Titanium and Silicon Dioxide-Coated Fabrics for Management and Tuning of Infrared Radiation.

Far infrared radiation (FIR) is emitted by every body at a given temperature, including the human body. FIR ranging between 4-14 µm is considered useful for cell growth, and the human body emits a maximum of infrared (IR) radiation at the wavelength of approximately 9.3 µm. In the present study, fabrics based on five different raw textiles having the same yarn count as well as the same weaving patterns were designed and created. Some of them were subjected to a coating process. The fabrics to be tested were as follows: coated with TiO2 nanoparticles, coated with SiO2 nanoparticles, coated fabric that does not contain bioceramic nanoparticle (BNFC), and non-coated fabrics (NCF). The structural characterization of the resulting samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), abrasion tests, and air permeability. Following the structural characterization, the infrared emissivity properties were investigated using infrared thermography as well as attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in the 8-14 IR range. According to the experimental findings, the fabrics coated with TiO2 and SiO2 displayed increased infrared emissivity values compared to the uncoated ones. In addition, it was observed that the use of bioceramic powders had no effect on air permeability and abrasion properties.

Surgical treatment and outcomes of intramedullary tumors by minimally invasive approach: Answer.

The surgical outcomes which evaluated in studies depend on preoperative condition, demographic data of patients, surgical approaches or treatment and local factors. Author argues that the neurological deterioration rate 4,2% which is reported in our study is marvelous and he exemplifies the other studies in literature. Neurosurgeons know that the clinical studies in literature do not compare only their results. Authors compare and evaluate studies with preoperative demographic data, surgical approach, local factors or others between their results. Therefore this detail explains paralogism of the author. The neurological deterioration rate is reported as smaller or similar in our study to the contrary of others due to all the preoperative demographical data were evaluated with others. We suppose the author alludes that the neurological deterioration rate is marvelous since he does not compare all of the demographical data in these clinical studies.

Surgical treatment and outcomes of intramedullary tumors by minimally invasive approach.

Intramedullary tumors are uncommon neoplasms which, without treatment, can cause neurologic morbidity or mortality. The goal of the treatment is complete surgical resection with a minimally invasive approach while preserving neurological status and also spinal stability. Out of 1972 patients with tumors of the spinal canal treated between 1994 and 2017, 168 intramedullary tumors of 417 intradural tumors have been presented. All patients had undergone one surgical resection. The mean age is 43 ± 12 years (range 11-67 years). Tumors were subdivided into 4 groups: cervically located-tumors (n = 43), cervicothoracic-region-tumors (n = 32), thoracic-region-tumors (n = 57), and lumbosacral-region-tumors (n = 36). The mean follow-up time was 37 ± 29 months. Gross-total resection rate was higher in cervical located intramedullary tumors compared to the thoracic intramedullary tumors. Cervical intramedullary tumors showed better postoperative functional outcome than the thoracic intramedullary lesions. In intramedullary tumors, extending more than 3 spinal segments, postoperative worsening was significantly increased. A minimally invasive approach (the bilateral decompression via unilateral hemilaminectomy) was used to remove the tumor while preserving spinal stability. Perioperative permanent morbidity was very low. Intramedullary tumors should be surgically treated as soon as neurological symptoms appear. Patients with thoracic intramedullary tumors and tumor extension of more than three segments were at a higher risk for permanent morbidity. The minimally invasive approach allowed complete removal of the intramedullary tumors, and adequate preservation of vertebral stability while providing a good postoperative course.

Surgical Outcomes of Extraforaminal Microdiskectomy by Midline Incision for Far-Lateral Lumbar Disk Herniation.

