World Neurosurg
-
Head trauma and neurosurgical-related osteomyelitis are common causes of cranial bone defect. Even though cranioplasty is considered a safe and well-consolidated procedure, there are still some issues about the flap's vascularization assessment. In this paper we describe a 2-staged cranioplasty procedure, focusing on the perioperative evaluation of the skin flap vascularization. Our goal is to assess if the skin flap's perfusion measurement with indocyanine green fluorescence can be considered a reliable method to predict good outcome in cranioplasties. ⋯ Surgical procedures were well tolerated; at 1 year of follow-up the cosmetic defect was unremarkable. Indocyanine green fluorescence can be a good aid to predict the probability of the skin flap survival by measuring its perfusion.
-
Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are pathologic tangles of intracerebral vessels. The treatment of AVMs aims to reduce the risk of devastating intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) can be used to treat large lesions and reduce the risk of radiation toxicity to the surrounding structures. We analyzed the data from our institutional experience of the past 15 years in treating large AVMs with both 5- and 6-fraction HSRT and evaluated the pretreatment characteristics that are most predictive of the radiographic response. ⋯ HSRT can be used as a method to manage large AVMs, with obliteration in some cases and sufficient volume reduction in most others for adjuvant treatment with other modalities. The 30-Gy total dose was generally superior to 25 Gy in achieving obliteration or volume reduction. Further studies focused on longer follow-up periods are warranted.
-
Peripheral aneurysms are known to be a source of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with moyamoya disease. However, the natural history of ruptured peripheral aneurysms remains unclear. Some regress spontaneously, whereas others may rebleed. Direct treatments, such as surgical or intravascular treatment of the peripheral aneurysm, can have a risk of severe neurologic complications owing to the depth of the operative field and the fragility of the parent artery. A careful treatment policy is required. ⋯ Given that spontaneous resolution of an aneurysm may occur in a short period of time, we suggest that conservative treatment be considered as an option for ruptured peripheral aneurysms associated with moyamoya disease when direct treatment is risky.
-
We sought to report transarterial Onyx embolization of residual brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) after surgical resection. ⋯ Complete obliteration of residual AVMs can be obtained by salvage transarterial Onyx embolization.
-
Primary intracranial myxomas (PIMs) are extremely rare benign tumors that arise from the skull base. The aim of this study was to characterize the radiologic manifestation of PIMs in a series of 14 cases. ⋯ Radiologic findings of PIMs include calcified foci or bone debris on computed tomography, heterogeneous hypointensity on T1WI and predominantly hyperintensity on T2WI, and honeycomb appearance on enhanced T1WI.