The history of Rhoton's Lab.

The work performed in Dr. Rhoton's Lab, represented by over 500 publications on microneurosurgical anatomy, greatly contributed to improving the level of neurosurgical treatment throughout the world. The authors reviewed the development and activities of the Lab over 40 years.

Total resection of inferiorly located sacral chordoma with posterior only approach: case report and review of the literature.

Chordoma is a primary sacral neoplasm of ectodermal origin and makes up %1- 4 of all primary bone tumors. It is usually present on the midline cerebrospinal axis and the most common locations are the spheno-clival region and the sacrum. The treatment of primary sacral tumors represents a challenge because of a large tumor mass at presentation and a hemorrhage risk in surgery.

A short history of the microsurgery training and research laboratory at Gulhane Military Medical Academy.

Microsurgical techniques have played a crucial role in the development of neurosurgery and microsurgical education has an involuting role to gain surgical competence in neurosurgery. Microsurgery laboratory at Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GMMA) was established in 1985 by Prof. Erdener Timurkaynak within the Research-Development Building.

Spontaneous regression of extruded lumbar disc herniation: report of two illustrative case and review of the literature.

Although the first reported surgery for lumbar disc herniation was published many years ago, there still remains little agreement for the most effective treatment protocol for symptomatic cases. Many patients with extruded lumbar disc herniation require surgical intervention due to radiculopathy of lower extremities but some neurological symptoms of intervertebral disc herniation may frequently improve with conservative treatment. In this paper, two cases of spontaneous regression of extruded lumbar herniated discs are presented.

Transcavum septum pellucidum interforniceal approach for the colloid cyst of the third ventricle Operative nuance.

Background: Despite their unfavorable locations, lesions of the third ventricle can be successfully removed via an interhemispheric, transcallosal approach. In cases with normal ventricular anatomy, this approach requires unilateral or bilateral identification of the foramen of Monro.

Technique: However, in the presence of abnormal ventricular configuration such as cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), this basic knowledge needs to be modified.

116 years (1889-2005) of neurosurgical practice and education at Gulhane Military Medical Academy.

Modern medical education in the Ottoman Empire began with the founding of the School of Medicine and Surgery in 1827. This was a military school established to provide military physicians for the army. The first neurosurgical interventions at this school were initiated by Cemil Pasha in 1889.

Imaging of posterior fossa epidermoid tumors.

Objective: Epidermoid tumors have similar radiologic characteristics with arachnoid cysts on routine imaging techniques. Since they warrant different therapeutic interventions, it is essential to differentiate the two pathologies and to assess operative results.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define the MR characteristics of epidermoid tumors in posterior fossa particularly on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Composite type of split cord malformation: two different types at three different levels: case report.

The authors report on a child with a composite type of split cord malformation (SCM). The patient presented with symptoms of a common cold. The diagnosis of SCM was made based on computerized tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of whole spinal axis.

The antioxidant effect of beta-Glucan on oxidative stress status in experimental spinal cord injury in rats.

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant effect of beta-Glucan in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Injury was produced using weight-drop technique in rats. beta-Glucan was given by intraperitoneal injection following trauma.

Surgical outcomes of cerebellar tumors in children.

Cerebellar tumors in childhood are generally associated with a favorable outcome if they are managed appropriately. 27 cases of pediatric cerebellar tumors, operated over a 7-year period, are presented. Histopathological diagnoses were as follows: pilocytic astrocytoma (48.

Penetrating orbitocranial gunshot injuries.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a surgical management protocol and other important clinical features on the prognosis of patients who had penetrating orbitocranial gunshot injuries.

Methods: Thirty-five patients (30 unilateral, 5 bilateral) who had penetrating orbitocranial gunshot injuries were analyzed. The wounds were mainly caused by shrapnel fragments or bullets.

Intracranial cavernomas: analysis of 37 cases and literature review.

Aims: Thirty-seven patients with intracranial cavernomas managed in our department are retrospectively analyzed.

Materials And Methods: The data of 37 patients with cavernoma who were admitted to our department between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 30 male and 7 female patients with a median age of 26 years (range, 9-57 years).

