Anatomy of the optic radiations from the white matter fiber dissection perspective: A literature review applied to practical anatomical dissection.

Background: Knowledge of the anatomical course of the optic radiations and its relationship to medial temporal lobe structures is of great relevance in preoperative planning for surgery involving the temporal lobe to prevent damage that may result in postsurgical visual field deficits. Methods: In this anatomical study, we reviewed the literature on this topic and applied the information to practical anatomical dissection. The three-dimensional relationship between the course of the optic radiations and structures accessed in the main microneurosurgical approaches to the medial temporal lobe was examined by applying Klingler's white matter fiber dissection technique to five formalin-fixed human brains. The dissections were performed with an operating microscope at magnifications of ×3-×40. High-resolution images were acquired during dissection for identification of the anatomical structures, focusing on the characterization of the course of the optic radiations in relation to medial temporal lobe structures. Results: In all five dissected brains, we could expose and clearly define the relationship between the optic radiations and medial temporal lobe structures, improving our understanding of these complex structures. Conclusion: The knowledge gained by studying these relationships will help neurosurgeons to develop risk-adjusted approaches to prevent damage to the optic radiations in the medial temporal region, which may result in a disabling visual field deficit.

Selective Posterior Callosotomy for Treatment of Epileptic Drop Attacks: Video Documentation of the Surgical Technique: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

This is a surgical technique video of selective posterior callosotomy (SPC), a novel surgical procedure to alleviate refractory epileptic drop attacks.1 Departing from traditional approaches aiming the anterior half or the entire callosum, SPC sections the posterior half of the callosum sparing prefrontal connectivity.1 Drop attacks are generalized epileptic seizures characterized by sudden falls.1 These seizures are often seen in diffuse brain pathology associated with generalized or multifocal epilepsies, whose electroencephalogram (EEG) "fingerprint" is bilaterally synchronous epileptic discharges.1 Sectioning the callosum to control drop attacks follows the rationale that the rapid synchronization of discharges between motor and premotor regions of both hemispheres is the basis.1 The standard approach to callosotomies always contemplated the anterior fibers of the callosum.2 Literature reports that anterior sections lead to unsatisfactory control of drop attacks, and results are improved when extended into a total callosotomy.2,3 This evidence coupled with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings showing that motor and premotor fibers actually cross through posterior half of the callosum led us to hypothesize that selective section of the posterior half of the callosum would section all relevant motor fibers and control drop attacks to a similar extent to total callosotomies, with the advantage of sparing prefrontal interconnectivity3 and no split-brain syndrome. Both our series, one retrospective, followed by a new prospective study have confirmed SPC to be a safe procedure, leading to complete or greater than 90% control of epileptic falls in 85% of patients.1 The video presented here was recorded during a selective posterior callosotomy performed on a 13-yr-old girl who had hundreds of uncontrollable drop attacks per day. Falls were completely controlled with significant gains in psychomotor development and cognition, after 5 yr of follow-up. The patient provided signed consent to the surgical procedure, video acquisition, photo acquisition, and storage at operations, and the publication of this material.

Compressão medular epidural metastática: uma emergência neurocirúrgica / Metastatic epidural spinal compression: a neurosurgical emergency

Introdução: A compressão medular epidural metastática (CMEM) é uma emergência oncológica. A doença metastática na medula ocorre por meio de disseminação hematogênica ou através da propagação direta do tumor. A queixa mais frequente em pacientes com CMEM é dor, no entanto, uma gama de manifestações neurológicas pode ser encontrada nos casos de CMEM. Métodos: O capítulo é uma revisão dos artigos das principais revistas de neurocirurgia e oncologia encontradas no banco de dados da biblioteca virtual MEDLINE e apresenta um protocolo de CMEM baseado nos guidelines internacionais. Resultados: A Ressonância Magnética (RM) é o principal exame quando há suspeita clínica de CMEM e deve ser realizado com brevidade, a fim de evitar atraso no diagnóstico e danos neurológicos permanentes. O tratamento inicial da CMEM é realizado com corticosteroides. Todavia o tratamento cirúrgico é a terapêutica definitiva, sendo a laminectomia posterior e a descompressão circunferencial as técnicas operatórias de escolha. Além disso, a radioterapia é uma alternativa ao tratamento cirúrgico e deve ser considerada. Conclusão: A CMEM é uma emergência oncológica importante que pode acarretar em danos permanentes aos pacientes. Todo médico deve se atentar para a possibilidade da CMEM diante de queixas álgicas e neurológicas em pacientes oncológicos.

