World Neurosurg
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Balloon guide catheters (BGCs) can be used during cervical carotid stenting as a proximal protection strategy to minimize thromboembolic procedural complications (Video 1). A 9-French BGC can be swiftly inflated before each embologenic step of carotid stenting (microwire crossing, prestent angioplasty, stenting, poststent angioplasty); aspirated; and deflated. We present 2 unique cases in which the impact of BGC aspiration is demonstrated on cervical carotid stenting for atherosclerotic stenoocclusive disease. ⋯ Stent self-reexpansion was documented after reversal of negative pressure from the vacuum syringe, allowing for gentler aspiration. Awareness and early recognition of this potential for vessel wall collapse with aspiration are important to prevent vessel/stent collapse, inefficient aspiration, and resultant embolization of debris. Gradual aspiration is favored.
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Controversies exist regarding the aggressive recurrence of glioblastoma after bevacizumab treatment. We analyzed the clinical impact of bevacizumab approval in Japan by evaluating the clinical course and relapse pattern in patients with glioblastoma. ⋯ Approval of first-line bevacizumab in Japan for unresectable tumors may prevent early progression and clinical deterioration of glioblastoma without worsening the clinical course after relapse.
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Since 2002, France has adopted the Patients' Rights Law, an alternative malpractice scheme creating a faster, less expensive out-of-court settlement ensuring compensation even in the absence of fault. We aimed to describe the implications of this system by analyzing 5 years of claims for infections related to spinal surgeries collected by the main insurer of French spine surgeons. ⋯ Since the 2002 Patients' Rights Law, patients with postoperative infections have always received compensation. The out-of-court settlement offers the patients incurring morbidities the assurance of faster compensation. Although certainly subject to selection criteria, this procedure is free and does not necessitate the presence of a lawyer. The analysis of expert reports and the resulting court decisions imply prevention, anticipation, and collaboration of all health care providers and open an opportunity to improve their practices to limit these crucial followings.
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To determine whether the L3-L4 disc angle may be a surrogate marker for global lumbar alignment in thoracolumbar fusion surgery and to explore the relationship between radiographic and patient-reported outcomes after thoracolumbar fusion surgery. ⋯ L3-L4 disc angle magnitude may serve as a surrogate marker of global lumbar alignment. The degree of spinopelvic alignment did not correlate to improvement in EQ-5D-3L score in the present study, suggesting that quality of life metric change may not be a sensitive or specific marker of postfusion alignment.
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To develop a preoperative planning method using augmented reality (AR) of a specific surgical procedure: fetoscopy for myelomeningocele repair. ⋯ This new preoperative platform using a virtual model represents an important tool to improve patient's comprehension, multidisciplinary discussion, and surgical planning. In addition, it can be used worldwide as a teaching tool in the fetal surgery field.