World Neurosurg
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To investigate the effect of sublaminar polyester tension bands on the biomechanics of the motion segments proximal to a long fusion construct. ⋯ Sublaminar polyester bands can modulate the biomechanical flexion ROM as a function of the band pretension and provide a more consistent and tunable technique than hand-tying a suture loop between the spinous processes.
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This analysis provides an overview of neurosurgery residency programs in Latin America; it evaluates strengths, weaknesses, and limitations within the Latin American Federation for Societies in Neurosurgery countries. Considering the shared cultural background between these neighboring countries and globalization of neurosurgical education, similarities in training characteristics and equal opportunities are expected. However, program differences are inevitable and should be investigated to promote collaboration and homogenization of training. ⋯ This study is the first of its kind to review neurosurgical training in Latin America's. Suggested areas of improvement include regulation of working hours, implementation of mentorship programs and standardized examinations, protected research time, increased support for conferences, and more opportunities for exchange rotations that will potentially bolster collaboration between programs.
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Among patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT), patients with diabetes (DP) show a poorer outcome compared with patients without diabetes (NDP). This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors associated with unfavorable outcome in DP receiving MT for stroke of the anterior circulation. ⋯ The main factors for an unfavorable outcome of DP after MT are admission hyperglycemia, age, and NIHSS score.
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This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic findings of cases diagnosed with spinal concussion and to describe the spinal cord injuries that are detected in the later course. ⋯ Although patients with spinal concussion manifest complete recovery in the early period after the trauma, findings related to the spinal cord may appear in the later course. The direction of the forces that the spinal cord is subjected to may result in different cord injuries in the late period.
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Case Reports
A pediatric case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome complicated with supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppressor gene TP53. Patients with this syndrome may develop multiple malignant neoplasms including brain tumors. We herein report the first case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome in which development of supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma led to difficulty in terms of selecting the optimal postoperative therapeutic protocol. ⋯ Since Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppression gene TP53, patients should generally not be treated with radiotherapy or alkylating agents that induce deoxyribonucleic acid damage. However, if the prognostic benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapies is thought to surpass the risk of long-term secondary cancer, it is appropriate to consider these therapies after consultation with the patient and family. Postoperative treatment protocols are controversial, and their role should be further explored in cases of Li-Fraumeni syndrome complicated with malignant gliomas.