Randomized controlled study comparing 2 surgical techniques for decompressive craniectomy: with watertight duraplasty and without watertight duraplasty.

Objective: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a widely used procedure in neurosurgery; however, few studies focus on the best surgical technique for the procedure. The authors' objective was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing 2 techniques for performing DC: with watertight duraplasty and without watertight duraplasty (rapid-closure DC).

Methods: The study population comprised patients ranging in age from 18 to 60 years who were admitted to the Neurotrauma Service of the Hospital da Restauração with a clinical indication for unilateral decompressive craniectomy.

[Capillary hemangioma of the spinal cord: case report].

We report a rare case of spinal cord capillary hemangioma in a 79-year-old woman, presented with paraparesia that had progressed within 8 months. Radiologically, the lesion resemble other vascular spinal cord tumors. The patient underwent surgery and the outcome was good.

Plasma lipoprotein(A) levels: a comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL ), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A (apo A) and B100 (apo B100), uric acid, glycaemic and insulin plasmatic concentrations in patients affected by acute stroke. In this group of patients, we have compared the variables between type 2 diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients.

Method: We evaluate a total of 34 non-diabetic patients (22 males and 12 females; mean age 66.