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Biomedical subjects

A Spallone

Publications and source records attributed to A Spallone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Multiple skull base meningioma: case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multiple skull base meningiomas varies from 1 to 3% in different series. Skull base meningiomas are rare. The pathogenetic role of low-dose radiation seems to be fairly well established in the oncogenesis of meningiomas. Calvarial location and multiplicity seem to be among the distinctive features of radiation-induced meningiomas. Skull base location is a very rare occurrence, mainly because the path of irradiation does not significantly involve this region. CASE REPORT: We describe a rare case of simultaneous occurrence of two skull base meningiomas in a 66-year-old female. This patient underwent low-dose irradiation for tinea capitis when she was 8 years old. The patient complained of nuchal pain, paresthesias in both hands, and progressive weakness on her right side. She was admitted to the hospital in September 1994. An MRI showed two masses, one located at the level of the tuberculum sellae and the other at the foramen magnum. These seemed very likely to be multiple meningiomas. The latter lesion, which was more symptomatic and dangerous, was operated on first. Six months later, elective treatment of the suprasellar meningioma was performed with success. CONCLUSION: The actual role of previous head irradiation in the oncogenesis of the present meningiomas remains somewhat unclear. Proper management and judicious use of skull base surgery techniques were key factors in the successful treatment of the patient.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Petroclival meningioma. An attempt to define the role of skull base approaches in their surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Petroclival meningiomas represent a difficult surgical challenge. The introduction of modern techniques of skull base surgery has stimulated the interest of the neurosurgical community in the surgical management of these lesions, although very good results have been obtained by experienced neurosurgeons in cases of petroclival meningioma operated using traditional surgical approaches. METHODS: Thirty-one cases of petroclival meningioma have been operated on during a 4-year period using two different philosophies as far as the approach. Group A patients (13 cases) have been operated on using mostly either a subtemporal transtentorial or a retrosigmoid approach. Group B patients (18 cases) have been managed using a lateral skull base approach, either the anterior transpetrosal or the presigmoid approach. Translabyrinthine/transcochlear approaches have been used occasionally. RESULTS: Tumor dissection and removal seemed to be easier in skull-base operated patients. However, operations take longer and surgical complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leak and hearing loss were increased. Radical tumor removal could be achieved in an equal percentage of cases of both groups (77% vs. 83%). The early postoperative course was more favorable in group B patients. However, late permanent morbidity appeared to be similar in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Skull base approaches facilitate tumor dissection and removal at the expense of increased surgical complications. However, the widened surgical field and increased angle of approach that the techniques of skull base surgery may offer can play a significant role in the removal of sizeable, infiltrative, and/or recurrent petroclival meningiomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Giant cell tumor (osteoclastoma) of the petrous bone: case report.

A case of a basal middle fossa giant cell tumor occurring in a 46-year-old man is described. The lesion appeared at the computed tomography (CT) scan examination as an hypodense mass with a peripheral "ring-like" enhancement, and no evident erosion of the skull base. The tumor, which infiltrated the basal temporal parenchyma, was removed via a temporal transzygomatic craniotomy, and extensive drilling of the petrous bone. Despite the occurrence, of significant postoperative complications, the patient ultimately showed a good clinical outcome, with no signs of recurrence at the 1-year follow-up CT scanning. The clinical and diageostic aspects and the management policy, of this rare lesion are discussed.

Case Reports↗
PubMed1999

Pineal epidermoid cysts: diagnosis and management.

OBJECT: The results of surgical treatment of epidermoid cysts of the pineal region in six cases are presented. METHODS: Six patients with pineal epidermoid cysts underwent surgery at the Institute of Neurosurgery "N. N. Burdenko," in Moscow, during the period 1976 to 1995. The duration of the patients' preadmission clinical history varied from 6 months to 2 years (average 1.4 years). Headache, diplopia, and vertigo were the most frequently occurring symptoms. Neurological examination demonstrated papilledema, impaired pupillary reaction, ataxia, and long-pathways deficit; Parinaud's syndrome was found in only one case. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging constituted the primary diagnostic tools. Surgery was performed using either an infratentorial-supracerebellar approach (two cases) or an occipital-transtentorial approach (four cases). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical results can be excellent if a removal, as extensive as possible, is performed using either the supracerebellar or occipital-transtentorial approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A Simple Strategy for Treating Persistent Subcutaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collections Following Complex Neurosurgical Procedures.

