Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2024
The story of dexamethasone and how it became one of the most widely used drugs in neurosurgery.
Dexamethasone, a long-acting potent glucocorticoid, is one of the most widely used medications in neurosurgery. In this paper, the authors recount the history of dexamethasone's rise in neurosurgery and discuss its use in brain tumors in the context of emerging neuro-oncological immunotherapies. In 1958, Glen E. ⋯ As neuro-oncological treatments evolve to include immunotherapy, the immunosuppressive effects of dexamethasone are becoming an unwanted effect. The question then becomes: how does one treat the patient's symptoms if the only drug that has been used throughout history may become a detriment to their oncological treatment? Since its discovery, dexamethasone has maintained an impressive staying power in the field, acting as a standard drug for cerebral edema for more than 60 years. However, with the advent of immunotherapy, research is warranted to evaluate ways of treating symptomatic edema in the context of modern neuro-oncological therapies.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2024
Meta AnalysisThe association of thromboembolic complications and the use of tranexamic acid during resection of intracranial meningiomas: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Antifibrinolytics, such as tranexamic acid (TXA), have been shown to decrease intraoperative blood loss across multiple surgical disciplines. However, they carry the theoretical risk of thromboembolic events secondary to induced hypercoagulability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review the available literature and perform a meta-analysis on the use of TXA in meningioma resection to assess thromboembolic risks. ⋯ Current literature suggests that TXA is not associated with increased risk for VTE when administered during resection of intracranial meningioma. TXA appears to decrease intraoperative blood loss and allogeneic transfusion requirements during meningioma resection and thus may improve the safety of surgical management of this pathology.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2024
Minimally invasive keyhole approach for supramaximal frontal glioma resections: technical note.
The authors aimed to review the frontal lobe's surgical anatomy, describe their keyhole frontal lobectomy technique, and analyze the surgical results. ⋯ Keyhole approaches enabled successful SMR of frontal gliomas without added risks. Robust anatomical knowledge and meticulous surgical technique are paramount for obtaining successful resections.