Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2012
Review Meta AnalysisInfluence of the combination of patient age and deep venous drainage on brain arteriovenous malformation recurrence after surgery.
Case reports suggest that young age is a critical factor in determining recurrence of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after surgery. However, other factors that may contribute to the increased risk of recurrence have not been considered. In this study, the authors' goal was to ascertain the risk and risk factors of recurrence after resection of AVMs of the brain. ⋯ The risk of recurrence after AVM resection is significant for young patients with deep venous drainage.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2012
Oculomotor nerve palsy by posterior communicating artery aneurysms: influence of surgical strategy on recovery.
Resolution of oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) after clipping of posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms has been well documented. However, whether additional decompression of the oculomotor nerve via aneurysm sac dissection or resection is superior to pure aneurysm clipping is the subject of much debate. Therefore, the objective in the present investigation was to analyze the influence of surgical strategy--specifically, clipping with or without aneurysm dissection--on ONP resolution. ⋯ Data in the present study indicated that ONP caused by PCoA aneurysms improves after clipping without and with oculomotor nerve decompression. The resolution of ONP is inversely associated with the initial severity of ONP.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2012
Diaphragmatic height index: new diagnostic test for phrenic nerve dysfunction.
The diaphragmatic height index (DHI) was developed to measure the difference in diaphragm levels. The purpose of this study was to set definite DHI values and test the accuracy of these values for use as a new diagnostic test for phrenic nerve dysfunction. ⋯ Data in this study show that diaphragm paralysis can be simply and reliably predicted by the DHI. Diaphragmatic height index values > 1.1 and < 0.2 are proposed as the new diagnostic test for right and left phrenic nerve dysfunction with a high degree of accuracy. This index is applicable in diagnosing phrenic nerve dysfunction that occurs concomitantly with brachial plexus injury or from other etiologies.