World Neurosurg
-
With this case report, we aim to add to the clinical literature on the use of three-dimensional printed patient-specific implants in spinal surgery, show the current state of the art in patient-specific implant device design, present thorough clinical and radiographic outcomes, and discuss the suitability of titanium alloy as an implant material for patients with cancer. ⋯ Computer-aided preoperative planning with three-dimensional printed biomodels and custom implant resulted in relatively quick and simple reconstruction after tumor resection, with good clinical and radiographic outcomes at 17 and 14 months, respectively. For patients with primary tumors who may require follow-up radiotherapy or postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, metals used in the devices cause significant imaging artifact.
-
Case Reports
Functional Activation Patterns of Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) is a recently approved therapy for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. To date, there is a poor understanding of the mechanism of action and lack of in vivo biomarkers. We propose a method for investigating the in vivo stimulation effects using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and present the brain activation pattern associated with ANT DBS. ⋯ Using block-design BOLD MRI, we were able to show widespread activation resulting from ANT DBS. Overlap with multiple areas of both the default mode and limbic networks was shown, suggesting that these nodes may modulate the effect of seizure control with ANT DBS.