Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2014
Case Reports Comparative StudyResolution of papilledema after endoscopic third ventriculostomy versus cerebrospinal fluid shunting in hydrocephalus: a comparative study.
In this study the authors compare the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) versus CSF shunting for resolution of papilledema in hydrocephalus. ⋯ This is the first study to quantitatively evaluate papilledema in assessing the success of ETV and CSF shunting. The authors' results indicated that ETV is as effective as CSF shunting with respect to decreasing intracranial pressure and resolution of papilledema.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyTransorbital endoscopic amygdalohippocampectomy: a feasibility investigation.
Resection of the hippocampus is the standard of care for medically intractable epilepsy in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. Although temporal craniotomy in this setting is highly successful, the procedure carries certain immutable risks and may be associated with cognitive deficits related to cortical and white matter disruption. Alternative surgical approaches may reduce some of these risks by preserving the lateral temporal lobe. This study examined the feasibility of transorbital endoscopic amygdalohippocampectomy (TEA) as an alternative to open craniotomy in cadaveric specimens. ⋯ TEA permits hippocampectomy comparable to standard surgical approaches without disrupting the lateral temporal cortex or white matter. This novel approach is feasible in cadaveric specimens and warrants clinical investigation in carefully selected cases.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyShould ventriculoatrial shunting be the procedure of choice for normal-pressure hydrocephalus?
Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunting is rarely used for patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), likely due to surgeon technical preference and case reports indicating cardiopulmonary complications. However, these complications have typically been limited to adults in whom VA shunts had been placed when they were children. Few studies have directly compared VA shunting to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting in cases of NPH. ⋯ The authors found no significant differences in complication rates between VA and VP shunting, and VA shunting was not associated with any cardiopulmonary complications. Thus, in the authors' experience, VA shunting is at least as safe as VP shunting for treating NPH.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyAnterior inferior petrosectomy: defining the role of endonasal endoscopic techniques for petrous apex approaches.
Historically, surgery to the petrous apex has been addressed via craniotomy and open microscopic anterior petrosectomy (OAP). However, with the popularization of endoscopic approaches, the petrous apex can further be approached endonasally by way of an endoscopic endonasal anterior petrosectomy (EAP). Endonasal anterior petrosectomy is a relatively new procedure and has not been compared anatomically with OAP. The authors hypothesized that the EAP and OAP techniques approach different portions of the petrous apex and therefore may have different applications. ⋯ In anatomically normal cadavers, OAP achieved nearly a 50% larger volumetric resection than EAP. Furthermore, while OAP appears to completely address the superior portion of the petrous apex, EAP appears to have a niche in approaches to lesions in the inferior petrous apex. Given these results, the authors propose that OAP be redefined as the "superior anterior petrosectomy," while EAP be referred to as the "inferior anterior petrosectomy," which more clearly defines the role of each approach in anterior petrosectomy.
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Incidental colloid cysts are frequently managed with surveillance imaging rather than surgical excision. This approach is born out of their purported indolent growth pattern and the surgical morbidity associated with microsurgical removal. The advent of endoscopic colloid cyst removal may offer renewed assessment of these patients who carry a risk of acute neurological deterioration. An evidence-based recommendation should weigh the risks of operative treatment. Thus far, there has been no concentrated assessment of cyst removal in patients with incidental colloid cysts. The major objective in this study was to define the risks associated with the endoscopic surgical removal of incidentally diagnosed colloid cysts. ⋯ Age and cyst diameter were not correlated with the absence or presence of symptoms in patients with a colloid cyst of the third ventricle. Operative results were highly favorable in both groups and did not reveal a higher risk of morbidity in the patient presenting with an incidental lesion. The results support endoscopic resection as a legitimate therapeutic option for patients with incidental colloid cysts. Generalization of the operative results should be cautiously made, since this is a limited series and the results may depend on the degree of neuroendoscopic experience.