Search

The advent of modern image-guided surgery has revolutionized depth electrode implantation techniques. Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), introduced by Talairach in the 1950s, is an invasive method for three-dimensional analysis on the epileptogenic zone based on the technique of intracranial implantation of depth electrodes. The aim of this article is to discuss the principles of SEEG and their evolution from the Talairach era to the image-guided surgery of today, along with future prospects. Although the general principles of SEEG have remained intact over the years, the implantation of depth electrodes, i.e. the surgical technique that enables this method, has undergone tremendous evolution over the last three decades, due the advent of modern imaging techniques, computer systems and new stereotactic techniques. The use of robotic systems, the constant evolution of imaging and computing techniques and the use of depth electrodes together with microdialysis probes will open up enormous prospects for applying depth electrodes and SEEG both for investigative use and for therapeutic use. Brain stimulation of deep targets and the construction of "smart" electrodes may, in the near future, increase the need to use this method.

OBJECTIVE: Unilateral hydrocephalus (UH) is characterized by enlargement of just one lateral ventricle. In this paper, the authors will demonstrate their experiences in the neuroendoscopic management of this uncommon type of hydrocephalus. METHOD: The authors retrospectively reviewed a serie of almost 800 neuroendoscopic procedures performed from September 1995 to July 2010 and selected seven adult patients with UH. Clinical and radiological charts were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Six patients had intraventricular neurocysticercosis and one patient had congenital stenosis of the foramen of Monro. Headaches were the most common symptom. A septostomy restored cerebrospinal fluid circulation. During follow-up period (65.5 months, range 3-109) no patient has presented clinical recurrence as well as no severe complications have been observed. CONCLUSION: UH is a rare condition. A successful treatment can be accomplished through a neuroendoscopic approach avoiding the use of ventricular shunts.

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant tumors of central nervous system in the childhood. The treatment is severe, harmful and, thus, has a dismal prognosis. As PRAME is present in various cancers, including meduloblastoma, and has limited expression in normal tissues, this antigen can be an ideal vaccine target for tumor immunotherapy. In order to find a potential molecular target, we investigated PRAME expression in medulloblastoma fragments and we compare the results with the clinical features of each patient. Analysis of gene expression was performed by real-time quantitative PCR from 37 tumor samples. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analysis the relationship between gene expression and clinical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. PRAME was overexpressed in 84% samples. But no statistical association was found between clinical features and PRAME overexpression. Despite that PRAME gene could be a strong candidate for immunotherapy since it is highly expressed in medulloblastomas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the cystic craniopharyngiomas can be controlled with the use of intratumoral applications of interferon alpha. METHOD: Nineteen patients with the diagnosis of cystic craniopharyngioma were treated with intratumoral chemotherapy with interferon alpha from January 2002 to April 2006. All patients underwent placement of an intracystic catheter connected to an Ommaya reservoir. Through this reservoir were made applications during chemotherapy cycles. Each cycle corresponded to application of 3,000,000 units of interferon alpha three times per week on alternate days totalizing 36,000,000 units. Response to treatment was evaluated by calculating the tumor volume on MRI control after one, three and six months after the end of each cycle. Patients who developed worsening of symptoms or who had insignificant reduction in tumor volume during follow-up underwent repeat cycle chemotherapy. RESULTS: Four patients received four cycles of chemotherapy, three patients received three cycles, six patients received two cycles and six patients received one. The lower percentage of reduction in tumor volume was 60% and the bigger reduction was 98.37%. Eleven patients had a reduction greater than 90%. Five patients had a tumor reduction between 75 and 90% and in three patients the tumors were reduced by less than 75%. No deaths occurred during treatment and side effects of interferon alpha were well tolerated. No treatment was discontinued. Follow-up after the last application ranged from one year and five months to three years and nine months. CONCLUSION: The intratumoral chemotherapy with interferon alpha decreases the volume of cystic craniopharyngiomas and so far can be considered a new therapeutic alternative.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy with or without myelopathy is a controversy issue, although anterior discectomy is the most common form of treatment. METHOD: We present the evaluation of the arthrodesis' rate and cervical alignment in 48 patients with cervical degenerative disease (CDD) submitted to anterior cervical discectomy with interposition of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA). Odom and Nürick scales were used to evaluation of functional status before and after surgery. Cervical spine X-rays were used to access arthrodesis and alignment, at least 2 years after the procedure. RESULTS: Excellent and good results (Odom I and II) were obtained in 91% of the patients with radiculopathy and in 69% of those with myelopathy. Using the chi square test of independence (1% of significance), there was no association between excellent and good clinical results with the presence of arthrodesis verified in cervical X-rays. The presence of cervical alignment had association with good results, whereas the misalignment was associated with unfavorable outcomes. Two patients died: one cervical hematoma and other from graft migration with cord compression. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical alignment was more important than fusion to achieve good surgical results in CDD.TEMA E OBJETIVO: O tratamento cirúrgico da radiculopatia cervical com ou sem mielopatia é um tema controverso, embora a discectomia por via anterior seja uma das formas mais comuns de tratamento. MÉTODO: Apresentamos a avaliação da artrodese cervical e do alinhamento pós operatório em 48 pacientes com doença degenerativa cervical (DDC) submetidos a discectomia por via anterior seguida da interposição de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA). As escalas de Odom e de Nurick foram utilizadas para avaliar o status funcional dos pacientes antes e após a cirurgia. Radiografias da coluna cervical foram utilizadas para avaliar a artrodese e o alinhamento cervical, pelo menos 2 anos após o procedimento. RESULTADOS: Excelentes e bons resultados (Odom I e II) foram obtidos em 91% dos casos com radiculopatia e em 69% dos pacientes com mielopatia. Usando o teste do qui-quadrado de independência (1% de significância), não houve associação entre os resultados excelentes e bons e a presença de artrodese. A presença de alinhamento cervical, ao contrário, correlacionou-se com bons resultados. Dois pacientes faleceram devido a hematoma cervical e migração do enxerto. CONCLUSÃO: O alinhamento cervical correlacionou-se com bons resultados cirúrgicos em nossos pacientes, enquanto que a taxa de artrodese não teve relação com o resultado clínico dos pacientes.

