World Neurosurg
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An osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign bone neoplasm that typically occurs in the long bone diaphysis. We found only 8 cases of OOs of the skull base in the literature, and none of them were located in the clivus. ⋯ The transsphenoidal approach with the use of neuronavigation appears to be a good choice to achieve total removal of an OO of the upper part of the clivus in case of persistent pain and lack of sufficient effect by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
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In the diagnosis of venous stenosis associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, previous studies have identified significant differences when venous pressures are measured under conscious sedation versus general anesthesia. No previous reports have investigated the effect that respiratory parameters may have on cerebral venous sinus pressure and the associated trans-stenosis pressure gradient. ⋯ This series demonstrates that EtCO2 changes have an immediate and pronounced effect on venous sinus pressure measurements with waveform changes that may correlate to increased intracranial pressure. These findings underscore the need to perform measurements of venous sinus pressure gradients under normal awake conditions.
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Surgical site infections (SSIs) carry significant patient morbidity and mortality and are a major source of readmissions after craniotomy. Because of their deleterious effects on health care outcomes and costs, identifying modifiable risk factors holds tremendous value. However, because SSIs after craniotomy are rare and most existing data comprise single-institution studies with small sample sizes, many are likely underpowered to discern for such factors. The objective of this study was to use a large hetereogenous patient sample to determine SSI incidence after nonemergent craniotomy and identify factors associated with readmission and subsequent need for wound washout. ⋯ SSI incidence in neurosurgery is low and most readmissions occur within 30 days. Several factors predicted SSI after craniotomy, including operations for tumor, younger age, hospitalization length, diabetes, discharge to institutional care, larger hospital bed size, Medicaid insurance, and presence of an EVD. Diabetes and EVD placement may represent modifiable factors that could be explored in subsequent prospective studies for their associations with cranial SSIs.
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Case Reports
Using Three-Dimensional Printing to Create Individualized Cranial Nerve Models for Skull Base Tumor Surgery.
Using three-dimensional (3D) printing to create individualized patient models of the skull base, the optic chiasm and facial nerve can be previsualized to help identify and protect these structures during tumor removal surgery. ⋯ 3D printed models of skull base tumors and nearby cranial nerves, by allowing for the surgical procedure to be simulated beforehand, facilitate preoperative planning and help prevent cranial nerve injury.
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Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are abnormal direct shunts between the occipital or meningeal artery and a meningeal vein or dural venous sinus. Treatment strategies include endovascular, microsurgical, stereotactic radiosurgical, or combined interventions. With few previous reports focused on dAVF treatment in a hybrid operating room (hOR), the authors reviewed their 6-year experience in this unique setting for these complex fistulas. ⋯ Our hybrid techniques achieved high rates of dAVF obliteration, with all 8 patients achieving good or excellent outcomes and symptom relief. Angiographic follow-up within 6 months after the hybrid procedure is recommended for all patients even when intraoperative findings do not show remnants.