Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Spreading depolarization in acute brain injury inhibited by ketamine: a prospective, randomized, multiple crossover trial.
Retrospective clinical data and case studies support a therapeutic effect of ketamine in suppression of spreading depolarization (SD) following brain injury. Preclinical data strongly support efficacy in terms of frequency of SD as well as recovery from electrocorticography (ECoG) depression. The authors present the results of the first prospective controlled clinical trial testing the role of ketamine used for clinical sedation on occurrence of SD. ⋯ Ketamine effectively inhibits SD over a wide range of doses commonly used for sedation, even in nonintubated patients. These data also provide the first prospective evidence that the occurrence of SD can be influenced by clinical intervention and does not simply represent an unavoidable epiphenomenon after injury. These data provide the basis for future studies assessing clinical improvement with SD-directed therapy.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02501941 (clinicaltrials.gov).
-
Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Clinicoradiological features and surgical outcomes of primary intracranial medulloepitheliomas: a single-center experience and pooled analysis of individual patient data.
Medulloepithelioma (MEPL) is a rare, malignant primitive neuroectodermal tumor with dismal survival rates. The authors aimed to define independent risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and to propose an optimal treatment protocol for MEPL. ⋯ MEPL is a rare neoplastic entity with a poor prognosis. There are no distinguishing radiological features apart from cystic degeneration. Via the pooled analysis, the authors identified independent adjustable factors associated with PFS and OS, from which they advocate for GTR plus chemoradiotherapy with a sufficient dose if tolerable as an optimal treatment to improve outcomes. Future studies with large cohorts will be necessary to verify our findings.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Prediction of cavernous sinus invasion in patients with Cushing's disease by magnetic resonance imaging.
Cavernous sinus invasion (CSI) in Cushing's disease (CD) negatively affects the probability of complete resection, biochemical cure, and need for adjuvant therapy. However, the prediction of CSI based on MRI findings has been inconsistent and variable. Among macroadenomas, the Knosp classification is the most widely utilized radiographic predictor of CSI, but its accuracy in predicting CSI and the probability of gross-total resection is limited in the setting of microadenomas or Knosp grade 0-2 macroadenomas. The authors noticed that the presence of a triangular shape of adenomas adjacent to the cavernous sinus on coronal MR images is frequently associated with CSI. The authors aimed to determine the correlation of this radiographic finding ("sail sign" [SS]) with CSI. ⋯ The presence of a positive SS among Cushing's adenomas adjacent to the CS provides strong PPV, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio for the prediction of CSI. This can be a useful tool for preoperative planning and for predicting the likelihood of long-term biochemical remission and the need for adjuvant radiosurgery.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Complications associated with microscopic and endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: experience of 1153 consecutive cases treated at a single tertiary care pituitary center.
Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are benign neoplasms that are frequently encountered during workup for endocrinopathy, headache, or visual loss. Transsphenoidal surgery remains the first-line approach for PA resection. The authors retrospectively assessed complication rates associated with transsphenoidal PA resection from an institutional database. ⋯ In this single tertiary center study assessing complications associated with transsphenoidal PA resection, the rate of death or major disability was 0.26%. Risk factors for complications included prior surgical treatment and PA invasion. No differences in complication rates between endoscopic and microscopic surgery were observed. When performed at experienced pituitary centers, transsphenoidal surgery for PAs may be performed with a high degree of safety.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
A football helmet prototype that reduces linear and rotational acceleration with the addition of an outer shell.
Amid the public health controversy surrounding American football, a helmet that can reduce linear and rotational acceleration has the potential to decrease forces transmitted to the brain. The authors hypothesized that a football helmet with an outer shell would reduce both linear and rotational acceleration. The authors' objectives were to 1) determine an optimal material for a shock-absorbing outer shell and 2) examine the ability of an outer shell to reduce linear and/or rotational acceleration. ⋯ Sorbothane (70 duro) was chosen as the optimal outer-shell material. In the outer-shell prototype helmet, the results demonstrated a 5%-10% reduction in linear acceleration at the side and front boss locations, and a 50% reduction in rotational acceleration at the front boss location. Given the paucity of publicly reported helmet-design literature and the importance of rotational acceleration in head injuries, the substantial reduction seen in rotational acceleration with this outer-shell prototype holds the potential for future helmet-design improvements.