Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation improves comorbidities in children with cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Introduction: Children with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) frequently suffer from disabling abdominal pain and comorbidities that impair quality of life. A noninvasive, auricular percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) device is shown to be effective for abdominal pain in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction. We aimed to determine the effects of PENFS on pain, common comorbidities, and quality of life in pediatric CVS. Methods: Children aged 8-18 years with drug-refractory CVS were enrolled in a prospective, open-label study receiving 6 consecutive weeks of PENFS. Subjects completed the following surveys at baseline, during/after therapy (week 6), and at extended follow-up approximately 4-6 months later: Abdominal Pain Index (API), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Profile-37. Results: Thirty subjects were included. Median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 10.5 (8.5-15.5) years; 60% were female. Median API scores decreased from baseline to week 6 (p = 0.003) and to extended follow-up (p < 0.0001). State anxiety scores decreased from baseline to week 6 (p < 0.0001) and to extended follow-up (p < 0.0001). There were short-term improvements in sleep at 6 weeks (p = 0.031) but not at extended follow-up (p = 0.22). Quality of life measures of physical function, anxiety, fatigue, and pain interference improved short-term, while there were long-term benefits for anxiety. No serious side effects were reported. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of auricular neurostimulation using PENFS for pain and several disabling comorbidities in pediatric CVS. PENFS improves anxiety, sleep, and several aspects of quality of life with long-term benefits for anxiety.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03434652.

Cavernous Sinus Meningioma: Tumor Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Anterior Tibial Artery Graft High-Flow Bypass for Brain Ischemia: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

A 62-yr-old man with left cavernous sinus tumor presented with atypical trigeminal neuralgia refractory to medical treatment. He received Gamma Knife (Elekta) radiation for the tumor. However, the facial pain worsened after radiation. Neuropsychological testing done for memory problems had revealed mild neurocognitive disorder. Neurological examination showed trigeminal distribution numbness and partial abducens nerve paralysis. Imaging revealed an enhancing left cavernous sinus and supra-cavernous mass. Angiography revealed severe stenosis of the left cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA). Computed tomography (CT) perfusion study showed diminished blood flow on the left side, and ischemic changes were seen in fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical resection of the tumor was preferred over ablative treatment for trigeminal neuralgia because of its effectiveness in improving cranial nerve (CN) function.1 The patient underwent staged surgeries. In the first stage, the tumor was partially excised with decompression of the trigeminal ganglion and nerve root in the lateral cavernous sinus wall, Meckel's cave. Postoperatively, MR angiography revealed worsening of the left ICA caliber. Therefore, a high-flow bypass from the external carotid artery to the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was performed with an anterior tibial artery graft. The patient recovered initially but developed enterococcus meningitis postoperatively, which was promptly identified and treated with antibiotics. At 1-yr follow-up, the graft was patent, and the patient had significant relief of his facial pain and cognitively improved. This 2-dimensional video demonstrates the technique of partial excision of cavernous sinus meningioma with CN decompression, and the technique of a high-flow bypass from the external carotid artery to M2 MCA segment using an anterior tibial artery graft. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. All relevant patient identifiers have been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

Distal Basilar Artery "Umbrella Aneurysm" Treated by Radial Artery Graft Bypass From the External Carotid Artery to Posterior Cerebral Artery and Clip Trapping: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

A 71-yr-old woman was discovered to have an incidental distal basilar artery (BA) fusiform aneurysm 7 × 5 mm in dimension, shaped like an "umbrella handle" with critical stenosis distal to the aneurysm. The right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) P1 segment was small; the left posterior communicating artery (PComA) was miniscule. Because the natural history of fusiform BA aneurysms is poorly defined, this was equated to a saccular aneurysm, with an estimated 10-yr rupture rate of 29%.1-8 After discussion of alternative treatments, the patient decided upon surgery. Because of inadequate collateral circulation, a bypass to the left PCA was deemed necessary. The aneurysm was exposed by an extended trans-sylvian approach, and the left PCA P2 segment was visualized subtemporally. The left radial artery (RAG) was extracted, and pressure distended to prevent vasospasm. The RAG bypass was sutured first to the P2, and then to the cervical external carotid artery (ECA); the BA aneurysm was then clipped. The proximal anastomosis of the bypass needed revision because of poor flow; a 4-mm punch hole was made to widen the arteriotomy on the ECA. The patient was discharged home with mild memory loss and partial left cranial nerve III palsy. After discharge, she developed a severe left hemicrania, resolved with gabapentin. At 6-wk follow-up, she was asymptomatic, and computed tomography (CT) angiogram demonstrated patency of the bypass. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. All relevant patient identifiers have been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

The Future of Skull Base Surgery: A View Through Tinted Glasses.

