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Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can lose all muscle-based routes of communication as motor neuron degeneration progresses, and ultimately, they may be left without any means of communication. While others have evaluated communication in people with remaining muscle control, to the best of our knowledge, it is not known whether neural-based communication remains possible in a completely locked-in state. Here, we implanted two 64 microelectrode arrays in the supplementary and primary motor cortex of a patient in a completely locked-in state with ALS. The patient modulated neural firing rates based on auditory feedback and he used this strategy to select letters one at a time to form words and phrases to communicate his needs and experiences. This case study provides evidence that brain-based volitional communication is possible even in a completely locked-in state.

Fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms (FVBAs) may exhibit a disastrous clinical course. Due to their rare occurrence, evidence concerning optimal management is lackluster. To describe the epidemiology, clinical features and treatment outcomes of a consecutive series of patients admitted to our institution. We retrospectively evaluated patient charts with respect to clinical presentation, treatment procedures, and the outcomes of all patients diagnosed with an FVBA, which were seen at our institution between March 2006 and February 2017. Forty-five consecutive patients were analyzed. Follow-up was available for 39 patients (86.7%) with a median duration of 28.8 months. Seventeen patients (37.7%) were asymptomatic, 14 patients (31.1%) presented with brainstem ischemia, 8 patients (17.8%) with supratentorial ischemia, and 3 (6.7%) patients with brain stem compression. Aneurysm rupture occurred in 3 patients upon presentation (6.7%). Initially, 19 patients (42.2%) were significantly disabled with Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores ≥ 3. Twelve patients (26.7%) underwent invasive treatment: endovascular therapy in 9 cases and surgical treatment in 3 cases. Thirty-three patients received conservative treatment. During follow-up, 6 events (66.7%) of severe disability or death (mRS 4–6) occurred in the endovascular group versus 1 event (33%) in the surgical group versus 19 events (63.3%) among conservatively treated aneurysms. Deterioration was significantly more frequent in patients with symptomatic aneurysms (p = 0.030). Patients harboring an FVBA frequently present with disabling symptoms caused by various pathomechanisms. The natural history is aggressive, mostly for initially symptomatic aneurysms, and periprocedural morbidity of surgical or endovascular treatment remains substantial.

Some recent studies indicate correlations between cervical alignment and clinical outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. However, there still are no established criteria for the interpretation of alignment, fusion and subsidence in relation to clinical outcome. A retrospective analysis of 208 radiographs of patients following ACDF with stand-alone PEEK cage implantation was performed. The measurements were obtained on plain radiographs in lateral and anteroposterior projections as well as flexion/extension radiographs. Cervical alignment was measured using the Gore, Laing and Cobb methods; fusion was evaluated by an assortment of radiographic hallmarks: the presence of bridging bone, the Cobb angle and the distances between the tips and bases of the spinous processes of the operated segments, respectively. For assessment of subsidence, we used the Mochida method in addition to ventral and dorsal segmental height reduction. Correlation analysis between the different radiological characteristics and clinical outcome at a minimum follow-up of 12 months was conducted. Two hundred and eight patients were evaluated for alignment, fusion and subsidence. Cervical alignment using the Gore and Cobb methods correlated among each other, but failed to exhibit significant correlation with clinical outcome. Interpretation of fusion rates varied greatly (43.9 to 89.4%) depending on the criteria used. Pearson coefficients between radiographic presence of pseudarthrosis and the measurements of the spinous process distances (0.595; p

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel syndrome of multisystemic inflammation affecting children. This case report documents an exceptional and severe complication of an epidural hematoma in a 3-year-old boy under the treatment of MIS-C. During the course of the disease, the patient suffered from a hypocoagulable state and an extensive multisegmental epidural hematoma in the cervical spinal canal. This led to severe anterior spinal cord compression and tetraparesis. Extensive emergency surgery had to be carried out to reverse rapid clinical deterioration.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is defined as sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing and recurrent episodes of pain in one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. In patients with TN refractory to medical therapy, microvascular decompression (MVD) is considered. TN interferes with daily functioning and is associated with depression and anxiety. Direct costs of MVD are high, but the procedure is believed to improve working ability and reduce the use of medical resources. This study aims to analyse MVD’s effects on TN patients regarding work capacity, healthcare utilisation and health-related quality of life (hrQoL). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients who underwent MVD for TN between 2007 and 2016 (n = 46). The patients’ outcome, work capacity and use of medical resources were assessed via the Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Score (BNI Score), with questions regarding patients’ employment status, restrictions in work capacity, healthcare utilisation and completion of the EQ5D questionnaire. The response rate was 28/46 (61%). The majority of the participants (20/28) reported feeling strongly/quite handicapped in productivity due to TN preoperatively, which was also indicated by a few participants (3/28) postoperatively (p =

