Longitudinal Plasma Biomarker Profiles Predict Neurological Outcome in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is diagnosed by imaging and clinical scoring using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). These methods have limited value for prognosis. Here, the prognostic value of plasma neurofilament-light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and contactin-1 (CNTN-1) was analyzed.

Training and teaching of vagus nerve stimulation surgery: Worldwide survey and future perspectives.

Objective: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy has been used for more than two decades to treat drug resistant epilepsy and depression and most recently received FDA approval for stroke rehabilitation. Expanding indications will renew the interest in the technique and increase the number of surgeons to be trained. The aim of this study was to survey surgeons with substantial expertise on optimal teaching and training approaches.

Thoracoscopic Microdiscectomy with Preservation of Rib and Costovertebral Joint.

Introduction: Thoracic disc herniations (TDH) may cause major morbidity. While thoracoscopic microdiscectomy (TMD) is an excellent technique, postoperative band-like pain is an important drawback.

Material And Methods: We performed 181 consecutive TMDs (including 39 high-risk cases) with preservation of rib and costovertebral joint (CVJ).

Epidemiology of spinal metastases, metastatic epidural spinal cord compression and pathologic vertebral compression fractures in patients with solid tumors: A systematic review.

Introduction: Spinal metastases (SM) are a frequent complication of cancer and may lead to pathologic vertebral compression fractures (pVCF) and/or metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC). Based on autopsy studies, it is estimated that about one third of all cancer patients will develop SM. These data may not provide a correct estimation of the incidence in clinical practice.

Altered Circulating Immune Cell Distribution in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients in Relation to Clinical Parameters.

Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), an inflammatory immune reaction is triggered which results in advanced secondary tissue damage. The systemic post-SCI immune response is poorly understood. This study aimed to extensively analyse the circulating immune cell composition in traumatic SCI patients in relation to clinical parameters.