In ventral fusion after anterior cervical discectomy there is still a remarkable number of cage subsidence and segmental kyphosis seen. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the cage design influences the extent of correction loss during follow-up. Sixty patients with single-level cervical disc herniation were randomly treated with two different cervical inter-body cages (group 1: Solis cage, Stryker Company and group 2: Shell cage, AMT Company). Clinical and radiological follow-up was done before and after surgery, 3 and 6 months post-surgery. Clinical follow-up was done with the help of Odom's criteria. Both groups were similar in the baseline parameters (age, sex, treated level). Statistically, the subsidence was significantly higher at 3 and 6-month follow-ups in group 1 than in group 2, however, clinical results showed no significant differences. In 67%, subsidence was seen in the anterior lower aspect of the treated segment. Segmental kyphosis was seen in seven patients of group 1 and two patients of group 2. A significant correlation is found between Odom's criteria and subsidence. Although there was no significant difference in a short-term clinical result between the two treatment groups, we recommend the use of cages which preserve the determined segmental height and lordosis.
16 patients with peripheral nerve neurinomas (benign schwannomas) were operated upon in our hospital between 1990-1995. The largest tumours were found on proximal segments of peripheral nerves (brachial plexus: 15 cm, sciatic nerve: 20 cm). The average duration of symptoms was 1 1/2 years (range: 3 months-15 years). Pain or painful paraesthesias were the main complaints (13/16). Postoperatively, 9 patients were painfree while 4 improved. Similarly, neurological deficits were favourably influenced by the operation: Out of 5 patients with motor deficits 4 had complete, 1 patient had partial recovery. One out of 4 patients with sensory deficits had complete recovery, 2 remained unchanged, while 1 worsened. Two patients developed new motor and 6 patients new sensory deficits, which (in the course of time) did not disappear completely. New deficits developed predominantly in patients with large tumours or longstanding symptoms. Tumour recurrences were not seen during the follow-up period of 23 months. Our findings revealed that in the majority of cases peripheral nerve neurinomas can be excised with good results. Patients should be treated by a neurosurgeon with special expertise in peripheral nerve surgery. The patient should be thoroughly informed pre-operatively about any eventual new neurological deficits following surgery.
The dynamic fixation system Dynesys is utilized in the last 10 years for treatment of degenerative segmental disease of the lumbar spine. Dynesys is a semi-rigid fixation system that allows minimal lengthening and shortening between two segmental pedicle screws as opposed to a rigid metal bar. Thus, the system is regarded to maintain stability and near physiological motion patterns of the lumbar spine. The theoretical advantage of this system is to stabilize the treated segment and to prevent adjacent segment degeneration. The goal of this prospective trial was to evaluate clinical, radiographic, and computed tomography (CT) scan outcomes in 54 consecutive cases. Postoperative complications are discussed in detail. Forty cases were recruited with a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 12 to 37). Postoperative pain scores (Hannover Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire and VAS for back and leg pain) improved in 29 cases (73%) and was best when dynamic fusion was combined with nerve root decompression. Outcome data were not superior to conventional rigid fusion systems and had a considerable number of complications requiring revision surgery in 27.5% of cases.
This epidemiological study of a small, but clinically well-annotated patient cohort fails to support the assumption that the strong increase of bevacizumab use since 2010 improved survival in glioblastoma although clinical benefit associated with decreased steroid use may have been achieved.
The sole sequestrectomy group revealed similar results compared with the standard microdiscectomy group. There is a comparable low number of recurrences in both groups. This is probably caused by the consequent selection of patients for sequestrectomy according to well-defined criteria.
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