World Neurosurg
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Ventriculostomy complications are well documented in the literature. We report the first known example of an arteriovenous fistula created during passage of a ventriculostomy catheter for the treatment of hydrocephalus. ⋯ This is the first reported case of a pial arteriovenous fistula from a ventriculostomy catheter. The formation of a fistula can occur from trauma to cortical arteries and veins at the pial entry site. Although rare, vascular injury and subsequent fistula formation may form in patients in whom catheter tract hemorrhages occur after catheter placement.
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The authors present the outcome of radical surgical removal of giant acoustic neuromas. ⋯ Total removal of large acoustic neuroma can be achieved by retrosigmoid approach with acceptable morbidity and no mortality. Preoperative neurologic symptoms recovered after surgery in most cases. Facial function preservation was possible in the majority of cases. Even in large tumors, hearing preservation should be attempted if the patient has useful hearing preoperatively.
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Case Reports
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrode implant for intractable tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a distressing symptom that affects up to 15% of the population; no satisfactory treatment exists. We present a novel surgical approach for the treatment of intractable tinnitus based on electrical extradural stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex via an electrode implant. Tinnitus can be considered an auditory phantom phenomenon similar to deafferentation pain in the somatosensory system. It is characterized by gamma-band activity in the frontal cortex that can be visualized with the use of electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). ⋯ Focal extradural electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at the area of cortical plasticity is capable of suppressing contralateral tinnitus partially. TMS might be a possible method for noninvasive studies of surgical candidates for implantation of stimulating electrodes for tinnitus suppression.
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Microsurgical fenestration of the third ventricular floor performed in one session with resection of deep seated tumors has been recently demonstrated as an approach to specifically address the concomitant obstructive hydrocephalus. As with endoscopic third ventriculostomy, occlusion of the stoma may result in progression of the obstructive hydrocephalus. In order to provide reliable communication between the basal cisterns and ventricles, we propose stenting of the stoma in cases of direct surgical approach to deep seated tumors. ⋯ Microsurgical fenestration of the third ventricle floor combined with stoma stenting can be a viable option for hydrocephalus control.