Biomedical subjects

A Perneczky

Publications and source records attributed to A Perneczky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Brain tissue pO2 related to SjvO2, ICP, and CPP in severe brain injury.

The aim of this report is to present first experience in comparing the course of brain tissue oxygen pressure values (PtiO2) to changes in jugular vein oxygen saturation (SjvO2), intracranial pressure (ICP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) after severe brain injury. PtiO2 monitoring was done using a polarographic Clark type microcatheter (LICOX pO2 probe) (GMS, Kiel, Germany) with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a sensitive area 7.9 mm long inserted in a right frontal position. The microcatheter was connected to a LICOX pO2 device. A fiber-optic catheter was used to measure SjvO2 and placed into the right internal jugular vein. The ICP monitoring was performed with a fiber-optic intraparenchymal device (Camino Laboratories, San Diego, Calif.) inserted in a left frontal position. Consistent correlations could be noticed between reduced PtiO2 and higher ICP and lower CPP levels. However, the absolute value of a single SjvO2 data point seemed to be less relevant diagnostically than its trend over a period of time. Owing to their experience, the authors suppose that PtiO2 monitoring will be a very important and reliable tool in the treatment of brain injury in the future, especially in its correlation to ICP and CPP.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Tightness of duraplasty in rabbits: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test, in rabbits, the tightness of seven dural substitution materials commonly used in neurosurgery, i.e., Lyodura (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany), Tutoplast dura (Tutogen Medical, Inc., Parsippany, NJ), Tutoplast fascia lata (Tutogen Medical, Inc.), autologous periosteum, Neuropatch (B. Braun Melsungen AG), Dacron (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, DE), and Ethisorb (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ). METHODS: Duraplasties were performed with sutures alone or were additionally fixed with fibrin glue. Leakage pressures were assessed by infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, containing sodium fluorescein, into the cisterna magna and detection of fluorescence using a charge-coupled display camera with background substraction, 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Three days after implantation, the mean tightness values of duraplasties with Lyodura or Neuropatch were significantly higher (P = 0.007) than the values for the other substitutes. A significant improvement of tightness with increasing implantation time could be demonstrated for autologous periosteum (P = 0.0063). Improvement of tightness with the use of fibrin glue could be proven only for the heterologous grafts (P = 0.0071). The tightness values for Neuropatch fixed only with sutures were similar to those for the best heterologous substitutes implanted with additional fibrin glue. Lyodura, Tutoplast dura, and Neuropatch demonstrated favorable implantation characteristics; they were thin, flexible, and easily suturable. Neither adhesions to the brain nor space-occupying scars were noted. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the excellent suitability of Lyodura and Neuropatch for dural substitution.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Intracranial endoscopy.

Since 1910, when Lespinasse [73] in Chicago was the first surgeon to use an endoscopic device for the treatment of a neurologic disease, various methods of endoscopy have evolved into accepted diagnostic and therapeutic adjuncts of modern neurosurgery. Nevertheless, until recently technical shortcomings of the available endoscopes have prevented the widespread use of neuroendoscopy. However, now, at the end of the 20th century, endoscopes can be regarded as some of the most important instruments for the development of microneurosurgery into the 3rd millennium. The aim of this review of intracranial endoscopy in neurosurgery, which admittedly might not be completely objective in the authors' personal assessment of various endoscopic techniques, is first to depict the historical evolution of neuroendoscopy, second to describe the technical equipment used in intracranial endoscopic neurosurgery, third to characterize the most frequent endoscopic methods in brain surgery, and fourth to indicate how neuroendoscopy might develop in the near future. It will be shown that this ongoing evolutionary process in neuroendoscopy was only possible with the mutual influence of improved diagnostic techniques, increased microanatomical knowledge, refined neurosurgical instrumentation--especially the introduction of the surgical microscope, and endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Brain↗

PubMed1999

Postoperative pain therapy after lumbar disc surgery.

