World Neurosurg
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Complete removal of vestibular schwannomas (VS) is not always achievable without any risk of disabling postoperative complications, especially in terms of facial nerve function. Moreover, even after gross total removal, a relevant rate of recurrence has been reported. The aim of this study is to validate Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) as an effective strategy to treat tumor regrowth after previous surgery. ⋯ GKRS is a safe and effective treatment for growing residual and recurrent VSs, with tumor control obtained in 90% of cases and a low morbidity rate. Moreover, the possibility of treating patients with major medical comorbidities constitutes a significant advantage over repeated surgery.
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Combined direct and endovascular surgery has been performed to treat large to giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. This report describes successful treatment of a large ICA aneurysm by coiling of the aneurysm via an extracranial-intracranial saphenous vein (SV) graft just after bypass and ICA proximal ligation. ⋯ Aneurysm coiling via an extracranial-intracranial SV bypass graft could offer an alternative when an antegrade access route to the ICA is not used because of prior parent artery ligation.
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Chordomas in children and adolescents are rare, and minimal published information is available. Our aim was to research clinical features and prognostic factors associated with clival chordomas in younger patients. ⋯ In children and adolescents with clival chordomas, higher preoperative Karnofsky performance scale score, total resection, and lower levels of Ki-67 and CK8 expression are favorable prognostic factors. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β may play a role in tumorigenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of clival chordomas.
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To propose a modified classification system for spontaneous intracranial dissecting aneurysms (IDAs) that can guide treatment decisions. ⋯ There was a strong relationship between the subtypes of spontaneous IDAs and clinical course. Our classification system is confirmed to be helpful in assessing patients' prognosis and guiding their treatment.
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Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare diffusely infiltrating malignant glial neoplasm. Presenting symptoms include seizures, neurologic deficits, and frequently symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Surgical intervention, including brain biopsy, may induce worsening of these neurologic symptoms. We reviewed our database to identify prognostic and risk factors for perioperative deterioration specifically associated with elevated ICP. ⋯ Clinical symptoms and radiologic appearance suggestive of elevated ICP at presentation, volume of contrast enhancement, and high Ki-67 proliferation index may predict the need for aggressive rapid treatment to control ICP in a small but significant subset of patients with GC. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic basis for the unusual clinical course in these tumors.