World Neurosurg
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Interest in the relational anatomy of the anterior neck among spine surgeons increased after the popularization of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in the 1950s. Five surface landmarks and their relationship to specific spinal levels have been routinely described, comprising the angle of the mandible for the C2-C3 interspace, the hyoid bone for the C3 body, the thyroid cartilage for the C4-C5 disc, and the cricoid cartilage and carotid tubercle for the C6 body. We aimed to investigate the origins of these anatomic relationships and their application in modern practice.
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Barbed sutures eliminate knots and may offer some advantages over conventional sutures. This meta-analysis compares clinical, surgical, and economic outcomes of barbed sutures with standard closure techniques in spinal surgery. ⋯ Our meta-analysis showed that barbed sutures were associated with reduced operating room time, suturing time, and infection rates. These results highlight the safety and potential efficacy of using barbed sutures.
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This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) and open surgery for patients with radicular sciatic pain caused by lumbar disc herniation over a 2-year follow-up period. ⋯ This study demonstrates that PLDD and open surgery provide similar long-term outcomes in terms of disability, pain relief, and physical functioning for patients with radicular sciatic pain. While PLDD is associated with a higher resurgery rate, it remains a viable minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. Further research is warranted to refine patient selection criteria and improve procedural efficacy for both interventions.
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Choriocarcinoma (CC) is a rare and aggressive form of germ cell tumor. There is limited evidence describing clinical outcomes in patients with primary CC and brain metastases (BM). Only a few single case reports have documented the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for CC BM. ⋯ SRS is a feasible and viable approach for CC BM, particularly in cases where immediate surgical management is not necessary. This is the largest report to date evaluating the outcome of CC BM treated with SRS.