Cervical dorsal rhizotomy for upper limbs spasticity. Case report.

Spasticity is a prevalent symptom of upper motor neuron syndrome, becoming debilitating when hindering voluntary movement and motor function and causing contractures and pain. Functional neurosurgery plays a crucial role in treating severe spasticity. Despite extensive literature on SDR for lower limb spasticity, there is a scarcity of papers regarding the procedure in the cervical region to alleviate upper limb spasticity.

Type II Odontoid Fractures: Is the Anterior Screw a Good Solution for all Patients? A Case Series of 60 Consecutive Patients.

Objective: Type II odontoid fracture is the most common fracture type, and its treatment remains challenging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of anterior screw fixation for type II odontoid fractures in patients aged over and below 60 years.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients diagnosed with type II odontoid fractures who were surgically treated using the anterior approach by a single surgeon was conducted.

Chamberlain's Line Violation in Basilar Invagination Patients Compared with Normal Subjects: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To compare the measured odontoid tip violation above Chamberlain's line described in the literature to diagnose basilar invagination (BI) and to establish the normal placement of the dens tip defining individuals without BI (normal subjects).

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to identify clinical or radiological studies that expressed the amount of odontoid violation above Chamberlain's line in patients with a BI diagnosis. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate normal subjects' values of Chamberlain's line violation (CLV).

Aggressive dissemination of central nervous system hemangioblastoma without association with von Hippel-Lindau disease: A case report and literature review.

Background: Hemangioblastomas (HBs) typically present with benign behavior and are most commonly found in the posterior fossa. Multiple central nervous system (CNS) HBs are usually associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease, and leptomeningeal dissemination of sporadic HBs is extremely rare. A review of the literature identified 30 cases of leptomeningeal dissemination of sporadic HBs previously published in the literature.

The impact of traumatic herniated discs in cervical facets dislocations treatments: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traumatic facet dislocations in the subaxial cervical spine, also known as locked facets, are commonly associated with neurological deficits. The fear of the presence of an associated traumatic disc herniation and consequent neurological worsening usually causes a delay in the spinal realignment. This study's aim is an analysis of safety and efficacy when treating acute cervical traumatic facet dislocations using cranial-cervical traction or posterior open reduction and fixation in the presence of disc herniations.

The surgical treatment of subaxial acute cervical spine facet dislocations in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Adult cervical spine traumatic facet joint dislocations occur when excessive traumatic forces displace the vertebrae's facets, leading to loss of joint congruence. Reduction requires either cranial traction or open surgical procedures. This study aims to appraise the effects of different surgical techniques in the treatment of subaxial cervical spine acute traumatic facet blocks in adults.

Effectiveness of telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the telemedicine care model implemented to treat and guide patients with COVID-19 related symptoms and indicators during the pandemic.

Methods: This is a retrospective study with data collected from the electronic records of standardized forms for assistance. As a way of evaluating the work performed, the number of consultations, types of referrals, efficiency of care, and patient satisfaction were observed.

Association between Brachycephaly, Chiari Malformation, and Basilar Invagination.

Background:  There is evidence that Chiari malformation (CM) and basilar invagination (BI) are largely due to disproportion between the content and volume of the posterior fossa. A recent study identified an increased association between brachycephaly and BI. In several types of craniosynostosis, the posterior fossa volume is smaller than normal, and this is more pronounced in coronal synostosis.

Effect of interbody fusion compared with posterolateral fusion on lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Context: Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis is a relatively common pathology, and surgical treatment is an option in selected cases. The common use of anterior column support by interbody fusion (IBF) has not been adequately studied.

Purpose: The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the functional and surgical outcomes after posterolateral fusion (PLF) and IBF for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Development and validation of an instrument for measuring parkinsonian motor impairment: TRAPS-D.

Background: Parkinson's disease is incurable, idiopathic, degenerative, and progressive, and affects about 1% of the elderly population. Multidisciplinary clinical treatment is the best and most adopted therapeutic option, while surgical treatment is used in less than 15% of those affected. In practice, there is a lack of reliable and validated scales for measuring motor impairment, and monitoring and screening for surgical indications.

Comparison of endoscopic resection techniques for duodenal neuroendocrine tumors: systematic review.

