Neurosurgery
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No United States-based clinical trials have attempted delivery of biological therapies directly to the spinal cord for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) because of the lack of a meaningful US Food and Drug Administration-authorized cell candidate and a validated delivery approach. ⋯ Our experience in 12 patients supports the procedural safety of unilateral and bilateral intraspinal lumbar microinjection. Completion of this phase I safety trial is planned by proceeding to cervical and combined cervical + lumbar microinjections in ALS patients.
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Recent reports have shown that stent-assisted coiling (SAC) is associated with lower aneurysm recanalization rates compared with conventional coiling, raising questions about the necessity of achieving high packing density (PD) in stented aneurysms. ⋯ High obliteration rates at follow-up were observed despite modest packing of stented aneurysms. Although PD is a definite factor in SAC, moderate and high packing of stented aneurysms seems to provide equivalent angiographic obliteration rates at follow-up.
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Many neurosurgeons feel competent clipping posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms and include this lesion in their practice. However, endovascular therapy removes simple aneurysms that would have been easiest to clip with the best results. What remains are aneurysms with complex anatomy and technical challenges that are not well described. ⋯ Because endovascular therapy alters the surgical population, neurosurgeons should recalibrate their expectations with this once straightforward aneurysm. The current mix of PCoA aneurysms requires advanced techniques including clinoidectomy, AChA microdissection, complex clipping, and facility with intraoperative rupture. Microsurgery is recommended for recurrent aneurysms after coiling, complex branches, aneurysms causing oculomotor nerve palsy, multiple aneurysms, and patients with hematomas.
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Foramen magnum decompression is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for Chiari I malformation. However, important surgical details of the procedure are controversial. ⋯ Arachnoid pathology in Chiari I malformation has an impact on clinical symptoms and postoperative results. Decompressions with arachnoid dissection and an alloplastic duraplasty performed by surgeons experienced with this pathology offer a favorable long-term prognosis.
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Clinical Trial
Efficacy and safety of endoscopic transventricular lamina terminalis fenestration for hydrocephalus.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become the procedure of choice in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. In certain cases, standard ETV might not be technically possible or may engender significant risk. ⋯ Endoscopic transventricular transforaminal LT fenestration with flexible neuroendoscopy is feasible with a low incidence of complications. It is a good alternative to standard ETV. Adequate intraoperative assessment of ETV success is necessary to identify patients who will benefit.