PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R J Galzio

Publications and source records attributed to R J Galzio.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Combined endovascular and microsurgical approach in the treatment of giant paraclinoid and vertebrobasilar aneurysms.

AIM: The aim of this study is to present the application of endovascular intraoperative occlusion of the parent artery during the microsurgical treatment of giant paraclinoidal internal carotid artery aneurysms (ICA) and of complex vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms . METHODS: Five cases of giant paraclinoidal ICA aneury-sms were treated by direct surgical approach. In the operatory room any patient underwent angiography and balloon occlusion test using a mobile digital subtraction angiograph. Thereafter the catheter was left in the aortic arch. Through an extended pterional craniotomy, it was possible to evidentiate the aneurismal sac. The proximal control of the vessel was achieved inflating a double-lumen balloon; clipping of the aneurysm was achieved, because of pressure lowering inside the aneurysm. Also a giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm was treated by this combined technique: using a posterolateral approach the control of the omolateral vertebral artery was obtained by temporary clipping above PICA's origin; the control of controlateral artery was obtained inflating a balloon introduced through the femoral artery. These combined manoeuvres determined sac deflation, allowing an easier clipping. RESULTS: Aneurysm obliteration was achieved with preservation of the circulation without complications in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular procedure allows safer and reliable proximal control of paraclinoidal ICA and vertebral artery during the microsurgical treatment of paraclinoid and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Supratentorial cavernomas in eloquent brain areas: application of neuronavigation and functional MRI in operative planning.

AIM: Cavernomas located in eloquent areas of cerebral hemispheres represent a challenge for the neurosurgeon. An accurate surgical approach is essential to completely remove the lesion with function preservation. Aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of integration between standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for neuronavigation and functional MRI (fMRI) in preoperative planning and intraoperative removal of cavernomas. METHODS: Between June 2000 and December 2002, 21 patients underwent surgery for supratentorial subcortical cavernomas. Eleven lesions were located adjacent to eloquent brain areas. All the patients in the series underwent MRI for neuronavigation and, since January 2002, in 6 cases of lesions located in eloquent areas, fMRI was also performed, with subsequent images fusion. The surgical approach was performed via the transgyral route under conventional and ultrasound-guided neuronavigation. RESULTS: All the lesions were totally removed. No morbidity was seen in patients harbouring lesions in non eloquent areas. Four patients with lesions in critical areas suffered transient focal deficits, but only one patient of this series was operated on by the auxilium of image fusion. In 7 patients operated on by conventional image-guided surgery and affected by preoperative seizures, no further seizures were observed after surgery. In 3 patients more hosting lesions neighbouring critical areas, the perilesional ring was not removed, observing persistence of seizures pharmacologically treated. In 4 of the 6 patients (all affected by seizures), operated on by fMRI auxilium, lesion removal was associated to the removal of the perilesional ring. No further epilepsy was seen in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In all the cases the use of neuronavigation allowed minimally invasive approaches and radical excision of the lesions. Moreover, fMRI seemed to provide important additional information in patients with lesions in eloquent brain areas, allowing a more aggressive approach on the perilesional tissue to the aim of resolving seizures, in absence of an increase in the morbidity rate.

Adolescent↗

The interhemispheric transcallosal-transversal approach to the lesions of the anterior and middle third ventricle: surgical validity and neuropsychological evaluation of the outcome.

Based on the observation of the course of callosal fibres and of their artero-venous support as appearing in a microanatomic study, the Authors propose a variant of standard callosotomy procedure by the introduction of the transverse section of callosal fibres. This technique would allow the surgeon to spare a larger number of callosal fibres by the combined effect of a lower direct mechanical traction on fibres and a lower impact on artero-venous microcircle. The neuropsychological outcome of the patients who underwent this kind of procedure was evaluated. Fourteen patients affected by occupying-space lesions involving the anterior and middle third ventricle were included in the study. Ten patients underwent transverse callosotomy, four subjects received standard sagittal callosotomy. A control group was also included in the study. All patients underwent a pre-operative and six months post-operative neuropsychological evaluation focused on performance at cognitive and attentional tasks. No disturbances in executive function were observed in either group. Patients receiving transverse callosotomy performed as well as control group subjects in attentive tasks, which is not the case of patients undergoing sagittal callosotomy who show a marked deficit in selective attention for left side visual field. The observed more favourable neuropsychological outcome supports transverse callosotomy as a valid alternative method to standard longitudinal callosotomy in third ventricle surgery.

Adult↗

Bilateral anomalous course of the ulnar nerve at the wrist causing ulnar and median nerve compression syndrome. Case report.

The case of a patient with a bilateral compression syndrome of the ulnar and median nerves at the wrist is described. Both ulnar nerves, which were surgically explored at different times, followed an anomalous course and passed into the canalis carpi side by side with the median nerve. This variation in the course of the ulnar nerve is extremely rare and causes a unique syndrome with characteristic electromyographic patterns.

Adult↗

Giant anterior lumbosacral meningocele associated with intracranial meningiomas and multiple congenital malformations.

A case of anterior meningocele arising through a thin fistulous tract in the intervertebral disk space of L5-S1 is described. This lesion was giant, and almost completely filled the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Furthermore, it was associated with two separate intracranial meningiomas, a pleuropericardial cyst, and numerous developmental malformations. Pathogenetic factors, clinical and radiological features, and surgical treatment are discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Spinal intradural arachnoid cyst.

A case of spinal intradural arachnoid cyst is presented, and the literature dealing with this rare lesion is surveyed. The etiological and pathological features are discussed; emphasis is placed on the importance of correct interpretation of clinical and radiological findings that may be diagnostically misleading.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: report of a case with complete recovery.

Spontaneous epidural spinal hematoma is a rare entity. Only a correct diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment permit full recovery in patients affected by this lesion. The authors report the case of an elderly patient who was successfully treated and in whom histological examination of the surgical specimens revealed a subperiosteal vascular malformation as a probable cause of the lesion.

Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial↗

Hemangioma calcificans.

Two cases of intraparenchymal hemangioma calcificans, an extremely rare variety of cavernous angioma, are reported. These lesions, well demonstrated on roentgenographic films of the skull and on computerized tomography scans, appeared avascular during the course of cerebral angiography. Clinical features, as well as macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, are discussed. The differential diagnosis from other intracranial calcified lesions is difficult. The literature describing this rare lesion is briefly reviewed, with special regard to the surgical indications.

Adult↗

Cerebral abscesses: topic treatment with antibiotics.

The Authors, after a brief discussion of current therapies used in the treatment of cerebral abscesses, present a series of 10 cases treated topically with antibiotics (through drill-hole and puncturing of the abscess). The determining role of CT scan in this technique is emphasised.

Administration, Topical↗

[Combined surgical treatment of pulmonary neoplasms with single brain metastasis].

The combined surgical treatment of primitive lung cancer with single brain metastasis is a frequently debated but still controversial problem. Up to day several therapeutic approaches are generally integrated (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) according to the clinical patterns and the technical possibilities. In general, the combined surgical operation (thoracotomy + craniotomy) when it is possible to be done, followed or proceeded by chemo-radiotherapy, has allowed to achieve a prolonged survival in these patients, maintaining an acceptable quality of life. The authors analyze 10 cases treated by thoracotomy and craniotomy at the Chair of Thoracic Surgery of University of L'Aquila. Although consisting of a small number of cases, this experience allows to detect the particular problems concerning these patients. The indications to the combined surgical treatment are considered, evaluating the surgical operation which is to be performed as first on the basis of lung cancer staging and of the location and size of the brain metastases. Finally the patients survival and their quality of life are considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