World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Mechanical Thrombectomy of Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Using Trans-Anterior Communicating Artery Approach.
A cross-circulation technique involves gaining access to a cerebral vessel through a patent anterior or posterior communicating artery. This technique may be used in patients with emergent large-vessel occlusions and an unfavorable direct route to the occlusion. While few previous reports have demonstrated a successful cross-circulation technique for treatment of emergent large-vessel occlusions, we present the first 2 cases of transanterior communicating artery stent retriever thrombectomy. ⋯ Timely recanalization of an occluded artery plays a critical role in the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Successful stent retriever mechanical thrombectomy of an occluded MCA is possible using a transanterior communicating artery approach in patients without a direct access route to the occluded intracranial vessel. We review the pathophysiology of tandem lesions, access routes to intracranial occlusions, and the literature on cross-circulation techniques to treat emergent large-vessel occlusions.
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Tumefactive multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating lesion that can radiographically mimic high-grade gliomas during acute episodes, thus affecting clinical decision making. A delay in appropriate diagnoses can result in unnecessary invasive resections. The following case is a patient with unilateral weakness and radiologic findings that were concerning for a high-grade glioma. ⋯ Clinicians should proceed with caution when considering invasive procedures with such lesions. Conservative medical management is often sufficient as seen in this patient. This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and management of TDLs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Block as a Prognostic Tool Before Pulsed Radiofrequency: A Randomized, Prospective, and Comparative Study on Cost-Effectiveness.
In the study, we discuss the predictive value and cost-effectiveness of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) blocks before using dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (DRG-PRF) in the treatment of low back pain. ⋯ In this comparative cost-effectiveness study, the application of diagnostic DRG blocks before DRG-PRF did not have a significant impact on patient satisfaction, pain index score, or pain medication reduction. Furthermore, the application of diagnostic DRG blocks resulted in overall greater medical costs. These findings suggest that DRG-PRF without screening by DRG block is more cost-effective and less invasive.
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Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) and papillary meningioma (PM) are rare variants of World Health Organization grade III meningiomas. In this study, we presented a series of 23 cases from our institution to investigate adverse factors of and appropriate treatment for RM and PM. ⋯ We recommended adjuvant radiation regardless of the extent of resection. Individuals with PM or RM were at increased risk of recurrence and death; appropriate treatment for these patients should be further studied, and close follow-up is needed.
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Adult pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are relatively rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors with a favorable prognosis. We sought to investigate existing clinical management strategies and overall survival (OS) as a function of various clinical characteristics in a cohort of adult patients with PA. ⋯ Our data provide large-scale prognostic information from a contemporary cohort of patients with PA, confirming that age, median income, Charlson/Deyo Score, and tumor size have significant effects on OS. Although resection status, tumor size, and location likely bias against EBRT, novel therapeutics are clearly needed in patients with tumors not amenable to resection or radiosurgery.