Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
ReviewPeriduroscopy: general review of clinical features and development of operative models.
Myeloscopy is a useful approach for both diagnosis and treatment of back pain. However clinicians have underestimated its potential. From the nineties myeloscopy has been used only as a diagnostic tool, without any improvement of the technique. Racz's method is nowadays still used for the lysis of adherence by applying medical solutions without a direct vision inside the spinal channel. In 1998 we showed the limitations of Racz's approach, and in 1999 we developed a new technique, introducing a Fogarty balloon to remove the occlusions of the spinal canal and the resaflex for the lysis of adherence at low temperature (Raffaeli-Righetti technique). In this paper we report a general review of our experience with periduroscopy for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and spinal stenosis. ⋯ myeloscopy technique enlightens pain-triggering mechanisms otherwise unrevealed; it has specific therapeutic value, whereas on the diagnostic side it has not revealed relevant pathologies. Its effectiveness in FBSS patients is high, with the advantage of its relatively easy implementation, limited invasiveness and repeatability.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
ReviewTreatment of post-hemorrhagic cerebral vasospasm: role of endovascular therapy.
In this review, the current role of intracranial angioplasty and intra-arterial vasodilators for post-hemorrhagic vasospasm is described with an emphasis on the rationale for its use and the supporting data from published scientific and clinical studies. Current clinical indications and specific techniques are highlighted. Special attention is given to the evolution of these techniques over time. A discussion of acute and chronic complications, short and long-term treatment results, device specific trends and controversies are outlined.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
ReviewMonitoring of the inflammatory response after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the clinical setting: review of literature and report of preliminary clinical experience.
Clinical and experimental studies showed a marked inflammatory response in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), and it has been proposed to play a key role in the development of cerebral vasospasm (CVS). Inflammatory response and occurrence of CVS may represent a common pathogenic pathway allowing point of care diagnostics of CVS. Therefore, monitoring of the inflammatory response might be useful in the daily clinical setting of an ICU. The aim of the current report is to give a summary about factors contributing to the complex pathophysiology of inflammatory response in SAH and to discuss possible monitoring modalities. ⋯ Monitoring of the inflammatory response, in particular IL-6, might be a useful tool for the daily clinical management of patients with SAH and CVS.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
Review Historical ArticleA clinical review of cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischaemia following aneurysm rupture.
The continuation of a review of delayed vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, originally published in 1994 and partially updated at the ninth vasospasm conference in Turkey, is presented. Further online and physical searches have been made of the relevant literature. The incidence of delayed ischaemic deficit (DID) or symptomatic vasospasm reported in 1994 was 32.5% in over 30,000 reported cases. ⋯ It thus appears likely that delayed vasospasm is still common but less so, and that the overall outcome has improved. This may be due to the more widespread use of calcium antagonists and more effective fluid management. A number of other mechanical and drug treatments are also mentioned.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
Case ReportsInformation-guided surgical management of gliomas using low-field-strength intraoperative MRI.
Contemporary technological developments revolutionized management of brain tumors. The experience with information-guided surgery of gliomas, based on the integration of the various intraoperative anatomical, functional, and histological data, is reported. ⋯ Information-guided management of gliomas using low-field-strength ioMRI provides a good opportunity for maximal possible tumor resection, and may result in survival advantage, particularly in patients with WHO grade III neoplasms.