Topectomy versus leukotomy: J. Lawrence Pool's contribution to psychosurgery.

Surgery of the mind has a rather checkered past. Though its history begins with the prehistoric trephination of skulls to allow "evil spirits" to escape, the early- to mid-20th century saw a surge in the popularity of psychosurgery. The 2 prevailing operations were topectomy and leukotomy for the treatment of certain mental illnesses. Although they were modified and refined by several of their main practitioners, the effectiveness of and the ethics involved with these operations remained controversial. In 1947, Dr. J. Lawrence Pool and the Columbia-Greystone Associates sought to rigorously investigate the outcomes of specific psychosurgical procedures. Pool along with R. G. Heath and John Weber believed that nonexcessive bifrontal cortical ablation could successfully treat certain mental illnesses without the undesired consequences of irreversible personality changes. They conducted this investigation at the psychiatric hospital at Greystone Park near Morristown, New Jersey. Despite several encouraging findings of the Columbia-Greystone project, psychosurgery practices began to decline significantly in the 1950s. The uncertainty of results and ethical debates related to side effects made these procedures unpopular. Further, groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union condemned the use of psychosurgery, believing it to be an inhumane form of treatment. Today, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to when evaluating a patient for psychosurgery procedures. It is imperative for the neurosurgery community to remember the history of psychosurgery to provide the best possible current treatment and to search for better future treatments for a particularly vulnerable patient population.

Microscopic versus endoscopic approaches for craniopharyngiomas: choosing the optimal surgical corridor for maximizing extent of resection and complication avoidance using a personalized, tailored approach.

Resection remains the mainstay of treatment for craniopharyngiomas with the goal of radical resection, if safely possible, to minimize the rate of recurrence. Endoscopic endonasal and microscopic transcranial surgical approaches have both become standard methods for the treatment for craniopharyngiomas. However, the approach selection paradigm for craniopharyngiomas is still a point of discussion. Choosing the optimal surgical approach can play a significant role in maximizing the extent of resection and surgical outcome while minimizing the risks of potential complications. Craniopharyngiomas can present with a variety of different sizes, locations, and tumor consistencies, and each individual tumor has distinct features that favor one specific approach over another. The authors review standard cranial base techniques applied to craniopharyngioma surgery, using both the endoscopic endonasal approach and traditional open microsurgical approaches, and analyze factors involved in approach selection. They discuss their philosophy of approach selection based on the location and extent of the tumor on preoperative imaging as well as the advantages and limitations of each surgical corridor, and they describe the operative nuances of each technique, using a personalized, tailored approach to the individual patient with illustrative cases and videos.

Pierre Curie: the anonymous neurosurgical contributor.

Pierre Curie, best known as a Nobel Laureate in Physics for his co-contributions to the field of radioactivity alongside research partner and wife Marie Curie, died suddenly in 1906 from a street accident in Paris. Tragically, his skull was crushed under the wheel of a horse-drawn carriage. This article attempts to honor the life and achievements of Pierre Curie, whose trailblazing work in radioactivity and piezoelectricity set into motion a wide range of technological developments that have culminated in the advent of numerous techniques used in neurological surgery today. These innovations include brachytherapy, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, focused ultrasound, and haptic feedback in robotic surgery.

Joseph Warren: a discussion of his life and analysis of his death.

As his fellow soldiers ran past him, Joseph Warren stood bravely on Bunker Hill. It was June 17, 1775, and British troops were fighting the colonists in one of the early battles of the American Revolution. The British had already attempted two major assaults that day, and the third would end with Warren's death. He was a medical doctor, public figure, and general who spent his life and last living moments fighting for freedom for the American colonists. After the battle, there was much confusion about what had happened to Joseph Warren. Some thought he had survived the battle; other accounts differed on how exactly he had died. The details of the events on Bunker Hill remained a mystery until the following year, when Paul Revere helped identify Warren's body by the false teeth that had been implanted years earlier. Warren's remains showed that his head had been struck by a bullet. Analysis of the skull helped to sift through the differing tales of Warren's death and thus unveil the truth about what occurred that day. The smaller bullet wound in the left maxilla suggests that he was not shot while retreating with the rest of the soldiers. The larger exit wound in the right occiput illustrates that the bullet's trajectory crossed the midline of the brain and most likely injured the brainstem. Therefore, contrary to rumors that circulated at the time, Joseph Warren most likely was killed instantly at the Battle of Bunker Hill while heroically facing his enemy.

Lipomyelomeningocele: pathology, treatment, and outcomes.

Lipomyelomeningocele represents a rare but complex neurological disorder that may present with neurological deterioration secondary to an inherent tethered spinal cord. Radiological testing is beneficial in determining the morphology of the malformation. Specialized testing such as urodynamic studies and neurophysiological testing may be beneficial in assessing for neurological dysfunction secondary to the lipomyelomeningocele. Early surgical intervention may be beneficial in preventing further neurological decline.

Management of urological dysfunction in pediatric patients with spinal dysraphism: review of the literature.

An intact, fully functional spine is the result of a complex sequence of embryological events involving both nervous and musculoskeletal system precursors. Deviations from this highly ordered system can result in congenital abnormalities ranging from clinically insignificant cosmetic changes to CNS malformations that are incompatible with life. Closure of the neural tube, which is believed to be the embryological event gone awry in these cases, is complete by just 28 days' gestation, often before pregnancy is detected. Although progress has been made to help prevent neural tube defects in the children of those attempting to conceive, these congenital deformities unfortunately continue to affect a startling number of infants worldwide each year. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms governing closure of the neural tube and how they might be interrupted remain elusive. What is known is that there are a large number of individuals who must deal with congenital spine dysraphism and the clinical sequelae on a daily basis. Bladder and urinary dysfunction are frequently encountered, and urological care is a critical, often neglected, component in the lifelong multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Although many treatment strategies have been devised, a need remains for evidence-based interventions, analysis of quality of life, and preemptive education of both caregivers and patients as they grow older. Pediatric neurosurgeons in particular have the unique opportunity to address these issues, often in the first few days of life and throughout pre- and postoperative evaluation. With proper management instituted at birth, many patients could potentially delay or avoid the potential urological complications resulting from congenital neurogenic bladder.

Surgical nuances for removal of retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas via the transbasal subfrontal translamina terminalis approach.

Giant craniopharyngiomas in the retrochiasmatic space are challenging tumors, given the location and surrounding vital structures. Surgical removal remains the first line of therapy and offers the best chance of cure. For tumors with extension into the retrochiasmatic space, the authors use the translamina terminalis corridor via the transbasal subfrontal approach. Although the lamina terminalis can be accessed via anterolateral approaches (pterional or orbitozygomatic), the surgical view of the optic chiasm is oblique and prevents adequate visualization of the ipsilateral wall of the third ventricle. The transbasal subfrontal approach, on the other hand, offers the major advantage of direct midline orientation and access to the third ventricle through the lamina terminalis. This provides the significant advantage of visualization of both walls of the third ventricle and hypothalamus as well as inferior midline access to the interpeduncular cistern to permit safe neurovascular dissection and total tumor removal. In this report, the authors describe the transbasal subfrontal translamina terminalis approach, with specific emphasis on technical surgical nuances in removing retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas. An illustrative video demonstrating the technique is also presented.

Monitoring papilledema with Heidelberg Retina Tomograph in a patient with ruptured aneurysm: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Heidelberg Retina Tomograph is a scanning laser ophthalmoscope that is routinely used for the assessment and serial measurement of optic nerve morphology and nerve fiber layer anatomy in the setting of elevated intraocular pressure typically encountered in glaucoma. Recent studies have explored the use of this device in the objective assessment of optic nerve head swelling occurring in the setting of elevated intracranial pressure, also known as papilledema. We explore the utility of HRT as a complementary evaluation to serial fundoscopic examination of the optic nerve head in a patient with a high-grade SAH, raised intracranial pressure, and papilledema secondary to rupture of a giant intracranial aneurysm. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of the use of this technology as an objective assessment of papilledema in the setting of SAH. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 23-year-old man presented with spontaneous SAH secondary to a ruptured giant internal carotid artery aneurysm. The patient underwent endovascular embolization to prevent further hemorrhage and was monitored with HRT on a monthly basis. Severe papilledema, present at the outset and confirmed by the neuro-ophthalmologic consultant, was followed by serial examination with the device. CONCLUSION: Heidelberg Retina Tomograph is a promising device for the analysis of optic nerve head topography in the setting of papilledema in SAH. Worsening or resolution of papilledema can be qualitatively demonstrated with serial studies using this device.

Monitoring papilledema in a patient with pineal pilocytic astrocytoma by using Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II. Case report.

The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) II is a confocal scanning laser device used to acquire images of the optic nerve head. In this paper the authors report a novel use of this device in the assessment of papilledema in a patient with pilocytic astrocytoma of the pineal region. They also present a new technique to objectively produce 3D data of the optic nerve head. An 11-year-old girl presented with headache and bilateral papilledema; magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion in the pineal region. A suboccipital craniectomy was performed, and HRT images were obtained both before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the operation. The authors analyzed the height variation of the retinal surface along the vertical and horizontal cross-lines passing the center of the optic nerve head. The postoperative images, studied on the 2nd day after operation, demonstrated visible reduction of the papilledema. The height variation of the retinal surface along the contour line created by the software demonstrated that elevation of the optic nerve head became depressed due to resolved swelling. The height variation of the retinal surface along vertical and horizontal cross-lines demonstrated significant differences between the elevated preoperative curve and the postoperative curve (p < 0.001), consistent with improvement of her symptoms. Initial data suggest that changes in the optic nerve head topography after surgical decompression can be quantitatively documented by 3D data from the HRT II.

Cranial surgery with an expanded compact intraoperative magnetic resonance imager. Technical note.

In this article the authors report the implementation of an expanded compact intraoperative magnetic resonance (iMR) imager that is designed to overcome significant limitations of an earlier unit. The PoleStar N20 iMR imager has a stronger magnetic field than its predecessor (0.15 tesla compared with 0.12 tesla), a wider gap between magnet poles, and an ergonomically improved gantry design. The additional time needed in the operating room (OR) for use of iMR imaging and the number of sessions per patient were recorded. Stereotactic accuracy of the integrated navigational tool was assessed using a water-covered phantom. Of the 55 patients who have undergone surgery in the PoleStar N20 device, diagnoses included glioma in 13, meningioma in 12, pituitary adenoma in nine, other skull base lesions in seven, and miscellaneous other diagnoses. The extra time required for use of the system averaged 1.1 hours (range 0.5-2 hours). Imaging sessions averaged 2.3 per surgery (range one-six sessions). Measurement of stereotactic accuracy revealed that T1-weighted images were the most accurate. Thinner slices yielded measurably greater accuracy, although this was of questionable clinical significance (all sequences < or =4 mm had a mean error of < or = 1.8 mm). The position of the phantom in the center compared with the periphery of the magnetic field did not affect accuracy (mean error 0.9 mm for each). The PoleStar N20 appears to make intraoperative neuroimaging with a low-field-strength magnet much more practical than it was with the first-generation device. Greater ease of positioning resulted in a decrease in added time in the OR and encouraged a larger number of imaging sessions.

Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 0.12 T: is it enough?

Low magnetic field strength MRI provides the anatomic information needed for intracranial procedures in which intraoperative imaging is needed. Stereotactic accuracy is proven. The distinct advantage of this technologic approach is that it allows the neurosurgical team to operate an iMRI system with minimal disruption to the OR routine. Technical improvements are likely to increase the power and versatility of low field strength iMRI. Logic dictates that ergonomics and economics will make this the iMRI technique desired by most neurosurgeons.

