Microstructure of embolized capsule of chronic subdural hematoma.

Background: Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs) are frequent and potentially life-threatening neurosurgical conditions affecting, first of all, elderly. Few treatment options are available ranging from observation to removal thought large craniotomy. However, currently, there is tendency to minimize surgical aggression, especially considering poor general condition of elderly patients. Thus, one of gaining popularity method of neurointerventional treatment of cSDHs is medial meningeal artery (MMA) embolization. To date, large series of cases published describing favorable outcomes of this treatment approach. At the same time, few reports are available that describe microstructural changes in cSDH's capsule after embolization; meanwhile, no exact effect of embolization on pathophysiology of hematoma was determined. Case Description: Through current paper, we present two cases of cSDH that has previously undergone embolization of MMA, after which cSDHs have been operated through minicraniotomy due to complications after artery embolization. Microstructural changes of hematoma's capsule are described and discussed. Conclusion: Histological changes in embolized capsule suggest embolization of MMA as a valuable method for treatment of cSDHs.

Isolated hypoglossal nerve neuropathy in vertebral dolichoectasia: Microvascular decompression by vessel transposition with Teflon cuff.

Background: A clinical case of isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve (HN) neuropathy, which spontaneously occurred from vertebral artery dolichoectasia and was cured by a new method of microvascular decompression by transposition of the vertebral artery using the Teflon cuff. Case Description: A young patient with an anamnesis of the disease for more than 4 years and complaints of a deviation of the tongue to the right and dysarthria was examined. MRI of the brain revealed compression of the medulla oblongata by an elongated, dilated, and deformed right vertebral artery. Compression of the medulla oblongata and HN was confirmed during surgery. A transposition of the vertebral artery was performed using a Teflon cuff in the ventral direction to the clivus. Three months after surgery, positive dynamics was noted in the form of regression of dysarthria and improvement of mobility and trophic language. Conclusion: Thus, isolated HN neuropathy as a result of compression by an elongated, dilated, and deformed vertebral artery is a rare neurological disease that can be successfully treated by transposition using a Teflon cuff.

Percutaneous Transforaminal Full-Endoscopic Removal of Neurinoma of the Fifth Lumbar Nerve Root With Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: A Case Report.

Background: Technical achievements and surgical techniques improvement contribute to the expansion of the endoscopic spine surgery possibilities. However, today there are few reports about the use of percutaneous endoscopy in spinal tumor surgery. A case of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic removal of the lumbar spinal nerve tumor with intraoperative neuromonitoring is presented. Case Description: A 59-year-old female was complaining of a left shin and foot pain, weakness, and paresthesia. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor (neurinoma) at the left L5-S1 intervertebral foramen. Transforaminal endoscopic removal of an extramedullary tumor from an 8-mm skin incision with intraoperative neuromonitoring was performed. Postoperative MRI revealed the signs of total resection of the tumor. Conclusion: The presented case confirms that percutaneous endoscopic removal of lumbar spine intraforaminal neurinomas can be safe and effective.

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (Hakim-Adams Syndrome): Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is a chronic steadily progressing disease. Nowadays a vital and acute socially significant problem still has not been solved. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease remain so far poorly understood. Variable clinical manifestations, as well as difficulties in differential diagnosis with other neurodegenerative diseases - lead to underdiagnosing of the illness that causes a significant decrease in patient's quality of life and even results in disability. The number of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus has been steadily increasing. That is why, the coverage and a full study of this problem is of great interest for a broad circle of medical professionals.

Stereotactic Cryodestruction of Gliomas.

Surgical resection of gliomas affecting functionally important brain structures is associated with high risk of permanent postoperative neurological deficit and deterioration of the patient's quality of life. The availability of modern neuroimaging and neuronavigation permits the application of minimally invasive stereotactic cryodestruction of the tumor in such cases. The authors used this treatment in 88 patients with supratentorial gliomas of various WHO histopathological grades not suitable for microsurgical resection. Postoperative mortality (1.1%) and rate of surgical complications (11.4%) were comparable to reported results of stereotactic brain tumor biopsy, whereas the rate of neurological morbidity (42%) was comparable to outcome after resection of gliomas within eloquent brain areas. The majority of complications were temporary, and permanent deterioration of neurological function was noted in 8% of cases only. The median survival after treatment in patients with glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma was 12.4 and 46.9 months, respectively, and was not reached in cases of diffuse astrocytoma, which compared favorably both with historical controls and literature data. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider stereotactic cryodestruction in multimodality management strategies of "unresectable" intracranial gliomas, and further studies directed at evaluation of its efficacy are definitely needed.