Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2015
A Prospective Study of the Intra- and Postoperative Efficacy of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Accurate lead placement is critical for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) efficacy. The traditional gold standard of awake placement is often technically difficult. While there is retrospective evidence supporting the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) as an alternative, a prospective assessment has not yet been performed. ⋯ We provide prospective evidence that IOM can be used to verify SCS placement. Additionally, EMG may help to streamline device programming and thereby improve outcomes by predicting the ideal stimulation contacts in many cases.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2015
ReviewResting-State Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Functional MRI: A Paradigm Shift in Preoperative Brain Mapping.
Currently, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) facilitates a preoperative awareness of an association of an eloquent region with a tumor. This information gives the neurosurgeon helpful information that can aid in creating a surgical strategy. Typically, task-based fMRI has been employed to preoperatively localize speech and motor function. ⋯ Compared with task-related fMRI, rs-fMRI provides more comprehensive information on the functional architecture of the brain and is applicable in settings where task-related fMRI may provide inadequate information or could not be performed. Taken together, rs-fMRI substantially expands the preoperative mapping capability in efficiency, effectiveness, and scope. In this article, a brief introduction into rs-fMRI processing methods is followed by a detailed discussion on the role rs-fMRI plays in presurgical planning.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2015
Long-term follow-up of motor cortex stimulation for neuropathic pain in 23 patients.
Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is being offered to patients suffering from neuropathic pain. Outcome prediction, programming and especially sustaining a long-term treatment effect represent major challenges. We report a retrospective long-term analysis of our patients treated with MCS over a median follow-up of 39.1 months. ⋯ In this study, MCS failed to provide long-term pain control for neuropathic pain. Many aspects of MCS still remain unclear, especially the neural circuits involved and their response to long-term stimulation. Means must be developed to overcome the problems in this promising technique.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2015
The Effect of High-Frequency Stimulation on Sensory Thresholds in Chronic Pain Patients.
High-frequency stimulation (HFS) has recently gained attention as an alternative to parameters used in traditional spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Because HFS is paresthesia free, the gate theory of pain control as a basis of SCS has been called into question. The mechanism of action of HFS remains unclear. ⋯ HFS is a new means of modulating chronic pain. The mechanism by which HFS works seems to differ from that of traditional SCS, offering a new platform for innovative advancements in treatment and a greater potential to treat patients by customizing waveforms.
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Stereotact Funct Neurosurg · Jan 2015
Case ReportsPhantom Remodeling Effect of Dorsal Root Entry Zone Lesioning in Phantom Limb Pain Caused by Brachial Plexus Avulsion.
Dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning has been reported to be effective for phantom limb pain caused by brachial plexus avulsion pain. Most reports on DREZ lesioning for brachial plexus avulsion pain have focused on the results of pain relief without a detailed description of phantom sensations following DREZ lesioning. ⋯ The phantom arms and hands showed a prompt shortening and reduction in size, rather than a disappearance, following successful DREZ lesioning in patients with chronic phantom limb pain caused by brachial plexus avulsion.