Surg Neurol
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The consistency of a meningioma is one of the important factors in determining the surgical outcome. If the surgeon is aware of the consistency of a meningioma preoperatively, the surgical plans will be influenced. A few papers have described the correlation between consistency of meningiomas and their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. However, prediction of consistency with MRI is still difficult. We have tried to predict the consistency of meningiomas with MRI findings more precisely. ⋯ We presume that T2 and PD are useful for predicting consistency of meningiomas, and their water content is one of the main factors in their consistency. Histology may be one of the factors helpful in defining the consistency of a tumor. In this series, we found no relationship between histology and MRI findings, nor between histology and consistency. If the meningioma is believed to be hard, preoperative endovascular embolization is beneficial, which will induce necrosis of the meningioma and make it soft enough to be removed more easily and safety.
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Conventional anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is thought to require postoperative neck immobilization for the promotion of bony fusion. Rigid internal fixation with anterior cervical plates may decrease graft-related complications and provide immediate stability. This stability may obviate postoperative external immobilization. ⋯ Two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with anterior plating for radiculopathy is safe, effective, and seems to provide shorter convalescence compared with conventional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Patients returned to unrestricted work sooner, thus reducing short-term disability. Rigid internal fixation may provide cost advantages to patients and insurance disability providers. The authors conclude that the increased cost of treatment for rigid internal fixation is more than offset by the benefits of earlier mobilization.
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Some types of carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysms are still difficult to clip successfully because their exposure requires opening the cavernous sinus and/or retracting the optic nerve. It is useful to know the complications and to determine the type of aneurysm preoperatively for the management of carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysms. ⋯ When direct operation is performed for a carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysm, care must be taken to avoid optic nerve injury caused by the retraction and/or the heat of the drill.
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Recently, some concern has arisen regarding the safety of intraoperative spinal drainage for brain relaxation in aneurysm surgery, due to anecdotal association with both aneurysmal rebleeding and increases in symptomatic vasospasm. To address these concerns, we reviewed our experience with frequent spinal drainage and early surgery in 432 consecutive cases of surgically treated aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unless contraindicated by mass effect or associated pathology, all grade I-III patients referred within 14 days were treated with spinal drainage at surgery. ⋯ Permanently-shunted hydrocephalus (8%) and symptomatic vasospasm (19%) were infrequent overall. When analyzed by grade, spinal drains were generally associated with equal or reduced incidence of these developments when compared to patients without spinal drainage. We conclude that brain relaxation can be safely and effectively obtained using intraoperative spinal drains during early aneurysm surgery.
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Review Case Reports
Intrathecal granuloma after implantation of a morphine pump: case report and review of the literature.
Intrathecal morphine pumps are being increasingly used in patients with benign pain who have a longer life expectancy than cancer patients. Newer complications may be encountered. ⋯ Long-term use of implantable pumps may carry increased risks that are not observed during the short-term experience of cancer patients. Reimaging is important in evaluating patients who have developed uncontrollable pain and new neurologic findings.