Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2018
Case ReportsUnstable impedance of a single electrode contact resulting in loss of DBS therapy-a case report.
Open and short circuits of electrode contacts are important technical dysfunctions of DBS. Here, we report on another type of dysfunction restricted to a single electrode contact: impedance instability within regular absolute values. ⋯ During 3-year-follow-up, impedances of the dysfunctional contact varied between 1 and 3 kΩ whereas the other three contacts remained stable. Impedance documentation is crucial to identify such dysfunctions.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2018
Case ReportsEndoscopic endonasal approach to primitive Meckel's cave tumors: a clinical series.
Recently, an alternative endoscopic endonasal approach to Meckel's cave (MC) tumors has been proposed. To date, few studies have evaluated the results of this route. The aim of our study was to evaluate long-term surgical and clinical outcome associated with this technique in a cohort of patients with intrinsic MC tumors. ⋯ In this preliminary series, the EEA appeared an effective and safe approach to MC tumors. The technique could be advantageous to treat tumors located in the antero-medial aspects of MC displacing the trigeminal structures posteriorly and laterally. A favorable index of an adequate working space for this approach is represented by the ICA medialization, while tumor extension to the posterior fossa represents the main limitation to radical removal of this route.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2018
How I do it: percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disk herniation.
Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) has emerged as a less invasive technique to treat symptomatic lumbar disk herniation (LDH). PTED is performed under local anesthesia with the advantage of immediate intraoperative feedback of the patient. In this paper, the technique is described as conducted in our hospital. ⋯ PTED seems a promising alternative to conventional discectomy in patients with LDH and can be performed safely.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Dec 2018
Frameless robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography for refractory epilepsy in pediatric patients: accuracy, usefulness, and technical issues.
Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is an effective technique to help to locate and to delimit the epileptogenic area and/or to define relationships with functional cortical areas. We intend to describe the surgical technique and verify the accuracy, safety, and effectiveness of robot-assisted SEEG in a newly created SEEG program in a pediatric center. We focus on the technical difficulties encountered at the early stages of this program. ⋯ SEEG has been useful for decision-making in all our pediatric patients. The robotic arm is an accurate tool for the insertion of the deep electrodes. Nevertheless, it is an invasive technique not risk-free and many problems can appear at the beginning of a robotic arm-assisted SEEG program that must be taken into account beforehand.