OBJECT: This study was undertaken to determine whether a special postoperative pain administration of tramadol and diclofenac provides any benefits in patients who underwent microsurgical lumbar discectomy. METHODS: The study consisted of 60 patients undergoing microsurgical lumbar discectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the postoperative pain management: 1) Group A (n = 30); no standardized pain therapy; these patients received on demand different analgesics and at variable dosages which were selected by the neurosurgeons; 2) Group B (n = 30); standardized pain therapy with specific dosages of tramadol and diclofenac in regular time intervals during the first 48 hours after surgery. After surgery follow-up data from a special standardized questionnaire were obtained for all 60 patients during the first 48-72 postoperative hours. The patients were asked for course and intensity of pain as well as about some specific circumstances of clinical therapy after surgery. The postoperative pain intensity of patients treated with the special combination of tramadol and diclofenac was significantly diminished (24 hours after surgery: p = 0.0002, 48 h: p = 0.0047, 72 h: p = 0.0034) in relation to the group without standardized pain therapy. Similarly, the frequency of breakthrough pain was significantly reduced (24 h: p = 0.0001, 48 h: p = 0.003, 72 h: p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the application of tramadol and diclofenac during the first 48 hours after lumbar microdiscectomy results in a reduction in postoperative pain without complications. We suggest that the use of this combination can be a beneficial adjunct to lumbar disc surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: outcome analysis of 100 consecutive procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been shown to be a sufficient alternative in the surgical treatment of occlusive hydrocephalus. To elucidate the ongoing discussion of timing, indication, and surgical technique, a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive ETVs was conducted. METHODS: One hundred ETVs were performed in 95 patients (43 female and 52 male patients). Their age ranged from 3 weeks to 77 years (mean age, 36 yr). Hydrocephalus was caused by aqueductal stenosis in 40 patients, space-occupying lesions in 42, and intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage in 8. One patient had postinflammatory hydrocephalus, and four patients had occlusive hydrocephalus of unknown origin. In 33 cases, surgery was performed using stereotactic guidance. RESULTS: ETV was accomplished in 98 of 100 cases. The overall success rate was 76%. Patients with benign space-occupying lesions and nontumorous aqueductal stenosis had the highest success rates, which were 95 and 83%, respectively. Complications were arterial bleeding in one case, venous bleeding in three cases, intracerebral bleeding in one case, and infection in one case. There were no permanent morbidities or mortalities. CONCLUSION: ETV is most effective in treating uncomplicated occlusive hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis and space-occupying lesions. ETV is still effective in two-thirds of the patients with previous infections or intraventricular bleeding. Patients who have previously undergone shunting and who have occlusive hydrocephalus should undergo ETV at the time of shunt failure, with immediate ligation or removal of the shunt device. In selected cases of distorted anatomy or impaired visual conditions, stereotactic guidance is helpful.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Basic principles and clinical applications of neuronavigation and intraoperative computed tomography.

Computed tomography (CT) images in combination with a navigation device enable three-dimensional (3-D) localization of intracranial lesions. Furthermore, CT scanning can be adapted for intraoperative application to actualize the image data and to check the anatomical situation during the operation. Frameless navigation was used in 100 patients. The procedure was performed in 46 cases with an optical navigation system, in 38 cases with a sensory arm, and in 16 cases with a navigated microscope. Six skin markers were used for registration. Mean fiducial registration error was 2.18 mm with a standard deviation of 1.03 mm. The indication for navigation was tumor localization and planning of the craniotomy in 81 cases, stereotactic biopsy in eight cases, and endoscopic procedures in 11 cases. Technical problems with the navigation system were observed in nine cases. In two additional cases the tumor was not found by navigation. All eight biopsy cases were successful, and histologically relevant specimens were obtained without complications. Navigation was helpful in 11 endoscopic cases for choosing an optimal trajectory through the foramen of Monro or for connecting multiple intraventricular cysts. For intraoperative CT imaging, the mobile Philips Tomoscan M was adapted to the needs of the operating environment. The mobile CT was used in 78 cases in the operating room: 16 patients who underwent a stereotactic procedure had only preoperative CT scans, 36 patients had an intraoperative CT during tumor surgery, and 26 patients during the test period of the device had only a postoperative CT investigation. In 10 cases (28%) of the intraoperative group the remaining tumor tissue could be demonstrated on the CT scans. The tumor remnants that were not visible in the microscopical surgical field were subsequently removed. According to our results, intraoperative navigation seems superior for the localization of intracranial lesions and intraoperative CT is more useful when considering the radicality of tumor removal.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed1998

Sensitivity and specificity of MRA in the diagnosis of neurovascular compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. A correlation of MRA and surgical findings.

