BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to analyze the risk factors for failed extubation in subjects submitted to infratentorial craniotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients aged over 18 years who received infratentorial craniotomy for brain tumor resection were consecutively included in this study. Perioperative variables were collected and analyzed. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic reg...

Neurosurgical pathologies presenting during pregnancy are uncommon. If present, the situation creates a unique diagnostic, observational, and therapeutic challenge as both lives are placed at potential risk. Surgical procedures during pregnancy are approached carefully as physiological stressors associated with surgery and anesthesia may cause fetal or maternal compromise. We present the only k...

Introduction Kryptonite® is calcium triglyceride bone cement designed for cranial use. Despite potential benefits, Kryptonite® lacks safety data addressing its possible association with post-surgical wound infections. Upon noting an acute rise in the number of post-craniotomy infections while using Kryptonite Bone Cement®, we investigated the hypothesis that using Kryptonite® increases the risk...

BACKGROUND Brain laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance has recently gained US clinical approval for the ablation of soft, neurological tissue. LITT is a minimally invasive alternative to craniotomy. OBJECTIVE While safety and efficacy are the focus of most current LITT studies, it is unclear how acute care costs (inpatient care ± aftercare) ...

OBJECT The FDA approval of bevacizumab for recurrent glioblastoma has resulted in its increased use in this patient population. Phase II trials reported 4%-6% impaired wound healing for bevacizumab initiated postoperatively. The effect of preoperative bevacizumab on subsequent craniotomy healing has not been addressed. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients who und...

AIM We hypothesize that re-do craniotomy for recurrent grade IV glioblastomas improves survival while preserving outcome in selected patients. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted of 141 patients, from a prospectively collected database from 2004-2014, with grade IV glioblastomas who underwent craniotomy and excision. Sixty-five patients were included in our analysis. Twenty patient...

BACKGROUND Pain after major craniotomy has been believed to be less severe than the other operations. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and risk factors of moderate to severe pain after major craniotomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD This is a prospective observational study in a neurosurgical intensive care unit and wards of a university, tertiary hospital. After institutional IRB approval, patie...

Multiloculated hydrocephalus (MLH) is a condition in which patients have multiple, separate abnormal cerebrospinal fluid collections with no communication between them. Despite technical advancements in pediatric neurosurgery, neurological outcomes are poor in these patients and the approach to this pathology remains problematic especially given individual anatomic complexity and cerebrospinal ...

BACKGROUND The use of an awake craniotomy in the treatment of supratentorial lesions is a challenge for both patients and staff in the operation theater. OBJECT To assess the safety and effectiveness of an awake craniotomy with brain mapping in comparison with a craniotomy performed under general anesthesia. METHODS We prospectively compared 2 groups of patients who underwent surgery for su...