Use of an intraoperative sodium oxychlorosene-based infection prevention protocol to safely decrease postoperative wound infections after spine surgery.

Objective: Postoperative infection remains prevalent after spinal surgical procedures. Institutional protocols for infection prevention have improved rates of infection after spine surgery. However, prior studies have focused on only elective surgical patients.

Segments of the internal carotid artery during endoscopic transnasal and open cranial approaches: can a uniform nomenclature apply to both?

Background: The classic anatomic view of the course of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and its segments familiar to neurosurgeons by a 3-dimensional microscopic cranial view may be challenging to understand when seen in the unique 2-dimensional view of transnasal endoscopic surgery.

Objective: We re-examined our 1996 classification of 7 (C1-C7) segments of the ICA, comparing the arterial course in cadaveric dissections for both a transnasal endoscopic transpenoidal approach and frontotemporal craniotomy.

Methods: Five formalin-fixed cadaveric heads injected with colored silicone underwent thin-cut computed tomographic scanning for bony and vascular analysis.

Atypical meningiomas: is postoperative radiotherapy indicated?

Object: The role of postoperative radiation therapy after surgery for atypical meningiomas remains controversial. In this retrospective cohort study, the authors examine the recurrence rates for atypical meningiomas after resection (with or without adjuvant radiotherapy) and identify which factors were associated with recurrence.

Methods: Of 90 patients with atypical meningiomas who underwent surgery between 1999 and 2009, 71 (79%) underwent gross-total resection (GTR) and 19 (21%) underwent subtotal resection (STR); 31 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy.

Muller's muscle, no longer vestigial in endoscopic surgery.

Background: As a thin filmy covering overlaying the inferior orbital fissure (IOF), Muller's muscle was considered a vestigial structure in humans, and for this reason, its anatomical significance was neglected. Because of increasing interest in endonasal approaches to the skull base that encompasses this region, we re-examined this structure's role as an anatomical landmark from an endoscopic perspective.

Methods: In 10 cadaveric specimens, microanatomical dissections were performed (n = 5); endoscopic dissections were performed (n = 5) via approaches of the middle turbinate or inferior turbinate, and via the Caldwell-Luc approach through the maxillary sinus.

Comparison of coil types in aneurysm recurrence.

Objective: Coiling of saccular aneurysms may result in recurrence requiring retreatment. Aneurysm recanalization may depend on coil type. Coil variations include bare platinum, polymer coated (Matrix), and hydrophylic gel coated (HydroCoil) coils.

Tethered cord syndrome: a review of the literature from embryology to adult presentation.

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a clinical condition of various origins that arises from tension on the spinal cord. Radiographic findings may include the conus medullaris in a lower than normal position, fatty infiltration of the filum terminale, lipomyelomeningocele, myelomeningocele, myelocystocele, meningocele, split cord malformations, dermal sinus, anorectal malformations, and intraspinal tumors. The clinical constellation of signs and symptoms associated with TCS may include dermatologic, urological, gastrointestinal, neurological, and orthopedic findings.

ARNT gene multiplicity in amphibians: characterization of ARNT2 from the frog Xenopus laevis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a member of the Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) protein superfamily, transcription factors that mediate the cellular responses to various developmental signals and environmental conditions. A beta-class ("partner") PAS protein, ARNT exhibits the capacity to form transcriptionally active heterodimers with several alpha-class ("sensor") proteins, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs), the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and the Single minded (Sim) proteins. Two genes encode different forms of ARNT in mammals: ARNT1, which is widely expressed, and ARNT2, which is limited to the brain and kidneys of adults and specific neural and branchial tissues of embryos.