Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2013
Case ReportsInfarction of the lateral posterior choroidal artery territory after manipulation of the choroid plexus at the atrium: causal association with subependymal artery injury.
The atrium of the lateral ventricle is often affected by tumors, and some patients with these tumors suffer neurological deficits, including hemiparesis after surgery. The authors of this study investigated the possible mechanisms causing the relatively high incidences of ischemic complications associated with surgery approaching the atrium of the lateral ventricle. ⋯ Neurosurgeons must be aware of the possibility of LPChA territory infarction during surgery in the atrial or periatrial regions caused by subependymal artery obstruction after manipulating or coagulating the choroid plexus near the atrium.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2013
Enlargement of small, asymptomatic, unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with no history of subarachnoid hemorrhage: the different factors related to the growth of single and multiple aneurysms.
This study was performed to investigate the risk factors related to the growth of small, asymptomatic, unruptured aneurysms in patients with no history of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ Multiple small aneurysms are more likely to grow, and multiple aneurysms located in the posterior circulation may require additional attention. Although single aneurysms have a lower risk of growth, a trend of higher growth rates in single aneurysms was found.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2013
Case ReportsOphthalmic vein compression for selected benign low-flow cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas.
Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the cavernous sinus are acquired arteriovenous shunts between the dural branches of the internal and external carotid arteries and the cavernous sinus. These fistulas may present with cortical venous reflux, but more commonly drain antegradely toward the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV). ⋯ In cases with no corticovenous reflux, manual compression of the SOV is an excellent alternative treatment, which is well known but rarely reported in the literature. The authors describe a series of 3 cavernous DAVFs with anterior drainage treated successfully by intermittent manual compression of the SOV.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2013
Durability of hearing preservation after microsurgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma using the middle cranial fossa approach.
The middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach is a microsurgical technique described as a primary option in the treatment of small, intracanalicular schwannomas involving the eighth cranial nerve. Excellent rates of complete tumor resection, hearing preservation, preservation of facial nerve function, and low complication rates have been reproduced using this technique. However, the durability of hearing preservation attained using the various treatment options has not been adequately assessed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the durability of long-term hearing preservation in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) treated via the MCF approach. The authors hypothesize that hearing preservation in these patients will prove to be durable years after treatment in a high percentage of cases. ⋯ A majority of patients with preserved hearing following the MCF approach for treatment of VS experience durability of their preserved hearing at 5-year follow-up. The initial AAO-HNS classification was preserved in 13 (65%) of the 20 patients who had Class A hearing at 5 years, and in 8 (67%) of the 12 who had Class B hearing at 5 years. Overall, a decline in AAO-HNS classification was noted in 15% of patients with preserved Class A hearing, and in 33% of those with preserved Class B hearing. Facial nerve function was preserved in 91% of cases. Superior hearing preservation as well as good outcomes in facial nerve function and few serious complications can be accomplished using the MCF approach for resection of small VSs.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2013
Case ReportsTreatment of a carotid cavernous fistula via direct transovale cavernous sinus puncture.
Endovascular treatment is the treatment of choice for indirect carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Direct surgical obliteration of CCFs is recommended in highly symptomatic patients or in those with an aggressive pattern of venous drainage. However, this is a technically challenging approach associated with significant procedural morbidity. ⋯ Ultimately direct cavernous sinus access was obtained through the foramen ovale, resulting in complete obliteration of the shunt. The occlusion was radiographically stable at the 6-month follow-up evaluation, and the patient has remained asymptomatic. Percutaneous transovale puncture of a CCF is a feasible alternative to accessing the cavernous sinus when traditional transvenous catheterization or direct superior ophthalmic vein approach is not possible.