Neurosurgery
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This report, with an accompanying videotape, details the authors' technique for performing radical resections of tumors intrinsic to the insular lobe. The resection technique takes advantage of the fact that many intrinsic insular tumors grow within the confines of the insula, usually without violating pial borders or invading the medial structures. The method described is based on an anatomic dissection of the insula that uses the internal boundaries of the region, particularly the peri-insular sulci, as guides for resection. The videotape provides a visual description of this method.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
D-dimer predicts outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: no effect of thromboprophylaxis on coagulation activity.
Approximately one-third of all patients with acute nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) experience complications owing to delayed ischemic deficit. We reported recently that enoxaparin 40 mg once daily for 10 days seems safe and demonstrates thromboprophylactic efficacy, but it failed to improve outcome in a randomized SAH trial. In the present study, we assessed hemostatic variables associated with clinical status and outcome of SAH. We also monitored the effect of enoxaparin on activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis after closure of the ruptured aneurysm. ⋯ D-dimer offers a useful laboratory tool for assessing early and late clinical severity of SAH. A thromboprophylactic dose of enoxaparin inhibited PAI-1 activity but failed to down-regulate coagulation activity and D-dimer. These findings are compatible with the lack of efficacy of enoxaparin in reducing ischemic deficit after SAH.
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Review Comparative Study
Risk of hemorrhage in hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system.
Hemangioblastomas are benign vascular tumors of the central nervous system. Several cases of spontaneous hemorrhage within these tumors have been reported. However, the risk of hemorrhage in these tumors remains unknown. ⋯ The overall incidence of hemorrhage in patients with hemangioblastoma is low. An important indicator for the probability of hemorrhage is tumor size, as spontaneous or postoperative hemorrhage occurred exclusively in extraordinarily large tumors. Hemangioblastomas smaller than 1.5 cm (the vast majority of these tumors) harbor virtually no risk of spontaneous hemorrhage.
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Review Case Reports
Lateral sacral artery aneurysm: case report and review of the literature.
We report the third case of an aneurysm of the lateral sacral artery (AnLSA). In all cases, because of an incorrect preoperative diagnosis, the surgeons were confronted with severe and unexpected hemorrhaging, and surgery was aborted without effective treatment. Our purpose is to present the preoperative features of AnLSA and its treatment modalities. ⋯ A medical history of renal transplantation with MRI scans showing an anterior epidural mass behind S1 or a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma are features that must evoke a diagnosis of AnLSA. Treatment is mandatory and is best achieved by embolization. Surgery based on angiographic findings is indicated if the lesion is responsible for a compressive hematoma.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Long-term results after fractionated radiation therapy for large brain arteriovenous malformations.
To study the results after fractionated radiotherapy of large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). ⋯ The obliteration rate after fractionated radiotherapy with a dose per fraction of 2 to 4 Gy to a total dose of up to 50 Gy was low. The clinical outcome suggests that the radiation treatment may have caused significant side effects. Although the risk for hemorrhage in previously ruptured large AVMs is high, the use of fractionated radiotherapy using low doses per fraction cannot be recommended.