Notes

[Post-partum psychosis].
Cranioplasty is a neurosurgical procedure to repair skull defects. Sometimes, the patients' bone flap cannot be used for various reasons. Alternatives include a custom polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implant or titanium mesh; both incur an additional cost. We present a technique that uses a 3D printer to create a patient- specific 3D model used to mold a titanium mesh preoperatively.

We included three patients whose bone flap could not be used. We collected the patients' demographics, cost, and time data for implants and the 3D printer. The patients' computed tomography DICOM images were used for 3D reconstruction of the cranial defect. A 3D printer (Flashforge, CA) was used to print a custom mold of the defect, which was used to shape the titanium mesh. All patients had excellent cosmetic results with no complications. The time required to print a 3D model was ~ 6 h and 45 min for preoperative shaping of the titanium implant. The intraoperative molding (IOM) of a titanium mesh needed an average of 60 min additional operative room time which incurred $4000. The average cost for PEEK and flat titanium mesh is $12,600 and $6750. Our method resulted in $4000 and $5500 cost reduction in comparison to flat mesh with IOM and PEEK implant.

3D printing technology can create a custom model to shape a titanium mesh preoperatively for cranioplasty. It can result in excellent cosmetic results and significant cost reduction in comparison to other cranioplasty options.
3D printing technology can create a custom model to shape a titanium mesh preoperatively for cranioplasty. It can result in excellent cosmetic results and significant cost reduction in comparison to other cranioplasty options.
The findings of a hyperintense sign on T2-weighted imaging (T2-WI) and gadolinium (Gd) contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain stem suggest malignant glioma. However, this pathological condition is probably uncommon, and it may be unknown that a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) can imitate this radiological pattern. In addition, it is extremely rare to be caused by a spinal DAVF. Here, a rare case of spinal DAVF that mimicked malignant glioma of the medulla oblongata is presented.

A 56-year-old woman was admitted with a progressive gait disturbance, vertigo, and dysphasia. MRI showed a hyperintense signal in the medulla oblongata on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and moderate contrast enhancement on Gd-enhanced MRI. Interestingly, Gd-enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal dilated veins around the brain stem and cervical spinal cord. Cerebral angiography showed spinal DAVF at the left C4/C5 vertebral foramen fed by the C5 radicular artery. The fistula drained into spinal perimedullary veins and flowed out retrograde at the cortical vein of the posterior cranial fossa. Therefore, surgical disconnection of the spinal DAVF was performed by a posterior approach. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Cerebral angiography showed complete disappearance of the DAVF, with marked reductions of the hyperintense sign of the medulla oblongata on FLAIR.

This important case illustrates MRI findings mimicking brain stem glioma. In cases with the hyperintense sign-on T2-WI associated with contrast enhancement suspicious of brainstem glioma, careful checking for perimedullary abnormal vessels and additional cerebral angiography should be performed.
This important case illustrates MRI findings mimicking brain stem glioma. In cases with the hyperintense sign-on T2-WI associated with contrast enhancement suspicious of brainstem glioma, careful checking for perimedullary abnormal vessels and additional cerebral angiography should be performed.
The precise mechanisms of carotid calcification and its clinical significance have not been established.

We classified ten plaques from carotid endarterectomy patients into high- and low-calcified plaques based on the Agatston calcium scores. MEK phosphorylation We performed whole-exome sequencing for genetic profiles with single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions, and deletions. Bioinformatic data mining was then conducted to disclose specific gene variations to either high- or low-calcified carotid plaques.

In the carotid plaques, GC>AT/CG>TA transitions as SNVs, insT after C/insC after A as insertions, and delA after G/delT after C as deletions were most frequently observed, but no significant difference was observed between the high- and low-calcified plaque groups in their proportion of base-pair substitution types. In the bioinformatic analysis, SNVs of ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (
) were more commonly found in high-calcified plaques and SNVs of
were more commonly found in low-calcifiedese results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of molecular activity and calcium formation in carotid plaques.
Type II odontoid fractures are becoming one of the most common injuries among elderly patients and are associated with increased morbidity rates. Here, we compared the safety/efficacy of conservative versus surgical treatment for type II C2 fractures and, in particular, evaluated the complications, hospital lengths of stay, and mortality rates for patients over 80 years of age.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 63 nonsurgically versus 18 surgically treated C2 fractures in patients over 80 years of age (2003-2018). Cervical computed tomography images, X-rays, and magnetic resonance images were reviewed by both a neurosurgeon and a neuroradiologist. The following patient data were included in the analysis; Glasgow Coma Scale score, injury severity score, the abbreviated injury scale scores, their comorbidities (e.g., utilizing the Charlson comorbidity index), their primary outcomes, and mortality rates (e.g., at 6 weeks and 1 year after treatment).

Eighty-one patients were included in the study; 63 were treated conservatively and 18 underwent surgical management of type II C2 fractures. Patients averaged 87.0 ± 5.0 years of age, and their combined mortality rates were 13.6% at 6 weeks and 25.9% at 1 year. Notably, at 1 year, the mortality rates were not statistically different between the two groups 18 (30.0%) patients from the conservatively treated group versus 3 (16.7%) patients from the surgically managed patients died indicating (e.g., using the Kaplan-Meier analysis) no survival advantage for either treatment strategy.

Surgical versus conservative management of type II odontoid fractures were associated with comparable high mortality rates at 1 year.
Surgical versus conservative management of type II odontoid fractures were associated with comparable high mortality rates at 1 year.
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