Neurosurgery
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Little is known about the clinical behavior of cavernous malformations (CMs) associated with venous malformations (VMs) of the brain. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical profile of patients harboring CMs with and without associated VMs. ⋯ Patients with CMs associated with VMs are more likely to be female patients, have associated symptomatic hemorrhage, have lesions in the posterior fossa (statistically significant), suffer from repeated symptomatic hemorrhage, and are less likely to present with seizures or to have familial histories when compared with patients with CMs alone. The possible mechanisms for these apparent differences in clinical profile are discussed.
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The BrainLab VectorVision neuronavigation system was used in 131 cases of different brain pathological conditions. The neuronavigation system was used without problems in 125 cases. These cases included 114 microsurgical operations, 4 endoscopic procedures, 4 frameless stereotactic biopsies, and 3 catheter placements. ⋯ The BrainLab neuronavigation system has been shown to be very helpful and user-friendly for routine neurosurgical interventions. Its advantage lies in its mobility, based on wireless reflective adapters for surgical instruments, endoscopes, and the operating microscope.
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Review Comparative Study
Selection of cerebral aneurysms for treatment using Guglielmi detachable coils: the preliminary University of Illinois at Chicago experience.
We present our initial experience with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). The aim of this study was to determine the criteria for aneurysms, ruptured or unruptured, that are suitable for this technique. The importance of aneurysm geometry and its impact on the final results are discussed. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest that using GDCs is a safe technique resulting in low morbidity and mortality rates for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms in appropriately selected patients. The percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion is related to the density of coil packing, which is strongly dependent on the geometry of the aneurysm. Optim
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Review Case Reports
Complex intracranial aneurysms: combined operative and endovascular approaches.
Endovascular management of complex intracranial aneurysms is increasingly being considered as an alternative to standard surgical clipping. However, little attention has been paid to the complementary nature of surgery and endovascular therapy. ⋯ Several factors can contribute to the complexity of intracranial aneurysms. Management strategies that combine operative and endovascular techniques in a complementary way, for the best possible outcomes for these patients, can be designed accordingly.
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Case Reports
Odontoid process and C1-C2 corrective osteotomy through a posterior approach: technical case report.
To demonstrate a new posterior approach to the anterior elements of the atlas and the axis including the odontoid process. ⋯ It is possible to gain sufficient surgical access to the odontoid process via a posterior approach. The technique described is of benefit when the alternative anterior approaches to the upper cervical spine are technically difficult or impossible.