Therapeutic approach in glioblastoma multiforme with primitive neuroectodermal tumor components: Case report and review of the literature.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant glioma that is treated with first-line therapy, using surgical resection followed by local radiotherapy and concomitant/adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) treatment. GBM is characterised by a high local recurrence rate and a low response to therapy. Primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) of the brain revealed a low local recurrence rate; however, it also exhibited a high risk of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination.

Posterior Cervical Transfacet Fusion with Facetal Spacer for the Treatment of Single-Level Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized, Controlled Prospective Study.

Background: Single-level cervical radiculopathy may be treated conservatively with cervical tractions. Posterior cervical transfacet fusion with a facetal spacer is a viable option. The aim of the present study is to compare posterior cervical transfacet fusion with conservative physical treatment in single-level cervical radiculopathy.

Disseminated Cerebrospinal Embryonal Tumor in the Adult.

. According to the 2016 World Health Organization classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, the term Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor has been replaced by the term Embryonal Tumor (ET). We present a case of disseminated cerebrospinal ET presenting in an adult patient.

Relevancy of positive trends in mortality and functional recovery after surgical treatment of acute subdural hematomas. Our 10-year experience.

Background: Among traumatic brain injuries, acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) is considered one of the most devastating still retaining poor surgical outcomes in a considerable percentage of affected patients. However, according to results drawn from published samples of aSDH patients, overall mortality and functional recovery have been progressively ameliorating during the last decades.

Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of 316 consecutive cases of post-traumatic aSDH operated on between 2003 and 2011 at our institution.

Good outcome after delayed surgery for orbitocranial non-missile penetrating brain injury.

Nonmissile orbitocranial penetrating brain injuries are uncommonly dealt with in a civilian context. Surgical management is controversial, due to the lack of widely accepted guidelines. A 52-year-old man was hit in his left eye by a metallic foreign body (FB).

Intrathecal Versus Intravenous Morphine in Minimally Invasive Posterior Lumbar Fusion: A Blinded Randomized Comparative Prospective Study.

Study Design: A blinded, randomized, comparative prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the use of intrathecal morphine to endovenous morphine on postoperative pain after posterior lumbar surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Intrathecal morphine can provide significant safe analgesia for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours in patients undergoing major surgery.

Measurement of Bone Flap Surface Area and Midline Shift to Predict Overall Survival After Decompressive Craniectomy.

Background: There is uncertainty about the optimal method for measuring the decompressive craniectomy (DC) surface area and how large the DC should be.

Methods: A radiological technique for measuring the surface area of removed bone flaps in a series of 73 DCs was developed. Preoperative and early postoperative computed tomography scans of each patient were evaluated.

Lumbar Endoscopic Microdiscectomy: Where Are We Now? An Updated Literature Review Focused on Clinical Outcome, Complications, and Rate of Recurrence.

Endoscopic disc surgery (EDS) for lumbar spine disc herniation is a well-known but developing field, which is increasingly spreading in the last few years. Rate of recurrence/residual, complications, and outcomes, in comparison with standard microdiscectomy (MD), is still debated and need further data. We performed an extensive review based on the last 6 years of surgical series, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses reported in international, English-written literature.

Historical Landmarks in the Management of Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations of the Central Nervous System.

Objective: To describe the history of vascular and endovascular neurosurgery.

Methods: A literature research was conducted including historical events from 2000 bc to the twenty-first century ad, and a timetable was filled with information regarding the most representative historical landmarks regarding vascular and endovascular neurosurgery.

Results: Starting from approaches limited to the cervical carotid artery, vascular neurosurgery gained its way through the intracranial and finally endovascular space thanks to the introduction of both innovative and progressively less invasive procedures.

Delayed Intraparenchymal Hematoma Following Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture.

Lumbar puncture is a safe and commonly performed procedure, with an overall complication rate of 0.1% to 0.5%.

Endoscopic interlaminar approach for intracanal L5-S1 disc herniation: Classification of disc prolapse in relation to learning curve and surgical outcome.

Introduction: The full endoscopic interlaminar approach (FEILA) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat intracanal lumbar disc herniation not approachable by endoscopic transforaminal access. Disc prolapses have been classified into three categories according to their position and passing nerve root displacement: (i) type A, in which the nerve root is displaced medially; (ii) type B, in which the nerve root is displaced laterally; and (iii) type C, in which the nerve root is ventrally displaced. We focused on the FEILA technique because it was likely to involve few complications and that provided the advantages of the endoscopic approach.

The use of piezosurgery in cranial surgery in children.

Piezosurgery is an alternative surgical technique, now widely tested, that uses ultrasounds for bone cutting. This device uses ultrasounds to section hard tissues without harming surrounding soft tissues. The authors analyzed their experience in craniomaxillofacial procedures with piezosurgery.

Preparation of nasoseptal flap in trans-sphenoidal surgery using 2-μ thulium laser: technical note.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the use of the 2μ-thulium laser in harvesting nasal septal flaps.

Background Data: Nasal septal flaps are routinely performed in almost every trans-sphenoidal surgery. The preservation of the arterial vasculature is a mainstay of the procedure.

Epidural hematoma with detachment of the dural sinuses.

Epidural hematoma (EH) is a neurosurgical emergency that requires early surgical treatment. It is rarely extended bilaterally causing a detachment of the dural sinus or sinuses. The authors present two rare cases of EH with dural sinus detachment and describe how they suspend them.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the cerebellopontine angle in an adult: a review of literature.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm characterised by rapid growth and metastatic invasion. The most frequent localisation is the skeletal musculature of the limbs. The head and the neck are rarely involved.

Chordoid meningioma: a retrospective series of seven consecutive cases.

Chordoid meningioma is a rare variant of meningioma characterized by a more aggressive behavior. The present study documents the histological, radiological and clinical features of seven cases treated at the Policlinico Umberto I of Rome from 1999 to 2010. There were five males and two females.