World Neurosurg
-
This paper discusses indications for and the technique of endoscopic aqueductoplasty with stenting. ⋯ Aqueductoplasty with stenting is the procedure of choice for the treatment of isolated fourth ventricle. Membranous and tumor-related aqueductal stenosis should be treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy.
-
To evaluate the clinical and radiographic manifestations of pituitary metastases (PM), discuss the role of surgery, and briefly review the pertinent literature. ⋯ The study cohort includes patients representing two clinical situations: (i) patients with a preoperative suspicion of PM and (ii) patients in whom the metastasis was an unexpected finding during surgery performed for a presumed pituitary adenoma. The former situation is indicative of the possibilities and limits of surgery, which may confirm the diagnosis but is only palliative, improving quality of life without improving life expectancy. The latter situation reveals how misleading clinical and radiographic features of PM can be. Considering these results, surgical treatment of PM should be specifically decided based on patient performance status, tumor staging, and patient preference.
-
Video endoscopy systems are typically very expensive and not particularly portable. We evaluated an inexpensive and ultraportable system for laboratory training in skull base endoscopic dissections. ⋯ The combination of a portable computer's video processing allied to a highly energy-efficient video camera and LED light source is useful for training in neuroendoscopy. Its clinical role in settings with limited resources requires further research.