BACKGROUND: Far-lateral lumbar disk herniation (FLDH) is defined as a disk herniation located laterally to the medial wall of the pedicle. The aim of our study is to describe the extraforaminal microdiskectomy by midline incision for FLDH, which does not include laminotomy-partial facetectomy, and to evaluate mid-term surgical outcomes. METHODS: 107 patients who underwent surgery for FLDH by midline incision for the first time between 2012 and 2017 were included in our study. The assessment of neurological status of the patients was done by physical examination, preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scala (VAS) scores, and magnetic resonance images. They were then followed-up postoperatively and at 12 months with VAS and ODI tests. RESULT: 58 (54.2%) patients were male and 49 (45.8%) were female. The mean age at the time of surgery was 55.0 ± 8.6 years. The mean ODI scale score was 32.4 ± 6.2 preoperatively, 11.4 ± 2.1 early postoperatively, and 9.7 ± 2.2 in late postoperative follow-up (statistically significant, p = 0.001). The average VAS was 7.51 ± 1.1 preoperatively, 2.74 ± 0.7 early postoperatively, and 0.68 ± 0.08 in late postoperative follow-up (statistically significant, p = 0.001). The average operative time was 41 ± 7 (37 to 58) minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The extraforaminal microdiskectomy without laminotomy by midline incision is a minimally invasive approach for FLDH. Our technique allows a sufficient and safe decompression of the neural structures, and thus results in a significant reduction of the symptoms and disability.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection reduces the low back-leg pain and enables daily activities of the patients. In this study, we aim to evaluate the treatment of transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbar spinal stenosis, which was mainly performed for lumbar disc herniation and share our diagnostic experience for lumbar spinal stenosis which is treated surgically. METHODS: In our study, 37 patients were included who were treated by transforaminal epidural steroid injection for Grade B lumbar spinal stenosis in our clinic between June-2014 and June-2018. We evaluated the patients at the second weeks, third/sixth months and one year after the treatment by Oswestry-Disability-Index and Visual-Analogue-Scale and followed up for surgical treatment after one year. RESULTS: The mean low back and leg pain Visual Analogue Scale was 5.1±0.3 before the transforaminal epidural steroid injection procedure, and it was 2.7±0.1 after two weeks. It was 2.8±0.2, 3.1±0.1 at three and six months after procedure, respectively. The improvement of low back-leg pain mean Visual-Analogue-Scale is statistically significant at two weeks, three and six months after transforaminal epidural steroid injection procedure, respectively. The mean Oswestry-Disability-Index was 29.6±0.4 before the transforaminal epidural steroid injection procedure, and it was 14.1±0.3 after two weeks. It was 15.3±0.5, 24.4±0.2 at three and six months after procedure, respectively. The improvement of Oswestry-Disability-Index is statistically significant at two weeks, three-six months. CONCLUSION: The transforaminal epidural steroid injection is safe procedure for non-surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis and this procedure may be preferred support to the indication of the surgical treatment of level of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Surgical outcome and efficacy of lumbar microdiscectomy technique with preserving of ligamentum flavum for recurrent lumbar disc herniations.

The reoperation for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (LDH) causes difficulties and low surgical outcome. The operation technique which was preferred in the first surgery has gained importance in reoperation for recurrent-LDH. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of lumbar microdiscectomy technique with preserving of ligamentum flavum (LF) for recurrent lumbar disc surgery. 149 patients were evaluated in two groups in our study, who were treated for single level recurrent-LDH in our clinic. The first group contains 86 patients who were treated by lumbar microdiscectomy without preserving LF during first surgery in other clinics, the second group contains 63 patients who were treated by lumbar microdiscectomy with preserving of LF during first surgery in our clinic. We investigated age, weight, gender, recurrence-time, level-side of recurrent-LDH, the surgical outcomes and hemorrhage, complications, operation-time. The mean-age was 45,9 ±â€¯12,9, 44,1 ±â€¯11,6 years and mean-weight was 73,4 ±â€¯14,4, 77,3 ±â€¯14,2 kg in two groups. 29 patients were treated for L3-4, 63 patients for L4-5, 57 patients were treated for L5-S1 recurrent LDH. The preoperative and follow-up back-leg pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores decreased significantly in all patients (p < 0,05). The average operation-time was 70,9 ±â€¯5,2 and 42,3 ±â€¯4,6 min and the average surgical hemorrhage was 91,1 ±â€¯11,3 and 50,3 ±â€¯7,4 ml in 1. group and 2. group respectively. Preserving of LF in first surgery is gaining importance for recurrent lumbar disc surgery with protected anatomical structures. Our technique decreases complication, operation time, surgical hemorrhage and provides good surgical outcomes in recurrent lumbar disc surgery.

Ultrasound-Guided Microsurgical Excision for Brachial Plexus Schwannomas: Short-Term Clinical Study.

AIM: To describe the ultrasound-guided microsurgical excision technique and to evaluate the surgical outcomes of brachial plexus schwannomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients who underwent ultrasound-guided microsurgery for small ( < 3 cm) brachial plexus schwannomas between 2013 and 2017 were included in our study. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45 years (range: 30-68 years), with six tumors localized on the right and five on the left side. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. No postoperative deficits were observed in the patients. CONCLUSION: Surgeons can safely and completely excise most of the benign ( < 3 cm and non-palpable) brachial plexus tumors by the ultrasound-guided microsurgical excision technique.

