Neurosurgery
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Review Case Reports
Should endolymphatic sac tumors be considered part of the von Hippel-Lindau complex? Pathology case report.
Von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) disease is an inherited disorder characterized by numerous cystic and solid neoplasms. Because of the recent identification of the vHL gene, other investigators have demonstrated genetic mutations in this gene in several of the neoplasms associated with the disease. We describe a patient with an endolymphatic sac (ELS) tumor and vHL disease. The purpose of this study was to identify a similar genetic mutation within the vHL gene of the ELS tumor. ⋯ ELS tumors are uncommon, and, to our knowledge, only seven cases associated with vHL disease have been reported in the literature. Although this association has been previously mentioned, no definitive studies have linked the two together. We report the eighth case of ELS tumor and vHL disease. We have demonstrated through molecular biological techniques, that, in our patient's tumor, a genetic mutation occurred, and that this mutation is similar to mutations previously reported in other neoplasms associated with vHL. We therefore suggest that ELS tumors be considered among the neoplasms associated with vHL.
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Review Comparative Study
Deep brain stimulation for intractable pain: a 15-year experience.
During the past 15 years, we prospectively followed 68 patients with chronic pain syndromes who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS). The objective of our study was to analyze the long-term outcomes to clarify patient selection criteria for DBS. ⋯ DBS in selected patients provides long-term effective pain control with few side effects or complications.
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Comparative Study
Microsurgical results for small arteriovenous malformations accessible for radiosurgical or embolization treatment.
A consecutive series of microsurgically treated small arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), up to 3 cm in diameter, which are theoretically ideal candidates for radiosurgery or embolization, is described. We intended to elucidate the safety and efficacy of the microsurgical removal of AVMs, as compared with the results for radiosurgery and embolization reported in the literature. ⋯ Microsurgery for small AVMs is superior to radiosurgery or interventional neuroradiology because of its high rate of efficacy and low rate of permanent morbidity and because immediate cure of the AVMs can be achieved in the vast majority of patients. The place for radiosurgery in the treatment of small AVMs needs to be more sharply defined after careful assessment of relevant cases by an experienced vascular neurosurgeon.
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Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) affect young patients with Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF-2) and cause very serious problems for hearing, facial expression, and brain stem function. Our objective was to determine a therapy concept for the right timing and indication of neurosurgical therapy. ⋯ The indication and the timing of tumor resections are in some respects different from normal VS handling and are dependent on the tumor extension and related necessity of brain stem decompression and on the auditory function. As an optimal goal, completeness of resection with functional cochlear nerve preservation is formulated, and as an acceptable compromise, subtotal microsurgical resection with functional cochlear nerve preservation in the last hearing ear is suggested.
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Case Reports
Biportal endoscopic management of third ventricle tumors in patients with occlusive hydrocephalus: technical note.
To present the feasibility and advantages of the biportal endoscopic management of posterior third ventricle tumors. As a result of recent developments in neuroendoscopy, classical third ventriculostomy has become a standard single burr hole procedure and a real alternative to shunting in the treatment of occlusive hydrocephalus. In patients with third ventricle tumors occluding the aqueduct, the acute development of hydrocephalus may often precede debilitating focal symptoms and signs. Forty percent of those tumors are radiosensitive, rendering craniotomy unnecessary. The goal of primary management is the alleviation of raised intracranial pressure and determination of the histological nature of the tumor. Cerebrospinal fluid shunting and the performance of a computed tomography- or magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy are generally suggested as the methods of choice. ⋯ The biportal endoscopic approach allowed independent visual control of both procedures, safe passages of the ventriculoscopes via the narrow foramen of Monro, and facile control of the intracranial pressure in the ventricles via the available four irrigation channels during the performance of tumor biopsy and fenestration of the floor of the third ventricle. In selected patients with infiltrating posterior third ventricle tumors, this procedure and postoperative radiotherapy may be an alternative to direct surgery or to shunting and performance of image-guided biopsy.