Subcutaneous CSF (CSF "pseudocyst") may occur following complex skull base operations. They may respond to a trial of compressive bandages and continuous lumbar drainage that can resolve over months. When this management strategy fails, reoperation is an option, which however would require complex reconstructive procedures at the base of the skull, and still have the chance of not resolving the problem.We describe here a simple alternative treatment, consisting of a "pseudocyst"-peritoneal shunting using a flow-regulated unishunt system. This management strategy has been used successfully in two cases showing subcutaneous CSF collections following complex skull base surgery procedures which did not respond to a trial of conservative management. A prompt resolution of such a complication was achieved in all cases, which persisted during the follow-up (7 to 19 months, averaging 12 months). "Pseudocyst"-peritoneal shunting using a flow-regulated valve can be a very simple though effective management option for persistent CSF subcutaneous collections following major neuro-surgical procedures.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Early postoperative MRI findings following surgery for herniated lumbar disc. Part II: A gadolinium-enhanced study.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the contrast-enhanced MR imaging (MRI) findings, in the early postoperative period, in unselected patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy (15/16 had total resolution of their symptoms). Contrast-enhanced imaging studies were performed, in all 16 patients of our series, before surgery, and at the third postoperative day and, two months after surgery. Postoperative paraspinal muscles enhancement was present in all patients. In the postoperative period, nerve root enhancement was present in 5/16 patients at the early survey and persisted in one after two months. A pseudohernia depicted as epidural intermediate signal intensity tissue, was seen in 13 patients at the third day MRI, and only in eight after two months. This pseudohernia enhanced peripherally in 8/13 patients and enhanced homogeneously in the remaining five at the first postsurgical examination; in the late MRI the peripheral enhancement was appreciable in only two patients while a homogeneous enhancement was observed in six. Clinical symptoms resolved completely in 14/16 patients on clinical evaluation at the third postoperative day, while the remaining two patients showed residual symptoms and signs of radicular compression. At the early MRI these two patients showed intradural nerve root enhancement. Two months later, one patient did not show the previously described nerve root enhancement and improved clinically, while the other had a positive Straight Leg Raising Sign with persistent intradural nerve root enhancement. In conclusion, no correlation between clinical course and contrast-enhancement of pseudohernia and extradural nerve root was appreciable, although intradural nerve root enhancement seems to represent a clinically relevant finding.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Early postoperative MRI findings following surgery for herniated lumbar disc.

MRI is routinely used in the evaluation and management of patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). However, its value is unclear in the early detection of signs that can negatively affect that later course of surgical cases. The purpose of the present study is to describe the MR images of early postoperative MRI at 3 days in 30 unselected patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy, and to correlate the findings with follow up MRI at 8 weeks and with final outcome. The findings are correlated with literature data. Early postoperative MRI findings were consisting of pseudohernia in 24 patients (80%), annular rent in 23 patients (80%), and other non-specific postoperative findings. On the late MRI the pseudohernia persisted in 12 patients (50%), the annular rent in 4 patients (15%) and asymptomatic pseudo-spondylodiscitis was apparent in 3 patients (10%) as was a case of true spondylodiscitis. Therefore, early postoperative findings have limited value in the management of patients after surgery for lumbar disc herniation, since the images were not correlated with the immediate clinical course after surgery nor with the late radiological and clinical outcome. The evident imaging changes in the early postoperative period after lumbar disc surgery limit the accuracy of the interpretation of MRI examinations.

Discitis↗
PubMed1997

Brain stem compression secondary to adipose graft prolapse after transpetrosal approach: case report.

A case of fat graft prolapse into the prepontine cistern with clinical deterioration is presented. The patient had undergone a transpetrosal approach for a very large craniopharyngioma and had autologous thigh fat strips to obliterate the mastoid cavity; postoperatively she suffered an important deterioration from adipose graft prolapse. Clinical presentation, MRI findings, treatment, and avoidance of this complication are discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Trigeminal neurinomas. A series of 111 surgical cases from a single institution.

