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To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8519.2009.01729.x Byline: NIR LIPSMAN (1), REBECCA ZENER (1), MARK BERNSTEIN (2) Keywords: enhancement; personal identity; neurosurgery; neuroethics Abstract: ABSTRACT Recent developments in the field of neurosurgery, specifically those dealing with the modification of mood and affect as part of psychiatric disease, have led some researchers to discuss the ethical implications of surgery to alter personality and personal identity. As knowledge and technology advance, discussions of surgery to alter undesirable traits, or possibly the enhancement of normal traits, will play an increasingly larger role in the ethical literature. So far, identity and enhancement have yet to be explored in a neurosurgical context, despite the fact that 1) neurological disease and treatment both potentially alter identity, and 2) that neurosurgeons will likely be the purveyors of future enhancement implantable technology. Here, we use interviews with neurosurgical patients to shed light on the ethical issues and challenges that surround identity and enhancement in neurosurgery. The results provide insight into how patients approach their identity prior to potentially identity-altering procedures and what future ethical challenges lay ahead for clinicians and researchers in the field of neurotherapeutics. Author Affiliation: (1)University of Toronto (2)University Health Network Article note: Mark Bernstein, Toronto Western Hospital - Division of Neurosurgery, 399 Bathurst Street 4W451, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. Email: mark.bernstein@unn.on.ca

The prevalence of subclavian artery (SA) stenosis is approximately 2%. The exact prevalence of extracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis is undetermined, with estimates ranging from 7% to 40%. Nearly 25% of ischaemic strokes involve the vertebrobasilar circulation, and arteriosclerotic disease and narrowing of the proximal VA may be the cause for up to one-fifth of these incidents. The bulk of SA stenoses occur proximally to the ostium of the VA. Vertebrobasilar ischaemia can be caused both by VA and SA stenosis. Surgical and endovascular approaches are potential treatment options for SA/VA stenosis. It has been demonstrated that endovascular intervention is considerably safer for this pathology, and with advances in device technology, angioplasty with stenting has become the preferred treatment option. We present the case of a 76-year- old man who presented with vertebrobasilar ischaemia from coexisting stenosis of the SA/VA which was treated by endovascular methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of patients whose anatomy would be potentially amenable to percutaneous cholecystoenteric lumen-apposing metallic stents (LAMS) insertion from a population of acute cholecystitis patients.Methods: Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography images in 100 consecutive adult patients with acute cholecystitis were reviewed retrospectively. Feasibility of LAMS placement percutaneously or with endoscopic ultrasound guidance was defined as the presence of a straight and unobstructed trajectory from the skin to the gallbladder, and between the gallbladder and the gastric antrum, or the proximal duodenum, measuring ≤2 cm, respectively.Results: The gallbladder was within 2 cm of the gastric antrum or proximal duodenum without intervening structures in 95 of 100 patients (95%). Percutaneous LAMS appeared anatomically feasible in 90 of 100 patients (90%). Mean ± SD shortest inner-inner wall distance between the gallbladder and the adjacent proximal gastrointestinal tract was 1.20 ± 0.43 cm. The closest location for percutaneous LAMS was between the gallbladder and duodenum in 87 of the feasible cases (97%). The percutaneous approach was transhepatic in 89.5%, and extrahepatic in 10.5%. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided LAMS appeared feasible in 95 of 100 patients, including 5 of the 10 percutaneously unfeasible cases. The other 5 patients appeared unfeasible due to colonic interposition or other intervening structures.Conclusions: LAMS appeared anatomically feasible percutaneously in 90% of acute cholecystitis patients. The shortest and most direct path for percutaneous LAMS was transhepatic and cholecystoduodenal. Percutaneously placed LAMS may be an attractive alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adrenocorticotropic hormone production by pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) is rare and results in hyperstimulation of the adrenal gland to produce ectopic Cushing syndrome. Our case showcases the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous CT-guided microwave ablation of the adrenal gland in a 49-year-old female with PNET and hepatic metastases who presented with ectopic Cushing syndrome despite surgical resection of the primary pancreatic tumor and left adrenal gland. Prior to ablation, the right adrenal gland measured 4.3 × 1.6 × 2.0 cm and the patient had malignant hypertension with elevated morning serum cortisol level (1976 nmol/L). After microwave ablation of the right adrenal gland, the hypertension resolved and the cortisol level decreased dramatically (74 nmol/L). As expected after successful treatment, the patient developed adrenal insufficiency and was placed on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 67-year-old woman with a history of severe nasal polyposis. Computed tomography was done which found possibility of allergic fungal disease with the patient sent to the operating room to undergo endoscopic sinus surgery. The article discusses ethmoidectomy, frontal trephination treatment and orbital compartment syndrome.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the midterm outcomes and safety of prostate artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of PAE performed for BPH was performed. Validated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) index, and International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaires were completed at baseline and at least 12 months post-procedure. Prostate imaging was performed preprocedure as well as 3 months and 12 months post-procedure to assess prostate volume (PV). Uroflowmetry was also performed at baseline and 12 months post-procedure to assess urine flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual (PVR) volume. Adverse events were graded according to Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) guidelines. Results: Eighty male patients underwent the PAE procedure (mean age 69 years). Prostate volume decreased significantly from a mean volume 156 to 107 mL after 12 months post-procedure, commensurate with a mean reduction of 27.5% (P <.05). Significant improvements were seen in IPSS (21.8 vs 10.5) and QoL (4.5 vs 2.0) from baseline to 12 months post-procedure (P <.05). There was no significant change in IIEF-5 score. There was a significant reduction in PVR (202 vs 105 mL) and improvement in Qmax (5.9 vs 10.0 mL/s) between baseline and 12 months post-procedure (P <.05). No major complications occurred; 4 minor complications occurred (SIR grade A or B). Conclusion: Prostate artery embolization achieved a clinically and statistically significant prostate volume reduction, symptom and QoL improvement, and enhanced uroflowmetry parameters in patients with BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontal sinus trephination (FST) has numerous applications in the treatment of acute and chronic sinus disease. This procedure involves making an incision at the medial aspect of the supraorbital rim and then drilling the sinus's anterior table. Placement of a frontal trephine allows for irrigation of the frontal recess in order to evacuate the frontal sinus in a minimally invasive manner. Orbital injury is a rare complication of FST. We present a case of previously unreported orbital compartment syndrome secondary to iatrogenic fracture of the superomedial orbital rim as a complication of frontal trephine irrigation. We also review the literature on the applications of FST and its associated complications, and we discuss orbital compartment syndrome as a complication of sinus surgery.

