World Neurosurg
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To evaluate the feasibility of reaching the interpeduncular cistern (IC) through an endoscopic endonasal approach that leaves the pituitary gland in place. ⋯ It is possible to work both "above" and "below" the pituitary gland to reach the IC through an endoscopic endonasal approach. The advantages are the maintenance of normal pituitary and parasellar anatomy and the minimization of the size of the skull base defect. There is no blind spot using this approach that would be revealed with a pituitary transposition. The feasibility of this approach has been confirmed in 2 patients.
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Despite the frequency with which ventriculoperitoneal shunts are placed, ventricular catheter revision rates remains as high as 30%-40% at 1 year. Many neurosurgeons place ventricular catheters "blindly" depending on anatomical landmarks and personal experience. To determine whether intraoperative ultrasonography is beneficial for ventricular catheter placement, we performed a historical cohort study comparing shunts placed with intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance to those placed blindly. ⋯ The use of US for the placement of permanent cerebrospinal fluid shunt catheters is associated with a decreased risk of shunt revision.
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The optimal management of asymptomatic children with small, nonenhancing intracranial lesions presumed to be low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is not entirely clear in the literature. However, surgical intervention via resection or biopsy is not without risk and is of questionable long-term benefit in children with stable lesions. We present a series of 12 patients with incidentally detected, small, nonenhancing, intracranial lesions that were managed with watchful waiting and serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. ⋯ Our case series suggests that conservative management and close follow-up of incidental radiographic lesions consistent with LGGs is a safe and effective initial strategy in the pediatric population. In cases in which lesion size or quality changes, surgical resection may be necessary to confirm diagnosis. Further studies that include a larger number of patients and longer follow-up period are required to compare outcomes between this approach and initial surgical, radiation, or chemotherapy management strategies.
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On the basis of recent findings about the pathophysiology of cluster headache and through the experience reported in recent literature, we have reviewed the outcome of four patients affected by drug-resistant cluster headache treated in our department by posterior hypothalamic deep brain stimulation with a follow-up of more than 5 years. ⋯ The long-lasting pain reduction and the improvement in the patients' symptoms should be considered a real positive prospective, not only because there was uncertainty about the persistence of the beneficial effects at a long-term follow-up, but also for the improvement of the quality of life. The stimulation can restore important aspects concerning the psychic condition that very often constitutes an important limiting factor in normal daily life for this type of patient.
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To evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of medical student toward neurosurgery. ⋯ The findings identify some areas that may be targeted to stimulate and improve medical students' interest and passion toward the pursuit of neurosurgery as a specialty and ultimately to improve their learning experience.