Retropharyngeal Blastomycosis Abscess Causing Osteomyelitis, Discitis, Cervical Deformity, and Cervical Epidural Abscess: A Case Report.

Blastomycosis infection is caused by the inhalation of the spores of the dimorphic sp.fungus. While more commonly a self-limited infection of the lungs, extrapulmonary manifestations arise from hematogenous or contiguous spread.

Household Income as a Predictor for Surgical Outcomes and Opioid Use After Spine Surgery in the United States.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental root of health disparities, however, its effect on surgical outcomes is often difficult to capture in clinical research, especially in spine surgery. Here, we present a large single-center study assessing whether SES is associated with cause-specific surgical outcomes.

Should Levetiracetam or Phenytoin Be Used for Posttraumatic Seizure Prophylaxis? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis.

Background: Posttraumatic seizure (PTS) is a significant complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare levetiracetam with phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis in patients diagnosed with severe TBI.

Methods: An inclusive search of several electronic databases and bibliographies was conducted to identify scientific studies that compared the effect of levetiracetam and phenytoin on PTS.

Contribution of whole platelet aggregometry to the endovascular management of unruptured aneurysms: an institutional experience.

Background: Stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms is an efficient alternative treatment to surgical clipping but requires prolonged antiplatelet therapy. Some patients are non-responsive to aspirin and/or clopidogrel.

Objective: To analyze the implications of this assessment using the 'whole blood aggregometry (WBA) by impedance' technique.