Studies on Kyphoplasty over 20 years by science mapping method: Kyphoplasty by science mapping method.

DESIGN: This is a bibliometric analysis. Performed by Scientific Mapping technique. The purpose of the study is to analyze articles on Kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical method. Bibliometrics is the mathematical and statistical quantitative analysis of works. One of the primary uses of bibliometric analysis is scientific mapping. METHOD: To conduct the bibliometric analysis of the subject of Kyphoplasty, the Web of Science Core Collection database was preferred. After the selection of the data set, the data were filtered; as a result, the study was carried out on 2236 articles. Researchers, journals, articles, institutions, and the studies' countries were analyzed. RESULTS: According to the number of articles published in Kyphoplasty, China, USA, Germany, Korea, and Italy are among the leading countries. According to the analysis, the authors with the highest h-index value are Yang HL and Hirsch JA. The European Spine Journal and the Spine are the most impactful journals. CONCLUSIONS: Our study was carried out with the Science Mapping technique using Bibliometrics software. This type of work has become popular in recent years. Such studies are not common in the field of neurosurgery.

Primary spinal melanoma: A case report.

Primary spinal cord melanoma is a rare disease that accounts for only 1% of all melanocytomas. Here we report a case of primary melanoma of the cervical spinal cord. In our case, 26-year-old female who were admitted to the hospital for left arm pain. Spinal magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a spinal cord tumor at the level of C2-3. The MRI images showed that the tumor compressed the spinal cord. At surgery, the spinal cord was under pressure and covered with shaped blackish brown neoplastic tissue. There were not any metastatic lesions. The patient is still alive six months after surgery.

Clinical Evaluation of Decompressive Craniectomy in Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction using 3D Area and Volume Calculations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure the craniectomy area using three-dimensional (3D) anatomic area and volume calculations to demonstrate that it can be an effective criterion for evaluating survival and functional outcomes of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients diagnosed with malignant ischemic stroke between 2013 and 2018, for which they underwent surgery due to deterioration in their neurological function, were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological images of all patients were evaluated; total brain tissue volume, ischemic brain tissue volume, total calvarial bone area, and decompression bone area were measured using 3D anatomical area and volume calculations. RESULTS: In total, 45 patients (27 males and 18 females) had been treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC). The removed bone area was found to be significantly related to the outcome in patients with MCA infarction. The average decompression bone area and mean bone removal rate for patients who died after DC were 112 ± 27 cm2 and 20%, whereas these values for surviving patients were 149 ± 29 cm2 and 26% (P = 0.001), respectively. At the 6-month follow-up, the average decompression bone area and mean bone removal rate for patients with severe disability were 126 ± 30 cm2 and 22.2%, whereas these values for patients without severe disability were 159 cm2 ± 26 and 28.4% (P = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with malignant MCA infarction, the decompression area is associated with favorable functional outcomes, first, survival and second, 6-month modified Rankin scale score distribution after craniectomy.

Using of the Synthetic Dural Graft as Described in Bogota Bag Technique to Decrease the Adhesions in Decompressive Craniectomy.

AIM: To create an alternative synthetic dural graft using a parenteral solution bag made of polyvinyl chloride/polypropylene (PVC/ PP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two albino rats were divided into the Sham, DC and BAG groups. Except for the Sham group animals, the right parietal bone of the rats was totally drilled in a diameter of 1.0 x 0.5 mm. Then, the PVC/PP BAG was layered over the craniectomized bone of the BAG group animals. Thirty days later, all animals were sacrificed, and inflammatory processes consisting of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, inflammation, edema, hyperemia, lymphocytosis, histiocytosis, vascular proliferation, and fibrosis were graded at the craniectomy site. RESULTS: The grade values of inflammation, edema, histiocytosis, and fibrosis were found different among the groups (p < 0.017). It was observed that placing a synthetic graft to the surgical site undergoing craniectomy could prevent fibrotic adhesions that might occur between the brain tissue and scalp in the chronic period. Furthermore, it was considered that this synthetic material did not increase inflammatory processes secondary to surgery at the surgical site and did not produce a foreign body reaction, toxicity, or infection. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, it was argued that the synthetic material used in this study could be compatible with dermal and neural tissues and reduce adhesions at the craniectomy field. Therefore, it was considered that this material could be used as an alternative synthetic dural graft in decompressive craniectomy in human subjects after detailed toxicity studies.

Primary spinal melanoma: A case report.

Primary spinal cord melanoma is a rare disease that accounts for only 1% of all melanocytomas. Here we report a case of primary melanoma of the cervical spinal cord. In our case, 26-year-old female who were admitted to the hospital for left arm pain. Spinal magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a spinal cord tumor at the level of C2-3. The MRI images showed that the tumor compressed the spinal cord. At surgery, the spinal cord was under pressure and covered with shaped blackish brown neoplastic tissue. There were not any metastatic lesions. The patient is still alive six months after surgery.

