IVUS-guided versus OCT-guided PCI among patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and, more recently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) improved the visualization of coronary anatomy and plaque pathology. We aimed to compare the procedural and short-term outcomes between IVUS-guided and OCT-guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: In the present retrospective study, we reviewed the data of 50 patients who had IVUS-guided PCI and 50 patients who had OCT-guided PCI for ACS between January 2020 and June 2021. Intravascular imaging was done before and after stenting. Both groups were compared in terms of minimal luminal area (MLA), stent dimensions, final minimal stent area (MSA) and stent expansion as well as negative angiographic outcomes. Patients were followed for six months to record major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 57 ± 13 years with male predominance (78%). The radiation time and dose were significantly higher among IVUS group. Pre-stenting MLA was significantly higher in IVUS group (2.63 mm vs. 2.22 mm in OCT, P = 0.013). Stent expansion was significantly higher among OCT group (97% vs. 93% in IVUS group, P = 0.001) with no significant difference between both groups regarding MSA [mm2] (8.88 ± 2.87 in IVUS vs. 8.1 ± 2.76 in OCT, P = 0.169). No significant difference between both groups was noted regarding contrast volume, edge dissection, tissue prolapse, and no reflow. The rates of six-month MACE were significantly higher in the IVUS group. CONCLUSIONS: OCT-guided PCI in ACS is safe and is associated with similar MSA to that of IVUS-guided PCI. Future randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Surgical Resection of Cerebellopontine Epidermoid Cysts: Limitations and Outcome.

Objective Epidermoid cysts are benign slowly growing tumors commonly involving the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical limitations, surgical strategies, complications, and outcome of resection of these lesions. Material and Methods The clinical data and outcome of 32 cases operated for CPA epidermoid between 2007 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 42.6 months, and all patients were followed up at least for a whole year. Results There were 15 males and 17 females. The median age was 37.6 years. Headache and cranial nerves dysfunction were the most common presenting symptoms. Surgery was performed in all patients using the standard lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. In three cases, microvascular decompression of an arterial loop was performed in addition to tumor excision. Total resection was accomplished in 19 out of 32 cases (59.4%), subtotal resection in 7 cases (21.9%), and only partial excision was achieved in 6 cases (18.7%). There was no recurrence or regrowth of residual tumor during the follow-up period. We had a single postoperative mortality due to postoperative pneumonia and septic shock. New cranial nerves deficits occurred in 15.6% of cases but were transient in most of them. Conclusion The favorable outcome of total resection of CPA epidermoids should always be weighed against the critical risks that accompany it especially in the presence of tight adhesions to vital neurovascular structures. The retrosigmoid approach is suitable for the resection of these tumors even if they were large in size.

Surgical management of symptomatic brain stem cavernoma in a developing country: technical difficulties and outcome.

Brain stem cavernomas (BSCs) are angiographically occult vascular malformations in an intricate location. Surgical excision of symptomatic BSCs represents a neurosurgical challenge especially in developing countries. We reviewed the clinical data and surgical outcome of 24 consecutive cases surgically treated for brain stem cavernoma at the Neurosurgery Department, Alexandria University, between 2006 and 2014. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months after surgery and the mean follow-up period was 45 months. All patients suffered from at least two clinically significant hemorrhagic episodes before surgery. There were 10 males and 14 females. The mean age was 34 years (range 12 to 58 years). Fourteen cases had pontine cavernomas, 7 cases had midbrain cavernomas, and in 3 cases, the lesion was found in the medulla oblongata. The most commonly used approach in this series was the midline suboccipital approach with or without telovelar exposure (9 cases). There was a single postoperative mortality in this series due to pneumonia. Fourteen cases (58.3 %) showed initial worsening of their preoperative neurological status, most of which was transient and only three patients had permanent new deficits and one case had a permanent worsening of her preoperatively existing hemiparesis. There was neither immediate nor long-term rebleeding in any of our cases. In spite of the significant associated risks, surgery for BSCs in properly selected patients can have favorable outcomes in most cases. Surgery markedly improves the risk of rebleeding and should be considered in patients with accessible lesions.

The value of preoperative embolization in large and giant solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas.

