Measuring multifidus muscles atrophy after midline lumbar fusion with cortical bone trajectory screws due to spinal instability and spondylolisthesis: a retrospective case series.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the impact of midline lumbar fusion with cortical bone trajectory screws (MIDLF/CBT) on the multifidus muscles, focusing on the evaluation of their postoperative atrophy.

Clinical Rationale For The Study: MIDLF/CBT is a relatively new technique increasingly used to treat spinal instability. Despite its reduced invasiveness compared to traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion with traditional pedicle screws (PLIF/TP), concerns remain about potential damage to the multifidus muscles that are crucial for spinal stability.

Nurses' Experience After First Wave of COVID-19: Implications for a Trauma-Informed Workforce.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted nurses worldwide, increasing their risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Although the literature on nurse deployment has been limited, this study describes nurses' experience and assesses their professional quality of life after the first phase of the pandemic and redeployment efforts.

Methods: In 2020, nurses returning from their deployment to COVID-19 treatment units were invited to complete the Professional Quality of Life Survey and gather for debrief sessions, referred to as campfires, in which semistructured questions about their experiences were administered among clinical nurses and nurse leaders.

Simple Microsurgical Extirpation as a Method of Choice in Treating Symptomatic Spinal Facet Joint Cysts: A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Facet joint cysts (FJCs) are a cause of radiculopathy, back pain, cauda equina syndrome, and/or claudication. They mostly affect the lumbar spine in the elderly, prevailing in women, and are connected to spinal degeneration and instability. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of open surgical decompression and cyst excision without a subsequent fusion.

Current trends and outcomes of non-elective neurosurgical care in Central Europe during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting the first wave COVID-19 pandemic in Central Europe (i.e. March 16th-April 15th, 2020) the neurosurgical community witnessed a general diminution in the incidence of emergency neurosurgical cases, which was impelled by a reduced number of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spine conditions, and chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH).

Long-Term Outcome After Midline Lumbar Fusion for the Treatment of Lumbar Spine Instability Due to Degenerative Disease.

Background: Midline lumbar fusion (MIDLF) is one promising new surgical technique that has been developed to minimize perioperative damage to the paravertebral stabilizing musculotendinous system. The aim of this study was to assess long-term clinical and radiological effects of MIDLF.

Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated patients who underwent MIDLF for degenerative spinal instability.

Trends and outcomes for non-elective neurosurgical procedures in Central Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world currently faces the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. Little is known about the effects of a pandemic on non-elective neurosurgical practices, which have continued under modified conditions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This knowledge might be critical for the ongoing second coronavirus wave and potential restrictions on health care.

[Minimally Invasive Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Instrumentation - Outcomes at 24-Month Follow-up].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion and percutaneous instrumentation were introduced in the clinical practice with the aim to reduce the damage to musculoligamentous structures associated with open surgeries. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes, radiological results and complications of the group of patients operated with the use of the minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group of 31 patients operated for lumbar degenerative disc disease was followed-up prospectively.

[First Experience with Cranioplasty Using the Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Implant - Retrospective Five-Year Follow-up Study].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Cranioplasty is currently the most common neurosurgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to describe the first experience with successful use of the Cranio-Oss (PEEK) custom implant for cranioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the period 2012 to 2013, a total of 26 cranioplasties were performed.

Successful surgical excision of cerebral abscess caused by Fonsecaea monophora in an immunocompetent patient and review of literature.

Cerebral abscesses caused by dark-pigmented Fonsecaea fungi are rare, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. In this case report, we present a 61-year-old man from Moldova, living in the Czech Republic, who had worked as a locksmith on oil platforms in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Sudan, and Iraq since 1999, and was admitted to a neurology ward for a sudden motion disorder of the right leg, dysarthria, and hypomimia. Imaging revealed presence of expansive focus around the left lateral ventricle of the brain and a pronounced peripheral edema.

An Integrative Review of the Hands-Free Technique in the OR.

Sharps injury rates are proportionally higher in perioperative areas than in other practice settings. The hands-free technique (HFT) has been shown to decrease the hazards of sharps injuries when passing sharps during surgery. We reviewed and synthesized research studies regarding compliance with the HFT and factors facilitating its use using a key word search of online databases and a secondary search of references.

