Neurosurgery
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This is a retrospective study of 136 patients with Cushing disease treated with transsphenoidal microsurgery. ⋯ In microadenomas, a positive MRI and positive IPSS test were associated with a higher incidence of IPBR. Recurrences increased with the passage of time, and an IPPC of greater than 2 μg/dL may be associated with higher incidence of recurrences.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Method of aneurysm treatment does not affect clot clearance after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Patients undergoing neurosurgical clipping or endovascular coiling of a ruptured aneurysm may differ in their risk of vasospasm. ⋯ Aneurysm coiling and increased clot clearance were independently associated with decreased severity of angiographic vasospasm in multivariate analysis, although no differences in clot clearance were seen between coiled and clipped patients.
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The endoscopic, endonasal, extended transsphenoidal approach is a minimal-access technique for managing craniopharyngiomas. Outcome measures such as return to employment and body mass index (BMI) have not been reported and are necessary for comparison with open transcranial approaches. Most prior reports of the endoscopic, endonasal approach have reported unacceptably high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rates. ⋯ Minimal-access, endoscopic, endonasal surgery for craniopharyngioma can achieve high rates of GTR with low rates of CSF leak. Return to employment and obesity rates are comparable to microscope-assisted transcranial and transsphenoidal reports.
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Cerebral vasospasm is an independent predictor of poor outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) vasodilatory pathway is strongly implicated in its pathophysiology. Preliminary studies suggest that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that degrades cGMP, may play a role because the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil was found to reduce vasospasm after SAH. However, several questions that are critical when considering translational studies remain unanswered. ⋯ Sildenafil, a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug with a proven track record of safety in humans, is a promising new therapy for vasospasm and neurological deficits after SAH.
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The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) Working Group is an international, multidisciplinary effort to develop new standardized response criteria for clinical trials in brain tumors. The RANO group identified knowledge gaps relating to the definitions of tumor response and progression after the use of surgical or surgically based treatments. ⋯ The RANO process is intended to produce end-point criteria for clinical trials that take into account the effects of prior and ongoing therapies. The RANO criteria will continue to evolve as new therapies and technologies are introduced into clinical trial and/or practice.