Publications by authors named "Jeff Ntalaja"
Introduction: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) remains a challenge in spinal surgery. This systematic review analyzes the use of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (TFED) for the treatment of rLDH.
Methods: A comprehensive search of 4 electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane, was conducted.
Article Synopsis
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is commonly used to treat degenerative spinal issues like disc herniations and spinal stenosis but can lead to rare complications such as vision loss.
- A case is highlighted involving a 70-year-old man who underwent TLIF and experienced complete vision loss in his left eye post-surgery, which was later confirmed as irreversible optic nerve damage.
- This incident emphasizes the critical need for careful intraoperative positioning and assessment in patients with existing eye conditions to prevent potential complications like postoperative vision loss (POVL).
Introduction: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are methods of data analysis used to synthesize information presented in multiple publications on the same topic. A thorough understanding of the steps involved in conducting this type of research and approaches to data analysis is critical for appropriate understanding, interpretation, and application of the findings of these reviews.
Methods: We reviewed reference texts in clinical neuroepidemiology, neurostatistics and research methods and other previously related articles on meta-analyses (MAs) in surgery.
Article Synopsis
- * Conducted from December 2022 to June 2023, the research involved two hospitals and treated a total of 37 patients using VCS, with varying combinations of additional procedures.
- * The findings suggest that VCS can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, while also enhancing local neurosurgical capabilities in these regions.
Introduction: hydrocephalus is a progressive distension of the anatomical spaces (ventricles and subarachnoid space) containing the cerebrospinal fluid. It most commonly affects children. In developed countries, its prevalence and incidence are estimated between 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Predatory journals (PJs) publish research with little to no rigorous peer review in exchange for money. It is unclear what proportion of researchers is vulnerable to PJs and which factors are associated with vulnerability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of African neurosurgery researchers to PJs and identify their correlates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Africa has a large burden of spine pathology but has limited and insufficient infrastructure to manage these spine disorders. Therefore, we conducted this e-survey to assess the prevalence and identify the determinants of the availability of spine surgery navigation techniques in Africa.
Materials And Methods: A two-part questionnaire was disseminated amongst African neurological and orthopedic surgery consultants and trainees from January 24 to February 23, 2021.
Africa has many untreated neurosurgical cases due to limited access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this study, we surveyed young African neurosurgeons and trainees to identify challenges to training and practice. African trainees and residents were surveyed online by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum from April 25th to November 30th, 2018.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Clinique Ngaliema, a public hospital in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A retrospective cohort study.
PLoS One
January 2021
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of 160 hospitalized COVID-19 patients at a public hospital in Kinshasa, DRC, focusing on demographics, symptoms, and outcomes.
- Findings revealed a median patient age of 54, with common comorbidities like hypertension (34%), diabetes (19%), and obesity (8%), and prevalent symptoms including fever (58%), cough (57%), and fatigue (54%).
- The research identified older age, lower oxygen levels, higher heart rate, and elevated AST as key risk factors for in-hospital death, with a very low prevalence of malaria co-infection among these patients.
Objective: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) represents 17% of the world's land, 14% of the population, and 1% of the gross domestic product. Previous reports have indicated that 81/500 African neurosurgeons (16.2%) worked in SSA-i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Shunting for hydrocephalus can lead to improvement in the quality of life although the latter has been subdued by complications like shunt infection. Established protocols have contributed to the reduction of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections. Previously, we retrospectively demonstrated a low infection rate despite some of the protocol recommendations not being implemented.
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