Vestibular schwannoma between 1 and 3 cm: importance of the tumor size in surgical and functional outcome.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the surgical and functional outcomes of the microsurgical osteoplastic retro-sigmoid approach in a semi-sitting position in two groups of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs) ranging from 1 to 3 cm in size.

Method: A 5-year retrospective evaluation was made of these two groups of patients with VS: Patients with VS sizes 1-<2 cm in maximal intra/extrameatal diameter (n=292) were assigned to group "A" and a matched group of patients with VS between 2 and 3 cm in size (n=154) were assigned to group "B".

Results: Significant differences in postoperative outcomes (p<0.

BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transcripts are less frequent in pilocytic astrocytomas diagnosed in adults.

Aim: Duplication of 7q34 resulting in generation of BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transcripts is a characteristic event in pilocytic astrocytoma that may also aid distinction from diffuse astrocytic tumours. As data on BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transcript status remain mainly limited to children, we aimed to examine the diagnostic value of BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transcripts across all age groups.

Methods: BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transcript status was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of 105 primary pilocytic astrocytomas [median patient age: 17 years (1-74 years)].

Collision tumor of meningioma and malignant astrocytoma.

The authors report a 12-year-old boy who was presented with headache, nausea, vomiting and seizure. His magnetic resonance imaging showed 2 adjacent tumors in the region of the left ventricular trigone. The pathology of tumors reported collision tumors composed of meningioma and malignant astrocytoma.

Operative and technical complications of vagus nerve stimulator implantation.

Background: The treatment of refractory epilepsy by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-established therapy option for patients not suitable for epilepsy surgery and therapy refractory depressions.

Objective: To analyze surgical and technical complications after implantation of left-sided VNS in patients with therapy-refractory epilepsy and depression.

Methods: One hundred five patients receiving a VNS or VNS-related operations (n = 118) from 1999 to 2008 were investigated retrospectively.