Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Clinicoradiological features and surgical outcomes of primary intracranial medulloepitheliomas: a single-center experience and pooled analysis of individual patient data.
Medulloepithelioma (MEPL) is a rare, malignant primitive neuroectodermal tumor with dismal survival rates. The authors aimed to define independent risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and to propose an optimal treatment protocol for MEPL. ⋯ MEPL is a rare neoplastic entity with a poor prognosis. There are no distinguishing radiological features apart from cystic degeneration. Via the pooled analysis, the authors identified independent adjustable factors associated with PFS and OS, from which they advocate for GTR plus chemoradiotherapy with a sufficient dose if tolerable as an optimal treatment to improve outcomes. Future studies with large cohorts will be necessary to verify our findings.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
The oculomotor-tentorial triangle. Part 2: a microsurgical workspace for vascular lesions in the crural and ambient cisterns.
Pathology in the region of the basilar quadrifurcation, anterolateral midbrain, medial tentorium, and interpeduncular and ambient cisterns may be accessed anteriorly via an orbitozygomatic (OZ) craniotomy. In Part 1 of this series, the authors explored the anatomy of the oculomotor-tentorial triangle (OTT). In Part 2, the versatility of the OTT as a surgical workspace for treating vascular pathology is demonstrated. ⋯ The OTT is an important anatomical triangle and surgical workspace for vascular lesions in and around the crural and ambient cisterns. The OTT can be used to approach a wide variety of vascular pathologies in the region of the basilar quadrifurcation and anterolateral midbrain.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
Feasibility, safety, and changes in systolic blood pressure associated with endovascular revascularization of symptomatic and chronically occluded cervical internal carotid artery using a newly suggested radiographic classification of chronically occluded cervical internal carotid artery: pilot study.
The overall risk of ischemic stroke from a chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA) is around 5%-7% per year despite receiving the best available medical therapy. Here, authors propose a radiographic classification of COICA that can be used as a guide to determine the technical success and safety of endovascular recanalization for symptomatic COICA and to assess the changes in systemic blood pressure following successful revascularization. ⋯ The pilot study suggested that our proposed classification of COICA may be useful as an adjunctive guide to determine the technical feasibility and safety of revascularization for symptomatic COICA using endovascular techniques. Additionally, successful revascularization may lead to a significant decrease in SBP postprocedure. A Phase 2b trial in larger cohorts to assess the efficacy of endovascular revascularization using our COICA classification is warranted.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2019
A novel, low-cost, reusable, high-fidelity neurosurgical training simulator for cerebrovascular bypass surgery.
Cerebrovascular bypass surgery is a challenging yet important neurosurgical procedure that is performed to restore circulation in the treatment of carotid occlusive diseases, giant/complex aneurysms, and skull base tumors. It requires advanced microsurgical skills and dedicated training in microsurgical techniques. Most available training tools, however, either lack the realism of the actual bypass surgery (e.g., artificial vessel, chicken wing models) or require special facilities and regulations (e.g., cadaver, live animal, placenta models). The aim of the present study was to design a readily accessible, realistic, easy-to-build, reusable, and high-fidelity simulator to train neurosurgeons or trainees on vascular anastomosis techniques even in the operating room. ⋯ With no requirement for specialized laboratory facilities and regulations, this novel, low-cost, reusable, high-fidelity simulator can be readily constructed and used for neurosurgical training with various scenarios and modifications.