Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2018
Meta AnalysisDeep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: meta-analysis of results of randomized trials at varying lengths of follow-up.
OBJECTIVE Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective in the management of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). While both the globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are accepted targets, their relative efficacy in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has not been established beyond 12 months. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of RCTs to compare outcomes among adults with PD undergoing DBS of GPi or STN at various time points, including 36 months of follow-up. ⋯ DBS of STN allows for a greater reduction of medication, but not as significant an advantage as DBS of GPi with respect to mood. This difference is sustained at 36 months. Further long-term studies are necessary.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2018
Review Historical ArticlePathogens and glioma: a history of unexpected discoveries ushering in novel therapy.
In the late 19th century, Dr. William B. Coley introduced the theory that infections may aid in the treatment of malignancy. ⋯ A few decades after this initial discovery, Austrian physicians performed intravascular injections of Clostridium to induce oncolysis in patients with glioblastoma. Since then, suggestions between improved survival and infectious processes have been reported in several patients with glioma, which ultimately marshaled the infamous use of intracerebral Enterobacter. These early observations of tumor regression and concomitant infection piloted a burgeoning field focusing on the use of pathogens in molecular oncology.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2018
ReviewConventional and high-resolution vessel wall MRI of intracranial aneurysms: current concepts and new horizons.
Intracranial aneurysms are heterogeneous in histopathology and imaging appearance. The biological behavior of different types of aneurysms is now known to depend on the structure and physiology of the aneurysm wall itself in addition to intraluminal flow and other luminal features. Aneurysm wall structure and imaging markers of physiology such as aneurysm wall enhancement have been assessed in many prior investigations using conventional-resolution MRI. ⋯ This review discusses the key HR-VWI literature to date. Aneurysm wall findings on conventional-resolution MRI are also discussed as these may help one understand the potential utility and findings on HR-VWI for various aneurysm types. The authors have illustrated these points with several examples demonstrating both features already described in the literature and novel cases demonstrating the potential for future clinical and research applications.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2018
ReviewStereotactic radiosurgery for medically refractory multiple sclerosis-related tremor.
OBJECTIVE Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to severe intention tremor in some patients. In several case reports, conventional radiotherapy has been reported to possibly exacerbate MS. Radiosurgery dramatically limits normal tissue irradiation to potentially avoid such a problem. ⋯ Two patients experienced temporary adverse radiation effects. Another patient developed a large thalamic cyst 60 months after GKT, which was successfully managed with Ommaya reservoir placement. CONCLUSIONS Gamma Knife thalamotomy was found to be a minimally invasive and beneficial procedure for medically refractory MS tremor.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2018
Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography as a potential predictor for cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a rare but devastating complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This study sought to determine whether quantitative hemodynamic assessment using MR angiography can stratify CHS risk. METHODS In this prospective trial, patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis were randomly selected for pre- and postoperative quantitative phase-contrast MR angiography (QMRA). ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Cerebral blood flow in the ipsilateral ICA and MCA as assessed by QMRA significantly increased after CEA. Higher mean flow differences in ICA and MCA were associated with the development of CHS. QMRA might have the potential to become a noninvasive, operator-independent screening tool for identifying patients at risk for CHS.