Preoperative meningioma embolization reduces perioperative blood loss: a multi-center retrospective matched case-control study.

Background And Purpose: The utility of preoperative embolization remains controversial within the literature. Here, we evaluate whether preoperative meningioma embolization is effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss, safe to perform, and cost-effective when compared with surgical resection without preoperative embolization.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with meningiomas were matched by tumor size and location to 29 control patients with meningiomas at another institution where preoperative embolization was not practiced.

Dual-center study comparing transradial and transfemoral approaches for flow diversion treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Background: The transfemoral approach (TFA) has been the traditional approach for neurointerventional cases. While the TFA allows for triaxial support in flow diverting stent cases, it is associated with access site complications. Recently, the transradial approach (TRA) has emerged as a safer alternative to the TFA.

Total and partial posterior quadrant disconnection for medically refractory epilepsy: A systematic review.

Purpose: Posterior quadrant disconnection (PQD) is a surgical procedure for medically refractory epilepsy (MRE) involving diffuse regions of the temporo-parieto-occipital lobes. We sought to compare factors and efficacy according to PQD extent.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature reporting the use of PQD since 2004.

Far Lateral Transcondylar Transtubercular Approach for Microsurgical Resection of Foramen Magnum Meningioma: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

Surgical access to the ventral foramen magnum remains a technical challenge. With large lesions in this region compressing the brainstem and distorting the regional neurovascular relationships, formulating a surgical plan and its appropriate execution have crucial importance in achieving favorable outcomes. While the endoscopic endonasal approaches have gained increasing attention to access the clivus and the ventral brainstem, foramen magnum meningiomas are still preferred to be removed via an approach that obviates a trajectory through the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transclival Odontoidectomy for Basilar Invagination: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

Basilar invagination is a congenital or acquired craniovertebral junction abnormality where the tip of the odontoid process projects through the foramen magnum which can cause severe symptomatic compression of the brainstem and spinal cord. If left untreated, patients can develop progressive quadriparesis. Traditionally, basilar invagination can be treated with cervical traction and posterior stabilization.

Management of Small Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: To Treat or Not to Treat?

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms measuring <7 mm in diameter have become increasingly prevalent due to advances in diagnostic imaging. The most feared complication is aneurysm rupture leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Based on the current literature, the 3 main treatments for an unruptured intracranial aneurysm are conservative management with follow-up imaging, endovascular coiling, or surgical clipping.

Acute Cerebrovascular Disorders and Vasculopathies Associated with Significant Mortality in SARS-CoV-2 Patients Admitted to The Intensive Care Unit in The New York Epicenter.

The current Coronavirus pandemic due to the novel SARS-Cov-2 virus has proven to have systemic and multi-organ involvement with high acuity neurological conditions including acute ischemic strokes. We present a case series of consecutive COVID-19 patients with cerebrovascular disease treated at our institution including 3 cases of cerebral artery dissection including subarachnoid hemorrhage. Knowledge of the varied presentations including dissections will help treating clinicians at the bedside monitor and manage these complications preemptively.

Posterior Approach for a Ventral Intradural Extramedullary Meningioma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Ventral thoracic meningiomas are rare entities in which the spinal cord is attenuated and draped over the meningioma symmetrically. This is a challenging surgical entity compared to typical intradural meningiomas, which nearly always eccentrically displace the cord. In these more common meningiomas, surgical access is fairly straightforward as the meningioma is often visualized upon opening the meninges.

Neuroendovascular Cerebral Sinus Stenting in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare, ill-understood disease of significant morbidity. Because the pathophysiology is poorly understood, treatment protocols are not uniform and are directed towards alleviating the most common symptoms: headache and visual loss. In this review, we analyze 25 case series, all of which included IIH patients ( = 408) who were treated with placement of a venous sinus stent.

Chondromyxoid Fibroma of the Sacral Spine.

. Chondromyxoid fibromas are rare tumors of cartilaginous origin typically found in long bones. They usually present during the second and third decades of life.

Epidermoid Cyst of the Lumbar Spine After Lumbar Puncture: A Clinical, Radiographic, and Pathologic Correlation.

Background: Epidermoid cysts can rarely arise as a late complication of lumbar puncture. We describe a young man who had a remote history of a lumbar puncture and who was subsequently found to have a lumbar spinal epidermoid cyst on imaging, after presenting with lower extremity radicular pain.

Case Description: A 24-year-old man with a remote history of lumbar puncture presented with lower back pain and radicular leg pain which had been ongoing for over a year.

First case series of the transradial approach for neurointerventional procedures in pediatric patients.

Objective: The transradial approach (TRA) has been widely adopted by interventional cardiologists but is only now being accepted by neurointerventionalists. The benefits of the TRA over the traditional transfemoral approach (TFA) include reduced risk of adverse clinical events and faster recovery. The authors assessed the safety and feasibility of the TRA for neurointerventional cases in the pediatric population.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Neurocritical Care: a Specialty-Wide Disruptive Transformation or a Strategy for Success.

