Outcomes and Complications of Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery in Pituitary Adenoma.

This retrospective study aimed to define outcomes and complications of endoscopic versus microscopic transsphenoidal surgery in pituitary adenoma. Data of 94 patients who underwent transsphenoidal endoscopic (n = 45) or microscopic surgery (n = 49) between June 2000 and June 2014 for pituitary adenoma, performed at Katip Çelebi University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' symptomatology, type of adenoma, radiologic findings, surgical outcomes, and preoperative and postoperative complications were investigated.

Prevention of anterior scar formation following discectomy with a MediShield adhesion barrier: randomized experimental trial.

Aim: To investigate whether carboxymethylcellulose/polyethylene oxide (CMC/PEO) gel has a protective effect against epidural scar formation anterior to the dura following discectomy.

Material And Methods: A barrier gel comprised of CMC and PEO (MediShield) was studied as a material to reduce anterior epidural scar formation in a rabbit laminotomy and discectomy model. After laminotomy and disc puncture, the surgical side was either treated with MediShield or used as a surgical control, as determined by random allocation.

Partial spondylectomy for primary leiomyosarcoma of C2 vertebra.

Study Design: A primary leiomyosarcoma located on the left side of the C2 is reported. Left-sided partial spondylectomy and anterior reconstruction with posterior stabilization was performed by a two-staged operation.

Objective: To emphasize the occurrence of primary leiomyosarcoma and the importance of proper stabilization in the upper cervical spine.

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: a highly vascular tumour.

Paragangliomas uncommonly occur in the cauda equina region. This type of tumour may be misdiagnosed pre-operatively as a neurinoma or an ependymoma. Paragangliomas are highly vascular tumours.

Intraventricular glioblastoma multiforme: a pediatric case report.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common lethal primary central nervous system tumor in adults. GBM is rarely seen in childhood and adolescence as primary intraventricular tumors. Few cases of solitary intraventricular GBM in adolescence have been reported to date.

Giant erosive spinal schwannomas: surgical management.

Giant erosive spinal schwannomas can be distinguished from other spinal schwannomas by its growth in myofascial planes and vertebral body erosion. Therapeutic radical tumour excision without neurologic deterioration is possible in the management. Prognosis is good after total tumour removal.

Intracranial chronic subdural haematoma as a complication of epidural anesthesia.

We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with unilateral intracranial chronic subdural haematoma that occurred after epidural anesthesia for excision of a skin scar, complicated by postdural puncture headache. The patient had no history of trauma, headache, coagulation abnormalities, or neurological disorders. Most physicians encountering a case of headache after epidural or spinal anesthesia first think of a postdural puncture headache.

Nasal-subfrontal giant schwannoma.

Subfrontal schwannomas are rare lesions. They can be misdiagnosed as olfactory meningiomas or neuroblastomas. We report a case of giant schwannoma involving the anterior cranial fossa; the frontal and ethmoid sinuses and nasal cavities.

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the lumbar extradural space.

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the extradural space are very rare; only 10 cases have been reported in the English language literature. The histopathological diagnosis of primary spinal PNETs has been discussed for many years. These tumors have a rapidly progressive course, and there is no current consensus on the optimal therapeutic approach for these patients.

Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscess caused by Candida albicans in a patient with chronic renal failure.

Although rare, the diagnosis of candidal vertebral osteomyelitis of the cervical spine should be considered in cases of quadriparesia occurring in hemodialysis patients. This disease leads to vertebral destruction and spinal cord compression. Candidal vertebral osteomyelitis constitutes a diagnostic problem for all physicians.

Percutaneous computed-tomography-guided biopsy of the spine: 229 procedures.

Objectives: Percutaneous biopsy of the spine is an effective and well-evaluated procedure. Only very few series containing more than a hundred patients have been reported so far and there is no agreement about the factors affecting the diagnostic rate. We aimed to find out if there is any factor influencing the success rate of the spinal biopsy using our biopsy series.

Combined approach for otogenic brain abscess.

Otogenic intracranial infections usually require both neurosurgical and otolaryngological surgery. This prospective, non-randomized study investigated the value of combining both surgical procedures. Thirteen patients with otogenic intracranial abscess were treated by mastoidectomy and abscess removal through the same incision between 1993 and 2002.

Computerized tomography-guided percutaneous transforaminodiscal biopsy sampling of vertebral body lesions.

Object: The posterolateral approach is the common route for obtaining percutaneous biopsy samples in lumbar and thoracic vertebral bodies (VBs). This procedure, however, is associated with the risk of complications. Because of this, the authors devised a new method for percutaneous biopsy sampling of VB lesions.