Neurosurgery
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Suprasellar meningiomas often invade the optic canals (OCs). The feasibility of removing these tumors through a minimal-access endonasal route has been demonstrated, but the importance, safety, and timing of OC exploration and decompression are not well described. ⋯ Exploration and decompression of the OC are feasible, safe, and important to optimize visual outcome and to minimize recurrence in planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sella meningiomas resected endonasally. It may not be important to open the canal early during surgery because tumor debulking can be performed without manipulating the optic nerves. Early decompression, however, is technically feasible.
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The fiber dissection technique provides unique 3-dimensional anatomic knowledge of the white matter. ⋯ The white matter fiber dissection reveals the tridimensional intrinsic architecture of the brain, and its knowledge regarding the temporal lobe is particularly important for the neurosurgeon, mostly because of the complexity of the optic radiation and related fibers.
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Several types of C1-C2 fixation techniques have been described over the years in order to treat atlantoaxial instability. ⋯ Magerl with posterior wiring and Harms techniques are both effective options for stabilizing the atlantoaxial complex. However, the Harms technique appears to be safer, to have fewer complications, and to demonstrate a more robust long-term fixation.
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Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) has become a useful intraoperative tool during aneurysm surgery to determine parent, branching, and perforator vessel patency. Although extremely useful, ICGA is limited to the evaluation of vessels that are in direct view in the surgical field. ⋯ Although ICGA can be very useful during aneurysm surgery, it is limited to vessels directly visualized in the surgical field. A Yaşargil movable mirror can be used during ICGA to visualize elusive vessels, in these cases on the ventromedial surface of the internal carotid artery.
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Prominent intercavernous sinuses may result in vigorous bleeding during transsphenoidal resection of pituitary microadenomas and lead to incomplete or aborted tumor resection. We report the use of coil embolization of the intercavernous sinuses to prevent uncontrollable bleeding before transsphenoidal surgery is reattempted. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful coil embolization of the intercavernous sinuses to prevent uncontrolled bleeding before transsphenoidal resection of pituitary microadenomas.