Relationship Between Degeneration or Sagittal Balance With Modic Changes in the Cervical Spine.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the relationship between degenerative and Modic changes (MCs) in the cervical spine and compares the results with the cervical sagittal balance parameters. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 275 patients with neck pain who applied to our outpatient clinic and underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cervical anteroposterior (AP)/lateral (Lat) X-ray radiography between January 2016 and January 2018. The clinics, demographic information, and radiological findings of the patients were examined. Modic changes, disc degeneration, and facet degeneration (FD) were examined by cervical MRI, and T1 slope and Cobb angle were measured by cervical AP/Lat X-ray radiography. These results were compared to evaluate their relations with each other. RESULTS: No relationship between the presence or absence of degenerative changes (Modic changes, facet degeneration, and disc degeneration) and sagittal balance parameters (T1 slope and Cobb angle) was found. However, when each cervical segment was examined separately, facet degeneration at the C4-C5 level and Modic changes at the C3-C4, C4-C5, and C6-C7 levels were statistically significant with the Cobb angles, and the Modic changes at the C3-C4 level and disc degeneration at the C2-C3 level were found to be significant with T1 slope values. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that MCs increased with decreased cervical curvature, increasing disc and facet degeneration, although the causal mechanisms are not clear.

Balloon Kyphoplasty Is a Safe and Effective Option for the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Solid-organ transplant recipients are at great risk for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures because of both underlying pretransplant bone diseases and posttransplant immunosuppressive treatments. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. It involves injection of polymethylmethacrylate into the vertebral body to stabilize the fracture and to alleviate the pain immediately. In this study, we report the results of balloon kyphoplasty for treatment of vertebral compression fractures in solid-organ transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 512 liver transplant and 2248 kidney transplant procedures that were performed in our center between 1985 and 2015. Seven transplant recipients with a total of 10 acute, symptomatic vertebral compression fractures who were unresponsive to conservative treatment for 3 weeks underwent balloon kyphoplasty. Clinical outcome was graded using the visual analog scale. Radiographic evaluation included measurement of the segmental kyphosis by the Cobb method. RESULTS: There were 4 female and 3 male patients in our study group. Ages of patients ranged from 56 to 63 years with an average age of 58.8 years. The affected vertebral levels varied from T12 to L4. Mean follow-up after balloon kyphoplasty was 3.4 years, and mean time interval from transplant to balloon kyphoplasty was 8.6 years. Statistically significant difference is evident 3 years after transplant surgery (P < .05). Sagittal alignment improved (> 5 degrees) in 2 of 7 patients (28%). CONCLUSIONS: Transplant recipients are at great risk in terms of vertebral compression fracture development, especially within 1 year after transplant. Although conservative treatment has been the first treatment choice for vertebral compression fracture, long treatment time and high costs may be needed to achieve cure. Experience with our small patient population showed that balloon kyphoplasty was effective and safe for obtaining rapid pain relief and earlier mobilization with fewer complications.

Turkish Contribution to Journal of Neurosurgery and Acta Neurochirurgica.

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of Turkish scientists to four journals published by Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) Publishing Group and to Acta Neurochirurgica (AN) and to its Supplement (ANS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed every issue of those journals to December 2015 for the total number of articles, articles produced from studies performed entirely in Turkey, and for publications overseas co-authored by the Turkish scientists using the websites of these journals. Citations were searched using "Web of Science" and "Google Scholar" databases. RESULTS: The total number of articles published was 19822 for JNS, 3227 for JNS Spine, 2526 for JNS Pediatrics and 2997 for Neurosurgical Focus. Turkish contribution was 556 articles. 337 (60.61%) articles were the products of studies performed entirely in Turkey, while 219 (39.38%) articles came from overseas, co-authored by Turkish scientists. Overall contribution was 1.94%. A total of 6469 articles were published in AN. 340 papers were the products of studies performed entirely in Turkey. Turkish scientists working overseas co-authored 37 articles. Total contribution was 377 articles (5.82%). 4134 papers had been published in ANS. Contribution was 69 articles (1.66%). CONCLUSION: Turkish contribution to these journals has started late. The gap has been compensated with publications in the last two decades. Manuscripts of higher scientific level with greater number of citations are needed to increase Turkish contribution to such journals.

Rapid Development of Brain Abscess Caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes Following Penetrating Skull Injury via the Ethmoidal Sinus and Lamina Cribrosa.

OBJECTIVE: Streptococcus pyogenes is a beta-hemolytic bacterium that belongs to Lancefield serogroup A, also known as group A streptococci (GAS). There have been five reported case in terms of PubMed-based search but no reported case of brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as a result of penetrating skull injury. We present a patient who suffered from penetrating skull injury that resulted in a brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. METHODS: The patient was a 12-year-old boy who fell down from his bicycle while cycling and ran into a tree. A wooden stick penetrated his skin below the right lower eyelid and advanced to the cranium. He lost consciousness on the fifth day of the incident and his body temperature was measured as 40. While being admitted to our hospital, a cranial computed tomography revealed a frontal cystic mass with a perilesional hypodense zone of edema. There was no capsule formation around the lesion after intravenous contrast injection. Paranasal CT showed a bone defect located between the ethmoidal sinus and lamina cribrosa. RESULTS: Bifrontal craniotomy was performed. The abscess located at the left frontal lobe was drained and the bone defect was repaired. CONCLUSION: Any penetrating lesion showing a connection between the lamina cribrosa and ethmoidal sinus may result in brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. These patients should be treated urgently to repair the defect and drain the abscess with appropriate antibiotic therapy started due to the fulminant course of the brain abscess caused by this microorganism.