World Neurosurg
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Review Case Reports
Irreversible hypoglossal nerve injury and concomitant trigeminal system dysfunction after anterior surgery to the cervical spine: A case report and literature review.
The anterior surgical approach to the cervical spine is known to be safe, and damage to the hypoglossal nerve and trigeminal pathway after the surgery is uncommon. However, once damage to those nerves occurs, the patient's quality of life can be severely impaired by discomfort and disability. ⋯ It is important to be aware of the complexity of the anatomy of vulnerable structures, including hypoglossal nerves and the trigeminal nerve system at the cervical spine level, to prevent damage to important neural structures during surgical procedures.
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The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is a regional accrediting body for general and specialty surgical training programs that has recently expanded to include neurosurgery. As neurosurgical services expand in sub-Saharan Africa, the structure of training and accreditation has become a vital issue. ⋯ Harnessing global collaboration, rapidly expanding local infrastructure, and a robust multinational training curriculum, COSECSA has emerged as a leader in the effort to train neurosurgeons and is anticipated to dramatically improve on the markedly unmet need for neurosurgical care in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Review Case Reports
SMARCB1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Case Report.
To describe the current state of literature involving SMARCB1/INI-1 deficient sinonasal carcinoma (SDSC) and examine a case at our institution. ⋯ SDSC represents a highly aggressive tumor presenting at advanced stage with propensity of metastasis. More research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment modality and management.
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Review Historical Article
Endovascular Approach to Cerebral Revascularization: Historical Vignette.
From their origins as cardiovascular research tools, endovascular techniques have evolved to provide a minimally invasive means of diagnosis and therapy for individuals suffering from occlusive artery disease. The techniques were pioneered by William Harvey, whose work set the stage for all subsequent endovascular experiments. These included the bold self-catheterization procedure performed by Werner Forssmann in 1929, which would lead to his dismissal by his superiors, only to regain respect within the medical community in 1956 on receiving the Nobel Prize. ⋯ Having been meticulously evaluated and compared with open vascular procedures, endovascular neurosurgery has continued to be refined and optimized. Understanding the history and development of these techniques and their applications in neurosurgery is necessary to appreciate the current clinical utility of these procedures, serving to provide the vascular neurosurgeon a greater array of treatment options for patients. Here we explore the major scientific and technological advancements that facilitated the development of the endovascular approach to cerebral revascularization, as well as current indications and ongoing clinical trials.
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Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy has been widely used to treat lumbar disc herniation; its advantages are less trauma, faster recovery, lower costs, and higher percentage of patient satisfaction compared with open surgery. Treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with percutaneous full-endoscopic surgery is still challenging, especially for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and complex pathologic factors. The aim of this study was to introduce percutaneous full-endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty and decompression using a visualization reamer in elderly patients with lateral recess and foraminal stenosis and evaluate efficacy and safety. ⋯ Percutaneous full-endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty and discectomy using a visualization reamer is an effective and safe treatment for elderly patients with lumbar lateral recess and foraminal stenosis. It improves safety and efficiency of decompression and reduces intraoperative fluoroscopy.