World Neurosurg
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Comparative Study
The Differences Between Intracranial Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma and Conventional Chondrosarcoma in Clinical Features and Outcomes.
To report differences in clinical features and outcomes between intracranial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) and conventional chondrosarcoma (CCS). ⋯ Clinical features of MCS are quite different from CCS. Treatment strategies used for CCS do not yield satisfactory outcomes for MCS. Treatment of MCS should be aggressive and individualized.
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Primary intracranial Ewing sarcoma (ES)/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNETs) are extremely rare, and only a few studies have reported >4 cases of this disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of primary intracranial ES/pPNETs. ⋯ Primary intracranial ES/pPNETs have an aggressive clinical course, with a high tendency for local recurrence and distant metastasis. Radiotherapy plays a significant role in improving the survival of patients. GTR combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be the most beneficial treatment modality.
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Brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs) are benign lesions, often show an acute onset, and result in a high rate of morbidity. Surgical resection could inhibit the progressive deterioration of neurologic function caused by repetitive hemorrhage. This study aimed to summarize timing, approaches, and techniques of surgery and to evaluate outcomes of treatment. ⋯ Choosing a proper surgical approach and using appropriate techniques are fundamental for favorable outcomes of patients with brainstem CMs.
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Low back pain is a common public health problem associated with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. It is still unclear, however, whether intervertebral disc degeneration is an isolated process or accompanied by other degenerative events. We analyzed whether disc degeneration was associated with vertebral end-plate changes and fatty infiltration in the paraspinal muscles. We also aimed to identify whether the severity of disc degeneration influenced this association. ⋯ Severe disc degeneration in the lumbar spine is closely associated with Modic changes and fatty infiltration in the multifidus and erector spinae muscles. We suggest that disc degeneration is not an isolated event but, rather, a continuum of events that could more clearly be shown in future prospective, large sample-size studies.
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Navigation (image guidance) is an essential tool in modern neurosurgery, and most surgeons use an optical tracking system. Although the technology is accurate and reliable, one often is confronted by line of sight issues that interrupt the flow of an operation. There has been feedback on the matter, but the actual problem has not been accurately quantified, therefore making this the primary aim of this study. It is particularly important given that robotic technology is gradually making its way into neurosurgery and most of these devices depend on optical navigation when procedures are being conducted. ⋯ The arrangment of staff and equipment is a key factor in avoiding this issue.