BACKGROUND: Solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas are highly vascular lesions and may cause catastrophic hemorrhage during excision. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 10 patients (7 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 38.2 ± 12.5 years) with solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas. All patients had a solitary tumor and underwent surgical resection of the lesion through a suboccipital approach. The basic features, serial radiographic examinations, and operative records were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptoms were headache (100%), ataxia (100%), and long tract manifestations (60%). Three patients had experienced failed surgery previously due to massive intraoperative bleeding. Three patients were confirmed as having Von Hippel-Lindau disease. The average size of the tumor was 40.7 ± 8.7 mm in its maximal diameter (range 25-58 mm). Total endovascular occlusion obtained in six patients, near total occlusion in three patients, and incomplete occlusion in one patient. Nine (90.0%) patients underwent gross total resection and one (10.0%) underwent partial resection. After the primary surgery, eight (80.0%) patients experienced improvement in their symptoms, two (20.0%) maintained their pre-treatment status, and none showed neurological deterioration following tumor resection. Blood loss during surgery after embolization was minimal and controllable. CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolization improves safety and efficacy of the microsurgical excision of such tightly located very vascular tumors. Embolization changes the concept of this lesion surgery into piecemeal removal rather than a total mass extraction technique. Liquid agents are superior to particles in obliteration of such lesions.

Combined thrombin and autologous blood for repair of lumbar durotomy.

Lumbar durotomy can be intended or unintended and can result in persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Several methods are used to manage this complication including bed rest and CSF diversion. In this study, we theorize that the use of thrombin-soaked gel foam together with autologous blood laid on the sutured dural tear can prevent persistent CSF leak. A retrospective review of the records of patients who underwent lumbar surgery and had an unintended dural tear with CSF leak, comparing the outcome of patients who were submitted to thrombin-soaked gel foam together with autologous blood (group A) to patients treated by subfacial drain, tight bandage, and bed rest (group B). A total of 1371 patients had lumbar surgery, of whom 131 had dural tear. Group A included 62 patients, while group B included 69 patients. 8.1 % of group A patients had CSF leak as compared to 17.4 % of group B patients at postoperative day 14. The incidence of postoperative CSF leak and duration of postoperative hospital stay were statistically lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Combining thrombin and autologous blood for repair of lumbar durotomy is an effective and a relatively cheap way to decrease CSF leak in the early postoperative period as well as decreasing postoperative hospital stay. It also resulted in decreased complications rate in the late postoperative period.

Supracerebellar infratentorial approach with paramedian expansion for posterior third ventricular and pineal region lesions.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for lesions in the posterior third ventricle is technically challenging. Surgical approaches to this area carries a risk of both venous and neural injury, with subsequent morbidity. Several approaches are used to reach the pineal region. The supracerebellar infratentorial approach is the commonly approach used for such lesions. OBJECTIVES: This work describes adding a paramedian expansion to the "classical median supracerebellar infratentorial approach" for posterior third ventricular and pineal region lesions with lateral expansion. This study discusses the results concerning the extent of removal and surgical complications for this procedure. Contralateral paramedian expansion is used for targeting lesions inside the posterior third ventricle extending to the lateral ventricular wall and thalamus. Ipsilateral paramedian expansion was used in resecting collicular lesions. METHODS: The authors operated on patients suffering from lesions in the pineal region using a paramedian expanded SCTT approach between 2007 and 2014. The prone position was used in 25 cases. A typical median suboccipital craniotomy with a paramedian expansion was performed. Ipsilateral expansion of the approach has been used for targeting lesions in the pineal region but outside the posterior third ventricle. Contralateral expansion provides a direct view of the lateral walls of the third ventricle. RESULTS: We encountered 28 cases of different pathologies: fourteen patients suffered from pineal body tumors while twelve had glial tumors, one case of cavernoma. Obstructive hydrocephalus was treated by CSF diversion before tumor surgery. Postoperative complications included ataxia, double vision, and Parinaud's syndrome. CONCLUSION: The merit of the expanded supracerebellar infratentorial approach is adding a unilateral paramedian expansion to the classical approach. This paramedian expansion offers a better lateral and inferior tumor resection. This approach does not add any risk of more postoperative complications or jeopardizing the neurological state than the classical midline approach. PRACTICE AND IMPLICATIONS: The paramedian expansion offers a better lateral and inferior tumor resection and a better view of the contralateral extension within the posterior third ventricle. Collicular lesions are better controlled using this approach by gentle inferior and lateral retraction of the cerebellum. The expanded supracerebellar infratentorial approach allows for working on the lateral tumor extension without jeopardizing the deep venous system.

