The Aerosol Deposition Method: A Modified Aerosol Generation Unit to Improve Coating Quality.

Owing to its ability to produce dense thick-films at room temperature directly from a ceramic powder, the Aerosol Deposition Method (AD) possesses a unique feature in ceramics processing. For this technology, the aerosol generation of particles is a decisive part of reliable process control. However, there has only been a small amount of work published addressing this topic.

The Role of the Pterional Approach in the Surgical Treatment of Olfactory Groove Meningiomas: A 20-year Experience.

Background Olfactory groove meningiomas remain surgically challenging. The common microsurgical approaches suffer from late exposure of the neurovascular structures. Conversely, the pterional approach has the advantage of early dissection of the posterior neurovascular complex.

New radioligands for describing the molecular pharmacology of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors.

Melatonin receptors have been studied for several decades. The low expression of the receptors in tissues led the scientific community to find a substitute for the natural hormone melatonin, the agonist 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin. Using the agonist, several hundreds of studies were conducted, including the discovery of agonists and antagonists for the receptors and minute details about their molecular behavior.

Tentorial meningiomas with special aspect to the tentorial fold: management, surgical technique, and outcome.

Background: From a surgical perspective, tentorial fold (TF) meningiomas (TFM) are a unique entity of tumors. They involve the supra- and infratentorial space and often are in close contact to the cavernous sinus, cranial nerves, and the mesencephalon. Complete resection is challenging and can be hazardous.

Primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas: a follow-up study.

Objective: The management of optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSM) remains controversial, but includes surgery, radiotherapy and plain observation. We present a follow-up study and treatment modalities based on our classification system.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 90 patients with optic nerve sheath meningiomas who were treated between 1991 and 2008 (n=65 surgery only, n=5 radiation only, n=18 surgery and postoperative radiation, n=2 observation).

Postoperative spinal recurrence of craniopharyngioma.

Purpose: Remote recurrence of craniopharyngioma is an unusual postoperative complication. It occurs either along a previous surgical route or by seeding via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods: A 49-year-old male had been operated on twice for a suprasellar craniopharyngioma in September 1999 and February 2003.

Treatment of deep vascular orbital malformations.

Objective: In this article, we discuss the clinical features and endovascular and/or surgical treatment of deep vascular orbital malformations.

Methods: We report on our treatment of 58 cases of vascular malformations of the orbit between 1991 and 2008.

Results: Arterial low flow lesions, such as cavernomas (n=44) were the most common finding.

The supraorbital approach--a minimally invasive approach to the superior orbit.

Background: We present a minimally invasive approach to the superior orbit via an eyebrow incision with a small osteotomy, minimal orbital rim resection and small frontal craniotomy.

Methods: This approach was used in 20 patients with a well-defined intra-and extraconal lesion superior to the optic nerve, who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2007.

Results: This approach is purely extradural with minimal brain and orbital retraction.

Spontaneous herniation of the spinal cord: operative technique and follow-up in 10 cases.

Object: The authors report on a series of 10 patients with spontaneous thoracic cord herniation, provide the longterm follow-up, and propose a surgical strategy.

Methods: All 10 patients had a defect in the ventral dura mater. They were all treated surgically with wide excision of the dura around the defect, repositioning of the cord, and reconstruction with a ventral patch.

Minimally invasive implantation of the peritoneal catheter in ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus: analysis of data in 151 consecutive adult patients.

Object: The authors report on their experience with laparoscopy-guided implantation of a peritoneal catheter in ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement procedures in adults.

Methods: In performing the conventional method of shunt placement in 2001, 8% of the cases resulted in malposition and dislocation of the distal catheter; therefore, the authors together with personnel from the Department of General Surgery decided to utilize an interdisciplinary approach involving laparoscopy-guided implantation of the catheter. Between October 2001 and January 2005, 202 ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement procedures were conducted in adult patients for hydrocephalus of various origins.

Delayed ischemic optic neuropathy after surgery on skull base meningiomas successfully treated with nimodipine and rheological therapy: report of two cases.

Two patients operated on because of skull base meningiomas experienced delayed ischemic optic neuropathy with loss of vision in one eye on days 6 and 12 after surgery. Treatment with nimodipine and rheological therapy was effective in restoring visual acuity. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options are discussed.

Cavernous malformations of the orbit: a distinct entity? A review of own experiences.

We collected data to provide evidence that orbital cavernous malformations (CMs) are histopathologically, neuroradiologically, and clinically different from cerebral CMs and may represent a distinct entity. In this study, the main clinical, histopathological and radiological characteristics of 19 patients (11 females and eight males, mean age 49.1 years) with orbital CMs out of a series of 376 orbital tumors are analyzed and compared with 107 cases with cerebral CMs treated in the same period.