Objective: Artecoll (Canderm Pharma Inc, Canada) is a semipermanent, injectable, soft tissue filler composed of uniform polymethylmethacrylate microspheres in a bovine collagen gel, which has been used in Europe over the past decade. The authors review their experience using Artecoll as an injectable material for the correction of deep static folds of the face, improvement of nasal asymmetries following rhinoplasty, depressed acne scars and augmentation of the lip., Method: A retrospective chart review, subjective patient satisfaction feedback and objective findings noted by the senior author were performed over an eight-year period. A total of 153 patients were treated with Artecoll injections; 74 underwent lip augmentation, 21 underwent deep nasolabial fold augmentation, eight underwent glabellar fold augmentation, 26 were treated for minor nasal dorsal irregularities and 24 were treated for depressed acne scars., Results: No early or delayed allergic responses were reported. Complications occurred most commonly with lip augmentation, in which 13.5% of patients noted significant noticeable bruising postinjection that resolved completely within one week, 51.3% had detectable implant on palpation, and 13.1% required further intervention with massage, steroid injection and/or local excision to correct for lumpiness. Sixty per cent of patients requiring further intervention responded successfully, while local excision was performed on the two patients who failed to respond after six months of massage and steroid therapy. Overall, a total of 11 patients (14.9%) had minor asymmetries or less than optimal results within the lip augmentation study group. Among other sites, the most common complaint was undercorrection of the fold or wrinkle., Conclusion: Based on the authors' experience, Artecoll is a safe, viable option for long-term treatment of deep facial wrinkles, nasal asymmetry, hypoplastic or atrophic lips, and depressed acne scars, and the results have been accompanied by a high degree of patient satisfaction. Although the implant is often palpable, rarely does it cause significant visible lumps. Its use and applications as a semipermanent injectable agent certainly warrant further investigation.

We report the first case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the skull base, as well as the first reported case in the head and neck region. Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive, extrahepatic malignancy with a distinct morphological similarity to hepatocellular carcinoma, in the absence of primary hepatic disease. A 45-year-old man presented with sinus headaches and retro-orbital pain and was found to have a nasopharyngeal mass on endoscopy and a large, destructive sinonasal mass extending intracranially on imaging. Histo- and cytopathological features were similar to hepatocellular carcinoma, and the cells were immunoreactive for α-fetoprotein, epithelial membrane antigen, periodic acid-Schiff, cytokeratin (CK)8/18, CK19, and S100.

Background: Neurosurgical patients may be unaware of components of their intra-operative care. The relationship between patient gender and comfort level in the neurosurgical operating room (OR) has not been previously studied. Our objective was to gain insight into patients' perspective of the OR environment, including staffing and observers, the role of medical students, catheterization, exposure, and verbiage, using a qualitative needs assessment., Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 patients (14 female, six male) who had a neurosurgical operation under general anesthetic within the previous two years. The majority underwent craniotomy for benign tumours. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to modified thematic analysis., Results: Nine themes emerged: 1) perception of the intra-operative environment varies between men and women; 2) lacking awareness about observers is anxiety-provoking for women; 3) being unaware of the hands-on involvement of students is a concern for all patients; 4) disclosure of implantation of foreign and permanent materials into patients is important; 5) catheterization is anxiety provoking for women; 6) pre-operative menstruation screening may minimize embarrassment for women; 7) patients perceive extraneous conversation as a distraction for surgeons; 8) patients trust their surgeon; 9) a relationship exists between interviewer gender and patient comfort in the interview., Conclusion: Although most male and female patients are unaware of OR activities, they are generally not fearful since they trust their surgeon. Women appear to have greater information needs. Patients' information needs must be met without provoking anxiety and yet preserving their personal sense of modesty in the intra-operative environment.

Dysregulation of iron homeostasis is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this pilot study, common variants of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) and HFE genes resulting in the iron overload disorder of hereditary hemochromatosis (C282Y, H63D and S65C) were evaluated as factors in sporadic AD in an Ontario sample in which folic acid fortification has been mandatory since 1998. Laboratory studies also were done to search for genetic effects on blood markers of iron status, red cell folates and serum B12. Participants included 58 healthy volunteers (25 males, 33 females) and 54 patients with probable AD (20 males, 34 females). Statistical analyses were interpreted at the 95% confidence level. Contingency table and odds ratio analyses supported the hypothesis that in females of the given age range, E4 significantly predisposed to AD in the presence but not absence of H63D. In males, E4 significantly predisposed to AD in the absence of H63D, and H63D in the absence of E4 appeared protective against AD. Among E4+ AD patients, H63D was associated with significant lowering of red cell folate concentration, possibly as the result of excessive oxidative stress. However, folate levels in the lowest population quartile did not affect the risk of AD. A model is presented to explain the experimental findings.