World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Spontaneous subgaleal abscess associated with lung adenocarcinoma: first description of this unusual association.
Primary, spontaneous, or de novo subgaleal abscesses represent extremely rare lesions usually related to patients with risk factors and predisposing conditions for infections. They are associated with high morbidity, and a proper diagnosis can be misleading. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a de novo subgaleal abscess not related to previous traumatic head injury and associated with lung adenocarcinoma. ⋯ We strongly suggest a patient global assessment in the event of subgaleal abscess without history of traumatic head injury, to treat eventual associated findings as soon as possible.
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To investigate correlations between radiologic measurements and clinical outcomes in patients with basilar invagination (BI). ⋯ The subacute postoperative neurological outcomes of BI patients are significantly related to the amount of vertical reduction.
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Comparative Study
Beyond the learning curve: Comparison of microscopic and endoscopic incidences of internal carotid injury in series of highly experienced operators.
As the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has gained popularity as an alternative to microsurgery (MS) for transsphenoidal resection (TSR), numerous studies have attempted to assess the differential risk of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury between the techniques, yet results have been equivocal and contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate ICA injury in MS versus EEA among highly experienced neurosurgeons. ⋯ ICA injury is the most serious complication of TSR of pituitary neoplasms. Operator inexperience may be a more important risk factor than choice of surgical technique, given the comparably low rates of injury obtained by highly experienced surgeons independent of technique. This emphasizes the need for consolidated care in pituitary centers of excellence, improvement of high-fidelity simulators, and skull base mentorship between senior and junior staff.
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We have described the integrated use of a neuronavigation-guided system for frameless stereotaxy (VarioGuide [Brainlab AG, Munich, Germany]) with intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and report the advantages and disadvantages that the use of these tools together can have in the treatment of various types of intracerebral lesions. ⋯ The use of combination frameless stereotaxy with iMRI and 5-ALA has shown benefits in terms of safety and precision. Moreover, the use of these tools can simplify tumor removal after simple biopsy, widening the spectrum of indications.
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Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are an abnormal interconnection of vasculature in the spine than can lead to significant neurologic deficit if left untreated. ⋯ Costs of spinal AVM management continue to rise, even when treatment modalities have reduced length of stay significantly. Open surgery may lead to more postoperative complications and a greater length of stay than endovascular approaches. Further studies should look to identify the efficacy of endovascular approaches for spinal cord AVMs, particularly in complex spinal AVM traditionally treated with open surgery and to isolate factors leading to the elevated hospitalization costs.