World Neurosurg
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The cervical extensor musculature is important in cases of neck pain and loss of cervical lordosis after laminoplasty. Therefore, various surgical methods have been developed to preserve the muscle during laminoplasty. We have developed a posterior cervical muscle-preserving interspinous process (MIS) approach and decompression method. We have described the operation details and clinical outcomes of selected patients who have undergone this procedure. ⋯ The MIS approach and decompression method was less invasive than both conventional laminoplasty and Shiraishi's selective laminectomy. It is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for central stenosis caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
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Preoperative risk assessment is important, but inexact because physiologic reserves are difficult to measure. When assessing quality of life for patients with brain tumors, having a better predictor of postsurgical outcome would be beneficial in counseling these patients. Frailty is thought to estimate physiologic reserves, and it has been found to predict postoperative complications, length of stay, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility in patients undergoing various types of surgery. Frailty as an adjunct to preoperative assessment of neurosurgical patients has never been evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether frailty predicts neurosurgical complications in patients with brain tumors and enhances current perioperative risk models. ⋯ Frailty independently predicts discharge disposition, postoperative complications, and length of stay in patients undergoing surgery for brain tumor resection. Preoperative assessment of frailty can help neurosurgeons and patients make more informed decisions about pursing surgical treatment.
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Medical implications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology have evolved and are increasingly used. Surgical spine oncology involves at times complex resection using various surgical approaches and unique spinal reconstruction. As high general complication rates, including hardware failure, are reported, careful preoperative planning and optimized fixation techniques should be performed. 3D printing technology allows the improvement of preoperative planning, practice and exploration of various surgical approaches, and designing customized surgical tools and patient specific implants. ⋯ For complex spine oncology cases, the use of 3D printing allowed better preoperative planning, simplified the operative procedure, and enabled improved reconstruction.
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Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) segments are challenging to treat. We describe the management of traumatic internal carotid artery and MCA pseudoaneurysms with flow diversion. ⋯ Flow diversion can be an efficacious treatment of traumatic MCA pseudoaneurysms in appropriately selected cases. The risks versus benefits of dual antiplatelet therapy must be weighed in trauma settings.
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Development of a delayed acute epidural hematoma (DEDH) represents a rare event, characterized by a high mortality rate. It is defined as an extradural bleeding not evident at the first brain computed tomography (CT) scan performed after traumatic brain injury but evidenced by further radiologic evaluations. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a synchronous acute bilateral EDH with the development of a third DEDH located in a separate site. This finding is certainly related to the presence of multiple and bilateral skull fractures. In our experience, we suggest performing an intraoperative CT scan, if available, to early detect the possible development of DEDH.