World Neurosurg
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The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) offers a minimally invasive route to treat medial intraconal space (MIS) lesions. Understanding the configuration of the ophthalmic artery (OphA) and the central retinal artery (CRA) is crucial. ⋯ OphA type 2 is a common finding and can compromise the feasibility of an EEA to the MIS. A detailed preoperative analysis of the OphA and CRA should be conducted prior to approaching the MIS due to the implications of the anatomical variations that can compromise safe intraconal maneuverability during an EEA.
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For endoscopic endonasal surgery of pituitary tumors, tissue identification and intraoperative judgment depend largely on surgeon expertise. In the present study, we assess whether the delayed-window indocyanine green (ICG) technique can identify pituitary gland tumors in real-time during surgery and analyze the mechanism of ICG fluorescence in the pituitary gland and tumor. ⋯ The results from the present study exhibit the utility of the delayed-window ICG technique in distinguishing the normal pituitary gland from a tumor during endoscopic endonasal surgery from 15 to 90 minutes after ICG administration. Permeability can contribute to gadolinium enhancement on MRI, as well as ICG retention and NIR fluorescence in a normal pituitary gland and tumor.
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The diagnosis of hydrocephalus is dependent on clinical symptoms and radiographic findings including ventriculomegaly. Our goal was to generate a data set of ventricular volume utilizing non-pathologic computed tomography (CT) scans for adults to help define reference ventricle size. ⋯ We have developed a convolutional neural network that can segment the ventricles on CT scans of adult patients over a range of ages. This network was used to measure the ventricular volume of non-pathologic head CTs to produce reference ranges for several age bins. This data set could be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus by comparing potentially pathologic scans to reference ventricular volumes.
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Tumor-related trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a challenging condition to manage that is commonly treated by surgical resection of the tumor. Stereotactic radiosurgery targeting the tumor is used to control pain and tumor growth in patients unsuitable for surgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery targeting the trigeminal nerve has been explored as a viable treatment for patients with tumor-related TN who are unsuitable for surgical removal of the tumor or whose pain is refractory to radiation therapy targeting the tumor. Information regarding the efficacy of this procedure is limited to only a few studies. We report the outcomes of Leskell Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) targeting the trigeminal nerve for tumor-related TN from a case series. ⋯ GKRS targeting the trigeminal nerve could be a safe and effective treatment for a subset of patients with tumor-related TN who are unsuitable for surgical removal of the tumor or whose pain is refractory to radiation therapy targeting the tumor.
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To evaluate the learning curve of minimally invasive scoliosis surgery (MISS) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). ⋯ A mild learning curve was demonstrated in MISS for AIS with significant improvement in operative times and EBL over time. Experience of more than 46 cases of MISS was required to obtain proficient surgical skills for a trained surgeon of conventional open scoliosis surgery.