Transsylvian and trans-Heschl's gyrus approach for a left posterior insular lesion and functional analyses of the left Heschl's gyrus: illustrative case.

Background: A common surgical approach for dominant insular lesions is to make a surgical corridor in asymptomatic cortices based on functional mapping. However, the surgical approach is difficult for posterior insular lesions in a dominant hemisphere because the posterior parts of the perisylvian cortices usually have verbal functions.

Observations: We present the case of a 40-year-old male whose magnetic resonance images revealed the presence of contrast-enhancing lesions in the left posterior insula.

Evaluating diploic vein blood flow using time-resolved whole-head computed tomography angiography and determining the positional relationship between typical craniotomy approaches and diploic veins in patients with meningioma.

Background: Diploic veins may act as collateral venous pathways in cases of meningioma with venous sinus invasion. Diploic vein blood flow should be preoperatively evaluated to consider preserving the veins. In this study, we evaluated the use of time-resolved whole-head computed tomography angiography (4D-CTA)-which is less patient-intensive than digital subtraction angiography (DSA)-for assessing diploic vein blood flow and the positional relationship between typical craniotomy approaches and diploic veins.

Intracranial phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. A case report and review of literature.

Most osteomalacia-inducing tumors (OITs) are phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) that secrete fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). These tumors usually occur in the bone and soft tissues, and intracranial OITs are rare. Therefore, intracranial OIT is difficult to diagnose and treat.

Surgical Management of Complex Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms: An Institutional Review.

Background: Complex middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are defined as large (≥10 mm) or giant (≥25 mm) aneurysms with M2 branches arising from the aneurysm rather than M1 segments and usually require some form of reconstruction of the bifurcation. Their management is difficult and surgery is preferred over endovascular modalities because of their peculiar angioarchitecture and association with critical branch points or perforators.

Objectives: The study was aimed at analyzing surgically managed complex MCA aneurysms and discussing characteristics not favorable for endovascular management, surgical nuances and clipping strategies, patient outcomes, and newer diagnostic modalities which help improve management.

Intradural versus Extradural Location of Paraclinoid Aneurysms: Preoperative Red Flag Markers.

Background: Exact preoperative confirmation of the distal dural ring and intradural location of a paraclinoid internal carotid aneurysm has been an age old dilemma. This study was aimed at identifying anatomical landmarks in cases of paraclinoid aneurysms, which were relatively consistent, and would help in predicting the possibility of an extradural inaccessible location of these aneurysms for surgical clipping.

Methods: Ninety surgically managed unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed with preoperative computerized tomography.

Diploic veins as collateral venous pathways in patients with dural venous sinus invasion by meningiomas.

Background: Although it is known that diploic veins frequently communicate with the dural venous sinuses, the role of diploic veins in patients with venous sinus invasion from meningiomas remains unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of 159 patients who underwent their first craniotomies for intracranial meningiomas. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate diploic vein routes, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used to evaluate diploic vein blood flow.

Demystifying White Matter Injury in the Unconscious Patients with Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) provide a noninvasive window to study the neural connectivity and reconstruct the tracts. Detection of white matter injury (WMI) by DTT is a recent application being used in stroke, diffuse axonal injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. Fiber tracking in patients with brain hemorrhage can detect loss of fibers and anatomical disruption of the tracts, which can be useful in the prognostication of patient outcome.

Comparative Outcome Analysis of Enterprise and Neuroform Stent-Assisted Coiling of Cerebral Aneurysms: A Review of the Literature.

Introduction: One of the popular treatment strategies for complex cerebral aneurysms with wide necks or low dome-to-neck ratios is stent-assisted coiling. The most widely used intracranial stents for stent-assisted coiling are Neuroform (NF) and Enterprise (EP) stents. The purposes of this study are to review the recent literature of the past 5 years to compare outcomes between the EP and NF stent-assist coiling systems so as to comment on the safety, efficacy, complications, and recurrence rate of stent-assisted coiling in general.