Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · May 2012
Percutaneous balloon compression for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis. Analysis of the potentially prognostic factors.
The role of different procedures for the treatment of drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) is under discussion and there are no clear indications in the literature. In particular, the role of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) has been poorly addressed so far. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports analysing the factors potentially related to the prognosis in these patients. We examined the role of PBC for the treatment of TN in MS patients and investigated the role of some clinical and procedure-related factors in determining the prognosis of these patients. ⋯ PBC is a safe and effective technique to treat drug-resistant TN in MS patients. Some clinical and procedure-related factors may play a role in the prognosis of these patients.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Apr 2012
ReviewThe subdiaphragmatic cistern: historic and radioanatomic findings.
In the past, sporadic demonstrations of the existence of a subarachnoid subdiaphragmatic cistern have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of the subdiaphragmatic cistern of the pituitary gland. ⋯ We confirmed the existence of the subdiaphragmatic cistern. The overused term "suprasellar cistern" refers more to a complex of cisterns, formed by the subdiaphragmatic cistern, below the diaphragma sella, and by the chiasmatic cistern, above it, in direct communication with the lamina terminalis and carotid cisterns.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Apr 2012
ReviewThe challenge to remove diffuse low-grade gliomas while preserving brain functions.
WHO grade II glioma, i.e. diffuse low-grade glioma, is a pre-malignant tumour, usually revealed by seizures in young patients with a normal life. This tumour has a constant growth, and will inescapably become anaplastic. Surgical resection significantly increases the overall survival by delaying the malignant transformation. ⋯ These recent technical and conceptual advances in the hodotopical and plastic view of brain processing have allowed a dramatic improvement of the benefit-to-risk ratio of surgery, concerning both oncological and functional outcomes. In summary, it is time to move towards "functional neurooncology" and "preventive neurosurgery" in low-grade gliomas. Stronger interactions with fundamental neurosciences should be developed, in order (1) to build updated models of cognition and brain plasticity; (2) to elaborate biomathematical models of low-grade glioma growth and migration; (3) to study in silico the dynamic interactions between the natural course of this disease and the adaptative behaviour of its host (the brain), with the goal to adapt the best individualised therapeutic strategy.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Apr 2012
μMLC-LINAC radiosurgery for intracranial meningiomas of complex shape.
We present the long-term results of a consecutive series of patients with meningiomas treated by LINAC-radiosurgery using the micro-multi-leaf collimator technique (μMLC). ⋯ LINAC radiosurgery using a micro multi-leaf collimator for complex shaped intracranial meningiomas is effective yielding a high local tumor control, whereas the treatment-related morbidity remains low.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Apr 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe relation between zoledronic acid infusion and interbody fusion in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery.
Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been shown to significantly increase bone mineral density and to decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. However, its safety when used after lumbar interbody fusion surgery remains unclear. We sought to determine whether ZOL infusion 3 days after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) affects the risk of nonunion. ⋯ There was no association between ZOL treatment and nonunion of the lumbar spinal bone. Thus, undergoing lumbar interbody fusion surgery is not a valid reason to suspend or avoid treatment with ZOL.