World Neurosurg
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Sellar arachnoid cysts (SACs) are rare lesions that require treatment only if symptomatic. The endoscopic endonasal approach has been widely used. Despite their simple cystic appearance and the straight-forward surgical intervention, important associated risks exist, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak the prevalent risk. ⋯ The results from the present study have shown that SACs can be effectively treated using a simple cyst-opening technique. The routine use of nasoseptal flaps significantly reduced the risk of CSF leakage without compromising nasal quality of life in the long term or mandating additional incisions. Long-term follow-up is important to monitor for late recurrence.
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We sought to elucidate the long-term surgical outcomes and incidence of recurrence and reoperation of endoscopic endonasal cyst fenestration for Rathke cleft cyst (RCC). ⋯ Patients with a symptomatic RCC can be effectively treated with endoscopic endonasal cyst fenestration. Reversal of the presenting symptoms resulted, including headache, visual dysfunction, and pituitary hormone dysfunction, in the majority of patients. In our series, appropriate reconstruction of the sellar floor reduced the risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage without impacting cyst regrowth. This simple technique appears to effectively disrupt cyst progression in most cases, even after a relatively long-term follow-up period.
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Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment option that can potentially treat deep-seated pathologies in cases without safe open surgical corridors. In the present report, we have described our experience using MRgLITT for brainstem pathologies. ⋯ The brainstem represents formidable territory even for minimally invasive procedures. The overall morbidity and mortality has remained high, and the probability of achieving a meaningful outcome must be carefully assessed.
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Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) with narrow or multilayered hematomas must be accurately localized for burr hole drainage. We present a simple alternative localization method using conventional computed tomography (CT) scans acquired for the initial diagnosis and a commercially available carpenter's square (CS). ⋯ Our simple and inexpensive method can localize narrow or multilayered CSDHs with acceptable accuracy and increases the efficiency of routine clinical work.
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Because full functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major challenge, stem cell therapies represent promising strategies to improve neurologic functions after SCI. The olfactory mucosa (OM) displays an attractive source of multipotent cells for regenerative approaches and is easily accessible by biopsies because of its exposed location. The regenerative capacity of the resident olfactory stem cells (OSCs) has been demonstrated in animal as well as clinical studies. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of isolation, purification and cultivation of OSCs. ⋯ Because there are no standard methods for purification, characterization, and delivery of OSCs to the injury site, which is a prerequisite for the clinical approval, this study focuses on the establishment of appropriate methods and underlines the high potential of the OM for autologous cell therapeutic approaches.