Giant cavernous carotid aneurysms (GCCAs) usually exert substantial mass effect on adjacent intracavernous cranial nerves. Since predictors of cranial nerve deficits (CNDs) in patients with GCCA are unknown, we designed a study to identify associations between CND and GCCA morphology and the location of mass effect. This study was based on data from the prospective clinical and imaging databases of the Giant Intracranial Aneurysm Registry. We used magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography to examine GCCA volume, presence of partial thrombosis (PT), GCCA origins, and the location of mass effect. We also documented whether CND was present. We included 36 GCCA in 34 patients, which had been entered into the registry by eight participating centers between January 2009 and March 2016. The prevalence of CND was 69.4%, with one CND in 41.7% and more than one in 27.5%. The prevalence of PT was 33.3%. The aneurysm origin was most frequently located at the anterior genu (52.8%). The prevalence of CND did not differ between aneurysm origins (p = 0.29). Intracavernous mass effect was lateral in 58.3%, mixed medial/lateral in 27.8%, and purely medial in 13.9%. CND occurred significantly more often in GCCA with lateral (81.0%) or mixed medial/lateral (70.0%) mass effect than in GCCA with medial mass effect (20.0%; p = 0.03). After adjusting our data for the effects of the location of mass effect, we found no association between the prevalence of CND and aneurysm volume (odds ratio (OR) 1.30 (0.98–1.71); p = 0.07), the occurrence of PT (OR 0.64 (0.07–5.73); p = 0.69), or patient age (OR 1.02 (95% CI 0.95–1.09); p = 0.59). Distinguishing between medial versus lateral location of mass effect may be more helpful than measuring aneurysm volumes or examining aneurysm thrombosis in understanding why some patients with GCCA present with CND while others do not. NCT02066493 ( clinicaltrials.gov )

The clinical results of surgical spine care may be influenced by the patients’ understanding and knowledge of his or her condition, treatment options and decision-making process. The aim of this survey study was to evaluate certain beliefs and opinions of patients with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy such as importance of magnetic resonance imaging, risk factors, treatment alternatives and effectiveness. An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed on two different patient populations with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy referred to the outpatients’ clinics of two neurosurgical departments in Germany and Norway. The survey consisted of seven questions: four questions about the respondents’ gender and age, history of previous spine surgery and/or conservative treatment for cervical disorder and three questions regarding the importance of imaging in the decision-making process, patients’ willingness to undergo cervical surgery based on imaging findings even with few or no symptoms and the effectiveness of surgical or conservative treatment. Two hundred eleven patients answered the questionnaire. Sixty-seven percent of all patients with a degenerative cervical condition believe that results from MRI studies are more important than clinical findings. Forty-seven percent were willing to undergo surgery based on MRI showing abnormalities even without or having few symptoms. Fifty percent believe that surgery is more effective in the treatment of axial neck pain. Misbeliefs and misconceptions exist concerning certain aspects of the diagnosis and management in patients with degenerative conditions in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy in a large proportion of patients referred to neurosurgical outpatient clinics.

