World Neurosurg
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De novo formation of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is increasingly being reported in the neurosurgical literature, challenging the notion that AVMs are congenital in origin. Most of this literature centers around the pediatric population. After treatment of an AVM or AVF, recurrence, if any, appears to occur locally to the original insult. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of a de novo direct AVF involving an anterior communicating artery aneurysm in a remote site from a prior ruptured AVM in a pediatric patient. ⋯ This case highlights the importance of long-term imaging surveillance in patients with AVMs. Further prospective studies are indicated to evaluate the long-term imaging surveillance necessary to detect early recurrence, thereby allowing doctors to institute earlier definitive treatment. The exact pathophysiology behind these lesions is not fully understood; however, this case lends support to an acquired etiology to vascular malformations.
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To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual stent-assisted coiling in treatment of intracranial complex and wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms, we have reported our own center experience and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the reported data. ⋯ The dual stent-assisted coiling technique is a feasible and effective option for the treatment of intracranial complex and wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. It results in a relatively low rate of procedure-related complications and mortality and recurrence and a high rate of mid-term complete occlusion and good neurologic outcomes.
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Many controversies exist in the diagnosis and management of this aggressively malignant condition, mainly because of limited literature and lack of randomized control trials, resulting in nonstandardized treatment methods. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to identify management approach and treatment options for esthesioneuroblastoma. ⋯ Surgical resection followed by radiotherapy is the standard for treatment for higher-grade lesions. The endoscopic endonasal approach is gaining further recognition with more favorable outcomes and better survival than for open surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy is associated with the highest overall survival and shows benefit for patients with higher-stage disease and those who receive chemotherapy. Recurrence rates after treatment vary drastically in the literature and, therefore, prolonged follow-up with repeated imaging is recommended. Lifelong surveillance is recommended because of late recurrences associated with this tumor.
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Cerebral cavernous malformations of the intracanalicular optic nerve are extremely rare lesions. Only a few case reports and 1 case series have been published. We report an additional case with atypical imaging and review the existing literature with attention to time to surgery and imaging characteristics. ⋯ A cerebral cavernous malformation should always be in the differential diagnosis of a lesion causing an optic neuropathy with visual acuity loss and visual field defect. Clinical presentation of an optic neuropathy requires medical imaging; magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice in the diagnosis of these lesions. The treatment of cerebral cavernous malformation is gross total resection.
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Review Case Reports
Hydrocephalic attack - an uncommon complication of spinal surgery and review of literature.
Spinal pseudomeningocele refers to an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a fibrous sac without arachnoid lining that occurs mostly as a result of an accidental dural opening. When accidental dural openings are found intraoperatively, they should be repaired to prevent further complications. Sometimes inadequately dealt dural openings, unnoticed, or postoperative dural openings may produce complications. ⋯ Usually pseudomeningoceles are asymptomatic, and if symptomatic, the common presentations are local swelling, back pain, radiculopathy, and orthostatic headache. To our knowledge, this is the first article in the literature reporting the uncommon presentation of hydrocephalic attacks in 3 cases subsequent to CSF backflow from the sac, confirmed with MRI CSF flow study. This case series emphasizes rare presentations can result from transiently increased intracranial pressure related to postoperative pseudomeningocele in spine surgeries.