Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Comparative StudySingle-fraction radiosurgery of benign cavernous sinus meningiomas.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an important treatment option for patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSM). To analyze factors associated with local tumor control and complications after single-fraction SRS, the authors reviewed cases involving patients treated with Gamma Knife SRS between 1990 and 2008. ⋯ Single-fraction SRS at the radiation doses used in this series provided durable tumor control for patients with benign CSM. Larger tumor volume remains the primary factor associated with complications after single-fraction SRS of benign CSM despite advancements in SRS technique.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Comparative StudyDabigatran bleed risk with closed head injuries: are we prepared?
The direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran has recently been approved in the US as an alternative to warfarin. The lack of guidelines, protocols, and an established specific antidote to reverse the anticoagulation effect of dabigatran potentially increases the rates of morbidity and mortality in patients with closed head injury (CHI). Confronted with this new problem, the authors reviewed their initial clinical experience. ⋯ It is critical for physicians involved in the care of patients with CHI on dabigatran to be aware of an elevated mortality rate if no treatment protocol or guideline is in place. The authors will soon implement a reversal management protocol for patients with CHI on dabigatran at their institution in an attempt to improve efficacy and safety in their treatment approach.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Clinical, radiological, and pathological features of 26 intracranial and intraspinal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
Intracranial and intraspinal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rarely reported because of their extremely low incidence. Knowledge about these tumors is poor. In this study the authors aimed to analyze the incidence and clinical, radiological, and pathological features of intracranial and intraspinal MPNSTs. ⋯ Malignant PNST within the skull or spinal canal is a rare neoplasm and is seldom caused by benign schwannomas. Radiologically, intracranial or intraspinal MPNST should be differentiated from meningioma, chordoma, fibrous dysplasia of bone, and ear cancer. Total resection whenever possible is necessary for the prolonged survival of patients, especially males.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Comparative StudyPosttrauma cotreatment with lithium and valproate: reduction of lesion volume, attenuation of blood-brain barrier disruption, and improvement in motor coordination in mice with traumatic brain injury.
Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and morbidity in young adults, no effective pharmaceutical treatment is available. By inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), respectively, lithium and valproate (VPA) have beneficial effects in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, in an excitotoxic neuronal model and in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington disease, and stroke, combined treatment with lithium and VPA produces more robust neuroprotective effects than treatment with either agent alone. Building on previous work that establishes that therapeutic doses of either lithium or VPA have beneficial effects in mouse models of TBI, this study evaluated the effects of combined treatment with subeffective doses of lithium and VPA in a mouse model of TBI. ⋯ Cotreatment with subeffective doses of lithium and VPA significantly attenuated TBI-induced brain lesion, BBB disruption, and neurodegeneration, and robustly improved long-term functional recovery. These findings suggest that potentiating histone acetylation by HDAC inhibition is probably part of the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects associated with this combined treatment for TBI. Because both lithium and VPA have a long history of safe clinical use, the results suggest that using a combination of these 2 agents at subtherapeutic doses to treat patients with TBI may also reduce side effects and enhance tolerability.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2013
Motor function after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases in the region of the motor cortex.
The authors sought to better define the clinical response of patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases located in the region of the motor cortex. ⋯ Most intact patients with brain metastases in or adjacent to motor cortex maintained neurological function after SRS, and most patients with symptomatic motor weakness remained stable or improved. Larger tumor volumes were associated with less satisfactory outcomes.