The landscape of medicine in the United States has been slowly progressing toward a more holistic and individualized approach to healing. Part of this progress has been the integration between ...western and alternative forms of medicine, a concept that has been described as "integrative medicine." This approach to healthcare incorporates a patient's mind, spirituality, and sense of community into the healing process. Integrative medicine has been typically well received and the demand has been steadily increasing in primary US hospitals. Here we cover a number of topics that include the definition of integrative medicine, its potential benefits, current examples of successful implementations, and potential barriers to its expansion. The aim was to give a primary on integrative medicine and its current state for healthcare providers.
Studies in rodents have re-kindled interest in the study of lymphatics in the central nervous system. Animal studies have demonstrated that there is a connection between the subarachnoid space and ...deep cervical lymph nodes (DCLNs) through dural lymphatic vessels located in the skull base and the parasagittal area.
To describe the connection of the DCLNs and lymphatic tributaries with the intracranial space through the jugular foramen, and to address the anatomical features and variations of the DCLNs and associated lymphatic channels in the neck.
Twelve formalin-fixed human head and neck specimens were studied. Samples from the dura of the wall of the jugular foramen were obtained from two fresh human cadavers during rapid autopsy. The samples were immunostained with podoplanin and CD45 to highlight lymphatic channels and immune cells, respectively.
The mean number of nodes for DCLNs was 6.91 ± 0.58 on both sides. The mean node length was 10.1 ± 5.13 mm, the mean width was 7.03 ± 1.9 mm, and the mean thickness was 4 ± 1.04 mm. Immunohistochemical staining from rapid autopsy samples demonstrated that lymphatic vessels pass from the intracranial compartment into the neck through the meninges at the jugular foramen, through tributaries that can be called intrajugular lymphatic vessels.
The anatomical features of the DCLNs and their connections with intracranial lymphatic structures through the jugular foramen represent an important possible route for the spread of cancers to and from the central nervous system; therefore, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of these lymphatic structures and their variations.
There are many kinds of extra-axial brain tumors and tumor-like lesions, and definitive diagnosis is complicated in some cases. In this pictorial essay, we present rare and challenging extra-axial ...brain lesions including neuroenteric cyst, primary leptomeningeal melanomatosis, isolated dural neurosarcoidosis, intradiploic epidermoid cyst, ruptured dermoid cyst, intraventricular cavernoma, and cavernous hemangioma of the skull with imaging findings and clinico-radiological differential diagnosis, including the pathologic correlation. Familiarity with these entities may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.
The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of olfactory filaments (OFs) in the nasal mucosa to facilitate preservation of olfactory function in endonasal approaches and preparation of a ...nasoseptal flap.
One formalin-fixed and 9 fresh cadaveric silicone-injected specimens with 20 total sides were studied to measure the distance of the OFs to the anatomical landmarks and compare the OF presence in the nasal septum mucosa (NSM) and ethmoidal mucosa (EM).
The mean distance from the first to the last OF was 19.37 ± 2.16 mm in the NSM and 23.44 ± 5.42 mm in the EM. The NSM had a mean of 7.55 ± 1.31 OFs and the EM had 14.3 ± 1.78. Average OF lengths were measured at 6.44 ± 1.48 (range 3.75-12.40) mm in the NSM and 8.05 ± 1.76 (range 4.14-13.20) mm in the EM. The mean values of the EM measurements were compared with those of the NSM; the number of OFs, the distance between the first and last OF, the average OF length, and the number of OFs between anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries in the NSM were significantly less (p < 0.05) than those in the EM. The distance between the first OF to the nasal bone on the NSM was greater than on the EM.
Compared with the EM, the OFs are significantly fewer in number and smaller in size in the NSM. The uppermost edge of the nasoseptal flap incision in the NSM might be safer to start below 12 mm from the cribriform plate for OF protection.
Single neuron or unit recording enables researchers to measure the electrophysiologic responses of single neurons using a microelectrode system. This approach is widely used in cognitive science and ...has become more widespread in humans with the use of hybrid (micro-within-macrowire) depth electrodes that enable the implantation of microwires into the brain parenchyma.
The authors describe their surgical technique in a total of 7 patients with intractable epilepsy who underwent robot-enhanced stereoencephalography in which both standard (nonhybrid) and hybrid depth electrodes were used for invasive chronic monitoring.
The technique and accuracy of the procedure were evaluated with a total of 84 depth electrodes (46 hybrid, 38 standard) in 7 patients. No major complications, such as intracranial hemorrhage, infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage, occurred regardless of the type of electrode used.
The addition of hybrid depth electrodes for the purpose of in vivo single neuron recording in robot-enhanced stereoencephalography procedures is safe and does not impact the accuracy of targeting or patient safety.
In the management of multi-drug-resistant focal epilepsies, intracranial electrode implantation is used for precise localization of the ictal onset zone. In select patients, subdural grid electrode ...implantation is utilized. Subdural grid placement traditionally requires large craniotomies to visualize the cortex prior to mapping. However, smaller craniotomies may enable shorter operations and reduced risks. We aimed to compare surgical outcomes between patients undergoing traditional large craniotomies with those undergoing tailored “mini” craniotomies (the “mail-slot” technique) for subdural grid placement.
