ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of microsurgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in elderly patients.Methods Totally 143 patients with intractable primary TN who received microsurgery were retrospectively analyzed.There were 92 cases in the elderly group with age of 65-82 years,and the other 51 cases in control group with age of 40-62 years.All the patients in both groups were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Scale Grade 1 to 3.After suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy,microvascular decompression (MVD) was performed in 136patients and partial sensory trigeminal rhizotomy in 7 patients.The complications and efficacy were compared between the two groups.Results 87 cases in the elderly group and 49 cases in control group underwent MVD procedure,complete and part pain relief were achieved in 78 cases and 9 cases in the elderly group,45 cases and 4 cases in control group,respectively.After an average follow-up period of 2.6 and 2.1 years,4 cases (5.1％) among 79 follow-up cases and 3 cases (6.5％) among 46follow-up cases experienced TN recurrences in the elderly and control groups,respectively.No statistically significant differences existed in the efficacy and recurrence rate between the two groups (P＞0.05).There were 3 cases with aseptic meningitis,1 cases with hearing decrease,1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage,1 case with pulmonary infection and 1 cases with deliration in the elderlygroup,meanwhile,1 cases with aseptic meningitis,1 case with tinnitus and 1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery in control group (P＞0.05).No facial hypoesthesia appeared in the patients receiving MVD.5 cases in the elderly and 2 cases in control group underwent partial trigeminal rhizotomy with facial hypoesthesia,but the pain released,and no recurrence was found.There were no dead cases in both groups.Conclusions With cautious and proper treatment,microsurgical procedure can be performed safely and effectively in the elderly TN.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the short-term and mid-term outcomes in geriatric patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus treated with adjustable valve. Methods The 29 patients were selected for the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt by the means of preoperative lumbar tap test and external lumbar drainage test. All patients were assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and timed 10-meter walk test. Results Short-term improvement in gait disturbance and cognitive function could be achieved obviously, and mid-term improvement could not be sustained. The 3 patients had shunt obstruction, 1 had subdural hygroma. 1 case died of pulmonary infection and 2 died of cardiac disease. Conclusions The lumbar tap test and external lumbar drainage test are highly prognostic procedures for identifying patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus who mostly likely benefit from shunt surgery. The short-term improvement can be achieved, whereas mid-term improvement can not be sustained. Surgical outcome can be improved by the use of adjustable valve.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the results of 26 patients with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) after microsurgical operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients with TCS were treated microsurgically and their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>72% of the patients with TCS showed significant improvement. Surgical outcome was excellent in relieving pain and sensorimotor deficits, but bladder dysfunction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early diagnosis and adequate surgical release are the keys to a successful outcome.</p>