World Neurosurg
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The carotid web is an intraluminal shelf-like projection arising from the posterior wall of the carotid bifurcation and an uncommon etiology of ischemic strokes. We describe the feasibility of endovascular stent placement to treat this condition. ⋯ Carotid artery stent placement is a feasible option in the management of carotid webs.
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Neurosurgery residency is becoming an increasingly competitive match. The process of screening and ranking applicants is a multifactorial process that lacks uniformity across residency programs. A significant factor is the applicant's performance on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. USMLE Step 1 scores are often used to project future success in residency and performance on specialty boards like the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) examination. The authors of this study investigate the strength of correlations between USMLE Step 1 and ABNS scores. ⋯ USMLE Step 1 and ABNS scores are directly correlated. USMLE Step 1 scores will continue to be a valuable measure of projected success on ABNS written examinations, but more sophisticated measures are needed.
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Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex pathologies. For patients who do not present with hemorrhage, treatment strategies are often predicated on reducing the risk of hemorrhage and minimizing morbidity. Outcomes vary according to the efficacy of treatment selected. Radiosurgical treatment of certain AVMs can result in incomplete obliteration and may also have only a minimal effect on the presenting nonhemorrhagic symptoms. ⋯ Venous outflow obstruction is likely a sizable contributive factor in occipital AVMs among patients who present with headaches and symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Because these high-flow lesions may be suboptimally responsive to stereotactic radiosurgery, microsurgical resection, with or without adjunctive endovascular embolization, should be considered as an initial and definitive treatment strategy. Optimal outcomes may be achieved in patients with a visual deficit that is anatomically correlated to their AVMs.
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Studies have demonstrated certain hemodynamic characteristics featuring the rupture status of cerebral aneurysms using computational fluid dynamics. These studies were conducted based on the comparison of a large number of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. However, not only aneurysm size and location but also perianeurysm environment, such as hemorrhage and intracranial pressure, affect hemodynamic changes. We hypothesized that a case in which ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms simultaneously exist in the same location would be an ideal model to demonstrate hemodynamic characteristics of the rupture status. ⋯ Quantitative characterization of the hemodynamic environment can distinguish the rupture status by using appropriate models minimizing certain bias caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm location.
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Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare diffusely infiltrating malignant glial neoplasm. Presenting symptoms include seizures, neurologic deficits, and frequently symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Surgical intervention, including brain biopsy, may induce worsening of these neurologic symptoms. We reviewed our database to identify prognostic and risk factors for perioperative deterioration specifically associated with elevated ICP. ⋯ Clinical symptoms and radiologic appearance suggestive of elevated ICP at presentation, volume of contrast enhancement, and high Ki-67 proliferation index may predict the need for aggressive rapid treatment to control ICP in a small but significant subset of patients with GC. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic basis for the unusual clinical course in these tumors.