Neurosurgical review
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Neurosurgical review · Oct 2014
Efficacy and safety of the pterional keyhole approach for the treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms.
Keyhole surgery is partly replacing the standard pterional approach in patients undergoing surgery to treat aneurysms of the anterior circulation. We describe the pterional keyhole approach for the clipping of anterior circulation aneurysms and discuss the efficacy and safety of our keyhole craniotomy procedure. We treated 103 patients with 111 intracranial aneurysms by surgical clipping via the pterional keyhole approach and retrospectively compared the characteristics and clinical outcomes of the keyhole procedure and the standard pterional approach. ⋯ The pterional keyhole approach offers the same surgical possibilities as conventional pterional approaches for the treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms. It is safe and simple and yields favorable outcomes even if the operators are less experienced neurosurgeons. Careful patient selection and sufficient opening of the sylvian fissure are the key points for good outcomes and the prevention of intraoperative complications.
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Neurosurgical review · Oct 2014
A combined dual-port endoscope-assisted pre- and retrosigmoid approach to the cerebellopontine angle: an extensive anatomo-surgical study.
The use of the endoscope in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) has been suggested to minimize cerebellar retraction and reduce the size of the craniotomy. 3D endoscopy combines the benefits of conventional 2D endoscopy with the added benefit of stereoscopic perception, though improved visualization alone does not guarantee improved surgical maneuverability and a better surgical outcome. We propose a new combined dual-port endoscope-assisted pre- and retrosigmoid approach to improve visualization and accessibility of the CPA with shortened distances and increased surgical maneuverability of neurovascular structures. We analyze surgical exposure and maneuverability of this approach and compare it with the surgical microscopic and a conventional single-port endoscope-assisted retrosigmoid approach. ⋯ The dual-port endoscopic approach dramatically improved visualization and surgical maneuverability of the anteromedial compartments, clivus, and related neurovascular structures. Additionally, the 3D endoscope allowed for a better understanding of the surgical anatomy of the CPA and improved visualization of structures located in the anteromedial compartments towards the midline. This approach allowed for full realization of the benefits of endoscopic-assisted technique by improving surgical access and maneuverability.
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Neurosurgical review · Oct 2014
Anterior petroclinoid fold fenestration: an adjunct to clipping of postero-laterally projecting posterior communicating aneurysms.
Proximally located posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms, projecting postero-laterally in proximity to the tentorium, may pose a technical challenge for microsurgical clipping due to obscuration of the proximal aneurysmal neck by the anterior petroclinoid fold. We describe an efficacious technique utilizing fenestration of the anterior petroclinoid fold to facilitate visualization and clipping of PCoA aneurysms abutting this aspect of the tentorium. Of 86 cases of PCoA aneurysms treated between 2003 and 2013, the technique was used in nine (10.5 %) patients to allow for adequate clipping. ⋯ There were two intraoperative ruptures not related to creation of the wedge fenestration. One patient experienced post-operative partial third nerve palsy, which resolved during follow-up. We describe a technique of fenestration of the anterior petroclinoid fold to establish a critical and safe corridor for both visualization and clipping of PCoA aneurysms.
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Neurosurgical review · Jul 2014
ReviewCurrent state-of-the-art and future perspectives of robotic technology in neurosurgery.
Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding surgical specialties in terms of precision requirements and surgical field limitations. Recent advancements in robotic technology have generated the possibility of incorporating advanced technological tools to the neurosurgical operating room. ⋯ In this review, the authors present a critical historical analysis of the development of robotic technology in neurosurgery as well as a comprehensive summary of the currently available systems that can be expected to be incorporated to the neurosurgical armamentarium in the near future. Finally, the authors present a critical analysis of the main technical challenges in robotic technology development at the present time (such as the design of improved systems for haptic feedback and the necessity of incorporating intraoperative imaging data) as well as the benefits which robotic technology is expected to bring to specific neurosurgical subspecialties in the near future.
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Neurosurgical review · Jul 2014
Case ReportsOccipitocervical fusion with relief of odontoid invagination: atlantoaxial distraction method using cylindrical titanium cage for basilar invagination--case report.
A 65-year-old woman presented with basilar invagination manifesting as neck pain, dysesthesia around the lips, and truncal ataxia. The radiological findings demonstrated invagination of the odontoid process into the medulla oblongata and vertical atlantoaxial subluxation with C1 assimilation. The clivo-axial angle was 88° and the cervicomedullary angle was 115°, indicating severe basilar invagination. ⋯ The preoperative symptoms improved, and she remained symptom-free without requiring anterior decompression over 2 years. Bone fusion of the atlantoaxial joints was completed with sustained facet distraction 12 months after the surgery, and adequate relief of the basilar invagination was maintained. The atlantoaxial distraction method using a cylindrical titanium cage can be a useful option in posterior fusion surgery for basilar invagination.