Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2010
Biography Historical ArticleWalter E. Dandy's contributions to vascular neurosurgery.
Although Walter E. Dandy (1886-1946) is appropriately credited with the first surgical clipping of an intracranial aneurysm in 1937--a procedure that established the modern field of vascular neurosurgery--his numerous other contributions to this specialty are not as well known. ⋯ In addition, Dandy performed the first surgical trapping of a cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm by clipping the supraclinoid ICA and ligating the cervical ICA, and he also executed the first intracranial surgical clipping of the ICA to treat a carotid-cavernous fistula. In this article the authors describe Dandy's contributions to the field of vascular neurosurgery.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2010
ReviewThe critical role of hemodynamics in the development of cerebral vascular disease.
Atherosclerosis and intracranial saccular aneurysms predictably localize in areas with complex arterial geometries such as bifurcations and curvatures. These sites are characterized by unique hemodynamic conditions that possibly influence the risk for these disorders. One hemodynamic parameter in particular has emerged as a key regulator of vascular biology--wall shear stress (WSS). ⋯ In addition, multiple studies indicate that disturbed flow and low WSS predispose patients to extracranial atherosclerosis, and particularly to carotid artery disease. Conversely, in the case of intracranial atherosclerosis, more studies are needed to provide a firm link between hemodynamics and atherogenesis. The recognition of WSS as an important factor in cerebral vascular disease may help to identify individuals at risk and guide treatment options.
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A wide range of devices is used to obtain intracranial electrocorticography recordings in patients with medically refractory epilepsy, including subdural strip and grid electrodes and depth electrodes. Penetrating depth electrodes are required to access some brain regions, and 1 target site that presents a particular technical challenge is the first transverse temporal gyrus, or Heschl gyrus (HG). The HG is located within the supratemporal plane and has an oblique orientation relative to the sagittal and coronal planes. ⋯ In this report, the authors describe an alternative method for implantation. They use frameless stereotaxy and an oblique insertion trajectory that does not require angiography and allows for the simultaneous placement of subdural grid arrays. Results in 19 patients demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the method.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2010
Long-term results of thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM) has proven to be efficacious in the treatment of essential tremor (ET). The authors report on long-term follow-up of a series of patients treated at 1 institution by 1 neurosurgeon. ⋯ Deep brain stimulation of the VIM is an efficient and safe treatment for ET. Tremor and handwriting improvements in long-term follow-up are stable. The patients' perception of their outcome is quite good. However, tolerance may develop in some patients requiring changes in stimulation parameters.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2010
Effect of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on postural abnormality in Parkinson disease.
Parkinson disease (PD) is often accompanied by various postural abnormalities such as camptocormia (bent spine) or Pisa syndrome (lateral flexion). The authors studied the effect of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) on postural abnormality in patients with PD. ⋯ Postural abnormality in patients with PD could be ameliorated by STN DBS, and therefore surgery should be considered before irreversible spinal deformity develops.