World Neurosurg
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Chordomas and ecchordosis physaliphora may on rare occasions present with intracranial hemorrhage. Their distinction usually relies on the results of the Ki-67 proliferative index, with a result lower than 1% favoring ecchordosis physaliphora. Intracranial hemorrhagic chordomas have been linked to unfavorable prognosis, due to acute neurologic deterioration and death, or progression after treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with an intracranial hemorrhagic chordoma who had a long progression-free survival. ⋯ Although hemorrhagic intracranial chordomas have been linked to unfavorable outcomes, our case demonstrates that they may have a low proliferative index, and a long progression-free survival may be seen.
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In endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms, a tortuous cervical internal carotid artery can limit guiding catheter access to a sufficiently high position. Although intermediate distal access catheters can go beyond the tortuous segment of internal carotid arteries, they may increase the risk of procedure-related complications, require significantly complex technical procedures, and limit the use of adjunctive techniques. Using simple neck extension alone, we successfully improved guiding catheter access in 2 patients. ⋯ The simple neck extension technique successfully improved accessibility of the guiding catheter. As the need for safe and highly skilled intervention increases, our technique may be useful because it can reduce procedure-related complications and allow balloon-assisted techniques.
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To evaluate motor function during neuroendoscopic resectioning of deep-seated brain tumors using endoscopically guided depth electrodes. ⋯ Continuous MEP measurement using depth electrodes can serve as a new monitoring technique for endoscopic resectioning of deep-seated brain tumors.
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Direct carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas (CCFs) are high-flow arteriovenous shunts that are typically the result of a severe head injury. The endovascular treatment of these lesions includes the use of detachable balloons, coils, liquid embolic agents, and covered stents. To minimize the chance of treatment failure and subsequent complications, endoluminal reconstruction using a flow-diverting stent may be added to the treatment construct. ⋯ We believe that endovascular coil or balloon occlusion of the fistula from either a transvenous or transarterial approach followed by flow diversion may be an appropriate treatment for direct CCFs. This addition of a flow diverter may facilitate endothelialization of the injury to the internal carotid artery.
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Surgical safety and efficiency during an orbitozygomatic (OZ) osteotomy rely on thorough knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the facial nerve. Although the anatomy of the facial nerve and its relation to the pterional craniotomy are described, a thorough assessment of facial nerve preservation techniques during the OZ approach and its variations is lacking. We assessed the surgical anatomy of the facial nerve related to the OZ approach and provided a thorough stepwise description on how to preserve it. ⋯ The frontal division of the facial nerve is related directly to dissection over the zygomatic bone and may be injured during fascial dissection or osteotomies. Both interfascial and subfascial techniques are feasible to use during the OZ craniotomy and provide ample exposure of the OZ unit. Regarding the preservation of the facial nerve branches, we favor the subfascial method.