World Neurosurg
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The incidence of pyogenic spondylodiscitis is increasing, and the disease is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, long-term healthcare utilization and societal costs. Disease-specific treatment guidelines are lacking and there is little consensus regarding optimal conservative and surgical management. This cross-sectional survey of German specialist spinal surgeons sought to determine practice patterns and degree of consensus regarding the management of lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis (LPS). ⋯ There exists considerable variation of care in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of LPS among German spine specialists with little agreement on key aspects of care. Further research is required to understand this variation in clinical practice and to enhance the evidence base in LPS.
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Case Reports
Fascicular-Sparing Technique for Resection of Cerebellopontine Angle Facial Nerve Schwannoma.
Surgery of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) facial nerve schwannoma (FNS) in patients with good facial nerve function is a challenge.1-10Video 1 highlights the fascicular-sparing technique for resection of a CPA FNS. A 41-year-old male patient symptomatic with persistent headaches and tinnitus underwent a retrosigmoid approach for a right cystic CPA tumor, presumed vestibular schwannoma. Intraoperatively, the facial nerve was identified as fine multiple strands splayed around the perimetry of the tumor, which elicited a motor response at a low threshold stimulation. ⋯ However, it might be encountered as masquerading at the surgery of an acoustic tumor. The fascicular-sparing technique is critical in avoiding injuries to the endoneurium during the resection and with the ability to preserve function. The sparing of endoneurium avoids collagenization, fibrosis, and ischemia of the nerve, which are known to be the pathologic substrate of worse functional outcomes.
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Cerebral infarction due to cerebral vasospasm (IVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with poor outcomes and symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (SVS). However, the difference of risk factors between SVS and IVS was unclear to date. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the risk factors for SVS and IVS based on the registry study. ⋯ The prevalence of IVS was not associated with the Fisher scale but with older age, suggesting possible factors other than SVS. Different associated factors between SVS and IVS were confirmed in this study.
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Case Reports
Revascularization of a complex case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency with OA-AICA bypass.
Atherosclerotic disease is the most common etiology in causing posterior circulation strokes and can be found within the intracranial vertebrobasilar system.1 Endovascular and surgical approaches to treat this disease have been defined with both advantages and disadvantages.2,3 We present a case of surgical revascularization of a complex case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency with occipital artery (OA)-anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) bypass (Video 1). A 56-year-old gentleman presented with severe, disabling, and progressive symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency refractory to maximal medical management. Symptom onset was 2 years prior after suffering a left lateral medullary stroke due to a left vertebral artery (VA) occlusion. ⋯ Postoperative angiography demonstrated a patent bypass with brisk OA-to-AICA flow with retrograde filling of the basilar artery and its branches. No perioperative strokes. The patient remained free of recurrent symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency at 6 months' follow-up.
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Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and cerebral vasospasm (VS.) contribute to poor outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The pathophysiology of DCI is not fully understood, and this has hindered the adoption of a uniform definition. Reliable diagnostic tests and effective evidence-based treatment are lacking. This study explored the possibility of using eryptosis parameters in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a marker for early detection of VS and DCI. ⋯ Our findings indicate a strong correlation between eryptosis level and DCI in a sizable series of patients with aSAH. Correlations between eryptosis indicators in the CSF and clinical and radiological manifestations suggest that eryptosis parameters are promising diagnostic biomarkers for DCI.