In the present report, we have broadly outlined the potential advances in the field of skull base surgery, which might occur within the next 20 years based on the many areas of current research in biology and technology. Many of these advances will also be broadly applicable to other areas of neurosurgery. We have grounded our predictions for future developments in an exploration of what patients and surgeons most desire as outcomes for care. We next examined the recent developments in the field and outlined several promising areas of future improvement in skull base surgery, per se, as well as identifying the new hospital support systems needed to accommodate these changes. These include, but are not limited to, advances in imaging, Raman spectroscopy and microscopy, 3-dimensional printing and rapid prototyping, master-slave and semiautonomous robots, artificial intelligence applications in all areas of medicine, telemedicine, and green technologies in hospitals. In addition, we have reviewed the therapeutic approaches using nanotechnology, genetic engineering, antitumor antibodies, and stem cell technologies to repair damage caused by traumatic injuries, tumors, and iatrogenic injuries to the brain and cranial nerves. Additionally, we have discussed the training requirements for future skull base surgeons and stressed the need for adaptability and change. However, the essential requirements for skull base surgeons will remain unchanged, including knowledge, attention to detail, technical skill, innovation, judgment, and compassion. We believe that active involvement in these rapidly evolving technologies will enable us to shape some of the future of our discipline to address the needs of both patients and our profession.

Microsurgical and Endoscope Assisted Resection of a Right Intracanalicular Vestibular Schwannoma Two-Dimensional Operative Video.

A 36-year-old lady presented with tinnitus and hearing loss for 1 year which was progressively worsening. A hearing test revealed pure tone average (PTA) between 48 to 65 dB and speech discrimination of 56% at 95 dB. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a right vestibular schwannoma 5 × 8 mm ( Fig. 1 ) which extended far laterally to the fundus of internal auditory canal (IAC). A translabyrinthine approach was suggested by another neurosurgeon/neurotologist team, but the patient decided to undergo operation by retrosigmoid approach with attempted hearing preservation. She underwent a right retrosigmoid craniotomy, craniectomy, and mastoidectomy with far lateral approach. We performed petrous transcanalicular microsurgical approach with the assistance of neuroendoscope. Intraoperatively, the internal auditory artery was looping into the IAC between cranial nerves VII and VIII, and coming out inferiorly. The IAC was opened by the diamond drill, ultrasonic bone curette, and fine rongeurs. The tumor was grayish in color with filling the lateral aspect of the IAC. After circumferential dissection of the tumor capsule, the tumor was removed completely. It was arising from the inferior vestibular nerve which was stretched. The patient had vertigo and nausea postoperatively but it is steadily improving. Her hearing test has improved to a PTA of 22 dB and speech discrimination of 100% at 70 dB at 6 weeks. The postoperative MRI showed total resection. This two-dimensional video shows the technical nuances of microsurgical retrosigmoid approach and endoscopic assisted resection of an intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma and the value of attempting hearing preservation in all vestibular schwannomas ( Fig. 2 ). The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/KHrO_iDI2tw .

Retrosigmoid Craniotomy for the Removal of Left Sided Tentorial and Posterior Fossa Meningioma Combined with Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm.

This 68-year-old woman presented with repeated episodes of bilateral hemifacial spasm with headache for 5 years and with recent progression of left sided symptoms. Preoperative imaging showed a left sided tentorial meningioma with brain stem and cerebellar compression. Left facial nerve was compressed by the vertebral artery (VA) and the right facial nerve by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA). This patient underwent left side retrosigmoid craniotomy and mastoidectomy. The cisterna magna was drained to relax the brain. The tumor was very firm, attached to the tentorium and had medial and lateral lobules. The superior cerebellar artery was adherent to the lateral lobule of the tumor and dissected away. The tumor was detached from its tentorial base; we first removed the lateral lobule. Following this, the medial lobule was also completely dissected and removed. The root exit zone of cranial nerve (CN) VII was dissected and exposed. The compression was caused both by a prominent VA and AICA. Initially, the several pieces of Teflon felt were placed for the decompression. Then vertebropexy was performed by using 8-0 nylon suture placed through the VA media to the clival dura. A further piece of Teflon felt was placed between cerebellopontine angle region and AICA. Her hemifacial spasm resolved postoperatively, and she discharged home 1 week later. Postoperative imaging showed complete tumor removal and decompression of left CN VII. This video shows the complex surgery of microsurgical resection of a large tentorial meningioma and microvascular decompression with a vertebropexy procedure. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/N5aHN9CRJeM .

