Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Oct 2011
Case ReportsOccipital WHO grade II gliomas: oncological, surgical and functional considerations.
Diffuse WHO grade II glioma (GIIG) involving the occipital lobe is a rare entity. Its surgical resection remains controversial as it implies inducing a permanent visual deficit. For the first time to our knowledge, we report a consecutive surgical series of patients who underwent an occipital lobectomy for an LGG invading visual structures. ⋯ Our findings suggest that, despite a definitive hemianopsia, an extensive surgical resection can be considered in the rare cases of occipital GIIG involving the primary visual structures, with patients able to maintain a normal life--except regarding the medico-legal problem of driving.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Oct 2011
Case ReportsTriceps brachii reinnervation in primary reconstruction of the adult brachial plexus: experience in 25 cases.
Elbow flexion and shoulder abduction are the primary goals in brachial plexus surgery; however, reinnervation of the triceps is also an objective to be considered, as restoration of elbow extension improves the stabilization of the elbow and can provide a more powerful grasp. This study aims to demonstrate the author's experience with restoration of elbow extension function in cases of brachial plexus surgery in adults. ⋯ Reinnervation of the triceps can be achieved in most patients if adequate donor and recipient nerves are carefully selected based on an individual case-specific decision.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Oct 2011
Effects of combining electrical stimulation with BDNF gene transfer on the regeneration of crushed rat sciatic nerve.
Various techniques have been investigated to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration including the application of low-intensity electrical stimulation (ES) and the administration of growth factors, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combining short-term (ES) and recombinant adenoviral vector-mediated BDNF (BDNF-Ad) transfer, in comparison to each sole modality, on peripheral nerve regeneration in a rat model with crush-injured sciatic nerve. ⋯ Both the ES and the BDNF-Ad treatments were effective techniques enhancing the sciatic nerve regeneration following a crush injury in rats. Nevertheless, the combined treatment with ES and BDNF-Ad produces neither a synergistic effect nor an improvement in this injury model.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Oct 2011
ReviewThe fully endoscopic supraorbital trans-eyebrow keyhole approach to the anterior and middle skull base.
The purely endoscopic eyebrow supraorbital approach is an alternative to both the endoscopic endonasal and eyebrow microsurgical routes to the anterior and middle cranial base. It combines an enhanced visualization provided by the endoscope and the absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and nasal complications. ⋯ The purely endoscopic eyebrow supraorbital keyhole approach is a valuable and alternative minimally invasive route to anterior and middle skull base lesions.