Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2011
Technique and outcome of endoscopy-assisted microscopic extended transsphenoidal surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas.
The transcranial approach has been the standard technique for removal of craniopharyngiomas for several decades. However, many reports of successful suprasellar craniopharyngioma removal accomplished using extended transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) have recently been published. In the present study, the authors describe their technique and the outcomes of removal of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas aided by the use of an operating microscope and an endoscope concurrently during extended TSS. ⋯ The authors achieved good results by using extended TSS for the removal of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Endoscopy-assisted microscopic extended TSS harnesses the advantages of a microscope as well as those of an endoscope. Surgeons should consider using the advantages of both surgical modalities to achieve the best result possible.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2011
Comparative StudyNeurosurgical treatment of craniopharyngioma in adults and children: early and long-term results in a large case series.
Craniopharyngioma accounts for 2%-5% of all primary intracranial neoplasms. The optimal management of craniopharyngioma remains controversial. The authors evaluated the early results of surgery and the longterm risk of tumor recurrence in a large series of patients undergoing resection of craniopharyngiomas. ⋯ Complete surgical removal of craniopharyngioma can be achieved with reasonable safety in more than 70% of patients. Recurrence of craniopharyngioma may occur even after apparent radical excision. Prompt management of residual or recurring disease by radiotherapy, repeat surgery, or a combination of both is usually successful in controlling further tumor growth.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2011
Image-guided frameless stereotactic needle biopsy in awake patients without the use of rigid head fixation.
Image-guided frameless stereotactic techniques provide an alternative to traditional head-frame fixation in the performance of fine-needle biopsies. However, these techniques still require rigid head fixation, usually in the form of a head holder. The authors report on a series of fine-needle biopsies and brain abscess aspirations in which a frameless technique was used with a patient's head supported on a horseshoe headholder. To validate this technique, they performed an in vitro accuracy study. ⋯ The accuracy study demonstrated the ability of the mask to actively track the target and allow navigation to a 4-mm-diameter circular target with a 98% success rate. The frameless, pinless, fiducial-less technique described herein will likely be another safe, fast alternative to frame-based stereotactic techniques for fine-needle biopsy that avoids the potential morbidity of rigid head-pin fixation. Furthermore, it should lend itself to other image-guided applications such as the placement of ventricular catheters for shunting or Ommaya reservoirs.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2011
Hydrocephalus associated with vestibular schwannomas: management options and factors predicting the outcome.
The current, generally accepted optimal management for hydrocephalus related to vestibular schwannomas (VSs) is primary tumor removal, with further treatment reserved only for patients who remain symptomatic. Previous studies have shown, however, that this management can lead to an increase in surgery-related complications. In this study, the authors evaluated their experience with the treatment of such patients, with the aim of identifying the following: 1) the parameters correlating to the need for specific hydrocephalus treatment following VS surgery; and 2) patients at risk for developing hydrocephalus-related complications. ⋯ Primary tumor removal is the optimum management of disease in patients with VS with associated hydrocephalus; it leads to resolution of the hydrocephalus in the majority of cases, and the outcome is similar to that of patients without hydrocephalus. Certain factors may aid in identifying patients at risk for developing persistent hydrocephalus as well as those at risk for CSF leaks.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2011
Endoscopic supraorbital extradural approach to the cavernous sinus: a cadaver study.
The cavernous sinus is a small complex structure located at the central base of the skull. Recent extensive use of endoscopy has provided less invasive approaches to the cavernous sinus via endonasal routes, although transcranial routes play an important role in the approach to the cavernous sinus. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of the purely endoscopic transcranial approach to the cavernous sinus through the supraorbital keyhole and to better understand the distorted anatomy of the cavernous sinus via endoscopy. ⋯ An endoscopic supraorbital extradural approach offers excellent exposure of the superior and lateral walls of the cavernous sinus with minimal invasiveness via the transcranial route. This approach could be an alternative to the conventional transcranial approach.