World Neurosurg
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Meningiomas are the most common primary benign brain tumor. Radiosurgery (primary or adjuvant) allows excellent local control. The Geriatric Scoring System (GSS) for preoperative risk stratification and outcome prediction of patients with meningiomas has been reported previously. The GSS incorporates 8 tumor and patient parameters on admission. A GSS score greater than 16 was reported previously to be associated with a more favorable outcome. We assessed the validity of the GSS score and its influence on outcome in patients treated with Gamma-Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). ⋯ The GSS, used for risk stratification and outcome prediction in patients with meningiomas, seems valid for patients undergoing single-session GRKS. A GSS score greater than 16 is associated with a better long-term functional status and tumor control.
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Accurate frameless neuronavigation is highly important in cranial neurosurgery. The accuracy demonstrated in phantom models might not be representative for results in patients. Few studies describe the in vivo quantitative accuracy of neuronavigation in patients. The use of a frameless stereotactic drilling technique for stereoelectroencephalography depth electrode implantation in epilepsy patients, as well as diagnostic biopsies, provides a unique opportunity to assess the accuracy with postoperative imaging of preoperatively planned trajectories. ⋯ In this study, we showed that the in vivo accuracy of our frameless stereotactic drilling technique, suitable for stereoelectroencephalography depth electrode placement and diagnostic brain biopsies, was 3.5 mm.
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Recent reports have validated the use of retrosigmoid approach extensions to deal with posterior fossa lesions extending laterally extracranially or superiorly into the petroclival areas. The purpose of our research is to describe the topographic retrosigmoid anatomy of the petrous pyramid and provide guidelines for neurovascular sparing drilling (hence for a functional petrosectomy), via this surgical route. ⋯ Knowledge of the topographic anatomy of the labyrinthine structures examined may be useful (combined with careful assessment of the preoperative imaging and with the use of neuronavigation and endoscopy) to accomplish a retrosigmoid neurovascular sparing petrosectomy.
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Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) are among many etiologies for syringomyelia. Consequentially, neurologic symptoms arise such as pain, gait disturbance, and bladder dysfunction. Identification of SAC on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be challenging, as SACs can be fenestrated or in the form of fine webs. ⋯ Careful evaluation of the MRI can demonstrate subtle indentation of the cord at the caudal or cephalad end of the syringomyelia and may obviate the need for additional imaging. Meticulous arachnoid dissection and establishment of good CSF flow is sufficient for resolution of the syringomyelia, averting the need for more aggressive procedures.
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Catheter shearing is one of the most common complications of various neurosurgical modalities that use an intrathecal lumbar catheter. The sheared catheter fragment often can spontaneously migrate into the spinal canal; however, in some cases, the end of the fragment will remain outside the spinal canal. In this situation, the consulting neurosurgeons may try to retrieve the catheter fragment by approaching it directly through the catheter tract. This simple maneuver, however, can cause the fragment to slip into the spinal canal before it is secured, as we experienced recently in 2 cases. Because the fragment of the sheared catheter slipped while manipulating it within the catheter tract, we suggest that surgeons not approach the fragment along the tract to prevent it from migrating downward. ⋯ We propose that surgeons approach the fragment from outside of the catheter tract. One should keep in mind a simple phrase, 'Do not follow the tail', when retrieving the sheared lumbar catheter fragment.