World Neurosurg
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Preoperative visualization of the facial nerve could help neurosurgeons to prevent facial nerve injury during vestibular schwannoma surgery. Some studies have addressed diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for preoperative identification of the facial nerve. However, few studies have focused on tractography-integrated neuronavigation for DTT verification. This study aimed to explore the appropriate DTT tracing parameters and evaluate the effect of intraoperative facial nerve tractography-integrated neuronavigation for verifying the DTT accuracy. ⋯ We consider preoperative DTT with intraoperative tractography-integrated neuronavigation to be a useful method for identifying the location of the facial nerve. This method might improve facial nerve preservation.
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To retrospectively analyze patients with intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC) who underwent a ventriculoscopic approach at a single neurosurgical center and assess the efficacy of this treatment in patients with intraventricular NCC. ⋯ The ventriculoscopic approach to NCC resection is an effective technique with unique advantages for intraventricular NCC. Radical resection is necessary for intraventricular NCC. Combined application of rigid and flexible endoscopes can improve the total removal rate of intraventricular NCC.
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Spondylodiscitis is a rare inflammatory syndrome affecting intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebral bodies. Without appropriate therapy, serious complications, such as secondary spinal epidural abscess (SEA), may prolong recovery time. In this study, we compared the main characteristics of our cohort of patients with spondylodiscitis with those of patients reported in the international literature and analyzed the impact of complications associated with spondylodiscitis on clinical outcomes. ⋯ The clinical characteristics of our study cohort did not differ from the international trends. Primary, noncomplicated spondylodiscitis has the highest odds for absolute recovery. Secondary spinal epidural abscess exacerbates ongoing spondylodiscitis, and thus should be considered a poor prognostic factor for spondylodiscitis. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent serious complications and provide better outcomes.
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Injury to the brachial plexus is a devastating condition, with severe impairment of upper extremity function resulting in distinct disability. There are no systematic reports on epidemiology, causative mechanisms, treatment strategies. or outcomes of iatrogenic brachial plexus injury (iBPI). ⋯ Most common causes for iBPI were shoulder surgery and resection or biopsy of peripheral nerve sheath tumor and lymph nodes. Early referral to specialized peripheral nerve centers may help to improve functional patient outcome.
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The role of isoprostanes in cerebral vasospasm (CVS) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is controversial. Recent studies have suggested that the level of isoprostanes in cerebrospinal fluid could play a role in outcomes of patients with aSAH. We measured concentration of urinary F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), which is simple and noninvasive. ⋯ Urinary F2-IsoPs may be used as a noninvasive prognostic biochemical marker in patients with aSAH. F2-IsoP levels in urine may have significant implications in pathogenesis of CVS.