World Neurosurg
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Homer's detailed descriptions of head injuries inflicted during the Trojan War are of particular interest to individuals in the medical community. Although studies have examined the prevalence of such injuries, none have examined the preventive measures taken to avoid them. An in-depth review of helmet use in Homer's Iliad was conducted to address this previously unexplored facet of the epic. ⋯ Helmet use and head injury both play a prominent role in Homer's Iliad. Helmets are frequently used in combat settings but with relatively little success. Helmets are also used in various noncombat settings.
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Review Case Reports
Hyalinizing Clear Cell Carcinoma with Biopsy Proven Spinal Metastasis: Case Report and Review of Literature.
Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare epithelial malignant neoplasm typically arising from the minor salivary glands. Although it has been described as a benign neoplasm, there are increasing reports of malignant features and metastases to the lungs; we present the first case of biopsy-proven spinal metastases from HCCC and an overview of the literature. ⋯ We present the first pathologically confirmed case of a spinal metastasis in HCCC. As increasing of metastatic HCCC arise, a reconsideration of HCCC as a potentially high-grade disease seems increasingly necessary as it may impact the current treatment paradigm.
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Review Case Reports
Microvascular decompression for hemimasticatory spasm: a case report and review of the literature.
Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare clinical entity characterized by involuntary and paroxysmal contractions of the jaw-closing muscles on 1 side of the face. Although its cause is not fully known, vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve has been speculated. ⋯ Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare disease that may be recalcitrant to conservative medical therapy, and vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve may be required to relieve the spasm.
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Review Case Reports
Primary Intracranial Extra-axial Anaplastic Ependymomas.
Ependymomas are usually located in the ventricular system or in the central canal of the spinal cord; intracranial extra-axial ependymomas (IEAEs) are rare. To date, only 17 cases of IEAEs have been reported. ⋯ IEAEs are rare and have a wide spectrum of clinical and radiological phenotypes. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Favorable outcomes for IEAEs can be achieved by GTR plus radiotherapy. Multiple IEAEs benefit from tailored staged surgical resection plus radiotherapy.
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Neurogenic bladder refers to dysfunction of the urinary bladder secondary to diseases of the nervous system that result in problems with urine storage, micturition, or both. The most common causes are multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. ⋯ Restoration of lost neural function using artificial stimulators is a feasible therapeutic strategy. This article reviews the pathophysiology of neurogenic bladder and the 2 most commonly employed sacral nerve stimulation methods-the Brindley procedure and sacral neuromodulation.