MICROSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF A RARE INCIDENTAL INTRAVENTRICULAR MENINGIOMA: A CASE REPORT AND RELEVANT LITERATURE REVIEW.

Intraventricular meningiomas are rare and make up between 0.5% and 3% of all intracranial meningiomas, representing one of the most challenging tumors in neurosurgery due to their difficult location. Being initially asymptomatic, such tumors usually attain large size before clinical presentation and diagnostic detection. Available literature concerned with their surgical management remains scarce. Herein, we present a case of microsurgical resection of incidental intraventricular meningioma in a 32-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital due to the sudden loss of consciousness, retrograde amnesia, and nausea following a head trauma. Routine brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an irregular expansive formation located in the occipital horn of the right lateral ventricle showing heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The patient underwent right-side temporal osteoplastic craniotomy with total tumor microsurgical resection followed by external ventricular drainage, and recovered fully afterwards. Histopathologic analysis of tumor tissue samples confirmed the tumor as meningioma WHO grade I. Postoperative brain computed tomography confirmed complete tumor resection. In conclusion, intraventricular meningiomas are rather rare extra-axial tumors and may present with various symptoms depending on their size and difficult location. The development of most modern neuroimaging methods offers the opportunity of their precise and accurate diagnosis, better surgical planning, and favorable outcome. Microsurgical gross resection utilizing intraoperative neuromonitoring and cutting-edge neurosurgical armamentarium remains the treatment of choice for these location-challenging and surgically demanding, predominantly benign intracranial tumors.

Management of a Multi-Level Forearm Microsurgical Reconstruction and the Following Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute respiratory distress following blood transfusion. This case-based technical report documents a case on the management of a multi-level forearm microsurgical reconstruction and the following TRALI syndrome that developed shortly after blood transfusion in a 29-year-old male. Multilevel microsurgical revascularization was performed via saphenous vein autograft arterial reconstruction from the proximal 1/3 ulnar artery to the ulnar side of the deep superficial palmar arterial arch. TRALI was resolved with intensive care unit monitoring and treatment. There are several reports of TRALI in literature, as well as proposed mechanisms of pathogenesis, however, no case on the management of a multilevel forearm arterial reconstruction via a long saphenous vein autograft and associated TRALI syndrome have been reported.

Natural History, Clinical, and Surgical Management of Cavernous Malformations.

We describe Natural history, clinical and surgical management of cavernous malformation of the brain and spinal cord. Decision-making for treatment of cavernous malformations cannot ignore their natural history and risk of bleeding, which is different depending on the location. Surgical morbidity also depends on the position of the lesion. We performed a review of hemorrhage risk and clinical assessment of superficial and deep supratentorial, brainstem and intramedullary cavernous malformations.

MICROSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF LOW-GRADE SPINAL CORD ASTROCYTOMA IN ADULTS: A PERSONAL CASE SERIES REPORT AND BRIEF LITERATURE REVIEW.

Astrocytoma is the second most common intramedullary tumor of predominantly low-grade malignancy in adult patients. Adult astrocytomas have better-quality prognosis compared with astrocytomas in children. Although a standardized surgical management protocol for spinal cord glioma is currently unavailable, surgery of low-grade astrocytoma should be aimed at gross total resection to preserve neurological function and to improve the outcome. Herein, we present a personal case series of four consecutive adult spinal cord astrocytoma patients who were operated on during the last few years. Tumor resection was performed in all patients utilizing microsurgical technique and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. We also provide a literature review of the treatment of intramedullary astrocytoma in adults and discuss contemporary surgical management and prognosis.

Microsurgical management of basilar artery apex aneurysms: a single surgeon's experience from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

