Neurosurgery clinics of North America
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Apr 2013
Review Case ReportsUse of Surgimap Spine in sagittal plane analysis, osteotomy planning, and correction calculation.
Over the past 3 decades the sagittal plane has received increasing attention from the scientific community and spine surgeons alike. There remains a lack of clear and concise methods for incorporating surgical techniques and radiographic parameters to achieve the best possible outcome on a patient-specific level. This article proposes a new method for a treatment approach to sagittal malalignment by incorporating new digital tools for surgical planning. This technique offers a consistent approach to adult spinal deformity with sagittal-plane components, and can permit optimization in consistently achieving proper postoperative spinopelvic alignment.
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The use of minimally invasive approaches to the anterior skull base is a valuable tool to improving the treatment in patients with aggressive anterior skull base neoplasms. This article discusses the history, advantages and disadvantages relative to open approaches, the corridors and pathways used in approach, the equipment and operating room setup, perioperative care, and complication avoidance. Although outcomes are difficult to compare to open approaches, due to often small and varying patient cohorts, these approaches continue to gain acceptance as an effective treatment of anterior skull base tumors in the experienced surgeon's hands with proper patient selection.
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Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignant neoplasm in the olfactory region of the nasal cavity and anterior skull base. Diagnosis and staging require anatomic imaging and careful pathologic assessment. Standard treatment is anterior craniofacial resection with postoperative irradiation. ⋯ Prognosis is favorable; however, metastasis rates remain relatively high. Regional and distant metastasis portends a poor outcome. Intensity-modulated radiation treatment and endoscopic surgery have reduced morbidity, but outcomes with these techniques must be fully evaluated.
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Primary temporal bone tumors are rare. Suspicious lesions of the ear canal should be biopsied for diagnosis. Surgical resection to achieve negative margins is the mainstay of treatment. ⋯ Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy has shown improved survival for some patients. Chemotherapy has an emerging role for advanced stage disease. Evaluation and management by a multidisciplinary team are the best approach for patients with these tumors.
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Magnetic resonance imaging is the fundamental imaging tool for the evaluation of tumors and other lesions of the pituitary gland and infundibulum. Abnormalities may arise within the pituitary itself, from vestigial embryologic remnants, or from surrounding tissues. Correct diagnosis rests on accurate assessment of lesion location, imaging appearance, and clinical presentation. This article reviews the radiologic evaluation of lesions within the sella and suprasellar cistern, focusing on common masses and pseudomasses of the pituitary and sellar region that neurosurgeons are most likely to encounter in clinical practice.