Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 1998
Posterior ventricular catheter burr-hole localizer. Technical note.
Proper ventricular catheter placements are associated with improved shunt performance. When placing ventricular catheters via the posterior approach, the surgeon must determine an optimum trajectory and then pass a catheter along that trajectory. The incidence of optimal posterior catheter placements is increased by using a posterior catheter guide (PCG); however, errors may still occur because of poor selection of a posterior burr-hole site. ⋯ In all cases the catheter entered the ventricle on the first pass and postoperative imaging studies demonstrated successful placement in the ipsilateral anterior horn. There were no catheter-related complications. These early results indicate that the Localizer and PCG devices may be safe and effective when used in combination for placement of posterior ventricular catheters.
-
The diagnosis and treatment of metastasis to the pituitary gland can be difficult to determine. The goal of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis of patients who presented with symptomatic pituitary metastasis. ⋯ Aggressive treatment including both surgical decompression and radiation therapy improves the quality of life in patients suffering from symptomatic pituitary metastasis.
-
The etiology of spontaneous cervical artery dissection is poorly understood; however, it may involve genetic and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether seasonality of spontaneous cervical artery dissection exists. ⋯ A seasonal pattern of spontaneous cervical artery dissection exists with a peak occurring in October. The cause of the seasonality remains to be explained; however, weather- or infectious disease-related factors may provide etiological leads.