Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Mar 2014
Diagnostic value of brain tumor neuroendoscopic biopsy and correlation with open tumor resection.
The risks of stereotactic biopsy are increased not only in tumors located in the vicinity of vascular structures, but also in cystic, intraventricular, and periventricular lesions. The use of neuroendoscopy for cystic, intraventricular, or periventricular brain tumors is particularly advantageous because of the possibility of biopsy and immediate hemostasis under direct vision. Neuroendoscopy provides the possibility of controlling tumor-associated obstructive hydrocephalus by means of endoscopic third ventriculostomy or septostomy. The literature gives good evidence for the diagnostic benefits of neuroendoscopic biopsy. The correlation of the histology obtained by neuroendoscopic biopsy and subsequent surgical resection may allow the evaluation of the validity of diagnostic neuroendoscopic biopsy. ⋯ The diagnostic accuracy of neuroendoscopic biopsy samples can be compared with the results of stereotactic biopsy. The histological results of endoscopically taken biopsy samples and the final histological results obtained during open surgery correlate in the majority of patients, and underlines the high diagnostic validity of neuroendoscopic biopsy.
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · Mar 2014
Open thoracic cordotomy as a treatment option for severe, debilitating pain.
The treatment of patients with debilitating lower extremity or medically refractory quadrant pain presents a challenge for management. Contemporary neuromodulatory therapies may not be affordable or practical, especially in patients with limited life expectancy or from countries with limited resources. We present a small retrospective series to evaluate the role of open thoracic cordotomy as a practice option in the treatment of patients with severe, unilateral, medically refractory pain of the lower abdominal quadrant, hip, or leg. Technical aspects of the procedure, anatomic pathways within the spinal cord, and intraoperative maneuvers are described. ⋯ Although open thoracic cordotomy may be cautiously recommended as a treatment option in certain settings, this procedure should be viewed only as a second-line treatment option in settings where the technology and expertise to perform PCC are available.