World Neurosurg
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Diagnostic methods of the epileptogenic area continue to be a challenge in epilepsy surgery research. We hypothesized that temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) will result in white matter changes that can be detected using diffusion tensor imaging. Measurement of white matter diffusivity will therefore be useful for presurgical assessment. ⋯ Our results suggest that there are alterations in diffusion parameters in white matter tracts both in m-TLE and nl-TLE patients. Diffusion tensor imaging could be a useful presurgical tool to help establish the laterality of TLE, including patients with "normal" MRI. Further studies with a larger number of patients would be necessary to confirm these results.
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Acquired pial arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) is an extremely rare intracranial vascular malformation, with few case reports in the English literature. This study presents a thorough review and analysis of all acquired pAVF cases from the literature in addition to an illustrated case. ⋯ Acquired pAVF is highly correlated with sentinel neurosurgical procedures or venous occlusion events. These lesions should be regarded as a different disease entity from primary pAVF because of the relatively low-flow shunting and benign clinical course.
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External ventricular drain (EVD) infections are a significant cause of morbidity among neurosurgical patients and have been correlated with increased length of hospital stay and longer requirements for intensive care. To date, no studies have examined the financial impact of EVD infections. ⋯ EVD infection has a substantial effect on clinical morbidity and healthcare costs. These results demonstrate the imperative need to improve EVD infection prevention, particularly in the setting of a value-based health care system.
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Although microvascular decompression (MVD) is a durable treatment for medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, or glossopharyngeal neuralgia attributable to neurovascular conflict, few national studies have analyzed predictors of postoperative complications. ⋯ In this National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis, postoperative morbidity and mortality after MVD was low. Patient age was not a predictor of postoperative complications, whereas higher ASA classification, diabetes mellitus, and longer operative duration were predictive of any adverse event and readmission. ASA classification provided superior risk stratification compared with the total number of patient comorbidities or laboratory values. These data can assist with preoperative patient counseling and risk stratification.
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Data regarding the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spine surgery are scarce. Identifying ideal candidates for pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis and balancing the risk of thromboembolic complications against the risk of permanent neurologic deficits from a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) are difficult. Even guidelines cannot suggest the standard of thromboprophylaxis. ⋯ On the basis of the incidence of VTE and the risk factors, more active prophylaxis is suggested for patients in the Korean population who undergo spine surgery.