OBJECTIVE: Basilar artery apex aneurysms continue to generate technical challenges and management controversy. Endovascular intervention is becoming the mainstay in the management of these formidable aneurysms, but it has limitations, especially with large/giant or wide neck basilar apex aneurysms. There is paucity of data in the available literature pertaining to the successful management of large/giant, wide neck, and calcified/thrombosed basilar apex aneurysms. We present our experience with consecutively operated complex basilar apex aneurysms so as to present the role of microneurosurgery as a viable management option for these aneurysms. METHODS: Ours is a retrospective analysis of case-records for operated cases of basilar artery aneurysms spanning 18 years. Basilar apex aneurysms >10 cm, calcified or thrombosed, neck ≥4 mm posterior direction, and retro/subsellar were considered as complex anatomy aneurysms. Basilar apex aneurysms with favorable anatomy were included in the study as a reference group for statistical analysis. Patient demographics, complex features of aneurysms, clinical grade, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 33 (53.2%) patients had complex anatomy: large (>10 mm) in eight (24.2%); giant aneurysms (>25 mm) in seven (21.2%); wide-neck in 22 (66.7%); and calcified/thrombosed morphology in five (15.1%). The mean age was 48.5 years, and 22 (66.67%) were women. All aneurysms were clipped by the use of various skull base approaches. A total of 71.9% of patients harboring complex aneurysm had good outcomes. If only unruptured and good grade complex aneurysms also are considered, then 86.9% (n = 20) patients had good outcomes. Statistically there was no significant difference in the outcomes of complex and noncomplex aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Although concerning, the management of large/giant, wide neck, and calcified/thrombosed aneurysms with microneurosurgery is still a competitive alternative to endovascular therapy. After careful selection of appropriate skull base approaches based on the complexity of the basilar apex aneurysm, microneurosurgery can achieve acceptable results.

Microsurgical management of giant intracranial aneurysms: a single surgeon experience from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of giant aneurysms is challenging because of multiple factors: aneurysm size, wide neck, thrombosis, and calcification. The risk of ischemic complications is higher when compared with smaller aneurysms. We present our surgical experience of clipping these difficult aneurysms. METHODS: A total of 59 giant intracranial aneurysms underwent surgical clipping by a single surgeon over the last 2 decades. The case records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the operative outcome. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations. RESULTS: The mean age in our series was 50.57 years (range 19 to 77 years). There was a female preponderance (female-male ratio 2.47:1). Headache was the most common form of presentation (62.7%, n = 37), followed by cranial nerve deficits (32.2%, n = 19) and seizures (13.5%, n = 8). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was seen in 38.9% (n = 23). Eleven patients had posterior circulation aneurysm. At admission, 47.8% (n = 11) of the patients were in good grade (grade I and II). Multiple aneurysms were noted in 18.64% (n = 11) of cases, but none of the patients harbored more than 1 giant aneurysm. Mortality rate was 10.1% (n = 6). The majority of patients (71.9%) experienced a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score [GOS] 4 and 5) at the last follow-up. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to find predictors of poor outcome. Poor clinical grade, ruptured aneurysm, and posterior location predicted independently for poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Giant aneurysms impose a relatively higher risk of mortality and morbidity to patients. With proper case selection and appropriate surgical strategy, it is possible to achieve a favorable outcome in most cases.

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with middle cerebral artery aneurysms combined with intra-Sylvian hematomas / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience of patients with middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAAs) associated with intra-Sylvian hematomas. Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with ruptured MCAAs associated with intra-Sylvian hematomas (haemorrhage ≥20mL), admitted to our hospital from November 2006 to May 2011, were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment experiences of MCAAs associated with intra-Sylvian hematomas with microsurgery were concluded. Results Among them,12 patients were performed clipping and 8 were performed resection and clipping. Bypass of superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery was performed before occlusion of the afferent artery in 1 patient.When the patients discharged from hospital,their Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) were 4-5 scores in 16 patients,3 scores in 3,2 scores in 1 and 1 score in 1; excellent outcomes were achieved in 15 patients, no marked changes in 4 patients, and post-operative complications were observed in 1 patient; 1 perioperative death occurred. Conclusion Ruptured MCAAs combined with intra-Sylvian hematomas should be differed from hypertension hemorrhage of basal ganglia areas; intraoperative Doppler sonography,introperative indocyanine green angiography and neurophysiological monitoring are helpful during the surgical treatment.

Problems in reconstruction of compound defects of the forefoot / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To study and discuss the problems involved in as well as the significance a nd methods of restoration and reconstr uction of forefoot defects.Methods Various procedures were adopted ac-cording to the wound variety and severity.For just absense of mefatarsal bones,only soft tissue was restored.For defects of metatarsals or metatarso phalangeal joints(usually associated with soft tissue defects)homochronous reconstruction and restoration was conducted by using vascularized bon e incorporation with free flap transplan-tation.Results Total 47cases wih forefoot defects were recpaired by using procedures me ntioned above from1994to 2000.All of this group regain ed their walking and weight-bearing functions as well as a good appearance.Conclusions Classification of forefoot injurie s according to their severity and loc ation is helpful in treatment,precise description and further stu dy of the injuries.Vascular bone incorporating with vascular flaps proved to be an ideal method of repairing compound defects.