Journal of neurosurgery
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Wilder Penfield (1891-1976) is widely regarded as a dominant figure in 20th century neurobiology for his singular contributions to the structure-function relationship of the brain, his discovery of the language function of the supplementary motor area, the discovery (with Herbert Jasper and Brenda Milner) of the anatomy of recall, and his pioneering work in the surgical treatment of focal epilepsy. But another of his significant discoveries has escaped notice: the recognition that focal microgyria can generate epileptic seizures, and that these can be treated surgically. ⋯ As Penfield gave only a fragmentary account of this case, the patient's chart was retrieved from the Montreal Neurological Institute archives, and his operative note and brain map, intraoperative photographs, and the histopathological and cytological examinations of the resected specimen were reviewed. Based on these primary sources, this paper provides a complete, detailed account of the first case in which microgyria was recognized as a cause of focal epilepsy, which was successfully treated surgically.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Milrinone for refractory cerebral vasospasm with delayed cerebral ischemia.
Intravenous (IV) milrinone is a promising option for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, data remain limited on the efficacy of treating cases that are refractory to standard therapy with IV milrinone. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of refractory vasospasm/DCI despite treatment with IV milrinone, and to analyze the outcome of rescue therapy with intraarterial (IA) milrinone and/or mechanical angioplasty. ⋯ The aggressive use of milrinone was safe and effective based on this retrospective study cohort and is a promising therapy for the treatment of vasospasm/DCI after aSAH.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Observational StudySpreading depolarization may represent a novel mechanism for delayed fluctuating neurological deficit after chronic subdural hematoma evacuation.
Most patients with chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) recover after surgical evacuation with a straightforward course. There is a subset of patients who develop transient and fluctuating deficits not explained by seizures, stroke, or mass effect after evacuation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether these postoperative neurological deficits may be related to temporary brain dysfunction caused by cortical spreading depolarizations (SDs). ⋯ This is the first observation of SD occurring after cSDH evacuation. SD occurred at a rate of 15% and was associated with neurological deterioration. This may represent a novel mechanism for otherwise unexplained fluctuating neurological deficit after cSDH evacuation. This could provide a new therapeutic target, and SD-targeted therapies should be evaluated in prospective clinical trials.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Pituitary adenomas in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: a single-institution experience.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare, autosomal-dominant tumor disorder characterized by the development of pituitary tumors and other endocrine neoplasms. Diagnosis is made clinically based on the development of 2 or more canonical lesions (parathyroid gland, anterior pituitary, and enteropancreatic tumors) or in family members of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of MEN1 and the occurrence of one of the MEN1-associated tumors. The goal of this study was to characterize pituitary tumors arising in the setting of MEN1 at a single institution. The probability of tumor progression and the likelihood of surgical intervention in patients with asymptomatic nonfunctional pituitary adenomas were also analyzed. ⋯ Asymptomatic nonfunctional pituitary adenomas in patients with MEN1 may be followed safely with MRI. In this series, parathyroid tumors developed at the lowest median age of all cardinal tumors, and development of additional cardinal MEN1 lesions followed a predictable pattern. This pattern of disease progression could have significant implications for disease surveillance in clinical practice and may help to target clinical resources to the lesions most likely to develop next. This may aid with early detection and treatment and warrants further study.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2021
Development and validation of prediction scores for nosocomial infections, reoperations, and adverse events in the daily clinical setting of neurosurgical patients with cerebral and spinal tumors.
Various quality indicators are currently under investigation, aiming at measuring the quality of care in neurosurgery; however, the discipline currently lacks practical scoring systems for accurately assessing risk. The aim of this study was to develop three accurate, easy-to-use risk scoring systems for nosocomial infections, reoperations, and adverse events for patients with cerebral and spinal tumors. ⋯ The proposed risk scores allow efficient prediction of the likelihood of adverse events, to compare quality of care between different providers, and further provide guidance to surgeons on how to allocate preoperative care.