World Neurosurg
-
The role of surgery in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is to allow pathological diagnosis from tumor biopsy. However, PCNSL is often difficult to distinguish from other tumors, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Quantitative evaluations to facilitate differentiation between PCNSL and GBM would be useful. Here, we investigated the best examinations for exact differentiation of PCNSL from GBM among preoperative examinations, including imaging studies and tumor markers. ⋯ Both β2-MG ≥2.0 mg/dL in CSF and tumor-to-contralateral normal brain tissue ratio ≥2.4 from 18F-FDG-PET allow quantitative differentiation of PCNSL from GBM, potentially representing clinically useful indicators. These findings could lead to innovative methods for differentiating PCNSL from GBM as well as new treatment strategies for other brain tumors.
-
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) can be treated with conventional surgery or middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE). The cost profiles of open surgery versus MMAE have never been studied. Therefore, we sought to compare the costs of surgical and MMAE treatment of cSDH. ⋯ Open surgery and MMAE offer an overall equivalent cost-profile for cSDH treatment when matching for potential cost confounders. Direct procedural costs are greater in MMAE; however, total hospitalization costs and follow up costs are not significantly different.
-
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) presents as a good treatment option for smaller, deep-seated brain metastases (BMs). This study aims to determine predictors of SRS failure for patients with non-small cell lung cancer BMs. ⋯ Contrast-homogeneous metastases and lesions <1.06 cm3 are associated with better rates of PFS. Karnofsky Performance Scale and graded prognostic assessment were associated with more favorable survival rates after 10 years. Volume <1.06 cm3 was the only significant predictor of survival in the multivariable analysis.
-
The vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA-PICA) aneurysm poses a technical challenge for microsurgical clipping due to its anatomical complexity, which requires dissection of lower cranial nerves. Endovascular treatment is regarded as a feasible first-line therapeutic option for VA-PICA aneurysm because it has an acceptable aneurysm occlusion rate and is less invasive. However, microsurgical clipping remains an effective treatment option. ⋯ As shown in this video, unilateral cerebellomedullary fissure opening combined with adequate removal of the condylar fossa provides a wide operative field in the cerebellomedullary cistern while avoiding strong retraction of the cerebellum. We believe that this technique makes VA-PICA aneurysm clipping safe and successful. Patient consent was obtained to perform the surgery and to publish the surgical video (Video 1).
-
Surgery of eloquent area gliomas is challenging and requires monitoring of the nearby white fiber tracts. In the present study, we analyzed 102 patients with eloquent region gliomas and discussed the concept of intraoperative dynamic white fiber tract navigation and monitoring. ⋯ The use of intraoperative neuronavigation and neurophysiological assessment can help achieve maximal tumor resection of eloquent area gliomas. Use of the integrated suction stimulator navigator provided dynamic navigation and mapping of the peritumoral eloquent fibers.