Ventricular injury following cranial gunshot wounds: clinical study.

Gunshot wounds to the head are usually fatal injuries, despite all medical and surgical interventions. Ventricular injury is a poor prognostic factor-for penetrating cranial gunshot wounds. Intraventricular hemorrhage and ventricular lacerations are the main components of such injuries.

The clinical and surgical aspects of spinal tumors in children.

A series of 20 pediatric patients underwent surgery for spinal tumor at the Department of Neurosurgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy between 1995 and 2003. Motor weakness and reflex changes were the main initial signs in these patients. Epidural tumors and intradural-extramedullary tumors were in equal number, and total tumor removal was achieved in most of the patients without adjuvant treatment.

Surgical outcomes of ulnar nerve lesions in children. A retrospective clinical study.

The ulnar nerve provides the major motor innervation of the interosseous muscles of the hand and the flexor muscles of the wrist and the fourth and fifth digits. Injury is most common at the wrist, forearm or elbow, secondary to trauma or entrapment. Pediatric ulnar nerve lesions differ from adult lesions by their quicker axonal regeneration.

Association of paranasal sinus osteoma and intracranial mucocele--two case reports.

Two young adult males presented with paranasal sinus osteoma associated with mucocele. A 20-year-old man presented with headache and seizure, and another 20-year-old man presented with headache, frontal deformity, and visual disturbances. Both patients underwent surgery and satisfactory results were obtained.

Medulloblastoma of the cerebellopontine angle--case report.

A 21-year-old male patient presented with a rare cerebellopontine angle medulloblastoma manifesting as cerebellar and long tract involvement signs and symptoms. The clinical and radiological characteristics of the lesion were similar to extraaxial lesions of cerebellopontine angle. The histological diagnosis of the lesion was medulloblastoma.

Split cord malformation in adults.

Although split cord malformations have been well documented in children, there is no consensus about their surgical indications and clinical course in adults because of their rarity. Medical records of nine young adult patients with split cord malformations were reviewed retrospectively. The most common complaint was radicular low back pain persisting more than 1 year, and the most common finding was hypertrichosis.

Transmaxillary approach to the orbit: an anatomic study.

Objective: Various approaches to expose the orbit have been used, such as cranial, lateral, and medial approaches. In an effort to gain exposure to the orbit without necessitating a craniotomy, we have developed a transmaxillary approach to the orbit.

Methods: An approach was developed that uses data obtained by performing 24 orbit dissections in 12 cadaveric heads.

Retrospective analysis of spinal missile injuries.

One hundred six patients with spinal missile injury from war zones were admitted to our department from 1994 to 2000. Functional recovery and complications in surgical and conservative treatment groups were evaluated. Sixty-five were treated surgically, of whom 55 (84%) had incomplete injuries (Frankel scores B, C, and D).

Monitoring of serum ionized magnesium in neurosurgical intensive care unit: preliminary results.

Background: Our purpose was to determine the values for serum ionized magnesium (Mg) concentrations in traumatic brain injury and its effect on the prognostic scores of patients.

Methods: We prospectively measured serum ionized magnesium concentrations in 30 patients that were classified into three groups (severe, moderate, mild) by Glasgow Coma Scale Score. Serum ionized magnesium concentrations were measured during posttraumatic 5 days.

The initial treatment of meningocele and myelomeningocele lesions in adulthood: experiences with seven patients.

This is a retrospective study of patients having undergone surgical treatment of spina bifida cystica (SBC) lesions in adulthood. The objectives were to assess the clinical, radiological, and surgical characteristics of SBC lesions in adults. There is almost no study assessing these characteristics.

Fracture and lateral dislocation of the T12-L1 vertebrae without neurological deficit--case report.

A 21-year-old man suffered T12-L1 vertebrae fracture and lateral dislocation without neurological deficit. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the fracture and lateral dislocation of the thoracolumbar spine. The injured spine was realigned with rods and screws, and bony fusion of the affected vertebrae was performed.