World Neurosurg
-
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is diagnosed both clinically and radiologically. However, it's unclear if a specific degree of cauda equina compression on imaging can confirm the diagnosis. This study aimed to identify an optimal percentage of prolapse to canal ratio (PCR) on magnetic resonance imaging that correlates with cauda equina compression, facilitating reliable decision-making for CES symptoms. ⋯ Simple radiological measurements of PCR can potentially triage CES patients and guide their management. Future studies should correlate PCR with clinical signs and symptoms for a comprehensive assessment.
-
Metastasis of World Health Organization (WHO) grade II or grade II meningiomas are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate their incidence, associated risk factors, and treatment course. ⋯ The presence of metastasis contributed to poor outcomes and was related to earlier tumor relapse and major vessel compromise. Subtotal resection should be followed by adjuvant radiotherapy to reduce the risk of metastasis. Further research is warranted to identify circulating or pathologic biomarkers for the early detection of metastasis.
-
Case Reports
Microsurgical Clipping of a Ruptured Basilar Apex Aneurysm: Contending with a Formidable Clinical Scenario.
Basilar apex aneurysms (BAAs) represent 5%-8% of cerebral aneurysms.1-3 Treating BAAs is long established in neurosurgery.4-6 The morbid and lethal characteristics of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage coupled with potential medical complications of neurointensive care contribute to poor prognosis of patients with ruptured BAAs.7,8 A 58-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 1-day course of intense headaches that progressed to loss of consciousness. Noncontrast computed tomography of the head revealed extensive intraventricular hemorrhage (Fisher grade 4). Computed tomography angiography revealed an 8.7 × 6.3 mm wide-neck BAA. ⋯ Nonetheless, the course of BAAs can still be poor even after adequate surgical management. This case exemplifies the burdensome nature of BAAs and the difficult clinical course of patients despite meticulous microsurgical management. Fisher grade 4, which is associated with a 31% risk of vasospasm, was a notable factor contributing to this outcome.7 Further, the patient's recovery was complicated by hospital-acquired pneumonia, which has a mortality rate of 9.7%.8 Accordingly, amid the emergent discipline of enhanced recovery after surgery, optimized protocols for postoperative management could benefit these patients.9-11.
-
To assess factors which may influence surgical success following brachial plexus reconstruction for obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI). ⋯ Brachial plexus reconstruction is an effective treatment modality for patients without spontaneous recovery of upper extremity function following OBPI, although identifying the optimal age-range for surgery remains elusive. Patients with intraoperative findings consistent with a more severe injury may be less likely to benefit from surgery.
-
Volatile anesthetics have shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies, but clinical data on their use after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are limited. This study aimed to analyze whether the use of volatile anesthetics for neurocritical care sedation affects the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), cerebral vasospasm (CVS), DCI-related infarction, or functional outcome. ⋯ Volatile sedation in aSAH patients is not associated with the incidence of DCI, CVS, DCI-related infarction, or functional outcome. Although we could not demonstrate neuroprotective effects of volatile anesthetics, our results suggest that volatile sedation after aSAH has no negative effect on the patient's outcome.