Publications by authors named "Vinicio Valente"
Background: The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is an adult carotid-basilar anastomosis with debated pathologic aspects, such as its association with brain aneurysms. True trigeminal artery aneurysms are rare vascular anomalies, reported in a few case reports.
Objective: To report our experience with a ruptured trigeminal artery aneurysm and to provide a systematic review of the literature in order to analyse potential links between the anatomic configuration of the PTA and PTA aneurysm (PTAA) type, and implications of each PTAA type for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Objective: The removal of clival lesions, mainly those located intradurally and with a limited lateral extension, may be challenging because of the lack of a surgical corridor that would allow exposure of the entire lesion surface. In this anatomic study, we explored the clival/petroclival area and the cerebellopontine angle via both the endonasal and retrosigmoid endoscopic routes, aiming to describe the respective degree of exposure and visual limitations.
Methods: Twelve fresh cadaver heads were positioned to simulate a semisitting position, thus enabling the use of both endonasal and retrosigmoid routes, which were explored using a 4-mm rigid endoscope as the sole visualizing tool.
Objective: To determine, in patients undergoing sellar repair after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery, the clinical efficacy of a combination of fibrin sealant/collagen fleece compared to the use of fibrin sealant or collagen fleece alone, in preventing CSF-related (cerebrospinal fluid) postoperative complications.
Methods: From a retrospective analysis of our series of 242 consecutive endoscopic transsphenoidal procedures, in 56 out of the 90 cases in which the sella had been repaired, fibrin sealant and/or collagen fleece was employed, both in combination with one or multiple layers of other materials. The incidence of postoperative CSF leaks and the need for a postoperative lumbar drainage in the groups of fibrin sealant or collagen fleece treated patients were compared to the group of patients treated with the fibrin sealant/collagen fleece combination.
Objective: To describe techniques and materials used in sellar repair after an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach.
Methods: Different techniques of sellar closure and indications for each specific condition are reviewed in a series of 170 consecutive patients.
Results: Only 47 (27.