Neurosurg Focus
-
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is the most commonly used implantable neurostimulation modality for management of pain syndromes. In this paper the authors describe the current indications for SCS and its efficacy in the treatment of those diseases. Specifically, the literature on patient selection and outcomes after SCS for failed-back surgery syndrome (FBSS), refractory angina pectoris, peripheral vascular disease, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Type I was reviewed. ⋯ Patients with inoperable PVD also demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief, QOL, and limb mobility. Reported complications were mostly related to hardware and were relatively minor. Review of randomized controlled studies supports the use of SCS as an effective treatment modality for pain associated with FBSS, refractory angina pectoris, peripheral vascular disease, and CRPS Type I.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of intraarterial verapamil on the diameter of vasospastic intracranial arteries in patients with cerebral vasospasm.
This study was conducted to determine whether there is a change in intracranial arterial diameters after verapamil infusion for vasospasm and, if it is present, to determine whether the change occurs in proximal, intermediate, or distal vessels. ⋯ Administration of intraarterial verapamil does not cause a significant increase in the diameter of vasospastic vessels at the administered doses.
-
Seizures and epilepsy are frequent clinical manifestations of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) and represent the most common symptomatic presentation of supratentorial lesions. Clinicians often diagnose CCMs in patients after a first seizure, or in some cases after obtaining neuroimaging studies in patients suffering from chronic epilepsy previously thought to be idiopathic. ⋯ The authors present current pathophysiological concepts related to epilepsy associated with CCMs. They discuss the spectrum of seizure disorders associated with these lesions and review the natural history, prognosis, and options for therapeutic intervention.
-
Spinal nerve root stimulation is a recently developed form of neuromodulation used for the treatment of chronic pain conditions. Unlike spinal cord stimulation, in which electrical impulses are directed at the dorsal columns, spinal nerve root stimulation guides electrical current directly to one or more nerve roots. There are a variety of techniques by which this can be accomplished, yet no consistent terminology to describe these variations exists. In this review, the authors group the various techniques according to anatomical approach, define each category, describe and illustrate each of the techniques, review the available reports on their uses, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
-
Comparative Study
Placement of percutaneous pedicle screws without imaging guidance.
Pedicle screw (PS) instrumentation provides an exceptionally rigid construct to promote fusion in cases of spinal trauma and degenerative disease. Although the safety of traditional open techniques for PS placement has been well documented, there are no large series in the literature in which the safety of percutaneously placed PSs has been examined. ⋯ During a 2-year period, the authors placed 287 PSs percutaneously with the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy. Only one of these screws was later found to have breached the spinal canal, yielding a breach rate of 0.35% for percutaneously placed PSs (one of 287).