Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2016
Symptomatic large or giant capillary telangiectasias: management and outcome in 5 cases.
Brain capillary telangiectasias (BCTs) are usually small and benign with a predilection in the pons and basal ganglion. Reports of large and symptomatic BCTs are rare. Large BCTs have a much higher risk of causing uncontrolled bleeding and severe neurological defects, and they can be fatal if left untreated. ⋯ The unique location, radiological characteristics, and clinical course suggest that giant BCTs could be a different entity from small BCTs. Surgery might be a good option for treatment of patients with intractable neurological symptoms, especially in those with surgically accessible locations. Complete removal would be anticipated to provide relief of the symptoms without causing new neurological deficits.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2016
Comparative StudyRe-treatment rates after treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device alone versus Pipeline and coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms: a single-center experience.
OBJECT The optimal strategy for use of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED, ev3 Neurovascular) has not been clearly defined. The authors examined re-treatment rates after treatment with PED alone versus PED and adjunctive coil embolization (PED/coil). METHODS The authors retrospectively examined cerebral aneurysms treated with the PED from May 2011 to March 2014. ⋯ No aneurysms in either group ruptured after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive coil embolization during flow diversion with the PED resulted in a significantly lower re-treatment rate compared with PED alone, suggesting an added benefit with adjunctive coil embolization. This result may provide the basis for future evaluation with randomized, controlled trials.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2016
Case ReportsManagement of arteriovenous malformations in the elderly: a single-center case series and analysis of outcomes.
OBJECT Treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) in the elderly remains a challenge for cerebrovascular surgeons. In this study the authors reviewed the patient characteristics, treatments, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes in 28 patients over 65 years of age who were treated at Henry Ford Hospital between 1990 and 2014. METHODS The bAVM database at the authors' institution was queried for records of elderly patients with bAVMs, and data regarding patient demographics, presenting symptoms, bAVM angioarchitecture, treatment modalities, angiographic results, clinical outcomes, and treatment complications were tabulated and analyzed. ⋯ Complete bAVM obliteration was achieved in 87% of the treated patients. None of the patients who received any form of treatment died; the overall mortality rate was 3.6%. CONCLUSIONS Surgical management of bAVMs in the elderly can result in complete obliteration and acceptable clinical outcomes.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2016
Case ReportsCerebellar liponeurocytoma: a rare intracranial tumor with possible familial predisposition. Case report.
The biological origin of cerebellar liponeurocytomas is unknown, and hereditary forms of this disease have not been described. Here, the authors present clinical and histopathological findings of a young patient with a cerebellar liponeurocytoma who had multiple immediate family members who harbored similar intracranial tumors. A 37-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with a history of progressive headaches. ⋯ Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a poorly understood entity. This report provides novel evidence of an inheritable predisposition for tumor development. Accurate diagnosis and reporting of clinical outcomes and associated genetic and histopathological changes are necessary for guiding prognosis and developing recommendations for patient care.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2016
Comparative StudyEarly versus late Gamma Knife radiosurgery following transsphenoidal resection for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas: a matched cohort study.
OBJECT Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is frequently employed to treat residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas. There is no consensus as to whether GKRS should be used early after surgery or if radiosurgery should be withheld until there is evidence of radiographic progression of tumor. METHODS This is a retrospective review of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas who underwent transsphenoidal surgery followed by GKRS between 1996 and 2013 at the University of Virginia Health System. ⋯ Of these patients with completely new endocrinopathies, radiation-associated pituitary insufficiency developed in 1 of 2 patients in the early group and in 3 of 7 (42.9%) patients in the late group. CONCLUSIONS Early treatment with GKRS appears to decrease the rate of radiographic and symptomatic progression of subtotally resected nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas compared with late GKRS treatment after a period of expectant management. Delaying radiosurgery may place the patient at increased risk for adenoma progression and endocrinopathy.