Objectives Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are a subset of aneurysms located in the anterior circulation but away from the circle of Willis. We analyze the clinical presentation and outcomes of two treatment groups—surgical and endovascular—for DACA aneurysms managed by a dual-trained neurosurgeon.
Material and Methods A retrospective evaluation of radiological and operative/interventional data of 34 patients with 35 DACA aneurysms over a 12-year period was analyzed. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgery, whereas seven underwent endovascular coiling of the aneurysms. Modified Fisher grade and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale (WFNS) were used to note the subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) severity.
Statistical Analysis Categorical data were presented as frequency and percentage, while noncategorical data were represented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance for difference in outcome between the two groups was analyzed using Chi-square test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results Of 34 patients, 33 presented with a bleed and 23.5% patients were noted to have another aneurysm in addition to the DACA aneurysm. Patients who underwent clipping for another aneurysm along with the DACA aneurysm in a single surgical exercise had a poor outcome compared with those who underwent surgery for the lone DACA aneurysm (7 vs. 20, p = 0.015). Most patients in both surgical (70.37%) and endovascular (85.71%) groups had good outcome (mRS ≤ 2).
Conclusions A good outcome can be achieved with either surgery or endovascular coiling in the management of DACA aneurysms. In patients with multiple aneurysms, SAH with aneurysmal rupture of DACA should be managed first; the other unruptured aneurysm may be operated after an interval to avoid morbidity.
Background:
Supraorbital craniotomy (SOC) has brought a paradigm shift in approaching anterior skull base lesions. With better understanding of relevant anatomy, the indications are being stretched from highly selected, small-to-moderate-sized tumors to large and complex anterior skull base lesions.
Objective:
We share our experience and discuss the nuances of surgery for large anterior skull base meningiomas using the SOC.
Methods:
This is a single institute study using prospectively collected retrospective data from seven cases of large anterior skull base meningiomas (>3 cm) using the SOC. We reviewed the indications, safety, and procedural complications in these cases.
Results:
Simpson's Grade 2 excision was achieved in all these seven cases, with faster postoperative recovery. Follow-up clinical outcome and cosmesis were satisfactory.
Conclusion:
SOC is a safe alternative for the standard skull base approaches in treating large anterior skull base meningiomas. The SOC can be effectively used to treat selected large anterior skull base meningiomas.
Study DesignA retrospective study.PurposeTo study the efficacy of augmented fixation for anatomical reduction of grade 2 and grade 3 listhesis in patients with osteoporosis.Overview of LiteratureSpondylolisthesis in osteoporotic patients requiring spinal fixation are associated with complications such as loss of surgical construct stability, screw pulling out, and screw loosening. Augmented fixation is a novel strategy to achieve necessary construct integrity.MethodsThirteen consecutive patients with grade 2 or grade 3 listhesis, with proven osteoporosis on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, and who underwent augmented fixation for reduction of listhesis were retrospectively analyzed. In all patients, surgical access was achieved with a fixed 22 mm tubular retractor. A modified technique of bilateral, sequential, transforaminal decompression and discectomy, followed by reduction of listhesis using unilaterally placed augmented screws was employed in all the cases. Patients were followed up with plain X-rays at regular intervals to assess for implant stability and fusion status. All patients were started on medical treatment for osteoporosis.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 52.46 years, with 12 females and one male. The median T-score on DEXA scan was −3.0. Of the 13 patients, listhesis was at L4–L5 in five and at L5–S1 in eight. Nine patients had grade 2 listhesis, while four patients had grade 3 listhesis. Complete reduction was achieved in 10 patients. The median duration of follow-up was 18 months. Postoperative outcomes were satisfactory in all cases.ConclusionsAugmented fixation is a useful technique for achieving anatomical reduction of listhesis in patients with osteoporosis.
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