World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis following neoplastic cerebral aneurysm rupture: a case report.
Several possible mechanisms exist for the spread of a primary tumor to the leptomeninges in leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. This report describes a case caused by direct bleeding in the subarachnoid space from a neoplastic cerebral aneurysm rupture. ⋯ Tumor cells reach the leptomeninges via hematogenous spread or direct extension from preexisting lesions and can undergo neuraxis dissemination via the cerebrospinal fluid. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis are both devastating conditions with extremely poor prognoses. This patient experienced delayed disturbed consciousness leptomeningeal carcinomatosis with decreased performance status, which made it difficult to justify aggressive treatment on the basis of her poor prognosis.
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Quantitative evaluation of efficacy of Intraoperative Examination Monitor for Awake Surgery (IEMAS).
When brain tumors are located near the language area, a test to assess language function is required. During the test, it is practical to display combined information obtained from all the equipment so that the surgeon can confirm the patient's response to the tasks. We developed the intraoperative examination monitor for awake surgery (IEMAS) mainly to combine all information so that the language function test could be performed efficiently. The IEMAS has proved to be useful in clinical settings; however, no quantitative evaluation has been performed. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of the IEMAS through comparison of cases with and without IEMAS use in language function test simulation. ⋯ We compared cases with and without IEMAS use. Total test duration decreased with IEMAS use, and number of information exchanges was reduced, thus demonstrating the usefulness of the IEMAS.
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Rising cost and limited resources remain major challenges to U.S. health care and neurosurgery in particular. To ensure an efficient and cost-effective health care system, it is important that referrals to neurosurgery clinics are appropriate, and that referred patients have a reasonably high probability of requiring surgical intervention or, at a minimum, ongoing neurosurgical follow-up. This retrospective study tests the null hypothesis that the probability of a referred patient requiring surgery is independent of referring provider credentials and referring service specialty. ⋯ Our data strengthen the concept of having interdisciplinary teams led by physicians at the primary care level to ensure appropriate referrals. Training and adherence to guidelines must continually be reinforced to ensure proper referrals.
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Long-term data about the incidence of late adverse radiation effects (AREs) in pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) are lacking. This study addresses the incidence of late AREs, including cyst formation (CF), chronic encapsulated hematoma (CEH), and radiation-induced tumor, in pediatric patients with AVM treated with GKRS. ⋯ GKRS is a reasonable treatment option for pediatric AVMs to prevent future intracranial hemorrhages, particularly in the eloquent regions. However, considerable attention should be paid to late AREs such as CFs, CEHs, and radiation-induced tumors because of longer life expectancy in pediatric patients.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Segmental Lordosis and Global Spinopelvic Alignment after Single-Level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion or Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) has steadily increased in popularity. Compared with the traditional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), LLIF is thought to allow for greater improvement in lordosis. However, there are limited direct comparison data on the degree of regional and global alignment change after single-level LLIF and TLIF procedures. This study compared the changes in spinal sagittal alignment in patients who underwent either procedure. ⋯ LLIF achieved greater improvements in SL than TLIF. However, regionally and globally, there were no significant differences with either procedure after a single-level intervention. The increased lordosis from LLIF compared with TLIF may be more impactful globally in multilevel fusions.