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Different surgical approaches have been described for selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy. The aim of this study was to report the results of the innovative anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach in a single-center series. Patients' characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications were reviewed in a series of 8 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy operated on using the anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach between November 2015 and April 2017. Over a mean 2.5-year follow-up, 7 of 8 patients (87.5%) remained seizure-free (Engel class I). Only 1 patient (12.5%) was not cured (Engel class III) with no clear explanation for treatment failure. Mean operative time was 237 minutes, which was 80 minutes shorter compared with the classic transsylvian approach. No perioperative deaths were recorded and there were no visual field defects or visual acuity impairments secondary to the approach. One patient experienced a left posterior thalamocapsular stroke. The anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach is feasible, fast, and safe for selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with drug-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. This approach allows preservation of the optic radiation but cuts part of the uncinate fasciculus and potentially the anterior aspect of the anterior bundle of the middle longitudinal fasciculus.

Different surgical approaches have been described for selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy. The aim of this study was to report the results of the innovative anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach in a single-center series. Patients' characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications were reviewed in a series of 8 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy operated on using the anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach between November 2015 and April 2017. Over a mean 2.5-year follow-up, 7 of 8 patients (87.5%) remained seizure-free (Engel class I). Only 1 patient (12.5%) was not cured (Engel class III) with no clear explanation for treatment failure. Mean operative time was 237 minutes, which was 80 minutes shorter compared with the classic transsylvian approach. No perioperative deaths were recorded and there were no visual field defects or visual acuity impairments secondary to the approach. One patient experienced a left posterior thalamocapsular stroke. The anterior trans-superior temporal gyrus approach is feasible, fast, and safe for selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with drug-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. This approach allows preservation of the optic radiation but cuts part of the uncinate fasciculus and potentially the anterior aspect of the anterior bundle of the middle longitudinal fasciculus.

Background The efficacy of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation for Parkinson’s disease has been widely established. The microlesion effect (MLE) due to deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode implantation has been reputed to be a good predictor for long-term efficacy of the procedure but its analysis in asleep implantation is still unclear. We thus analyzed MLE rate in our strategy of targeting the STN on MRI under general anesthesia and its correlation with our long-term results. Method We retrospectively analyzed 32 consecutive parkinsonian patients implanted with a DBS targeting the STN bilaterally under general anesthesia between October 2013 and December 2020. Targeting was performed after head frame and localizer placement using a stereotactic peroperative robotic 3D fluoroscopy (Artis Zeego, Siemens) fused with preoperative CT and MRI data. We collected intraoperative data, postoperative occurrence of MLE, modification of Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale item III (UPDRS III) postoperatively and at subsequent visit, as well as reduction of medication. Results The mean operative time was 223 min. No permanent complication occurred. MLE was observed in 90.7%. The mean follow-up time was 17 months. The UPDRS III for the off medication/on stimulation condition improved by 64.8% from baseline. The mean dose reduction of Prolopa after the surgical procedure was 31.3%. Conclusions Direct targeting of STN under general anesthesia based on preoperative CT and MRI data fused with a preoperative 3D fluoroscopy is safe. It allows for a high rate of postoperative MLE (90.7%) and results in prolonged clinical improvement. Keywords Deep brain stimulation · STN · General anesthesia · Parkinson’s disease · Microlesion effect

There are no specific guidelines regarding best treatment for focal, distant metastasis in ependymoma in the context of a well-controlled primary site. A combination using maximal safe resection and adjuvant radiotherapy is usually advised. As wound healing might be hindered by repeated radiotherapy, and delay future radiation treatment if needed, there is a growing interest in less invasive surgeries to reduce post-operative pain and wound healing complications. Those approaches have been extensively used and studied in adult but never in the pediatric population. Here, we present a pediatric case of a 12-year-old boy known for a posterior fossa ependymoma completely resected 18 months earlier who presented with a dual lumbosacral intradural ependymoma metastasis. A single-stage complete resection was achieved using a fixed tubular retractor with no complication. Post-operative course was favorable with rapid healing and discharge, minimal post-operative pain, and a rapid return to normal activities. Re-irradiation could be performed 2 weeks later without any problem. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of minimally invasive techniques to achieve complete resection of dual intradural metastasis of an ependymoma in the pediatric population. We demonstrate its feasibility and safety as well as its advantages. Keywords Ependymoma · Minimally invasive · Complete resection · Posterior · Single stage

