World Neurosurg
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Although there are several surgical approaches for the treatment of tuberculum sellae (TS) meningiomas, clear indications for non-large TS meningiomas are still lacking. ⋯ The aim of surgery is maximal tumor resection without causing visual dysfunction. The classification proposed here may predict surgical risk associated with meningioma resection and further inform the selection of a surgical approach.
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To introduce our technique and results of retropleural/peritoneal lateral pediculectomy for the decompression of thoracolumbar fractures and reconstruction using an expandable titanium cage and circumferential fixation at a single stage. ⋯ In this study, we suggest lateral pediculectomy as a distinct anatomic landmark to access and remove bony fragments effectively and safely in unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. This provides a more straightforward access to the burst fragment and helps the surgeon to make better intraoperative decompression strategies. Moreover, this circumferential instrumentation with anterior support and fusion revealed better restoration of the thoracolumbar spine alignment compared with posterior-only surgery, with acceptable complications rates.
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Case Reports
A pediatric case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome complicated with supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppressor gene TP53. Patients with this syndrome may develop multiple malignant neoplasms including brain tumors. We herein report the first case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome in which development of supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma led to difficulty in terms of selecting the optimal postoperative therapeutic protocol. ⋯ Since Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic disease that is caused by mutation of the tumor suppression gene TP53, patients should generally not be treated with radiotherapy or alkylating agents that induce deoxyribonucleic acid damage. However, if the prognostic benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapies is thought to surpass the risk of long-term secondary cancer, it is appropriate to consider these therapies after consultation with the patient and family. Postoperative treatment protocols are controversial, and their role should be further explored in cases of Li-Fraumeni syndrome complicated with malignant gliomas.
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To investigate the effect of sublaminar polyester tension bands on the biomechanics of the motion segments proximal to a long fusion construct. ⋯ Sublaminar polyester bands can modulate the biomechanical flexion ROM as a function of the band pretension and provide a more consistent and tunable technique than hand-tying a suture loop between the spinous processes.
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Postoperative C5 palsy is a well-known complication after cervical decompression with either a posterior or an anterior approach. Its cause has been discussed more regarding the posterior approach. The main hypothesis is that postoperative spinal cord shift causes root traction and palsy. However, the pathogenesis in anterior cases has not been fully described. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the risk factors for C5 palsy in the anterior approach through our C5 palsy cases. ⋯ Multiple corpectomy for patients with longer anterior lesions and locally developed kyphosis is related to a larger postoperative cord shift, which can cause the occurrence of C5 palsy. Moreover, C4-5 or C5-6 foraminal stenosis can accelerate tethering of the C5 or C6 nerve root. Older patients undergoing multiple corpectomy are susceptible to these risks of palsy. Appropriate patient selection and sufficient additional foraminotomy should be considered for extensive anterior lesions and locally developed kyphosis to avoid postoperative C5 palsy.