Neurosurgery
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To determine the risks and survival benefit associated with implantation of an absorbable, 1,3-bis(2chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea-impregnated polymer wafer, we prospectively studied patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme and compared them with a demographically matched cohort group. ⋯ 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-Nitrosourea wafer implantation for recurrent glioblastoma was associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications, particularly those related to infection and wound healing. No clear survival benefit associated with wafer implantation was identified.
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A preliminary study of subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation was performed to determine its applicability for the treatment of gait and postural disturbances in Parkinson's disease. ⋯ Our findings showed that STN stimulation effectively alleviates freezing gait and improves walking to its status during the preoperative on-drug phase and can be applied for treatment of Parkinson's disease patients with these symptoms.
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Schwannomas that arise from the trigeminal nerve are rare and are usually managed by surgical resection. The role of radiosurgery in the care of patients with these basal tumors remains to be defined. ⋯ As a minimally invasive alternative to microsurgery, gamma knife radiosurgery proved to be an alternative primary or adjuvant strategy that controlled tumor growth, did not cause new deficits, and often improved presenting symptoms.
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A computer simulation based on the finite-element method was used to study the biomechanics of acute obstructive hydrocephalus and, in particular, to define why periventricular edema is most prominent in the anterior and posterior horns. ⋯ The distribution of periventricular edema in acute hydrocephalus is a result not only of increased intraventricular pressure but also of ventricular geometry.
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The discovery of the arachnoid membrane is a relatively recent advance. Ancient anatomists noted the presence of the dura mater and pia mater, but the intervening arachnoid membrane was left undescribed. It was not until the 17th century that anatomists discovered a layer separating the pia mater from the dura mater and named this cobweb-like layer the "arachnoid." Arachnoid means "spider-like" and has an interesting etymology that can be traced to the ancient Greek myth of Arachne.