Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2016
Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for temporal lobe epilepsy: a laboratory feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE In appropriate candidates, the treatment of medication-refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is primarily surgical. Traditional anterior temporal lobectomy yields seizure-free rates of 60%-70% and possibly higher. The field of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an evolving field in neurosurgery. ⋯ Heating of the skull base occurred with longer sonications. Blocking algorithms would be required to restrict ultrasound beams causing skull base heating. In the future, MRgFUS may present a minimally invasive, non-ionizing treatment of MTLE.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2016
Single-session Gamma Knife radiosurgery for optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas.
OBJECTIVE Because of their critical and central location, it is deemed necessary to fractionate when considering irradiating optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas. Stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy is considered safer when dealing with gliomas in this location. In this study, the safety and efficacy of single-session stereotactic radiosurgery for optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas were reviewed. ⋯ Vision remained stable in 12 cases, improved in 6 cases, and worsened in 2 cases in which there was tumor progression. Progression-free survival was 83% at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS The initial results indicate that single-session Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a safe and effective treatment option for optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2016
Snare technique for the remodeling of the redundant arachnoid pouch to prevent cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and hematoma collection during transsphenoidal surgery for suprasellar-extended pituitary tumors.
OBJECTIVE Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is considered a most effective treatment for pituitary tumors with huge suprasellar extension. However, the chance of developing CSF leakage is relatively high, because tearing of the arachnoid membrane is common and there could be multiple tear points during the dissection of suprasellar tumors from the overlying arachnoid membrane. If there are multiple leaking points in the arachnoid membrane packing methods such as using fat or multilayered fascia graft may not be sufficient to seal off the leaking points. ⋯ Magnetic resonance imaging studies performed 24 hours after surgery revealed a remarkable reduction in the height of the diaphragm in all cases. Visual deficits improved in all patients immediately after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Remodeling of the arachnoid pouch using the snare technique is simple and effective for completely sealing off the CSF leak point and preventing hematoma collection in the tumor resection cavity after TSS for huge pituitary tumors with suprasellar extension.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2016
The impact of cobalt-60 source age on biologically effective dose in high-dose functional Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
OBJECTIVE Functional Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) procedures have been increasingly used for treating patients with tremor, trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although its rates of toxicity are low, GKRS has been associated with some, if low, risks for serious sequelae, including hemiparesis and even death. Anecdotal reports have suggested that even with a standardized prescription dose, rates of functional GKRS toxicity increase after replacement of an old cobalt-60 source with a new source. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Use of a new cobalt-60 source after replacement of an old source substantially increases the predicted BED for functional GKRS treatments for the same physical dose prescription. Source age, dose rate, and treatment time should be considered in the study of outcomes after high-dose functional GKRS treatments. Animal and clinical studies are needed to determine how this potential change in BED contributes to GKRS toxicity and whether technical adjustments should be made to reduce dose rates or prescription doses with newer cobalt-60 sources.