Auditory filter shapes derived from forward and simultaneous masking at low frequencies: Implications for human cochlear tuning.

Behavioral forward-masking thresholds with a spectrally notched-noise masker and a fixed low-level probe tone have been shown to provide accurate estimates of cochlear tuning. Estimates using simultaneous masking are similar but generally broader, presumably due to nonlinear cochlear suppression effects. So far, estimates with forward masking have been limited to frequencies of 1 kHz and above.

Supplementing decompression with instrumented fusion for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis-a critical appraisal of available randomized controlled trials.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most common indications for surgery in the USA. The addition of instrumented fusion to decompression for the treatment of LSS has become common, but recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have produced percieved conflicting results with unclear clinical implications. This review seeks clarity through an analysis of available RCTs.

Electronic Residency Application Service Application Characteristics Associated with Successful Residency Matching in Neurosurgery in 2009-2016.

Background: Resident applicants in neurosurgery often wonder what factors impact their chances of successfully matching. Using data published by the National Residency Match Program for 2009-2016, we examined which components of the Electronic Residency Application Service application correlated with successful residency matching.

Methods: Data were collected from the National Residency Match Program publication Charting Outcomes in the Match from all years it was available for neurosurgery (2009, 2011, 2014, 2016).

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation diagnosis and management.

Arteriovenous malformations of the brain can carry considerable morbidity and mortality in the setting of rupture. The complex angioarchitecture and hemodynamic alteration requires careful consideration in diagnostic and management approaches. In this review, the authors define the pathophysiology, outline diagnostic methods, and highlight current management approaches.

Outpatient follow-up and rehospitalizations for sickle cell disease patients.

Background: Rehospitalization rates are increasingly used as quality indicators for a variety of illnesses, including sickle cell disease. While one small, single center study suggested outpatient follow-up with a pediatric hematologist was associated with fewer rehospitalizations, no study has examined the effect of post-discharge outpatient follow-up on rehospitalization rates across ages and beyond a single site.

Procedure: This is a retrospective cohort study using Wisconsin Medicaid claims data for hospitalized children and adults with sickle cell disease from 2003 to 2007.