World Neurosurg
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Nervus intermedius neuralgia is an extremely rare craniofacial neuralgia characterized by paroxysmal episodes of pain located deep in the ear, typically triggered by sensory or mechanical stimuli at the wall of the auditory canal without underlying pathology. Pain is sometimes associated with disorders of lacrimation, salivation, and taste. ⋯ It is important to keep in mind the possibility of nervus intermedius neuralgia in patients who present with intermittent episodes of pain located deep in the ear. Furthermore, 3D-MRC/MRA fusion imaging is useful for decision-making in surgery. Microvascular decompression was highly effective in our case. Based on radiological findings, microvascular decompression should be considered a viable treatment option.
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Although previous studies have reported the expression of JAK1, STAT3, and phosphorylated STAT3 in hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (LF), the role of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway in hypertrophied LF has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to identify the important JAK/STAT gene expression patterns of the 3 main receptors involved in this pathway: interferon (IFN)-γ receptor (IFN-γR), IFN-α receptor (IFNAR), and interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (IL-6R). ⋯ Our data suggest that IFNAR- and IL-6R-dependent JAK/STAT signaling pathways may be significant targets in drug development strategies for the treatment of LF hypertrophy.
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Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used in many surgical specialties to prevent postoperative dehiscence and surgical site infections (SSIs). However, little is known about the role of incisional NPWT in spine fusion surgery. Therefore, we sought to report a single surgeon's experience using incisional NPWT and describe its effects on dehiscence and SSIs after instrumented spine surgery. ⋯ NPWT decreases dehiscence and SSIs in patients undergoing lumbar fusion through an anterior approach. When preferentially used in patients at high risk for postoperative wound complications, NPWT prevents increased rates of dehiscence and SSI.
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This study aims to present a practical method to accurately diagnose ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) malfunction and to detect the exact level at which the system has failed to tailor VPS revision at that level only. ⋯ The proposed algorithm is a practical, simple and minimally invasive technique to accurately diagnose VPS malfunction, identifying the exact level of system failure and allowing surgical VPS revision to be tailored, avoiding unnecessary complete system replacement.
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Case Reports
Percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia due to a pontine cavernous angioma: case report.
A cavernous malformation (CM) with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is relatively rare. We report a patient who presented with TN caused by a CM in the cerebellopontine angle. ⋯ CMs can damage the trigeminal nerve and cause TN. PBC of the Gasserian ganglion can be undertaken safely and can relieve pain caused by TN caused by CM in the cerebellopontine angle.