Neurosurg Focus
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Primary tumors of the sacrum are rare. In adults, the most common sacral tumors are metastases. ⋯ Chordomas along as well as tumors such as chondrosarcomas, osteosarcomas, myxopapillary ependymomas, myelomas, and Ewing sarcomas are considered malignant. In this article the authors focus on benign sacral tumors.
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The field of interventional neuroradiology has experienced remarkable technological developments in microcatheters and embolic materials during the past two decades. The realm of meningioma therapy has benefited handsomely from the combination of these technical improvements and the knowledge of experienced practitioners in this field. Transarterial embolization has become a standard procedure in the preoperative management of meningiomas. The authors describe the indications, pretreatment evaluation, techniques, and outcomes when preoperative angiography and embolization are performed in the treatment of these tumors.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of conscious sedation and general anesthesia for motor mapping and resection of tumors located near motor cortex.
The surgical treatment of tumors located near eloquent cortex carries a high risk of inducing worsening neurological deficits. Intraoperative electrocorticography techniques have been developed to help identify these areas at the time of surgery in an effort to minimize such risks. The optimal anesthetic technique for conducting these procedures, however, has never been determined. ⋯ The use of conscious sedation as an anesthetic technique for motor mapping not only improves the chances of achieving successful stimulation and identification of motor cortex in relationship to the lesion, but it also allows for repetitive monitoring of the patient's motor function during resection of the lesion.
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In recent years, surgical navigation systems have become equipped to allow incorporation of data such as functional neuronavigation data. Functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging is a noninvasive modality that demonstrates various brain functions. ⋯ One advantage is that it can be implemented in presurgical imaging protocols and is therefore potentially widely available in general neurosurgical practice. In this paper the integration of fMR imaging and surgical navigation is described, and the potential advantages and pitfalls of its application in clinical practice are discussed.
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Clinoidal meningiomas remain a major neurosurgical challenge. Surgery-related outcome has been less than desirable in the past, and little attention has been directed toward improving visual deficits. The authors advocate a skull base technique for the removal of these difficult tumors and describe its advantages in terms of improving extent of resection and enhancing overall outcome, particularly visual function. ⋯ With the use of the skull base technique, total resection and excellent visual outcome may be achieved with minimal morbidity in most patients with clinoidal meningiomas.