World Neurosurg
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The absolute value of the cervical sagittal parameters cannot be guaranteed with certainty on all follow-up cervical radiographs. With the assumption that neck posture changes can occur at any time at each follow-up radiographic session, we examined whether the sagittal parameters change meaningfully and identified the factors most closely related to the C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA). ⋯ During cervical fusion surgery, the CVA was the most predictable parameter reflecting the C2-C7 SVA in various analyses. The upper cervical parameters (Os and C2s) provided more explanatory power regarding the C2-C7 SVA changes than did the lower cervical parameter (C7s) or the presence of cervical lordosis (C2-C7A).
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Case Reports
Failure of flow diverter endothelization visualized with optic coherent tomography technology.
We report a case of an intracranial aneurysm of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery, which was treated with a flow-diverting stent. One year later at follow-up, the patient presented with new symptoms due to mass effect in the posterior fossa and a 3-fold enlargement of the aneurysm. Digital subtraction angiography showed an increase in size of the aneurysm with jet flow into the sac. ⋯ Parent vessel sacrifice was performed by coiling of the left vertebral artery. The patient had a codominant right vertebral artery and tolerated the procedure well. Two years later, follow-up magnetic resonance angiography showed significant decrease of the size of the aneurysm and symptom regression, with a modified Rankin scale of 1 (functionally independent).
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To characterize lateral lumbar interbody fusion surgical learning curve and investigate changes in perioperative and postoperative clinical parameters associated with increased operative experience. ⋯ The proficient phase cohort demonstrated significantly improved perioperative profile, reduced complication rate, and reduced rates of iliopsoas and quadriceps weakness. While the proficient phase cohort demonstrated earlier improvement in disability and physical function scores compared with the learning phase cohort, 2-year outcome measures did not differ. Long-term clinical outcomes suggest that patient safety and quality of life are not compromised during the learning phase, but patients may be particularly susceptible to femoral nerve injury early in a surgeon's practice.
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Patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) of major motor nerves typically present with muscle weakness and pain. We aimed to analyze and characterize patients with MPNSTs of major motor nerves but without muscle weakness at initial presentation. ⋯ MPNSTs of major motor nerves without muscle weakness represent an underappreciated subset of cases that have potential treatment and outcome implications. These patients presented with fewer symptoms and had fewer risk factors than patients with muscle weakness. Positron emission tomography should be considered as an additional method to try to anticipate the diagnosis of an MPNST.
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Spinous process splitting decompression (SPSD) is a minimally invasive surgical technique. We evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of SPSD compared with conventional laminectomy for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. ⋯ Patients who underwent SPSD for lumbar spinal decompression had comparable functional recovery rates correlated with clinical and radiological improvement to patients who underwent conventional laminectomy.