Publications by authors named "M T De Robertis"
Background: Congenital craniovertebral junction anomalies (CCVJAs) encompass a diverse range of conditions characterized by distorted anatomy and significant variation in the pathways of neurovascular structures. This study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of tailoring posterior fixation for CCVJAs through intraoperative CT-based navigation.
Methods: An in-depth retrospective analysis was conducted on eight patients diagnosed with CCVJAs (excluding Arnold-Chiari malformation).
Article Synopsis
- The study compares the effectiveness of two surgical approaches for treating mobile spine chordomas: en bloc resection versus intralesional resection with adjuvant hadron therapy, focusing on local control (LC) and overall survival (OS).
- In the analysis of 33 patients, no significant differences in LC between the two methods were found, but certain pre-operative factors like pathologic fractures were linked to a higher risk of local recurrence (LR).
- Although en bloc resection is preferred for better outcomes, advances in hadron therapy provide a viable alternative for local control with manageable side effects when using intralesional surgery.
Article Synopsis
- - The development of neurosurgical guidelines has grown increasingly complex, posing challenges in their application due to varying methodologies and limited high-quality evidence.
- - This mini review focuses on guidelines published since 1996, emphasizing the reliance on a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the lag in timely updates, which complicates their relevance in clinical practice.
- - To improve global applicability, especially in low- and middle-income countries, there's a call for increased inclusivity in guideline authorship and consideration of alternatives like consensus conferences for addressing these challenges.
Article Synopsis
- Non-contiguous two-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a surgical option for treating degenerative cervical myelopathy, focusing on patients with spine and radicular compression at two separated cervical levels.
- A study analyzed 32 patients who underwent this procedure, showing significant improvements in clinical scores and some changes in spinal alignment post-surgery, although one patient experienced worsening symptoms later.
- Overall, the findings suggest that this surgical method is both safe and effective, though there is a small risk of worsening conditions in the non-fused segments.
Aggressive giant dumbell-shaped thoracic vertebral hemangioma: illustrative case.
J Neurosurg Case Lessons
August 2024
Background: Vertebral hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the spine, diagnosed incidentally in most cases. In 0.4% of patients, the lesion is considered aggressive, causing neurological deficits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF