World Neurosurg
-
Relationships between low socioeconomic status and surgical outcomes are well established for certain procedures. However, scant literature has focused on relationships between median household income and lumbar fusion outcomes. ⋯ Reduced household income significantly affected perioperative outcomes after lumbar fusion and should be taken into consideration during the perioperative period.
-
Vascular compression of the optic nerve in a patient with rapid monocular vision loss with otherwise negative diagnostic workup is a rare, but controversial dilemma. The literature is conflicted, advocating for either timely surgical decompression to preserve vision1-6 or observation only given the prevalence of asymptomatic vascular compression and observed arrest of visual decline.7-10 The most frequently reported sources of symptomatic compression are unruptured aneurysms and dolichoectatic vasculature,1-6 with recent consensus reached over a need for extensive perioperative ophthalmologic evaluations and follow-up. We present an illustrative case for microvascular decompression of the prechiasmatic optic nerve. ⋯ Optic canal deroofing, detethering of the optic nerve, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) patch placement was performed to achieve this decompression. His postoperative course was uncomplicated; only mild improvement of his visual symptoms was noted at 1- and 3-month follow-up. Formal acuity and computerized assessments of vision and extensive follow-up are critical for evaluating the true clinical outcome of patients with microvascular optic nerve compression.
-
The endoscopic combined transseptal-transnasal technique for pituitary adenoma excision is notable for enhanced postoperative functional outcomes. Our study compared the incidence of anterior nasal septal perforation and the resulting sinonasal complications between this method and the bilateral transnasal approach. ⋯ For the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas, the transseptal-transnasal approach offers several advantages over the bilateral transnasal method, particularly in reducing postoperative complications. However, this technique requires careful attention for preventing the occurrence of anterior septal perforation.
-
This study investigates the predictive values of the Risk Analysis Index (RAI), the modified 5-item Frailty Index (mFI-5), and advanced age for predicting 30-day extended length of stay (LOS), 30-day complications, and readmissions in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adult spinal deformity (ASD). ⋯ This study suggests that the utility of RAI and mFI-5 in predicting extended LOS patients undergoing PSF for ASD. RAI was found to be superior to mFI-5 for predicting 30-day readmissions, while mF-5 was greater for 30-day complications. These findings highlight the need for future studies to identify optimal methods in incorporating frailty assessments into preoperative surgical planning and patient discussions.
-
Case Reports
3D-exoscope-assisted occlusion of a foraminal intradural left L5-S1 arteriovenous fistula - Operative Video.
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are a rare type of spinal lesion that can cause severe clinical consequences.1 Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid severe complications such as radicular pain, weakness, sensory deficits, and loss of bowel and bladder control.2 Spinal dAVFs are commonly found in the lower thoracic or upper lumbar vertebrae. Spinal dAVFs are the most common spinal vascular malformations, of unknown cause, accounting for 70%-85 % of spinal shunts, with an annual incidence of 5-10 cases/1,000,000.3 Recently, they have been classified into extradural and intradural types, which may be further divided into dorsal and ventral lesions.4,5 Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most performed imaging study for suspected dAVF diagnosis.1 Catheter digital subtraction angiography (DSA) represents the gold-standard diagnosing technique. It provides critical information about the anatomy of the lesion, arterial inflow vessels, venous outflow, and endovascular treatment feasibility. ⋯ Endovascular embolization might be safe and efficient, with high success rates, for selected vascular lesions.7,8 This video presents a rare case of left L5-S1 dAVF, surgically occluded with the aid of a three-dimensional (3D) exoscope (Video 1). There is little evidence about the application of the 3D exoscope in spinal vascular microsurgery, whereas it has been widely used and described in cranial surgery and spinal, degenerative, tumor, and traumatic surgery.9 In our experience, the advantages of this operating tool are the sharp color vividness, which allows adequate discrimination of anatomic structures, the distinct depth perception, the educational value for operating room attendants, and the ergonomics for surgeons. Ergonomics for surgeons, especially, is optimally adapted to spinal surgery, given the contraposed placement of surgeons and the disposition of screens during the operating procedure.