Laparoscopy-guided insertion of peritoneal catheters in ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedures: analysis of 39 children.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is the mainstay in the treatment of hydrocephalus in childhood. Repeated shunt revision and previous laparotomy may complicate the implantation of the distal catheter. We describe our experience with laparoscopic insertion of peritoneal catheters in 21 male and 18 female children with an age range from 3 months to 18 years, operated between 2002 and 2004.

Management of orbital metastases.

True metastatic disease to the orbit is rare. We present an overview of the treatment and clinical outcome of 11 orbital metastases, carried out in our center from 1995 to 2002. The surgical approach was determined by the location and type of the lesion.

Management of meningiomas en plaque of the sphenoid wing.

Object: The authors present their findings on growth patterns in a large series of surgically treated meningiomas en plaque of the sphenoid wing.

Methods: A retrospective case analysis was performed in 67 patients (53 of whom were female) harboring meningiomas en plaque originating from the sphenoid wing, who underwent surgery between 1991 and 2002. The standard surgical approach consisted of pterional craniotomy and extradural resection of any infiltrated bone.

Surgical management of tuberculum sellae meningiomas: involvement of the optic canal and visual outcome.

Objective: To present a large series of surgically treated tuberculum sellae meningiomas with particular regard to involvement of the optic canal and visual outcome.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was done on 53 patients (40 female) with meningiomas originating from the tuberculum sellae who underwent surgery between 1991 and 2002. The standard surgical approach consisted of pterional craniotomy.

Surgical management of meningiomas involving the optic nerve sheath.

Object: The management of optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSMs) remains controversial but includes surgery, radiotherapy, and plain observation. Surgery is often thought to result in postoperative blindness. The authors report on a large series of patients surgically treated for ONSM, with an emphasis on the visual outcome.

Decompression of endocrine orbitopathy via an extended extradural pterional approach.

Background: Numerous surgical decompression techniques have been described in endocrine orbitopathy. We present an overview of the treatment and clinical outcome of 13 patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy and 20 orbital decompressions via an extradural pterional approach, carried out in our center from 1995 to 2002.

Method: Decompression of the antero- and posterolateral wall, of the roof, and the superior orbital fissure was performed in all cases.

Neurosurgical management of orbital inflammations and infections.

Background: We present an overview of the treatment and clinical outcome of 22 orbital inflammations and infections, carried out in our center from 1991 to 2002.

Method: The surgical approach was determined by the location, and type of the lesion. Lateral orbitotomy was performed in 2 laterally located lesions, a transconjunctival approach in 8 medial, basal, extra-, intraconal lesions.

Alpha/beta ratio for arteriovenous malformations estimated from obliteration rates after fractionated and single-dose irradiation.

Background And Purpose: Results from single-dose radiosurgery have failed to yield reasonable alpha/beta ratios for obliteration rates of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the framework of the linear-quadratic approach. We used outcome data from single-dose and fractionated radiotherapy for AVM to approach this problem.

Patients And Methods: AVM obliteration rates observed in an updated historical series of fractionated radiotherapy and from six recent series of single-dose stereotactic radiosurgery were analyzed.

Treatment of primary orbital lymphomas.

We present an overview of the treatment and clinical outcome of 15 orbital lymphomas, carried out in our center from 1993 to 2002. The surgical approach was determined by the location, and type of the lesion. Lateral orbitotomy was performed in five laterally located lesions, a transconjunctival approach in five medial, basal, extra-, intraconal lesions.

Treatment of orbital schwannomas and neurofibromas.

We present an overview of the treatment and clinical outcome of five orbital peripheral nerve tumours, carried out in our centre from 1999 to 2003. The surgical approach was determined by the location and extension of the lesion. Supraorbital orbitotomy was performed in two superiorly located lesions, a transconjunctival approach in one medial, basal, extraconal lesion.

Treatment and outcome of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVFs) are rare and often misdiagnosed entities. The choice between surgical treatment and embolization remains a matter of debate. We report on the cases of 18 patients (16 men, 2 women) with dAVF, who were treated surgically over an 11-year period.

Surgical treatment of orbital cavernomas.

Background: There are numerous descriptions for the operative techniques applied in orbital lesions. We present a systematic overview of the surgical approaches, as determined by the location and extension of orbital cavernomas.

Methods: In our study, 37 patients (12 m, 25 f, aged 21-74 years, mean 51.