Demographic trends make it incumbent on spine surgeons to recognize the special challenges involved in caring for older patients. The aim of this study was to identify variables that may predict early mortality in geriatric patients over the age of 90 following elective hospitalization for various spinal pathologies. Retrospective analyses of all patients over the age of 90 years, which were electively treated between 2006 and 2016 at out department for various spinal conditions, were performed. Patient characteristics, type of treatment, and comorbidities were analyzed with regard to the 30-day mortality rate. Twenty-six patients were identified. Mean age was 93 years (range 91–97), 19 (73%) were female. Eighteen (69%) patients were treated operatively. Mean hospital stay was 13 days (range 2–51). Seventeen (65%) patients were on anticoagulation therapy. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 5.3 (range 1–11); mean diagnosis count (DC) was 8.3 (range 2–17); mean Geriatric Index of Comorbidity (GIC) was 2.8 (range 1–4); and mean comorbidity-polypharmacy score (GPS) was 13.3 (range 5–23). The 30-day mortality rate was 16.7% in the surgically treated group compared with 12.5% in the conservatively treated group (p = 0.9), anticoagulation therapy (p = 0.91), gender (p = 0.49), length of hospital stay (p = 0.33), GIC (p = 0.54), CCI (p = 0.74), GPS (p = 0.82), and DC (p = 0.65) did not correlate with the 30-day mortality rate. Cause of death was pulmonary embolism in two cases and unknown in one case. Thirty-day mortality rate in patients over 90 years old with degenerative spinal diseases is relatively high regardless of the treatment modality. Standard geriatric prognostic scores seem less reliable for these patients.

To date, there is growing consensus that PEEK material may be used for interbody fusion in spinal infections. Data supporting that claim are however restricted to a few very small clinical series. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of pyogenic spinal infections with PEEK cages in combination with posterior pedicel screw fixation. Between 2006 and 2013, a total of 211 patients suffering from spondylodiscitis underwent surgical debridement and instrumentation. There were 52 cases where PEEK cages were used. Laboratory and physical examinations were assessed at a 3-month follow-up. Last follow-up was performed with at a minimum of 12 months after surgery via a telephone interview. Mean age at presentation was 67 years, with 19 (37 %) male patients and 33 (63 %) female. Distribution of the infection was lumbar in 29 (56 %%), thoracic in 3 (6 %) and cervical in 11 (21 %) cases. Nine patients (17 %) had concomitant non-contiguous spondylodiscitis. Epidural abscess was found in 17 patients (33 %); 48 (92 %%) had pain; neurological deficits were found in 20 patients (38 %). All patients in this series underwent surgical debridement with instrumentation of the spine. Postoperative intravenous antibiotics were administered for 15.4 ± 6.8 days followed by 2.9 ± 0.5 months of oral antibiotics. Complete resolution of the infection was achieved in all cases. Of the 28 patients with neurological deficits, 6 had full recovery and 10 had improved incompletely after surgery. One patient suffered from a pulmonary embolism postoperatively. There were no mortalities. Use of PEEK cages for interbody fusion is feasible and safe in patients suffering from a pyogenic spinal infection.

OBJECT Far-lateral or extreme-lateral approaches to the skull base allow access to the lateral and anterior portion of the lower posterior fossa and foramen magnum. These approaches include a certain extent of resection of the condyle, which potentially results in craniocervical junction instability. However, it is debated what extent of condyle resection is safe and at what extent of condyle resection an occipitocervical fusion should be recommended. The authors reviewed cases of condyle resection/destruction with regard to necessity of occipitocervical fusion. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients in whom a far- or extreme-lateral approach including condyle resection of various extents was performed between January 2007 and December 2014. RESULTS Twenty-one consecutive patients who had undergone a unilateral far- or extreme-lateral approach including condyle resection were identified. There were 10 male and 11 female patients with a median age of 61 years (range 22–83 years). The extent of condyle resection was 25% or less in 15 cases, 50% in 1 case, and greater than 75% in 5 cases. None of the patients who underwent condyle resection of 50% or less was placed in a collar postoperatively or developed neck pain. Two of the patients with condyle resection of greater than 75% were placed in a semirigid collar for a period of 3 months postoperatively and remained free of pain after this period. At last follow-up none of the cases showed any clear sign of radiological or clinical instability. CONCLUSIONS The unilateral resection or destruction of the condyle does not necessarily result in craniocervical instability. No evident instability was encountered even in the 5 patients who underwent removal of more than 75% of the condyle. The far- or extreme-lateral approach may be safer than generally accepted with regard to craniocervical instability as generally considered and may not compel fusion in all cases with condylar resection of more than 75%.

Cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy is of low surgical complexity, so much so that it has become the “beginners” cranial case. However, these “simple” procedures may have high complication rates. Identification of specific risk factors would allow targeted intervention to lower the complication rates. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of complications and to evaluate potential risk factors. We conducted a review of all patients who underwent cranioplasty in our center following decompressive craniectomy for stroke or brain trauma between 2009 and 2016. One hundred fifty-two patients were identified. Fifty-three percent were male. Mean age was 48 (range 11–78). Median time from craniectomy until cranioplasty was 102 days (range 14–378). The overall rate of complications, such as postoperative bleeding, seizures, postoperative infection, and hydrocephalus, was 30%. The mortality rate was 1%. None of the following potential risk factors was associated with significantly increased risk of periprocedural complications: gender (p = 0.34), age (p = 0.39), cause of initial surgery (p = 0.08), duration of surgery (p = 0.59), time of surgery (0.24), surgical experience (p = 0.17), and time from craniectomy until cranioplasty (p = 0.27). The 30-day complication rate following cranioplasty is high, but serious permanent deficits from these complications were rare. We found no clear predictor for these 30-day complications, which renders its prevention difficult.

This study aimed to assess the clinical applicability of MRI criteria for differentiation of pituitary adenomas and cystic pituitary lesions. One hundred ninety-eight consecutive patients with surgical resection of a pituitary adenoma/cystic pituitary lesion were retrospectively analyzed, blinded to clinical data and histopathological diagnosis. Different morphologic criteria were assessed: signal intensity in T2/T1w images, pattern of contrast enhancement, size, super-/infrasellar extension, and invasion of the cavernous sinus. For validation of the criteria, a second independent patient cohort (n = 102) was analyzed for diagnostic accuracy of the criteria. We identified differences between subtypes of pituitary adenomas regarding morphological MRI criteria. Especially, ACTH-producing adenomas and GH-producing adenomas showed partially specific imaging features. Application of our criteria on the second patient cohort (n = 102) did however not significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. Only differentiation between cystic pituitary lesions and adenomas was facilitated using these criteria, but did not reach statistical significance in this cohort (P = 0.352). MRI criteria might facilitate differentiation between pituitary adenomas and cystic pituitary lesions, but not between subtypes of pituitary adenomas. These subtypes show partially specific MR imaging features, however, due to a high variability knowledge of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings remain essential for the correct diagnosis.

To correlate clinical and radiological outcome following one- and two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages filled with demineralized bone matrix (DBM). We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive patient cohort with degenerative disc disease that underwent ACDF with stand-alone PEEK cages filled with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) between 2010 and 2013 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Changes in the operated segments were measured and compared to radiographs directly after surgery. Clinical outcome was evaluated by a physical examination, pain by visual analog scale (VAS) for arm and neck. Health-related quality of life was measured using the EuroQOL questionnaire (EQ-5D). Of 282 consecutive cases, follow-up data were obtained from 194 (69%) cases. The median age at presentation was 54 years and 91 patients were male (46%). Ninety-eight and 96 patients had one- and two-level surgeries, respectively. Mean VAS pain was reduced from 5.2 ± 3.6 to 2.6 ± 2.4 (p

The optic nerve within the optic canal, the parophthalmic segment of the carotid artery, and the oculomotor nerve in the superior orbital fissure all lay against the anterior clinoid process. Bone resection uncovers these structures.For extradural resection of the anterior clinoid process and surrounding bone, two key steps are recommended: bony opening of the superior orbital fissure, and transection of the orbitotemporal periosteal fold.Anterior clinoidectomy is technically challenging. Following a sequence of surgical steps to expose clearly-defined surgical landmarks helps to make this procedure simple and safe.• Pterional craniotomy • Complete extradural anterior clinoidectomy • Slit dura (3 mm) to drain cerebrospinal fluid • Peel dura from orbital roof and lateral wall • Bony opening of superior orbital fissure to use it as surgical corridor • Drilling of optic canal • Transection of orbitotemporal periosteal fold • Hollow anterior clinoid process and piece-meal resection • Transection of falciforme ligament to free optic nerve • Replace falciforme ligament by extradural free pericranial flap.

