Gamma knife radiosurgery for refractory epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartomas.

Background: Hypothalamic hamartomas are associated with precocious puberty and chronic epilepsy characterized by gelastic seizures. The seizure disorder is usually refractory to most antiepileptic drugs. Gamma knife surgery has emerged as an alternative to microsurgical removal or radiofrequency ablation to improve seizure control.

The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant astrocytomas.

Malignant astrocytomas are aggressive neoplasms with a dismal prognosis despite optimal treatment. Maximal resective surgery is traditionally complemented by radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is now used on patients as initial therapy when their functional status is congruent with further treatment.

MR-pathological comparison in F98-Fischer glioma model using a human gantry.

Object: This study reports our findings in assessing in vivo tumour growth with magnetic resonance imaging using a commercial magnet and antenna in F98 implanted Fischer rats. A comparison of T1 gadolinium-enhanced coronal MR scans and pathology specimens in corresponding animals was accomplished.

Methods: One rat was used in serial experiments to establish adequate imaging parameters.

Intracranial invasion of a basal cell carcinoma of the scalp.

Objective And Importance: Basal cell carcinomas are common lesions that can have a locally invasive behavior. The authors present a case of a scalp lesion with skull and dura-mater invasion that was unrecognized prior to surgical undertaking.

Clinical Presentation: A 66-year-old female presented with an extensive ulcerating lesion on the frontal scalp, deemed to be a basal cell carcinoma.

Effect of the local anesthetic agent bupivacaine prior to application of the skull-pin holder for craniotomies.

Object: The authors conducted a double-blind prospective randomized study to determine whether infiltration of Mayfield skull-pin sites with 0.5% bupivacaine, compared with placebo, would prevent hemodynamic stimulation, thus allowing for a reduction in the quantity of anesthetic agents required.

Methods: Thirty patients were randomized into two groups.