Neurosurgery
-
Cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy (DC) is routinely performed for reconstructive purposes and has been recently linked to improved cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neurological function. ⋯ This systematic review suggests that cranioplasty improves CBF following DC with a concurrent improvement in neurological function. The causative impact of CBF on neurological function, however, requires further study.
-
In 2012, a new computed tomography (CT) grading scale was introduced by the Barrow Neurological Institute group ("BNI scale") to predict angiographic and symptomatic vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. ⋯ The BNI scale is easily applicable and superior to the original Fisher scale regarding prediction of angiographic vasospasm, new cerebral infarction, and patient outcome. Presence of intraventricular hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage are additional radiographic factors with outcome relevance that are not part of the BNI scale. Established clinical scores like World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and Hunt and Hess grading were more relevant for outcome prediction than any radiographic information.
-
Long-term remission rates from endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for acromegaly and their relationship to prognostic indicators of disease aggressiveness are not well documented. ⋯ Prognostic markers of disease aggressiveness other than cavernous sinus invasion did not correlate with surgical outcome. Long-term remission after surgery alone was achieved in 74% of patients, indicating long-term efficacy of endoscopic surgery.
-
Cost effectiveness has become an important factor in the health care system, requiring surgeons to improve efficacy of procedures while reducing costs. An awake craniotomy (AC) with direct cortical stimulation (DCS) presents one method to resect eloquent region tumors; however, some authors assert that this procedure is an expensive alternative to surgery under general anesthesia (GA) with neuromonitoring. ⋯ The total inpatient costs for awake craniotomies were lower than surgery under GA. This study suggests better cost effectiveness and neurological outcome with awake craniotomies for perirolandic gliomas.