World Neurosurg
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The 2 paired arteries-the posterior communicating arteries (PCoAs) and the precommunicating parts of the posterior cerebral arteries-form the so-called posterior segment of the cerebral arterial circle on the base of the brain. A number of (ab)normal morphologic features were described in the literature (e.g., unusual kinking, or extreme elongations, hypoplasia, duplications, fenestrations, the infundibular widening, or aplasia of the PCoA in the prenatal and/or postnatal periods). The aim of this study was to analyze an incidence of various fenestrations and duplications of the PCoA, and describe their general features and their association with other vascular abnormalities. ⋯ After thorough examination, the fenestrations and duplications of the PCoA are distinguished as 2 special forms of vascular abnormalities, and the PCoA duplications are characterized as partial and total. Furthermore, whereas the low incidence of a fenestration of the PCoA suggests it to be a sufficiently rare phenomenon, the duplications of the PCoA trunk are fairly frequent, especially concerning its terminal segment.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently metastasizes to the spine. The impact of medical and/or surgical intervention on overall survival has been examined in a limited number of clinical studies, and herein we systematically review these data. ⋯ Patients diagnosed with HCC spinal metastasis have a 10.6-month overall survival. Further analysis of patients in prospective controlled trials will be essential to the development of treatment algorithms for these patients in the future.
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Despite recent technological advances, direct approaches to the posterolateral incisural space remain surgical challenges. The choice of the operative route depends on the exact location and extent of the target lesion as well as individual preferences. The extreme lateral infratentorial supracerebellar approach to treat pathologies located in the ambient cistern and posterior incisural space is a technically feasible route in selected cases. In this cadaveric study, we demonstrate the benefits of endoscope-assisted microsurgical maneuvers using the extreme lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach. ⋯ Direct visualization of the posterior and posterolateral incisural space avoids retraction of the occipital lobe and damage to the deep venous complex. The extreme lateral infratentorial supracerebellar corridor is effective for approaching the posterolateral mesencephalic junction and the posterior incisural space in selected cases. Endoscope-assisted microsurgery can improve visualization and minimize parenchymal retraction, which should enhance surgical control.
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Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure performed to stabilize and treat the pain caused by a spine compression fracture. Complications are rare with kyphoplasty and include cement extrusion into the vertebral canal leading to spinal cord or nerve root compression. Herein, the authors present a case of a 72-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of a right L2 radiculopathy after a kyphoplasty procedure. ⋯ A transforaminal endoscopic surgical approach was used to remove the cement and decompress the L2 nerve. The patient's postoperative clinical course was uneventful. Clinicians should be aware that for the treatment of complications to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures, minimally invasive transforaminal endoscopic surgery is one option to avoid the destabilizing effects of laminectomy and facetectomy.