World Neurosurg
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To explore patient demographics as to predicting vestibular schwannoma (VS) size and treatment plan within a single institution. ⋯ Older age is associated with smaller tumors, whereas married patients have larger tumors at diagnosis as compared with nonmarried patients. Furthermore, married patients are more likely to pursue treatment, specifically surgery, as compared with nonmarried patients, whereas patients who live farther from the center are more likely to pursue treatment.
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Brachial plexitis is characterized by acute onset pain followed by weakness due to dysfunction of the nerves constituting the brachial plexus. The exact pathophysiology of this condition remains unknown but it is known to follow acute infections, such as a viral illness. ⋯ Brachial plexitis may follow peripheral stem cell transplantation. Awareness of this phenomenon is helpful to clinicians involved in the care of these patients.
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At present, no consensus has been reached on the compartmental subdivision of the jugular foramen (JF), which can complicate surgical planning in this area and hinder understanding of foraminal tumor growth patterns. The extradural neural axis compartment (EDNAC) might aid in producing a standardized model in the future. In the present review, we have summarized the models of JF compartmentalization and analyzed how sound they are anatomically. ⋯ The bipartite model has been criticized as being oversimplified and lacking surgical validity. However, support for this compartmentation has persisted despite the increasing popularity of the tripartite model. The 3-part subdivision of Bernard can be considered the most anatomically faithful model to date owing to the consideration of the dura and EDNAC. It is important that future studies consider the entire anatomy of the JF, which may generate an anatomically accurate and surgically applicable compartmental model.
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Case Reports
Laser interstitial thermotherapy for treatment of symptomatic peritumoral edema after radiosurgery for meningioma.
Symptomatic peritumoral edema (PTE) is a known complication after radiosurgical treatment of meningiomas. Although the edema in most patients can be successfully managed conservatively with corticosteroid therapy or bevacizumab, some medically refractory cases may require surgical resection of the underlying lesion when feasible. Laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) continues to gain traction as an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of radiation necrosis where its biggest impact is through the control of peritumoral edema. ⋯ This case demonstrates that LITT may be a viable alternative treatment for patients with meningioma with symptomatic PTE who have failed medical therapy and require surgical intervention.
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Case Reports
Acute parent artery occlusion in thrombosed middle cerebral artery aneurysm presenting with ischemic stroke.
Thrombosed intracranial aneurysms are complex and unstable lesions that are especially associated with ischemic stroke. Although acute parent artery occlusion manifesting with ischemic stroke is very rare, it can lead to catastrophic consequences. ⋯ Emergent superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass could be a salvageable treatment option in patients with progressive neurologic deficits and significant mismatch between diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging in acute parent artery occlusions associated with large or giant thrombosed aneurysms. Besides diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging, preoperative assessment of the collaterals will help in predicting postoperative prognosis.