Biomedical subjects
Albino Bricolo
Publications and source records attributed to Albino Bricolo.
The Forge of Vulcan, by Jacopo Tintoretto (1519-1514).
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery in the management of cavernous sinus meningiomas.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery in terms of neurologic improvement and tumor growth control (TGC) in a large series of patients with cavernous sinus meningioma (CSM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred thirty-eight patients with CSM (28 males, 110 females; mean age: 56.2 years) were treated with GK between February 1993 and February 2001. GK was used as a first-choice treatment in 68/138 patients and as postoperative adjuvant therapy in 70/138. In 32 patients, it was possible to compare the size of the planned treatment volume to tumor volume using the conformity index (CI); optimal CI values were taken to be < or =1.5 (range: 0.94-2.24). RESULTS: A follow-up (FU) period of at least 12 months was available for 111 patients (median: 48.2 months, range: 12.1-84.5 months). Clinical conditions were improved or stable in 107/111 patients (96.5%). Neurologic recovery was observed in 76% of cases treated by GK alone and in 56.5% of adjuvant treatments (p < 0.03). Adequate TGC was documented in 108/111 tumors (97%), with shrinkage/disappearance in 70/111 (63%) and no variation in volume in 38/111 (34%); the overall actuarial progression-free survival rate at 5 years was 96%. Tumor size regression was observed in 79.5% of patients with FU >30 months, compared with 47.5% of patients with FU <30 months (p < 0.001). One hundred percent TGC was shown in treated patients with a CI < or =1.5 (20/32), compared with 92% TGC in cases with a CI >1.5 (p < 0.15, NS). Radiosurgical sequelae were transient in 4/111 cases (3.5%) and permanent in one case (1%). CONCLUSIONS: For the FU period of our series (median: >4 years), GK radiosurgery seems to be both safe (permanent morbidity 1%) and effective (96% neurologic improvement/stability, 97% overall TGC, 96% actuarial TGC at 5 years) and might be considered as a first-choice treatment for selected patients with CSM.
Radiosurgical treatment of cavernous sinus meningiomas: experience with 122 treated patients.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of gamma knife (GK) radiosurgery, in terms of neurological improvement and tumor growth control (TGC), for a large series of patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas. METHODS: Between February 1993 and January 2002, 156 patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas (35 male and 121 female patients; mean age, 56.1 yr) were treated with GK radiosurgery in our department. GK radiosurgery was used as a first-choice treatment for 75 of 156 patients and as postoperative adjuvant therapy for 81 of 156 patients (all with Grade I meningiomas). Eligibility criteria for radiosurgery were as follows: symptomatic meningiomas and/or documented tumor progression on magnetic resonance imaging scans, conditions of high operative risk, patient refusal of microsurgery or reoperation, tumor volume of <20 cm(3), and location no less than 2 mm from the optic pathways. RESULTS: Follow-up data for at least 12 months were available for 122 patients (median follow-up period, 48.9 mo). Clinical conditions were improved or stable for 118 of 122 patients (97%). Neurological recovery was observed for 78.5% of patients treated with GK radiosurgery alone and for 60.5% of patients treated with adjuvant therapy (P < 0.05). Adequate TGC was documented for 119 of 122 tumors (97.5%), with shrinkage/disappearance in 75 of 122 cases (61.5%) and no variation in volume in 44 of 122 cases (36%); the overall actuarial progression-free survival rate at 5 years was 96.5%. Tumor size regression was observed for 80% of patients with follow-up periods of more than 30 months, compared with 43.5% of patients with follow-up periods of less than 30 months (P < 0.0002). Radiosurgical sequelae were transient in 4 of 122 cases (3.0%) and permanent in 1 case (1%). CONCLUSION: For the follow-up periods in our series (median, >4 yr), GK radiosurgery seems to be both safe (permanent morbidity rate, 1%) and effective (97% neurological improvement/stability, 97.5% overall TGC, and 96.5% actuarial TGC at 5 yr). GK radiosurgery might be considered a first-choice treatment for selected patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas.
Temporary arterial occlusion in the repair of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: an analysis of risk factors for stroke.
