Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2009
ReviewSignificant headache improvement after transsphenoidal surgery in patients with small sellar lesions.
Pituitary adenomas represent a large proportion of brain tumors that are increasing in incidence because of improved imaging techniques. Headache is the primary symptom in patients with large tumors (macroadenomas), but is also a symptom in patients with small tumors (microadenomas, tumors < 1.0 cm). The prevalence and optimal treatment of headaches associated with pituitary tumors is still unclear, particularly in cases of microadenoma. If conventional medical management fails, transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) may be considered as an alternative treatment for intractable headaches. ⋯ In this retrospective study, the authors demonstrate the efficacy of TSS in the treatment of intractable headaches in patients who present with pituitary microadenomas (nonsecreting and hypersecretory) and Rathke cleft cysts.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyAbsence of electroencephalographic seizure activity in patients treated for head injury with an intracranial pressure-targeted therapy.
The authors prospectively studied the occurrence of clinical and nonclinical electroencephalographically verified seizures during treatment with an intracranial pressure (ICP)-targeted protocol in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Our protocol-guided ICP targeted treatment seems to protect patients with severe TBI from clinical and subclinical seizures and thus reduces the risk of secondary brain injury.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyPrognostic value of globus pallidus internus volume in primary dystonia treated by deep brain stimulation.
Given that improvement is variable from one patient to another, the authors analyzed the impact of globus pallidus internus (GPi) volume on the result of deep brain stimulation (DBS) by comparing highly and less improved patients with primary dystonodyskinetic syndromes. ⋯ On the left side, the mean stimulated volumes (isofield line range 0.2-1 V/mm) were significantly larger in highly improved than in less improved patients. In this model, the threshold for functional effect was calculated at 0.2 V/mm.
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Pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas are rare, and information on them is limited to a small number of case reports. To gain insight into the incidence, clinical effects, and management of pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas, the authors analyzed a series of patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. ⋯ The pituitary stalk is the most common site for the development of supratentorial hemangioblastomas in patients with VHL disease. Pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas often remain asymptomatic and do not require treatment. These findings indicate that pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas in patients with VHL disease may be managed with observation and that surgery for them can be reserved until associated signs or symptoms occur.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyInfection following deep brain stimulator implantation performed in the conventional versus magnetic resonance imaging-equipped operating room.
Risk factors for deep brain stimulator (DBS) infection are poorly defined. Because DBS implants are not frequently performed in the MR imaging-equipped operating room (OR), no specific data about infection of DBS implants performed in the MR imaging environment are available in the literature. In this study the authors focus on the incidence of infection in patients undergoing surgery in the conventional versus MR imaging-equipped OR. ⋯ Infection is a serious complication of DBS implantation and commonly requires device removal for cure. The authors found that DBS implantation can be safely performed in MR imaging-equipped suites, possibly allowing improved lead placement. Young age was associated with an increased risk of DBS infection.