Analysis of the readability of patient education materials from surgical subspecialties.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Patients are increasingly using the Internet as a source of information on medical conditions. Because the average American adult reads at a 7th- to 8th-grade level, the National Institutes of Health recommend that patient education material be written between a 4th- and 6th-grade level. In this study, we assess and compare the readability of patient education materials on major surgical subspecialty Web sites relative to otolaryngology. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive and correlational design. METHODS: Patient education materials from 14 major surgical subspecialty Web sites (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, American Society of General Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Pediatric Surgical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Society for Thoracic Surgeons, and American Urological Association) were downloaded and assessed for their level of readability using 10 widely accepted readability scales. RESULTS: The readability level of patient education material from all surgical subspecialties was uniformly too high. Average readability levels across all subspecialties ranged from the 10th- to 15th-grade level. CONCLUSIONS: Otolaryngology and other surgical subspecialties Web sites have patient education material written at an education level that the average American may not be able to understand. To reach a broader population of patients, it might be necessary to rewrite patient education material at a more appropriate level. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Molecular oncogenesis of craniopharyngioma: current and future strategies for the development of targeted therapies.

Craniopharyngiomas are benign intracranial tumors that arise in the suprasellar and intrasellar region in children and adults. They are associated with calcification on neuroimaging, endocrinopathies, vision problems, and recurrence following subtotal resection. Molecular studies into their genetic basis have been limited, and therefore targeted medical therapies for this tumor have eluded physicians. With the discovery of aberrant Wnt/ß-catenin pathway signaling in the pathogenesis of the most common subtype of craniopharyngioma (adamantinomatous), the identification of candidate genes and proteins implicated in this cascade provide attractive targets for future therapies. The recent development of a genetically engineered animal model of this tumor may also serve as a platform for evaluating potential therapies prior to clinical trials in humans. Advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of tumor recurrence have also been made, providing clues to develop adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies to couple with tumor resection for optimal response rates. Finally, advances in genomic technologies and next-generation sequencing will underlie the translation of these genetic and molecular studies from the bench to clinical practice. In this review, the authors present an analysis of the molecular oncogenesis of craniopharyngioma and current directions in the development of novel therapies for these morbid, yet poorly understood brain tumors.

Distal subgaleal-peritoneal shunt migration into the abdominal wall with subsequent formation of a pre-peritoneal pseudocyst: a rare complication.

Distal ventriculo-peritoneal shunt migration and extra-peritoneal CSF pseudocyst formation are unusual complications of shunt placement. We present a 65-year-old-female who received a subgaleal-peritoneal shunt to decompress a post-surgical subgaleal fluid collection. Eight weeks later, shunt series showed tight coiling of the distal catheter, and operative exploration found the distal shunt tip to have migrated superficial to the rectus sheath, where it had become encapsulated in a pre-peritoneal CSF pseudocyst. Migration of the distal catheter into the abdominal wall was likely due to local inflammation of the inner surface of the abdomen, with pressure from intestinal peristaltic movements and intra-abdominal pressure, and continued inflammation at the distal catheter tip may have caused formation of a pre-peritoneal CSF pseudocystic dilatation. To date, this is the first reported case of distal shunt migration into the abdominal wall with subsequent formation of an extra-peritoneal pseudocyst and represents a rare event in the surgical management of peritoneal shunts.

The use of Hypertonic Saline in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Cerebral Edema: A Review.

Effective methods for treating cerebral edema have recently become a matter of both extensive research and significant debate within the neurosurgery and trauma surgery communities. The pathophysiologic progression and outcome of different forms of cerebral edema associated with traumatic brain injury have yet to be fully elucidated. There are heterogeneous factors influencing the onset and progress of post-traumatic cerebral edema, including the magnitude and type of head injury, age, co-morbid conditions of the patient, the critical window for therapeutic intervention and the presence of secondary insults including hypoxia, hypotension, hypo/hyperthermia, degree of raised intracranial pressure (ICP), and disruption of blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Although numerous studies have been designed to improve our understanding of the etiology of post-traumatic cerebral edema, therapeutic interventions have traditionally been focused on minimizing secondary insults especially raised ICP and improving cerebral perfusion pressure. More recently, fluid resuscitation strategies using hyperosmolar agents such as pentastarch and hypertonic saline (HS) have achieved some success. HS treatment is of particular interest due to its apparent advantageous action over other types of hyper-osmotic solutions in both clinical and laboratory studies. In this review, we provide a summary of recent literature concerning the pathogenesis and mechanisms involved in the various types of cerebral edema, and the possible mechanisms of action of HS for the treatment cerebral edema.