OBJECT: This study was performed to further elucidate technical and patient-specific risk factors for perioperative stroke in patients undergoing temporary arterial occlusion during the surgical repair of their aneurysms. METHODS: One hundred twelve consecutive patients in whom temporary arterial occlusion was performed during surgical repair of an aneurysm were retrospectively analyzed. Confounding factors (inadvertent permanent vessel occlusion and retraction injury) were identified in six cases (5%) and these were excluded from further analysis. The demographics for the remaining 106 patients were analyzed with respect to age, neurological status, aneurysm characteristics, intraoperative rupture, duration of temporary occlusion, and number of occlusive episodes; end points considered were outcome at 3-month follow up and symptomatic and radiological stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Overall 17% of patients experienced symptomatic stroke and 26% had radiological evidence of stroke attributable to temporary arterial occlusion. A longer duration of clip placement, older patient age, a poor clinical grade (Hunt and Hess Grades IV-V), early surgery, and the use of single prolonged clip placement rather than repeated shorter episodes were associated with a higher risk of stroke based on univariate analysis. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture did not affect stroke risk. On multivariate analysis, only poorer clinical grade (p = 0.001) and increasing age (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with symptomatic stroke risk.
Comparison of different infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches to the posterior and middle incisural space: a cadaveric study.
OBJECT: The purpose of this investigation was to describe and compare through cadaveric dissection the microsurgical exposure afforded by the median, paramedian, and extreme-lateral infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches to the posterior and middle incisural space. METHODS: The median, paramedian, and extreme-lateral infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches were performed in 10 embalmed cadaveric heads by using standard microneurosurgical methods; each approach was executed a minimum of five times. The dissections were performed in a stepwise fashion, comparing the exposure afforded by each surgical route and highlighting the relationships among the targeted neurovascular structures. Exposure of the dural sinuses and transection of the tentorium were also evaluated in relation to the degree of exposure achieved. The median infratentorial-supracerebellar route provides direct exposure of the posterior incisural space, although the culmen represents a relative obstacle to exposure of the lower quadrigeminal plate. The paramedian variant allows a more lateral perspective on the posterolateral brainstem surface at the level of the middle incisural space, in addition to exposing the homolateral collicular plate. The extreme-lateral corridor widens the exposure of the paramedian approach to include the anterolateral brainstem surface, offering a complete view of the cisternal space surrounding the middle incisural space. Complete, constant exposure and retraction of the dural sinuses facilitated the surgical exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The infratentorial-supracerebellar approaches allow safe circumferential exposure of the posterior and middle incisural space. Choosing among different variants allows the surgeon to reach selected areas, with the midline variant being best for exposure of the posterior incisural space, and the paramedian and extreme-lateral variants being best for reaching the posterior and the anterior part of the middle incisural space, respectively. The more lateral the approach, the more anterior and multiangled the exposure gained. Complete, constant exposure and retraction of the dural sinuses improves the exposure. Accurate knowledge of the regional anatomy is mandatory.
Radiosurgery for residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.
OBJECT: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas comprise approximately 30% of all pituitary tumors. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and role of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the management of residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. METHODS: A review was conducted of the data obtained in 42 patients who underwent adjuvant GKS at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 2001. Prior treatments included transsphenoidal resection, craniotomy and resection, or conventional radiotherapy. Endocrinological, ophthalmological, and radiological responses were evaluated. The duration of follow-up review varied from 6 to 102 months (mean 31.2 months). Fifteen patients were observed for more than 40 months. The mean radiation dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy. Conformal radiosurgery planning was used to restrict the dose to the optic nerve and chiasm. Tumor control after GKS was achieved in 100% of patients with microadenomas and 97% of patients with macroadenomas. Gamma knife radiosurgery was equally effective in controlling adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion and suprasellar extension. No patient developed a new endocrinological deficiency following GKS. One patient's tumor enlarged with an associated decline in visual function. Another patient experienced a deterioration of visual fields despite a decrease in tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: Gamma knife radiosurgery can achieve tumor control in virtually all residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Dose sparing facilitates tumor management even when the adenoma is close to the optic apparatus or invades the cavernous sinus.
Posterior longitudinal ligament cyst causing radiculopathy. Case illustration.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.