Treating Vertebral Compression Fractures: Establishing the Appropriate Diagnosis, Preoperative Considerations, Treatment Techniques, Postoperative Follow-Up and General Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients With Symptomatic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) result from either trauma or a pathologic process that weakens the bone by conditions such as osteoporosis or tumor. The incidence of VCFs has been rising over the last few decades in accordance with the aging population. These fractures can result in severe pain, physical limitation and disability, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Patients with VCFs are optimally treated by accurate and early diagnosis and treatment. An effective method to treat these fractures is percutaneous vertebral augmentation, which is a set of minimally invasive procedures that stabilizes osseous fractures, provides immediate pain relief, and improves quality of life. Vertebral augmentation procedures include vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and vertebral augmentation with implants. Each of these techniques is described in general terms in this article. The ideal candidate for vertebral augmentation is a patient with a symptomatic fracture seen on cross-sectional imaging in which nonsurgical management has failed and has positive signs on physical examination with no absolute contraindication. This procedure should be done with the appropriate equipment and personnel in a facility designed for this purpose. After the procedure, the patient should undergo the appropriate follow-up to ensure optimal recovery. Additionally, it is essential that the patient receives appropriate therapy for the underlying disorder that predisposed them to the vertebral fracture.

Use of Endovascular Simulator in Training of Neurosurgery Residents - A Review and Single Institution Experience.

Simulators for surgical procedures and interventions have undergone significant technological advancement in the past decade and are becoming more commonplace in medical training. Neurosurgery residents across multiple training levels underwent performance evaluation using a neuro-interventional simulator, employing a variety of metrics for assessment. We identified seven core metrics used in the evaluation of neurosurgery residents performing simulated mechanical thrombectomies. Additionally, a systematic PubMed search for studies related to Neurointerventional Radiology training via simulation was performed. The purpose of this study is to examine the validity and benefits of training with these simulation devices and compare our institution's experience. Additionally, an exploration of their applicability to neurosurgery resident training is discussed.