World Neurosurg
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Multicenter Study
Use of diffusion weighted imaging in differentiating between malignant and benign meningiomas. A multicenter analysis.
Meningioma is the most frequent intracranial tumor and is often an incidental finding on imaging. Some imaging-based scores were suggested for differentiating low- and high-grade meningiomas. The purpose of this work was to compare diffusion-weighted imaging findings of different meningiomas in a large multicenter study by using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for predicting tumor grade and proliferation potential. ⋯ The estimated threshold ADC value of 0.85 can differentiate grade I meningioma from grade II and III tumors. The same ADC value is helpful for detecting tumors with high proliferation potential.
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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) denotes the condition of increased intracranial pressure without a clear underlying pathologic condition of the brain. The treatment plan should be conducted to save vision. Treatment options include medications, serial lumbar punctures, and surgical intervention. Surgery is indicated once visual loss continues despite optimum medical therapy. ⋯ The lumbopleural shunt is a potentially effective technique in terms of symptoms control and vision improvement in treatment of IIH. The technique is safe, less time-consuming, and more suitable for morbid obese patients with high body fat percentages.
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Surgery for elderly patients with acute subdural hematomas (ASDH) is controversial, because postoperative mortality rates are reported to be high and long-term outcomes unknown. Thus, we aimed to describe midterm and long-term mortality rates of elderly patients operated for an ASDH. ⋯ In this first surgical case series of 75-year-old or older patients with ASDH, the overall mortality rate appears to be relatively low, especially for preoperatively conscious and independent patients without antithrombotic medication. Patients alive at 1-year after surgery had a life expectancy comparable to their age-matched peers. The prognosis seems to be detrimental for preoperatively unconscious patients who were functionally dependent or used antithrombotic medication before the injury.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
New target specific oral anticoagulants and intracranial bleedings management and outcome in a single-center case series.
New target-specific anticoagulants such as the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban are used in an increasing number of patients. Several studies comparing these new oral anticoagulants with vitamin K antagonists revealed a lower risk of severe bleeding complications and reduced thromboembolic events. However, the lack of antidotes is a challenging issue in the treatment of traumatic or spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. ⋯ Only a few case reports have analyzed the clinical course and the outcome after intracranial bleeding under new target-specific oral anticoagulants. Here, one of the first larger series is presented. Because of the lack of reversibility of the anticoagulative effects and the overall risks with geriatric patients, surgical treatment should be delayed as long as possible and comorbidities have to be considered.
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The anatomic area delineated medially by the lateral part of the L4-L5 vertebral bodies, distally by the anterior-superior surface of the sacral wing, and laterally by an imaginary line joining the base of the L4 transverse process to the proximal part of the sacroiliac joint, is of particular interest to spine surgeons. We are referring to this area as the lumbo-sacro-iliac triangle (LSIT). Knowledge of LSIT anatomy is necessary during approaches for L5 vertebral and sacral fractures, sacral and iliac tumors, and extraforaminal decompression of the L5 nerve roots. ⋯ Improving anatomic knowledge of the LSIT may help surgeons decrease the risk of possible complications. When LSIT pathology is present, a lateral approach corresponding to the tip of the L4 transverse process, medially, is suggested to decrease the risk of vessel and nerve root damage.