World Neurosurg
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Fungal granulomas of the central nervous system are rare and have a high rate of mortality and morbidity, irrespective of treatment. The authors report their experience of managing 66 patients during 15 years and discuss the clinical, radiological, surgical, and pathologic findings. This series is among the largest reported. ⋯ ICFGs have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, radical surgery, and antifungal treatment for 6 weeks may improve outcome. Poor neurologic status of patients at the time of presentation, immunocompromised state, contamination of ventricular cerebrospinal during surgery, and renal failure (attributable to amphotericin-B) are associated with poor outcome.
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Review
Patients Experience High Levels of Anxiety 2 Years Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
To explore anxiety levels during the first 2 years after rupture of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. ⋯ Levels of anxiety remained high and stable throughout the first 2 years after rupture of aSAH. High levels of anxiety may reduce health-related quality of life substantially. Identification of individuals with high levels of anxiety and supportive care could therefore potentially improve long-term outcome.
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Review Case Reports
Computational Fluid Dynamics to Evaluate the Management of a Giant Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm.
Giant intracranial aneurysms are rare lesions that present uniquely complex therapeutic challenges. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used to simulate the hemodynamic environments of developing and ruptured cerebral aneurysms. In this study, we use CFD to examine retrospectively hemodynamic changes during the complicated clinical course of a giant carotid aneurysm. ⋯ The application of CFD to the management of a giant intracranial aneurysm showed unexpected posttreatment changes in flow and WSS profiles. The simulation results offer a viable explanation for the observed clinical course. This study demonstrates potential for the use of CFD preoperatively for decision-making in the surgical and endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms.
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The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery as the initial treatment for patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and to decide the optimum dose to achieve long-term tumor control as well as preservation of pituitary endocrine function. ⋯ GKS is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with primary NFPAs, especially for patients with advanced age or comorbidity. Attention should be paid to late adverse radiation effects such as hypopituitarism, optic neuropathy, and radiation-induced neoplasms. However, stereotactic radiosurgery with a conformal treatment plan sparing the normal pituitary gland will contribute to avoidance of such complications as well as achievement of long-term tumor control.
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Fourth ventricle tumors have been traditionally approached by opening the cerebellar vermis. The "telovelar" approach is an alternative approach performed through the cerebellomedullary fissure to gain access to the fourth ventricle, avoiding neural tissue damage. We describe our experience with this approach and predictive factors for the extent of resection (EOR) and for outcomes. ⋯ Exposure of the fourth ventricle was satisfactory in all of the patients, and the floor of the fourth ventricle could be visualized early and be protected. EOR and outcomes were satisfactory in 90% of patients, including those harboring large tumors or lesions attached to the lateral or superolateral recesses of the ventricle. Deep rostral tumor attachment was the main limitation of the telovelar approach.