Randomized Trial Comparing Burr Hole Craniostomy, Minicraniotomy, and Twist Drill Craniostomy for Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

Background: The mainstay of treatment for symptomatic or large chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is surgery, but controversy still exists regarding the best surgical technique. Three different techniques are commonly used: burr hole craniostomy (BHC), minicraniotomy (MC), and twist drill craniostomy (TDC).

Objective: To determine which surgical technique for drainage of CSDH offers best results.

Predictors of dopamine agonist resistance in prolactinoma patients.

Background: Surgical resection of prolactinomas resistant to dopamine agonists is frequently incomplete due to fibrotic changes of the tumour under pharmacological therapy. In order to identify a subgroup of patients who may benefit from early surgery, we thought to investigate possible predictive factors of pharmacological resistance of prolactinomas to dopamine agonists.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a database of a Belgian tertiary reference center for patients with pituitary tumours from 2014 to 2016.

Comparison of the effect of anterior and posterior neurosurgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a clinical outcome.

Cervical degenerative disease is the most common cause of acquired disability in patients over the age of 50. The incidence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is increasing with aging of the population. Surgical decompression is indicated for severe CSM.

Sellar reconstruction without intrasellar packing after endoscopic surgery of pituitary macroadenomas is better than its reputation.

Objectives: Sellar reconstruction with intrasellar packing following endoscopic resection of pituitary macroadenomas remains a subject of clinical and radiological discussion particularly, when an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is absent. This study was conducted to contribute our experience with sellar reconstruction after a standard endoscopic surgery of pituitary macroadenomas without intraoperative CSF leakage to the ongoing discussion between techniques with and without intrasellar packing.

Methods: A consecutive series of 47 pituitary macroadenomas undergoing excision via a standard endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) without evident intraoperative CSF leakage were retrospectively evaluated over a 10-months mean follow-up period.

Disc Fragment Herniectomy Through a Facet Joint Quadrantectomy for Extraforaminal Lumbar Herniation: Technique and Results.

Background: Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation (EFLDH) accounts for 7%-12% of all lumbar disc herniations. We report on a surgical technique for EFLDH, which requires only minimal resection of the facet joint and also allows access to the preforaminal space, if necessary.

Methods: The medical records of 61 consecutive patients treated with disc fragment herniectomy through a facet joint quadrantectomy for EFLDH at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel were critically evaluated with respect to preoperative clinical signs and symptoms, surgery-related complications and outcome at 6 weeks after intervention.