Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2002
Review Case ReportsIntracranial aneurysms associated with unsuspected aortic coarctation.
Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are found more often in patients with aortic coarctation (AC) than in the general population and aneurysm rupture occurs much earlier in the lives of these patients when there is coexistent AC. The diagnosis of AC is frequently made only after a serious cerebrovascular complication has developed. The aim of this paper is to call attention to AC in patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. ⋯ Abnormal results of cardiovascular examinations led the authors to consider an underlying AC, which was later confirmed by aortography. These aneurysms were successfully treated prior to correction of the ACs. The diagnosis of AC should be considered in adolescent and young adult patients presenting with IAs.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2002
Prognostic factors and outcome after different types of resection for temporal lobe epilepsy.
It is unknown whether different resection strategies for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) produce alterations in seizure control or neuropsychological performance. ⋯ Different strategies for surgical approaches in TLE result in equally good outcomes. Seizure outcome is mainly dependent on the diagnosis and clinical factors, whereas the neuropsychological results are more beneficial after resections limited to an epileptogenic lesion and focus.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2002
Localization of clinically effective stimulating electrodes in the human subthalamic nucleus on magnetic resonance imaging.
The authors sought to determine the location of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes that were most effective in treating Parkinson disease (PD). ⋯ The anatomical localization of clinically effective electrode contacts provided in this study yields useful information for the postoperative programming of DBS electrodes.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2002
Functional outcome after gamma knife surgery or microsurgery for vestibular schwannomas.
Microsurgical excision is an established treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS). In 1992 the authors used a patient questionnaire to evaluate the functional outcome and quality of life in a series of 224 consecutive patients. In addition, starting with gamma knife surgery (GKS) in 1992, the authors decided to use the same methodology to evaluate prospectively the results of this modality to compare the two alternatives. ⋯ Functional side effects happen during the first 2 years after radiosurgery. Findings after 4 years of follow up indicated that GKS provided better functional outcomes than microsurgery in this patient series.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 2002
Intracranial navigation by using low-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging: preliminary experience.
Intracranial navigation by using intraoperative magnetic resonance (iMR) imaging allows the surgeon to reassess anatomical relationships in near-real time during brain tumor surgery. The authors report their initial experience with a novel neuronavigation system coupled to a low-field iMR imaging system. ⋯ Intraoperative MR image-based neuronavigation is feasible when using the Odin PoleStar N-10 system for tumor resections that require multiple other surgical adjuncts including awake procedures, cortical mapping, monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials, or electrocorticography. Use of the system for brain biopsies offers the opportunity of immediate verification of the needle tip location. Standard neurosurgical drills, microscopes, and other equipment can be used safely in conjunction with this iMR imaging system.