Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Case ReportsIntrapelvic sciatic notch schwannoma: microsurgical excision using the infragluteal approach.
Benign neurogenic tumors at the sciatic notch that are purely intrapelvic have rarely been reported. Because of this tumor's particular position, a transabdominal or combined transabdominal-gluteal approach is usually used to achieve total resection. ⋯ The postoperative course was uneventful. The infragluteal approach can be safely used for the effective resection of intrapelvic benign neurogenic tumors at the sciatic notch that are extrinsic to the sciatic nerve, avoiding the more invasive and risky transabdominal approach.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Contralateral L-6 nerve root transfer to repair lumbosacral plexus root avulsion: experimental study in rhesus monkeys.
Nerve transfer is used for brachial plexus injuries but has rarely been applied to repairs in the lower extremities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using the contralateral L-6 nerve root to repair lumbosacral plexus root avulsions. ⋯ In this animal model, the contralateral L-6 (analogous to S-1 in humans) nerve root can be used to repair lumbosacral plexus root avulsion.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Combination of hypoglossal-facial nerve surgical reconstruction and neurotrophin-3 gene therapy for facial palsy.
Facial nerve injury results in facial palsy that has great impact on the psychosocial conditions of affected patients. Reconstruction of the facial nerve to restore facial symmetry and expression is still a significant surgical challenge. In this study, the authors assessed a hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis method combined with neurotrophic factor gene therapy to treat facial palsy in adult rats after facial nerve injury. ⋯ Results demonstrated that hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis facilitates innervation of paralyzed facial muscle via hypoglossal motoneurons without sacrificing ipsilateral hemitongue function. Neurotrophin-3 treatment through gene therapy could effectively improve such innervation, even after delayed reconstruction. These findings suggest that the combination of surgical reconstruction and NT-3 gene therapy is promising for its potential application in treating facial palsy in humans.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Editorial CommentTemporal lobe arteriovenous malformations. Response.