World Neurosurg
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Craniopharyngioma is a rare benign intracranial neoplasm that is successfully managed with surgery or adjuvant radiotherapy. The malignant transformation of craniopharyngioma has seldom been reported. ⋯ Patients with a high Ki-67 index and high p53, MMP-9, and VEGF protein levels and a new solid component of craniopharyngioma on MRI may benefit from aggressive treatment and close surveillance.
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Comparative Study
How does brainstem involvement affect prognosis in patients with limited brain metastases? Results of a matched-cohort analysis.
Although brainstem metastases are thought to portend an inferior prognosis compared to non-brainstem brain metastases, there is limited evidence to support this claim, particularly in the modern radiosurgical era. ⋯ The survival of patients with brain metastases is inferior after a metastatic lesion develops within the brainstem, despite favorable local control with brainstem SRS. The brainstem location should be considered a negative prognostic factor for survival after SRS, and it could result from the eloquence of this location. Future research could identify the clinically life-limiting component of brainstem metastases.
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Intraoperative fluorescein detection has been used in the fields of vascular and oncologic neurosurgery since 1948. Modifications of the optics in order to enhance the fluorescence contrast under microscopic view have been developed by many authors. The industries, during the past 10 years, provided commercial high-cost optimized apparatuses. Reviewing the literature, we found that the prototypical techniques were definitely inexpensive but lacked reliability, reproducibility, and standard legal norms. ⋯ Our results show a good distinction of fluorescein-stained structures, with overall acceptable operating light conditions.
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Case Reports
Implant Site Infection and Bone Flap Osteomyelitis Associated with the NeuroPace Responsive Neurostimulation System.
The NeuroPace RNS System is a method recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for closed-loop direct brain stimulation in selected patients with drug-resistant partial seizures. The long-term risks of implant site infection and accompanying bone flap osteomyelitis associated with responsive neurostimulation (RNS) devices have not been fully appreciated. ⋯ Implant site infection and bone flap osteomyelitis are significant adverse events associated with the RNS device. The incidence of infection in this series (10%) is comparable to the incidence reported in the long-term trial. The infection risk is mainly associated with reoperations and increases with multiple implantable pulse generator replacements. The RNS device may benefit from reducing technical risk factors that are associated with postoperative bone and soft tissue infections.
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Case Reports
Ruptured Intracranial Dermoid: Is surgery indispensible. 11 Year follow up of a rare entity.
Dermoid cysts are rare intracranial lesions that can occasionally rupture into intraventricular and subarachnoid spaces and can present with a myriad of symptoms. The surgical intervention in such cases is demanding, because the disseminated contents are spread widely in intraventricular and subarachnoid space. ⋯ Surgical intervention may not be essential in all patients with ruptured intracranial dermoids. In a few selected patients who do not manifest increased intracranial pressure and show no change in the size of the lesion on sequential radiologic follow-up, conservative management may be attempted, especially when the ruptured intracranial dermoid is located at eloquent areas and with wide dissemination of contents.