Left External Carotid Artery to the Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass with Radial Artery Graft and Clip Reconstruction of a Large Middle Cerebral Artery Fusiform Aneurysm: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

This 16-yr-old boy presented with episodes of severe headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and muffled hearing and was discovered to have a large fusiform aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA), M1 segment, 20 × 12 mm in dimension. The lenticulostriate arteries were arising proximal and distal to the aneurysm, but the anterior temporal artery was arising from the aneurysm. The aneurysm culminated in the distal M1 segment, and M1 immediately branched into 3 M2 vessels, the lower one being the larger. Due to origin of the lenticulostriate arteries and the anterior temporal artery and patient's age, a bypass was preferred to a flow diversion stent. He underwent left frontotemporal craniotomy and orbital osteotomy, left cervical external carotid artery exposure followed by radial artery graft extraction. The Sylvian fissure was opened and intracranial ICA was exposed for proximal control. The distal M2 vessels traced back toward the aneurysm. The aneurysm was not clippable and a bypass to the larger inferior M2 branch was performed followed by aneurysm trapping. The radial artery graft bypass was placed from the left external carotid artery to the M2 segment of left MCA, followed by clip reconstruction and occlusion of the MCA aneurysm with the preservation of the anterior temporal branch and the lenticulostriate vessels. The patient had no postoperative complications. At the follow-up, one month after surgery, he was doing well, and his angiogram demonstrated patency of the bypass. This video shows the management of a complex fusiform M1 aneurysm with bypass and trapping. Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the surgery that included videotaping of the procedure and its distribution for educational purposes. All relevant patient identifiers have also been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

Microsurgical Clipping of a Ruptured Basilar Apex Aneurysm: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

A 59-yr-old woman presented with a sudden onset of headache with neck pain and stiffness, Hunt and Hess grade 2. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, Fisher Grade 2. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) showed a basilar artery apex aneurysm, dome size 9 mm and neck 3 mm, leaning towards the right, and a dominant right artery of Percheron. Endovascular treatment and microsurgical clipping were both explained to the patient, but she decided to undergo microsurgery due to the durability of treatment. She underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy and orbital osteotomy. We performed optic nerve decompression and intradural anterior clinoidectomy to enhance the exposure. Working through the carotid-oculomotor space, the posterior communicating artery was traced back to the posterior cerebral artery. The basilar artery was temporarily occluded for aneurysm dissection after burst suppression to protect the brain. The aneurysm was irregular, multilobulated, and projecting upward. The dominant thalamoperforate artery (artery of Percheron) was arising from the right P1, and densely adherent to the sac of the aneurysm. After dissection of the artery of Percheron away from the aneurysm, it was completely occluded by a side-curved titanium clip. The patient had right oculomotor nerve paresis and headache postoperatively, but at discharge 2 wk later the headache and paresis had completely resolved. The postoperative IADSA showed total occlusion of the aneurysm with patency of the artery of Percheron. This 3-dimensional video shows the technical nuances of microsurgical clipping of a ruptured basilar apex aneurysm and intraoperative dissection of the artery of Percheron. Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the surgery that included videotaping of the procedure and its distribution for educational purposes. All relevant patient identifiers have also been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

Self inflicted stab with a knife: An unusual mode of penetrating brain injury.

Self-inflicted penetrating injuries have been very rarely described in the medical literature. We describe a middle-aged woman, who had driven a long knife inside her skull with the help of a brick. She had done this to get relief from chronic headache, which was troubling her for 10 years. Patient was hemodynamically stable and had Glassgow Coma scale score of 15. She was immediately operated to remove the knife and evacuate the acute subdural hematoma. Patient made a steady postoperative recovery. Psychiatric and neurological evaluation in the postoperative period revealed features of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder with migraine, for which she was started on treatment. Management of such cases needs a team approach with inputs from neurosurgeon, neurophysician and psychiatrist.

Isolated intramedullary spinal cord cysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis is a major cause of epilepsy in developing countries. Cysticercal involvement of the spinal cord is rare even in endemic areas and accounts for 0.7 to 5.85% of all cases. We present a 19-year-old man who presented with weakness of both lower limbs and urinary complaints in the form of straining of micturition with increased frequency, in whom preoperative MRI revealed a well-defined cystic lesion in dorso-lumber cord extending from D11 to L1 level, which on pathological examination was found to be intramedullary cysticercosis.