Recurrent haemorrhagic pontine cavernoma resection via a retrosigmoid microsurgical approach.

Background: Brainstem cavernomas occasionally require surgical treatment. Appropriate patient selection and thorough understanding of the anatomy and technical nuances involved in microsurgical resection is a pre-requisite in undertaking these challenging cases.

Case Description: We present a video case of a patient with a recurrent haemorrhagic pontine cavernoma.

Microsurgical clipping of ruptured supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm with extradural clinoidectomy.

Background: Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) aneurysms require additional access to standard pterional craniotomy via extradural clinoidectomy. Existing texts and surgical videos lack clarity, explanation and a clear step by step process.

Case Description: We present a case of a ruptured supraclinoid ICA aneurysm and extradural clinoidectomy along with 3D reconstructed imaging of the case anatomy to guide its resection.

Novel Application of the Pfirrmann Disc Degeneration Grading System to 9.4T MRI: Higher Reliability Compared to 3T MRI.

Study Design: Reliability study.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability and reliability of 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of degenerative disc disease compared with 3T MRI.

A Comparison of Two Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Injury Models for the Evaluation and Development of Novel Regenerative Therapies.

Study Design: Large animal research.

Objective: Lumbar discectomy is the most commonly performed spinal surgical procedure. We investigated 2 large animal models of lumbar discectomy in order to study the regenerative capacity of mesenchymal stem cells following disc injury.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells primed with pentosan polysulfate promote lumbar intervertebral disc regeneration in an ovine model of microdiscectomy.

Background Context: Neural compression associated with lumbar disc herniation is usually managed surgically by microdiscectomy. However, 10%-20% of patients re-present with debilitating back pain, and approximately 15% require further surgery.

Purpose: Using an ovine model of microdiscectomy, the present study investigated the relative potential of pentosan polysulfate-primed mesenchymal progenitor cells (pMPCs) or MPC alone implanted into the lesion site to facilitate disc recovery.

Spontaneous peritoneal catheter knot formation: A rare cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting remains invaluable in the management of hydrocephalus. It is a common procedure that can be complicated by shunt malfunction due to infection, blockage and disconnection. Spontaneous peritoneal catheter knot formation causing CSF flow obstruction is a rare phenomenon.

Neurotropic cutaneous malignant melanoma with contiguous spread to spinal cord, an extremely rare presentation.

Neurotropic melanoma (NM) is a rare variant of cutaneous melanomas. Compared with conventional melanoma, NM is more locally aggressive with an increased tendency for local recurrence but less likely for nodal or distant metastases. The often amelanotic, benign appearance may lead to treatment issues such as late presentation, diagnostic delay, misdiagnosis, insufficient surgical margins, and recurrence with resulting poor outcome.

Successful treatment of negative pressure hydrocephalus using timely titrated external ventricular drainage: a case series.

Objective: Negative-pressure hydrocephalus (NegPH) is a rare clinical entity characterised by enlarged ventricles and symptoms consistent with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the setting of negative ICP. Little has been published regarding appropriate treatment and outcomes of negative-pressure hydrocephalus patients, and no data have been published demonstrating successful therapy producing acceptable long-term outcomes. Here we present 8 cases successfully treated by titrated external ventricular drainage (TEVD), including drainage at negative (subatmospheric) pressure, and subsequent low-pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunting.