Moderate agreement was found between CT angiography, transcranial color-coded sonography, and digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of intracranial stenosis. Computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography are sufficient for assessment of the diagnosis.

Decompressive surgery <48 h from stroke onset reduces the prevalence of mortality and morbidity from malignant supratentorial infarction. We investigated if utilization of decompressive surgery changed in the Czech Republic (CZ) after the release of new guidelines regarding treatment of malignant brain infarction. The volume of decompressive surgery in 2009 in all centers in the CZ was assessed using the same methodology as in 2006. All neurosurgery departments in the CZ were asked to complete a questionnaire and asked to identify all cases of decompressive surgery for malignant brain infarction through a combination of discharge codes for "brain infarction" and "decompressive surgery" from electronic hospital charts. Data for 56 patients were obtained from 15 of the 16 neurosurgery departments in the CZ. The average age was 53 ± 13; number of males 20; median time to surgery was 48 h (range 24-62); median NIHSS score was 25 (IQR, 20-30); median infarct volume was 300 cm(3) [interquartile (IQR, 250-350)]; mean shift on CT was 10.6 ± 3.6 mm and size of hemicraniectomy was 125 cm(2) (IQR, 110-154). A favorable outcome was achieved in 45% of the patients. The number of procedures increased from 39 in 2,006 to 2,056 in 2009. Based on data from one stroke center, 10% suffered from malignant supratentorial infarction and 2.3% met the criteria for decompressive surgery. In 2009, as compared to 2006, the volume of decompressive surgery carried out moderately increased. However, procedures remained underutilized because only ~10% of those who needed decompressive surgery underwent surgery.

The extent of myonecrosis was comparable in both techniques. The analysis of the IL-6 and CRP levels showed significantly lower systemic inflammatory response in mini PLIF technique. The mini PLIF technique provides transiently lower postoperative pain levels.

Purpose. To analyse the results of subCyclo (subliminal transscleral cyclophotocoagulation) laser procedure for patients with glaucoma.Material and methods. The study included 50 eyes of 32 patients diagnosed with various subtypes of glaucoma for which we performed subliminal transscleral cyclophotocoagulation under retrobulbar anesthesia. After the procedure, all patients were advised to continue their antiglaucoma medication until further notice and we added a topical steroid for 2 weeks. The minimum follow-up period was 6 months.Results. The mean IOP (intraocular pressure) decreased from the preoperative value of 26.27 mmHg (±6.52) to 15.9 mmHg (±5.72) one day after the treatment. At 7 days, the average IOP was 13.72 mmHg (±4.31), 15.81 mmHg (±3.69) at 6 weeks, 15.94 mmHg (±5.66) at 3 months and 16.32 mmHg (±5.24) at 6 months. The second intervention was performed in 9 eyes due to poor IOP control after the first procedure, two eyes developed ocular hypertonia 6-8 hours after the procedure and one eye presented mydriasis after the procedure.Conclusions. Early results for this study showed that subCyclo laser procedure could determine a satisfactory decrease of the IOP with a low risk of complications.Abbreviations: IOP = intraocular pressure, TSCPC = transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, POAG = primary open-angle glaucoma, NVG = neovascular glaucoma, BCVA = best corrected visual acuity

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