Turk Neurosurg
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To investigate high-intensity zone (HIZ) changes after lumbar posterior dynamic instrumentation. ⋯ Dynamic lumbar stabilization systems are promising. Observations such as Pfirrmann grade improvements and disappearance of HIZs are concordant with improvements in VAS and ODI scores demonstrate that dynamic stabilization systems may provide an environment for regeneration.
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Vertebral artery injury including thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula (AVF), pseudo-aneurysm and hemorrhage may be iatrogenic or due to penetrating or blunt trauma. Although mostly asymptomatic, vertebral artery injury may also present with vertebrobasilar insufficiency findings, cephalgia, radicular pain or myelopathy due to blockade of arterial flow, arterial steal phenomenon and venous hypertension. ⋯ Endovascular treatment is now used more commonly. We present a case with sharp bread knife injury of the vertebral artery that was also complicated with a vertebrojugular fistula and pseudo-aneurysm together with the diagnostic and management options and a review of the current literature.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) relieves motor dysfunction in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, STN DBS treated patients can experience unpleasant and debilitating psychiatric side effects such as depression and impulsivity. The neural basis of these psychiatric effects has been linked to a dysfunction of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) neurotransmission. STN DBS inhibited activity of 5-HT cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Another important 5-HT source is located in the median raphe nucleus (MRN), which also contains a population of dopamine neurons. The effects of STN DBS on the MRN are unknown. Here, we test the hypothesis that STN DBS reduces 5-HT and dopaminergic function in the MRN, which may contribute to the psychiatric side effects of STN stimulation. ⋯ These results show that STN DBS inhibits 5-HT and dopamine neurotransmission in the MRN.
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Transforaminal approach in lumbar disc herniations: transforaminal microdiscectomy (TFMD) technique.
The endoscopic foraminal approach in foraminal, lateral and far-lateral disc hernias, is a contemporary minimal invasive approach. This study was performed to show that the approach is possible with using the microscope without an endoscope, and even intervention on the discs within the spinal canal is possible by having access through the foramen. ⋯ Transforaminal microdiscectomy is a method that can be performed in any clinic with standard neurosurgical instruments. It does not require additional equipment or a high amount of investment. Application of transforaminal inter-body fusion is possible when required.
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To describe the origin, the course, and relationships of the labyrinthine artery (LA). ⋯ The implication of these anatomic findings for cerebello-pontine angle tumors surgery and neurovascular pathology such as infarction, aneurysm of the LA or the AICA are reviewed and discussed.