The published rates of operatively confirmed neurovascular compression as the cause for trigeminal neuralgia range from 10% to nearly 100%. High-definition magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in 27 consecutive patients (in 6 cases with 3D reconstructions) to show neurovascular compression preoperatively. The MRA findings were compared with the relationship between the Vth nerve and the surrounding vessels at surgery. In 23 patients MRA showed present neurovascular compression in accordance with surgical findings (18/27 in complete accordance of type and side of vessel, site and direction of compression). One woman had no neurovascular compression either on MRA or intraoperatively. One MRA prediction of neurovascular compression was false, and two results were false negative. The sensitivity of MRA was therefore 88.5% but the specificity only 50%, if surgical findings are the reference. In one patient with right trigeminal neuralgia MRA revealed bilateral neurovascular compression of the Vth nerves. Therefore, the overall specificity of MRA might be below 50%. In one patient with multiple sclerosis, the decision to operate was markedly influenced by the clear finding of neurovascular compression on MRA. The patient has been free from trigeminal pain for 149 weeks after microvascular decompression. In 6 patients, 3D reconstructions of the MRA data were performed. The images helped in 3D visualisation of the operation, but did not yield new information about the nature of the vessels revealed, or the site, direction or side of the neurovascular compression.

Cerebellopontine Angle↗

PubMed1998

Cerebral blood flow velocities after subarachnoid haemorrhage in relation to the amount of blood clots in the initial computed tomography.

In 72 patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) the relationship between the amount of subarachnoid blood clots detected by initial cranial computed tomography (CCT) up to 48 hours after bleeding and the later development of vasospasm, established by blood flow velocity measurement with transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) was investigated. The serial Doppler examinations started within the first 72 hours after SAH and were carried out every second day up to three weeks. Each Doppler recording was accompanied by a neurological examination. Patients classified as Hunt and Hess grade V were excluded from the study. All patients with remarkable brain oedema in CCT or with intracranial pressure above 25 mmHg were also excluded. Because of the well known age-dependence of vasospasm after SAH, two age groups were formed. A statistically significant correlation (p > 0.05) between blood flow velocities and blood load after SAH was not found. The mean age of the investigated 72 individuals was 48.9 years (14 up to 76 years). 47 patients were younger than 56 years. Linear regression analysis indicated a correlation with a quite low significance level (r = 0.350, p < 0.025) between TCD blood flow velocities and blood load in CCT in these younger subjects. No significant correlation (p > 0.05) between these two variables could be established in the 25 patients older than 55 years. In a second step an intra-individual comparison of side-to-side differences in TCD and CCT was made. There were no significant differences in blood flow velocities between subjects with or without side-to-side differences in cisternal blood load. It is concluded that the amount of blood visible on initial CCT after SAH is not a powerful predictor of cerebral blood flow velocities measured by TCD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

The supraorbital keyhole approach to supratentorial aneurysms: concept and technique.

BACKGROUND: Anterior surgical approaches to the base of the brain have always required relatively large craniotomies, most larger than the lesion itself. Especially in aneurysm surgery, the size of the lesion is not always proportionate to the extent of brain exposure. The improvement of surgical techniques and diagnostic imaging, as well as the introduction of neuroendoscopy and new surgical instruments, enable us now to treat various intracranial lesions through small keyholes. In particular, cerebral aneurysms, because of their anatomic characteristics, are apt to be treated by the keyhole approach. The supraorbital keyhole approach has the broadest field of indications, although its technical aspects have not yet been evaluated. METHODS: The concept and technique of the supraorbital keyhole approach are presented in detail. We conducted a retrospective study in which we evaluated the technical aspects of the supraorbital keyhole approach considering the indications, limitations, and complications of this approach as well as new instrumentation in surgery of supratentorial aneurysms. RESULTS: The use of 139 supraorbital keyhole approaches for 197 aneurysms is described. Multiple aneurysms have been treated by one approach in 38 patients. Clipping of the aneurysm was performed in 94% and wrapping in 6% of patients. Eighteen aneurysms were contralateral to the approach. In four patients, intraoperative accidental aneurysm rupture occurred. There were no approach-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The supraorbital keyhole approach offers equal surgical possibilities with less intraoperative accidental rupture and less approach-related morbidity as conventional approaches in the treatment of supratentorial aneurysms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Virtual endoscopy (VE) of the basal cisterns: its value in planning the neurosurgical approach.

