Neurosurgery
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This article aims to provide more insight into the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Bertolotti's syndrome, which is a rare spinal disorder that is very difficult to recognize and diagnose correctly. The syndrome was first described by Bertolotti in 1917 and affects approximately 4 to 8% of the population. It is characterized by an enlarged transverse process at the most caudal lumbar vertebra with a pseudoarticulation of the transverse process and the sacral ala. It tends to present with low back pain and may be confused with facet and sacroiliac joint disease. ⋯ As with conventional surgical approaches, a complete knowledge of anatomy is required for minimally invasive spine surgery. This case is an example of the expanding utility of minimally invasive approaches in treating spinal disorders.
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Clinical Trial
Exploration and decompression of the spinal canal using split laminotomy and its modification, the "archbone" technique.
To develop a novel minimally invasive approach suitable for exploring different pathologies located in the spinal canal, allowing moderate enlargement of the canal with preservation of the majority of posterior structures so muscle attachments remain intact and postoperative complications are reduced. ⋯ This surgical approach fulfills the requirements of other laminotomy techniques and helps prevent damage to the crucial posterior stabilizers of the spine. In contrast to conventional spinal canal approaches, preservation of the majority of posterior structures leaves muscle attachments on the spinous processes and laminae completely intact. Furthermore, the technique for exposure and decompression of the spinal canal is a suitable method for all spinal segments, the cervical, thoracic, and the lumbar spine in all age groups.
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is cryptogenic in 15% of cases. Despite reports of proven recurrence, additional diagnostic studies are not often recommended when no abnormalities were identified on the initial study with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In our retrospective review of outcomes after cryptogenic SAH, we identify diagnostic strategies that most often yielded the source of bleeding. ⋯ Compared with perimesencephalic SAH, nonperimesencephalic SAH was associated with significantly (P < 0.01) longer hospital and intensive care unit stays, greater complication rates, and worse outcomes. Positive findings after further work-up after initial negative DSA in 16% of our patient population confirms that cryptogenic SAH is not necessarily nonaneurysmal, but that a bleeding risk exists. Therefore, we advocate repeat DSA and/or computed tomographic angiography after cryptogenic SAH.
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Case Reports
Endovascular treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms with willis covered stents: technical case report.
To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms with Willis covered stents (Micro-Port, Shanghai, China). ⋯ The use of covered stents in intracranial vascular structures is a feasible method to treat selected cases of intracranial giant aneurysms. It is suggested that patients who present with compressive mass effect caused by large or giant aneurysms are the best candidates for covered stent placement, but potential complications should be considered carefully before the stenting procedure.
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Clinical Trial
Microsurgical and angiographic anatomy of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: prevalence and significance of early branch aneurysms.
To determine the prevalence of early branch aneurysms, characterize these lesions angiographically and anatomically, and determine their clinical significance. ⋯ In our retrospective review, the majority of MCA aneurysms arose along the M1 segment proximal to the M1 bifurcation. Early frontal branch aneurysms were more common than typical M1 segment bifurcation aneurysms. M1 segment aneurysms arising from early frontal and early temporal branches have distinct anatomic features that impact surgical management and outcome. Understanding the relationship between the recurrent lenticulostriate arteries arising from the proximal segments of these early branches and the aneurysm neck should allow surgeons to avoid many postoperative ischemic complications when dealing with these challenging lesions.