Neurosurgery
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Aneurysm formation is a complication of superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery occurring as pseudoaneurysms caused by technical failure, but also as true aneurysms discovered after long-term follow-up. ⋯ Bypass surgery is increasingly performed in patients with complicated aneurysms if sacrifice or temporary occlusion of any major vessel is required. Therefore, de novo aneurysm formation may not be rare in patients with risk factors such as hypertension or multiple aneurysms. Extended follow-up examination is required in such patients.
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Historical Article
The brain on itself: Nobel laureates and the history of fundamental nervous system function.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been given in recognition of work in the neurosciences a number of times. Laureates have been awarded for work on both fundamental and more complex nervous system functions. This review is restricted to contributions by 20th century laureates to the understanding of fundamental nervous system function on the cellular level. ⋯ In 1970, Bernhard Katz received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of quantal release. Katz shared the prize with Julius Axelrod and Ulf von Euler, who were central in finding that transmitters are stored in presynaptic vesicles and that the effect in many synapses is terminated by reuptake. This review does not include 21st century laureates, although the prize has already been given to neuroscientists twice this century; Arvid Carlsson, Paul Greengard, and Eric Kandel received the award in 2000 for their discoveries related to signal transduction, and Richard Axel and Linda Buck received the award in 2004 for their work in the field of odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system.
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The pattern of triceps innervation is complex and, as yet, has not been fully elucidated. The purposes of this study were 1) to clarify the anatomy of the triceps motor branches, and 2) to evaluate their possible uses as a donor or receiver for nerve transfer. ⋯ Each of the triceps' motor branches might be used as a donor for transfer. The triceps long head motor branch should be used preferentially when the intention is to establish triceps reinnervation.
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The main objectives of this study were to analyze and compare spinopelvic parameters, including the pelvis shape, in a population of 40 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DSPL) and to compare these patients with a control group of asymptomatic volunteers. ⋯ Matching according to the PI between the patients in the study and the control group enabled us to understand variations of the spinopelvic parameters in a population of patients with DSPL. DSPL patients were characterized by a greater PI than the asymptomatic population; therefore, we suggest that a high PI may be a predisposing factor in developing DSPL. Finally, we observed significant variations in spinopelvic alignment, such as loss of lordosis and sagittal unbalance, which were partially compensated by pelvis back tilt and hyperextension in the upper lumbar spine.
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Case Reports
Freehand dynamic endoscopic resection of an epidermoid tumor of the cerebellopontine angle: technical case report.
In the last 10 years, experience with endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for the treatment of sellar and perisellar lesions has highlighted advantages brought about by the endoscope for less-invasive procedures. Focusing on these advantages, there is increasing interest in endoscope use for treatment of lesions located in other regions such as the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Epidermoid tumors, especially those located on the CPA, resulting from their avascular and noninfiltrative nature, appear particularly suited to being treated using an endoscopic approach. ⋯ The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The trigeminal neuralgia completely resolved, and postoperative control magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated no residual lesion. The benefits of endoscopic treatment for CPA lesions, with special emphasis on the dynamic aspect of this new technique, are discussed.