Neurosurgery
-
Comparative Study
Cerebral oxidative stress and depression of energy metabolism correlate with severity of diffuse brain injury in rats.
The combined effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and secondary insult on biochemical changes of cerebral tissue is not well known. For this purpose, we studied the time-course changes of parameters reflecting ROS-mediated oxidative stress and modifications of cell energy metabolism determined in rats subjected to cerebral insult of increasing severity. ⋯ These results showed that the severity of brain insult can be graded by measuring biochemical modifications, specifically, reactive oxygen species-mediated damage, energy metabolism depression, and NAA, thereby validating the rodent model of closed-head diffuse TBI coupled with HH and proposing NAA as a marker with diagnostic relevance to monitor the metabolic state of postinjured brain.
-
We assessed whether angiographic changes in venous drainage patterns occur over time in cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVFs) without a complete cure. ⋯ In some cavernous sinus dAVFs with palliative transarterial embolization or observational management, there was a change in the venous drainage patterns, consisting of a decrease in the number of venous drainage routes. There was a trend for the posterior route to close before the anterior drainage or cortical drainage route. This suggests the occurrence of a staged progression in a regular direction in cavernous sinus dAVFs. Without treatment aiming at a complete cure, most cavernous sinus dAVFs can behave benignly, with a low possibility of development of cortical venous reflux during follow-up.
-
Comparative Study
Cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor improves functional outcomes, provides neuroprotection, and reduces inflammation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.
Increases in brain cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) are associated with the central inflammatory response and with delayed neuronal death, events that cause secondary insults after traumatic brain injury. A growing literature supports the benefit of COX2-specific inhibitors in treating brain injuries. ⋯ These improvements, particularly when treatment began up to 6 hours after injury, suggest exciting neuroprotective potential for COX2 inhibitors in the treatment of traumatic brain injury and support the consideration of Phase I/II clinical trials.
-
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the use and applications of the three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (3-D-FIESTA) magnetic resonance imaging sequence in targeting and planning for stereotactic radiosurgery of trigeminal neuralgia. ⋯ The 3-D-FIESTA sequence is used in this study for demonstration of the exact anatomy of the trigeminal complex for the purpose of radiosurgical planning and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. With such imaging techniques, radiosurgical targeting of specific trigeminal nerve branches may be feasible. It has not been possible previously to target individual branches of the trigeminal nerve.
-
Biography Historical Article
From trephination to tailored resection: neurosurgery in Germany before World War II.
Evidence exists that trephination was performed in Germany as early as the Stone Age. Late medieval barber surgeons further developed instruments and techniques for this procedure. Various surgeons performed individual cranial operations before the 1870s, and neurosurgery evolved as a distinct discipline in Germany around 1934. ⋯ Wilhelm Wagner, Fedor Krause, Ernst von Bergmann, and Otfrid Foerster were among these pioneers. Through independent research based on careful clinical observation, these physicians contributed significantly to an understanding of the pathophysiology of nervous system disorders that could be treated surgically. They designed techniques, such as those used for intracranial pressure regulation, and developed operative procedures, such as the osteoplastic flap of Wagner, and cortical stimulation, which was performed by Krause and Foerster.