World Neurosurg
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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.
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Even for the most experienced neurosurgeons, foramen magnum meningiomas represent a surgical challenge owing to their delicate position surrounded by the brainstem, lower cranial nerves, and vertebral arteries. The treatment goal is gross total resection, but choosing the most appropriate approach is crucial. Basically, 3 surgical approaches are commonly used: posterolateral approach (far-lateral), anterolateral approach (extreme-lateral), and posterior midline approach. ⋯ Care must be taken with tumors with a more lateral and caudal extension (below the tip of the odontoid process), when a far lateral approach may be the best approach. In this surgical Video 1, we present the surgical details with a stepwise narrative of the EEA for ventrolateral foramen magnum meningiomas through an illustrative case of a 48-year-old woman. Institutional informed consent was obtained for surgery and publication of this video.
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Review Case Reports
Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma after normal spontaneous delivery with epidural analgesia: Case report and literature review.
Pregnancy is a known risk factor for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. During cesarean section or vaginal delivery, the unstable hemodynamic status that may occur owing to fluctuation of intra-abdominal pressure increases the possibility of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. During labor and the postpartum period, neurologic symptoms may be masked by labor pain or anesthesia block, which makes early diagnosis difficult, especially in the obstetric clinic without a neurologist or neurosurgeon. ⋯ Clinicians should observe postpartum women for signs of myelopathy or back tenderness and closely monitor neurologic function until anesthesia has run its course. A prompt diagnosis can enable prompt intervention.
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Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a large group of noncoding RNAs 200 nucleotides long. lncRNAs that function as regulatory factors have been identified for several complex cellular processes, such as cell death, growth, differentiation, apoptosis, epigenetic regulation, and so on. Many lncRNAs have altered expression and are likely to play a functional role in oncogenesis. ⋯ This review summarizes recent progress in the study of lncRNAs on the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors. We cover the latest results associated with this role and highlight the therapeutic possibilities for pituitary adenomas.
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Lumbar puncture is a common procedure that can be safely performed in most patients. Certain populations may have increased risk for complications following lumbar puncture, but the significance of basilar invagination is often underappreciated. ⋯ Basilar invagination is a risk factor for devastating neurologic complications following lumbar puncture. Awareness of this complication and prompt recognition of its occurrence may prevent future morbidity of lumbar puncture in patients with basilar invagination.