World Neurosurg
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Excision of coil mass during clipping of recurrent or residual aneurysms after prior endovascular coiling is challenging. We evaluated the use of the carbon dioxide laser for safe and effective removal of coils during aneurysm surgery. Two cases are presented. ⋯ Excision of coil mass is required while treating recurrent and/or residual intracranial aneurysms that were previously treated by endovascular technique. The use of carbon dioxide laser assistance while retrieving these coils is safe and effective.
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In recent decades endoscopic techniques have been increasingly used in neurosurgery as they may offer a valuable close-up view of the working area through a minimally invasive surgical corridor. Herein, we present an inexpensive and efficient endoscopic surgical model using a borescope, which was used for a "modified pure endoscopic approach" to the pineal region. ⋯ Our proposed "borescopic" surgical model may represent an inexpensive and efficient alternative to conventional endoscopic techniques and could be used for training purposes, as well as even for clinical procedures, after a proper validation, particularly in economically challenging environments.
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To assess computed tomography scans to evaluate the extent of reduction of fracture displacement and fracture gap after anterior odontoid screw fixation using the Herbert screw. ⋯ To maximize reduction of fracture gap using the Herbert screw, it is essential to penetrate the apical dens tip.
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Case Reports
Unusual Clinical Presentation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Supratentorial Epidermoid Cyst.
Epidermoid cysts in the lateral temporal lobe presenting with seizures are rare accounting for <5% of all intracranial epidermoid cysts. Preoperative diagnosis can be further confounded by unusual imaging as presented in this case, thus leading to the wrong preoperative diagnosis of the case as a neoplastic pathology.
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A 37-year-old man came to our neurosurgical department with a 2-month history of a progressive invalidating balance disorder. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging found a T2-weighted hypersignal lesion of the right cerebellopontine angle that severely compressed the brainstem, however the position of cranial nerves was not clearly identified. The new MRI diffusion tool, tractography, allowed to reconstruct the trajectory of cranial nerves that were displaced by the tumor. ⋯ Effective neurosurgical decompression was performed and confirmed the position of cranial nerves V-XII. The patient was discharged and returned home without any cranial nerve deficit. This case illustrates how advances in imaging can now better describe the anatomy surrounding brain tumors and make surgery safer to the benefit of patients.