World Neurosurg
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Endoscopic versus stereotactic procedure for pineal tumour biopsies: focus on overall efficacy rate.
The management of pineal region tumors depends on the histologic subtypes. Two minimally invasive techniques are available: endoscopic intraventricular biopsies and stereotactic biopsies. The recent Southampton and Lille series are the largest endoscopic and stereotactic series of pineal region tumors reporting both diagnosis rate and accuracy rate, respectively; we elaborated on these results in the light of other recent studies. ⋯ The Southampton and Lille series provide a unique opportunity to compare the overall efficacy rates of endoscopic and stereotactic biopsies, respectively. The stereotactic approach is safer and more effective for biopsies of pineal region tumors. To improve the safety and reliability of endoscopic biopsies, various methods have to be evaluated: alternative burr-hole strategies, use of neuronavigation, and a combination of flexible and rigid endoscopes.
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Focal hand dystonia in musicians, also known as musician's dystonia, is a task-specific movement disorder characterized by unwanted involuntary muscle contractions occurring only when playing a musical instrument. ⋯ The findings in these 2 cases indicate the utility of bilateral stereotactic Vo thalamotomy in the treatment of medically intractable musician's dystonia affecting both hands.
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The use of anticoagulants and older age are the main risk factors for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Because the age of the population and use of anticoagulants are increasing, a growing number of CSDH cases is expected. To address this issue, we analyzed the impact of anticoagulants on postsurgical outcome in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ The size of CSDH was not associated with poor outcome and is not necessarily determined by the use of anticoagulants. Coagulopathy does not rule out a good outcome, but the impact of anticoagulation on treatment results in CSDH varies between the main groups of drugs (warfarin vs. antiplatelet drugs). Patients in good neurologic condition on ICU admission have better chances of recovery.
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To evaluate the acute stability of a novel integrated C1 laminar hook (H) combined with a C1-C2 transarticular screw (TAS) with established techniques. ⋯ The TAS+H technique can achieve acute stability comparable to that with the TAS+G technique for treating C1-C2 instability. The C2PS+H is a promising alternative, although it provides less stability in axial rotation than TAS+G, TAS+H, or C2PS+C1LMS.