Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2007
Review Case ReportsPituitary adenoma and concomitant Rathke's cleft cyst.
Although pituitary adenomas and Rathke's cleft cysts have a shared ancestry, they rarely occur simultaneously. Only 32 reports involving a pituitary adenoma and a concomitant Rathke's cleft cyst were identified upon review of the literature. Most initial presenting complaints include hormonal symptoms, visual disturbances, and headache. ⋯ The mass contained two different signal intensities on MRI. The lesion was successfully removed assisted by intraoperative MRI, when the presence of both lesions was confirmed. When a non-enhancing cyst-like structure is demonstrated on imaging in a patient with a pituitary adenoma, the possibility of a coexisting Rathke's cleft cyst should be considered.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2007
Outcome of adult patients with temporal lobe tumours and medically refractory focal epilepsy.
Tumours are a well-recognized cause of medically intractable epilepsies. Tumours represent the primary pathology in 10%-30% of patients undergoing surgical treatment for chronic epilepsy. This study examines the surgical and epileptological outcome of adults with temporal lobe tumoural epilepsy treated within a comprehensive epilepsy surgery programme. ⋯ Patients with drug resistant epilepsy and temporal lobe tumours should undergo evaluation in dedicated epilepsy surgery programmes.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2007
Case ReportsDecompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction with enlarged cruciate duraplasty.
The use of decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction is attracting renewed interest because conventional medical treatment is associated with high mortality. The technique of duraplasty may be important. ⋯ None of the patients needed an additional anterior temporal lobectomy to reduce intraoperative intracranial pressure and none suffered epilepsy after the operation. This initial experience suggests that the use of a stepwise cruciate duraplasty during a decompression may promote clinical outcomes and further evaluation is merited.