This review covers the broad topic of brain surgery in the treatment of pediatric intractable epilepsy. The authors review the latest advancements in the presurgical workup as well as the mandatory tests needed to explore the epilepsy workup in these children. They describe the different types of epilepsy from a surgical standpoint (temporal, extratemporal, multifocal, and hemispheric epilepsies) and various surgical procedures that can be proposed depending on the clinical scenario: lesionectomies, lobectomies, hemispherectomies, neuromodulation, and palliative surgeries. They also describe the key differences of the pediatric patient as compared with the adult patient in such pathologic conditions. Keywords: Epilepsy surgery; Medically intractable epilepsy; Outcomes; Resection; Surgical selection.

Background: Neurosurgical task shifting and task sharing (TS/S), delegating clinical care to non-neurosurgeons, is ongoing in many hospital systems in which neurosurgeons are scarce. Although TS/S can increase access to treatment, it remains highly controversial. This survey investigated perceptions of neurosurgical TS/S to elucidate whether it is a permissible temporary solution to the global workforce deficit. Methods: The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of individuals providing neurosurgical care. A digital survey link was distributed through electronic mailing lists of continental neurosurgical societies and various collectives, conference announcements, and social media platforms (July 2018-January 2019). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and univariate regression of Likert Scale scores. Results: Survey respondents represented 105 of 194 World Health Organization member countries (54.1%; 391 respondents, 162 from high-income countries and 229 from low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]). The most agreed on statement was that task sharing is preferred to task shifting. There was broad consensus that both task shifting and task sharing should require competency-based evaluation, standardized training endorsed by governing organizations, and maintenance of certification. When perspectives were stratified by income class, LMICs were significantly more likely to agree that task shifting is professionally disruptive to traditional training, task sharing should be a priority where human resources are scarce, and to call for additional TS/S regulation, such as certification and formal consultation with a neurosurgeon (in person or electronic/telemedicine). Conclusions: Both LMIC and high-income countries agreed that task sharing should be prioritized over task shifting and that additional recommendations and regulations could enhance care. These data invite future discussions on policy and training programs. Keywords: Global health; Global n

BACKGROUND: Type IIIb dysplasia is a subtype of focal cortical dysplasia associated with a tumor, most frequently with gangliogliomas then with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs). Their preoperative diagnosis often remains equivocal since specific features are missing. The functional results (i.e., seizure free) is good with 81%-87% of Engel Ia at 5-year follow-up. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old boy presented with a 1-year history of severe, invalidating, drug-resistant epilepsy. Imaging workup demonstrated a huge left limbic lesion, of which diagnosis remained speculative. Because of worsening neurological status, resective surgery was recommended after multidisciplinary discussion. The resection was performed through left transtemporal approach under neuronavigation (C.R.). Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging assessed uncomplicated near-total resection. Histopathological analysis showed combined features of a DNET of nonspecific type and a focal cortical dysplasia. CONCLUSION: We describe a rare condition of type IIIb dysplasia combining a focal cortical dysplasia with a DNET. Preoperative diagnosis of the lesion was of utmost difficultly, thereby rendering mandatory a thorough histopathological examination of resected specimen in the vast majority of cases. Increased recognition of the condition brings up the hypothesis of a genetic continuum or linkage between the 2 conditions. Functional results on seizure activity after ablative surgery are good and maximal safe resection should be the goal.