Irradiation safety, anesthesia time, surgical complications, and patient-reported outcomes in the robotic Mazor X versus fluoroscopy guided minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery: a comparative cohort study.

Objective: Robot-assisted (RA) technology is becoming more widely integrated and accepted in spine surgery. The authors sought to evaluate operative and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in RA versus fluoroscopy-assisted (FA) pedicle screw placement during minimally invasive surgery (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods: The authors retrospectively studied elective patients who underwent single- or multilevel MIS TLIF for degenerative indication using FA versus RA pedicle screw placement.

Safety and functional outcomes of early antiplatelet therapy within 24 hours following mechanical thrombectomy for secondary prevention in emergent large-vessel occlusion strokes: a registry study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and functional outcomes of antiplatelet use within 24 hours following mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data for consecutive patients who underwent MT for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) between 2016 and 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS), antiplatelet use, neurological status, and tissue plasminogen activator use were collected.

Preventing Surgical Site Hematoma Using Topical with or Without Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Lumbosacral Surgery: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background: Postoperative surgical site hematoma (SSH) following lumbosacral surgery carries significant morbidity and increased length of stay (LOS). Intravenous tranexamic acid (ivTXA) has been shown to reduce SSH rate. Topical TXA (tTXA) could benefit patients with contraindications to ivTXA.

The Effect of Preoperative Symptom Duration on Patient-Reported Outcomes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in Nonmyelopathic Patients: Analyses From the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).

Background: The effect of preoperative symptom duration (PSD) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for radiculopathy is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether PSD is a predictor for PRO after ACDF for radiculopathy.

Methods: The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative registry was queried between March, 2014, and July, 2019, for patients who underwent ACDF without myelopathy and PROs (baseline, 90 days, 1 year, 2 years).

The Effect of Morbid Obesity on Complications, Readmission, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: An Inverse Propensity Score Weighted Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data at a single institution.

Objective: To compare perioperative and clinical outcomes in morbidly obese patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MiTLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: Obesity remains a serious public health concern.

The effect of ketorolac on posterior minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: an interim analysis from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Background Context: Postoperative pain control following posterior lumbar fusion continues to be challenging and often requires high doses of opioids for pain relief. The use of ketorolac in spinal fusion is limited due to the risk of pseudarthrosis. However, recent literature suggests it may not affect fusion rates with short-term use and low doses.

Age as a Risk Factor for Complications Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Analysis From the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected registry data using multivariable analyses of imputed data.

Objective: We sought to demonstrate that age would not be associated with complications in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: Elderly patients (≥70 yrs) undergoing ACDF are considered a higher risk for complications.

Patient Satisfaction with Neurosurgery Telemedicine Visits During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Telemedicine refers to various modalities for remote care, including telephone calls, imaging review, and real-time video teleconferencing visits. Although it has not been widely used in outpatient neurosurgery settings, the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has necessitated a broader adoption. Our goal is to show the level of patient satisfaction with their telemedicine care.

Efficacy and safety of cilostazol-nimodipine combined therapy on delayed cerebral ischaemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) due to cerebral vasospasm (cVS) remains the foremost contributor to morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Past efforts in preventing and treating DCI have failed to make any significant progress. To date, our most effective treatment involves the use of nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker.

Recurrent Craniocervical Pseudogout: Indications for Surgical Resection, Surveillance Imaging, and Craniocervical Fixation.

Background: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystallization is known to occur in the spine, leading to the development of visible calcification as seen by imaging. Occasionally, the deposition of this material can lead to larger accumulations that are seen as masses in the articular processes, intervertebral discs, and posterior longitudinal ligaments. A particularly significant manifestation of this process is at the craniocervical junction, where symptomatic presentations can arise.

C1-C2 cryptic cerebrospinal fluid leak directly identified by pressurized radionuclide cisternography: Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Patients with chronic postural headaches may suffer from spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Trauma, degenerative disc spurring and connective tissue disorders are documented risk factors; in most cases there is no inciting event. Despite sophisticated means of evaluating the neuraxis, many cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are radiographically occult and treatment is focused on thoracic and cervical-thoracic regions.

Resolution of diminished olfactory sensation after treatment of bilateral ophthalmic segment aneurysms with flow diversion: case report.

Background And Importance: Olfactory tract dysfunction due to an unruptured intracranial aneurysm is rare. We present a case in which a patient with impaired olfaction related to bilateral internal carotid artery aneurysms experienced subjective and quantitative objective improvement of olfactory sensation after treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms with flow diversion.

Clinical Presentation: A 44-year-old woman presented with hyposmia and bilateral ophthalmic segment internal carotid artery aneurysms.

Infection risk in neurointervention and cerebral angiography.

Background: The risk of infection with cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures has not been defined. Likewise, although the use of routine prophylactic antibiotics has been advocated by some neurointerventionalists, the utility of prophylactic antibiotics in this setting has not been determined.

Objective: To determine the rate of infection associated with neuroangiographic procedures in a clinical setting in which prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely given.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve and brainstem: multimodality treatment with survival of 27 months. A case report and review of the literature.

Background And Importance: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are the most common malignant mesenchymal tumors of soft tissues, but they are very rare when found to arise from a cranial nerve and when not in association with neurofibromatosis. These tumors are highly malignant and carry a poor prognosis with survival usually less than 6 months.

Clinical Presentation: The authors report the case of a 23-year-old female with no history of phakomatoses, previous irradiation, or known genetic disorders, who presented with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve and brainstem.