Comparison of biochemical response between the minimally invasive and standard open posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: The mini-invasive open posterior lumbar fusion procedure (mini PLIF) procedure is an alternative to standard open procedure (open PLIF) and is intended to reduce surgery-related trauma. The measuring of suitable biochemical factors enables objective comparison of the invasiveness of spinal surgery procedures.

Methods: Prospectively collected data on myoglobin, creatine kinase, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein levels and intensity of low back pain and radicular pain in one-level mini PLIF and open PLIF procedures were analysed.

Comparison of Biochemical Markers of Muscle Damage and Inflammatory Response Between the Open Discectomy, Microsurgical Discectomy, and Microsurgical Discectomy Using Tubular Retractor.

Background: One of the methods to compare the invasiveness of different surgical techniques objectively is to measure the levels of biochemical markers of systemic inflammatory response and muscle damage.

Methods: A total of 120 patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic disc herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1 were enrolled in the study. Patients were operated on using open discectomy (OD), microsurgical discectomy (MD), or microsurgical discectomy with tubular retractor (MD-TUB).

Application of transcranial color-coded sonography in severe brain injury.

Transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) monitoring of severe brain injury patients may reveal various pathological hemodynamic changes. According to changes in flow velocities in basal brain arteries, the presence of brain hyperemia, vasospasms, and oligemia can be detected. The study included a group of 20 patients with severe brain injury.

Immunohistochemistry and serum values of S-100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and hyperphosphorylated neurofilaments in brain injuries.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers a series of reactions resulting in cytoskeletal-related changes varying between focal and diffuse injuries.

Methods: The patients (n=38) were divided into group of diffuse axonal injuries (DAI, n=10) and focal (n=28) injuries. Serum hyperphosphorylated neurofilaments (NF-H) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured by Biovendor immunoassay, and serum S-100B protein was measured by Cobas e411 (Roche) by immunoassay.

What floats a float nurse's boat?

Few studies have examined the personality traits of nurses, and none identified the personality traits of float pool nurses. Float pool nurses have specific personality traits that differ from unit-based nurses. Independence, Tough-Mindedness, Rule Consciousness, Social Boldness, Openness to Change, and Tension were six personality factors that were found to be statistically significantly different.

Medical consultations and the sharing of medical images involving spinal injury over mobile phone networks.

Background: The transmission of medical images and other data over mobile phone networks may facilitate remote medical consultations between neurosurgeons and regional hospitals treating spinal injury patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of mobile phone consultations with standard hospital workstation consultations in spinal injury patients.

Methods: The images were exported over the Internet from surrounding local hospitals through the Picture Archiving and Communication System, in DICOM III format, to the central hospital server.

Injuries of the central nervous system - mobile phone consultations.

Transmission of visual documentation between a neurosurgery center and a regional hospital, with a mobile phone, significantly improves consultation on a craniocerebral injury. This is one of the methods of fast consultation on image documentation (CT). We reported on one year of experience (September 2007 to September 2008) of our department with this method of image transmission in 16 patients with craniocerebral injury.

18 months of experiences with the biotitanium replacement (Implaspin) used in treatment of degenerative lumbar spine diseases.

Between 2007-2008 forty two patients neurosurgery department of the KNTB (Regional Hospital of T. Bat'a) Zlin underwent surgery using the bioactive replacement Implaspin. The group of 21 patient of the total of number of 42 patients was operated first time for diagnosis degenerative instability or spondylolisthesis gr I-II.

Bioactive titan cage Implaspin in treatment of degenerative disease of the cervcal spine--the results from 2007 till 2008.

The authors present results of surgical treatment of cervical spine degenerative disease via Implaspin biotitanium replacement. Surgery was indicated for a group of 24 patients with symptoms of cervical spondylogenic myelopathy or the irritation decay root syndrome non-reacting to conservative treatment. Pre-surgery X-ray and MRI examinations showed spinal canal stenosis caused by the intervertebral disk osteochondrosis combined with prolapse or dorsal osteophytes.

[Verification of a surgical technique using a new biotitanium cage in degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine--experimental study].

Purpose Of The Study: Authors performed experimental PLIF operations on cadavers to verify appropriate shape and size of cage made from bioactive titan material. The approach for application into intervertebral space of the lumbar spine and appearance on X-ray and CT scans was also investigated.

Material: In experiment on cadavers five implantations of interbody cages were performed, two of them in interbody space L3/L4 and three of them in L4/L5.