World Neurosurg
-
Metastatic disease of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) can cause pain, cranial nerve deficits, occipitocervical instability, or brainstem/spinal cord compression if left untreated. Many patients with metastasis in this region have a high burden of systemic disease and short life expectancy, making them poor candidates for aggressive surgical resections and fusion procedures. Traditionally, symptom palliation and local disease control in these patients has been achieved through conventional radiation therapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has the advantage of precisely delivering radiation to a target in fewer fractions. To our knowledge, we report the results of the largest series of patients with CVJ metastasis treated with stereotactic radiosurgery. ⋯ In well-selected patients, SRS for metastatic lesions of the CVJ has a low risk for complications or treatment failure, while achieving a high rate of palliation of pain symptoms.
-
The operative management of cystic vestibular schwannoma is more challenging. In this study, we focus on the peculiarity of cystic vestibular schwannoma in terms of management and outcome. We evaluated a homogenous series of consecutive patients with cystic vestibular schwannomas who were operated on with a similar technique and via the same surgical approach. ⋯ Surgery of cystic vestibular schwannomas is associated with a greater rate of morbidity and facial nerve dysfunction compared with the solid variant. Special attention is required during facial dissection to allow functional preservation, especially with tumors with medially located thin walled cysts. Meticulous hemostasis also is required to avoid postoperative hematoma. Close postoperative care is mandatory for early detection and prompt management of possible postoperative complications.
-
Recent evidence has suggested a potential beneficial effect of aspirin on the risk of aneurysm rupture. This benefit must be weighed against its potential adverse effects as an antiplatelet agent in the setting of acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ In the present study, patients taking aspirin had a lower rate of hemorrhagic presentation. In addition, taking aspirin did not adversely impact presenting clinical grade or radiographic grade, vasospasm, and outcome in the setting of aneurysmal SAH.
-
Sylvian hematoma in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a poor prognosis. Although active bleeding can be detected by multiphase dynamic enhanced computed tomography (CT), bleeding from vessels in the Sylvian fissure has also been found in Sylvian hematoma. We investigated possible origins of Sylvian hematoma based on novel imaging findings of multiphase enhanced CT. ⋯ Sylvian hematomas may be caused secondarily by multiple bleeds from small vessels together with aneurysm rupture.
-
To review our surgical experience in minimally invasive transcranial endoscope-assisted microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms, using the supraorbital keyhole craniotomy. ⋯ The minimally invasive supraorbital keyhole approach allowed safe surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms, including after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The markedly improved endoscopic visualization increased the assessment of clip placement with ideal control of surrounding vessels including perforators for identification of incorrect clip position.