Subcortical Stimulation with Tip of Ultrasound Aspirator.

BACKGROUND: During resection of intrinsic brain tumors in eloquent areas, particularly under awake mapping, subcortical stimulation is mandatory to avoid irreversible deficits by damaging white fiber tracts. The current practice is to alternate between subcortical stimulation with an appropriate probe and resection of tumoral tissue with an ultrasound aspiration device. Switching between different devices induces supplementary movement and possible tissue trauma, loss of time, and inaccuracies in the localization of the involved area. OBJECTIVE: To use one device for both stimulation as well as a resecting tool. METHODS: The tip of different ultrasound aspiration devices is currently used for monopolar current transmission (e.g., for vessel coagulation in liver surgery). We use the same circuitry for monopolar subcortical stimulation when connected with the usual stimulator devices. RESULTS: We have applied this method since 2004 in over 500 patients during tumor resection with cortical and subcortical stimulation, mostly with awake language and motor monitoring. CONCLUSION: A method is presented using existing stimulation and wiring devices by which simultaneous subcortical stimulation and ultrasonic aspiration are applied with the same tool. The accuracy, safety, and speed of intrinsic intracranial lesion resection can be improved when subcortical stimulation is applied.

Herniectomy versus herniectomy with the DIAM spinal stabilization system in patients with sciatica and concomitant low back pain: results of a prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the short and medium term efficacy and patient outcomes of DIAM spinal stabilization system on back pain, disability, leg pain and quality of life. METHODS: 165 patients were enrolled; 146 patients with a single level disc herniation (L2 to L5) were randomized: 75 investigational (herniectomy and DIAM) and 71 control (herniectomy alone) treated and followed up for 24 months. RESULTS: Significant improvements overtime (P < 0.001) in both groups but not significantly different between groups for visual analog scale (VAS) back pain at 6 months (investigational -3.97 ± 2.55 vs control-3.37 ± 3.15, P = 0.228) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 12 months (-38.55 ± 20.10 vs -37.19 ± 22.61, P = 0.719). For both outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, at all postoperative time points. Although the enrolment ended before the intended sample size (308 patients) was reached, the number of patients reaching the VAS back pain minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of ≥2.2 at 6 months was higher in the investigational (79.4 % vs control 57.1 %, P = 0.008). These results were sustained throughout 24 months (82.8 vs 64.4 %, P < 0.05). In average, surgical duration (P < 0.001), blood loss (P = 0.029) and skin incision (P < 0.001) in the investigational were 10 min longer, 22.5 ml greater and 2.0 cm wider than control group (median values). Improved tertiary outcomes from BL to 24 mo in both groups (investigational vs control): VAS leg pain (mean decrease -6.41 ± 2.57 to -6.41 vs -5.61 ± to -3.30); improved quality of life (SF-36: 20.68 ± 9.44 vs 16.90 ± 10.74); pain medication reduction: 56.7 vs 47.9 %; return to work: 45.7 vs 38.0 %. Adverse event rates: 68.5 % investigational and 66.2 % control. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized controlled trial to report equivalent efficacy and safety of herniectomy with or without DIAM spinal stabilizing device. Leg pain, back pain and the level of disability were not significantly different between groups; however, number of patients reaching the MCID for back pain was significantly higher in the investigational group at 6 through 24 months.

Facial nerve palsy in posterior fossa arachnoid cysts: report of two cases.

CASE REPORT: Two patients with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst responsible for isolated facial nerve palsy are reported. DISCUSSION: The relationships between the cyst and the facial nerve and between the facial nerve palsy and the size variation of the cyst are discussed and documented by pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Combined spinal subdural tuberculous empyema and intramedullary tuberculoma in an HIV-positive patient.

Tuberculous involvement of the spinal subdural and intramedullary compartments is extremely uncommon. Simultaneous involvement of both compartments has never been reported, to our knowledge. We present an HIV-positive patient with such kind of combined involvement. Diagnosis was made on the basis of a prior history of pulmonary tuberculous infection and a positive therapeutic response to antituberculous chemotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic procedure of choice in order to determine the exact level, site, and size of the disease. Tuberculosis of the spine should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression if the patient lives in or comes from a region where tuberculosis is endemic or if the patient is immunocompromised.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma to skull base and spine: a report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report two patients with benign uterine leiomyoma metastasizing to the nervous system, respectively, to the skull base and to the spine. Although primary cranial and metastatic spinal leiomyomas have been rarely described, to our knowledge no case of benign leiomyoma metastasizing to the skull base has been reported before. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two female patients with history of hysterectomy for benign leiomyoma, subsequently metastasizing to the lungs and smooth muscles of the skin, presented with a focal neurologic deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sacral mass in one case and a skull base tumor in the other. INTERVENTION: Both patients underwent surgery for resection of the lesions. Good postoperative results were obtained. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed a benign metastasizing leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: Benign metastasizing leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions in the sacral spine and skull base in patients who have a history of uterine leiomyoma or benign metastases of the same disease in organs outside the nervous system.

Hemilingual spasm: a new neurosurgical entity? Case report.

Hemilingual spasm is a little-known movement disorder, presenting as intermittent paroxysmal involuntary contractions of half of the tongue muscles. The authors report a case of hemilingual spasm caused by an arachnoid cyst. After marsupialization of the cyst, the patient's symptoms immediately resolved. There has been no recurrence of hemilingual spasm during the follow-up period of more than 40 months.