World Neurosurg
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Brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) represent ∼5% of all intracranial AVMs and carry a higher risk of hemorrhage than their supratentorial counterparts. There is a high and near-uniform mortality with initial and recurrent episodes of hemorrhage. Brainstem AVMs may also present symptomatically with focal neurologic deficits or hydrocephalus. ⋯ Embolization may also be used effectively as stand-alone monotherapy for small lesions with 1 or 2 arterial feeders not supplying eloquent parenchyma. Although an extensive evidence base exists for clinical usefulness of stereotactic radiosurgery as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic modalities, only a few studies have reported specifically on obliteration and complication rates with monotherapeutic embolization in the treatment of brainstem AVMs. The potential role of embolization as monotherapy for brainstem AVMs is reviewed and discussed.
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Review Case Reports
Severe kyphoscoliosis associated with multiple giant intraspinal epidural cysts: a case report and literature review.
Severe kyphoscoliosis associated with multiple giant spinal epidural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) is an extremely rare condition and remains a challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to present a case of severe spinal deformity associated with multiple giant SEACs and to discuss strategies for the preoperative diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ Cyst-peritoneal shunting surgery followed by PVCR, as in our case, could be an alternative surgical strategy for multiple giant SEACs associated with severe rigid kyphoscoliosis.
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Review Case Reports
Delayed Pipeline embolization of a ruptured true internal carotid artery aneurysm presenting with epistaxis: Case report and review of the literature.
Massive epistaxis from rupture of an intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm is a potentially fatal event. Although rare, this presentation is seen most often in patients after trauma or iatrogenic injury secondary to transsphenoidal surgery or radiation therapy. ⋯ Our case highlights the importance of evaluating for intracranial pathological conditions in patients who present with refractory epistaxis. In selected patients, the use of flow-diversion technology as an adjunct or alternative to primary coil embolization for treatment should be considered.
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Evidence to support the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of epilepsy secondary to cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is emerging. However, these studies have not clearly demonstrated the use of SRS in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in high Spetzler-Martin grade (IV-V) AVMs. ⋯ VS-SRS successfully controlled seizures (Engel Outcome Measure of 1A) in a patient with intractable, DRE secondary to a high-grade cerebral AVM.
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Review Case Reports
Neurosurgical and Scalp Reconstructive Challenges During Craniotomy in the Setting of Cutis Verticis Gyrata.
Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare condition of the scalp in which thickening of the dermis induces rigid folds and furrows resembling the cerebral cortex. Two forms of primary CVG exist: essential, in which CVG is the only presenting problem, and nonessential, in which the scalp condition occurs along with neuropsychiatric ailments. CVG can also occur secondary to a variety of causes including inflammatory, neoplastic, and metabolic conditions or drug use. A review of the available literature, including description of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, histology, and typical management of CVG, is provided. However, we identified no literature describing the complications of CVG in the setting of a craniotomy. ⋯ Despite its rarity, CVG is an important issue for neurosurgeons to understand as it can present complications in performing craniotomy, most notably during the scalp exposure and closure. CVG may also complicate the postoperative course if adequate approximation of the tissues cannot be achieved, resulting in wound infection and/or cerebrospinal fluid leak. The presented patient benefited from a combined neurosurgical and plastic surgical approach that was implemented intraoperatively and continued through the postoperative stages and the subsequent cranioplasty.