Regardless of size, duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (dNETs) should be considered potentially malignant. A complete resection without complications is essential to increase safety procedures. The aim of this review was to describe effectiveness and possible complications of endoscopic techniques resection for resectioning dNETs in patients with tumors ≤ 20 mm in diameter.

Review of best classification systems for diagnosing and treating thoracolumbar spine trauma.

Background: Improved thoracolumbar spine trauma classification (TLSTC) systems can better help diagnose and treat thoracolumbar spine trauma (TLT). Here, we identified the types of injury (rationale and description), instability criteria, and treatment guidelines of TLSTC.

Methods: We used the PubMed/MEDLINE database to assess TLSTC according to the following variables: injury morphology, injury mechanism, spinal instability criteria, neurological status, and treatment guidelines.

Effect of medication withdrawal on pain in Parkinson's disease patients - an observational study based on a sample of patients without antiparkinsonian medications.

Objectives: To assess the effect of withdrawal of the antiparkinsonian drug regimen administration on patients with PD and its relation to pain.

Methods: The sample included 22 men and 12 women who were candidates for neurosurgery to control motor signs and symptoms treated with L-dopa as a drug, alone or in combination with others (Cholinergic Antagonists; Dopamine Agents). All of them were examined at two different moments, with and without medication, and analyzed for painful symptoms.

Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas in asymptomatic patients: A review.

Background: Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the spine. Most patients are asymptomatic, but some lesions can become aggressive, leading to spinal compression. Here, we reviewed the natural history and treatment of aggressive hemangiomas in asymptomatic patients.

Posterior Fossa Dimensions of Chiari Malformation Patients Compared with Normal Subjects: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chiari malformation (CM) is defined as a herniation of cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum and is considered to be due to underdevelopment of posterior fossa (PF) bone components. There is overcrowding of neural structures, and normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation is frequently blocked. Although several publications exist of measurements of dimensions and volumes from bone components of PF in CM, there is no systematic review evaluating quantitatively these dimensions.

von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome: Genetic Study of Case With a Rare Pathogenic Variant With Optic Nerve Hemangioblastoma, a Rare Phenotypic Expression.

von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHLS) is a rare, autosomal dominant genetic disease with high penetrance and variable phenotypic expression caused by variants in the gene. VHLS is associated with the presence of vascular tumors, often hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system, retina, or spinal cord and, less frequently, pancreatic cystic neoplasm, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, clear cell carcinoma of the kidney, endolymphatic sac tumor, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma. The authors report a case of a patient with VHLS with a rare pathogenic variant in the gene and with an optic nerve hemangioblastoma, a rare phenotypic expression.

Effect of Stereotactic Radiosurgery on Residual or Relapsed Pituitary Adenoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: In pituitary tumors, the presence of residual tumor after transsphenoidal surgery and recurrence of the tumor after resection are frequent, and the best treatment is not well established. The effects and complications of stereotactic radiosurgery have not been extensively studied.

Objective: We aimed to reveal the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery on residual and recurrent adenomas.

Chiari malformation and types of basilar invagination with/without syringomyelia.

Background: Craniometric studies document different subtypes of craniocervical junction malformations (CCJM). Here, we identified the different types and global signs and symptoms (SS) that correlated with these malformations while further evaluating the impact of syringomyelia.

Methods: Prospective data concerning SS and types of CCJM were evaluated in 89 patients between September 2002 and April 2014 using Bindal's scale.

The Results of Microsurgery without Fusion for Lumbar Synovial Cysts: A Case Series of 50 Patients.

Objectives: The treatments described for spinal synovial cysts range from percutaneous puncture to arthrodesis. There is a fear of postoperative instability after surgical resection of cysts, mainly when they are associated with degenerative spondylolisthesis. The objective of the article is to address the postoperative instability and recurrence rate of the symptoms after microsurgery without fusion.

Symptomatic foramen of Magendie arachnoid cyst in an elderly patient: The second case report in the literature.

Background: Arachnoid cysts are benign extra-axial lesions corresponding to 1% of intracranial expansive lesions. They are usually incidental findings in asymptomatic patients. Most cases are congenital, and when symptomatic are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.