Virtual endoscopy (VE) is a postprocessing technique based on a diverging ray casting algorithm to create perspective 3 D-images from computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MR) data. By applying VE to aneurysms, tumors, and vascular compression syndromes within the basal cisterns, endoscopic-like views of these structures are achieved from an intracisternal point above the cranial base. These views closely simulate the surgeon's impression during intraoperative endoscopy or microscopy and facilitate preoperative planning of different approaches.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Endoscope-assisted brain surgery: part 1--evolution, basic concept, and current technique.

RATIONALE: The evolution of neurosurgical techniques indicates the effort to reduce surgery-related traumatization of patients. The reduction of traumatization contributes to better postoperative outcomes. The improvement of diagnostic imaging techniques facilitates not only the precise localization of lesions but also the accurate determination of topographical relations of specific lesions to individual anatomic variations of intracranial structures. This precision of diagnostic imaging should be used to perform individual surgical procedures through so-called keyhole approaches. Keyhole craniotomies are afflicted with a reduction of light intensity in the depth of the operating field, and they provide rather narrow viewing angles. Thus, objects located directly opposite the approach entrance are more visible than those in the shadow of the microscope beam. These two deficiencies of keyhole craniotomies can be compensated for by the intraoperative use of rigid rod lens endoscopes, the shaft of which remains easily controllable through the surgical microscope. CONCEPT: Endoscope-assisted microsurgery, like all routine microsurgical procedures, is performed with both hands; the endoscope is fixed in its desired position via a mechanical arm to the headholder. Because of their superior optical quality and maneuverability, only rigid lens scopes are used for endoscope-assisted brain microsurgery. There are five ways of observing the endoscopic and microscopic images at the same time: 1) observation of the microscopic image through the oculars of the microscope and observation of the endoscopic image on a video screen placed in front of the surgeon, 2) observation of the microscopic image through the oculars of the microscope and display of the endoscopic image on a head-mounted LCD screen, 3) projection of both microscopic and endoscopic images on one screen in a picture-in-picture mode, 4) projection of both microscopic and endoscopic images into specially designed microscope oculars, and 5) transmission of both microscopic and endoscopic images into a head-mounted LCD screen. DISCUSSION: With the knowledge of almost all individual anatomic and pathoanatomic details of a specific patient, it is possible to target the individual lesion through a keyhole approach using the particular anatomic windows. As the light intensity and the depiction of important anatomic details are improved by the intraoperative use of lens scopes, endoscope-assisted microsurgery during keyhole approaches may provide maximum efficiency to remove the lesion, maximum safety for the patient, and minimum invasiveness.

Brain↗

PubMed1998

Endoscope-assisted brain surgery: part 2--analysis of 380 procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Microsurgical techniques and instruments that help to reduce intraoperative retraction of normal intracranial neuronal and vascular structures contribute to improved postoperative results. To achieve sufficient control of the operating field without retraction of neurovascular components, the resection of dura and bone edges is frequently required, which, on the other hand, increases operating time and operation-related trauma. The use of endoscopes may help to reduce retraction and, at the same time, may help to avoid additional dura and bone resection. The aim of this study is to describe the principles on which the technique of endoscope-assisted brain surgery is based, to give an impression of possible indications for endoscope-assisted microsurgical procedures, and, with illustrative cases, to delineate the advantages of endoscopes used as surgical instruments during microsurgical approaches to intracranial lesions. METHODS: During a period of 4.5 years, 380 microsurgical procedures were performed as endoscope-assisted microneurosurgical operations. This surgical series was analyzed for time of surgery, usefulness of intraoperative endoscopy, and complication rates. Lens scopes with viewing angles of 0 to 110 degrees and with diameters of 2.0 to 5.0 mm as well as newly designed "viewing dissectors" (curved, rigid fiberscopes) with diameters of 1.0 to 1.5 mm connected to a video unit were used as microsurgical instruments. The positioning of the endoscopes was achieved by retractor arms fixed to the Mayfield headholder. Thus, the surgeon was able to perform customary microsurgical manipulations with both hands under simultaneous endoscopic and microscopic control. RESULTS: The lesions treated with endoscope-assisted microsurgery comprised 205 tumors, 53 aneurysms, 86 cysts, and 36 neurovascular compression syndromes. Eighty-nine of these lesions were localized in the ventricular system, 242 in the subarachnoid space or intracerebral, and 49 in the sella. Endoscope-assisted microsurgery was advantageous to reduce the size and the operation-related tissue trauma of approaches to lesions within the ventricular system, in the brain tissue as well as in the subarachnoid space at the base of the brain. Using less retraction during tumor removal, the visual control of retrosellar, endosellar, retroclival, and infratentorial structures was improved. Video-endoscope instrumentation was especially helpful during procedures in the posterior cranial fossa and at the craniocervical junction. It allowed for inspection of channels and hidden structures (e.g., the internal auditory meatus, the ventral surface of the brain stem, the ventral aspect of root entry zones of cranial nerves, the content of the foramen magnum, and the upper cervical canal), both without retraction and without resection of dura and bone edges. Endoscope instrumentation during surgery for large or giant aneurysms was useful to dissect perforators on the back side of the aneurysms and to control the completeness of clipping. CONCLUSION: Although the results reported herein cannot be compared directly with those of exclusive microsurgical procedures performed during the same period of time, videoendoscope-assisted microsurgery can be recommended as a time-saving, trauma-reducing procedure apt to improve postoperative outcomes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Endoscopic treatment of mesencephalic ependymal cysts: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of different neuroendoscopic surgical procedures for the treatment of mesencephalic ependymal cysts. METHODS: The clinical records of five patients treated for symptomatic mesencephalic ependymal cysts were retrospectively studied. Two patients had been operated on using an endoscope-assisted microsurgical technique and three patients using a pure endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Adequate fenestration of the cysts was achieved in all of the patients. Two of the patients were symptom-free, and the other three had improved significantly after a mean follow-up duration of 14 months. There was no surgical morbidity. CONCLUSION: Mesencephalic ependymal cysts can be treated adequately, resulting in a low morbidity rate, using neuroendoscopy or endoscope-assisted microsurgery. This specific surgical technique is presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Endoscopic neurosurgery and endoscope-assisted microneurosurgery for the treatment of intracranial cysts.

