World Neurosurg
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The use of combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging in patients with cancer and the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging has led to increased detection of incidental sellar masses. The imaging findings can be suggestive of a benign pituitary tumor, but metastasis can never be completely ruled out with noninvasive work-up. Appropriate diagnosis of sellar masses is critical, as the treatment paradigm might change in the presence of a pituitary metastasis. Definitive tissue diagnosis might prevent unnecessary radiotherapy to the skull base or the need for systemic treatment when benign pituitary disease is confirmed. ⋯ Surgical resection of a sellar mass in patients with known cancer helps in the definitive diagnosis, relieves compressive symptoms, and avoids unnecessary empiric radiotherapy in cases of confirmed benign pituitary disease.
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Quality of neurosurgical care and patient outcomes are inextricably linked to surgical and technical proficiency and a thorough working knowledge of microsurgical anatomy. Neurosurgical laboratory-based cadaveric training is essential for the development and refinement of technical skills before their use on a living patient. Recent biotechnological advances including 3-dimensional (3D) microscopy and endoscopy, 3D printing, virtual reality, surgical simulation, surgical robotics, and advanced neuroimaging have proved to reduce the learning curve, improve conceptual understanding of complex anatomy, and enhance visuospatial skills in neurosurgical training. ⋯ Each workstation is equipped with a 3D surgical microscope, 3D endoscope, surgical drills, operating table with a Mayfield head holder, and a complete set of microsurgical tools. The laboratory also houses a neuronavigation system, a surgical robotic, a surgical planning system, 3D visualization, virtual reality, and computerized simulation for training of surgical procedures and visuospatial skills. In addition, the laboratory is equipped with neurophysiological monitoring equipment in order to conduct research into human factors in surgery and the respective roles of workload and fatigue on surgeons' performance.
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Approximately 100,000 brain metastases are diagnosed annually in the United States. Our laboratory has pioneered a novel technique, second window indocyanine green (SWIG), which allows for real-time intraoperative visualization of brain metastasis through normal brain parenchyma and intact dura. ⋯ SWIG relies on the passive accumulation of dye in abnormal tumor tissue via the enhanced permeability and retention effect. It provides strong NIR optical contrast, which can be used to localize tumors before dural opening. The use of SWIG for margin assessment remains limited by its lack of specificity (high false-positive rate); however, ongoing improvements in imaging parameters show great potential to reduce false-positive results.
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The population older than 80 years of age (very elderly) is increasing, and the management of these patients with pituitary surgery is controversial. ⋯ Age exceeding 80 years is not by itself a predictor of worse clinical outcome of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for nonfunctioning adenomas. Emphasis should be placed on visual pathway decompression for the quality of life in very old people.
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A subset of patients with skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are found to have elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). In these patients, elevated ICP is thought to contribute to both the pathophysiology of the leak and postoperative leak recurrences. Current strategies for postoperative ICP control include medical therapy and shunting procedures. The aim of this study is to report the use of venous sinus stenting (VSS) in the management of patients with skull base CSF leaks caused by elevated ICP. ⋯ Patients with skull base CSF leaks of unknown etiology should undergo CSF pressure monitoring postoperatively and, if found to be elevated, be treated for intracranial hypertension. In patients unresponsive to, or intolerant of, medical therapy, VSS can provide an alternative option to medical and surgical shunting procedures for treatment of intracranial hypertension in patients with skull base CSF leaks and venous sinus stenosis.