World Neurosurg
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Rapid growth is a well-known property of glioblastoma (GBM); however, growth rates vary among patients. Mechanisms behind such variation have not been widely studied in human patients. We sought to investigate relationships between histopathologic features and tumor growth estimated from pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans. ⋯ Our findings show that high cellular density and thromboses are significant independent predictors of faster growth in human GBM. This finding underlines the importance of hypercellularity as a criterion in glioma grading. Furthermore, our findings are concordant with hypotheses suggesting hypoxia triggered by thromboses to be relevant for growth of GBM.
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Acute lymphoblastic lymphoma is a malignant hematologic disease in childhood but rarely initially involves epidural compartment in adults. A 20-year-old male presented with progressive osphyalgia with constipation. Contrasted magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple vertebrae of hypointense T1 signals and an intraspinal epidural lesion. ⋯ Histopathology suggested malignant B-cell lymphoma with Ki-67 of 90% and positivity of leukocyte common antigen. A bone marrow biopsy was unequivocally diagnostic of B-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma followed by chemotherapy (methotrexate) and partial recovery was observed. The marrow biopsy was necessary if without hypercalcemia and abnormal peripheral blood examination.
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Stereoelectroencephalograpy (SEEG) is a diagnostic method involving 3-dimensional exploration of brain structures using depth electrodes for locating epileptogenic foci in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. A variety of frame-based, frameless, and robotic stereotactic systems have been designed for the accurate placement of depth electrodes. ⋯ The patient-customized platforms are comparable in terms of safety, accuracy, and simplicity of use to the existing robotic devices for implantation of depth electrodes in patients undergoing SEEG investigations.
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Endoscopic visualization does not necessarily correspond to an adequate working space. The need for balancing invasiveness and adequacy of sellar tumor exposure has recently led to the description of multiple endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches. Comparative anatomic data on these variants are lacking. ⋯ The present study validates, from an anatomic point of view, a modular classification of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches to the sellar region.
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Anterior transthoracic approaches, including thoracoscopic microdiscectomy (TMD), are the preferred techniques for central, broad-based, calcified thoracic disc herniations (TDHs). Dural defects due to manipulation or transdural extension may create a potentially life-threatening subarachnoid-pleural fistula. We evaluate a fast, sutureless technique for reconstructing the dura. ⋯ Dural defects encountered during anterior transthoracic approaches to TDHs can be reconstructed endoscopically, while avoiding the use of an ELD in most cases.