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Tentorial meningiomas near the middle third of the medial tentorial edge with supratentorial extension are usually removed via the subtemporal approach. This approach, however, may not be practical, especially for huge tumors extending to the posterior subtemporal space. This study describes the use of the transzygomatic approach with anteriorly limited inferior temporal gyrectomy (TZ-AITG) to remove these large tumors. Between 2008 and 2012, five patients with symptomatic tentorial meningiomas (median diameter, 5.2 cm; range, 4.0–5.7 cm) near the middle third of the medial tentorial edge with supratentorial extension underwent TZ-AITG, consisting of zygomatic osteotomy, low-positioned craniotomy, and resection of the inferior temporal gyrus around 4 cm from the tip. Tumors were completely resected in all patients. Postoperatively, none had a newly developed neurological morbidity, and none died. Of three patients with preoperative hemianopia, two showed improvement and one remained stationary. One patient with preoperative hemiparesis recovered completely. All patients returned to their normal activities during the follow-up period. Surgical morbidities included epidural hematoma and chronic subdural hematoma in one patient each, with both requiring evacuation. TZ-AITG may be a good alternative to the subtemporal approach for large tentorial meningiomas near the middle third of the medial tentorial edge. TZ-AITG provides access to the lesions and visualization of the middle fossa, facilitating early feeder control while minimizing brain retraction, thus reducing potential injury to the vein of Labbe. TZ-AITG is also safe and feasible in minimizing neurological compromise.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms (PTIAs) in terms of location, shape, size, and symptoms, and to assess outcome according to the type of treatment. We reviewed the radiological and clinical findings of 35 cases of PTIAs followed in our institution between 2006 and 2011. We divided all treatment modalities into two groups. Patients in group A (n = 15) were treated by blood flow blockage from the lesion of the pathogenic segment of the parent where the PTIAs originated, and patients in group B (n = 20) were only treated with obliteration of the remnant perfused aneurysmal sac. Radiological and clinical outcomes of treatment were compared between the two groups. Group A showed complete occlusion in 15 cases (100 %) compared to six cases (30.0 %) in group B (p

Unplanned re-exploration of the craniotomy after surgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is sometimes required, but the underlying causes and rates of these procedures are seldom reported. This study retrospectively analyzed the causes of such re-explorations to identify methods for decreasing their necessity. From January 2000 to December 2011, 1,720 patients with a total of 1,938 UIAs underwent surgical treatment at our institution. From this cohort, 26 patients (1.5 %) with 38 UIAs required re-exploration. Clinical data, aneurysm characteristics, treatment methods, and the incidence and causes of re-exploration of the craniotomy were analyzed for these 26 patients. Several causes of re-exploration were identified: compromised distal blood flow (eight patients, 0.47 %), hemorrhagic venous infarction (four patients, 0.23 %), brain retraction injury (three patients, 0.17 %), newly identified aneurysms (three patients, 0.17 %), bleeding from an incompletely clipped aneurysm (two patients, 0.12 %), epidural hematoma (two patients, 0.12 %), failed aneurysm clipping (two patients, 0.12 %) and other causes (two patients, 0.12 %). Annual re-exploration incidence rates ranged from 0 to 3.1 %. Annual incidence rates gradually decreased following the introduction of several intraoperative monitoring systems. Precise surgical planning and careful operative techniques can reduce the incidence of unplanned re-exploration of the craniotomy. The introduction of various intraoperative monitoring systems can also contribute to a reduction in this incidence.

In this study, we compared the dosimetric properties between Gamma Knife (GK) and Cyberknife (CK), and investigated the clinical implications in treating brain metastases (BMs). Between 2011 and 2013, 77 patients treated with either single-fraction GK for small BMs (n = 40) or fractionated CK for large BMs >3 cm (n = 37) were analyzed. Among a total of 160 lesions, 81 were treated with GK (median, 22 Gy) and 38 (large lesions) with three- or five-fraction CK (median, 35 Gy). The median tumor volume was 1.0 cc (IQR, 0.12–4.4 cc) for GK and 17.6 cc (IQR, 12.8–23.7 cc) for fractionated CK. A lesion-to-lesion dosimetric comparison was performed using the identical contour set in both systems. The mean dose to tumor was significantly higher in GK by 1.25-fold (P

We describe 11 patients with hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) after surgical resection or gamma knife radiosurgery for brainstem cavernous malformations. In addition, we statistically analyzed the predicting factors associated with the development of HOD. From January 2001 to May 2011, a total of 73 patients (30 in the surgical group and 43 in the radiosurgery group) with brainstem cavernous malformations were treated in our institute. Of them, 11 patients (incidence: 15 %) developed HOD with high signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI during follow-up. The predicting factors (location, size, age, and treatment method) associated with the development of HOD were statistically analyzed. Among the 11 HOD patients, seven patients received surgical resection and four patients received gamma knife radiosurgery. Six patients had bilateral HOD and the remaining five patients had unilateral HOD. Overall HOD-associated symptoms presented in four patients, including three palatal tremors and one ataxia. In all four patients with symptoms, these symptoms disappeared incompletely within the clinical follow-up period. The size of the cavernous malformation, age of patient, and treatment methods were not significantly correlated with the development of HOD. A significantly higher incidence of HOD was associated with midbrain cavernous malformations than with pontine or medulla cavernous malformations. HOD should be recognized as a non-infrequent complication of surgical resection or gamma knife radiosurgery within the brainstem, especially for midbrain cavernous malformations. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on HOD development after radiosurgery.

Central neurocytomas (CN) are rare intraventricular tumors with benign clinical behavior that typically affect young adults. Although a favorable prognosis is generally expected after adequate management, there is no general consensus on the standard of therapy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of radical surgery for the management of CN. Between 1996 and 2010, 12 patients with CN (eight males and four females; range, 18 to 62 years; mean age, 28.5 years) were surgically treated in our institution. The initial goal of therapy was complete resection through a frontal transcortical approach, and repeat surgery was done in cases of residual or recurrent disease. The mean follow-up period was 51.2 months (range, 14–149 months). Complete resection was achieved in all patients either with primary (nine patients, 75 %) or second-look surgery (three patients, 25 %). No mortalities occurred and there were four surgery-related complications (two events of transient hemiparesis, one transient aphasia, and onepostoperative subdural hygroma). All patients were alive with normal activities of daily living at the last follow-up. Two patients (16.6 %) experienced a single recurrence at 26 and 66 months, one of whom underwent redo-surgery. For the management of CN, complete resection is feasible, effective, and safe. Repeat surgery may be a viable option in cases of residual or recurrent disease and the use of radiotherapy can be avoided in this young population.

Bypass surgery has been used as a remedy for the complex cerebral aneurysm, which was unsolved with the clipping method. However, little has been reported about bypass options for anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysms. The authors experienced two patients with complex ACA aneurysms, large fusiform and large thrombosed aneurysms involving the distal A1 and proximal A2 segments, respectively. To achieve complete obliteration of the aneurysm, we performed a superficial temporal artery (STA)-ACA bypass using contralateral STA as interposition grafts with endovascular trapping without any ischemic events. These cases show that STA-ACA bypass using contralateral STA interposition graft is a feasible option to maintain blood supply to the ACA territory if a proximal ACA lesion requires trapping.

Opioids are used in controlling several types of pain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fentanyl transdermal patch-type system (Durogesic® D-TRANS). Patients who complained of chronic moderate to severe pain were enrolled. Administration dosages of fentanyl patch started from 12.5 μg/h and could be increased by 12.5 μg/h or 25 μg/h, if the average pain score of 4 or higher occurred within 72 h. The total administration period was 12 weeks. The type, location, characteristics, and duration of pain were evaluated. Also, on day 0, weeks of 4, 8, and 12, the physician’s assessment of pain intensity, the patient’s assessment of pain intensity, the assessment of impact of pain on functions, and the assessment of the impact of pain on sleep were assessed. In addition, side effects were evaluated during the study duration. A total of 65 cases were enrolled, and the final evaluated cases were 41. Before treatment, the average physician’s assessment of pain intensity was 6.70 ± 1.41, and the average patient’s assessment of pain intensity was 7.02 ± 1.63. In the final visit, the average physician’s assessment of pain intensity was 2.58 ± 1.72, and the average patient’s assessment of pain intensity was 2.86 ± 1.78. This prospective study shows that the fentanyl patch is effective in alleviating moderate to severe chronic noncancer pain including neuropathic pain down to mild pain. Therefore, the fentanyl patch should be considered before other invasive intervention procedures in chronic moderate to severe noncancer pain.