Accuracy of ADC derived from DWI for differentiating high-grade from low-grade gliomas: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) could be applied to grade gliomas. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the accuracy of ADC analysis in differentiating high-grade (HGGs) from low-grade gliomas (LGGs).

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane library, Science Direct, and Embase were searched to identify suitable studies up to September 1, 2018.

LKB1 suppresses glioma cell invasion via NF-κB/Snail signaling repression.

Background: Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is involved in various human diseases. Aberrant expression of LKB1 expression is involved in glioma progression and associated with prognosis, however, the specific mechanism involving NF-κB/Snail signaling pathways remain unknown.

Materials And Methods: In the present study, quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to investigate the expression of LKB1 tumor tissue samples and cell lines.

Anatomic Variation and Hemodynamic Evolution of Vertebrobasilar Arterial System May Contribute to the Development of Vascular Compression in Hemifacial Spasm.

Background: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is caused by vascular compression of the facial nerve. The definitive mechanism of offending vessel formation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore whether the anatomic and hemodynamic characteristics of the vertebrobasilar artery play a role in problematic vessel formation in HFS.

Burr hole drainage and burr hole drainage with irrigation to treat chronic subdural hematoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Numerous studies have investigated different operative procedures for treating chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH); however, the results are controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation (BHD) and burr hole drainage with irrigation (BHDI) for CSDH.

Methods: We searched the following electronic databases to identify all studies from their inception to September 2017: Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, the China Biomedical Database (CBM), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

A comparative study of irrigation versus no irrigation during burr hole craniostomy to treat chronic subdural hematoma.

Background: Burr hole craniostomy is a widely used method for the evacuation of CSDH. However it is not clear whether the irrigation during operation improves the prognosis or gives rise to additional complications instead. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine this issue.

Impact of operation details on hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the distance of craniectomy from the midline and hydrocephalus after DC.

Methods: The following electronic databases were searched from their inception to June 2015: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Science Direct, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). All randomized clinical trials, prospective cohort, retrospective observational cohort, and case-control studies investigating the relationship between distance of craniectomy from the midline and hydrocephalus after DC were enrolled.

Prospective randomized evaluation of therapeutic decompressive craniectomy in severe traumatic brain injury with mass lesions (PRECIS): study protocol for a controlled trial.

Background: For cases of severe traumatic brain injury, during primary operation, neurosurgeons usually face a dilemma of whether or not to remove the bone flap after mass lesion evacuation. Decompressive craniectomy, which involves expansion of fixed cranial cavity, is used to treat intra-operative brain swelling and post-operative malignant intracranial hypertension. However, due to indefinite indication, the decision to perform this procedure heavily relies on personal experiences.

The value of intraoperative intracranial pressure monitoring for predicting re-operation using salvage decompressive craniectomy after craniotomy in patients with traumatic mass lesions.

Background: The risk factors of predicting the need for postoperative decompressive craniectomy due to intracranial hypertension after primary craniotomy remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the value of intraoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in predicting re-operation using salvage decompressive craniectomy (SDC).

Methods: From January 2008 to October 2014, we retrospectively reviewed 284 patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) who underwent craniotomy for mass lesion evacuation without intraoperative brain swelling.

Hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy for malignant hemispheric cerebral infarction.

Purpose: Several studies have investigated the incidence and risk factors of hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy (DC) for malignant hemispheric cerebral infarction. However, the results are controversial. Therefore, the following is a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence and risk factors of hydrocephalus after DC for malignant hemispheric cerebral infarction.

Effectiveness of acupuncture in treatment of facial spasm: a meta-analysis.

Context: Facial spasm is one of the common facial diseases, especially in the aged. It is mostly characterized by initially progressive, involuntary, irregular, recurrent, clonic, or tonic movements of muscles innervated by the facial nerve on one side. Acupuncture is a low-risk treatment with purported claims of effectiveness for facial spasm.

Topiramate versus carbamazepine for the treatment of classical trigeminal neuralgia: a meta-analysis.

Background: Carbamazepine is currently the drug of first choice in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, it is reported as efficacious in only 70-80% of patients, and can be associated with adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, nausea, ataxia, nystagmus and hypersensitivity, which may necessitate discontinuation of medication. Therefore, alternative drugs such as oxcarbazepine, baclofen and topiramate are also used to treat the disease.