Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Closed posterior superior iliac spine impeding pediculocorporeal S-1 screw insertion.
Placement of pedicle screws into S-1 is difficult. In cases in which there is a closed posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), its medial situation prevents lateral oblique placement of the screw inserter sleeve and directing the screw to the anteromedial aspect of S-1. In the present study, the authors discuss anatomical variations of the PSIS and sacrum, and they describe a safe and effective S-1 screw insertion technique. ⋯ The accuracy of the placement of the screws and their pullout strength are increased when using the present technique. Preoperative CT scanning should be performed to determine the presence of a closed PSIS; in cases in which a closed PSIS is found, the ilium should be resected to enable a greater anteromedial trajectory for placement of S-1 pedicle screws.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Comparative StudyBiomechanical comparison of facet-sparing laminectomy and Christmas tree laminectomy.
The authors compared differences in biomechanical stability between two decompressive laminectomy techniques for treating lumbar stenosis. A Christmas tree laminectomy (CTL), in which bilateral facetectomies and foraminotomies are performed, was compared with facet-sparing laminectomy (FSL), in which the facets are undercut but not resected. Spinal instability was assessed immediately postoperatively and again after discectomy to model long-term degeneration. ⋯ This study provides objective evidence that the treatment of lumbar stenosis with FSL induces less biomechanical instability and alters kinematics less than FSL. These findings support the use of the FSL in treating lumbar stenosis.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Fluorescence-guided resection of glioblastoma multiforme by using high-dose fluorescein sodium. Technical note.
The authors have recently performed a fluorescence-guided tumor resection procedure by using high-dose fluorescein sodium without any special surgical microscopes for the intraoperative visualization of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and they report on the actual procedure and clinicopathological findings. Thirty-two patients with GBMs underwent tumor resection during which this fluorescence-guided procedure was used. Fluorescein sodium (20 mg/kg) was intravenously injected after dural opening at the craniotomy site. ⋯ Although the extent of surgery was revealed to be one of the significant and independent prognostic factors for GBM, the fluorescein sodium-guided resection procedure was not a significant or independent prognostic factor in this series. This surgical procedure does not require any special surgical microscopic equipment and is simple, safe, useful, readily accomplished, and universally available for resection of GBMs. Its efficacy simplifies the surgical procedure of navigating the stained lesion from the unstained area to achieve GTR of GBMs, which can be demonstrated on magnetic resonance images.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Case ReportsNeurophysiological criteria for intraoperative prediction of pure motor hemiplegia during aneurysm surgery. Case report.
The value of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) as an intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring tool for detecting selective subcortical ischemia of the motor pathways during intracerebral aneurysm repair is described and the use of such measures to predict postoperative motor status is discussed. The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman in whom there was an incidental finding of two right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. During the aneurysm clipping procedure, an intraoperative MEP loss in the left abductor pollicis brevis and tibial anterior muscles occurred during an attempt at permanent clip placement. ⋯ A computerized tomography scan revealed an infarct in the anterior division of the MCA territory, including the posterior limb of the internal capsule. In this patient, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring with MEPs has been shown to be a sensitive tool for indicating subcortical ischemia affecting selective motor pathways in the internal capsule. Therefore, intraoperative loss of MEPs can be used to predict postoperative motor deficits.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2003
Clinicopathological study of "snake-eye appearance" in compressive myelopathy of the cervical spinal cord.
The goal of this study was to elucidate the pathophysiological features and clinical significance of the magnetic resonance imaging-documented small intramedullary high signal intensity known as "snake-eye appearance" (SEA) in cases of compressive myelopathy such as cervical spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. ⋯ Snake-eye appearance was found to be a product of cystic necrosis resulting from mechanical compression and venous infarction. Destruction of the gray matter accompanying significant neuronal loss in the anterior horn suggested that SEA is an unfavorable prognostic factor for the recovery of upper-extremity motor weakness.