Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Prognostic factors in the surgical treatment of intracanalicular primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas.
Although meningiomas frequently involve the optic nerve, primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSMs) are rare, accounting for only 1% of all meningiomas. Given the high risk of vision loss with these tumors, surgical intervention is seldom considered, and radiation or observation is commonly applied. Here, the authors describe the visual outcomes for a series of patients who were treated with surgery aiming at maximal tumor resection and highlight their prognostic factors. ⋯ Surgery can play a beneficial role in the primary treatment of ONSM, especially lesions located in the posterior third of the nerve. Total removal can be achieved with vision preservation or improvement, without major surgical complications, especially at early stages of the disease. Patients with good preoperative vision and CSF flow in the optic sheath have better chances of a favorable outcome than those with poor vision.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Results of Gamma Knife anterior capsulotomy for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: results in a series of 10 consecutive patients.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe psychiatric condition. The authors present their experience with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in the treatment of patients with OCD resistant to any medical therapy. ⋯ GKRS anterior capsulotomy is effective and well tolerated with a maximal dose of 120 Gy. It reduces both obsessions and compulsions, improves quality of life, and diminishes depression and anxiety.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Noncontrast vestibular schwannoma surveillance imaging including an MR cisternographic sequence: is there a need for postcontrast imaging?
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a noncontrast MRI protocol that includes a cisternographic sequence (CISS/FIESTA/3D DRIVE) compared to a protocol that includes a gadolinium-enhanced sequence in order to determine whether a noncontrast approach could be utilized to follow vestibular schwannomas. ⋯ Based on the results of this study, a noncontrast MR protocol that includes a cisternographic sequence would be sufficient for the accurate characterization of size and signal characteristics of vestibular schwannomas, obviating the need for gadolinium contrast administration for the routine surveillance of these lesions.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Nervus intermedius and the surgical management of geniculate neuralgia.
Geniculate neuralgia (GN) is an uncommon craniofacial pain syndrome attributable to nervus intermedius (NI) dysfunction. Diagnosis and treatment can be challenging, due to the complex nature of ear sensory innervation, resulting in clinical overlap with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). ⋯ GN is rare, and diagnosis is confounded by symptomatic overlap with TN/GPN. Directed treatment of all possible neuralgias improved pain control in almost all primary operations. Repeat surgery seems a risk factor for an unfavorable outcome. NI is adherent to superomedial VIII at the brainstem; the intermediate/cisternal portion is optimal for visualization and sectioning.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Case ReportsPercutaneous endovascular biopsy in the diagnosis of venous sinus lesions: technical note.
Intracranial hypertension (IH) may be misdiagnosed owing to the lack of typical imaging features and pathological confirmation of the sinus lesions. The authors report the use of percutaneous endovascular biopsy (PEB) for the diagnosis of IH in patients with venous sinus lesions. A total of 9 patients (age 46 ± 9 years) underwent PEB between June 2016 and August 2017. ⋯ The confirmed lesions were meningioma in 2 patients and fibrous thrombus in 4 patients. All patients received individualized treatment. PEB of venous sinus lesions is a safe and efficient method to establish an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment in patients with IH.