Neurosurgery
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Posterior fossa midline epidermoid tumors (PFMETs) include the epidermoid tumors of the cisterna magna (CM) and fourth ventricle (FV). ⋯ PFMETs can be classified into 3 subtypes based on tumor epicenter having clinical and surgical implications. Less aggressive dissection and near total excision in the presence of brainstem adhesion yield favorable outcomes.
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Epidural cement leakage (CL) is a common complication in cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screw fixation (CAFPSF) with the potential for neural injury. However, there are no reports discussing basivertebral vein morphology and pedicle screw placement, which are critical in the analysis of the risk of epidural CL after CAFPSF. ⋯ In osteoporotic patients receiving CAFPSF, epidural CL is relatively common. The morphology of basivertebral foramen should be taken into account when planning a CAFPSF procedure. It is important to try and achieve a deeper screw implantation, especially when a magistral type of basivertebral foramen is present.
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Function recovery is related to cortical plasticity. The brain remodeling patterns induced by alterations in peripheral nerve pathways with different nerve reconstructions are unknown. ⋯ Entorhinal cortex is a key brain area in recovery of limb function after nerve reconstruction. Nerve transfer related brain remodeling mainly involved contralateral sensorimotor areas, facilitating directional "shifting" of motor representation.
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Observational Study
Cognitive Performance in Patients With Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma.
To date, few data are available on the cognitive function of patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) before treatment. ⋯ The findings of this study provide evidence for cognitive impairment in patients with untreated VS. It can thus be said that including cognitive assessment in the routine clinical management of patients with VS may facilitate more appropriate clinical decision-making and improve patients' quality of life.
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For patients with either an incompletely resected meningioma or recurrence after surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery is frequently used. MRI is typically used for stereotactic radiosurgery targeting, but differentiating tumor growth from postoperative change can be challenging. 68 Ga-DOTATATE, a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer targeting the somatostatin receptor type 2, has been shown to be a reliable meningioma biomarker. ⋯ In this series, incorporating 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET imaging had clinical utility for most patients in whom it was used. It proved particularly adept in demonstrating intraosseous meningiomas, differentiating recurrence from postoperative changes, and identifying subcentimeter disease foci. It is an imaging modality that our center will continue to use as a means of improving postoperative treatment plans after the surgical resection of meningiomas.