Frequency and predictors of implant-related complications after posterior cervical fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective, observational study.

Purpose: To determine the frequency and predictors of implant-related complications in adults after posterior cervical fusion.

Overview Of Literature: Published literature on lumbosacral fusion suggest that implant-related complications are not uncommon.

Treatment of acute traumatic central cord syndrome: a score-based approach based on the literature.

Purpose: Acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) accounts for up to 70% of incomplete spinal cord injuries, and modern improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques have given surgeons more treatment options for the ATCCS patient. We present a literature review of ATCCS, with the aim of elucidating the best treatment option for the varying ATCCS patient characteristics and profiles. We aim to synthesise the available literature into a simple-to-use format to aid in the decision-making process.

Characteristics and Postoperative Outcomes for High Cervical versus Subaxial Cervical Intradural Extramedullary Tumors: A Multicenter Study.

Background: High cervical intradural extramedullary tumors are uncommon. Their relationship to surrounding neural structures and vertebral arteries makes surgical excision challenging. No previous studies have compared high cervical to subaxial cervical intradural extramedullary spinal tumors to elucidate their unique characteristics and surgical outcomes.

Accuracy of Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Insertion Based on Routine Use of Intraoperative Imaging and Navigation.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screw insertion with the routine use of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative imaging and navigation over a large series of screws in an Asian population.

Overview Of Literature: The use of 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation in spinal surgery is aimed at improving the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion.

Simultaneous functional photoacoustic microscopy and electrocorticography reveal the impact of rtPA on dynamic neurovascular functions after cerebral ischemia.

The advance of thrombolytic therapy has been hampered by the lack of optimization of the therapy during the hyperacute phase of focal ischemia. Here, we investigate neurovascular dynamics using a custom-designed hybrid electrocorticography (ECoG)-functional photoacoustic microscopy (fPAM) imaging system during the hyperacute phase (first 6 h) of photothrombotic ischemia (PTI) in male Wistar rats following recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA)-mediated thrombolysis. We reported, for the first time, the changes in neural activity and cerebral hemodynamic responses following rtPA infusion at different time points post PTI.

Encapsulated Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles for Real-Time Photoacoustic Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging and Targeted Photothermal Therapy.

Noninvasive and nonionizing imaging of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) is highly desirable for the detection of breast cancer metastasis through sentinel lymph node biopsy. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an emerging imaging technique that can serve as a suitable approach for SLN imaging. Herein, novel conjugated oligomer based nanoparticles (NPs) with strong NIR absorption, good biocompatibility, excellent PA contrast, and good photothermal conversion efficiency are reported.

The feasibility of producing patient-specific acrylic cranioplasty implants with a low-cost 3D printer.

OBJECT Commercially available, preformed patient-specific cranioplasty implants are anatomically accurate but costly. Acrylic bone cement is a commonly used alternative. However, the manual shaping of the bone cement is difficult and may not lead to a satisfactory implant in some cases.

Improving neurovascular outcomes with bilateral forepaw stimulation in a rat photothrombotic ischemic stroke model.

Restoring perfusion to the penumbra during the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke is a key goal of neuroprotection. Thrombolysis is currently the only approved treatment for ischemic stroke. However, its use is limited by the narrow therapeutic window and side effect of bleeding.

Assessment of neurovascular dynamics during transient ischemic attack by the novel integration of micro-electrocorticography electrode array with functional photoacoustic microscopy.

This study developed a novel system combining a 16-channel micro-electrocorticography (μECoG) electrode array and functional photoacoustic microscopy (fPAM) to examine changes in neurovascular functions following transient ischemic attack (TIA) in rats. To mimic the pathophysiology of TIA, a modified photothrombotic ischemic model was developed by using 3 min illumination of 5 mW continuous-wave (CW) green laser light focusing on a distal branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Cerebral blood volume (CBV), hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and alpha-to-delta ratio (ADR) were measured pre- and post-ischemia over a focal cortical region (i.

Early clinical and radiographical results of keel-less and shallow keel cervical disc replacement.

Background: Cervical disc replacements has been shown to be as effective as fusions in the treatment of radiculopathy or myelopathy due to disc prolapse. Newer implants were designed to reduce the difficulty of end-plate preparation. Since 2010, the authors have started using Discocerv (Alphatec Spine, Carlsbad, USA) a keel-less implant and Activ-C (B.

Routine spinal navigation for thoraco-lumbar pedicle screw insertion using the O-arm three-dimensional imaging system improves placement accuracy.

Modern image-guided spinal navigation employs high-quality intra-operative three dimensional (3D) images to improve the accuracy of spinal surgery. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of thoraco-lumbar pedicle screw insertion using the O-arm (Breakaway Imaging, LLC, Littleton, MA, USA) 3D imaging system. Ninety-two patients underwent insertion of thoraco-lumbar pedicle screws guided by O-arm navigation over a 27 month period.

Surgical treatment of adult and pediatric C1/C2 subluxation with intraoperative computed tomography guidance.

Background: Surgical treatment of C1/C2 subluxation has evolved significantly over the past 2 decades, from the relatively simpler posterior wiring to more technically demanding instrumentations such as C1 lateral mass screws - C2 pedicle screws, C1/C2 transarticular screws, and occipital cervical fusion. Navigation with fluoroscopy is currently the standard of practice in most centers. However, fluoroscopy at this level carries several major drawbacks, such as blockage by the mandible and inability to produce axial images for assessment of the reduction of rotatory subluxation.

A single institution experience of the incidence of extracranial metastasis in glioma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive subtype of all gliomas. The prognosis is poor but despite the aggressiveness of the tumour, extracranial metastasis of glioma is rare. Most documented cases of extracranial metastases of GBM involve leptomeningeal spread to the spine.

Use of multimedia messaging system (MMS) by junior doctors for scan image transmission in neurosurgery.

Background: Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is used by neurosurgical residents to transmit scan images to the attending neurosurgeon in conjunction with telephone consultation. This service has been well received by the attending neurosurgeons, who felt that after viewing scan images on their phones, they felt increased confidence in clinical decision making and that it reduced the need for recall to the hospital.

Objective: The use of MMS can be extended to junior doctors making referrals from regional hospitals with no neurosurgical cover.