Neurosurgery
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Craniopharyngiomas are successfully managed with surgery and/or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy but have been documented to undergo malignant transformation (MT), albeit very rarely, with only 23 reported cases. The exact cause and pathogenesis of this MT are unknown, although the literature has suggested a possible correlation with radiotherapy. ⋯ Malignant craniopharyngiomas are rare and are associated with a poor prognosis. MTs occur years after the initial benign craniopharyngioma diagnosis and are associated with multiple benign craniopharyngioma recurrence. Results also show that, contrary to widespread belief, there is a poor correlation between radiotherapy and MT.
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Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is an uncommon condition located predominantly in the thoracic spine and often associated with a remote history of a major traumatic injury. ISCH has an incompletely described presentation and unknown etiology. There is no consensus on the treatment algorithm and surgical technique, and there are few data on clinical outcomes. ⋯ Symptomatic ISCH presents with atypical myelopathy and slow temporal progression and can be successfully managed with surgical repair.
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Radiculopathy caused by foraminal nerve root compression is a common pathology in the lumbar spine. Surgical decompression via a conventional open foraminotomy is the treatment of choice when surgery is indicated. Minimally invasive tubular foraminotomy through a contralateral approach is a potentially effective surgical alternative. ⋯ A minimally invasive, facet-sparing contralateral approach is an effective technique for treatment of radiculopathy due to foraminal compression. It also allows for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis and bilateral lateral recess decompression without the need for fusion.
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Idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (ICTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy. Some cases of ICTS are linked to mutations of the transthyretin gene, whereas others are associated with systemic amyloidosis. The majority of ICTS cases are of unknown etiology. ⋯ Our data indicate that fibrinogen and other aggregation-prone proteins have potentially important roles in the pathogenesis of ICTS.
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Comparative Study
Malleable endoscope increases surgical freedom compared with a rigid endoscope in endoscopic endonasal approaches to the parasellar region.
One challenge when performing endoscopic endonasal approaches is the surgical conflict that occurs between the surgical instruments and endoscope in the crowded nasal corridor. This conflict decreases surgical freedom, increases surgeon frustration, and lengthens the learning curve for trainees. ⋯ This study demonstrates that application of a malleable endoscope to transsphenoidal approaches to the parasellar region decreases instrument-endoscope conflict and improves surgical freedom.