World Neurosurg
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The purpose of the present study was to provide a new classification of the lateral region of the lumbar spinal canal (LLSC) and evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of LLSC stenosis guided by the classification. ⋯ The new classification of LLSC can provide objective criteria for full-endoscopic surgery that could lead to better clinical outcomes.
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To evaluate a new surgical tool combining suction and monopolar neurostimulation (stimulation sucker) for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. The usefulness for continuous (time) and dynamic (space) facial nerve mapping was studied. ⋯ Until now, nerve damage as assessed by neuromonitoring (e.g., facial nerve electromyography, motor evoked potential) served as surrogate for nerve function. This concept should be challenged. The studied stimulation sucker detected the facial nerve earlier than conventional techniques, preventing harm by surgical trauma. A larger, prospective study is warranted to better define its role in CPA surgery.
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The hybrid operating room (OR) offers new opportunities for the management of complex cerebrovascular lesions to the dual-trained neurovascular surgeon. It creates a space for easy accessibility to perform complex endovascular procedures by delivering high-quality images with readily available surgical equipment. ⋯ Intraoperative cerebral angiography after open surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms gives real-time actionable data that can affect intraoperative decision making. This can be accomplished without a hybrid OR by using fluoroscopic equipment, but suboptimal imaging conditions may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
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Anatomic pieces that are preserved using formaldehyde allow us to undertake high-quality skull base studies. However, extensive drilling is often necessary, which can lead to damages to the dura mater and thus arachnoid. Formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide can soften the bone, which, in turn, can be easily cut with a scalpel or removed with a curette. After having discovered this technique by chance, our aim was to establish a study protocol of the skull base dura mater without the use of the drill. ⋯ The softening of the bone, probably caused by decalcification from the use of corrosive chemicals present in hydrogen peroxide solution, can ease the cutting of the skull base geometrically, which is useful for anatomic and workshop studies.
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Hyperprolactinemia in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) has been explained by the stalk compression of large pituitary adenomas. However, not all large NFPAs are associated with high serum prolactin levels. We aimed to elucidate and compare clinical, hormonal, and radiographic characteristics of NFPAs with and without hyperprolactinemia. ⋯ Preoperative prolactin level is a useful marker to predict hormone recovery after surgery. Patients with NFPA and hyperprolactinemia tended to have a higher width/AP diameter ratio. Hyperprolactinemia of NFPA is more likely affected by tumor growth pattern, such as width/AP diameter ratio, than tumor volume.