World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Cerebellar tonsillar cysts associated with Chiari malformation in adults: A short series.
Authors analyzed surgical patients with Chiari malformation (CM) associated with cerebellar tonsillar cyst. This association is quite rarely encountered in the literature. ⋯ In the present series, we were able to identify 7% of tonsillar cysts among 60 patients with CM. MRI with Flair and Diffusion sequences should be pre-operatively used for evaluation of tissue characteristics as differential diagnosis of cystic lesion and gliosis. The clinical presentation endorses surgical indication, with a good chance of clinical improvement. This was the first time that the frequency of tonsillar cysts has been evaluated in a series of adult patients.
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Incidental durotomy (ID) during surgery for lumbar herniated disks or lumbar spinal stenosis is a serious complication that requires immediate recognition and repair. The incidence of ID during percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression has increased along with the demand for endoscopic spinal surgery. The management of ID during endoscopic surgery is more complicated and difficult than management during open surgery. A hemostatic agent, TachoSil (Nycomed, Linz, Austria), is used for control of local bleeding in several types of surgery, but its use in dural repair in endoscopic spinal surgery has not been described. ⋯ This case report reconfirms the efficacy and utility of TachoSil for IDs that occur during endoscopic spinal surgery and minimally invasive surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use and effectiveness of TachoSil for managing IDs during endoscopic spinal surgery. We hope that other surgeons will find this technique helpful in managing IDs.
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Comparative Study
Revised Cardiac Risk Index vs. ASA Status as a Predictor for Non-Cardiac Events Following Posterior Lumbar Decompression.
The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) was designed to predict risk for cardiac events after noncardiac surgery. However, there is a paucity of literature that directly addresses the relationship between RCRI and noncardiac outcomes after posterior lumbar decompression (PLD). The objective of this study is to determine the ability of RCRI to predict noncardiac adverse events after PLD. ⋯ RCRI was predictive of a wide range of noncardiac complications after PLD but had a diminished DA to predict a composite of any noncardiac complication than did American Society of Anesthesiologists score. Consideration of the RCRI as a component of preoperative surgical risk stratification can minimize patient morbidity and mortality after lumbar decompression.
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Cerebral abscesses after brain surgery are rare but severe and life-threatening complications. We sought to analyze the clinical aspects of those patients and thereby reveal risk factors and the relevant aspects for their future therapy. ⋯ Secondary brain abscess is a rare complication and occurs mainly in patients with tumors and patients receiving emergency surgery. In total, 41% of the patients suffered from a S. aureus infection. Isolation of the responsible microorganisms is often possible and leads to improved outcomes.
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Patients who have had microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery often report sensory discomfort around the surgical area. In most cases, injury of the lesser occipital nerve (LON) is responsible for this postoperative complication. This study aimed to explore an effective method to protect the LON and reduce postoperative discomfort. ⋯ A crutchlike incision at the mastoid groove superior to the OA reduced the incidence of postoperative sensory disturbance and OA injury. The mastoid groove and OA are simple landmarks for determination of the incision in microvascular decompression.