OBJECTIVE: Different endoscopic techniques have been introduced into neurosurgery, but accepted terminology and definitions are still missing. We propose a terminology based on whether the endoscope is used alone or in conjunction with an operating microscope and on whether the route of surgical manipulations is through or outside the endoscope. Accordingly, procedures are categorized into endoscopic neurosurgery (EN), endoscope-assisted microneurosurgery (EAM), and endoscope-controlled microneurosurgery (ECM). METHODS: We treated 36 patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) and intraventricular cysts endoscopically. The patients ranged in age from 4 months to 69 years (mean age, 31 yr). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 44 months (mean follow-up duration, 14 mo). The indications were hydrocephalus in 17 patients, focal neurological deficits in 4 patients, progressive nonlocalizing symptomatology in 13 patients, and space occupation in 2 asymptomatic patients. EN was used in 14 cases, EAM in 15 cases, and ECM in 7 cases. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 70%. Nine patients (25%) had unchanged symptomatology, and the condition of two patients (5%) deteriorated. The best success rates were achieved in patients with intraventricular cysts (89%) and posterior fossa ACs (78%). Symptomatic improvement was best achieved in patients with hydrocephalus or focal neurological deficits (81%). CONCLUSION: Different endoscopic techniques (i.e., EN, EAM, and ECM) provide sufficient treatment of selected intracranial cysts. Our data suggest that intraventricular cysts and suprasellar ACs should be approached using EN whereas posterior fossa and sylvian ACs may be more effectively treated using a combined technique (EAM or ECM).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery for cerebral aneurysms.

A total of 66 patients with intracranial aneurysms were endoscopically assisted treated during a 3 years period. Among those were five individuals with giant aneurysms and 27 patients with aneurysms of the posterior circulation. The endoscope was used only for checking the anatomical structures surround the aneurysms in 16 cases. In 43 patients the aneurysm sac was also dissected under endoscopical control. Even the clipping procedure was performed in seven cases exclusively under endoscopical observation. Only one prematural rupture occurred intraoperatively during preparation of a basilar tip aneurysm. Postoperatively three individuals with aneurysms located in the posterior circulation were temporarily neurologically impaired, and one patient with a basilar tip aneurysm suffered from a surgical related hemiparesis. The use of an endoscope in aneurysm surgery improves the visualization of the aneurysm itself and the surrounding anatomical structures. This minimizes the retraction of the nervous structures and leads to a reduced morbidity.

