World Neurosurg
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Intra-axial brain tumors located at anatomically eloquent areas are challenging conditions. On one hand, it is often difficult to pursue maximum extent of resection of tumor in these locations. On the other hand, neuroplasticity occurs in some patients with low-grade glioma, and the primary neural functions are known to sometimes shift from conventional "eloquent cortices." ⋯ This case highlights the importance of preoperative multimodal neurophysiologic imaging in patients with low-grade gliomas in eloquent areas.
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Stereotactic transcerebellar biopsies of brainstem tumors have often been reported. The Leksell frame or Cosman-Roberts-Wells frame is often used in transcerebellar approaches. However, to access lesions via the cerebellum, these frames should be secured as inferiorly on the cranium as possible, which can require exaggerated neck flexion and limit the flexible trajectory to the target. To overcome these disadvantages, we have devised a new way to use the Leksell frame for transcerebellar approaches. ⋯ Our devised transcerebellar approach provided a generous operative field and a flexible trajectory, which enabled minimally invasive biopsy of a posterior fossa lesions to be performed in a short amount of time with the patient under local anesthesia.
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The rationale for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) without cortical venous reflux is symptomatic resolution. Most studies of dAVF treatment, including those for stereotactic radiosurgery, have focused on angiographic obliteration instead of clinical symptomatic outcome. ⋯ Rates of clinically significant symptomatic improvement/resolution of symptoms referable to "low-risk" dAVFs are even greater than their angiographic obliteration rate, an important factor in patient counseling and when considering the optimal treatment approach for these dAVFs.
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In situ decompression and transposition are equally effective in cubital tunnel syndrome treatment. Both are traditionally performed in the supine position. ⋯ In situ decompression is equally as effective as ulnar nerve transpositions but with fewer complications and recurrences. In the lateral decubitus position, the retroepicondylar tunnel is more accessible, allowing smaller incisions and better results.
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Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a disorder that can cause neurologic deterioration. Studies on paraspinal muscular atrophy (PMA) in the lumbar spine have shown that these changes are caused by several perioperative factors. It is possible that PMA in the cervical spine could behave similarly. In this retrospective study, we compared the degree of PMA after laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion (LF) using a standard posterior approach to the cervical spine. ⋯ PMA should be part of the decision making process when a posterior approach is considered, inasmuch as this study demonstrates that cervical laminoplasty was associated with significantly lower rates of PMA compared with cervical laminectomy and fusion. Additionally, these results suggest that minimizing PMA may help preserve cervical lordosis.