Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2013
Gamma Knife thalamotomy for tremor in the magnetic resonance imaging era.
The surgical management of disabling tremor has gained renewed vigor with the availability of deep brain stimulation. However, in the face of an aging population of patients with increasing surgical comorbidities, noninvasive approaches for tremor management are needed. The authors' purpose was to study the technique and results of stereotactic radiosurgery performed in the era of MRI targeting. ⋯ Gamma Knife thalamotomy in the MRI era was a safe and effective noninvasive surgical strategy for medically refractory tremor in the elderly or those with contraindications to deep brain stimulation or stereotactic radiofrequency (thermal) thalamotomy.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyDistinct IDH1/IDH2 mutation profiles in purely insular versus paralimbic WHO Grade II gliomas.
The molecular profile of diffuse WHO Grade II gliomas involving the insular lobe, with a possible impact on outcome, is controversial. The authors undertook this study to investigate a possible difference of molecular patterns between purely insular Grade II gliomas and paralimbic Grade II gliomas that involve both the insular lobe and the frontal and/or temporal structures. ⋯ These findings demonstrate for the first time distinct IDH1/IDH2 and consequently distinct "triplenegative" patterns in purely insular versus paralimbic Grade II gliomas. Such findings could explain discrepancies reported in the literature, because insular and paralimbic gliomas have not been separated in previous reports. These results may enable physicians to refine the management of Grade II gliomas involving the insula according to the presence or lack of invasion of the frontal and/or temporal areas.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2013
Case ReportsMetachronous, multicentric glioma of pilocytic astrocytoma with oligodendroglioma-like component and oligodendroglioma through distinct genetic aberrations.
This patient presented with a rare case of metachronous, multicentric gliomas first manifesting as headache and nausea in 1983 when he was an 8-year-old boy. Computed tomography revealed a cerebellar tumor and the tumor was subtotally resected. The histological diagnosis was pilocytic astrocytoma, and radiation therapy to the posterior fossa and chemotherapy consisting of nimustine hydrochloride and fluorouracil were performed. ⋯ On the other hand, the IDH1 R132H mutation, instead of aberrations of the BRAF gene, was identified in the oligodendroglioma arising in the right frontal lobe. Different types of aberrations of the BRAF gene in the classic and oligodendroglioma-like component in the recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma suggest that they had different cell origins or that amplification of BRAF was negatively selected under the de novo BRAF V600E mutation. In addition, the aberration profiles of IDH1 and BRAF suggest that the oligodendroglioma arose independent of cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2013
Case ReportsSuccessful management of an acute subdural hematoma in a patient dependent on continuous treprostinil infusion therapy.
Treprostinil is a synthetic analog of prostacyclin, which is used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Continuous subcutaneous administration of treprostinil has been proven in randomized controlled trials to improve quality of life, hemodynamics, and 5-year survival in patients with PAH. The efficacy of treprostinil has been attributed to its vasodilatory and antiplatelet effects. ⋯ The authors report a case of a patient with PAH, treated with continuous administration of subcutaneous treprostinil as well as warfarin, who developed an acute subdural hematoma (SDH). Despite adequate INR (international normalized ratio) correction, the patient eventually underwent an emergency craniotomy for evacuation of the SDH while on continuous treprostinil administration. This case highlights the neurosurgical dilemma regarding the appropriate management of acute SDHs in patients receiving continuous treprostinil infusion.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2013
Decompressive craniectomy using gelatin film and future bone flap replacement.
Decompressive craniectomy plays an important role in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. Risks of decompressive craniectomy include those associated with cranioplasty, and may be related to adhesions that develop between the brain surface and overlying scalp and temporalis muscle. The authors report their institutional experience using a multilayered technique (collagen and gelatin film barriers) to facilitate safe and rapid cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy. ⋯ Decompressive craniectomy repair using an absorbable gelatin film barrier facilitates subsequent cranioplasty by preventing adhesions between intracranial contents and the overlying galea aponeurotica and temporalis muscle fascia. This technique makes cranioplasty dissection faster and potentially safer, which may improve clinical outcomes. The indications for gelatin film should be expanded to include placement in the epidural space after craniectomy.