Clinical neurology and neurosurgery
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Feb 2008
Pallidal surgery for the treatment of primary generalized dystonia: long-term follow-up.
To describe the results and long-term follow-up after functional surgery of the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) in 10 patients with primary generalized dystonia. ⋯ This long-term follow up study confirms the beneficial effect of pallidal DBS or pallidotomy in primary generalized dystonia. In addition, our results extent previous observations by showing that, in these patients, (1) the microlesion effect of DBS is not predictive of long-term benefit; (2) combined DBS with contralateral pallidotomy appears to be more effective than bilateral pallidal DBS; and (3) dystonia can reappear after an initial good response during long term follow up.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Feb 2008
ReviewAlzheimer's disease-related changes in diseases characterized by elevation of intracranial or intraocular pressure.
In this review, we focus on the coexistence of Alzheimer's disease-related changes in brain diseases, such as normal pressure hydrocephalus and traumatic brain injury, and in glaucoma at the level of the retinal ganglion cells. This is a group of diseases that affect central nervous system tissue and are characterized by elevation of intracranial or intraocular pressure and/or local shear stress and strain. In considering possible mechanisms underlying Alzheimer-type changes in these diseases, we briefly summarize recent evidence indicating that caspase activation and abnormal processing of beta-amyloid precursor protein, which are important events in Alzheimer's disease, may play a role both in glaucoma and following traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Data presented in this review could be interpreted to suggest that Alzheimer-type changes in these diseases may result at least in part from exposure of central nervous system tissue to increased levels of mechanical stress. Evidence for such a relationship is of major importance because it may support an association between elevated mechanical load and the development of Alzheimer-type lesions. Further studies are warranted, however, especially to elucidate the role of elevated mechanical forces in Alzheimer's disease neuropathogenesis.
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The objective of the present study was to retrospectively review the surgical outcome of 309 craniopharyngioma cases treated by a single neurosurgeon in China. ⋯ Pre-surgery neuroimaging evaluations have improved our knowledge of intricate anatomical relationship between craniopharyngioma and the structures of the hypothalamus, pituitary stalk, and optic apparatus, which make total tumor resection feasible with the preservation of these vital structures to ensure a lower recurrence rate with acceptable mortality. However, excessive long-term morbidity, mostly related to hypopituitarism, which leads to the poor quality of life for the craniopharyngioma patients, is still remained. Further effort should be invested to monitor and maintain the normal hormone levels, hence improve the quality of life for craniopharyngioma patients.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Dec 2007
Aneurysms unsuitable for endovascular intervention: surgical outcome and management challenges over a 5-year period following International Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Trial (ISAT).
To analyse outcome of surgical management of aneurysms unsuitable for endovascular intervention in a tertiary referral neurosurgical unit over a 5-year post-ISAT period. To compare secondary parameters such as operating time, number of clips required, and training over last 5 years with similar number of patients in the pre-ISAT period. ⋯ Ruptured cerebral aneurysms deemed unsuitable for endovascular intervention are also difficult cases to treat surgically. However, with neurovascular sub-specialisation, it is possible to achieve favourable surgical outcome in a higher percentage of cases than reported in the ISAT study and the National Study of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. These cases, due to their technical complexities, unfortunately offer limited training potential for pre-certification Neurosurgical trainees.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Dec 2007
Case ReportsIschemic stroke in a child mistaken as functional disorder.
Stroke is a rare but increasingly recognized disorder in children. Lack of published clinical trials and experience in most institutions has resulted in significant challenges for clinicians who manage children with stroke. We report a case of 16-year-old male child who was presented with history of sudden onset of weakness 2 months back and before he could consult the physician, the weakness improved significantly and a misdiagnosis of functional disorder was made at a peripheral hospital. Children with stroke may have subtle manifestations and to make an early diagnosis of stroke in children there is need of awareness about this entity in children.