Background Meningiomas of the anterior and middle skull base frequently involve the optic nerve and cause progressive visual impairment. Surgical decompression of the optic nerve is the only option to preserve visual function. Depending on the invaded structures, optic nerve decompression can be part of a complete tumor removal or the main surgical intention in terms of local debulking. However, bony decompression of the optic canal including anterior clinoidectomy for optic nerve decompression is still a surgical maneuver under discussion. Methods From 2006 to 2011, 46 consecutive patients with skull base meningiomas in and around the optic canal were operated. The pterional approach was tailored for each patient. Resection included bony decompression of the optic canal with or without anterior clinoidectomy. Visual acuity and fields were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. Results Fifty-three percent of patients underwent anterior clinoidectomy, 23 % optic canal unroofing, and 24 % any bony decompression. In 21 patients (46 %), gross total resection (GTR, Simpson grade I or II) was achieved, while 25 patients (54 %) received subtotal resection (STR, Simpson grade III or IV). Sixty-three percent of patients presented with preoperative visual impairment. Postoperative visual changes were significantly related to preoperative visual function. While all patients with normal preoperative vision remained unchanged, in patients with impaired vision, surgery caused improvement in 70 % and deterioration in 10 % of patients (p

To evaluate long-term results after one-, two-, and three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with stand-alone empty polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages. We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive patient cohort that underwent ACDF with stand-alone empty PEEK cages between 2007 and 2010 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Radiographic follow-up included static and flexion/extension radiographs. Changes in the operated segments were measured and compared to radiographs directly after surgery. Clinical outcome was evaluated by a physical examination, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and health-related quality of life (HRQL) using the EuroQOL questionnaire (EQ-5D). Analysis of associations between fusion, subsidence, cervical alignment, and clinical outcome parameters were performed. Of 407 consecutive cases, 318 met all inclusion criteria. Follow-up data were obtained from 265 (83 %) cases. The mean age at presentation was 55 years and 139 patients were male (52 %). In the sample, 127, 125, and 13 patients had one-, two-, and three-level surgeries, respectively; 132 (49 %) presented with spondylotic cervical myelopathy and 133 (50 %) with cervical radiculopathy. Fusion was achieved in 85, 95, and 94 % of segments in one-, two-, and three-level surgeries, respectively. Non-fusion was associated with higher VAS pain levels. Radiographic adjacent segment disease (ASD) was observed in 20, 29, and 15 % in one-, two-, and three-level surgeries, respectively. ASD was associated with lower HRQL. Subsidence was observed in 25, 27, and 15 % of segments in one-, two-, and three-level surgeries, respectively. However, this had no influence on clinical outcome. Follow-up operations for symptomatic adjacent disc disease and implant failure at index level were needed in 16 (6 %) and four (1.5 %) cases, respectively. Younger age was associated with better clinical outcome. Multilevel surgery favored better myelopathy outcomes and fusion reduced overall pain. ASD worsened EuroQOL-Index values. Worsening of the cervical alignment induced arm pain. One- and two-level ACDF with stand-alone empty PEEK cages achieved very high fusion rates and a low rate of follow-up operations. The rate of good clinical outcome is highly satisfactory. Younger age was the single most influential factor associated with better clinical outcome.

Microsurgical resection of brainstem cavernomas carries a high risk of new postoperative morbidity such as cranial nerve, motor and sensory deficits as well as functional deterioration. Intraoperative monitoring is used to avoid impending damage to these highly eloquent tracts. However, data on neurophysiological monitoring during resection of brainstem cavernomas are lacking. Consecutive patients with brainstem cavernomas who underwent surgical removal from June 2007 to December 2014 were retrospectively analysed. Transcranial motor-evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP) monitorings were performed in all cases. The evoked potential (EP) monitoring data were reviewed and related to new postoperative motor and sensory deficits and postoperative imaging. Clinical outcomes were assessed during follow-up. Twenty-six consecutive patients with brainstem cavernoma underwent 27 surgical resections within this study. MEP and SSEP monitoring was technically feasible in 26 and 27 cases, respectively. MEP sensitivity and specificity were 33 and 88 %, respectively. MEP positive and negative predictive values were 28 and 78 %, respectively. SSEP sensitivity and specificity were 20 and 81 %, respectively. SSEP positive and negative predictive values were 20 and 81 %, respectively. In continuous MEP and SSEP monitoring during brainstem cavernoma microsurgery, high rates of false-positive and -negative results are encountered, resulting in low positive and relatively high negative predictive values. Careful interpretation of the intraoperative monitoring results is essential in order to avoid potentially unjustified termination of brainstem cavernoma resection.

