Neurosurgery
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Resection of gliomas in or adjacent to the motor system is widely performed with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM). Despite the fact that data on the safety of IOM are available, the significance and predictive value of the procedure are still under discussion. Moreover, cases of false-negative monitoring affect the surgeon's confidence in IOM. ⋯ Continuous MEP monitoring provides reliable monitoring of the motor system, influences the course of operation in some cases, and has to be regarded as the standard for IOM of the motor system. In our series, we found no false-negative MEP results.
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The yield of repeat catheter angiography in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who have negative initial catheter and computed tomography (CT) angiograms is not well understood. ⋯ Repeat catheter angiography performed 7 days after presentation is valuable in the evaluation of patients with SAH who have negative initial catheter and CT angiograms, demonstrating a causative vascular abnormality in 4.2% of patients.
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Following successful intercostal-musculocutaneous nerve (ICN-MCN) neurotization for brachial plexus injuries (BPIs), patients initially show a synkinetic movement of elbow flexion during inspiration. Later they are able to flex the elbow, independent of respiratory activity. ⋯ Cortical plasticity following ICN-MCN transfer in BPI does occur. There was no correlation between the degree of improvement either with the transposition of activity on the motor cortex from the chest to the elbow area, or the amount of activity on the motor cortex representing the elbow area.
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In adults, resection of the medial frontal lobe has been shown to result in supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome, a disorder characterized by transient motor impairment. Studies examining the development of SMA syndrome in children, however, are wanting. ⋯ Surgery for medically intractable epilepsy in the region of the medial frontal cortex is effective and associated with reversible neurological impairment in children. All patients had resolution of their SMA syndrome by 6 months postoperatively.
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Closed C2 fractures commonly occur after falls or other trauma in the elderly and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Controversy exists as to best treatment practices for these patients. ⋯ The 30-day mortality and complication rates in surgically and nonsurgically treated patients were comparable. Elderly patients faced relatively high morbidity and mortality regardless of treatment modality; thus, age alone does not appear to be a contraindication to surgical fixation of C2 fractures.