Purpose Of Review: Neurocritical care combines the complexity of both medical and surgical disease states with the inherent limitations of assessing patients with neurologic injury. Artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered interest in the basic management of these complicated patients as data collection becomes increasingly automated.

Recent Findings: In this opinion article, we highlight the potential AI has in aiding the clinician in several aspects of neurocritical care, particularly in monitoring and managing intracranial pressure, seizures, hemodynamics, and ventilation.

Telovelar approach for microsurgical resection of fourth ventricular subependymoma arising from rhomboid fossa: operative video and technical nuances.

Fourth ventricular tumors have traditionally been removed via transvermian approaches, which can result in potential dysequilibrium and mutism. The telovelar approach is an excellent alternative to widely expose fourth ventricular tumors without transgressing the cerebellar vermis. This is achieved by opening the cerebellomedullary fissure and incising the tela choroidea and inferior medullary velum, which form the lower half of the roof of the fourth ventricle.

Microsurgical resection of brainstem cervicomedullary ganglioglioma: operative video and technique of creating a surgical pseudoplane for near-total resection.

Cervicomedullary gangliogliomas are rare low-grade neoplasms of the brainstem. They can be challenging lesions to resect due to the eloquent location in the brainstem. In some instances, the absence of a clear surgical plane between the tumor and normal neural tissue can prohibit a complete resection.

Artificial intelligence in neurocritical care.

Background: Neurocritical care combines the management of extremely complex disease states with the inherent limitations of clinically assessing patients with brain injury. As the management of neurocritical care patients can be immensely complicated, the automation of data-collection and basic management by artificial intelligence systems have garnered interest.

Methods: In this opinion article, we highlight the potential artificial intelligence has in monitoring and managing several aspects of neurocritical care, specifically intracranial pressure, seizure monitoring, blood pressure, and ventilation.

Combined petrosal approach for resection of recurrent brainstem cavernous malformation: operative video and technical nuances.

Brainstem cavernous malformations are formidable lesions because of their eloquent location and propensity for bleeding resulting in neurological impairment. The surgical management can be challenging due to their deep location around critical neurovascular structures. In this operative video manuscript, the authors demonstrate resection of a large recurrent pontine cavernous malformation with an exophytic component in the cerebellopontine angle via a combined petrosal approach.

Endoscopic Fourth Ventriculostomy: Suboccipital Transaqueductal Approach for Fenestration of Isolated Fourth Ventricle: Case Report and Technical Note.

Background: Trapped or isolated fourth ventricle is a known, late sequela after lateral ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus, particularly after infection or hemorrhage. It may cause brainstem compression and insidiously present with ataxia, dysarthria, and intracranial hypertension, further delaying diagnosis. There is no universally agreed on treatment algorithm, and options include open fenestration through a suboccipital craniotomy, fourth ventricle shunting, and minimally invasive options including endoscopic stenting and fenestration through a precoronal approach.

Endoscopic-Assisted Microvascular Decompression of Ectatic Vertebral Artery for Hemifacial Spasm: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

In this operative video atlas manuscript, the authors demonstrate the operative nuances and surgical technique for endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression of a large ectatic vertebral artery causing hemifacial spasm. A retrosigmoid approach was performed and a large ectatic vertebral artery was transposed away from the root exit zone of cranial nerve VII ( Fig. 1 ).

Combined Petrosal Approach for Resection of Petroclival Meningioma with Endoscopic Assistance: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

Petroclival meningiomas are formidable lesions due to their deep location in the skull base and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. The combined petrosal approach, comprised of an anterior petrosectomy and posterior retrolabyrinthine petrosectomy, allows for both supra- and infratentorial exposure of the tumor in the petroclival region while potentially preserving hearing function ( Fig. 1 ).

Retrosigmoid Suprameatal Approach for Resection of Petrotentorial Cerebellopontine Angle Meningioma: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

Meningiomas are the second most common tumor to arise in the cerebellopontine angle. In this operative video atlas manuscript, the authors demonstrate a step-by-step technique for microsurgical resection of a petrotentorial meningioma in the cerebellopontine angle via a retrosigmoid suprameatal approach. Drilling of the hyperostotic suprameatal tubercle was necessary to gain access to the dural origin and anterior petrosal extent of the tumor.

Retrosigmoid Transmeatal Approach for Resection of Acoustic Neuroma: Operative Video and Technical Nuances of Subperineural Dissection for Facial Nerve Preservation.

The retrosigmoid (suboccipital) approach is the workhorse for most acoustic neuromas in the cerebellopontine angle. In this operative video atlas manuscript, the authors demonstrate the nuances of the subperineural dissection technique for microsurgical resection of an acoustic neuroma via the retrosigmoid transmeatal approach. The plane is developed by separating the perineurium of the vestibular nerve away from the tumor capsule.