Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
Background: First-line treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is medical management; however, interventional approaches are increasingly considered for refractory disease. The Resolute Onyx in TIA management (ROTIA) study is a post-market evaluation of the Resolute Onyx (R-Onyx) drug-eluting stent in the treatment of recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) due to refractory ICAD (off-label use).
Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective case series of consecutive patients who underwent angioplasty and stenting with R-Onyx for treatment of recurrent TIAs due to refractory ICAD from October 2019 to November 2022.
Background: A health advisory was issued in response to a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to epidural anesthesia exposure in two plastic surgery clinics in Mexico, from January 1 to May 13, 2023. This descriptive analysis describes the neuroendovascular and neurosurgical observations and management of patients treated at a single stroke center located along the US-Mexico Border.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of fungal meningitis patients presenting between April and July 2023.
Background: EMBOLISE (NCT04402632) is an ongoing randomized controlled trial investigating the safety and efficacy of middle meningeal artery embolization for the treatment of subacute or chronic subdural hematoma (SDH). Viz RECRUIT SDH is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based software platform that can automatically detect SDH in noncontrast computed tomography (NCHCT) images and report the volume, maximum thickness, and midline shift. We hypothesized that the mobile recruitment platform would aid enrollment and coordinate communication and image sharing among the entire research team.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms are rare pathologies that pose significant challenges from a treatment standpoint. Endovascular treatment via flow diversion represents an increasingly popular option; however, drawbacks include the requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy and the potential for thromboembolic complications, particularly acute complications in the ruptured setting. The Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology (PED-Shield) offers reduced material thrombogenicity, which may aid in the treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization and the Subdural Evacuation Port System (SEPS) are minimally invasive treatment paradigms for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Although SEPS offers acute decompression of local mass effect from a cSDH, MMA embolization has been shown to reduce the rate of cSDH recurrence. In combination, these procedures present a potentially safer strategy to a challenging pathology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To compare our experience with pedicle screw insertion of the thoracolumbar spine utilizing the Cirq robot assistance device compared with traditional paradigm using fluoroscopy.
Methods: We prospectively collected data of patients undergoing pedicle screw instrumentation in the thoracolumbar spine performed by a single surgeon at three different centers. One center took delivery of the Cirq robotic assistance device.
Purpose: To review the different imaging modalities utilized in the diagnosis of Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) including their latest development and relevance in management of ICAD.
Methods: A review of the literature was conducted through a search in google scholar, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, clinical trials.gov and the Cochrane Library.
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
September 2022
Introduction: Dermoid cysts are rare lesions generally associated with embryological errors that occur during neural tube closure. Intramedullary lesions are extremely rare, especially within the upper thoracic spinal cord.
Case Presentation: We report a case of a 19-year-old male who had an intramedullary thoracic dermoid cyst presenting with progressive ataxia, lower limb weakness, and hyperreflexia.
J Neurointerv Surg
September 2023
Background: We report the largest multicenter experience to date of utilizing the Comaneci device for endovascular treatment of refractory intracranial vasospasm.
Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing Comaneci mechanical dilatation for vasospasm were extracted from prospectively maintained registries in 11 North American centers (2020-2022). Intra-arterial vasodilators (IAV) were allowed, with the Comaneci device utilized after absence of vessel dilation post-infusion.
Chronic subdural hematoma in children can be pathognomonic of abusive head trauma. Treatment options for these range from observation to surgical evacuation depending on clinical circumstance and presenting features, which can include mental status changes, headaches, focal neurologic deficits, or asymptomatic presentation. Standalone endovascular treatments represent an area of growing interest in the adult population as an effective treatment modality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Angioplasty and stenting is a treatment option for patients with medically refractory symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (sICAD). Currently the Wingspan Stent System (WSS) is the only FDA approved device for this indication. We find the Resolute (R) Onyx Stent, a drug-eluting balloon mounted stent (DES), a better alternative to the WSS for treatment of sICAD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a common cause of acute ischemic stroke. ICAD has a high rate of recurrent ischemic stroke despite recommended adequate medical treatment. Endovascular treatment of ICAD has been controversial due to high periprocedural complication in historic randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Remote tele-proctoring has been conducted in neuro-endovascular surgery, however, evidence to support its use in the fellowship training is limited. We demonstrate a novel augmented reality tele-proctoring platform to enable a remote attending to guide a fellow.
Methods: A consecutive series of neuro-endovascular cases were performed by a neuro-endovascular fellow with remote guidance from an attending surgeon.
Background: Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is a rare lesion derived from neural crest precursors. While its management is analogous to metastatic spinal melanoma, the literature does not describe this entity clearly in pregnant patients and the unique implications it presents. Here, we describe the case of a pregnant patient who presented with primary CNS melanoma of the cervical spine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (NECC) accounts for 2% of all cervical cancers. Brain metastasis is rare, with few cases described in the literature, and is usually associated with preceding pulmonary metastasis. We describe an additional case of isolated brain metastasis without pulmonary metastasis from NECC and reflect on unique management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Craniovertebr Junction Spine
January 2017
Two unlike metals near one another can break down as they move toward electrochemical equilibrium resulting in galvanic corrosion. We describe a case of electrochemical corrosion resulting in pseudarthrosis, followed by instrumentation failure leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 53-year-old female with a history of cervical instability and two separate prior cervical fusion surgery with sublaminar cables presented with new onset severe neck pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurgical resection is the current standard of therapy for the treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Endovascular embolization is commonly used as an adjunct prior to surgical resection because it is believed to reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding. Embolization has been associated with other complications including visual deficits, vessel perforation, and catheter adhesion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Lateral transtemporal approaches are useful for addressing lesions located ventral to the brainstem, especially when the pathologic diagnosis of the tumor dictates that a gross or near total resection improves outcomes. One approach, the presigmoid approach receives little attention in the pediatric population thus far. We sought to characterize morphometric changes, particularly the clival depth and the petroclival Cobb angle, that occur in the temporal bones of children and draw implications about doing a presigmoid approach in children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The use of intraoperative CT-guidance during the percutaneous treatment of trigeminal neuralgia has become increasingly popular due to the greater ease of foramen ovale cannulation and decreased procedure times. Concerns regarding radiation dose to the patient, however, remain unaddressed. We sought to compare the emitted radiation dose from fluoroscopy with intraoperative CT for these procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopmental venous anomalies (DVA) are among the most common congenital malformations of the cerebral angioarchitecture. Spontaneous thrombosis of this entity is rare, and our review of the literature found only 31 reported cases of symptomatic spontaneous thrombosis of developmental venous anomalies. Here, we report a unique case describing the spontaneous thrombosis of a DVA leading to venous infarction and subsequent recanalization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObject: The authors have previously reported on their early experience with sublaminar polyester bands in spine surgery. In this paper, the authors describe the use of sublaminar polyester bands in long-segment posterior instrumented spinal fusions from the upper thoracic spine to the ilium in 21 children and transitional adults with progressive neuromuscular scoliosis. Transitional adults were patients older than 18 years of age with a spinal disorder of pediatric onset, such as spina bifida.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to determine if partial removal of the occipital condyle provides a significant increase in visibility and "angle of attack" for treating lesions with extension ventral to the brainstem in children using CT morphometric data. Morphometric analysis was performed in 199 children using CT scans. Angle of attack was measured for both the paracondylar and transcondylar far lateral approach.
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