Publications by authors named "Nikolaos Trakas"
Article Synopsis
- Chronic subdural hematoma (chSDH) primarily affects older adults, and this study investigates factors that influence its recurrence, particularly focusing on the effectiveness of the single burr hole surgical technique.
- A retrospective analysis involved 166 patients who were categorized into two groups based on hematoma recurrence, revealing a recurrence rate of 7.2% using the single burr hole method, which is lower than some other techniques documented in existing studies.
- Key risk factors for recurrence included the use of anticoagulants, previous brain stroke events, and mixed densities of hematoma on CT scans, with the average recurrence happening about 16 days post-surgery.
Article Synopsis
- Antibiotic treatment typically avoids β-lactams and uses macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones, and ketolides due to their effectiveness against intracellular pathogens, though rising antibiotic resistance complicates treatment.
- The prevalence of atypical pneumonia is notable globally, particularly in young adults and outpatient settings, and can lead to severe health complications, including multi-organ damage and increased mortality rates.
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is considered a cornerstone in the management of refractory intracranial hypertension. For decades, DC was known as an occasionally lifesaving procedure; however, it was associated with numerous severe complications. The present study is a single-center retrospective case series study on with 321 patients who underwent DC between January, 2010 and December, 2020.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythms and possesses antioxidant properties, may influence addiction behaviors and mitigate health risks associated with chronic nicotine use.
- Research suggests that melatonin could play a therapeutic role in addiction treatment by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but further studies are needed to explore its underlying mechanisms.
Article Synopsis
- * A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using databases like Cochrane Library and PubMed, identifying 48 relevant articles to assess the incidence of these ACA variations.
- * The analysis reveals that there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of ACA variations when comparing cadaveric (autopsy) studies to imaging studies.
Article Synopsis
- Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) poses significant challenges in neurosurgery, prompting a study comparing different surgical techniques among 122 patients.
- The study divided patients into three groups based on the surgical approach: burr hole with subperiosteal drain, single burr hole with intradural drain, and mini-craniotomy, assessing various post-operative outcomes.
- Results indicated that the burr hole techniques (groups 1 and 3) had lower rates of hematoma recurrence, shorter hospital stays, and better discharge consciousness levels compared to the intradural drain approach in group 2.
Article Synopsis
- Neuro-monitoring is often used for critically ill patients with severe conditions like stroke and head trauma, especially in the ICU.
- The case study focuses on a 14-year-old boy who experienced acute intracranial hemorrhage after neuromonitoring catheters were placed, requiring surgical intervention.
- It emphasizes the importance of assessing the patient’s clotting profile, using careful surgical methods, and performing a CT scan after catheter insertion to reduce the risk of bleeding complications related to neuromonitoring.
Article Synopsis
- - Mycoplasmas, which are the smallest wall-less bacteria, are a significant cause of chronic respiratory illnesses and pneumonia, especially affecting children and adolescents, although most infections tend to be mild and self-limiting.
- - Complications from mycoplasma infections can occur both in the lungs and elsewhere in the body, driven by different mechanisms like immune damage and inflammation, leading to potentially severe conditions.
- - The pathogenicity of mycoplasmas relies on their ability to adhere to host cells using specialized proteins, which affect how they cause disease and may provide targets for new vaccine development by understanding genetic variations related to virulence.
Brain abscess (BA) constitutes 1-8% of intra-cerebral tumors, and thus the present study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of patients with primary and secondary BA. The present retrospective study examined 32 of cases BA who underwent surgery in a local institution between February, 2013 and December, 2023. All patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy according to the antibiogram for antimicrobial susceptibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the present retrospective study was to confer the factors that are related to bone graft absorption and affect the outcomes of patients following cranioplasty (CPL). The present retrospective study includes cases of patients that underwent CPL between February, 2013 and December, 2022. All participants had a follow-up period of 1 to 10 years from the day of discharge from the hospital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF