Usefulness of Intraoperative 2D-Ultrasound in the Resection of Brain Tumors

The surgical approach to brain tumors often uses preoperative images to visualize the characteristics of pathology, guiding the surgical procedure. However, the usefulness of preoperative images during the surgical procedure is altered by the changes in the brain during the surgery because of craniotomy, inflammation, tumor resection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, among others. For this reason, there is a need to use intraoperative imaging evaluation methods that allow the surgeon to consider these changes, reflecting the real-time anatomical disposition of the brain/tumor. Intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) has allowed neurosurgeons to guide the surgical procedure without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation or interrupting the procedure. Technological advances have made it possible to improve image quality, have smaller probes, and facilitate the use of the equipment, in addition to the introduction of new imaging modalities, such as three-dimensional images, enhanced with contrast, among others, expanding the available options. In the context of these advances, the objective of this chapter was to review the current status of the usefulness and challenges of iUS for brain tumor resection through an in-depth review of the literature and the discussion of an illustrative case

Assistive technologies in the access and transfer of information for visually disabled individuals

En el presente trabajo se hace un acercamiento a las condiciones de personas con discapacidad visual, características principales, categorías en las que se encuentran según el grado de agudeza visual, que van desde la dificultad moderada para ver con claridad hasta la ceguera total, y cómo la ubicación demográfica impacta directamente en el acceso de recursos que permiten mejorar su condición, además de un breve recuento sobre algunos desarrollos tecnológicos que se han fabricado en el tiempo con la finalidad de ofrecer herramientas que apoyen a mejorar significativamente la calidad de vida, lo que permite un grado de autonomía y como consecuencia mejoran la autoestima. Siendo la segunda causa de discapacidad en México y el mundo, después de las dificultades para moverse, es de suma importancia considerar el uso de nuevas tecnologías para la inclusión en espacios académicos, sociales y laborales, por lo que las tecnologías de información y comunicación permiten el acceso a información relevante en distintos ámbitos de desarrollo personal de cada individuo. Otro factor importante es la aceptación de la tecnología por parte del usuario que, a pesar de presentar la necesidad de usar tecnología, podría tener cierto rechazo hacia ella por el miedo a verse diferente o sufrir discriminación. Debido a que los países subdesarrollados cuentan con poblaciones mayores de personas con capacidades múltiples, la tendencia se centra en los desarrollos de bajo costo, que hacen más fácil la adquisición de tecnología por parte de grupos de bajos recursos, y otorgan herramientas importantes para acceder a información, tanto del entorno, como contenido específico para el proceso de aprendizaje.Our current project will address an approach to people with visual impairment. The main characteristics that are typified with this condition, in addition to the different degrees of visual acuity, range from moderate difficulty with seeing clearly to total blindness. The project will address how demographic location directly impacts access to resources that would allow people to improve their condition, as well as a brief review of technological developments that can significantly improve their quality of life, allowing a degree of autonomy and, as a consequence, improve their self-esteem. Because this condition is ranked as the second most common cause of disability in Mexico and the world, after physical disabilities, it is very important to consider incorporating the use of new technologies in academic, social, and work spaces. Information and communication technologies allow access to relevant information that helps each individual improve in different areas, enhancing personal development. Another important factor is the acceptance of the technology by the user who, despite needing it, may refuse to use it because they might look different and / or suffer discrimination. Due to the fact that underdeveloped countries have larger populations of people with special needs, the trend is focused on low-cost development, making it easier for low-income groups to acquire technology, providing important tools to access information in their environment with specific conten

Rare Brain Tumors with Infrequent Clinical Manifestations: Illustrative Cases

This chapter describes the epidemiology, clinical and neuroimaging features, histological characteristics, surgical approach, outcomes, and prognostic factors of different cases of very rare intracranial tumors, associated with complex clinical syndromes. Highlighting the important aspects in the diagnosis and management that were considered relevant through the experience of our center. Here we included an intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease manifested as an apparent multiple meningiomatosis, a choroid plexus papilloma clinically manifested as a hemifacial spasm originated by a compression of the facial colliculus, and a neuroenteric cyst associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome. This type of tumor presents a challenge to the neurosurgeon, originating various questions about its management. In this chapter, we present the experience we had with these pathologies to establish the most appropriate management decisions