Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2013
Decreased inhibitory neuronal activity in patients with frontal lobe brain tumors with seizure presentation: Preliminary study using magnetoencephalography.
Although 30-50 % of patients with brain tumors experience epileptic seizure as the presenting clinical symptom, and another 10-30 % are at risk for developing epilepsy in the later stages of the disease, the mechanisms of tumor-related epileptogenesis are poorly understood. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate sensory evoked fields (SEFs) in patients with frontal lobe brain tumors as a means of evaluating the neuronal activity of peri-tumoral cortex. ⋯ The paradoxical increase in P35m/N20m in patients with seizure presentation suggests that decreased inhibitory neuronal activity is a potential cause of tumorrelated epilepsy.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2013
Case ReportsReconstruction of intracranial vertebral artery with radial artery and occipital artery grafts for fusiform intracranial vertebral aneurysm not amenable to endovascular treatment: technical note.
Symptomatic fusiform intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms pose a formidable treatment challenge when not amenable to endovascular treatment. In this paper, we illustrate the microsurgical management of such an aneurysm. ⋯ Complex cerebral artery bypass techniques are essential in the armamentarium of cerebrovascular for the treatment of complex lesions not amenable to endovascular therapy.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2013
Case ReportsNeuroendoscopic aspiration of tumors in the posterior third ventricle and aqueduct lumen: a technical update.
Small soft ventricular tumors are good candidates for complete removal by a purely endoscopic technique. This approach is particularly interesting for lesions located in the posterior third ventricle and aqueductal lumen. ⋯ Neuroendoscopy provides a safe, effective way to radically resect small soft tumors in these troublesome locations and can be a valuable alternative to microsurgery.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2013
Association between sympathetic response, neurogenic cardiomyopathy, and venous thromboembolization in patients with primary subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Sympathetic activation promotes hemostasis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with pronounced sympathetic activation. This investigation will assess whether catecholaminergic activity relates to venous thrombotic events in patients with acute SAH. ⋯ In severe SAH, central sympathetic activity and clinical manifestations of (nor)adrenergic activity relate to the development of venous thromboemboli. Catecholamine activation may promote hemostasis, or may represent a biomarker for venous thromboses.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Aug 2013
Awake craniotomies without any sedation: the awake-awake-awake technique.
Temporary anaesthesia or analgosedation used for awake craniotomies carry substantial risks like hemodynamic instabilities, airway obstruction, hypoventilation, nausea and vomiting, agitation, and interference with test performances. We tested the actual need for sedatives and opioids in 50 patients undergoing awake craniotomy for brain tumour resection in eloquent or motoric brain areas when cranial nerve blocks, permanent presence of a contact person, and therapeutic communication are provided. ⋯ The main challenges for patients undergoing awake craniotomies include anxiety and fears, terrifying noises and surroundings, immobility, loss of control, and the feeling of helplessness and being left alone. In such situations, psychological support might be more helpful than the pharmacological approach. With adequate therapeutic communication, patients do not require any sedation and no or only low-dose opioid treatment during awake craniotomies, leaving patients fully awake and competent during the entire surgical procedure without stress. This approach can be termed "awake-awake-awake-technique".