Surgical management of ventrally based lower cervical (subaxial) meningiomas through the lateral approach: Report on 16 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal meningiomas are benign and relatively rare tumors. These tumors present about only 25% of primary spinal tumors. Although spinal meningiomas are considered as slowly growing benign tumors, yet they may cause devastating neurological deficits rendering patients crippled. This study describes performing a posterolateral approach to surgically treat anterior based cervical meningioma. We hereby report on 16 cases operated upon using this approach, and we present our results and display some of our cases with special emphasis on achieving total resection, rate of recurrence and the neurological outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study reports on 16 patients who underwent surgery for anterior based cervical meningioma. Data regarding age, sex, duration and type of symptoms, levels, topographical locations, surgical results, and histological features are presented. RESULTS: The age ranged between 19 and 78 years old with a mean age of 48.3 years. The initial symptom among most patients (13 patients) was neck pain, numbness and radicular pain were found in 9, and clumsiness of the upper extremity in 7 patients. Total excision with dural coagulation was done in 11 cases, and spilt dura technique was feasible in 4 cases where the tumor together with the inner dura layer was resected. We encountered one case of atypical meningioma with Pia and arachnoid invasion which rendered total excision too risky and only subtotal resection was achieved. There were no major surgical or permanent neurological complications. Lateral mass fixation was used in 2 patients with a strictly midline anterior tumor in which a total facetectomy was done. All patients were followed up for an average of 3.6 years. Tumor recurrence was seen in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral approach allows for safe and total removal of ventral cervical meningioma. This approach gives a direct avenue to the tumor without risk of destabilizing the vertebral column. The rate of recurrence is the same when using the anterior approach but is less invasive with less blood loss.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in children: clinical presentations and management.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial is common in adults, particularly obese young women, but also occurs in children and adolescents. AIM: Clinical presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the pediatric population and how the presenting signs and symptoms may be different from those seen among adult patients. RESULTS: This study is a prospective study conducted in the Alexandria Medical School, Egypt, between the periods starting from January 2003 till December 2007. Ten patients were included in this study, 9 patients were treated with repeated spinal taps while only one patient necessitated insertion of a theco-peritoneal shunt. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension may occur in children as among adults. If diagnosed early, visual acuity can be saved with proper management.

Isolated paramedullary hemangioblastoma originating from the first cervical nerve root: case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case of an isolated paramedullary hemangioblastoma originating from the first cervical root is reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe an uncommon type of spinal hemangioblastoma and its operative treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal hemangioblastoma, rare finding accounting for approximately 1.5% to 2.5% of all spinal cord tumors, may have an intramedullary, extramedullary, or extradural location. Cervical hemangioblastomas occur in approximately 45% of the cases and are intramedullary in about 83% of the cases. METHODS: A 59-year-old man presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cisterns. Four-vessel angiography showed a highly vascular small tumor at the dorsolateral side of the cervicomedullary junction fed by a branch of the vertebral artery. The lesion was surgically removed. RESULTS: Total removal of the lesion was achieved after identification of both the arterial feeder and the draining vein with the aid of microvascular Doppler sonography. There were no complications, and the patient did well after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although hemangioblastomas occurring in the cervicomedullary area usually may cause progressive neural compression, occasionally they also can present clinically as acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. This situation requires urgent and adequate treatment as in the reported case.

Successful management of a symptomatic fusiform dilatation of the internal carotid artery following surgery of childhood craniopharyngioma.

INTRODUCTION: The development of fusiform dilatation of internal carotid artery is one of the vascular complications that can follow surgery for craniopharyngioma and other suprasellar tumours in children, but its pathogenesis and the line of management are still controversial. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: We report a child who presented with a giant fusiform aneurysm involving the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery after total removal of a craniopharyngioma and review the literature on related cases. The treatment of this phenomenon and its possible pathogenesis are discussed.