯ Decreased SIRI and SII were associated with favorable clinical outcome after MT. SIRI and SII represent potential prognostic factors in patients undergoing MT for large artery occlusion.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health problem, causing long-term burden to patients and caregivers. Patients and their families often resort to seeking online information regarding TBI management while awaiting formal health care consultations. Although this information is accessible and immediately available, little is known about the quality of online resources. We evaluated the accessibility, relevance, and readability of information regarding TBI from major online search engines. ⋯ There is a paucity of high-quality online resources for patients with TBI. Herein, we highlight: 1) the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals regarding online-information seeking; and 2) recommendations for the most useful online resources available.