Endoscopy↗

PubMed1997

[Hyperthyroidism in TSH-producing hypophyseal adenoma].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: For 5 years a 59-year-old man had been treated with thyrostatic drugs for hyperthyroidism of unknown aetiology. As he had been losing weight, computed tomography had been performed in the search for a malignancy. It revealed a hypophyseal space-occupying lesion. INVESTIGATIONS: Peripheral thyroid hormone activities were raised, while thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was also raised to 12.4 mU/l and there was evidence of partial hypophyseal insufficiency. Octreotide scintigraphy demonstrated increased activity in the area of the hypophysis. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The transsphenoidal surgery and immunohistochemical tests confirmed the diagnosis of TSH-producing hypophyseal adenoma. The patient became euthyroid after the operation. CONCLUSION: TSH-producing hypophyseal adenoma should be considered as a rare cause of hyperthyroidism when it is combined with non-suppressed TSH.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1997

Treatment results of acromegaly as analyzed by different criteria.

Results of treatment of acromegaly are often incomparable due to the different criteria which have been used for defining cure or control of disease. At the present time it is widely accepted, that the main criteria of cure must be normalization of IGF-1 and a GH in the OGTT < 2 ng/ml. In this retrospective study we investigated the endocrinological results of 56 patients, who were surgically treated because of a GH-producing pituitary adenoma, by different criteria. Twelve of our patients had had additional medical treatment after surgery, two received radiotherapy. At a mean follow-up of 34 months after surgery 66% of patients had a basal GH < 5 ng/ml, 64% had a GH in the OGTT < 2 ng/ml and 73% had normalization of IGF-1. The combined criteria of OGTT < 2 ng/ml and IGF-1 normalization have been fulfilled in 59% of patients. None of these latter patients developed a clinical recurrence during the follow-up period. An optimal result (endocrinological cure, no permanent surgical complications and intact pituitary function) was achieved in 43% of patients. Although surgery was responsible for 19 new pituitary axis deficiencies (7 corticotropic axis, 8 thyrotropic axis and gonadotropic axis), 22 partial deficiencies improved to normalization after surgery (respectively 6, 3, and 13). Pre-operatively 55% of patients had no pituitary deficiency, after surgery this was 61%, leaving a net positive result of 6% less pituitary deficiencies. The authors conclude that normalization of IGF-1 combined with an OGTT < 2 ng/ml are adequate criteria for the definition of cure of acromegaly. However, the authors propose to include post-treatment hypopituitarism as an additional criterion by which treatment of acromegaly should be evaluated.

Acromegaly↗

PubMed1997

Contralateral and ipsilateral microsurgical approaches to carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The vicinity of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms to the roof of the cavernous sinus, to the anterior clinoid process, and to the optic nerve or the optic chiasm requires well-defined surgical techniques. Although microsurgical techniques with ipsilateral direct approaches to these aneurysms have been described in detail, studies about contralateral strategies for the microsurgical treatment of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms are rare and are mainly confined to case reports. The aim of this study is to describe how to decide on the ipsilateral and contralateral microsurgical approaches to such aneurysms and to demonstrate the surgical techniques for the ipsilateral and contralateral exposure of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms. METHODS: In a series of 51 patients with 58 aneurysms of the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery, nine patients with 10 aneurysms (4 large aneurysms, 6 small aneurysms) were treated via a contralateral microsurgical approach after careful preoperative planning. Preoperative planning was based on the analysis of clinical and radiographic data, including cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and conventional cerebral angiography. RESULTS: The postoperative results were good in 38 (75%) of the patients, fair in 2 (4%), and poor in 3 (6%); 8 (15%) of the patients died after surgery. The postoperative follow-up was 4 months to 10 years. Postoperatively, 15 of 19 patients with uni- or bilateral visual deficits or visual field defects improved, 3 of the 19 patients experienced postoperative impairment of visual function, and 1 of the 19 patients had an unchanged visual field deficit. Visual impairment or unchanged visual function was observed in patients who underwent ipsilateral approaches, which was possibly caused by inappropriate intraoperative retraction of the optic nerve or chiasm. In all patients presenting with preoperative visual deficits who were treated via contralateral approaches, visual function improved in the postoperative course. CONCLUSION: Giant carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms that are eligible for surgical treatment as well as small and large aneurysms dislocating the optic nerve or the chiasm superomedially or medially should be approached via ipsilateral craniotomies. It is recommended that small and large aneurysms of the carotid-ophthalmic segment originating medially, superomedially, or superiorly, displacing the optic nerve or the chiasm superiorly, superolaterally, or laterally, be approached via contralateral craniotomies.

Adult↗