Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2000
Indirect posterior reduction and fusion of the traumatic herniated disc by using a cervical pedicle screw system.
In this study the authors retrospectively review 16 patients with traumatic disc herniation secondary to middle and lower cervical spine injuries who underwent a single posterior reduction and fusion procedure in which a cervical pedicle screw system was used. The study was undertaken to evaluate whether the procedure effectively reduced the disc herniation and whether it can be safely conducted without performing anterior decompressive surgery. ⋯ Traumatic disc herniation may occur frequently in association with injury of the cervical spine. The incidence of traumatic disc herniation in our series was 32%. The cervical pedicle screw system allowed three-dimensional reduction of the injured cervical segment and reduction or reversal of a disc herniation. After surgery, compression of the thecal sac and/or spinal cord had disappeared. The cervical pedicle screw system provides effective and safe fixation of the cervical spine injury-related traumatic disc herniation, and the surgery can be performed safely in a single posterior-approach procedure without need of additional anterior decompressive interventions.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2000
Microanatomical variations in the cerebellopontine angle associated with vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas): a retrospective study of 1006 consecutive cases.
Great advances in neuroimaging, intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring, and microsurgical technique have shifted the focus of acoustic neuroma surgery from prolonging life to preserving cranial nerve function in patients. An appreciation of the vascular and cranial nerve microanatomy and the intimate relationship between neurovascular structures and the tumor is essential to achieve optimum results. In this paper the authors analyze the microanatomical variations in location of the facial and cochlear nerves in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) associated with acoustic neuromas and, additionally, describe the frequency of involvement of surrounding neural and vascular structures with acoustic tumors of varying size. The authors base these findings on their experience with 1006 consecutive patients who underwent surgery via a retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach. ⋯ In this study, the authors show the great variation in anatomical location and involvement of neurovascular structures in the CPA. With this knowledge, they present certain technical lessons that may be useful in preserving nerve function during surgery and, in doing so, hope to provide neurosurgeons and neurootologists with valuable information that may help to achieve optimum outcomes in patients.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2000
Endoscopic management of cysticercal cysts within the lateral and third ventricles.
In this report the authors review their 3-year experience with the endoscopic management of patients with hydrocephalus who harbored cysticercal cysts within the third and lateral ventricles. The management plan was to utilize an endoscopic approach to remove the cysts and to incorporate techniques useful in treating obstructive hydrocephalus. The ultimate goals were to avoid having to place a complication-prone cerebrospinal fluid shunt and to eliminate the risk of complications related to cyst degeneration. ⋯ The endoscopic removal of third and lateral ventricle cysticercal cysts, combined with a third ventriculostomy or septum pellucidotomy in selected cases, is an effective treatment in patients with hydrocephalus and should be considered the primary treatment for this condition.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2000
Surgical correction of lumbar kyphotic deformity: posterior reduction "eggshell" osteotomy.
Progressive kyphotic deformity of the lumbar or thoracolumbar spine may lead to back pain, cosmetic deformity, and risk of neurological compromise. The authors describe a series of patients in whom they performed a single-stage, posterior reduction ("eggshell") osteotomy procedure to improve sagittal contour by creating lordosis within a single vertebral body. ⋯ Single-level posterior reduction osteotomy provides excellent sagittal correction of kyphotic deformity in the lumbar region, with a risk of cauda equina and root and plexus compromise due to the extensive neural exposure.