Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
-
Geographical differences in the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been reported in the literature but comparisons across previous studies are limited by different methods in case ascertainment and by the relatively small size of the studied populations. To address these issues, the authors undertook a pooled analysis of European population based ALS registries. ⋯ ALS incidence is homogeneous across Europe. Sex differences in incidence may be explained by the higher incidence of spinal onset ALS among men, and the age related disease pattern suggests that ALS occurs within a susceptible group within the population rather than being a disease of ageing.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Apr 2010
Posterior cerebral artery P1 segment at the stoma during endoscopic third ventriculostomy in adults.
A serious catastrophic complication of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is basilar artery (BA) damage. Although the BA has been discussed as the cause of haemorrhage and even pseudoaneurysm, variations of the posterior cerebral artery proximal segment (P1) and its protrusion into the third ventricle floor have not been emphasised. A series of cases are reported in which the P1 segment was located at the stoma during an ETV and was at risk of perforation. Precautionary techniques for complication avoidance are described. ⋯ The posterior cerebral artery P1 segment is potentially at risk during ETV in adults as well as in children. Awareness and proper precautions may help reduce injuries to either the P1 or the basilar apex during an ETV.