Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsIs it safe to sacrifice the superior hypophyseal artery in aneurysm clipping? A report of two cases.
Clipping of paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms related to the superior hypophyseal artery (SHA) carries risk of occlusion of this artery when originating distal to the neck of the aneurysm. Sometimes it is inevitable to sacrifice the artery to achieve total aneurysm occlusion. Otherwise a residual aneurysm would remain, which may lead to aneurysm regrowth and subsequent rupture. ⋯ Intraoperative ICG angiography may help to estimate collateral blood flow but is not able to predict visual decline. Although final conclusions cannot be drawn from two patients, it seems that in case of multiplicity of superior hypophyseal complex, sacrifice of one even larger branch is safe. However, visual sequelae have to be taken into consideration when a single SHA has to be sacrificed for total aneurysm clipping.
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsIschemic complications after pituitary surgery: a report of two cases.
Cerebral ischemic complications after pituitary surgery are not frequently reported. These vascular complications may be related to (1) direct trauma to the vessel wall, (2) compression of the internal carotid artery (ICA) due to pituitary apoplexy, (3) vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage or vasoactive tumor extract, or (4) hypothalamic injury. ⋯ These cases highlight two different mechanisms of infarcts after pituitary surgery. The first case highlights the importance of ICA evaluation before surgery in elderly patients with risk factors, such as chronic smoking, hypertension, and atherosclerotic disease. Even minimal manipulation of the ICA can generate a cascade of thrombembolic events in such patients. The second case highlights the importance of observing the patient of a highly vascular giant pituitary adenoma in the hospital for a longer than usual time. Delayed vasospasm can occur like in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and have a good outcome if detected early and managed judiciously.
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsReversible cortical blindness and internuclear ophthalmoplegia after neurosurgical operation: case report and review of the literature.
The reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (RPL) syndrome with typical vasogenic edema in the occipital lobe and associated cortical blindness is a rare finding; however, the brainstem variant is even more infrequent. Etiologies discussed include blood pressure dysregulations, renal failure, or immunosuppression. ⋯ We hypothesize that the patient had an RPL, coincidentally in classic-, and brainstem localization, caused by perioperative fluctuations of blood pressure.
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsAkinetic mutism and parkinsonism due to subdural and intraventricular tension pneumocephalus.
Pneumocephalus may occur after intracranial surgery and is most often asymptomatic. It is usually associated with posterior fossa surgery. ⋯ As an emergency treatment, air was exchanged with saline via the drainage, which then was removed and a subduro-peritoneal shunt was implanted. The condition described here requires immediate attention and appropriate treatment.
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsRuptured Rathke cleft cyst mimicking pituitary apoplexy.
Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign cystic lesions of the sellar and suprasellar region that are asymptomatic in most cases. Occasionally, compression of the optic pathway and hypothalamo-pituitary structures may cause clinical symptoms, such as headaches, visual deficits and endocrinopathies. ⋯ In retrospect, clinical symptoms, intraoperative appearance, and histologic examination were compatible with the diagnosis of nonhemorrhagic rupture of an RCC. Thus, the clinical presentation of "Rathke cleft cyst apoplexy" is not necessarily caused by hemorrhage.