Publications by authors named "Megan Rajagopal"

Introduction: Thoracolumbar (TL) junction fractures are common, often resulting from high-energy trauma or osteoporosis, and may lead to neurological deficits, deformities, or chronic pain. Treatment decisions for neurologically intact patients remain controversial, with nonsurgical management often favored. The AO classification system has been used to characterize thoracolumbar fractures using fracture morphology and clinical factors affecting clinical decision-making for fracture management.

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Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) has been preliminarily investigated as a potential treatment for dementia. The degeneration of NBM cholinergic neurons is a pathological feature of many forms of dementia. Although stimulation of the NBM has been demonstrated to improve learning, the ideal parameters for NBM stimulation have not been elucidated.

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Background: This report describes an unusual meningioma with a large left frontal component and extensive growth within the sagittal sinus and its successful treatment with a staged approach: left frontal craniotomy followed by a sagittal craniotomy and intrinsic removal of the tumor from the sagittal sinus.

Observations: A previously healthy 27-year-old presented with 6 months of progressively worsening bilateral headaches, visual changes, and nausea. On examination she had a left cranial nerve VI palsy and severe papilledema.

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Objective: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of both the globus pallidus internus (GPI) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Parkinson's disease (PD) is superior to the best medical therapy. Tremor is particularly responsive to DBS, with reports of 70%-80% improvement. However, a small number of patients do not obtain the expected response with both STN and GPI targets.

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Background: Concerns about the changing demographics in the United States and the aging of the neurosurgical workforce exist. Both the importance and inherent risk of surgical responsibilities suggest that thought be given to whether workloads should change later in surgeons' careers. We sought to assess current neurosurgeons' expectations concerning their late-stage careers.

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