Journal of neurosurgery
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Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare soft-tissue neoplasm with metastatic potential and needs to be recognized as such, because it can be mistaken for other types of sarcoma due to its unremarkable appearance. This 49-year-old man presented with an approximately 5-cm mass on the anteromedial aspect of his left thigh that slowly increased over 10 years. Clinical symptoms were limited to local discomfort and intermittent distal numbness. ⋯ He has since been healthy and disease free for a total of 4 years in follow-up. This case documents, to the authors' knowledge, the first observation of an LGFMS associated with a peripheral nerve. It also supports the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis as an essential diagnostic method in establishing the diagnosis of LGFMS.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2014
Case ReportsSimultaneous subependymomas in monozygotic female twins: further evidence for a common genetic or developmental disorder background.
In this paper, a rare case of subependymoma of the fourth ventricle in identical female twins is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging and CT showed nearly identical locations of the tumors in the fourth ventricle and similar growth patterns of the tumors in both sisters. ⋯ If symptomatic, a subependymoma can in some cases lead to sudden death caused by pressure on the brainstem or decompensated secondary hydrocephalus. This case demonstrates the importance of detecting tumors early and thereby preventing symptoms arising from increasing intracranial pressure, and optimizing therapy options.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of two algorithms for the application of real-time image mosaicking in neuroendoscopy.
Neuroendoscopy is used more and more frequently in neurosurgical procedures and has become an important tool in the neurosurgical armamentarium. However, the main restriction of neuroendoscopy is the limited field of view. A better overview of the area of interest would increase surgical safety and decrease procedure-related morbidity rates. In the present study, the authors aimed to improve this restriction by using and comparing two algorithms to create endoscopic panoramic images, which increase the field of view during neuroendoscopic procedures. ⋯ Results in the study showed that the creation of image mosaics is possible and reliable with the featured algorithms. Image mosaicking is an applicable device for neuroendoscopy and can increase the field of view during endoscopic procedures. Its use can increase the safety and the field of application of neuroendoscopy. However, faster frame rates will be required to create a smooth image for practical use during surgery.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2014
Value-based neurosurgery: measuring and reducing the cost of microvascular decompression surgery.
Care providers have put significant effort into optimizing patient safety and quality of care. Value, defined as meaningful outcomes achieved per dollar spent, is emerging as a promising framework to redesign health care. Scarce data exist regarding cost measurement and containment for episodes of neurosurgical care. The authors assessed how cost measurement and strategic containment could be used to optimize the value of delivered care after the implementation and maturation of quality improvement initiatives. ⋯ Linking cost-containment and cost-reduction strategies to ongoing outcome improvement measures is an important step toward the optimization of value-based delivery of care.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2014
Patients' cosmetic satisfaction, pain, and functional outcomes after supraorbital craniotomy through an eyebrow incision.
The supraorbital approach through an eyebrow incision offers the opportunity to access a wide variety of lesions of the anterior, middle, and even the posterior fossa. The minimally invasive keyhole craniotomy limits brain exploration and retraction and offers the potential for improved surgical outcomes and reduced approach-related complications. Patient satisfaction, however, has not yet been reported in the literature. ⋯ The supraorbital approach to the anterior, middle, and posterior fossae through an eyebrow incision offers a favorable rate of approach-associated surgical complications and high patient satisfaction with cosmetic outcome.