World Neurosurg
-
Case Reports
Intradural Hemangioendothelioma of Lumbar Spine: Dilemmas and differentials in diagnosis.
Vascular tumors of the spine range from benign hemangiomas to malignant angiosarcomas. Hemangioendotheliomas of spine are tumors of intermediate-grade malignancy with rare occurrence in the intradural location. The imaging and histopathologic features may mimic other common lesions occurring at this location. ⋯ Histomorphology, aided by ancillar tests like immunohistochemistry, remains the criterion for the definitive diagnosis of such rare lesions, and pathologists need to be aware of these lesions occurring in uncommon locations.
-
Case Reports
3D, HD exoscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: a valid alternative to microscope-assisted surgery.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remains one of the most commonly taught procedures during residency and one of the most frequently performed by neurosurgeons. Neurosurgeons use microscopes to perform surgery and to train other surgeons. Although the microscope provides excellent illumination and magnification, its use will be limited to 2 people: the surgeon and the assistant. Consequently, the scrub nurse and residents watching 2-dimensional images on monitors will have a reduced perception of the surgical field depth and anatomical details. The exoscope has been introduced as an alternative to microscopes and endoscopes. We used a 3-dimensional (3D), high-definition exoscope (3D Vitom [Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany]) in 2 patients undergoing 2-level ACDF for cervical myeloradiculopathy. ⋯ We believe that exoscope-assisted surgery could become a safe and effective alternative to microscope-assisted surgery in ACDF.
-
There has been no effective method to predict ischemic intolerance to temporary internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion during carotid artery reconstruction. Pencil beam presaturation (BeamSAT) pulse suppresses the flow signal of the target vessel in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Applying this method, we constructed ICA-selective MRA images. The aim of this study was to identify patients at risk for ischemic intolerance by ICA-selective MRA. ⋯ These findings support the importance of Acom flow as a collateral route. ICA-selective MRA enables prediction of ischemic intolerance to temporary ICA occlusion during carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. This method provides valuable information regarding probability of an ischemic complication.
-
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) requires complex multidisciplinary care. After initial treatment (index hospital), readmission to a different hospital (nonindex) can compromise quality of care, resulting in increased morbidity. We aimed to evaluate factors associated with nonindex readmission and evaluate association of nonindex hospital readmission on outcomes in patients with ruptured aneurysm. ⋯ After treatment of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, 17.9% of readmissions occurred at a nonindex hospital. These patients were at increased risk for major complications or subsequent readmissions, which may be because of care fragmentation. Interventions aimed at improving continuity of care may reduce higher morbidity associated with nonindex readmission.
-
Acute ischemic stroke caused by cervical internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS) with altered consciousness and progressive paralysis leads to a poor neurologic prognosis. When such a patient is brought to the hospital in the hyperacute phase, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator is first administered. However, when an indwelling carotid artery stent is required after administration, physicians often hesitate to use antithrombotic drugs. In this report, we propose performing staged angioplasty (SAP) for such cases. ⋯ In this investigation, both eCAS and SAP could be performed safety. However, performing SAP first without antiplatelet drugs to avoid hemorrhagic complications and cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome appears to have considerable validity.