RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the current practice patterns of Canadian neurosurgeons with regards to anterior cervical discectomy (ACD). METHODS: A one-page questionnaire was sent out using SurveyMonkey to all neurosurgeon members of the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF). End points were surgeon preference for ACD surgical method, graft source, the length of collar usage and the recommended time before returning to work. RESULTS: Response rate was 74.0%. Of the responders, 75.0% performed single level ACD and 18.3% had completed spine fellowships. The majority (68.2%) chose ACD with fusion and plating (ACDFP) as their preferred method with allograft being the most popular choice of fusion material (44.3%). Most of the respondents did not prescribe collars (60.9%) and when they did, hard collar was prescribed most often (76.9%) and AspenTM collar was the most popular choice (67.7%). The majority of surgeons chose 'other' as their response for length of time for collar use (40.0%) while allowing them to take their collars off at night (78.1%). Most of the surgeons recommended physiotherapy post-operatively (58.1%) and time to physiotherapy was 6-8 weeks. Recommended back to work time was 6 weeks for 44.9% of respondents. In the cross analysis, surgeons who performed ACDF were more likely to prescribe collars (50%, P=0.01) versus surgeons who performed ACDFP (21.7%, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey is an up to date description of current practice patterns for ACD amongst Canadian neurosurgeons.
RESUMO
We describe a 50-year-old man with a well-demarcated intra- and extrasellar lesion and clinical signs of a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. Neuropathological examination revealed tumor composed of non-pigmented spindle cells arranged in tightly packed nests separated by delicate vascular septae. There was no significant cellular atypia or mitotic activity, and Ki67-positive nuclei were present in less than 1% of cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for S-100 and vimentin, and negative for numerous cellular markers including HMB45, anti-melanoma cocktail antibodies, and Masson melanin stain. Electron microscopy revealed scattered cells with small numbers of premelanosomes, aiding in the correct diagnosis of an amelanotic melanocytoma. This is the first case report of entirely amelanotic melanocytoma of meninges, and in a very unique location. BRAF was negative supporting the diagnosis of intracranial origin of the tumor. Approximately 2 years after subtotal resection and stereotactic radiosurgery the patient is alive and well with a non-progressive residual tumor.â©.