Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2012
Review Case ReportsTwo-handed endoscopic-directed vestibular nerve sectioning: case series and review of the literature.
Vestibular nerve sectioning is an accepted surgical treatment option for patients with medically refractory Ménière disease. In this paper the authors introduce and evaluate a 2-handed endoscopic-directed technique for vestibular nerve section. ⋯ The endoscopic-directed approach represents a safe and effective method for performing vestibular nerve sectioning. Until now, the endoscope has been used primarily as an adjunct to the operating microscope in surgery at the cerebellopontine angle. In addition, previous endoscopic techniques typically require a third hand to manipulate the endoscope. With the 2-handed endoscopic-directed technique, however, the endoscope is used as the primary means of visualization, and the unique design of this endoscope allows for a bimanual procedure without the requirement of a cosurgeon. Advantages of using this technique compared with the microscope include superior brightness at close distances, greater depth of field, increased maneuverability within small regions, and an improved ability to visualize objects not in a direct line of sight. Among other things, this allows for minimally invasive openings, decreased cerebellar retraction, and better identification of nerve cleavage planes and vascular anatomy.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2012
Review Case ReportsEctopic recurrent craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone.
Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma is a rare phenomenon after transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The authors present a case of ectopic recurrent adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone resected 16 years after initial transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The lesion was first radiographically described 12 years after surgery and was adjacent to the osteosynthesis plate that had been implanted at the craniotomy site. ⋯ Pediatric and adult patients as well as male and female ones are affected equally by this phenomenon. The mean time of ectopic recurrence after initial surgery was 7.1 years. Ectopic recurrence, although rare, should always be considered in a patient with a newly diagnosed intracranial lesion who has undergone transcranial craniopharyngioma resection before.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2012
ReviewComparative effectiveness review of treatment options for pituitary microadenomas in acromegaly.
Acromegaly, a syndrome of excess growth hormone (GH) secretion typically caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, reduces life expectancy by approximately 10 years when left untreated. Treatment of acromegaly involves combinations of one or more discrete therapeutic modalities to achieve biochemical control. Unfortunately, data capable of informing decisions among alternate management strategies are presently lacking. ⋯ The choice of management strategy must be individualized for each patient with acromegaly. This CER analysis provides a comprehensive framework to inform clinical decisions among alternate management strategies in patients with GH-secreting pituitary microadenomas.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyParadoxical trends in the management of vestibular schwannoma in the United States.
Recent natural history studies of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) suggest that most of these tumors do not grow. The impact of these new data on management trends in the US is currently unknown. The aim in the present study was to evaluate current trends in the treatment of VS in the US by analyzing a national cancer database. ⋯ Study data demonstrated a shift in the management of small VSs in the US between 2004 and 2007, with microsurgical removal giving way to radiation treatment and the overall rate for observation remaining low and stable. With recent literature suggesting that the majority of small tumors do not grow, the authors assert that VSs are being overtreated in the US.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized study of urgent computed tomography-based hematoma puncture and aspiration in the emergency department and subsequent evacuation using craniectomy versus craniectomy only.
When treating patients with a spontaneous supratentorial massive (≥ 70 ml) intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the results of surgery are gloomy. A worsening pupil response has been observed in patients preoperatively, despite blood pressure control and diuretic administration. Because open surgery needs time for decompression to occur, the authors conducted a prospective randomized study to determine whether patients who have suffered a massive ICH can benefit from a more urgently performed decompressive procedure. ⋯ Patients with massive spontaneous supratentorial ICHs may benefit from more urgent surgical decompression. The results of logistic regression analysis implied that, to improve long-term functional outcome, decompression should be performed in patients before herniation occurs. Due to the fact that most of these patients have signs of herniation when presenting to the ED and because conventional surgical decompression requires time to take effect, this combination of surgical treatment provides a feasible and effective surgical option.