Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2024
Comparative StudySimultaneous versus staged bilateral carpal tunnel release via open and endoscopic surgeries: a retrospective propensity score-matched patient comorbidity analysis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) presents bilaterally in nearly 60%-70% of affected patients. Bilateral carpal tunnel release (CTR) can be performed in a staged or simultaneous fashion. There remains a limited understanding of the optimal preoperative factors to use for patient selection when determining simultaneous versus staged bilateral CTR. Moreover, it is unclear how these factors influence postoperative outcomes. In this study, the authors aimed to identify and compare preoperative comorbidities and postoperative outcomes in patients who had undergone simultaneous versus staged open and endoscopic bilateral CTR. ⋯ Before matching, patients who had undergone staged CTR had significantly higher rates of preoperative medical comorbidities compared with patients in the simultaneous CTR group. Moreover, staged CTR was significantly associated with higher rates of postoperative complications. After matching on demographics and comorbidities, staged CTR was still associated with higher rates of postoperative complications, suggesting that preoperative comorbidities do not influence postoperative outcome. Further prospective studies could be used to validate these results and provide new findings for the management and treatment of these groups.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2024
Stereotactic radiosurgery for noncavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas: treatment outcomes and their predictors.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment modality for dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs), particularly cavernous sinus (CS) dAVFs. However, the long-term outcomes of non-CS dAVFs are not well known. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRS for non-CS dAVFs and to investigate the risk factors for incomplete obliteration. ⋯ SRS for non-CS dAVFs is safe, and its efficacy is highly variable according to location. High-flow shunts may indicate greater radioresistance. In the retreated cases, new fistulas tended to be accompanied by sinus steno-occlusion and formed in the adjacent sinus segments.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2024
Comparative StudyTransradial versus transfemoral access routes for diagnostic cerebral angiography: a large single-center comparative cost-analysis study.
Recently, the transradial (TR) approach has become a common alternative because of its safety profile and increased patient satisfaction compared with the transfemoral (TF) route. Both routes are associated with their respective associated costs, and differences typically emerge on the basis of patient anatomy, operator expertise, and occurrence of complications. The authors' objective was to compare the overall costs of diagnostic cerebral angiography via both routes and to shed light on the individual equipment costs of each route. ⋯ Overall, the authors' study showed that the TR approach can be a less expensive option for patients undergoing diagnostic cerebral angiography, especially if complications occur. Future studies may corroborate these findings and potentially lead to the adoption of TR as a low-cost, efficient, gold-standard technique for cerebral angiography.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2024
Expanding the reach of the trans-middle cerebellar peduncle approach: pontine cavernous malformations, tissue transgression beyond the safe entry zone, and the invisible triangle.
In the authors' microsurgical experience, the trans-middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) approach to the lateral and central pons has been the most common approach to brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs). This approach through a well-tolerated safe entry zone (SEZ) allows a wide vertical or posterior trajectory, reaching pontine lesions extending into the midbrain, medulla, and pontine tegmentum. Better understanding of the relationships among lesion location, surgical trajectory, and long-term clinical outcomes could determine areas of safe passage. ⋯ Trans-MCP resection is a safe and effective treatment for BSCMs, including lesions with marked superior or inferior ipsilateral extension. Two trajectories are associated with increased neurological risk: first, a superomedial trajectory to lesions extending into the midbrain that transgresses the SCP, its decussation, or both; and second, a posteromedial trajectory to lesions extending into the pontine tegmentum. The corticospinal tract, SCP, and pontine tegmentum form an invisible triangle within the pontine white matter tolerant of transgression. When the surgeon works within this triangle, most deep pontine BSCMs, including large lesions, those with contralateral or posterior extension, and others extending into the midbrain and medulla, can be resected safely with the trans-MCP approach.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2024
Natural history and growth rate of intracranial aneurysms in Loeys-Dietz syndrome: implications for treatment.
Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a heritable aortopathy associated with craniofacial abnormalities and dilatation and dissection of the aorta and its branches, as well as increased risk for intracranial aneurysms (ICAs). Given the rarity of the disease, the authors aimed to better define the natural history and role for the treatment for ICAs in these patients. ⋯ ICAs in patients with LDS are common, are frequently small, and have a growth rate similar to that of unruptured ICAs in the general population. More aggressive or earlier intervention for asymptomatic ICAs identified in LDS patients compared with the general population is likely unwarranted based on the authors' experience at their institution.