World Neurosurg
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A 24-year-old woman presented with a seizure-like episode of left hemibody sensory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography revealed multiple distal fusiform cerebral aneurysms requiring angiographic evaluation and possible endovascular treatment. On preoperative workup, transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large, 4.1 × 2.1 cm, mobile left atrial mass prolapsing into the left ventricle during diastole. ⋯ Cerebral angiogram revealed several right distal middle cerebral artery fusiform aneurysms and a right distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery fusiform aneurysm. Subsequently, the patient underwent endovascular coil embolization of the largest distal M4 fusiform aneurysm, measuring 3.3 × 3.2 mm in maximal diameter. The patient recovered to baseline in the surgical intensive care unit and was discharged home on postoperative day 7 with close neurosurgical and cardiology follow-up.
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Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standard component of the preoperative clinical workup for patients before microvascular decompression (MVD). However, its ability to accurately exclude neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve is not well understood. ⋯ Preoperative MRI may offer a high predictive value for neurovascular conflict and should be part of the standard preoperative care workup for patients with trigeminal neuralgia. However, lack of neurovascular conflict on preoperative imaging is not sufficient to exclude patients from undergoing MVD.
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Neuromuscular instability of the lumbar spine resulting from impaired motor control and degeneration of the multifidus muscle is a known root cause of refractory chronic low back pain (LBP). An implantable neurostimulation system that aims to restore multifidus motor control by stimulating the L2 medial branch of the dorsal ramus thereby relieving pain and reducing disability has demonstrated clinically significant benefits in the clinical trial setting. The 1-year results of a single-site real-world cohort study are presented. ⋯ Restorative neurostimulation is a new treatment option for well-selected patients with refractory chronic LBP. Clinically meaningful improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life demonstrated in routine clinical practice are consistent with published results of controlled trials.
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Evolution of keyhole techniques in aneurysm surgery allows for definitive surgical management of aneurysmal pathology with little disruption of normal surrounding tissue. While experienced vascular neurosurgeons are increasingly applying keyhole techniques to unruptured aneurysms, experience with ruptured aneurysms is limited. ⋯ The present series supports the concept that sound technical execution of keyhole approaches, even in the setting of acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysms, is a viable option for clipping of intracranial aneurysms.