Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2022
The spectrum of brachial plexopathy from perineural spread of breast cancer.
Perineural spread of breast cancer to the brachial plexus can lead to pain, sensory alterations, and upper-extremity weakness. Although rare, perineural spread is an often-misdiagnosed long-term complication following breast cancer diagnosis. The objective of this study was to critically review the clinical, radiological, and pathological findings of biopsy-proven perineural spread of breast cancer to the brachial plexus. ⋯ Perineural spread should be considered in patients with a history of breast cancer, even 10 years after primary diagnosis, especially in patients who present with arm pain, weakness, and/or sensory changes. Further diagnostic workup with electrodiagnostic studies; brachial plexus MRI, PET/CT, or PET/MRI; and possibly nerve biopsy is warranted to ensure accurate diagnosis.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2022
Endovascular treatment in patients with coma that developed secondary to acute basilar artery occlusion.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with secondary coma following acute basilar artery occlusion (comatose patients) and to identify the impact of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on medical decisions. ⋯ EVT significantly improved the prognosis of comatose patients, and patients with GCS scores of 6-8 were found to benefit more from EVT than those with GCS scores of 3-5. The initial GCS score was an independent predictive factor for prognosis in comatose patients.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2022
The Pipeline Embolization Device: a decade of lessons learned in the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms in a multicenter cohort.
The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has prompted a paradigm shift in the approach to posterior circulation aneurysms. The year 2021 marks a decade since FDA approval of this flow diverter, and during this time operators have adapted to its off-label uses. The authors examined whether case selection, practice trends, and patient outcomes have changed over this 10-year period. ⋯ The authors observed a trend toward a decline in the rate of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications with improved operator experience in using the PED for posterior circulation aneurysms. The use of single-device PED flow diversion significantly increased, as did the tendency to treat smaller aneurysms and observe large unruptured fusiform/dolichoectatic lesions. These findings reflect changes attributable to evolving judgment with maturing experience in PED use.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2022
Microsurgical anatomy of the dorsal clinoidal space: implications for endoscopic endonasal parasellar surgery.
The clinoidal venous space dorsal to the internal carotid artery (ICA) has not been well studied given its inaccessibility due to obstruction by the ICA during transcranial surgery. The evolution of endoscopic endonasal surgery has provided a new perspective into the clinoidal space and a new route for paraclinoidal lesions. Understanding the dorsal clinoidal space (DCS) is vital in planning and performing endoscopic endonasal surgery in the parasellar region. A detailed and precise description of the DCS from the endonasal perspective has not yet been provided. The authors' goal in this study was to delineate the microsurgical anatomy of the DCS from an endoscopic endonasal perspective, emphasizing its surgical implications when treating invasive pituitary adenomas and other parasellar lesions. ⋯ This report provides important anatomical descriptions of the DCS from endoscopic endonasal and transcranial perspectives that may facilitate the space's safe exposure for the removal of invasive adenomas, increasing total resection rates and minimizing the risk of injury to neurovascular structures.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2022
A taxonomy for brainstem cavernous malformations: subtypes of pontine lesions. Part 2: inferior peduncular, rhomboid, and supraolivary.
Part 2 of this 2-part series on pontine cavernomas presents the taxonomy for subtypes 4-6: inferior peduncular (IP) (subtype 4), rhomboid (5), and supraolivary (6). (Subtypes 1-3 are presented in Part 1.) The authors have proposed a novel taxonomy for pontine cavernous malformations based on clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location (MRI findings). ⋯ The neurological symptoms and signs associated with a hemorrhagic pontine subtype can help define that subtype clinically with key localizing signs. The proposed taxonomy for pontine cavernous malformation subtypes 4-6 meaningfully guides surgical strategy and may improve patient outcomes.