Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2017
Clinical implications of the cortical hyperintensity belt sign in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images after bypass surgery for moyamoya disease.
OBJECTIVE Transient neurological symptoms are frequently observed during the early postoperative period after direct bypass surgery for moyamoya disease. Abnormal signal changes in the cerebral cortex can be seen in postoperative MR images. The purpose of this study was to reveal the radiological features of the "cortical hyperintensity belt (CHB) sign" in postoperative FLAIR images and to verify its relationship to transient neurological events (TNEs) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). ⋯ CONCLUSIONS The findings strongly suggest that the presence of the CHB sign during PODs 1-3 can be a predictor of TNEs after bypass surgery for moyamoya disease. On the other hand, presence of this sign appears to have no direct relationship with the postoperative local hyperperfusion phenomenon. Vasogenic edema can be hypothesized as the pathophysiology of the CHB sign, because the sign was transient and never accompanied by infarction in the present series.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2017
Case ReportsEndoscopic temporal ventriculocisternostomy for the management of temporal horn entrapment: report of 4 cases.
Entrapment of the temporal horn is a rare form of noncommunicating focal hydrocephalus. Standard treatment has not yet been established for this condition, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. The authors reviewed their cases of temporal horn entrapment treated between May 2013 and December 2014 and report their experience with endoscopic temporal ventriculocisternostomy. ⋯ No procedure-related complications were observed, and all of the patients remained shunt-free at last follow-up (range 4-24 months). Endoscopic temporal horn ventriculocisternostomy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of symptomatic temporal horn entrapment in selected cases. However, there is little experience with the procedure to recommend it as the treatment of choice.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2017
Exclusive endoscopic transcanal transpromontorial approach: a new perspective for internal auditory canal vestibular schwannoma treatment.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the first case series in which an exclusive endoscopic transcanal transpromontorial approach (EETTA) was used to treat small vestibular schwannomas (VSs) and meningiomas of the internal auditory canal (IAC). METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who had undergone surgery using an EETTA to the IAC at 2 university tertiary care referral centers during the period from November 2011 to January 2015. RESULTS Ten patients underwent surgery via an EETTA for the treatment of VS in the IAC at the University Hospital of Modena or the University Hospital of Verona. ⋯ The mean follow-up was 10 months. CONCLUSIONS The EETTA proved to be successful for the removal of VS or meningioma involving the cochlea, fundus, and IAC, with possible lower complication rates and less invasive procedures than those for traditional microscopic approaches. The potential for the extensive and routine use of this approach in lateral and posterior skull base surgery will depend on the development of technology and surgical refinements and on the diffusion of skull base endoscopic skills among the otolaryngological and neurosurgical communities.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2017
Observational StudyThe impact of hybrid neurosurgeons on the outcomes of endovascular coiling for unruptured cerebral aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE The impact of combined practices on the outcomes of unruptured cerebral aneurysm coiling remains an issue of debate. The authors investigated the association of combined open and endovascular expertise with the outcomes of unruptured cerebral aneurysm coiling. METHODS The authors performed a cohort study of 100% of Medicare fee-for-service claims data for elderly patients who underwent endovascular coiling for unruptured cerebral aneurysms between 2007 and 2012. ⋯ Multivariable regression analysis with propensity score adjustment demonstrated a lack of association of combined practice with 1-year postoperative mortality (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.58-1.23), discharge to rehabilitation (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.66-1.51), 30-day readmission rate (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.83-1.38), and length of stay (adjusted difference, 0.41; 95% CI -0.26 to 1.09). Higher procedural volume was independently associated with improved outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of Medicare patients, the authors did not demonstrate a difference in mortality, discharge to rehabilitation, readmission rate, and LOS between hybrid neurosurgeons and proceduralists performing only endovascular coiling.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2017
CommentRelevance of Simpson grading system and recurrence-free survival after surgery for World Health Organization Grade I meningioma.
OBJECTIVE The clinical significance of the Simpson system for grading the extent of meningioma resection and its role as a predictor of the recurrence of World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I meningiomas have been questioned in the past, echoing changes in meningioma surgery over the years. The authors reviewed their experience in resecting WHO Grade I meningiomas and assessed the association between extent of resection, as evaluated using the Simpson classification, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients after meningioma surgery. METHODS Clinical and radiological information for patients with WHO Grade I meningiomas who had undergone resective surgery over the past 20 years was retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS In this patient cohort, a significant association was noted between extent of resection and rates of tumor recurrence. In the authors' experience the Simpson grading system maintains its relevance and prognostic value and can serve an important role for patient education. Even though complete tumor resection is the goal, surgery should be tailored to each patient according to the risks and surgical morbidity.