Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2017
Case ReportsHigh-grade glioma with anterior skull base erosion and intranasal extension: case report.
The authors describe the case of a large WHO Grade III anaplastic oligoastrocytoma extending through the anterior skull base and into the right nasal cavity and sinuses. Glial neoplasms are typically confined to the intracranial compartment within the brain parenchyma and rarely extend into the nasal cavity without prior surgical or radiation therapy. This 42-year-old woman presented with progressive headaches and sinus congestion. ⋯ Pathological diagnosis revealed a WHO Grade III oligoastrocytoma. This report reviews the mechanisms of extradural glioma extension. To the authors' knowledge, it is the second report of a high-grade glioma exhibiting nasal extension without prior surgical or radiation treatment.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2017
Efficacy of primary microvascular decompression versus subsequent microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by intermittent, paroxysmal, and lancinating pain along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD) directly addresses compression of the trigeminal nerve. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients undergoing MVD as their first surgical intervention experience greater pain control than patients who undergo subsequent MVD. ⋯ Patients who underwent initial MVD had significantly lower rates of facial numbness in the pre- and postoperative periods compared with patients who underwent subsequent MVD (p < 0.0001). The number of complications in both groups was similar (p = 0.4572). CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that patients who underwent other procedures prior to MVD had less pain relief and a higher incidence of facial numbness despite rates of complications similar to patients who underwent MVD as their first surgical intervention.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2017
Observational StudyActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator in multiple sclerosis: a new indication.
OBJECTIVE Direct stimulation of the peroneal nerve by the ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator is a potent therapy that was described previously for stroke-related drop foot. The authors report here successful long-term application of the ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS Six patients with MS and 2 years of persisting central leg paresis received an implantable ActiGait drop foot stimulator after successful surface test stimulation. ⋯ Patients with an implanted ActiGait stimulator noticed pronounced improvement in their mobility, social participation, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator improved gait speed, endurance, and quality of life in all patients over a period of 1 year. It may serve as a new therapeutic option for patients with MS-related drop foot.