Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Use of endoscopic transorbital and endonasal approaches for 360° circumferential access to orbital tumors.
Orbital tumors are often surgically challenging because they require an extensive fronto-temporo-orbital zygomatic approach (FTOZ) and a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the best outcomes. Recently, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques via a transorbital superior eyelid approach (ETOA) or endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) have been proposed as viable alternatives to transcranial approaches for orbital tumors. In this study, the authors investigated the feasibility of 360° circumferential access to orbital tumors via both ETOA and EEA. ⋯ Without transcranial approaches requiring temporalis muscle dissection and orbitozygomatic osteotomy, the selection of ETOA or EEA based on a concept of a four-zone model with its epicenter around the optic nerve successfully provides a minimally invasive 360° circumferential access to the entire orbit with acceptable morbidity.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Case ReportsCerebral deep venous thrombosis and COVID-19: case report.
Herein, the authors present the case of a 54-year-old male diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during a screening test. The patient was asked to self-isolate at home and report with any exacerbations of symptoms. He presented later with pneumonia complicated by encephalopathy at days 14 and 15 from initial diagnosis, respectively. ⋯ A complete hypercoagulable workup was negative, and the venous thrombosis was attributed to a hypercoagulable state induced by COVID-19. The mental decline was attributed to bithalamic and gangliocapsular venous infarction secondary to deep venous thrombosis. Unfortunately, the patient's condition continued to decline, and care was withdrawn.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Endoscopic endonasal approach for suprasellar meningiomas: introduction of a new scoring system to predict extent of resection and assist in case selection with long-term outcome data.
The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has gained increasing popularity for the resection of suprasellar meningiomas (SSMs). Appropriate case selection is critical in optimizing patient outcome. Long-term outcome data are lacking. The authors systematically identified preoperative factors associated with extent of resection (EOR) and determined the relationship between EOR and long-term recurrence after EEA for SSMs. ⋯ The EEA is a safe and effective approach to SSMs, with favorable visual outcomes in well-selected cases. The combination of postoperative MRI-based EOR with direct endoscopic inspection can be used in lieu of Simpson grade to predict recurrence. GTR dramatically reduces recurrence and can be achieved regardless of tumor size, proximity or encasement of the anterior cerebral artery, or medial optic canal invasion. Risk factors for incomplete resection include prior surgery, tumor lateral to the optic nerve, and complete ICA encasement.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Procalcitonin in the context of delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) initiates a deleterious cascade activating multiple inflammatory processes, which can contribute to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Procalcitonin (PCT) is an established marker for sepsis treatment monitoring, and its time course in the context of DCI after aSAH remains unclear. The aim of this trial was to assess the predictive and confirmative value of PCT levels in the context of DCI. ⋯ Early higher PCT levels were associated with the later development of DCI and unfavorable outcome. Analysis of PCT beyond the first couple of days after hemorrhage is hampered by nosocomial infections. In infection-free patients, however, PCT levels rise during DCI and an additional increase develops in patients developing cerebral infarction. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02142166 (clinicaltrials.gov).
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
A practical method for dealing with missing Glasgow Coma Scale verbal component scores.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used for the assessment of impaired consciousness; however, it is not always possible to test each component, most commonly the verbal component. This affects the derivation of the GCS sum score, which has a role in systems for predicting patient outcome. Imputation of missing scores does not add extra information, but it does allow use of tools for predicting outcome that require complete data. The authors devised a simple and practical tool to employ when verbal component data are missing. They then assessed the tool's utility by application to the GCS-Pupils plus age plus CT findings (GCS-PA CT) prognostic model. ⋯ This strategy is particularly valuable for imputation in clinical practice, enabling clinicians to make a rapid and reliable determination of the GCS sum score when the verbal component is not testable. This will support clinical communication and decisions based on estimates of injury severity as well as enable estimation of prognosis. The authors suggest that external validation of their imputation strategy and the performance of the GCS-PA charts should be undertaken in other clinical populations.