Acta neurochirurgica
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The parasellar region is a small but complex structure, and a large variety of tumors arise from this region. Postoperative morbidity for these tumors depends significantly on the cranial nerves located in the lateral part of this parasellar region. The aim of this study is to understand the anatomical structures of the lateral parasellar region and describe the inter-dural approach for parasellar tumors. ⋯ Considering anatomical and histological study and our clinical experiences, this inter-dural approach is practicable and useful for surgical removal of the tumors such as trigeminal neurinoma and cavernous hemangioma.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Feb 2010
New stereoscopic virtual reality system application to cranial nerve microvascular decompression.
Cranial nerve microvascular decompression is a habitual neurosurgical procedure. Authors describe a new application of the Dextroscope (Volume Interactions, Ltd.), a virtual reality environment, to plan and properly simulate this kind of procedures. ⋯ Virtual reality environment can help the neurosurgeon to plan and train vascular decompression procedures. Use of appropriate craniotomy, knowledge of vascular and nerve relationship, and selection of optimum paddy size and position are the main useful applications of the Dextroscope in these procedures.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Feb 2010
Neurointensive care is justified in elderly patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage--an outcome and secondary insults study.
The aim was to study the outcome and the occurrence of secondary brain insults in elderly patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in comparison to younger patients. ⋯ An independent outcome was achieved in a substantial proportion of the elderly with severe SAH, and the proportion of severe disability was not greater than among the younger patients, which justifies neurointensive care also in elderly patients. The occurrence of secondary insults was age dependent. Future studies of multimodality monitoring may provide age-specific secondary insult levels necessary for a tailored neurointensive care specific for elderly patients with severe SAH.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Feb 2010
Assessment of the variability in the anatomical position and size of the subthalamic nucleus among patients with advanced Parkinson's disease using magnetic resonance imaging.
Targeting of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery using standard atlas coordinates is used in some centers. Such coordinates are accurate for only a subgroup of patients, and subgroup size depends on the extent of inter-individual variation in STN position/size and degree to which atlas represents average anatomical relations. Few studies have addressed this issue. ⋯ It is now possible to directly evaluate STNs at 1.5 T with minimal image distortion, which reveals variation in STN position and dimensions in the range of nucleus size. This puts under question the rationale of use of standard STN coordinates during DBS surgery.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Feb 2010
Skin complications in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: frequency, time course, and risk factors.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been recognized as an efficacious treatment for movement disorders. Its beneficial effects however may be lost due to skin complications such as erosions or infections over the implanted foreign material. We sought to document skin complications in the entire Parkinson's disease patient population who received a DBS system at the Marburg/Kassel implantation centre since the start of our DBS program in January 2002 to analyze frequency, time course, and possible risk factors. ⋯ We conclude that (1) PD patients have a risk for skin complications after DBS as long as the system remains in situ and (2) there are at present no identifiable risk factors for skin complications after DBS, other than PD itself.