World Neurosurg
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Review Meta Analysis
Morphological changes of cervical musculature in relation to chronic nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Previous studies have found that chronic neck pain is associated with changes in neck muscle morphology and fat infiltration (FI). This systematic review summarizes and analyzes all studies on neck muscle morphology in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). The main objective of this study was to review and analyze measurements of neck muscles in all patients with CNNP, including morphologic changes in the multifidus muscle (MF), longus colli muscle (LC), and semis-spinalis capitis muscle (SCa) in patients with CNNP compared with controls. ⋯ LC and SCa sizes were slightly smaller in patients with CNNP; there was no difference in MF muscle size between the 2 groups. In addition, no conclusions could be drawn in fat infiltration due to insufficient evidence. In summary, CNNP has influence on neck muscle morphology but the evidence is limited.
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Cerebral extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) direct bypass is a commonly used procedure for the treatment of cerebral hypoperfusion secondary to chronic steno-occlusive vasculopathy. We sought to determine clinical outcomes, intraoperative blood flow analysis, long term follow up, and long term patency rates from a single surgeon's series of direct cerebral bypass for moyamoya disease, moyamoya syndrome, and steno-occlusive disease. ⋯ In our consecutive series of patients treated with direct EC-IC cerebral bypass, there was significant improvement in functional outcome as measured by the mRS. The long term patency rate was 90%. There was a statistically significant correlation between complete or incomplete angiographic collateralization patterns and long-term bypass occlusion. There was no correlation between bypass type, clinical syndrome, or CFI and long-term occlusions. The role of bypass surgery and the need for surgical expertise remain strong in the treatment of moyamoya variants and a select group of atherosclerotic steno-occlusive patients.
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Meta Analysis
Transforaminal Endoscopic Decompression for Foraminal Stenosis: Single-Arm Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.
The objective of the study was to conduct a single-arm meta-analysis and comprehensive systematic review to identify the efficacy and safety of transforaminal endoscopic surgery for the treatment of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS). ⋯ Transforaminal endoscopic surgery positively affects postoperative LFS patients' clinical indicators; however, high-level literature with randomized controlled trials is needed to confirm this technique's applicability in LFS.
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Neurosurgical conditions are often incurable and lead to disability, severe physical symptoms, and distress for patients and families. Neurosurgeons may be responsible for transitioning management from curative to palliative. We sought to analyze the ethics of transitioning care from curative to palliative in patients in one's own specialty. ⋯ It is acceptable for neurosurgeons and other specialists with adequate palliative care training to manage the transition to palliative care in most cases, preferably as part of multidisciplinary care teams. While we discuss the example of neurosurgery, this analysis applies to other specialties where care transitions from curative to palliative intent occur. Across specialties, patient preferences and values are foundational in the timing and specifics of this transition.
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Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a significant contributor to lower back pain. Although open surgical treatment for persistent pain has long been the standard, it is associated with significant surgical morbidity, high complication rates, and variable patient satisfaction. Minimally invasive SIJ fusion (MISJF) is a promising and effective approach. This scoping review was carried out to map the available evidence on outcomes after MISJF. ⋯ This study highlights the existing literature regarding outcomes after MISJF. MISJF provides favorable responses in quality-of-life metrics, pain scores, and overall postoperative outcomes in select patients. Although outcomes have been widely studied, more studies, especially prospectively designed and those without industry influence, should be performed to elucidate the optimal management of patients with intractable SIJ pain.