Neurologia medico-chirurgica
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Dec 2009
Surgical strategy for tumors located in or extending from the intracranial space to the infratemporal fossa-Advantages of the transcranial approach (zygomatic infratemporal fossa approach) and the indications for a combined transcranial and transcervical approach-.
The surgical strategy for tumors located in or extending from the intracranial space to the infratemporal fossa was analyzed in 12 cases with various pathologies. A case of mandibular nerve schwannoma, which extended 1 cm below the external orifice of the foramen ovale, was completely removed via the epidural subtemporal approach without zygomatic osteotomy with partial removal of the middle cranial base. ⋯ In two cases (recurrent jugular schwannoma and mandibular osteosarcoma), a combined transcranial and transcervical approach (mandibular swing approach) was essential, because the resection line of the lower margin was too far from the middle cranial base. These results indicate that the transcranial approach, with or without zygomatic or orbitozygomatic osteotomy (zygomatic infratemporal fossa approach), is safe and effective for removal of some infratemporal tumors, and that a combined transcranial and transcervical approach is useful for removing infratemporal tumors with extensive downward extension.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyEndorsement of the FOUR score for consciousness assessment in neurosurgical patients.
The Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score was previously developed for neurological assessment, but has not been validated in neurosurgical patients, so was compared to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in practice. Four groups of raters, expert clinicians, novice clinicians, experienced nurses, and inexperienced nurses, assessed 64 patients in awake, drowsy, stuporous, and comatose conditions to investigate rater reliability. Then, 36 patients were evaluated by 1 expert clinician and 1 from the other groups randomly to test the difference. ⋯ The feasibility of the FOUR score was lower than that of the GCS (p < 0.01). The FOUR score is reliable and valid for consciousness evaluation with some consequences for practicability. Extensive implementation would increase familiarity.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Dec 2009
Case ReportsBrain stem hemorrhage following burr hole drainage for chronic subdural hematoma-case report-.
A 76-year-old man presented with brain stem hemorrhage after burr-hole drainage for bilateral chronic subdural hematomas. Neuroimaging demonstrated resolution of the transtentorial herniation but also detected new brain stem hemorrhage, manifesting as gait disturbance. ⋯ Asymmetrical and rapid decompression, which leads to vascular disruption and/or sudden increase in cerebral blood flow, was probably responsible for the secondary brain stem hemorrhage. Therefore, simultaneous and bilateral decompression with a slow rate of evacuation of massive bilateral chronic subdural hematomas is recommended to prevent serious complications such as secondary intracranial hematoma.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Nov 2009
Case ReportsNeuroendoscopic management of symptomatic septum pellucidum cavum vergae cyst using a high-definition flexible endoscopic system.
A 24-year-old man, who had an asymptomatic septum pellucidum cyst incidentally found one year previously, presented with severe headache and right abducens nerve palsy caused by expansion of the midline cyst. Preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed obstructive hydrocephalus due to the enlarged midline cyst. Neuroendoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum cyst was successfully performed via a right frontal approach using a high-resolution flexible neuroendoscopic system without complication. ⋯ The entire inner cyst wall could be inspected from the cyst cavity by manipulating the flexible neuroendoscopic system, which excluded the presence of neoplasm. His symptoms were completely relieved after surgery, and postoperative MR imaging showed significant improvement of hydrocephalus and shrinkage of the midline cyst. Septum pellucidum cavum vergae cyst may expand and become symptomatic, so fenestration using a flexible neuroendoscope system may be the optimal method for constructing communication to the bilateral lateral ventricles with minimal invasion.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Nov 2009
Case ReportsParaplegia caused by intratumoral hemorrhage within thoracic epidural granuloma.
An 84-year-old man presented with a rare case of spinal epidural granuloma with intratumoral hematoma resulting in acute paraplegia. He was admitted to our hospital because of lumbago and hematemesis following a fall 10 days before. Progressive paraparesis occurred 2 days after admission. ⋯ Histological examination of the excised specimens showed a granuloma. Motor weakness improved after surgery, and he could walk with a cane about 3 months after surgery. The minor spinal injury probably caused intratumoral hemorrhage within a previous epidural granuloma, suddenly resulting in the paraplegic symptoms.