World Neurosurg
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The thalamus is a deep-seated and crucial structure for the sensorimotor system. It has been long considered a surgically inaccessible area because of the morbidity associated with surgical resections. Astrocytomas of the thalamus are usually treated with bioptic procedures followed by adjuvant treatments. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) allows safe and satisfactory resections of lobar gliomas, but few data are available for thalamic lesions. The aim of this study was to review the outcome of a small series of patients with thalamic astrocytomas that were treated with surgical resection with the aid of IONM. ⋯ Surgical resection of thalamic astrocytomas appeared to be effective and relatively safe when guided by IONM. Larger series of patients are required to confirm these preliminary data.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Plasma Potassium Concentration on Admission Correlates with Neurological Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Treated with Targeted Temperature Management: a Post Hoc Analyses of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
Recent studies have focused on the association between plasma electrolytes, particularly potassium level and neurologic outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that potassium level on admission is an indicator for initiation of targeted temperature management in patients with severe TBI. ⋯ The initial potassium level may be an indicator in determining appropriate targeted temperature management for patients with TBI. Fever control may be considered instead of MTH for normokalemia patients with TBI on admission.
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Review
Should Patients Be Counseled About Possible Recurrence of Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?
Isolated perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) is a distinct subtype of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) seen in 5% of patients with SAH, with a relatively benign natural course and good outcome compared with diffuse, aneurysmal SAH. Traditionally, the prognosis of pSAH is believed to be excellent compared with aneurysmal SAH, with no risk of recurrent hemorrhage after long-term follow-up. We describe a case of pSAH in which the patient had a recurrent perimesencephalic bleed 8 years after the initial episode. There are 5 previous reports of recurrent pSAH in existing literature. ⋯ There are only a couple of case reports of recurrent pSAH, some of which were defined questionably. We review the reported cases and discuss the imaging results and outcome. Considering the rarity, low risks of complications, as well as the good outcome even after recurrence, we do not recommend routinely counseling patients about possibility of recurrence of pSAH.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Early cranioplasty in patients with post-traumatic decompressive craniectomy and it's correlation with changes in cerebral perfusion parameters and neuro-cognitive outcome.
Decompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure in many patients after traumatic brain injury. Delayed recovery in such patients can be attributed to various causes. Cranioplasty (CP) helps in early improvement of neurocognitive function along with better brain protection and cosmesis. The mechanism responsible for this functional improvement and the ideal time to perform cranial reconstruction is less understood. ⋯ Neurocognitive improvement is noted after CP in all of the patients. CP should be offered once the brain edema subsides, at the earliest. Improved cerebral perfusion may be the key factor for the improved functional outcome.
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To establish a simple and feasible model of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prediction of minimally conscious state in unconscious patients (≥2 weeks) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ The combination of MRI findings and other clinical data offers neurosurgeons substantial information about primary and secondary injuries of the patients with TBI, which allows a more accurate prediction of prognosis than a single GCS score or MRI findings alone. The regression model established in this study is simple and effective in predicting long-term unconscious state and minimally conscious state in patients after severe TBI.