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
ReviewSurgical anatomy of the sacral hiatus for caudal access to the spinal canal.
The sacral hiatus is used for access to the spinal canal in many neurosurgical and anesthesiologic procedures. The aim of the present paper is to give a review of its anatomical characteristics relevant to permit correct and uncomplicated accesses. ⋯ The mean sacral space depth has been observed to be 4.6 mm in adults and 3.5 mm in infants. On the basis of anatomical measurements of the sacral hiatus, lower insertion angles have been suggested in infant with respect to adult subjects (21° vs. 58°).
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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
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialClinical trial of nicardipine prolonged-release implants for preventing cerebral vasospasm: multicenter cooperative study in Tokyo.
since October 1999, nicardipine pellets (NP) have been used to prevent vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We started a multicenter cooperative study on Jan 1, 2007, and 136 patients in six hospitals were enrolled to this trial in 2 years. The incidence of cerebral vasospasm and outcome were examined in these patients. ⋯ the incidence of cerebral vasospasm in this multicenter trial is similar to that of our first trial performed in a single center.