World Neurosurg
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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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Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lesion radiologically characterized by magnetic resonance imaging findings, such as ring enhancement with extensive perifocal edema and a butterfly appearance extending into the bilateral lobes. However, these characteristic findings could be changed by antiangiogenic therapy, with decreased contrast enhancement and improved perifocal edema. Herein, we report a case of GBM that arose during treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for another cancer. ⋯ Lenvatinib, which is antiangiogenic, might have affected the radiologic characteristics, as well as the pathology of the tumor. Brain tumors arising during treatment with receptor tyrosine kinases for other cancers could show atypical imaging findings.
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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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In children, high rates of occipitocervical (OC) fusion have been demonstrated with the use of rigid instrumentation in combination with harvested autograft, with or without bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Historically, the use of allograft materials demonstrated inferior OC fusion outcomes compared with autograft. However, autograft harvest harbors an increased risk of patient morbidity, and the use of BMP is costly and controversial in children. Thus, there remains a need for safer, less costly, yet efficacious techniques for OC fusion in the pediatric population. ⋯ We demonstrate a modified technique for OC fusion in children with unique structural allograft shaping and affixation, leading to excellent fusion outcomes at follow up. This technique obviates the need for autograft harvest or BMP, and may decrease postoperative morbidity.
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Case Reports
Transvenous endovascular treatment for scalp arteriovenous fistulas: results with combined use of Onyx and coils.
Scalp arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare lesions that may occur spontaneously or secondary to head trauma. A standard treatment strategy for these lesions has not been established to date. We present 3 cases of successful treatment of scalp AVFs using a combination of Onyx-18 and coils via a transvenous approach. ⋯ The technique of transvenous "armored concrete" embolization using a combination of coils and Onyx is an effective treatment modality for scalp AVFs, particularly in type C cases.