Acta neurochirurgica
-
Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Outcome and prognostic features in adult pineoblastomas: analysis of cases from the SEER database.
Adult pineoblastomas (PBL) are rare central nervous system tumors. Patient and treatment factors associated with outcome are poorly defined and limited to small retrospective case series and single case reports. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry, we investigated clinicopathological factors associated with outcome in adult PBL. ⋯ Despite the numerous limitations of the SEER database, this study represents the largest analysis of adult PBL to date. Clinically relevant prognostic factors were younger age of diagnosis and localized disease. The role of surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy remains to be defined. Our data suggest these treatment modalities may not influence overall survival.
-
Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Association of perioperative factor XIII activity levels and other haemostatic markers with the risk of postoperative intracranial haematoma in a selected cohort of neurosurgical patients.
Coagulation factor XIII and other haemostatic markers are known strengthen fibrin clot formation and, hence, may facilitate safer surgery. Currently however, factor XIII activity levels are not routinely screen. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the association of perioperative factor XIII activity levels and other haemostatic markers with postoperative intracranial haematoma formation in neurosurgical patients. ⋯ Low platelet count can cause significant volume postoperative intracranial haematoma and in presence of multiple defects in haemostatic markers appears to be clinically useful to predict the formation of postoperative intracranial haematoma in neurosurgical patients.
-
Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Surgical results of an endoscopic endonasal approach for clival chordomas.
The surgical approaches for clival chordomas remain controversial, although the extent of resection is one of the most important factors for long survival rates. Recently an endoscopic endonasal approach in good collaboration with otolaryngologists has attracted major attention as a surgical approach for clival chordomas. We describe our experience with the endoscopic endonasal approach and provide a review of the literature. ⋯ The endoscopic endonasal transclival approach allows an appropriate extent of resection with acceptable complication rates in comparison with other approaches. In our series, the accomplishment of gross total removal was associated with the relationship between the tumors and surrounding structures, such as the pituitary gland and the cavernous portion of the intracranial carotid artery (ICA).
-
Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Seizure outcome with surgical management of epileptogenic ganglioglioma: a study of 55 patients.
Ganglioglioma is a common seizure-associated tumor, and some factors that may influence the postoperative seizure outcome have not been discussed or are controversial. The goal of this study was to observe the postoperative seizure outcome and the prognostic factors in patients with epileptogenic gangliogliomas. ⋯ Surgical treatment is effective and safe for patients with epileptogenic gangliogliomas. Early surgical intervention is necessary for achieving early seizure control. Neither intraoperative ECoG nor IOUS necessarily leads to better seizure control, although the latter can be helpful in achieving complete tumor resection. Simple lesionectomy is sufficient for favorable postoperative seizure outcome.
-
Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Microvascular decompression on patients with trigeminal neuralgia caused by ectatic vertebrobasilar artery complex: technique notes.
Due to its anatomical features, the vertebrobasilar artery complex (VBA) seldom contributes to the neurovascular conflict in patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, once it offends the trigeminal root, this large artery is really difficult to manipulate during microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. Therefore, the surgical strategy for such cases needs to be detailed in order to obtain a satisfactory outcome. ⋯ With a proper strategy, MVD is probably the most effective therapy for the TN cases caused by ectatic vertebrobasilar artery complex. The substance of the surgery is to withdraw the proximal vertebral artery caudally via a lateroinferior cerebellar approach.