The present review aimed to identify the means through which neurologic injury can predispose individuals to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In recent years, comprehensive studies have helped to clarify which structures in the central nervous system can lead to distinct PTSD symptoms—namely, dissociative reactions or flashbacks—when damaged. Our review narrowed its focus to three common neurologic injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and stroke. We found that in each of the three cases, individuals may be at an increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Beyond discussing the potential mechanisms by which neurotrauma may lead to PTSD, we summarized our current understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder and discussed predicted associations between the limbic system and PTSD. In particular, the effect of noradrenergic neuromodulatory signaling on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis as it pertains to fear memory recall needs to be further explored to better understand its effects on limbic structures in PTSD patients. At present, altered limbic activity can be found in both neurotrauma and PTSD patients, suggesting a potential causative link. Particularly, changes in the function of the limbic system may be associated with characteristic symptoms of PTSD such as intrusive memories and acute psychological distress. Despite evidence demonstrating the correlation between neurotrauma and PTSD, a lack of PTSD prognosis exists in TBI, SAH, and stroke patients who could benefit from early treatment. It should be noted that PTSD symptoms often compound with pre-existing issues, further deteriorating health outcomes for these patients. It is ultimately our goal to clarify the relationship between neurotrauma and PTSD so that earlier diagnoses and appropriate treatment are observed in clinic.

Together, lower back and neck pain are among the leading causes of acquired disability worldwide and have experienced a marked increase over the past 25 years. Paralleled with the increasing aging population and the rise in chronic disease, this trend is only predicted to contribute to the growing global burden. In the context of cervical neck pain, this symptom is most often a manifestation of cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). Traditionally, multilevel neck pain related to DDD that is recalcitrant to both physical and medical therapy can be treated with a procedure known as cervical corpectomy. Presently, there are many flavors of cervical corpectomy; however, the overarching goal is the removal of the pain-generating disc via the employment of the modern anterior approach. In this review, we will briefly detail the pathophysiological mechanism behind DDD, overview the development of the anterior approach, and discuss the current state of treatment options for said pathology. Furthermore, this review will also add to the current body of literature surrounding updated indications, surgical techniques, and patient outcomes related to cervical corpectomy. Finally, our discussion ends with highlighting the future direction of cervical corpectomy through the introduction of the “skip corpectomy” and distractable mesh cages.

The present review aimed to identify through what means neurologic injury can predispose individuals to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In recent years, comprehensive studies have helped to clarify which structures in the central nervous system (CNS) that, when damaged, lead to distinct PTSD symptoms–namely dissociative reactions or flashbacks. Our review narrowed its focus to three common neurologic injuries including traumatic brain injury (TBI), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and stroke. Beyond discussing the potential mechanisms by which neurotrauma may lead to PTSD, we summarized our current understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder and discussed predicted associations between the limbic system and PTSD. In particular, the role of noradrenergic neuromodulatory signaling on the HPA axis as it pertains to fear memory recall needs to be further explored to better understand its effects on limbic structures in PTSD patients. This paper also described how damage to the CNS can alter the function of the limbic system and result in characteristic symptoms of PTSD like intrusive memories and acute psychological distress. Further, our review intended to draw attention to a lack of PTSD prognosis in TBI, SAH, and stroke patients who could benefit from early treatment. PTSD symptoms often compound with pre-existing issues further deteriorating health outcomes for these patients. It is ultimately our goal to clarify the relationship between neurotrauma and PTSD such that earlier diagnoses and appropriate treatment are observed in clinic.

Objective: The AXS Vecta 46 intermediate catheter (Stryker) features a large inner diameter, enabling effective aspiration, combined with a small outer diameter and soft distal-tip flexibility, which allows for safe tracking through more tortuous and smaller arterial segments to target medium vessel occlusions non-traumatically. The efficacy of the Vecta 46 in the spectrum of large and medium vessel occlusions has not been well elucidated in the literature. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent MT for acute ischemic stroke at our institution between July 2022 and June 2024. The outcomes of patients treated with Vecta 46 were compared to those of all other catheters used at the institution. Results: The distribution of aspiration and stent retriever attempts in Vecta 46 procedures versus non-Vecta 46 procedures was significantly different (p = 0.00325). Aspiration was attempted 1.66 ± 0.936 times in the Vecta 46 group and 1.12 ± 0.650 times in the non-Vecta 46 group (p = 0.00135). More mechanical thrombectomies with the Vecta 46 included aspiration of a secondary thrombus (p = 0.0314), despite no difference in the distribution of the primary or secondary occlusion location. There were no statistically significant differences in recanalization success (p = 0.800), recanalization time (p = 0.245), procedure duration (p = 0.580), discharge modified Rankin Score (p = 0.875), or intracranial hemorrhage rate (p = 0.720) between non-Vecta 46 and Vecta 46 procedures. Conclusions: Vecta 46 has similar safety and functional outcomes compared to other endovascular treatment options despite procedural differences.