Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2010
The combination of semi-sitting position and intraoperative MRI--first report on feasibility.
Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has been established as a routine imaging modality with a remarkable impact on specific neurosurgical procedures. The technological advancement continuously extends the spectrum of iMRI, leading to an increasing number of installations. Yet, procedures in which a semi-sitting position would be advantageous were beyond the reach of iMRI. ⋯ This report demonstrates for the first time that the combination of iMRI and the semi-sitting position is feasible and that this procedure bears specific benefits. Issues such as brain shift due to table tilting warrant further investigations in order to expand this technique to posterior fossa craniotomies.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2010
Percutaneous approach to the foramen ovale: an anatomical study of the extracranial trajectory with the incorrect trajectories to be avoided.
Meckel's Cave may be accessed percutaneously through the foramen ovale (FO). Detailed knowledge of the region's anatomical surroundings is invaluable in improving target accuracy and preventing complications with this approach. The approach has been used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia as well as in performing biopsies of lesions located in the parasellar region, described formerly by the senior author (M.S.). A comprehensive cadaveric study of the region traversed by needle is thus presented. ⋯ Although widely used, the FO approach carries risks. Special attention is warranted when the needle traverses the upper third of the pyramid to avoid the variant course of the MA. Image-guided techniques and detailed anatomical knowledge are necessary to expand the use of this route not just for approach to lesions within the parasellar and upper third of the petroclival region but also to lesions invading the infratemporal fossa.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2010
Citicoline and postconditioning provides neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemic spinal cord injury.
Ischemic spinal cord injury is a chain of events caused by the reduction and/or cessation of spinal cord blood flow, which results in neuronal degeneration and loss. Ischemic postconditioning is defined as a series of intermittent interruptions of blood flow in the early phase of reperfusion and has been shown to reduce the infarct size in cerebral ischemia. Our study aimed to characterize the relationship between the neuronal injury-decreasing effects of citicoline and ischemic postconditioning, which were proven to be effective against the apoptotic process. ⋯ It is thus thought that combining citicoline with postconditioning provides protection by inhibiting the caspase pathway and by increasing the antiapoptotic proteins.