Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2020
Survival benefit of lobectomy over gross-total resection without lobectomy in cases of glioblastoma in the noneloquent area: a retrospective study.
Following resection of glioblastoma (GBM), microscopic remnants of the GBM tumor remaining in nearby tissue cause tumor recurrence more often than for other types of tumors, even after gross-total resection (GTR). Although surgical oncologists traditionally resect some of the surrounding normal tissue, whether further removal of nearby tissue may improve survival in GBM patients is unknown. In this single-center retrospective study, the authors assessed whether lobectomy confers a survival benefit over GTR without lobectomy when treating GBMs in the noneloquent area. ⋯ In cases of completely resectable, noneloquent-area GBMs, SupTR provides superior PFS and OS without negatively impacting patient performance.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2020
An aligned nanofiber nerve conduit that inhibits painful traumatic neuroma formation through regulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
Traumatic neuromas represent a prevalent source of neuropathic pain. As of yet, there has been no single treatment method that can guarantee permanent relief of symptoms. Although nerve-capping techniques have shown promise, their exact mechanisms remain elusive. The authors' aim was to examine the role of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in the prevention of neuroma formation after neurectomy utilizing a nerve-capping technique. ⋯ The RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway has emerged as a critical player in the process of traumatic neuroma formation after neurectomy. It is possible that the nerve-capping technique could generate a "regenerative brake" based on the regulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in this event. These findings may provide concrete evidence that could help develop new strategies for the management of painful neuromas.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2020
Successful application of stereotactic radiosurgery for multiply recurrent Rathke's cleft cysts.
Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign lesions of the sella turcica that usually come to neurosurgical attention due to compression of the optic apparatus (OA) and headaches. Treatment options for these lesions include observation, aspiration of cyst contents, or open resection of the cyst with the cyst wall. All of these options involve the potential for cyst recurrence or enlargement. In this study the authors report on a potential new therapeutic option for RCCs, i.e., stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). ⋯ RCCs can be a challenging clinical entity to treat, especially when they are multiply recurrent. In patients with an average of 2 previous surgeries for resection, a single SRS session prevented recurrence universally, with an average follow-up of almost 3 years. These results indicate that further investigation of the treatment of RCCs with SRS is indicated.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2020
The Computerized General Neuropsychological INPH Test revealed improvement in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus after shunt surgery.
The Computerized General Neuropsychological INPH Test (CoGNIT) provides the clinician and the researcher with standardized and accessible cognitive assessments in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). CoGNIT includes tests of memory, executive functions, attention, manual dexterity, and psychomotor speed. Investigations of the validity and reliability of CoGNIT have been published previously. The aim of this study was to evaluate CoGNIT's sensitivity to cognitive change after shunt surgery in patients with INPH. ⋯ In this study the feasibility for CoGNIT to detect a preoperative impairment and postoperative improvement in INPH was demonstrated. CoGNIT has the potential to become a valuable tool in clinical and research work.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01618500 (clinicaltrials.gov).
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2020
Case ReportsThe striking effects of deep cerebellar stimulation on generalized fixed dystonia: case report.
Cerebellar neuromodulation could influence the pathological abnormalities of movement disorders through several connections between the cerebellum and the basal ganglia or other cortices. In the present report, the authors demonstrate the effects of cerebellar deep brain stimulation (DBS) on a patient with severe generalized fixed dystonia (FD) that was refractory to bilateral pallidotomy and intrathecal baclofen therapy. A previously healthy 16-year-old girl presented with generalized FD. ⋯ Ipsilateral stimulation of the SCP or DN improved the FD, and the ability of DBS administered via the SCP to relax muscles was better than that of DN DBS. A considerable improvement of generalized FD, from a bedridden state to a wheelchair-bound state, was observed in the patient following 6 months of chronic bilateral DBS via the SCP; moreover, the patient was able to move her arms and legs. The findings in the present case suggest that neuromodulation of deep cerebellar structures is a promising treatment for FD that is refractory to conventional treatments.