Background and purpose Mechanical endovascular therapy (MET) is a promising adjuvant or stand-alone therapy for acute ischaemic stroke caused by occlusion of a large vessel. Real-time monitoring of recanalisation success with regard to functional outcome is usually not possible because these procedures are mainly performed under general anaesthesia. We present a novel application for evoked potential monitoring for real-time evaluation of reperfusion success with respect to functional outcome during MET for acute ischaemic stroke. Methods Prospective observational study from March 2012 to April 2013 of patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke who were eligible for MET. Transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were measured bilaterally during MET throughout the intervention. The electrophysiological data of the contralateral side served as control. Neurological outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 0, 7 and 90 days following intervention. Results 20 patients were examined. MEPs and SSEPs were technically successful in 19 (95%) and 9 (45%) cases, respectively. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 16 cases. Functional recovery was observed in 14 patients. MEPs and SSEPs recovery status was a better predictor of functional recovery than successful reperfusion with a positive predictive value of 92%, 83% and 75% for MEPs, SSEPs and reperfusion, respectively. Conclusions MEPs and SSEPs are safe and feasible methods of real-time monitoring of reperfusion success with respect to functional outcome during MET for acute ischaemic stroke.

Melatonin is secreted systemically from the pineal gland maximally at night but is also produced locally in many tissues. Its chronobiological function is mainly exerted by pineal melatonin. It is a feedback regulator of the main circadian pacemaker in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei and of many peripheral oscillators. Although exogenous melatonin is approved for circadian rhythm sleep disorders and old-age insomnia, research on endogenous melatonin in humans is hindered by the great interindividual variability of its amount and circadian rhythm. Single case studies on pinealectomized patients report on disrupted but also hypersomnic sleep. This is the first systematic prospective report on sleep with respect to pinealectomy due to pinealocytoma World Health Organization grade I without chemo- or radiotherapy. Before and after pinealectomy, 8 patients completed questionnaires on sleep quality and circadian rhythm (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), 2 nights of polysomnography, salivary evening melatonin profiles, and qualitative assessment of 2 weeks of actigraphy and sleep logs. Six patients were assessed retrospectively up to 4 years after pinealectomy. Before pinealectomy, all but 1 patient showed an evening melatonin rise typical for indifferent chronotypes. After pinealectomy, evening saliva melatonin was markedly diminished, mostly below the detection limit of the assay (0.09 pg/mL). No systematic change in subjective sleep quality or standard measures of polysomnography was found. Mean pre- and postoperative sleep efficiency was 94% and 95%, and mean sleep-onset latency was 21 and 17 min, respectively. Sleep-wake rhythm during normal daily life did not change. Retrospective patients had a reduced sleep efficiency (90%) and more stage changes, although this was not significantly different from prospective patients. In conclusion, melatonin does seem to have a modulatory, not a regulatory, effect on standard measures of sleep. Study output is limited by small sample size and because only evening melatonin profiles were assessed.

The incidence of injury to the cervical vertebral artery during surgery for stenosis of the cervical neuroforamina is very low. We present a case in which bleeding during microforaminotomy at the level C6/7 occurred. The bleeding could be controlled intraoperatively. Two days later, a life-threatening cervical hematoma required urgent bedside evacuation. A false aneurysm of the left cervical vertebral artery was successfully occluded by a modified triple stent-in-stent technique, maintaining the flow in the vessel.

The 45-year-old female patient, professional dancer, presented in our outpatient clinic with right sided pain radiating from the neck into the complete C6 dermatome for more than 6 months. No motor or sensory deficit was found. The MRI of the cervical spine showed degenerative disc disease in the level C5/6 right sided with compression of the nerve root by a foraminal stenosis. Conservative treatments were undertaken without a lasting pain relief. The very well informed patient asked for an artificial disc replacement, which she considered important for continuation her professional dancing career

