World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrode implant for intractable tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a distressing symptom that affects up to 15% of the population; no satisfactory treatment exists. We present a novel surgical approach for the treatment of intractable tinnitus based on electrical extradural stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex via an electrode implant. Tinnitus can be considered an auditory phantom phenomenon similar to deafferentation pain in the somatosensory system. It is characterized by gamma-band activity in the frontal cortex that can be visualized with the use of electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). ⋯ Focal extradural electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at the area of cortical plasticity is capable of suppressing contralateral tinnitus partially. TMS might be a possible method for noninvasive studies of surgical candidates for implantation of stimulating electrodes for tinnitus suppression.
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The management of pituitary tumors has evolved considerably in the past few decades. One of the indices for effective surgical outcome is the size of the tumor on presentation. Reports from west and central Africa have largely indicated late presentation with very large tumors. In the present study we examined this trend and the impact of late presentation on visual outcomes. ⋯ Tumors of the pituitary present late in developing countries resulting in increased morbidity. Intervention even at this stage results in visual improvement and efforts must be made to cascade this information to frontier health workers.