Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery, Vol. 33 (eBook)

Preface 6
Contents 7
List of contributors 12
Advances 13
Brain plasticity and tumors 14
Contents 14
Abstract 15
Introduction 15
Cerebral plasticity: fundamental considerations 16
Natural plasticity in humans 18
Plasticity in acute brain lesions 19
Plasticity in slow-growing brain tumors: the example of low- grade glioma 20
Conclusions 33
Perspectives 34
References 36
Tumor-biology and current treatment of skull-base chordomas 45
Contents 45
Abstract 46
Definition 47
History 48
Pathogenesis 49
Genetics and molecular biology 51
Pathology 66
Incidence 74
Clinical manifestations and natural course of disease 77
Diagnosis 78
Treatment of chordomas 88
Surgical treatment 90
Radiotherapy 109
Chemotherapy 117
Chordomas in the pediatric age group 118
Conclusions 119
References 119
The influence of genetics on intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture: current knowledge and its possible impact on future treatment 140
Contents 140
Abstract 140
Introduction 141
Different epidemiology in different countries 142
Etiology of intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture 142
Vascular and cerebrovascular diseases associated with a genetic component 144
Approaches to genetic research of intracranial aneurysms 144
Linkage analyses reveal chromosomal loci 145
Candidate gene association analyses: positional and functional 146
Gene expression microarray analyses 147
Application of genetic findings to novel diagnostic tests and future therapies 147
Conclusion and proposals for the future 149
References 150
Technical standards 157
Extended endoscopic endonasal approach to the midline skull base: the evolving role of transsphenoidal surgery 158
Contents 158
Abstract 159
Introduction 160
Endoscopic anatomy of the midline skull base: the endonasal perspective 161
Instruments and tools for extended approaches 171
Endoscopic endonasal techniques 173
Results and complications 194
Conclusions 197
Acknowledgements 197
References 197
Management of brachial plexus injuries 207
Contents 207
Abstract 208
Introduction 208
Epidemiology 208
Anatomical features 209
Clinical features 211
Special investigations 216
Indication and surgical approach 221
Secondary surgical techniques 226
Results of both primary and secondary surgery 229
Summary of management of patients with brachial plexus lesions 231
Pain following traumatic brachial plexus injury 231
Acknowledgements 234
References 234
Surgical anatomy of the jugular foramen 238
Contents 238
Abstract 239
Introduction 239
Microanatomy of the jugular foramen region 240
The approaches to the region of the jugular foramen 253
Case illustration 263
Conclusions 266
References 267
Author index volume 1–33 269
Subject index volume 1–33 281