World Neurosurg
-
Review
Surgical Excision of Cirsoid Aneurysm of the Scalp: Case Series and Review of the Literature.
Cirsoid aneurysms, also known as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), of the scalp are relatively rare lesions. They may be found incidentally or with symptoms such as an enlarging pulsatile mass, headache, or bleeding. ⋯ Preoperative embolization reduces vascularity and helps in easy identification as well as complete excision of cirsoid aneurysms during surgery. However, surgical excision alone of cirsoid aneurysms also results in excellent outcomes.
-
Meta Analysis
An Algorithmic Approach to the Reconstruction of Esophageal/Hypopharyngeal Injuries after Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion.
Anterior cervical disk fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical approach for the treatment of cervical spine pathology. Esophageal perforations, though uncommon, are a devastating complication of this surgery. The objective of this paper is to assess the success of different treatment approaches for the management of esophageal/pharyngeal injury after ACDF. ⋯ Pharyngoesophageal injuries, albeit rare, are a serious and often complex complication after ACDF procedures. We propose a detailed algorithmic approach to guide decision making if faced with this clinical challenge. The huge variability in how these patients are treated emphasizes the potential utility of future multiinstitutional studies.
-
The veins and dural venous sinuses of the skull base are important to understand in terms of imaging findings, diagnoses, and surgery. However, to date and to the best of our knowledge, the transosseous veins of the petrous part of the temporal bone have not been studied. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, previous studies have not reported on transosseous veins of the temporal bone or described their anatomy of connecting the veins of the middle and posterior cranial fossae.
-
Ex vivo animal brain simulation models are being increasingly used for neurosurgical training because these models can replicate human brain conditions. The goal of the present report is to provide the neurosurgical community interested in using ex vivo animal brain simulation models with guidelines for comprehensively and rigorously conducting, documenting, and assessing this type of research. ⋯ The present findings should help contribute to more rigorous application, documentation, and assessment of ex vivo brain simulation research.
-
Review
Animal Models of Metastatic Lesions to the Spine: a Focus on Epidural Spinal Cord Compression.
Epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) secondary to spine metastases is one of the most devastating sequelae of primary cancer as it may lead to muscle weakness, paresthesia, pain, and paralysis. Spine metastases occur through a multistep process that can result in eventual ESCC; however, the lack of a preclinical model to effectively recapitulate each step of this metastatic cascade and the symptom burden of ESCC has limited our understanding of this disease process. In this review, we discuss animal models that best recapitulate ESCC. ⋯ Orthotopic models offer the most authentic recapitulation of metastasis development; however, they rarely result in symptomatic ESCC and are challenging to replicate. Conversely, models that involve injection of tumor cells directly into the bloodstream or bone better mimic the symptoms of ESCC; however, they provide limited insight into the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and natural hematogenous spread of tumor cells. Therefore, until an ideal model is created, it is critical to select an animal model that is specifically designed to answer the scientific question of interest.