Geniculate neuralgia successfully treated with microvascular decompression

Background First described by John Nottingham in 1857, geniculate neuralgia remains a rare condition associated with vascular compression of the nervus intermedius by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), which results in paroxysmal unilateral periauricular pain. Furthermore, limited and controversial treatment options for symptom relief exist given the rarity of the condition and limited cases reported in the literature. Case description This is a case of a 37-year-old one-pack-per-day smoker with diabetes mellitus who presented to our clinic for evaluation of episodic lancinating pain localizing to the right periauricular region. The patients symptoms were attempted to be managed medically, however, remained refractory to medical management for a period greater than one year. The patient’s exam demonstrated a trigger point slightly anterior and inferior to the right tragus, and the pain was reproducible when touched or tapped. The patient was otherwise neurologically intact. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and demonstrated a loop of the AICA in contact with the root entry zone of the facial nerve. This patient was offered an elective microvascular decompression (MVD) for treatment of geniculate neuralgia. Conclusions Surgical microvascular decompression is a safe and effective treatment option for patients suffering from neuralgia refractory to medical therapy. Furthermore, our case report demonstrates that MVD is an effective treatment option for patients suffering from geniculate neuralgia with imaging evidence of AICA compression of the nervus intermedius that is refractory to medical management

Neurenteric cyst at the dorsal craniocervical junction in a child: Case report

Neurenteric cysts, also known as enterogenous cysts, are uncommon, benign, congenital lesions that usually occur in the posterior mediastinum but can be seen at any level of the neuraxis. Here, we report a pediatric patient with a neurenteric cyst in the dorsal craniocervical junction as the only third reported pediatric case in the literature in this rare location, and describe the clinical course and pathologic findings with a review of the literature on this rare entity

The Natural History of Coiled Cerebral Aneurysms Stratified by Modified Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification

Objective The natural history and long-term durability of Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization is still unknown. We hypothesize a stepwise decrease in durability of embolized cerebral aneurysms as stratified by the Modified Raymond-Roy Classification (MRRC). Methods First-time GDC-embolized cerebral aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed from 2004 to 2015. Loss of durability (LOD) was defined by change in aneurysm size or patency seen on serial radiographic follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to evaluate embolization durability. Multivariate Cox regression modeling was used to assess baseline aneurysm and patient characteristics for their effect on LOD. Results A total of 427 patients with 443 aneurysms met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 89 (21%) aneurysms met LOD criteria. Grade 1 aneurysms had statistically significantly greater durability than did all other MRRC grades. Grade 3b aneurysms had significantly worse durability than did all other aneurysm grades. There was no difference in durability between grade 2 and 3a aneurysms. Of aneurysms with LOD, 26 (29%) experienced worsening of MRRC grade. Thirty-five (24%) initial MRRC grade 2, 72 (45%) initial MRRC grade 3a, and 6 (22%) initial MRRC grade 3b aneurysms progressed to MRRC grade 1 without retreatment. In our multivariate analysis, only initial MRRC grade was statistically significantly associated with treatment durability (P < 0.001). Conclusions MRRC grade is independently associated with first-time GDC-embolized cerebral aneurysm durability. Achieving MRRC grade 1 occlusion outcome is significantly associated with greater long-term GDC durability. Although few aneurysms experience further growth and/or recanalization, most incompletely obliterated aneurysms tend to remain stable over time or even progress to occlusion. Grading scales such as the MRRC are useful for characterizing aneurysm occlusion but may lack sensitivity and specificity for characterizing changes in aneurysm morphology over time

Letter: The Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Neurosurgeons Worldwide

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or be any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.The aim of our study was to explore the impact of this pandemic on neurosurgeons with the hope of improving preparedness for future crisis. We created a 20-question survey designed to explore demographics (nation, duration and scope of practice, and case-burden), knowledge (source of information), clinical impact (elective clinic/surgery cancellations), hospital preparedness (availability of personal protective equipment [PPE] and cost of the supplies), and personal factors (financial burden, workload, scientific and research activities). The survey was first piloted with 10 neurosurgeons and then revised. Surveys were distributed electronically in 7 languages (Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish) between March 20 and April 3, 2020 using Google Forms, WeChat used to obtain responses, and Excel (Microsoft) and SPSS (IBM) used to analyze results. All responses were cross-verified by 2 members of our team. After obtaining results, we analyzed our data with histograms and standard statistical methods (Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression). Participants were first informed about the objectives of our survey and assured confidentiality after they agreed to participate (Helsinki declaration). We received 187 responses from 308 invitations (60.7%), and 474 additional responses were obtained from social media-based neurosurgery groups (total responses = 661). The respondents were from 96 countries representing 6 continents (Figure ​(Figure11A-​A-11C)

Standard work tools for dynamic stereoelectroencephalography using ROSA: naming convention and perioperative planning

OBJECTIVE The grid-based orthogonal placement of depth electrodes (DEs), initially defined by Jean Talairach and Jean Bancaud, is known as stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG). Although acceptance in the United States was initially slow, advances in imaging and technology have spawned a proliferation of North American epilepsy centers offering sEEG. Despite publications highlighting minimal access techniques and varied indications, standard work for phase I targeted DE has not been defined. In this article, the authors propose the term “dynamic sEEG” and define standard work tools and related common data elements to promote uniformity in the field. METHODS A multidisciplinary approach from July to August 2016 resulted in the production of 4 standard work tools for dynamic sEEG using ROSA: 1) a 34-page illustrated manual depicting a detailed workflow; 2) a planning form to collocate all the phase I data; 3) a naming convention for DEs that encodes the data defining it; and 4) a reusable portable perioperative planning and documentation board. A retrospective review of sEEG case efficiency was performed comparing those using standard work tools (between July 2016 and April 2017) with historical controls (between March 2015 and June 2016). The standard work tools were then instituted at another epilepsy surgery center, and the results were recorded. RESULTS The process for dynamic sEEG was formally reviewed, including anesthesia, positioning, perioperative nursing guidelines, surgical steps, and postoperative care for the workflow using cranial fixation and ROSA-guided placement. There was a 40% improvement in time per electrode, from 44.7 ± 9.0 minutes to 26.9 ± 6.5 minutes (p = 0.0007) following the development and use of the manual, the naming convention, and the reusable portable perioperative planning and documentation board. This standardized protocol was implemented at another institution and yielded a time per electrode of 22.3 ± 4.4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS The authors propose the term dynamic sEEG for stereotactic depth electrodes placed according to phase I workup data with the intention of converting to ablation. This workflow efficiency can be optimized using the standard work tools presented. The authors also propose a novel naming convention that encodes critical data and allows portability among providers. Use of a planning form for common data elements optimizes research, and global adoption could facilitate multicenter studies correlating phase I modality and seizure onset zone identification