Delamination technique together with longitudinal incisions for treatment of Chiari I/syringomyelia complex: a prospective clinical study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment modalities in Chiari malformation type 1(CMI) accompanied by syringomyelia have not yet been standardized. Pathologies such as a small posterior fossa and thickened dura mater have been discussed previously. Various techniques have been explored to enlarge the foramen magnum and to expand the dura. The aim of this clinical study was to explore a new technique of excision of the external dura accompanied by widening the cisterna magna and making longitudinal incisions in the internal dura, without disturbing the arachnoid.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten patients with CMI and syringomyelia, operated between 2004 and 2006, formed this prospective series. All cases underwent foramen magnum decompression of 3 × 3 cm area with C1–C2 (partial) laminectomy, resection of foramen magnum fibrous band, excision of external dura, delamination and widening of internal dura with longitudinal incisions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients were aged between 25 and 58 years and occipital headache was the most common complaint. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 4 years and the follow-up time was 25 months. Clinical progression was halted for all patients; eight patients completely recovered and two reported no change. In one patient, there was a transient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula that was treated with tissue adhesive. While syringomyelia persisted radiologically with radiological stability in five patients; for three patients the syringomyelic cavity decreased in size, and for the remaining two it regressed completely.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Removal of the fibrous band and the outer dural layer, at level of foramen magnum, together with the incision of inner dural layer appears to be good technique in adult CMI patients. The advantages are short operation time, no need for duraplasty, sufficient posterior fossa decompression, absence of CSF fistulas as a result of extra arachnoidal surgery, and short duration of hospitalization. Hence this surgical technique has advantages compared to other techniques.</p

Insular gliomas: a surgical reappraisal based on a systematic review of the literature.

Insular gliomas are heterogeneous lesions whose management presents multiple challenges for their tendency to affect young patients in good neurological and cognitive conditions, their deep anatomic location and proximity with critical functional and vascular structures. The appropriate management of insular gliomas requires a multidisciplinary evidence-centred teamwork grounded on the best anatomic, neurophysiological and oncological knowledge. The present study provides a reappraisal of the management of insular gliomas based on a systematic review of the literature with the aim of guiding clinicians in the management of such tumors. A systematic review of the literature from the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central databases was performed. From 2006 to 2016, all articles meeting specific inclusion criteria were included. The present work summarizes the most relevant evidence about insular gliomas management. The anatomy and physiology of the insula, the new WHO 2016 classification and clinico-radiological presentation of insular gliomas are reviewed. Surgical pearls of insular gliomas resection as well as oncologic and functional outcomes after insular gliomas treatment are discussed. Management of insular gliomas remains challenging despite improvement in surgical and oncological techniques. However, the literature review supports a growing evidence that recent developments in the multidisciplinary care account for constant improvements of survival and quality of life

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: a review of current management based on emerging knowledge

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas are a rarely diagnosed type of vascular malformations, yet they are clinically relevant in a subspecialized neurovascular setting because a misdiagnosis may lead to permanent morbidity and mortality. Modern brain imaging techniques such as flat panel detector computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance imaging angiography have a significant role in the preoperative work-up, still digital subtraction angiography remains the neuroimaging mainstay. The most important factor guiding their management is the presence of cortical venous reflux, significantly associated with aggressive symptoms due to cerebral or spinal cord venous congestion and hemorrhage. Cutting-edge developments in endovascular and neurosurgical treatment of these vascular malformations, which should be undertaken in specialized referral centers, have substantially improved their prognosis. While transarterial or transvenous endovascular techniques represent frequently the therapy of choice, surgery remains a very valuable option both as a first line treatment and after partial embolization has been carried out. A significant neurosurgical advance is the introduction of indocyanine green video angiography, which allows precise identification of the arterialized draining vein of the dural fistula to be disconnected and confirms interruption of the arteriovenous shunt. Stereotactic radiosurgery may be considered in case of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas without cortical venous drainage for which surgical and endovascular options have been consumed or for palliation