Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Quantitative analysis of the surgical exposure and surgical freedom between transcranial and transorbital endoscopic anterior petrosectomies to the posterior fossa.
This study proposes a variation of the transorbital endoscopic approach (TOEA) that uses the lateral orbit as the primary surgical corridor, in a minimally invasive fashion, for the posterior fossa (PF) access. The versatility of this technique was quantitatively analyzed in comparison with the anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA), which is commonly used for managing lesions in the PF. ⋯ The TOEAs using the lateral orbital corridor for PF access are feasible techniques that may provide a comparable surgical exposure to the ATPA. Furthermore, the removal of the orbital rim showed an additional benefit in an enhancement of the surgical maneuverability in the PF.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Induction of aneurysmogenic high positive wall shear stress gradient by wide angle at cerebral bifurcations, independent of flow rate.
Endothelium adapts to wall shear stress (WSS) and is functionally sensitive to positive (aneurysmogenic) and negative (protective) spatial WSS gradients (WSSG) in regions of accelerating and decelerating flow, respectively. Positive WSSG causes endothelial migration, apoptosis, and aneurysmal extracellular remodeling. Given the association of wide branching angles with aneurysm presence, the authors evaluated the effect of bifurcation geometry on local apical hemodynamics. ⋯ Apical shear forces and spatial gradients are highly dependent on bifurcation and inflow vessel geometry. The development of aneurysmogenic positive WSSG as a function of angular geometry provides a mechanotransductive link for the association of wide bifurcations and aneurysm development. These results suggest therapeutic strategies aimed at altering underlying unfavorable geometry and deciphering the molecular endothelial response to shear gradients in a bid to disrupt the associated aneurysmal degeneration.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Evaluation of an in vivo model for ventricular shunt infection: a pilot study using a novel antimicrobial-loaded polymer.
Ventricular shunt infection remains an issue leading to high patient morbidity and cost, warranting further investigation. The authors sought to create an animal model of shunt infection that could be used to evaluate possible catheter modifications and innovations. ⋯ The authors evaluated an animal model of ventricular shunting and reliably induced features of shunt infection that could be microbiologically quantified. With this model, investigation of pathophysiological and imaging correlates of infection and potentially beneficial shunt catheter modifications is possible.