Neurinomas arising from the trigeminal nerve are rare (0.1-0.4% of intracranial tumours: 1-8% of all intracranial neurinomas). A series of 111 trigeminal neurinomas operated on at the Institute of Neurosurgery "N. N. Burdenko" of Moscow, Russia, during the period 1961-1994 is presented. Clinical features, diagnostic radiology, surgery and results of treatment are discussed. We distinguished four groups of trigeminal neurinomas: a) Posterior fossa tumours; b) Tumours of the Gasserian ganglion; c) "Dumb-bell" supra-subtentorial tumours; d) Neurinomas of the peripheral branches. The complex clinical symptomatology is related to the actual location of the lesion. Surgery of trigeminal neurinomas may be very difficult, particularly in cases of dump-bell supra-subtentorial lesions. In this series, 3 cases died postoperatively. Out of the 108 patients surviving surgery, long-term follow-up (min. 13 months, max. 33 years, average 13.5 years) was available in 98 cases. 84 patients (86.7%) showed good-to excellent results, with partial trigeminal deficit as the only surgical sequela. 13 patients (11.7%) had a symptomatic recurrence following incomplete tumour removal. Second surgery, ranging from 1.4 to 9 years (average 3.8 years) following the first operation, was judged radical in 9 cases (69.2), however, the rate of complications of repeated surgery was higher than that occurring after the first operation. The advent of microsurgery, together with the introduction of the techniques of skull base surgery and of modern diagnostic imaging tools, have improved surgical results in terms of increased radicality and reduced complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Simultaneous occurrence of aneurysm and multiple meningioma in Klippel-Trenaunay patients: case report.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder in which skeletal hypertrophy, vascular nevi, and vessel anomalies coexist. Involvement of the cranial bone is rare, and intracranial anomalies associated with features of this syndrome are exceptional. We report a case of an adult Klippel-Trenaunay woman with a huge cranial hypertrophy harboring of the same time multiple meningiomas and a fusiform intracranial aneurysm. Although meningioma and intracranial aneurysms have been described in Klippel-Trenaunay patients, such an association has not been reported previously in patients with this syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Fronto-orbito zygomatic approach: a technical modification.

The fronto-orbito zygomatic approach is part of the surgical armamentarium of modern skull base surgery. As described in the literature, it requires costly technological tools such as powerful drills and saws, to be performed. In the present communication we describe a technical modification that allows the zygoma to be elevated "en bloc" together with the fronto-orbital bone flap by means of appropriate use of the Gigli's saw. Using this technique, adequate replacement of the craniotomy flap requires only two silk sutures. This technical modification, which was already successfully used in over 20 cases, would also allow this useful approach to be performed in those neurosurgical environments where modern costly technology for cranial base surgery is not available.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Meningioma of the pineal region: a surgical series of 10 cases.

Ten cases of meningioma of the pineal region were histologically verified at a single institution during an 8-year period. These represented 0.3% of 3061 intracranial meningiomas, as well as 6.2% of 164 pineal tumors. Patients were predominantly women. Symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure were most common, whereas Parinaud's syndrome was observed in only one case. Computerized tomography (CT) was the main diagnostic test used in the present series. It usually revealed a hyperdense mass with high-intensity contrast enhancement and a calcified mass eccentrically located at the periphery, which returned to its central location postsurgically and was likely to represent a calcified pineal gland. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the more recent cases and confirmed the suspicion raised by CT of a meningioma with a calcified mass at its periphery. Surgery was performed using an occipital transtentorial microsurgical approach with the patient placed in the semisitting position. Gross-total tumor removal was achieved in all cases, although this required sacrifice of the vein of Galen in six patients. Venous occlusion was performed only after adequate intraoperative verification of functional occlusion and blood flow diversion from the galenic system and had no consequences in any case but one. This latter patient had an infiltrative meningioma that was removed at the expense of intraoperative sacrifice of the two internal cerebral veins, as well as unavoidable trauma to the region of the quadrigeminal plate. All the remaining patients improved postsurgery, and only one had a permanent visual field deficit as a result of the surgical approach. Pineal meningiomas represent a rare subgroup of pineal tumors that can be treated surgically with reasonably good results. Sacrifice of major basal veins may be required to achieve radical tumor removal and can be tolerated by the patient provided that functional occlusion of the galenic system, as indicated by preoperative angiography, is verified during surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Chondrosarcoma of the anterior cranial fossa. Report of two cases.

Chondrosarcomas located in the anterior cranial fossa are rare. They usually invade the ethmoid sinus and may involve the orbit. We observed two such cases in the last five years, during which approximately 10.000 patients with histologically verified brain tumors were admitted to our Institution. CT and MRI represented the chief diagnostic tests. A combined staged procedure using an initial subfrontal approach, followed by a lateral rhynotomy at a later stage, was performed in the patients described herein. Total tumor removal was possible in both cases. Radiotherapy was not administered to the second patient, in whom surgery allowed gross total removal of the mass. Experience with the present cases of anterior fossa chondrosarcoma, though limited, is encouraging. The pertinent literature is reviewed, and guide-lines for the management of these rare tumors are outlined.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Peripheral aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Case report and review of literature.

Distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms are rare. We recently treated one of these in a 46-year-old woman suffering from SAH and right facial and auditory deficit. The aneurysm was trapped 3 weeks after haemorrhage. Review of the pertinent literature revealed 36 similar cases which we analysed in detail. Guidelines for the proper management of these rare lesions are outlined.

Arteries↗
PubMed1995

The endolymphatic sac: microsurgical topographic anatomy.

The endolymphatic sac is part of the membranous labyrinth; it plays an important role in the hearing mechanism. Injury to the endolymphatic sac may, over time, severely compromise hearing. The endolymphatic sac is located in a duplication of the dura of the posterior aspect of the petrous pyramid and is, therefore, in the surgical field of many neurosurgical operations performed on the posterolateral cranial base. The endolymphatic sac was exposed bilaterally in 10 anatomic specimens; the distance from the center of the sac to the posterior lip of the internal auditory meatus and to the XIth nerve in the jugular foramen was measured with a caliper. Also measured was the distance between the center of the sac and the closest point on the petrous ridge and the distance between that point and the petro-sigmoid intersection. The petro-sigmoid intersection was defined as the point at which the medial aspect of the sigmoid sinus intersects the lateral aspect of the petrous ridge. The dimensions of the sac were also recorded. On the average, the sac was found to be 15.7 mm posterosuperior (superolateral) to the XIth nerve in the jugular foramen (range, 11.0-18.5 mm) and 13.3 mm posterior (lateral) to the internal auditory meatus (range, 10.0-18.0 mm). The center of the sac was 24.1 mm (mean value) (range, 20.0-28.0 mm) in front of the petro-sigmoid intersection at a point 11.5 mm (mean value) (range, 8-17 mm) below the petrous ridge. The mean width and height of the sac were 3.83 (range, 2-6 mm) and 3.80 mm (range, 2.5-8 mm), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anatomy, Artistic↗
PubMed1994

Erythropoietin-augmented isovolemic hemodilution in skull-base surgery. Case report.

Human erythropoietin in concert with intraoperative hemodilution, tumor embolization, and surgical staging was used to manage a red blood cell mass in an anemic Jehovah's Witness patient with a hypervascular meningioma. Erythropoietin (3000 U thrice weekly) and oral iron (1300 mg daily) were given for 1 month prior to surgery, raising the hemoglobin level from 11.8 to 14.1 gm/100 ml. A posterior fossa craniectomy combined with a temporal craniectomy was then performed so that partial petrosectomy, section of the transverse sinus, incision of the tentorium, and exposure of the lesion could be carried out. The first stage of the surgery was terminated immediately prior to tumor mobilization. Isovolemic hemodilution was initiated just before the skin incision. Postoperatively, the hemoglobin concentration dropped to 11.5 gm/100 ml. The erythropoietin dose was doubled and administration of oral iron continued, leading to a hemoglobin level of 14.0 gm/100 ml at 1 month after the first operation. The tumor was embolized using superselective catheterization. The next day, at the second stage of the surgery, the tumor was extirpated, again employing isovolemic hemodilution. By the 4th postoperative day, the hemoglobin level had dropped to 9.4 gm/100 ml. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery. Erythropoietin therapy contributed substantially to the successful outcome of this case. Since erythropoietin has the potential to augment all other forms of autologous banking, its role in elective neurosurgery may become increasingly important in an era of heightened concern about heterologous transfusion.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗
PubMed1993

The role of early postoperative CT scan following surgery for herniated lumbar disc.

40 patients underwent lumbosacral microdiscectomy in a 12 months period covering the years 1988-1989 in our center. For the purpose of the present study, we considered the 30 cases who underwent CT control of the operated interspaces and of the adjacent vertebral endplates. This was routinely carried out on the 3rd post-operative day. The present study failed to show correlations between early post-operative CT data and subsequent clinical results in this unselected series of patients. In fact an image suggesting persistent disc herniation was as a rule observed in spite of satisfactory clinical results, and other CT findings that have been considered of clinical significance, such as intraspinal air and low attenuation of disc space, were commonly observed in patients with an uncomplicated post-operative course. The present study suggests that early post-operative CT appears to be of no value in the management of potential early complications of low-back surgery. The introduction of MRI appears to offer other possibilities in the evaluation and management of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

Adult↗