OBJECTIVE Changes of major cerebral vessels in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are well known from routine cerebral angiography. Data on changes in the microcirculation do not exist. This study sought to provide a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the cortical microcirculation after SAH. METHODS By means of orthogonal polarization spectral imaging, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of cortical microcirculation was performed during aneurysm surgery in 3 patients with an incidental intracerebral aneurysm and 10 patients with SAH. Vessel diameters, red blood cell velocity, and functional capillary density were analyzed before and after the aneurysm was clipped. RESULTS Initial capillary density in patients with an incidental aneurysm was 91.5 +/- 36.5 cm(-1) (mean +/- standard deviation) compared with 30.5 +/- 13.8 in patients with SAH (P < 0.05). In patients with SAH, capillary density increased significantly to 53.9 +/- 29.1 cm(-1) (P < 0.05) during the operation, as did the frequency of venules with a red blood cell velocity greater than 2 mm/s (P < 0.05). No significant change of arteriolar or venular diameters was observed. However, in patients with SAH, mono- and multisegmental microvasospasms in arterioles were observed, with a reduction of vessel diameters up to 75.1%. CONCLUSION Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging is a suitable method to study cerebral microcirculation during surgery. In patients with SAH, capillary density is significantly decreased and small arteries and arterioles of the cortical surface exhibit vasospasm that cannot be detected by angiography or transcranial Doppler sonography. These changes may contribute to the initial clinical symptoms and may have an influence on the clinical postoperative course.

Recording the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a common method for monitoring the integrity of auditory pathways during surgery in the cerebellopontine angle. Electrocochleography (ECochG) is an alternative means of intraoperative neuromonitoring. In the present study the authors compared the practicability and prognostic significance of these two methods by performing simultaneous recordings in the operating room.Between 2006 and 2011, 125 patients (mean age 55 years) underwent surgery in the cerebellopontine angle. Seventy-one percent of the patients presented with a hearing deficit, and 37% had useful hearing but with slight functional impairment. Auditory brainstem response was recorded with a subdermal needle electrode at the mastoid. For ECochG recording, a noninvasive ball electrode was attached to the tympanic membrane. Amplitudes obtained from both ECochG and ABR audiometry were compared and correlated to pre- and postoperative hearing deficits.Simultaneous intraoperative monitoring via ABR and ECochG was possible in 114 cases (91%). Postoperatively, 42% of patients showed some degree of new hearing deficit, whereas 4% had improvement. The mean amplitudes in ECochG monitoring were significantly higher (0.18 ± 0.04 μV) than the ABR potentials (0.08 ± 0.006 μV; p0.05). All waves recorded at the mastoid needle electrode could be recognized in the potentials of the tympanic ball electrode. Hearing outcome correlated more reliably with the relative amplitude changes in Waves III and V in ECochG (III: p = 0.0008, V: p = 0.0015) than in ABR monitoring (III: p = 0.2075, V: p = 0.0398).Intraoperative monitoring of the auditory system by recording with noninvasive tympanic ball electrodes is more practicable than with subcutaneous needle electrodes at the tragus. Since there is also a reliable correlation between ECochG and clinical outcome, the method can replace common ABR recording during surgery in the cerebellopontine angle.

In the case reported, neurological complaints were pain and dysaesthesiae in the lower back and thigh, as well as paresis of the ileopsoas muscle. MRI of the lumbar spine showed an intradural-extramedullary mass at the level of L1 homogeneously enhancing with gadolinium. This mass was situated at the tip of an intrathecal catheter implanted 11 years before for a morphine trial infusion as therapy for phantom pain after amputation of the right arm. Now, removal of the catheter was performed. Cultures of lumbar CSF and the catheter tip demonstrated coagulase negative staphylococcus. Antibiotic medication with cephalosporines was given for 6 weeks. After removal of the catheter, the patient was free of pain and he progressively regained full neurological function. Although most catheter-associated granulomas reported so far were sterile in nature, bacterial infection should still be considered even years after catheter placement.

The transoral route is the gold standard for odontoid resection. Results are satisfying though surgery can be challenging for patients and surgeons due to its invasiveness. A less invasive transnasal approach could provide a sufficient extent of resection with less collateral damage. The technique of transnasal endoscopic odontoid resection is demonstrated by a case series of three patients. A fully endoscopic transnasal odontoid resection was conducted by use of CT-based neuronavigation. A complete odontoid resection succeeded in all patients. Symptoms such as dysarthria, swallowing disturbance, salivary retention, myelopathic gait disturbances, neck pain, and tetraparesis improved in all patients markedly. Transnasal endoscopic odontoid resection is a feasible alternative to the transoral technique. It leaves the oropharynx intact, which could result in lower approach related complications especially in patients with bulbar symptoms.