scholarly journals Three Dimensional Brain Reconstruction Optimizes Surgical Approaches and Medical Education in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery for Refractory Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Swaminathan

Epilepsy is a prevalent condition that affects 1–3% of the population or about 50–65 million people worldwide (WHO estimates) and about 3.5 million people in the USA alone (CDC estimates). Refractory epilepsy refers to patients that respond inadequately to medical management alone (at least two anti-seizure medications at appropriate doses) and are appropriate candidates for other interventions such as brain surgery or the use of neurostimulators for their epilepsy. Minimally invasive techniques like stereotactic EEG electrodes offer excellent investigational abilities to study the diagnostic attributes of the seizure networks, while therapies like laser ablations and neurostimulators permit intervention and modulation of these networks to offer seizure control with minimal cognitive compromise and surgical morbidity. The accuracy of these techniques is highly contingent on precise anatomical correlation between the location of the electrodes and their proximity to relevant structures of the brain. Ensuring good anatomical correlation using 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions would permit precise localization and accurate understanding of the seizure networks. Accurate localization of stereotactic electrodes would enable precise understanding of the electrical networks and identify vital nodes in the seizure network. These reconstructions would also permit better understanding of the proximity of these electrodes to each other and help confirm arrangement of neurostimulators to maximize modulatory effects on the networks. Such reconstructions would enable better understanding of neuroanatomy and connectivity to improve knowledge of brain structures and relations in neurological conditions. These methods would enable medical students and doctors-in-training to better their understanding of neurological disease and the necessary interventions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmine Antonio Donofrio ◽  
Jody Filippo Capitanio ◽  
Lucia Riccio ◽  
Aalap Herur-Raman ◽  
Anthony J Caputy ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Surgical approaches to the orbit are challenging and require combined multispecialist skills. Considering its increasing relevance in neurosurgical practice, keyhole surgery could be also applied to this field. However, mastering a minimally invasive approach necessitates an extended learning curve. For this reason, virtual reality (VR) can be effectively used for planning and training in this demanding surgical technique. OBJECTIVE To validate the mini fronto-orbital (mFO) approach to the superomedial orbit, using VR planning and specimen dissections, conjugating the principles of skull base and keyhole neurosurgery. METHODS Three-dimensional measurements were performed thanks to Surgical Theater (Surgical Theater© LLC), and then, simulated craniotomies were implemented on cadaver specimens. RESULTS The mFO approach affords optimal exposure and operability in the target area and reduced risks of surrounding normal tissue injuries. The eyebrow skin incision, the minimal soft-tissue retraction, the limited temporalis muscle dissection and the single-piece craniotomy, as planned with VR, are the key elements of this minimally invasive approach. Furthermore, the “window-opening” cotton-tip intraorbital dissection technique, based on widening surgical corridors between neuromuscular bundles, provides a safe orientation and a deep access inside the orbit, thereby significantly limiting the risk of jeopardizing neurovascular structures. CONCLUSION The mFO approach associated to the window-opening dissection technique can be considered safe, effective, suitable, and convenient for treating lesions located in the superomedial orbital aspect, up to the orbital apex.


Author(s):  
Christine Steiert ◽  
Juergen Grauvogel ◽  
Roland Roelz ◽  
Theo Demerath ◽  
Daniel Schnell ◽  
...  

AbstractCraniopharyngiomas are typically located in the sellar region and frequently contain space-occupying cysts. They usually cause visual impairment and endocrine disorders. Due to the high potential morbidity associated with radical resection, several less invasive surgical approaches have been developed. This study investigated stereotactic-guided implantation of cysto-ventricular catheters (CVC) as a new method to reduce and control cystic components. Twelve patients with cystic craniopharyngiomas were treated with CVC in our hospital between 04/2013 and 05/2017. The clinical and radiological data were retrospectively analysed to evaluate safety aspects as well as ophthalmological and endocrine symptoms. The long-term development of tumour and cyst volumes was assessed by volumetry. The median age of our patients was 69.0 years and the median follow-up period was 41.0 months. Volumetric analyses demonstrated a mean reduction of cyst volume of 64.2% after CVC implantation. At last follow-up assessment, there was a mean reduction of cyst volume of 92.0% and total tumour volume of 85.8% after completion of radiotherapy. Visual acuity improved in 90% of affected patients, and visual field defects improved in 70% of affected patients. No patient showed ophthalmological deterioration after surgery, and endocrine disorders remained stable. Stereotactic implantation of CVC proved to be a safe minimally invasive method for the long-term reduction of cystic components with improved ophthalmological symptoms. The consequential decrease of total tumour volumes optimised conditions for adjuvant radiotherapy. Given the low surgical morbidity and the effective drainage of tumour cysts, this technique should be considered for the treatment of selected cystic craniopharyngiomas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Wagner ◽  
Francisco Vaz-Guimaraes ◽  
Kevin Camstra ◽  
Sandi Lam

