World Neurosurg
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The occipitalization of the atlas (OA) is always associated with multiplanar dislocation and olisthy of the C1 over C2 facets, which may change the anatomical relationship between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the atlas. The purpose of this current study is to identify the location of the ICA relative to the anterior aspect of the atlas in patients with OA and define the clinical implications for screw placement. ⋯ The risk of ICA injury is much higher in OA patients than in non-OA patients during the C1 screw placement. A mean medial angulation about 20 degrees will permit a long and safe screw purchase, but should be individualized. We recommend careful preoperative computed tomography angiography evaluation in all patients before surgery.
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Hemifacial spasm (HFS), one of the most common hyperactive cranial rhizopathies, is a disorder characterized by spontaneous, intermittent, and repetitive contraction of unilateral facial muscle. The most common cause of HFS is a mechanical compression of the facial nerve at the root exit zone (REZ) by blood vessels located in the brainstem. The incidence of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor-induced HFS ranges from 0.3%-2.5% of all patients with HFS, and the incidence of epidermoid cyst among such tumors is extremely rare (0.2% to 0.25%). We present a patient manifesting HFS induced by a small epidermoid cyst who underwent Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for ipsilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) more than 10 years ago. ⋯ We should consider various possibilities for the cause of HFS and review brain imaging meticulously if patients were treated for CPA tumor with GKS a long time ago and the delayed HFS occurred without changes in tumor volume. HFS induced by epidermoid cyst is rare. Therefore it is critical for the neurosurgeon to ensure the absence of any abnormal contact with the REZ of the facial nerve during surgery for HFS induced by CPA tumors.
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Plurihormonal pituitary adenomas (PPAs) have recently been divided into 2 subtypes: pituitary specific transcription factor 1-positive plurihormonal pituitary adenomas (PIT-1+ PPAs) and plurihormonal adenomas with unusual immunohistochemical combinations (PAwUIC). The purpose of this study was to review patients with PPAs, elucidate their clinicopathologic characteristics, and present the surgical results. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the clinicopathologic features of newly classified PPAs, which are characterized by aggressive behavior with higher values of percentage of cavernous sinus invasion. Relevant pathologic diagnosis of PPAs is crucial for appropriate management and follow-up.
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Filum terminale arteriovenous fistulae (FTAVFs) are rare entities. For those with the fistulous point located in the lower sacral region (below S2), neither surgical nor endovascular strategies are the optimal treatment. ⋯ Retrograde embolization of the draining vein to obliterate FTAVFs in the lower sacral region is feasible and complete. This technique may provide a new treatment option for FTAVFs.
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Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common subtype of thyroid cancers, accounting for >90% of all thyroid carcinomas. Despite a favorable long-term survival rate of 94.4%, people with distant metastases show worse outcome. Cerebral metastases are slightly uncommon and stand for only 1%-3% of all metastases. ⋯ A case in which a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma developed brain metastasis after such a long time was not reported in the literature before.