This retrospective cohort study included 23 patients who underwent subdural electrode implantation for epilepsy monitoring between 2014 and 2020. Patients were categorized into mini-craniotomies (n = 9) and traditional large craniotomies (n = 14) groups. Demographics, operative details, and outcomes were reviewed. Craniotomy size and number of electrodes were determined via post hoc radiographs.
Of the 23 patients studied, the mini group had smaller craniotomy sizes (mean: 22.71 cm2 vs. 65.17 cm2, P < 0.001) and higher electrode-to-size ratios (mean: 4.25 vs. 1.71, P < 0.0001). The mini group had slightly fewer total electrodes (mean: 88.67 vs. 107.43, P = 0.047). No significant differences were found in operative duration, blood loss, invasive electroencephalography duration, complications, or Engel scores between the groups. One patient per group required further invasive epilepsy monitoring for localization; all patients underwent therapeutic surgery.
Our findings suggest that mini-craniotomies for subdural grid placement in epilepsy monitoring offer significant advantages, including smaller craniotomy sizes and shorter operation durations, without compromising safety or efficacy. These results support the trend towards minimally invasive, patient-tailored surgical approaches in epilepsy treatment.
Objectıve
The aim of this study is to develop a scoring system for the prediction of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants in the first 7 days of life.
Methods
A prospective, clinical ...study was conducted in Bahcesehir University, Medical Park Goztepe Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, with the enrollment of 144 preterm infants with gestational age between 24 and 34 weeks. All preterms were followed up for IVH after birth until the 4th week of life. The demographic characteristics and clinical risk factors were noted. Risk factors were analyzed. The score was established after logistic regression analysis, considering the impact of each variable on the occurrence of IVH within the first 7 days of life. The IVH scores were further applied prospectively to 89 preterm infants as validation cohort.
Results
Low gestational age (GA), low Apgar score, and having bleeding diathesis were the most important risk factors for IVH. According to these risk factors, a scoring system was developed for IVH ranged from 0 to 5. According to the risk ratios (RR) obtained from the logistic regression model, low GA (≤ 28 gestational week), presence of bleeding diathesis within 7 days, and low Apgar score increased the risk of IVH (RR = 3.32 for GA ≤ 28 gestational week, RR = 6.7 for presence of bleeding diathesis in 7th day, RR = 3 for having low Apgar score). The score was validated successfully in 89 infants. The area under ROC curve was 0.85 for derivation cohort and 0.807 for validation cohort. The predictive ability of the IVH score for derivation and validation cohort was calculated. The negative predictive values of a score less than 4 were 96.4 and 59.1%.
Conclusıon
Concerning IVH-related sequelae which continue to be a major public health problem, we have developed a feasible predictive model for evaluating the risk for developing IVH for preterm infants in the first 7 days of life.
The caudate nucleus is a C-shaped structure that is located in the center of the brain and is divided into 3 parts: the head, body, and tail.
We detail the anatomic connections, relationships with ...other basal ganglia structures, and clinical implications of injury to the caudate nucleus.
Anatomically, the most inferior transcapsular gray matter is the lentiform peduncle, which is the connection between the lentiform nucleus and caudate nucleus as well as the amygdala. The border between the tail and body of the caudate nucleus is the posterior insular point. The tail of the caudate nucleus is extraependymal in some parts and intraependymal in some parts of the roof of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. The tail of the caudate nucleus crosses the inferior limiting sulcus (temporal stem), and section of the tail during approaches to lesions involving the temporal stem may cause motor apraxia. The mean distance from the temporal limen point, which is the junction of the limen insula and inferior limiting sulcus, to the tail of the caudate nucleus in the temporal stem is 15.87 ± 3.10 mm.
Understanding of the functional anatomy and connections of the distinct parts of the caudate nucleus is essential for deciding the extent of resection of lesions involving the caudate nucleus and the types of deficits that may be found postoperatively.
To present a series of medically refractory focal epilepsy patients with multiple or eloquent epileptogenic zones (EZs) in whom a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system was used as a complementary ...modality to surgical resection. RNS was also used as a diagnostic tool to monitor long-term epileptogenic activity for enhanced localization, especially in patients with bilateral temporal seizures.
Ten consecutive patients who underwent RNS system placement and surgical resection at a single institution were assessed.
The RNS system, with its capacity for chronic ambulatory electrocorticography (ECoG), provided important diagnostic information that helped to modify the plan of surgical resection in one patient with bitemporal epilepsy in order to improve seizure outcomes. In addition, the RNS facilitated the surgical management of patients with multiple or eloquent EZs.
The authors report a population of 10 patients in which the RNS system was used as a diagnostic tool for improved localization of EZs over a long interval or as a complementary therapeutic tool in patients with multiple or eloquent EZs.
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