Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2020
Multicenter StudyDiscontinuation of External Ventricular Drainage in Patients with Hydrocephalus Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - a Scandinavian Multi-institutional Survey.
Hydrocephalus requiring external ventricular drainage is common following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Timing and strategy for the discontinuation of the external ventricular drain (EVD) are, however, controversial as guidelines are based on limited scientific evidence. A recent similar survey showed that guidelines and recommendations are not being followed. We conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the management of EVD treatment in patients with aSAH and investigated current treatment practice, consensus, and adherence to guidelines within the neurosurgical departments in Scandinavia. ⋯ Awareness of and adherence to international guidelines regarding EVD discontinuation in patients with hydrocephalus following aSAH were limited in Scandinavia. Internal consensus at department level was absent. Initiation of the discontinuation process appeared to be case dependent and mainly influenced by the patients' clinical condition and drainage volume. GCS was the clinical variable considered most important when deciding on the initiation of EVD discontinuation.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2020
Surgical outcomes of anterior cerebellopontine angle meningiomas using the anterior transpetrosal approach compared with the lateral suboccipital approach.
Anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) and lateral suboccipital approach (LSO) are the major surgical approaches for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas. Particularly, anterior CPA meningiomas are challenging lesions to be treated surgically. To date, only a few studies have directly compared the outcomes of both approaches focusing on the anterior CPA meningiomas. ⋯ Although the LSO is more widely used for CPA meningiomas, ATPA is also considered for these anterior CPA meningiomas.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgeons and the strategy for triaging non-emergent operations: a global neurosurgery study.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of society globally. As healthcare resources had to be preserved for infected patients, and the risk of in-hospital procedures escalated for uninfected patients and staff, neurosurgeons around the world have had to postpone non-emergent procedures. Under these unprecedented conditions, the decision to defer cases became increasingly difficult as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed. ⋯ We report on the impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgeons around the world. From their ranking of the nine case scenarios, we deduced a strategic scheme that can serve as a guideline to triage non-emergent neurosurgical procedures during the pandemic. With it, hopefully, neurosurgeons can continue to serve their patients without endangering them either neurologically or risking their exposure to the deadly virus.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2020
Hybrid antero-lateral transcondylar approach to the clivus: a laboratory investigation and case illustration.
Surgical treatment of lesions involving the ventral craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and the lower clivus, traditionally involved complex lateral or transoral approaches to the skull base. However, mid or upper clivus involvement requires more extensive lateral approaches. Recently, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has become the standard for upper CVJ lesions and medial clival, and a valuable alternative for those tumors extending in its upper third as well as laterally. However, the EEA is associated with an increased risk of post-operative CSF leakage and infection when the tumor is characterized by an intradural extension. Furthermore, whenever the tumor has significant lateral and/or inferior extension below the odontoid process, the chances for a complete resection decrease. ⋯ The hybrid antero-lateral transcondylar approach is a valuable surgical option for CVJ tumor extending from C2 to the mid and upper clivus.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2020
Pituitary surgery's epidemiology using a national inpatient database in Japan.
Between 2010 and 2014, microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (mTSS) was performed more frequently than endoscopic TSS (eTSS) in the USA. However, few epidemiological studies on pituitary surgery are currently available. ⋯ The present study showed that both TSS and eTSS increased on a yearly basis. We believe that the present study will be the basis of future epidemiological investigations of pituitary surgery.