Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Multicenter StudyPredicting final lesion characteristics during MR-guided focused ultrasound pallidotomy for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) is being investigated for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease symptoms. However, GPi lesioning presents unique challenges due to the off-midline location of the target. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether intraprocedural MR thermometry data can predict final lesion characteristics. ⋯ The authors' acoustic simulations accurately depicted the characteristics of thermal lesions encountered following MRgFUS pallidotomy. MR thermometry data can predict postprocedure day 1 GPi lesion characteristics using a 48°C threshold model. Finally, the lower treatment efficiency of pallidotomy may make GPi lesioning challenging in patients with a low SDR.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Multicenter StudyStereotactic radiosurgery for central neurocytomas: an international multicenter retrospective cohort study.
Central neurocytomas (CNs) are uncommon intraventricular tumors, and their rarity renders the risk-to-benefit profile of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) unknown. The aim of this multicenter, retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the outcomes of SRS for CNs and identify predictive factors. ⋯ Treatment of appropriately selected CNs with SRS achieves good tumor control rates with a reasonable complication profile. Distant tumor recurrence and dissemination were observed in a small proportion of patients, which underscores the importance of close post-SRS surveillance of CN patients. Patients with larger CNs are more likely to require shunt surgery before SRS.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Analysis of human emboli and thrombectomy forces in large-vessel occlusion stroke.
This study's purpose was to improve understanding of the forces driving the complex mechanical interaction between embolic material and current stroke thrombectomy devices by analyzing the histological composition and strength of emboli retrieved from patients and by evaluating the mechanical forces necessary for retrieval of such emboli in a middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation model. ⋯ Current thrombectomy devices remove emboli mostly by applying linear tensile forces, under which emboli elongate until dissociation. Embolus resistance to dissociation is determined by embolus strength, which significantly correlates with composition and varies within and among patients and within the same thrombus. The dynamic intravascular weakening of emboli during removal may lead to iatrogenic embolization.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Subclinical imaging changes in cerebral cavernous angiomas during prospective surveillance.
The purpose of this study was to systematically assess asymptomatic changes (ACs), including subclinical hemorrhage, growth, or new lesion formation (NLF) during longitudinal follow-up of cerebral cavernous angiomas (CAs), and to correlate these with symptomatic hemorrhage (SH) during the same period and with clinical features of the disease. ⋯ Rates of AC are greater than SH during prospective follow-up of CAs, and greater in cases with prior SH. AC may be a more sensitive biomarker of lesional activity, and a more efficient surrogate outcome in clinical trials than SH. Patients experiencing an AC are more likely to undergo a surgical intervention when CAs are solitary/sporadic than when they are multifocal/familial.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Case ReportsTrautmann-focused mastoidectomy for a simple, safe presigmoid approach: technical note.
The presigmoid approach (PSA) is selected to obtain more lateral access to cerebellopontine angle tumors, brainstem cavernous malformations, or vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms than the standard retrosigmoid approach. However, mastoidectomy for the PSA can be considered time-consuming and to carry a higher risk of complications due to the anatomical complexity of the region. The authors established a method of minimized mastoidectomy focused on exposing Trautmann's triangle as the corridor for the PSA while maximizing procedural simplicity and safety and maintaining a sufficient operative view. The authors present their method of minimized mastoidectomy in a cadaver dissection and operative cases, showing potential as a useful option for the PSA.