Neurologia medico-chirurgica
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Foraminoplastic ventral epidural approach for removal of extruded herniated fragment at the L5-S1 level.
The 'foraminoplastic' ventral epidural approach and its advantages in the treatment of extruded disk herniation at the L5-S1 level are described. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure applicable to various types of lumbar disk herniation, but the L5-S1 disk space is still challenging to access due to anatomic limitations such as high iliac crest or severely narrowed foramen. The 'foraminoplastic' ventral epidural approach was performed in 25 patients with herniated disk radiculopathy at L5-S1 from March 2003 to May 2004. ⋯ Twenty-two patients had the favorable outcomes. Two patients required conversion to open microdiscectomy due to incomplete decompression and recurrent disk herniation. The 'foraminoplastic' approach is a safe and efficient surgical option for L5-S1 disk herniation even in patients with high iliac crest and narrow foramen.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Clinical TrialEfficacy of gabapentin for radiculopathy caused by lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disk hernia.
The efficacy of gabapentin monotherapy was investigated against both acute or chronic radicular pain caused by lumbar disk hernia (LDH) or lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Seventy-eight patients with radicular pain, 10 males and 68 females aged 23 to 76 years (mean 49.4 years), caused by LSS in 45 patients or LDH in 33 patients were treated with oral administration of gabapentin and were followed up for 3 months. The evaluation included neurological examination, Odom's criteria, visual analog pain scale (VAS), and walking distance. ⋯ Furthermore, walking distance was significantly longer at the 3rd month of the treatment protocol. Eight patients discontinued gabapentin therapy because of the side effects. Gabapentin could be an option in the conservative management of acute or chronic radicular pain.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Case ReportsMassive epistaxis from a thrombosed intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm 2 years after the initial diagnosis--case report.
A 77-year-old woman presented with a rare case of nontraumatic intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm causing epistaxis. The thrombosed aneurysm was discovered incidentally, and was not treated. However, she suffered massive nasal bleeding 22 months after the initial diagnosis. ⋯ The present case shows that thrombosed intracavernous ICA aneurysm may still carry the risk of rupture. Radiological evidence of erosion of the sphenoid sinus wall and repeated minor bleeding may be important predicting signs for massive nasal bleeding. Parent artery occlusion including the aneurysm may be the best treatment for intracavernous ICA aneurysms if sufficient collateral blood flow to the territory of the affected ICA is expected.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Case ReportsDural sinus thrombosis with marked enlargement of the venous sinus--case report.
A 36-year-old female presented with dural sinus thrombosis manifesting as marked enlargement of the venous sinus, which could not be differentiated from epidural hematoma on computed tomography during the acute phase. Magnetic resonance imaging showed characteristic serial changes of the thrombus in the healing process. We believe this condition developed from use of oral contraceptives. Systemic anticoagulant therapy was effective without hemorrhagic complication.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyComparison of large intrasylvian and subpial hematomas caused by rupture of middle cerebral artery aneurysm.
The clinical characteristics of intrasylvian and subpial hematomas caused by rupture of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm were examined in 86 patients admitted to our department with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by ruptured MCA aneurysms. A retrospective study of 26 patients with a large hematoma associated with SAH treated surgically within 48 hours evaluated clinical grade at admission, secondary development of cerebral swelling, ratio of hematoma removal, and incidence of symptomatic vasospasm. ⋯ Removal of hematoma was more difficult and symptomatic vasospasm was more frequent in the intrasylvian hematoma group. The clinical features of subpial and intrasylvian hematomas caused by rupture of MCA aneurysm should be considered for the better management of associated SAH.