Search

Abstract Objectives To assess the possibilities of reinnervation in a paralyzed hemidiaphragm via an anastomosis between phrenic nerve and inferior laryngeal nerve in rabbits. Reinnervation of a paralyzed diaphragm could be an alternative to treat patients with ventilatory insufficiency due to upper cervical spine injuries. Material and method Rabbits were divided into five groups of seven rabbits each. Groups I and II were respectively the healthy and the denervated control groups. The 3 other groups were all reinnervated using three different surgical procedures. In groups III and IV, phrenic nerve was respectively anastomosed with the abductor branch of the inferior laryngeal nerve and with the trunk of the inferior laryngeal nerve. In group V, the fifth and fourth cervical roots were respectively anastomosed with the abductor branch of the inferior laryngeal nerve and with the nerve of the sternothyroid muscle (originating from the hypoglossal nerve). Animals were evaluated 4 months later using electromyography, transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements, sonomicrometry and histological examination. Results A poor inspiratory activity was found in quiet breathing in the reinnervated groups, with an increasing pattern of activity during effort. In the reinnervated groups, transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements and sonomicrometry were higher in group III with no significant differencewith groups IV and V. Conclusion Inspiratory contractility of an hemidiaphragm could be restored with immediate anastomosis after phrenic nerve section between phrenic nerve and inferior laryngeal nerve.

Object: The objective of this study was to evaluate the ophthalmological outcome, nonvisual morbidity, and surgical complications after tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) removal using a superior interhemispheric approach., Methods: In the last decade, 20 consecutive patients with TSM underwent operations using the superior interhemispheric approach. Visual acuity, visual field, and ocular fundus examination were assessed both preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively. Nonvisual morbidity was determined at an early postoperative period and at 6 months based on assessment of the Karnofsky Performance Scale score, leakage of CSF, endocrinological status, and olfactory function, which was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The potential brain injury related to the approach was assessed by MRI at 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was then performed yearly to detect a recurrence. The mean follow up was 56.3 ± 34 months., Results: The primary presenting symptom for diagnosis of TSM in 20 patients (female:male ratio of 6.6:1, mean age 59.1 ± 11.1 years) was visual disturbance in 12 patients (60%), headache in 4 (20%), cognitive alteration in 1 (5%), epilepsy in 2 (10%), and accidental in 1 (5%). In a total of 40 eyes, 17 eyes in 11 patients presented with preoperative deterioration of visual acuity. Postoperatively, the visual acuity improved in 13 eyes in 8 patients (72.8%), remained unchanged in 3 eyes in 2 patients (18.2%) and deteriorated in 1 patient (9%). The nonvisual morbidity included olfactory deterioration in 7 patients (35%), and panhypopituitarism in 1 patient (5%). No patients experienced a CSF leak. The impact of olfactory deterioration on the quality of life, as estimated by a VAS score (range 0-10), was a mean of 5.7 ± 2.2 (95% CI 4.1-7.3). On the follow-up MRI, no additional lesions or recurrences were observed on the medial aspect of the frontal lobe along the surgical corridor., Conclusions: The superior interhemispheric approach appears to be effective in resolving the problem of visual deterioration due to a TSM, without inducing surgical injury on the brain surface along the surgical corridor. Olfactory deterioration remained the challenging predominant nonvisual morbidity using this approach.

Background: In our stereotactic procedure, intraoperative radiological documentation of electrode localization is performed using the Stereoplan. The aim of the study was to evaluate its accuracy., Patients and Methods: Data of 20 consecutive patients, treated for Parkinson's disease by implantation of deep brain stimulators into the subthalamic nucleus, were collected prospectively. During surgery, Stereoplan coordinates of the tip of the central macroelectrodes were compared with intended coordinates along the central trajectory at 4 levels: (1) 10 mm above the anatomical target, (2) in the target, (3) in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, and (4) at the depth of contact 1. Before the frame's removal, Stereoplan coordinates of the contacts of the definitive electrode were compared with postoperative MRI coordinates. The mean of the differences was calculated in the x-, y-, and z-axis. Clinical results at 6 months were recorded., Results: The mean of the differences between Stereoplan coordinates and intended coordinates for the macroelectrodes was lower than 1 mm. A submillimeter difference was also found for the definitive contacts. At 6 months, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III score improved by 70.6% compared with the baseline score. Dyskinesia and motor fluctuations decreased by 85.7 and 87%, respectively (p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Stereoplan could be considered an accurate intraoperative radiological system which assures the correct position of the electrode in the anatomical target., (Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)