Concurrent Intramedullary and Intracranial Tuberculomass.

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is well known. CNS involvement can occur in the form of tubercular meningitis (TBM), tuberculous vasculitis, tuberculoma and rarely brain abscess. Tubercular granulomas generally solitary and occur in the brain but they may be multiple and involve other areas such as spinal cord, epidural space and subdural space also. Tuberculoma in the spinal cord is rare. Co-occurrence of intracerebral and intramedullary spinal tuberculoma is extremely rare in children with only few cases reported till date. We are reporting one such case in children and review of literature.

Practical Aspects of Neuroendoscopic Techniques and Complication Avoidance: A Systematic Review.

Although endoscopic techniques have many advantages including improved visualization and magnification, they are also associated with limitations. The objective of this review is to discuss the practical aspects that can reduce complications after endoscopic procedures, and their management. The review is based on the personal experience of more than 2000 neuroendoscopic procedures performed by the senior author. Topic search was made on PubMed using Neuroendoscopy, complications and neuroendoscopy, complication avoidance and neuroendoscopy, endoscopic neurosurgery, and minimally invasive neurosurgery. Relevant articles were selected after analyzing abstracts and/or topics. Endoscopic procedures are also associated with limitations such as obstruction in instruments manipulation, steep learning curve, blind area, difficulty in visualization, disorientation, loss of stereoscopic image and others. Neuroendoscopy is distinct from microsurgery and the surgeon has to learn endoscopic skills in addition to microsurgical techniques. Difficulties in controlling bleeding, working in a limited area, higher complication rate during the initial learning curve and longer operative time are some of the limitations. Attending live workshops, practicing on models, and hands on cadaveric workshops can reduce the learning curve. Proper case selection, multidisciplinary team approach, watching operative video, visiting other departments, observing a skillful endoscopic surgeon, lab training, and simulators can improve results and shorten the learning curve. Limitations of this review are that the search is limited to the English literature and personal experience of a single surgeon that may create some bias. Although neuroendoscopic techniques are associated with improved results in some indications, they have many limitations. Neuroendoscopic skills need to be learned to improve results.

Whether Superficial Abdominal Reflex is Affected by Subcostal Transverse Abdominal Incisions? A Prospective, Observational Early Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Superficial abdominal reflex (SAR) is an important part of the neurologic assessment. It is normally present and may be present or absent in various physiological as well as pathological conditions. The presence of an abdominal incision creates a dilemma in the mind of the clinician for it affecting this reflex. As there is no literature on this, we decided to study the effect of abdominal incisions on SAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective, observational study. We evaluated the patients requiring transverse subcostal incision (range 3-12 cm) both preoperatively and postoperatively, for their abdominal reflexes. Patients with preoperative normal and symmetrical abdominal reflexes were included in the study. Postoperatively, we compared the change of SAR with the preoperative status and analyzed the data. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients underwent surgeries, out of which 54 patients came under inclusion criteria, comprising 36 males and 18 females. Subcostal transverse abdominal incisions were made for surgeries including both gastrointestinal and ventriculoperitoneal shunts. SAR was found unaffected by the incisions in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study was small, subcostal transverse abdominal incisions were not found to affect SAR.

Indigenous Inexpensive Practice Models for Skill Development in Neuroendoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Neurosurgery is a branch having a tough learning curve. Residents generally get very less hands-on exposure for advanced procedures like neuroendoscopy. With the limited number of cadavers available and ethical issues associated with animal models, practice models, and simulators are becoming the able alternative. Most of these simulators are very costly. We tried to build indigenous inexpensive practice models that can help in developing most of the skills of neuroendoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Models were built for learning hand-eye coordination, dexterity, instrument manipulation, cutting, fine dissection, keyhole concept, drilling, and simulation of laminectomy and ligamentum flavum resection. These were shown in the neuroendoscopic fellowship program conducted in authors' institute, and trainees' responses were recorded. RESULTS: Both novice and experienced neuroendoscopic surgeons validated the models. There was no significant difference between their responses (P = 0.791). CONCLUSION: Indigenous innovative models can be used to learn and teach neuroendoscopic skills. The presented models were reliable, valid, eco-friendly, highly cost-effective, portable, easily made and can be kept in one's chamber for practicing.