Introduction: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a medical emergency. Metastatic disease on the spinal cord occurs by hematogenous dissemination or through direct tumoral propagation. Back pain is the most frequent symptom associated with CMEM. However, neurological manifestations may be also present. Methods: This chapter is a review of the major articles from Neurosurgery and Oncology journals found on MEDLINE database and presents a protocol based on the international guidelines. Results: Magnetic Resonance is the main neuroimaging technology when CMEM is suspected and must be done as soon as possible in order to avoid diagnosis delay and permanent neurological damage. Initial management is carried with corticosteroids, but surgery is the definitive treatment. The commonly used techniques are Posterior Decompressive Laminectomy and Circumferential Spinal Cord Decompression. Radiotherapy can be used as an alternative treatment. Conclusion: CMEM is an important oncologic emergency that may lead to permanent neurological damages. Physicians should be vigilant for CMEM when oncologic patients have back pain and/or neurological disorders.

Epilepsia do lobo temporal: é possível curar? / Temporal lobe epilepsy: it is possible to cure?

Objetivos: O tratamento inicial de pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal é feito com drogas antiepilépticas, porém grande parte destes apresenta epilepsia refratária aos medicamentos e, portanto, devem ser avaliados para cirurgia de ressecção. Para tanto, este artigo fornece informações para avaliação cirúrgica e uma análise do tratamento cirúrgico nestes casos refratários da doença. Métodos: As buscas foram realizadas na base de dados MEDLINE. A estratégia de busca foi desenvolvida utilizando-se os seguintes termos de pesquisa: "temporal lobe epilepsy" AND "epilepsy surgery". Cada termo foi revisado individualmente e sinônimos de cada termo foram combinados. Os critérios de elegibilidade foram estudos realizados em humanos e com texto disponível, publicados em português ou inglês, atualizado. Resultados: De um total de 1330 artigos que foram encontrados na base de dados, 6 artigos foram incluídos nessa revisão, além das referências de livros-texto do tema. Conclusões: Surgical evaluation requires the identification of the early focus of seizures, and if that focus is in an area of the brain that can be removed with a low risk of new neurological deficits. The surgical treatment has been shown to be beneficial, allowing potentially curative ducts in patients who previously would be resistant to pharmacological treatment.

Aims: The initial treatment of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy is made with antiepileptic drugs, but a large part of these presents refractory to drugs and therefore should be evaluated for resection surgery. For both, this article provides information for surgical evaluation and an analysis of surgical treatment in these cases of refractory disease. Methods: The searches were conducted on MEDLINE database. The search strategy was developed using the following search terms: "temporal lobe epilepsy" AND "epilepsy surgery". Each term has been reviewed individually and each term synonyms were combined. The eligibility criteria were studies in humans and with text available, published in Portuguese or English, updated. Results: From 1330 articles found in the database, 6 articles were included in this review, in addition to the references to textbooks. Conclusions: Surgical evaluation requires the identification of the early focus of seizures, and if that focus is in an area of the brain that can be removed with a low risk of new neurological deficits. The surgical treatment has been shown to be beneficial, allowing potentially curative ducts in patients who previously would have been by the failure of chronic drug therapy.

Quando uma cefaleia sinaliza um tumor cerebral? / When does a headache signal a brain tumor?

Introdução: O objetivo principal deste tudo é facilitar o acesso a profissionais da área médica aos dados de literatura referentes à cefaleia de origem neoplásica. Através de uma revisão bibliográfica, investiga-se os principais sinais clínicos da doença, de maneira a simplificar a prática médica das casuísticas comumente encontradas na rotina clínica. Métodos: Revisão bibliográfica sobre o diagnóstico e manejo de cefaleias com provável origem neoplásica visando aprimorar a acurácia na identificação dessa patologia. Resultados: Observamos que a cefaleia de provável origem neoplásica apresenta uma clínica atípica na grande maioria dos casos, a qual varia com tipo, tamanho, localização e velocidade de crescimento do tumor. Para correto diagnóstico clínico, é recomendado a procura por sinais de alerta e, quando presentes, um exame de imagem com TC ou RNM se faz necessário. Como a sobrevida nesses pacientes costuma ser limitada, é imperativo o diagnóstico preciso da etiologia da cefaleia para controle adequado da dor e escolha do tratamento. Caso nenhum sinal de alerta esteja presente, deve-se então tranquilizar o paciente. Conclusão: A cefaleia, por sua natureza comum, é benigna na maior parte dos casos, sendo subvalorizada pelo próprio paciente. De fato, são poucas as ocorrências de tumores cerebrais concomitantes à cefaleia. Entretanto, investigar e tratar os casos em que a cefaleia está presente é de suma importância para o manejo correto do paciente, pois 71% dos tumores cerebrais apresentam cefaleia como primeiro sinal clínico, segundo dados da literatura.

