World Neurosurg
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Routine evaluation and surveillance imaging after pituitary adenoma (PA) endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection (EETS) is a neurosurgical practice to identify tumor recurrence. This study aims to identify social and clinical factors that may contribute to patients missing their initial 1-year follow-up appointment and provide guidance for targeted education to improve patient adherence with postoperative treatment plans, ultimately reducing unknown adenoma recurrence. ⋯ Risk factors of missed 1-year follow-up appointments after PA resection include male sex, divorced/widowed/separated marital status, older age, and the presence of visual deficits at initial presentation. Increased education efforts can be selectively aimed at these at-risk patient cohorts to improve patient compliance and reduce consequences of undetected tumor recurrence.
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Case Reports
Giant thoracic meningocele: A multidisciplinary surgical approach with innovative exclusion technique.
Thoracic meningocele is a rare medical condition that is usually linked to neurofibromatosis type I.1 Respiratory and neurologic symptoms characterize it.2 Although there have been some improvements in surgical techniques, the condition has a high recurrence rate, with most cases recurring within a year of surgery.3 A 56-year-old woman was observed due to respiratory and pyramidal signs. A chest computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a thoracic meningocele, occupying the lower sectors of the right hemithorax, communicating with the cerebrospinal fluid space at the T10-T11 level. Multidisciplinary surgery was performed. ⋯ The paramedian and median incisions were closed, with Tachosil placed above and below the sutures. Subsequently, the patient was placed in a supine position, the right lung was deflated, and a triportal thoracoscopic approach was performed to dissect and remove the lesion.4 The breach was closed using Tachosil (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, Illinois, USA) and fibrin glue. An early 1-month computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the surgery was successful.
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Comparative Study
Comparative Analysis of Balloon Angioplasty Alone versus Carotid Artery Stenting for Severe Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Four-Year Retrospective Study.
This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of balloon angioplasty alone (BAA) with carotid artery stenting (CAS) for severe extracranial carotid artery stenosis. The primary outcomes assessed were restenosis requiring retreatment and symptomatic stroke occurrence within a 4-year follow-up period. ⋯ This study provides valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of BAA and CAS for severe extracranial carotid artery stenosis. Despite slightly shorter intervals to restenosis in the BAA group, there was no significant difference in retreatment or stroke occurrence rates between the 2 procedures. BAA offers advantages in terms of retreatment options.
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Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of nontraumatic spinal cord injury. Surgery aims to arrest neurological decline and improve conditions, but controversies surround risks and benefits in elderly patients, outcomes in mild myelopathy, and the risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD). ⋯ Most myelopathic patients improve after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Elderly patients show a lower improvement and higher complication rates than their younger counterparts. ASD rates are low, and younger patients with preexisting cranial level alterations are more susceptible.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the Transcranial Approach and Transsphenoidal Approach Based on the Anatomical Location of Origin in Pediatric Craniopharyngiomas.
Various clinical classifications of craniopharyngiomas (CRPs) have been proposed to suggest optimal surgical planning. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of pediatric CRPs and the clinical significance of anatomical classification in relation to the diaphragm sellae. ⋯ Over time, with the adoption of EEA at our institute, the impact of anatomical classification on the surgical approach has decreased. Nevertheless, an individualized surgical approach should be employed to improve long-term outcomes and minimize complications for pediatric CRPs.