World Neurosurg
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Corticosteroids are routinely used to treat brain tumors. Although steroids have an immediate clinical benefit, their use can lead to a number of relevant complications, and a negative association with overall survival has been shown in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. There is no evidence in the literature regarding the ideal dose. We assessed the use of steroids in patients with GBM after resection surgery. ⋯ This study provides evidence for an inverse association between the lack of steroid dependency and mortality risk in patients whose steroid dosage was rapidly tapered after surgery. After resection, most patients can stop steroids within 2 weeks and finish radiotherapy without steroids.
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Exact identification of feeding arteries, shunt points, and draining veins is essential in treating cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CS dAVF). In addition to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA), high-resolution cone beam computed tomography (CBCT; especially 80-kv high-resolution cone beam computed tomography) have been performed in recent years. We evaluated the efficacy of CBCT in treating CS dAVF. ⋯ The efficacy of CBCT in treating dAVF is illustrating the relationships among the bony structures and feeders, compartment of CS, and the position of the microcatheter. Detailed information obtained with CBCT can lead to fewer complications and more effective treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Prevention of Hemorrhagic Mass Growth in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Intracranial hemorrhage is a common complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The purpose of this study is evaluation of the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hemorrhagic mass growth in TBI patients. ⋯ Administration of a short dose of TXA does not lead to significant prevention of growth of posttraumatic hemorrhagic lesion or improvement of clinical outcomes.
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Perioperative complications after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas have been well documented in the literature; however, some complications can occur in a delayed fashion postoperatively, and reports are sparse about their occurrence, management, and outcome. Here, we describe delayed complications after transsphenoidal surgery and discuss the incidence, temporality from the surgery, and management of these complications based on the findings of studies that reported delayed postoperative epistaxis, delayed postoperative cavernous carotid pseudoaneurysm formation and rupture, vasospasm, delayed symptomatic hyponatremia, hypopituitarism, hydrocephalus, and sinonasal complications. ⋯ Sinonasal complications are commonly reported after transsphenoidal surgery, but spontaneous resolutions within 3-12 months have been reported. Although the incidence of some of these complications is low, providing preoperative counseling to patients with pituitary tumors regarding these delayed complications and proper postoperative follow-up planning is an important part of treatment planning.
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Three-dimensional (3D) time of flight (TOF) imaging is the current gold standard for noninvasive, preoperative localization of lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs) in insular gliomas; however, the utility of this modality depends on tumor intensity. ⋯ Contrast-enhanced 3D TOF can delineate LSAs in almost all insular gliomas but is limited in identifying the LSA-tumor interface. This limitation can be overcome by addition of analogous CISS sequences that delineate the LSA-tumor interface regardless of tumor intensity. Combined 3D TOF and 3D CISS is a useful tool for surgical planning and safer resections of insular tumors and may have added surgical relevance when included as an intraoperative adjunct.