Standard EEG and the difficult-to-assess mental status.

Background: Delirium commonly appears on the differential diagnostic list of psychiatric patients in acute care settings. When a patient is unable or unwilling to answer questions about orientation, determination of possible delirium or other probable etiologies becomes difficult. The role of the standard electroencephalogram (SEEG) in evaluating such patients is not known.

Airway changes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Introduction: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common procedure for radicular and spondylotic disease of the cervical spine. Radiographs are routinely used to evaluate complications in the postoperative ACDF patient, especially airway compromise. Our purpose was to establish baseline data on the amount of change that can be expected in the prevertebral soft tissues after this procedure in the uncomplicated asymptomatic (no airway compromise) 1 or 2-level ACDF patient.

Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective, multicenter clinical review was conducted.

Objective: To examine our experience using somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to determine if monitoring of the spinal cord with SSEPs was helpful in identifying reversible causes of neurologic impairment while performing the procedure.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent studies have strongly supported the use of SSEP monitoring during complicated and upper-cervical spine surgery.

Cervical-peritoneal shunt placement for postoperative cervical pseudomeningocele.

Postoperative pseudomeningocele after an anterior approach to the cervical spine is an uncommon complication and may present a difficult challenge to treat. Patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are especially prone to dural leaks and resultant pseudomeningocele formation. We present a case of recalcitrant pseudomeningocele in a patient with OPLL after anterior decompression and stabilization of the cervical spine treated with cervical-peritoneal shunt.

Hysterical paralysis: a report of three cases and a review of the literature.

Study Design: Three cases of hysterical paralysis are reported and the literature is reviewed.

Objective: To report and discuss three cases of psychogenic paraplegia in order to increase the awareness and assist in the diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon disorder.

Summary Of Background Data: Hysterical paralysis, a form of conversion disorder, is an uncommon psychogenic, nonorganic loss of motor function precipitated by a traumatic event.