Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2012
Rate of recurrence following stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts of the third ventricle.
The rate of recurrence following stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts is not defined in the literature. ⋯ Stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts remains a valid surgical option as complete aspiration leads to a good long-term outcome in several patients. Partial aspiration of the cyst should be followed by excision of the cyst, due to the high rate of symptomatic recurrence. However, periodic follow-up imaging is mandatory even after complete aspiration as delayed recurrences are possible.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2012
Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for radiation-induced meningiomas.
Radiation-induced meningiomas present a unique clinical dilemma given the fact that patients with these tumors have often received a prior full course of radiotherapy. As such, traditional radiotherapy is limited by lifetime tissue tolerances to radiation, leaving surgery and radiosurgery as attractive treatment options. ⋯ Gamma Knife radiosurgery is both a safe and effective treatment for radiation-induced meningiomas.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2012
Intraoperative facial electromyography and brainstem auditory evoked potential findings in microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm: correlation with postoperative delayed facial palsy.
Delayed facial palsy (DFP) after microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) is not uncommon, but the cause remains unknown. ⋯ The usefulness of intraoperative facial EMG and BAEP is limited and cannot predict DFP after MVD for HFS. We speculate that DFP after MVD is not associated with permanent nerve damage according to the EMG findings.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2012
Case ReportsShielded battery syndrome: a new hardware complication of deep brain stimulation.
Deep brain stimulation hardware is constantly advancing. The last few years have seen the introduction of rechargeable cell technology into the implanted pulse generator design, allowing for longer battery life and fewer replacement operations. The Medtronic® system requires an additional pocket adaptor when revising a non-rechargeable battery such as their Kinetra® to their rechargeable Activa® RC. This additional hardware item can, if it migrates superficially, become an impediment to the recharging of the battery and negate the intended technological advance. ⋯ We describe strategies to minimise the occurrence of the shielded battery syndrome and advise vigilance in all patients who experience difficulty with recharging after replacement surgery of this type for the implanted pulse generator.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2012
Use of endotracheal tube electrodes in treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia: technical note.
This paper describes the use of endotracheal tube surface electrodes to help delineate the sensory and motor vagal rootlets which may be sacrificed during the surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. ⋯ Due to the ease of use and reduced trauma, compared to needle electrodes, we would advocate endotracheal tube surface electrode monitoring in all patients undergoing surgical treatment of their glossopharyngeal neuralgia or any intracranial procedure where the integrity of the vagal nerve is in jeopardy.