We report two patients with central neurocytomas at an uncommon location in the brain. The first, a 58-year-old man presenting with signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, had a tumor located at the pineal region. The second, a 21-year-old woman with tumor in the aqueductal region had worsening migraine-like headaches and diplopia. Both patients had obstructive hydrocephalus treated by neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy of the tumors. No additional treatment was done. We conclude that neurocytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors located in the pineal and aqueductal regions.Relatamos dois pacientes com neurocitoma central com localização incomum no sistema nervoso central. O primeiro, 58 anos, masculino, apresentava sinais e sintomas de hipertensão intracraniana, tinha um tumor na região da pineal. O segundo, feminino, 21 anos, tinha um tumor na região do aqueduto de Sylvius e apresentava cefaléia migranosa progressiva e diplopia. Ambos apresentavam hidrocefalia obstrutiva tratada com terceiroventriculostomia endoscópica e biópsia da lesão. Não foi feito tratamento adicional. Concluimos que os neurocitomas devem ser considerados no diagnóstico diferencial de tumores localizados na região da pineal e do aqueduto.

Neurocysticercosis is the most frequently observed parasitosis of the central nervous system worldwide. The fourth ventricle is the most frequent site of intraventricular infestation, a location that carries a higher risk for CSF blockage and intracranial hypertension due to CSF blockage. A great number of patients become shunt dependent which carries a poorer prognosis. We report on a case of a patient with symptomatic obstructive hydrocephalus due to cysticercus in the fourth ventricle where an endoscopic approach via a frontal burr hole was performed. Although there is no consensus in the literature for the optimal treatment of this disease, this method seemed adequate for treatment of fourth ventricle cysticercosis in patients with hydrocephalus, aqueductal and foramen of Monro dilatations.

Background Brain edema is the leading cause of death in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Midline shift (MLS) has been used as a monohemispheric brain edema marker in several studies; however, it does not precisely measure brain edema. It is now possible to directly measure hemisphere brain volume. Knowledge about the time course of brain edema after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction may contribute to the condition's management. Objective Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the course of brain edema in patients with malignant MCA infarction treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC) using hemispheric volumetric measurements. Methods Patients were selected consecutively from a single tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2019. All patients were diagnosed with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction and underwent a decompressive craniectomy (DC) to treat the ischemic event. All computed tomography (CT) exams performed during the clinical care of these patients were analyzed, and the whole ischemic hemisphere volume was calculated for each CT scan. Results We analyzed 43 patients (197 CT exams). Patients' mean age at DC was 51.72 [range: 42–68] years. The mean time between the ischemic ictus and DC was 41.88 (range: 6–77) hours. The mean time between the ischemic event and the peak of hemisphere volume was 168.84 (95% confidence interval [142.08, 195.59]) hours. Conclusion In conclusion, the peak of cerebral edema in malignant MCA infarction after DC occurred on the 7th day (168.84 h) after stroke symptoms onset. Further studies evaluating therapies for brain edema even after DC should be investigated.

ABSTRACTThe central sulcus region is an eloquent area situated between the frontal and parietal lobes. During neurosurgical procedures, it is sometimes difficult to understand the cortical anatomy of this region.Objective Find alternative ways to anatomically navigate in this region during neurosurgical procedures.Method We analyzed eighty two human hemispheres using a surgical microscope and completed a review of the literature about central sulcus region.Results In 68/82 hemispheres, the central sulcus did not reach the posterior ramus of the lateral sulcus. A knob on the second curve of the precentral gyrus was reliably identified in only 64/82 hemispheres.Conclusion The morphometric data presented in this article can be useful as supplementary method to identify the central sulcus region landmarks.

The anatomical characterization of the orbitofrontal cortex in human is limited in literature instead of many functional and clinical studies involving it. Objective Anatomically define the orbitofrontal region aiming to possible neurosurgical treatments and unify the scientific nomenclature as well. Method We analyze eighty four human hemispheres using a surgical microscope. Then we chose four hemispheres and dissect them according to Klinger’ technique. Results We found five main sulcus: olfatory sulcus, orbital medial sulcus, orbital lateral sulcus, orbital transverse sulcus and orbital intermediate sulcus. These sulcus, excluding the intermediate sulcus, delimit five gyrus: rectus gurys, orbital medial gyrus, orbital anterior gyrus, orbital lateral gyrus and orbital posterior gyrus. The main sulcal configuration can be divided on four more frequently patterns. Conclusion Orbitofrontal cortex is associated with many psychiatric disorders. Better anatomical and functional characterization of the orbitofrontal cortex and its connections will improve our knowledge about these diseases.

Objective To compare neuromotor development between patients who did and those who did not undergo intrauterine myelomeningocele repair. Methods Children with myelomeningocele aged between 3.5 and 6 years who did undergo intrauterine repair (Group A, n=6) or not (Group B; n=7) were assessed for neuromotor development at both anatomical and functional levels, need for orthoses, and cognitive function. Results Intrauterine myelomeningocele repair significantly improved motor function. The functional level was higher than the anatomical level by 2 or more spinal segments in all children in Group A and 2 children in Group B, with a significant statistical difference between groups (p

OBJECTIVE: Blake's pouch cyst (BPC) is a midline cystic malformation of the posterior fossa, within Dandy-Walker's complex (DWC), often associated with hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been an alternative to conventional methods for BPC treatment. This study aimed at reporting our experience with ETV in a series of patients with BPC. METHODS: Of 33 patients diagnosed with midline posterior fossa cyst, 26 met the protocol criteria for DWC, and eight subjects with BPC were selected (aged one month to two years old). All cases were treated with ETV. RESULTS: Five patients were male; and three were prenatally diagnosed. They had hydrocephalus and motor deficiencies. Motor assessment at a five-year follow-up yielded normal findings. All patients improved, and only one had residual cognitive dysfunction, despite overall neurological improvement. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: ETV was a safe and effective procedure, reducing risks and morbidity associated with open surgery and shunt-related problems.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing mortality in hemispheric infarction of the middle cerebral artery. The aim of our study was to compare the outcome of patients submitted to DC to patients treated in a conservative way. Eighteen patients were submitted to DC and 14 received conservative treatment. Neurological status was assessed by the Glasgow Coma Score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Mortality, modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index scores were assessed at 90 days to evaluate outcome. We did not observe reduction in overall mortality and functional outcome in patients submitted to DC. The differences between our group and previously published series are probably related to the neurological status of the patients at the time of therapeutic decision.Craniectomia descompressiva (CD) tem demonstrado eficácia em reduzir a mortalidade em pacientes com infarto hemisférico (IH) da artéria cerebral média. Este estudo avaliou o prognóstico dos pacientes submetidos a CD comparando a pacientes com IH tratados de maneira conservadora. Dezoito pacientes foram submetidos a CD e 14 receberam tratamento conservador. Escala de Coma de Glasgow e Escala de AVC do National Institutes of Health foram utilizadas para graduar o déficit neurológico. A mortalidade, bem como os escores obtidos na escala modificada de Rankin e índice de Barthel foram avaliados em 90 dias. Não foi observada redução de mortalidade nos pacientes submetidos a CD. Essa diferença entre os nossos resultados e os estudos publicados previamente se deve, provavelmente, à decisão cirúrgica tardia em pacientes com sinais clínicos de herniação cerebral.

Clivus fractures are rare and severe entities, usually associated with vascular or cranial nerve lesions and frequently diagnosed postmortem. Cervical epidural haematomas can be traumatic or spontaneous, manifested in acute or chronic form, and are treated surgically in the majority of cases, although the conservative treatment also can be indicated to patients with incomplete and non-progressive deficits. The authors report the case of a female patient, 8 years old, victim of trampling in public way by a high velocity motorized vehicle, admitted in Glasgow 7, anisocoric pupils (left pupil midriatic), whose radiological investigation showed a transverse fracture of the clivus, cervical epidural haematoma and diffuse axonal injury. The patient was submitted to intracranial pressure monitorization, sedation and conservative treatment with dexamethasone, with good outcome. The authors also present a literature review.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze cases of recurrent glioblastoma subjected to reoperation at a Brazilian public healthcare service. Methods A total of 39 patients subjected to reoperation for recurrent glioblastoma at the Department of Neurosurgery, São Paulo Hospital, Federal University of São Paulo, from January 2000 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The median overall survival was 20 months (95% confidence interval – CI = 14.9–25.2), and the median survival after reoperation was 9.1 months (95%CI: 2.8–15.4). The performance of adjuvant treatment after the first operation was the single factor associated with overall survival on multivariate analysis (relative risk – RR = 0.3; 95%CI = 0.2–0.7); p = 0.005). Conclusion The length of survival of patients subjected to reoperation for glioblastoma at a Brazilian public healthcare service was similar to the length reported in the literature. Reoperation should be considered as a therapeutic option for selected patients.