World Neurosurg
-
Traditional imaging modalities are not useful in the follow-up of irradiated metastatic brain tumors, because radiation can change imaging characteristics. We aimed to assess the ability of treatment response assessment maps (TRAMs) calculated from delayed-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiation between radiation effect and persistent tumoral tissue. ⋯ The presented results show the ability of TRAMs in differentiating radiation effect and persistent tumoral lesions.
-
Case Reports
Neurocysticercosis Superimposing Schwannoma: A Unique Combination of 2 Pathologies at Cerebellopontine Cistern.
Neurocysticercosis, a common parasitic infection in developing areas, usually exists in supratentorial parenchyma. Literature review shows few case reports published for cerebellopontine angle cysticercosis, but its coexistence with a schwannoma in the same cistern has never been seen before. This leads to confusion in preoperative diagnosis and management. ⋯ Cysticercosis should be kept as a differential diagnosis in cystic lesions of the CP angle, especially in endemic areas and even in cases showing obvious cystic schwannoma on imaging. Care should be taken to prevent spillage of cyst contents while puncturing the cyst wall for a better outcome.
-
Radiation therapy for intracranial lesions is constrained by dose to neurologic organs at risk. ⋯ We demonstrate the utility of abdominal fat autograft placement to maximize coverage of tumor while minimizing dose to intracranial organs at risk.
-
Cervical degenerative disc disease is common in clinical practice. Surgery is among the most effective treatments for patients with cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, or stenosis. Which treatment is the best option for multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease is controversial. Hybrid surgery, combined cervical disc replacement and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, may be an alternative treatment for multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease. ⋯ Normal ROM and solid fusion were achieved at both arthroplasty and arthrodesis levels. ROM of replacement levels in different locations of the 3-level construct was acceptable.
-
Observational Study
Minimal Invasive Approach toward Percutaneous Direct Pars Repair: An Observational Study.
Spondylolysis refers to a defect of the vertebral pars interarticularis. Percutaneous direct pars repair using a minimally invasive technique was performed in a group of young patients to maintain their spinal segment movement and to restore their normal anatomy. The aim of this study was to present the clinical, functional, and radiologic outcomes of pars defects that were repaired percutaneously via the minimally invasive technique. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgery to treat symptomatic spondylolysis is a safe option that minimizes muscle and soft tissue dissection. In this study, good clinical and functional outcomes were achieved in young patients with low complications and high fusion rates using completely percutaneous treatment.