British journal of neurosurgery
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Harvesting the superficial temporal artery (STA) is the first difficult step in extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery. There are various methods and instruments for harvesting the STA. We used the Lone Star (LS) retractor system for harvesting the STA. ⋯ We used the LS retractor system in 26 consecutive patients to perform STA-MCA anastomosis between November 2015 and August 2018. All STAs were harvested without complications or injuries. The LS retractor system is a safe and useful method for harvesting the STA.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of quantitative measurements of central nervous system tumour consistency and the associated preoperative imaging findings.
Purpose: Central nervous system (CNS) tumour consistency is one of the factors determining the difficulty of surgery for such lesions. We measured the consistency of surgically excised CNS tumour specimens using a hardness meter. The purpose of this study was to identify imaging parameters that reflect tumour consistency by comparing preoperative imaging findings with CNS tumour consistency measurements. ⋯ Among the intracranial meningiomas and metastatic tumours, significant correlations were detected between the T2WI findings and subjective tumour consistency according to the surgeon or quantitative tumour consistency (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: The preoperative T2WI findings of intracranial meningiomas and metastatic tumours were significantly correlated with quantitatively measured tumour consistency and subjectively evaluated tumour consistency. Therefore, we concluded that T2WI findings are useful for preoperatively predicting the consistency of such tumours.
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Background: Endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) is a new subspecialty area that has become more popular over the past 20 years. It is fast evolving and the indications are getting increasingly diverse. The skill-sets also continue to significantly improve, hence, we, the authors aim to assess the current status of this unique sub-specialty within the United Kingdom. ⋯ Conclusion: In the United Kingdom, ESBS appears to be commonly combined with a lateral/open skull base neurosurgical practice. Most of the surgeons had their ESBS training after formal residency. Collaboration with ENT occurs more commonly for extended transphenoidal procedures.