Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Improvement in executive function after unilateral carotid artery stenting for severe asymptomatic stenosis.
Executive functions are crucial for organizing and integrating cognitive processes. While some studies have assessed the effect of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on cognitive functioning, results have been conflicting. The object of this study was to assess the effect of CAS on cognitive status, with special interest on executive functions, among patients with severe asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. ⋯ The authors found a beneficial effect on executive function and memory 3 months after CAS among their prospective cohort of consecutive patients with unilateral and asymptomatic ICA stenosis of 60% or more.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Gamma Knife surgery for nonvestibular schwannomas: radiological and clinical outcomes.
Most intracranial schwannomas arise from cranial nerve (CN) VIII. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a mainstay of treatment for vestibular schwannomas. Intracranial schwannomas arising from other CNs are much less common. We evaluate the efficacy of Gamma Knife surgery on nonvestibular schwannomas including trigeminal, hypoglossal, abducent, facial, trochlear, oculomotor, glossopharyngeal, and jugular foramen tumors. ⋯ Gamma Knife surgery is a reasonably effective treatment option for patients with nonvestibular schwannomas. Patients require careful follow-up for tumor progression and signs of neurological deterioration.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Subthalamic nucleus stimulation for attenuation of pain related to Parkinson disease.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chronic subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation for alleviating pain related to Parkinson disease (PD). ⋯ This study found that STN stimulation produced significant improvement of overall pain related to PD in patients with advanced PD, and the efficacy continued for at least 1 year. The present results indicate that musculoskeletal pain and dystonic pain responded well to STN stimulation, but patients with back pain (somatic pain) and radicular/peripheral neuropathic pain originating from spinal disease have a potential risk for postoperative deterioration of their pain.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Endoscopic endonasal approach for a tuberculum sellae meningioma.
The authors present the technical and anatomical nuances needed to perform an endoscopic endonasal removal of a tuberculum sellae meningioma. The patient is a 47-year-old female with headaches and an incidental finding of a small tuberculum sellae meningioma with no vascular encasement, no optic canal invasion, but mild inferior to superior compression of the cisternal segment of the left optic nerve. Neuroophthalmology assessment revealed no visual defects. ⋯ Imaging follow-up at 6 months showed complete removal of the tumor. The patient had no sinonasal or neurological symptoms, and olfaction was fully preserved. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/kkuV-yyEHMg.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for advanced Parkinson disease using general anesthesia: long-term results.
The authors analyze long-term outcome in a substantial number of patients who underwent subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery under general anesthesia. ⋯ Long-term outcomes confirm that it is both safe and effective to perform STN DBS under general anesthesia. As part of patient choice, this option should be offered to all DBS candidates with advanced Parkinson disease to enable more of these patients to undergo this beneficial surgery.