Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2002
Histopathological validation of a three-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy index as a predictor of tumor presence.
Data obtained preoperatively from three-dimensional (3D)/proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy were compared with the results of histopathological assays of tissue biopsies obtained during surgery to verify the sensitivity and specificity of a choline-containing compound-N-acetylaspartate index (CNI) used to distinguish tumor from nontumorous tissue within T2-hyperintense and contrast-enhancing lesions of patients with untreated gliomas. The information gleaned from the biopsy correlation study was used to test the hypothesis that there is metabolically active tumor in nonenhancing regions of the T2-hyperintense lesion that can be detected using MR spectroscopy. ⋯ Biopsy samples containing tumor were distinguished from those containing a mixture of normal, edematous, gliotic, and necrotic tissue with 90% sensitivity and 86% specificity by using a CNI threshold of 2.5. The CNIs of nontumorous specimens were significantly different from those of biopsy specimens containing Grade II (p < 0.03), Grade III (p < 0.005), and Grade IV (p < 0.01) tumors. On average, one third to one half of the T2-hyperintense lesion outside the contrast-enhancing lesion contained CNI greater than 2.5.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2002
Comparative StudyComparison of different infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches to the posterior and middle incisural space: a cadaveric study.
The purpose of this investigation was to describe and compare through cadaveric dissection the microsurgical exposure afforded by the median, paramedian, and extreme-lateral infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches to the posterior and middle incisural space. ⋯ The infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches allow safe circumferential exposure of the posterior and middle incisural space. Choosing among different variants allows the surgeon to reach selected areas, with the midline variant being best for exposure of the posterior incisural space, and the paramedian and extreme-lateral variants being best for reaching the posterior and the anterior part of the middle incisural space, respectively. The more lateral the approach, the more anterior and multiangled the exposure gained. Complete, constant exposure and retraction of the dural sinuses improves the exposure. Accurate knowledge of the regional anatomy is mandatory.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2002
Benign cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: outcome of conservative management based on the natural history of the lesion.
Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) can be classified into benign or aggressive, based on their patterns of venous drainage. A benign condition requires the absence of cortical venous drainage (CVD). The clinical and angiographic features of a consecutive single-center group of 117 patients harboring benign cranial DAVFs were evaluated over time to validate the behavior and appropriate management of these lesions. ⋯ The disease course of a cranial DAVF without CVD is indeed benign, obviating the need for a cure of these lesions. Symptoms are well tolerated with either observation or palliative treatment. After a long-term follow-up review of 68 patients, this conservative management resulted in a benign and tolerable level of disease in 98.5% of cases. It is noteworthy, however, that a benign DAVF carries a 2% risk of developing CVD, mandating close clinical follow-up review in such cases and renewed radiological evaluation in response to any deterioration in the patient's condition.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2002
Case ReportsPercutaneous transpedicular vertebroplasty with calcium phosphate cement in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression and burst fractures.
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures occasionally lead to late-onset collapse, kyphosis, persistent back pain, and disability. The authors describe a series of patients in whom they performed percutaneous vertebroplasty by using calcium phosphate cement (CPC) to obtain early pain relief and improve the integrity of the osteoporotic vertebral body (VB). ⋯ Percutaneous transpedicular CPC-assisted vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that provides early relief of pain and prevents vertebral collapse and pseudarthrosis in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
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Syringomyelia is often linked to pathological lesions of the foramen magnum. The most common cause is hindbrain herniation, usually referred to as Chiari I or II malformation. Foramen magnum arachnoiditis without either Chiari I or II malformation is a rare cause of syringomyelia. The authors undertook a retrospective analysis of 21 patients with foramen magnum arachnoiditis (FMA) and syringomyelia treated between 1978 and 2000 to determine clinical course and optimum management. ⋯ Surgery for FMA and syringomyelia has to provide clear cerebrospinal fluid pathways between the cerebellopontine cisterns, spinal canal, and fourth ventricle. If this can be achieved successfully, the syrinx decreases in size and the clinical course of the patient may even improve. In patients with severe and widespread areas of arachnoiditis, however, multiple operations may be required at least to stabilize the clinical course.