ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a well accepted surgical treatment strategy for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with satisfying long-term outcome. However, considerable recurrent patients need more effective management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency thermocoagulation rhizotomy (RTR) on patients with recurrent TN after MVD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 62 cases of recurrent TN after MVD undergoing RTR from January 2000 to January 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Based on surgical procedures undertaken, these 62 cases were classified into two subgroups: group A consisted of 23 cases that underwent traditional RTR by free-hand; group B consisted of 39 cases that underwent RTR under the guidance of virtual reality imaging technique or neuronavigation system. The patients in group A were followed up for 14 to 70 months (mean, 40 ± 4), and those in group B were followed up for 13 to 65 months (mean, 46 ± 7). Kaplan-Meier analyses of the pain-free survival curves were used for the censored survival data, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival curves of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients in both groups A and B attained immediate pain relief after RTR. Both groups attained good pain relief rate within the first two years of follow-up: 92.3%, 84.6% and 82.6%, 69.6% respectively (P > 0.05). After 2 years, the virtual reality or neuronavigation assisted RTR group (group B) demonstrated higher pain relief rates of 82.5%, 76.2% and 68.8% at 3, 4 and 5 years after operation respectively, while those in group A was 57.2%, 49.6%, and 36.4% (P < 0.05). Low levels of minor complications were recorded, while neither mortalities nor significant morbidity was documented.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RTR was effective in alleviating the pain of TN cases suffering from unsuccessful MVD management. With the help of virtual reality imaging technique or neuronavigation system, the patients could attain better long-term pain relief.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Electrocoagulation , Methods , Microvascular Decompression Surgery , Radiosurgery , Methods , Retrospective Studies , Rhizotomy , Methods , Treatment Outcome , Trigeminal Neuralgia , General Surgery , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the features of the clinical manifestations, imaging, pathology and microsurgery on the patients with gliomas of limbic and paralimbic system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 28 patients with gliomas of limbic and paralimbic system were analyzed respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seizure was the most common symptom, presented in 24 cases. CT scans showed hypodensity in 19 cases and isodensity in 9 cases. MRI scans were achieved in 23 cases, showing hypointense signal on T(1)WI and hyperintense signal on T(2)WI. Total resection was achieved in 19 cases, subtotal in 6 cases and partial in 3 cases. All patients had excellent postoperative recovery, except 5 patients who developed temporary frontal aphasia and 6 patients who developed contralateral hemiplegia. The patients had a postoperative follow-up ranging from 6 months to 5 years, and 23 cases still survived.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-resolution CT and MRI may reveal the size, location, confines and sharp demarcation of the tumors. Gliomas can be microsurgically removed with considerable results.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Brain Neoplasms , Diagnostic Imaging , Pathology , General Surgery , Glioma , Diagnostic Imaging , Pathology , General Surgery , Limbic System , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Microsurgery , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the genesis and classification and diagnosis as well as the treatment of multiple meningiomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective study of the materials of 32 cases of multiple meningiomas, simultaneously review of the related articles.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were divided into 5 groups, primary 18 cases, postoperative 7 cases, accompanied by neurofibromatosis (NF) 4 cases, meningiomatosis 1 case, accompanied with other intracranial tumor 2 cases, one with pituitary adenoma and the other with glioma. All the patients accepted operation, cured 25 cases, improved 7 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The cytogenesis of different type of multiple meningiomas probably varied. Estrogen may play an important role in the genesis of multiple meningiomas. One stage resection of all the tumors was feasible to most cases and advocated. Most cases had strong tolerance to several times of operation, staging operation was permitted. The prognosis and principle of treatment of different group varied.</p>