Vertebral Pneumatocyst-A Systematic Review.

Background: Intraosseous pneumatocyst refers to gas-filled cystic lesions inside bone. Whereas ilium and sacrum are the commonest locations for pneumatocysts, vertebral pneumatocysts are rare. Various theories have been proposed to explain the etiopathogenesis of vertebral pneumatocysts and the most widely accepted theory is the extension of air from intervertebral disc or joint spaces into the pneumatocyst cavity.

Quality of Life Following Surgical and Conservative Therapy of Pyogenic Spinal Infection: A Study of Long-term Outcome in 210 Patients.

Object:  The management and recommendations for treatment strategies of pyogenic spinal infection are still a highly controversial issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient's quality of life (QoL) after surgical and conservative treatment of spinal infection.

Materials And Methods:  We conducted a retrospective, single-center study.

Upright MRI after decompression of spinal stenosis and concurrent spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVEThe treatment of patients with spinal stenosis and concurrent degenerative spondylolisthesis is controversial. Two large randomized controlled clinical trials reported contradictory results. The authors hypothesized that a substantial number of patients will show evidence of micro-instability after a sole decompression procedure.

Risk factors governing the development of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis after craniotomy in patients with intracranial tumors.

OBJECTIVE Neurosurgical intervention may increase the risk of developing cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT). The clinical management of CVT in postoperative patients remains unclear. This retrospective study explores the disease occurrence, associated risk factors, and outcomes in patients with tumors who developed CVT after craniotomy.

A Single-Center Prospective Observational Study of Ultrasonography for 6 Months after Surgical Decompression of the Median Nerve at the Carpal Tunnel.

 To determine the natural history of the morphology of the median nerve after carpal tunnel decompression.  Between October and December 2014, patients with suspected carpal tunnel were prospectively enrolled and underwent pre- and postoperative (3 and 6 months) high-definition ultrasonography, electrophysiology, and clinical testing.  A total of 81 patients were enrolled in the study; 75 (93%) could be reached for the 6-month follow-up, and 100% were clinically better at the 6-month follow-up.

General Anesthesia Versus Local Anesthesia in Stereotactic Biopsies of Brain Lesions: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background: Stereotactic biopsy of brain lesions with unknown entities is a common neurosurgical procedure to obtain tumor tissue. Pathologists can then provide an exact diagnosis on which further therapy, such as resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, can be based. These procedures can be performed under local or general anesthesia.

Cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve after decompression at the cubital tunnel.

Unlabelled: A total of 48 patients undergoing surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel between February 2010 and May 2013 were retrospectively studied to determine changes in the cross-sectional area of the nerve by the technique of neurosonography. The mean follow-up was 46 months. Post-operative follow-up examination of the cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve showed a slight reduction in the mean value from 13.

Oblique Positioning of the Stereotactic Frame for Biopsies of Cerebellar and Brainstem Lesions.

Background: Frame-based stereotactic biopsy has proven to be a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield for patients. Different supratentorial localizations can easily be accessed by standardized stereotactic approaches. Cerebellar and brainstem lesions, however, are not easy to reach because the positioning of the frame pins often makes it impossible to address the entry point properly.

Sonographic short-term follow-up after surgical decompression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel: a single-center prospective observational study.

OBJECT Carpal tunnel syndrome causes increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve, which can be assessed by high-definition ultrasonography. It is unclear today, however, whether high-definition ultrasonography may play a role in the postoperative period. This prospective study aimed to determine the natural history of the morphology of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel after surgical decompression assessed by high-definition ultrasonography.

Clavicle pain and reduction of incisional and fascial pain after posterior cervical surgery.

Object: Incisional pain after posterior cervical spine surgery can be severe and very unpleasant to the patient. Ongoing incisional pain is one of the key disadvantages of posterior over anterior surgical approaches to the cervical spine. It prolongs hospital stays and delays return to work.

Sacral Peak Pressure in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: With and Without Liquid-Based Pad.

Background: The prevalence of sacral pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries is high. The sacral area is vulnerable to compressive pressure because of immobility and because the sacrum and posterior superior iliac prominence lie closely under the skin with no muscle layer in between.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess peak sacral pressure before and after use of PURAP, a liquid-based pad that covers only the sacral area and can be applied on any bed surface.

Cervical laminoplasty developments and trends, 2003-2013: a systematic review.

Object: Despite extensive clinical experience with laminoplasty, the efficacy of the procedure and its advantages over laminectomy remain unclear. Specific clinical elements, such as incidence or progression of kyphosis, incidence of axial neck pain, postoperative cervical range of motion, and incidence of postoperative C-5 palsies, are of concern. The authors sought to comprehensively review the laminoplasty literature over the past 10 years while focusing on these clinical elements.

Combination of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Intraoperative Fluorescence to Enhance the Resection of Contrast Enhancing Gliomas.

Background: Evidence suggests that extent of resection (EOR) is a prognostic factor for patients harboring gliomas. Recent studies have displayed the importance of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence-guidance in order to maximize EOR.

Objective: To compare iMRI and 5-ALA fluorescence-guidance and the impact on patient survival.

Does a medial retraction blade transmit direct pressure to pharyngeal/esophageal wall during anterior cervical surgery?

Study Design: A prospective study of 25 patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery.

Objective: To assess retraction pressure and the exposure of pharyngeal/esophageal (P/E) wall to the medial retractor blade to clarify whether medial retraction causes direct pressure transmission to the P/E wall.

Summary Of Background Data: Retraction pressure on P/E walls has been used to explain the relation between the retraction pressure and dysphagia or the efficacies of new retractor blades.