World Neurosurg
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Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm is performed at the root exit zone. More proximal segments of the facial nerve, defined as the root emerging zone (REmZ), may also be susceptible to neurovascular compression. Consequently, detailed knowledge of the microanatomy around facial nerve fibers at the pontomedullary junction is essential for consistent success of microvascular decompression. ⋯ Facial nerve fibers are susceptible to vascular compression on emerging onto the deep brainstem surface at the pontomedullary sulcus. The key procedure in microvascular decompression is full dissection of the lower cranial nerves down to the brainstem origin to explore both the root exit zone and the REmZ.
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To trace anatomic variations of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) in its intrapelvic course. ⋯ Considerable variability in the origin and the course of the LFCN was observed, which should be taken into account during clinical assessment of nerve lesions and during surgery via transpsoas approaches to the lumbar spine.
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Craniotomy has been performed in neurologic surgery for over a century. Replacement of free bone flaps in routine craniotomies is widely practiced, however, the rate of fusion after free flap replacement is unknown. ⋯ As expected, craniotomy fusion rates after free flap replacement increased steadily over time. We were not able to demonstrate that clinical factors such as age, sex, body mass index, diagnosis, fixation material, and radiation had an impact on fusion rate when time to fusion was accounted for. Patients receiving radiation, however, experienced fusion less frequently. Because of the scarcity of previous studies in this area, this current study serves as a platform for future studies on fusion rates after free flap replacement.
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Foraminal disc herniation is rare. When conservative treatment fails, it is often treated with discectomy via a paraspinal or Wiltse approach. In contained foraminal disc herniation, more symptoms arise from the foraminal compression of the exiting nerve root, including the dorsal root ganglion, than from the herniation itself. We aimed to evaluate the benefits of stand-alone decompression without discectomy for patients with contained foraminal disc herniation. ⋯ Stand-alone decompression without discectomy is an effective method for relieving symptoms and preserving the disc in contained foraminal disc herniation. A minimally invasive approach with thorough decompression techniques yields good results.
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Endovascular coiling has emerged as an option for the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, which was traditionally treated via surgical clipping. Unlike aneurysms elsewhere, aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) have several features that are favorable for surgery. However, endovascular treatment can be difficult for MCA aneurysms, especially if they have incorporated branches. We report the results of coil embolization of incorporated MCA aneurysms. ⋯ Branch-incorporated MCA aneurysms can be treated with coil embolization, with few procedural complications and midterm durability with appropriate techniques and devices.