OBJECTIVEAppropriately chosen candidates with medically refractory epilepsy may benefit from hemispheric disconnection. Traditionally, this involves a large surgical exposure with significant associated morbidity. Minimally invasive approaches using endoscopic assistance have been described by only a few centers. Here, the authors report on the feasibility of endoscope-assisted functional hemispherotomy in a cadaver model and its first translation into clinical practice in appropriately selected patients.METHODSThree silicone-injected, formalin-fixed cadaver heads were used to establish the steps of the procedure in the laboratory. The steps of disconnection were performed using standard surgical instruments and a straight endoscope. The technique was then applied in two patients who had been referred for hemispherectomy and had favorable anatomy for an endoscope-assisted approach.RESULTSAll disconnections were performed in the cadaver model via a 4 × 2–cm paramedian keyhole craniotomy using endoscopic assistance. An additional temporal burr hole approach was marked in case the authors were unable to completely visualize the frontobasal and insular cuts from the paramedian vertical view. Their protocol was subsequently used successfully in two pediatric patients. Full disconnection was verified with postoperative tractography.CONCLUSIONSFull hemispheric disconnection can be accomplished with minimally invasive endoscope-assisted functional hemispherotomy. The procedure is technically feasible and can be safely applied in patients with favorable anatomy and pathology; it may lead to less surgical morbidity and faster recovery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasir Saeed ◽  
Mohamed-Slim Alouini ◽  
Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

<div>Localization is a fundamental task for optical internet</div><div>of underwater things (O-IoUT) to enable various applications</div><div>such as data tagging, routing, navigation, and maintaining link connectivity. The accuracy of the localization techniques for OIoUT greatly relies on the location of the anchors. Therefore, recently localization techniques for O-IoUT which optimize the anchor’s location are proposed. However, optimization of anchors location for all the smart objects in the network is not a useful solution. Indeed, in a network of densely populated smart objects, the data collected by some sensors are more valuable than the data collected from other sensors. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a three-dimensional accurate localization technique by optimizing the anchor’s location for a set of smart objects. Spectral graph partitioning is used to select the set of valuable</div><div>sensors.</div>


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Jiao Li ◽  
Jacqueline P. W. Chung ◽  
Sha Wang ◽  
Tin-Chiu Li ◽  
Hua Duan

The management of adenomyosis remains a great challenge to practicing gynaecologists. Until recently, hysterectomy has been the only definitive treatment in women who have completed child bearing. A number of nonsurgical and minimally invasive, fertility-sparing surgical treatment options have recently been developed. This review focuses on three aspects of management, namely, (1) newly introduced nonsurgical treatments; (2) management strategies of reproductive failures associated with adenomyosis; and (3) surgical approaches to the management of cystic adenomyoma.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyang Yang ◽  
Gang Bai ◽  
Yongli Zhang ◽  
Guolong Chen ◽  
Lei Duan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There are few articles about the surgical techniques of thalamic glioma and the lesions in the basal ganglia area. According to three existing cases and the literature review (Twelve articles were summarized which mainly described the surgical techniques), we discuss the surgical characteristics of lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia area and summarize the relevant surgical skills. Case presentation Of the three cases, two were thalamic gliomas and one was brain abscess in basal ganglia. According to the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles”, lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia were surgically removed, and the operative effect was analysed by relevant surgical techniques. Surgical resection of the lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia area according to the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles” has achieved good surgical results. Relevant surgical techniques, such as the use of retractors, the use of aspirators, the choice of surgical approaches, and the haemostasis strategy, also played an important role in the operation process. Conclusions In the presented three cases the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles” allowed for safe surgical resection of lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia.


Author(s):  
Stuart A. McIntosh

Abstract Purpose of Review The introduction of mammographic screening programmes has resulted increasing numbers of women with small breast cancers with biologically favourable characteristics. Many of these cancers may represent overdiagnosis, with a resulting treatment burden for women and healthcare costs for providers. Here, current surgical approaches to the treatment of such tumours are reviewed, together with alternative approaches to their management. Recent Findings The surgical treatment of small, screen-detected breast cancers with biologically favourable characteristics has been extrapolated from the management of symptomatic breast cancers. There is no prospective randomised evidence for conventional open surgery compared with other approaches in this setting. A number of minimally invasive techniques, most notable vacuum-assisted excision, have been described for the management of these tumours, but at present, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support their routine use. There are currently ongoing randomised trials evaluating risk-adapted surgical and minimally invasive approaches to the management of good prognosis disease. Summary It is possible that the surgical treatment of good prognosis screen-detected breast cancers may be de-escalated. However, high-quality evidence from ongoing prospective randomised trials will be required in order to change clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Brett G. Darrow ◽  
Kyle A. Snowdon ◽  
Adrien Hespel

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of patient-specific three-dimensional printed drill guides (3D-PDG) for the placement of a coxofemoral toggle via a minimally invasive approach. Materials and Methods Pre-procedure computed tomography (CT) data of 19 canine cadaveric hips were used to design a cadaver-specific 3D-PDG that conformed to the proximal femur. Femoral and acetabular bone tunnels were drilled through the 3D-PDG, and a coxofemoral toggle pin was placed. The accuracy of tunnel placement was evaluated with post-procedure CT and gross dissection. Results Coxofemoral toggle pins were successfully placed in all dogs. Mean exit point translation at the fovea capitis was 2.5 mm (0.2–7.5) when comparing pre- and post-procedure CT scans. Gross dissection revealed the bone tunnel exited the fovea capitis inside (3/19), partially inside (12/19) and outside of (4/19) the ligament of the head of the femur. Placement of the bone tunnel through the acetabulum was inside (16/19), partially inside (1/19) and outside (2/19) of the acetabular fossa. Small 1 to 2 mm articular cartilage fragments were noted in 10 of 19 specimens. Clinical Significance Three-dimensional printed drill guide designed for coxofemoral toggle pin application is feasible. Errors are attributed to surgical execution and identification of the borders of the fovea capitis on CT data. Future studies should investigate modifications to 3D-PDG design and methods. Three-dimensional printed drill guide for coxofemoral toggle pin placement warrants consideration for use in select clinical cases of traumatic coxofemoral luxation.


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