L4-L5 anatomy classification system for lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), developed by Dr. Luiz Pimenta in 2006, allows access to the spinal column through the psoas major muscle. The technique has many advantages, such as reduced bone and muscular tissue damage, indirect decompression, larger implants, and lordosis correction capabilities.

History and evolution of surgical treatment for spasticity: a journey from neurotomy to selective dorsal rhizotomy.

The evolution of neurosurgical approaches to spasticity spans centuries, marked by key milestones and innovative practitioners. Probable ancient descriptions of spasmodic conditions were first classified as spasticity in the 19th century through the interventions of Dr. William John Little on patients with cerebral palsy.

Risk of Injury to Retroperitoneal Structures in Prone and Lateral Decubitus Transpsoas Approaches to Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Pilot Cadaveric Anatomical Study.

Introduction The retroperitoneal approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) originally described an initial posterolateral fascial incision enabling finger dissection from behind the peritoneum and guidance of instruments through a second direct-lateral fascial incision. It has since become common for single direct-lateral incisional access to the retroperitoneum. This study attempted to quantify the distance of the peritoneum from posterior landmarks in the space, assess the risk of peritoneal violation in each access trajectory (i.

Anatomical study of the thoracolumbar radiculomedullary arteries, including the Adamkiewicz artery and supporting radiculomedullary arteries.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to identify and characterize all the segmental radiculomedullary arteries (RMAs) that supply the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord.

Methods: All RMAs from T4 to L5 were studied systematically in 25 cadaveric specimens. The RMA with the greatest diameter in each specimen was termed the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA).

Ernesto Bustamante Zuleta (1922-2021): pioneering teacher and practitioner of Colombian neurosurgery.

Ernesto Bustamante Zuleta (1922-2021) was an impactful Colombian neurosurgeon whose legacy is inextricably linked with the development of the neurosurgery specialty in Colombia. His detail-oriented approach to treatment complemented his reputation for mastery of the neurosciences. Never simply confined to the operating theater, this calm and considerate physician felt compelled to teach during his entire career.

A history of Colombian neurosurgery: events, persons, and outcomes that have shaped the specialty in the country.

The history of Colombian neurosurgery is a collective legacy of neurosurgeon-scientists, scholars, teachers, innovators, and researchers. Anchored in the country's foundational values of self-determination and adaptability, these pioneers emerged from the Spanish colonial medical tradition and forged surgical alliances abroad. From the time of Colombian independence until the end of World War I, exchanges with the French medical tradition produced an emphasis on anatomical and systematic approaches to the emerging field of neurosurgery.

The maxillary artery and its variants: an anatomical study with neurosurgical applications.

Background: The maxillary artery (MA) has gained attention in neurosurgery particularly in cerebral revascularization techniques, intracranial endonasal approaches and endovascular procedures.

Objectives: To describe and illustrate the anatomy of the MA and its neurosurgical importance in a detailed manner.

Methods: Six cadaveric heads (12 MAs) were injected with latex.

Convexity meningiomas: study of recurrence factors with special emphasis on the cleavage plane in a series of 100 consecutive patients.

Object: Convexity meningiomas are expected to have a low recurrence rate given their classically "easy resectability." Nonetheless, recurrence can occur. Factors playing a role in their recurrence are analyzed here, including the extent of resection and tumor histological type, among others, with a special emphasis on the cleavage plane.

Latex injection of cadaver heads: technical note.

Background: Latex injection of cadaveric heads is an alternative to the standard technique of silicone injection. Thorough injections of the arterial and venous systems can be achieved by analyzing the anatomic and physiological variations of the vascular system of each specimen during the initial irrigation phase to tailor the subsequent latex injection.

Objective: To report on an improved method for color latex injection of cadaveric specimens using these techniques.

Deep brain stimulation of the orbitofrontal projections for the treatment of intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by a dysfunction in the greater limbic system leading an individual to experience sudden aggressive behavior with little or no environmental perturbation. This report describes a procedure for the treatment of IED in a 19-year-old woman with a history of IED, having had episodes of severe violent attacks against family, dating to early childhood. Due to the severity and intractability of the illness, deep brain stimulation was performed, targeting the orbitofrontal projections to the hypothalamus.

Aneurysm of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery at the foramen lacerum: anatomic, imaging, and otologic findings.

Aneurysms of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare. Their etiology is usually congenital, traumatic, or mycotic. Depending on the size and location of the aneurysm, the direction of its growth, and the specific adjacent structures involved, patients may or may not present with signs and symptoms.

Percutaneous approach to the foramen ovale: an anatomical study of the extracranial trajectory with the incorrect trajectories to be avoided.

Objective: Meckel's Cave may be accessed percutaneously through the foramen ovale (FO). Detailed knowledge of the region's anatomical surroundings is invaluable in improving target accuracy and preventing complications with this approach. The approach has been used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia as well as in performing biopsies of lesions located in the parasellar region, described formerly by the senior author (M.

Is exposure of the superior sagittal sinus necessary in the interhemispheric approach?

Objective: Techniques for anterior interhemisperic craniotomy vary in respect to the degree of exposure of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS). The aim of this anatomic study is to quantify the increase in the angle of view gained by wide exposure and retraction of the SSS.

Methods: The anterior interhemispheric approach was performed in 10 cadaveric specimens with and without complete exposure and retraction of the SSS.

A successful combined endovascular and surgical treatment of a cranial base mucormycosis with an associated internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm.

Objective: We report a rare case of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm owing to rhinocerebral mucormycosis and review 40 reported cases from 1980 to present.

Clinical Presentation: A 38-year-old Caucasian man presented with a 3-day history of headache, diplopia, and numbness in the distribution of the left ophthalmic and maxillary branches of the trigeminal nerve. A complete left cavernous syndrome was discovered upon neurological examination.

Nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscess complicated by cervical osteomyelitis and epidural abscess in post-Katrina New Orleans: four cases.

Most retropharyngeal abscesses, including iatrogenic cases, are caused by trauma. Nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscesses usually occur secondary to infection of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Because these particular nodes usually disappear by the age of 4 or 5 years, a nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscess in an adult is extremely rare.

Cerebral syphilitic gummata: a case presentation and analysis of 156 reported cases.

Objective: Cerebral syphilitic gummata are rare manifestations of tertiary, meningovascular syphilis. No extensive characterization of these lesions has been published recently, and only a few small reviews containing imaging findings have been published to date. To better characterize cerebral gummata, we present a case seen at Tulane University, followed by an extensive review of the literature.

Normal head impulse test differentiates acute cerebellar strokes from vestibular neuritis.

Objective: To test the diagnostic accuracy of the horizontal head impulse test (h-HIT) of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function in distinguishing acute peripheral vestibulopathy (APV) from stroke. Most patients with acute vertigo, nausea/vomiting, and unsteady gait have benign APV (vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis) as a cause. However, some harbor life-threatening brainstem or cerebellar strokes that mimic APV.

A computed tomography scan and anatomical cadaveric study of the pterygopalatine ganglion for use in Gamma Knife treatment of cluster headache.

Object: Gamma Knife surgery has recently been used to treat patients with cluster headaches. Both the trigeminal nerve root and the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) have been targeted. However, there are no clear-cut anatomical landmarks on computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance images that accurately identify the PPG.