Long-Term Clinical Outcome and Reoperation Rate for Microsurgical Bilateral Decompression via Unilateral Approach of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term outcome and reoperation rate for microsurgical bilateral decompression via unilateral approach of lumbar spinal stenosis, a common degenerative spinal disease of the lumbar spine. METHODS: In this observational prospective study, 918 patients were treated for single-level or multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis by bilateral decompression via unilateral approach between January 2002 and January 2016. Of 918 patients, 180 underwent microdiscectomy with decompression. Follow-up consisted of radiologic investigations, Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 492 female patients (53.6%) and 426 male patients (46.4%) with a mean age of 63.83 ± 10.16 years (range, 43-79 years). Symptom duration was 4-49 months. Average follow-up time was 98 months (range, 25-168 months), and reoperation rate was 2.5%. Oswestry Disability Index scores decreased significantly (from 30.65 ± 7.82 to 11.32 ± 2.50 at 6 months and 11.30 ± 2.49 at 12 months), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey parameter scores demonstrated a significant improvement in the early and late follow-up results. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral decompression via unilateral approach for lumbar spinal stenosis allowed a sufficient and safe decompression of the neural structures, resulting in a highly significant reduction of symptoms and disability, acceptable reoperation rate, and improved health-related quality of life.

Minimally Invasive Open Surgical Approach and Outcomes for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The most common peripheral neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome. The present study aims to describe our minimally invasive open surgical approach for carpal tunnel syndrome and evaluate surgical outcomes. METHODS: We included 217 patients who were operated in our clinic for carpal tunnel syndrome by minimally invasive open surgical approach. Visual Analogue Scale and Functional Outcome Scale scores were obtained preoperative, postoperative at one month and three months to determine surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55.4±12.8 years (32 to 69), 175 (80.6%) were women and 42 (19.4%) were men. The assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome's etiology showed that 189 (%87.1%) of the cases were idiopathic, 19 (8.8%) had hypothyroidism, 5 (2.3%) had rheumatoid arthritis and 4 (1.8%) were due to pregnancy. The average improvement of VAS between preoperatively and late postoperatively was 5.41±1.05. The average improvement FOS was 17.44±3.06. They were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive open surgical approach for carpal tunnel syndrome (an average of 1 cm skin incision) is performed with local anesthesia and successful surgical outcomes are achieved.

Midterm outcome of thoracic disc herniations that were treated by microdiscectomy with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach.

Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) surgery carries risks of neurological worsening due to thoracic cord retraction injury. Multiple approaches have been developed aiming for resecting the disc herniations of the thoracic segment. We have conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate the mid-term outcome of thoracic microdiscectomy with bilateral decompression via a unilateral approach (BDUA). Patients were checked pre-operative, post-operative, and late follow-up by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and radiological images. Twenty-three patients were treated for TDH by microdiscectomy with BDUA between January 2010 and January 2015. Nine patients were female, fourteen were male, and all of those mean age was 51,2 ±â€¯8,3 (range 29-64 years). The mean follow-up time was 22,04 ±â€¯8,59 months (range 13-58 m). The ODI and VAS scores decreased significantly in both postoperative and late follow-up evaluations. Microdiscectomy with BDUA for thoracic disc herniations allowed sufficient and safe decompression of the neural structures and resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms and disability.

A Prospective Study of Interbody Fat Graft Application With the Anterior Contralateral Cervical Microdiscectomy to Preserve Segmental Mobility.

BACKGROUND: Any surgical procedure aims at protecting mobile segments at the operated level, and the sagittal balance of the columna vertebralis. Interbody fusion has become an often applied technique in anterior cervical discectomy. OBJECTIVE: To indicate that a minimally invasive technique in which we use interbody fat graft placement showed great results and effectiveness, especially in patients who were suffering from cervical paramedian disc herniation. METHODS: In this study, 432 patients were observed from 2000 to 2013. All these consecutive patients had paramedian disc herniation. The initial 239 patients (group 1) underwent microdiscectomy without graft placement, whereas the remaining 193 patients (group 2) had a microdiscectomy with interbody fat graft insertion. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. They were followed up for 5.3 years (range 2-13 years). RESULTS: Spontaneous radiological fusion was noticed in 12% of group 1 patients and none of the group 2 patients. It has been observed that the mean overall cervical curvature (C2-7) angles and segmental lordosis did not change significantly in late follow-up findings. During both early and late follow-ups, all patients indicated a decreasing NDI score, but in late follow-up, an improving SF-36 score. CONCLUSION: This surgical technique provides good direct decompression and preserves mobility at the treated level, while preventing disc collapse.

Spinal nerve root compositions of musculocutaneous nerve: an anatomical study.

AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the variations in the spinal nerve root compositions of musculocutaneous nerve and to confirm which spinal nerve root is the main ingredient in participating amount. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 fresh cadavers were dissected. Brachial plexus and its branches were extracted. Musculocutaneous nerve stump was traced back to the roots to identify its fascicular origin. The number of fascicles originating from a particular nerve root and their axial location with in the nerve were noted. RESULTS: The most frequent type of spinal nerve compositions of musculocutaneous nerve was C5, C6, and C7 with incidence of 60%. Musculocutaneous nerve had bundles from C5 root in all specimens, 90% of the specimens had contribution from C6 and only 70% of them had bundles from C7 root. There were a total of 46 (37.7%) bundles in C5 fascicles, 48 (39.3%) bundles in C6 fascicles, and 28 (22.9%) bundles in C7 fascicles. CONCLUSIONS: In electrophysiological studies it should be remembered that C7 or C6 lesions may not impair musculocutaneous nerve functions. The success of musculocutaneous nerve neurotization may be improved if care is taken to ensure whether or not C7 root is contributing to the musculocutaneous nerve.

The quality of life and psychiatric morbidity in patients operated for Arnold-Chiari malformation type I.

BACKGROUND: There are some case reports that highlight the association of Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM) with psychiatric symptoms. We assessed the association between ACM and psychiatric symptoms and risk factors in terms of psychiatric morbidity and evaluated the quality of life after surgery. METHODS: This study consisted of sixteen patients who underwent decompression operation at the Department of Neurosurgery of Sisli Etfal Hospital. The MINI plus, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF-TR were administered to patients. RESULTS: About 43.8% of the patients had a psychiatric disorder. About 50% of the patients had co-existing syringomyelia of which 50% with syringomyelia had a psychiatric disorder. Patients with syringomyelia without any psychiatric disorder had significantly lower scores on physical domain of WHOQOL-BREF-TR (p = 0.02) than the patients without syringomyelia and psychiatric disorder. Subjects with a psychiatric disorder had lower scores on four domains of WHOQOL-BREF-TR. The patients with psychiatric diagnoses had significantly higher scores on affective pain index (p = 0.021) and total pain index (p = 0.037) than the patients without any psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSION: The presence of a psychiatric condition influences not only the physical aspect but also deteriorates the psychological and social relations and environmental aspect. Moreover the presence of a psychiatric disorder increases the perception of pain and causes more discomfort.

Clip ligation of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective midterm outcome study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective study to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome in a surgical case series of 176 patients with 203 unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). METHODS: The success of aneurysm obliteration was assessed within 2 weeks after surgery by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Patients also underwent angiography 5 years after surgery. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). All predictors of poor surgical outcomes were assessed using an exact logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 83 % of the patients had a good outcome (mRS score 0 or 1); 10.8 % of the patients had a slight disability (mRS score 2), and 6.2 % of the patients had a moderate or moderate-severe disability (mRS score 3 or 4). The mortality rate was 0 % overall. The most important predictors of outcome were presence of history of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and postoperative stroke. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 93.5 % of all aneurysms. Sixty percent of treated aneurysms were checked with late follow-up DSA. No cases of hemorrhage from a surgically obliterated UIA were documented in this series during the 7.3 ± 1.4 (SD)-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: If patients are carefully selected and individually assigned to their optimum treatment modality, IUAs can be obliterated by surgery with a low percentage of unfavorable outcomes.

Midterm outcome after a microsurgical unilateral approach for bilateral decompression of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results and effectiveness of bilateral decompression via a unilateral approach in the treatment of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). METHODS: Operations were performed in 84 selected patients (mean age 62.1 ± 10 years) with lumbar DS between the years 2001 and 2008. The selection criteria included lower back pain with or without sciatica, neurogenic claudication that had not improved after at least 6 months of conservative treatment, and a radiological diagnosis of Grade I DS and lumbar stenosis. Decompression was performed at 3 levels in 15.5%, 2 levels in 54.8%, and 1 level in 29.7% of the patients with 1 level of spondylolisthesis. All patients were followed up for at least 24 months. For clinical evaluations, a visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Neurogenic Claudication Outcome Score (NCOS) were used. Spinal canal size and (neutral and dynamic) slip percentages were measured both pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Neutral and dynamic slip percentages did not significantly change after surgery (p = 0.67 and p = 0.63, respectively). Spinal canal size increased from 50.6 ± 5.9 to 102.8 ± 9.5 mm(2) (p < 0.001). The ODI decreased significantly in both the early and late follow-up evaluations, and good or excellent results were obtained in 64 cases (80%). The NCOS demonstrated significant improvement in the late follow-up results (p < 0.001). One patient (1.2%) required secondary fusion during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative clinical improvement and radiological findings clearly demonstrated that the unilateral approach for treating 1-level and multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with DS is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive method in terms of reducing the need for stabilization.