[I]CLR1404 PET/CT in High-Grade Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumors.

Purpose: There is a continuous search for imaging techniques with high sensitivity and specificity for brain tumors. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has shown promise, though many PET agents either have a low tumor specificity or impractical physical half-lives. [I]CLR1404 is a small molecule alkylphosphocholine analogue that is thought to bind to plasma membrane lipid rafts and has shown high tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) in a previous pilot study in brain tumor patients.

Endoscope-assisted retrosigmoid resection of a medium size vestibular schwannoma tumor model: a cadaveric study.

Objective: To demonstrate a flexible endoscope assisted technique to perform microsurgical resection using a retrosigmoid approach of an artificial polymer tumor model that mimics a medium size (15-20mm diameter) vestibular schwannoma.

Methods: Twelve bilateral retrosigmoid dissections were performed in 6 glutaraldehyde embalmed, colored silicone injected, adult cadaveric heads. Using a standard retrosigmoid approach, we first implanted the tumor model at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and then we resected the tumor under simultaneous endoscopic and microscopic visualizations.

Path to the Interpeduncular Fossa: Anatomical Comparison of Endoscopic-Assisted versus Standard Subtemporal Approach.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the assumed advantage of endoscopic assistance to the standard subtemporal approach. The idea was to measure qualitatively and quantitatively visibility versus operability. Design We performed eight subtemporal dissections on four cadaver heads.

An endoscopic, cadaveric analysis of the roof of the fourth ventricle.

We performed endoscopic dissections of the roof of the fourth ventricle in eight fresh human cadaveric heads to characterize the endoscopic anatomy of the roof of the fourth ventricle and the anatomical configuration of the structures forming its roof. We also made three-dimensional (3D) silicone casts of the fourth ventricle in seven formalin-fixed specimens to evaluate the 3D configuration of the structures that create the roof of the fourth ventricle. The roof of the fourth ventricle can be divided into three zones.

Shortening the learning curve in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery: a reproducible polymer tumor model for the trans-sphenoidal trans-tubercular approach to retro-infundibular tumors.

Background: Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery attracts an increasing number of young neurosurgeons. This recent technique requires specific technical skills for the approaches to non-pituitary tumors (expanded endoscopic endonasal surgery). Actual residents' busy schedules carry the risk of compromising their laboratory training by limiting significantly the dedicated time for dissections.

Endoscope-assisted neurovascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve: a cadaveric study.

Endoscopes are increasingly used to examine cranial nerves in microvascular decompression (MVD) operations. The superior petrosal vein (SPV) is often purposely sacrificed to gain adequate exposure to the trigeminal nerve (TN) during MVD. Recently, the importance of preserving the SPV has been emphasized due to potential complications associated with its sacrifice.

Endoscope-assisted supraorbital approach to the retroinfundibular area: a cadaveric study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate the exposure and maneuverability of this areas provided by an endoscope-assisted supraorbital approach and to compare that to a microscopic supraorbital approach. We exposed microscopically the optico-carotid and the infrachiasmatic windows after a supraorbital craniotomy executed using an eyebrow incision. We then proceeded to explore the retroinfundibular area using these two windows either using the microscope alone or using the endoscope-microscope combination where the microscope was used to (1) guide instrument and endoscope insertion into the surgical field, and (2) explore (with microscopic 3-d vision) subsegments of the endoscopic field of view.

Intradural endoscope-assisted anterior clinoidectomy: a cadaveric study.

Objective: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is critically related to the clinoidal portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The deep location of the ACP makes treatment of vascular and neoplastic lesions related to the ACP challenging. Removal of the ACP is advocated to facilitate treatment of such lesions.

Qualitative and quantitative radio-anatomical variation of the posterior clinoid process.

This study was conducted to investigate the radiological anatomy of the posterior clinoid process (PCP) to highlight preoperative awareness of its variations and its relationships to other skull base landmarks. The PCPs of 36, three-dimensional computed tomographic cadaveric heads were evaluated by studying the gross anatomy of the PCP and by measuring the distances between the PCP and other skull base anatomical landmarks relevant to transnasal or transcranial skull base approaches. PCP variations were found in five specimens (14%): in two the dorsum sellae was absent, in one the PCP and the anterior clinoid process (ACP) were connected unilaterally and in two bilaterally.