Do statins reduce the rate of revision surgery after chronic subdural hematoma drain?

Background: With chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), surgery is the therapeutic mainstay for large or symptomatic cases. Statins are reported to be effective as the primary therapy of CSDH to obviate the need for surgery. However, the effect of statins on the postoperative course of CSDH is largely unclear.

Ischaemic post-conditioning in rats: Responder and non-responder differ in transcriptome of mitochondrial proteins.

Ischaemic post-conditioning (IPoC) is a clinical applicable procedure to reduce reperfusion injury. Non-responsiveness to IPoC possibly caused by co-morbidities limits its clinical attractiveness. We analysed differences in the expression of mitochondrial proteins between IPoC responder (IPoC-R) and non-responder (IPoC-NR).

Peripheral nerve field stimulation in medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia attributed to multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Case reports and small patient series have suggested peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) as a treatment for refractory trigeminal neuralgia attributed to multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, the authors aimed to assess the effects of this technique on long-term pain severity.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected on patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia attributed to MS who underwent PNFS between July 2013 and August 2017 at the authors' neurosurgical department.

Somatosensory functional MRI tractography for individualized targeting of deep brain stimulation in patients with chronic pain after brachial plexus injury.

Background: The optimal targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with refractory chronic pain are not clearly defined. We applied sensory functional MRI (fMRI)- and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based DBS in chronic pain patients into 3 different targets to ascertain the most beneficial individual stimulation site.

Methods: Three patients with incapacitating chronic pain underwent DBS into 3 targets (periventricular gray (PVG), ventroposterolateral thalamus (VPL), and posterior limb of the internal capsule according to fMRI and DTI (PLIC).

Clinical Validation of Quality Improvements Using the Six Sigma Concept: A Case Study for Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The Six Sigma concept allows for the evaluation of quality changes after the implementation of new technical equipment or adjustment of perioperative procedures. Exemplarily, we applied this method for quality assessment in deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) for Parkinson's disease.

Methods: The medical procedure and possible errors were registered.

A Systematic Review of the Semi-Sitting Position in Neurosurgical Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale: How Frequent Is Paradoxical Embolism?

Background: The semi-sitting position is preferred in some surgeries of the posterior fossa and the cervical spine. At the same time, it is associated with a risk of air embolism. In the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with an intracardial right-to-left shunt, an air embolism can result in a paradoxical embolism to the heart or brain.

Bilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor in elderly patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of age on thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in essential tremor (ET). Tremor, cognition, mood and adverse events in patients with thalamic DBS for ET were evaluated in 26 consecutive patients with established standardized methods for tremor and cognition. Twelve patients <70 and 14 patients ≥70 years were included and followed for 2 years.

Safety and Effectiveness of Bis-Chloroethylnitrosourea Wafer Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of bis-chloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU) wafers in elderly patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).

Methods: Patients with recurrent GBM operated on between 2007 and 2014 were divided into 3 groups: >65 years with BCNU wafer implantation, >65 years without BCNU wafer implantation, and ≤65 years with BCNU wafer implantation. We compared survival and complications.

Catalytic Systems for the Cross-Linking of Organosilicon Polymers.

Silicones and silicone rubbers are omnipresent in household and industrial products such as lubricants, coatings, sealants, insulators, medical devices, etc. This plethora of applications arises from their unparalleled properties including hydrophobicity, low surface energy, chemical inertness, extreme temperature stability, elasticity, and biocompatibility. Even though silicones have been known for more than five decades, their chemistry is still far from fully understood.

Recent Developments in the Preparation of Silicones with Antimicrobial Properties.

This Focus Review describes state-of-the-art methods for the preparation of antimicrobial silicones. Given the diversity of antimicrobial activity and their mechanisms, the performance of these materials is highly dependent on the characteristics of the polymeric matrix. Therefore, different synthetic routes have been developed, such as 1) physical treatments, 2) chemical transformations, and 3) copolymerization.

Peripheral nerve field stimulation for trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal neuropathic pain, and persistent idiopathic facial pain.

Objective: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) is a promising modality for treatment of intractable facial pain. However, evidence is sparse. We are therefore presenting our experience with this technique in a small patient cohort.

The Effect of Cataract on Early Stage Glaucoma Detection Using Spatial and Temporal Contrast Sensitivity Tests.

Background: To investigate the effect of cataract on the ability of spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity tests used to detect early glaucoma.

Methods: Twenty-seven glaucoma subjects with early cataract (mean age 60 ± 10.2 years) which constituted the test group were recruited together with twenty-seven controls (cataract only) matched for age and cataract type from a primary eye care setting.