Introduction: The main objective is to facilitate access to science-related literature for headache associated with brain tumors. Through a bibliographic review, investigating the main clinical events of the disease, in a way to simplify a medical practice of the common series are a medical routine. Methods: Bibliographic review on the diagnosis and management of headache with neoplastic origin helping to improve the accuracy in the identification of this pathology. Results: Headache of probable neoplastic origin presents with atypical characteristics in the vast majority of cases, which varies on type, size, location and speed of tumor growth. For correct clinical diagnosis, the search for warning signs is recommended and, when present, an imaging examination with CT or MRI is mandatory. As the survival in these patients is usually limited, it is imperative to accurately diagnose the etiology of headache for adequate pain control and treatment choice. If no alert signal is present, the patient should be reassured. Conclusion: Headache has a benign nature in most cases. However, it is still undervalued by patients. In fact, there are few occurrences of brain tumors concomitant with headache. Investigating and treating the cases in which headache is present is of paramount importance for the correct management of the patient, since 71% of the brain tumors present headache as the first clinical sign.

Selective posterior callosotomy for drop attacks: A new approach sparing prefrontal connectivity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel approach to control epileptic drop attacks through a selective posterior callosotomy, sparing all prefrontal interconnectivity. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with refractory drop attacks had selective posterior callosotomy and prospective follow-up for >4 years. Falls, episodes of aggressive behavior, and IQ were quantified. Autonomy in activities of daily living, axial tonus, and speech generated a functional score ranging from 0 to 13. Subjective effect on patient well-being and caregiver burden was also assessed. RESULTS: Median monthly frequency of drop attacks decreased from 150 to 0.5. Thirty patients (83%) achieved either complete or >90% control of the falls. Need for constant supervision decreased from 90% to 36% of patients. All had estimated IQ below 85. Median functional score increased from 7 to 10 (p = 0.03). No patient had decrease in speech fluency or hemiparesis. Caregivers rated the effect of the procedure as excellent in 40% and as having greatly improved functioning in another 50%. Clinical, EEG, imaging, and cognitive variables did not correlate with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study with objective outcome assessment suggests that selective posterior callosotomy is safe and effective to control drop attacks, with functional and behavioral gains in patients with intellectual disability. Results are comparable to historical series of total callosotomy and suggest that anterior callosal fibers may be spared. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that selective posterior callosotomy reduces falls in patients with epileptic drop attacks.

Cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia associated with intraventricular shunts.

CSF eosinophilia (CSF-eo) is uncommon and is usually caused by helminthic infections. However, it has also been found in ∼30% of patients experiencing intraventricular shunt malfunctions. We present a case report and review the conditions associated with CSF-eo and their prophylaxis. An 8 year-old boy with tetraventricular hydrocephalus has had several shunt malfunctions over the last three years. During hospitalization in January 2009 for shunt revision, a transient 30% eosinophilia was detected in his cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) concomitant with Staphylococcus epidermidis infection and long term vancomycin administration. After several shunt replacements and antibiotic treatment, CSF-eo eventually disappeared with good overall clinical response. CSF-eo is a transient and focal event mainly associated with infection, reactions to foreign substances, particles or blood, or obstruction of tubing by normal or fibro-granulomatous tissues. Infection associated with CSF-eo is usually caused by S. epidermidis and Propioniumbacterium acnes. In addition to infection, allergy to silicone and other foreign materials may also be a cause of CSF-eo. We review the diversity of conditions and proposed mechanisms associated with CSF-eo, as well as recommendations for the care of patients with shunts. Detection of CSF-eo has been shown to be a useful indicator of shunt malfunction. As such, it provides physicians with an indicator of a hypersensitivity reaction that is underway or the need to identify bacterial infection. We also highlight the need for improved biocompatibility of shunt hardware and describe strategies to avoid conditions leading to shunt malfunction.

Displasias Corticais / Cortical Dysplasias

Este artigo revisa bases fisiopatológicas e classificação das displasias corticais. Enfocamos a importância do diagnóstico precoce, através dos métodos clássicos e novos. Além disso, abordamos as terapêuticas existentes e as situações em que devem ser utilizadas.

O papel do neurocirurgião no incremento da qualidade de vida em pacientes idosos: hidrocefalia de pressão normal e estreito lobar / The paper of the neurosurgeon in the increment of the quality of life in aged patients: hydrocephalus of normal pressure and lumbar narrow canal

The purpose of the authors is to attempt to two fifferent diseases that usually are misdiagnosed in the generalist medical practice: the lumbar spinal stenosis and the normal pressure lydrocephalus in the elderly. In this article, there is a review of clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of these pathologies, with special attention to differential diagnosis, particular care and appropriate management of this group of patients by the neurosurgeo, intending t offer definitive resolution.

Sondas e drenos / Stents and drain

Os autores realizam uma revisão não-sistemática sobre os principais aspectos envolvidos no uso de drenos e sondas em pacientes cirúrgicos, utilizando a base de dados do MEDLINE e revisão da literatura

Manejo clínico das complicações da hemorragia subaracnóidea / Clinical handling of the complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Os autores revisam o manejo clínico das complicações mais comuns da Hemorragia Subaracnóidea que são determinantes dos índices de mortalidade e morbidade desta patologia. O correto tratamento destas complicações reverte em melhores resultados tanto na abordagem clínica, quanto no manejo cirúrgico destes pacientes