Abstract:
OBJECT:Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare tumor whose prognosis has remained poor over the years despite innovative radio- and chemotherapies, and important technical advances in neurosurgery such as intraoperative imaging, fluorescence, Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator, and neuronavigation. Particular attention has been dedicated in the last years to the end of life (EOL) period in cancer patients for both ethical and socioeconomic issues. Good palliative care at home avoids improper and expensive hospitalizations, and helps and trains families, caregivers, and patients in facing a difficult situation. METHODS:In 2012-2013 the authors' group cared for 197 patients with brain tumors. Of these there were 122 with GBMs: 64 died and 58 are still receiving assistance. The clinical conditions are periodically evaluated with the following scales: Barthel Index, Karnofsky Performance Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Home care staff includes 2 neurologists, 5 nurses, 2 psychologists, 3 rehabilitation therapists, and 1 social worker. The intensity of care changes at the different stages of disease, ranging from low to medium levels of intensity at the progression stage (more than 1 access weekly) to high levels of intensity at the EOL stage (at least 3 accesses weekly). Control MRI studies are obtained every 3 months before terminal progression. RESULTS:Overall in this sample of patients there were 2838 home visits and 11,714 days of assistance. Thirty-four patients (14 female and 20 male) died at home (53.1%); 22 (13 female and 9 male) at the hospice (34.4%); and 8 (4 female and 4 male) at the hospital (12.5%). A positive impact on caregivers for home assistance was recorded in 97% of cases, for nursing in 95%, communication in 90%, rehabilitation at home in 92%, and social work help in 85%. Also, 72% had an improvement in their quality of life scores due to rehabilitation. End of life palliative sedation with midazolam was necessary in 11% of cases to obtain good control of symptoms such as uncontrolled delirium, agitation, death rattle, or refractory seizures. Intramuscular phenobarbital is the authors' drug of choice for the severe seizures that occurred in 30% of cases. The reduction of steroid dosage is also used to decrease wakefulness. Steroids were withdrawn in 45% of patients dying at home, mild hydration was done in 87%, and tube feeding in 13%. The decision-making process at the EOL stage is time consuming, but the degree of distress of the family is inversely proportional to the extent of the preparatory period. CONCLUSIONS:A previous paper showed the positive cost-effectiveness of home assistance for a larger group of patients dealing with any kind of malignant brain tumors. The same is enhanced for patients with GBM. This requires a well-trained neuro-oncology team that manages neurological deterioration, clinical complications, rehabilitation, and psychosocial problems with a multidisciplinary approach.
journal_name
Neurosurg Focusjournal_title
Neurosurgical focusauthors
Pompili A,Telera S,Villani V,Pace Adoi
10.3171/2014.9.FOCUS14493subject
Has Abstractpub_date
2014-12-01 00:00:00pages
E5issue
6issn
1092-0684journal_volume
37pub_type
杂志文章abstract:OBJECT:Tumors of the lateral ventricle can be removed via two major approaches: the transcallosal or the transcortical route. The purpose of this study is to discuss the techniques and outcomes in transcortical surgery of tumors located in the lateral ventricle. METHODS:An experience with 29 consecutive lateral ventri...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2001.10.6.3
更新日期:2001-06-15 00:00:00
abstract::There are many options for the surgical treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis, including anterior and posterior techniques. Among the most versatile is a 360 degrees fusion. In consideration of the added risk of morbidity of two procedures, circumferential fusion leads to the highest fusion rates. This is particularly...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:
更新日期:2002-07-15 00:00:00
abstract::Recent technical advances have revolutionized the fields of surgical endoscopy, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and microsurgical spinal endoscopy. The authors discuss the rich history and recent evolution of these techniques. Thoracoscopy had been widely used for the treatment of pleural conditions associated with tubercu...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 历史文章,杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2000.9.4.10
更新日期:2000-10-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Symptomatic adjacent-segment lumbar disease (ASLD) after lumbar fusion often requires subsequent surgical intervention. The authors report utilizing cortical bone trajectory (CBT) pedicle screw fixation with intraoperative CT (O-arm) image-guided navigation to stabilize spinal levels in patients with symptomatic...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2014.1.FOCUS13521
更新日期:2014-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:The goal in this study was to determine if there was a change in intracranial venous diameters after endovascular treatment of carotid distribution vasospasm caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS:The venous diameters were measured in all patients who received intraarterial papaverine and/or balloon angiopl...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 临床试验,杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2006.21.3.16
更新日期:2006-09-15 00:00:00
abstract::The best management strategy for symptomatic vertebrobasilar ischemia is currently not well-defined. Noninvasive Optimal Vessel Analysis (NOVA, VasSol, Inc.) is computer software that, using quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) angiography technology, represents the only commercially available means of noninvasively m...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/FOC/2008/24/2/E14
更新日期:2008-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used to treat various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Over the years, the most suitable surgical candidates and targets for some of these conditions have been characterized and the benefits of DBS well demonstrated in double-blinded randomized trials. This review will disc...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/2009.4.FOCUS0982
更新日期:2009-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Venous interruption through surgical clip ligation is the gold standard treatment for ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula (e-dAVF). Their malignant natural history is attributable to the higher predilection for retrograde cortical venous drainage. This video illustrates an e-dAVF in a 70-year-old man with progressiv...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2019.2.FocusVid.18702
更新日期:2019-04-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), often referred to as concussion when it occurs in sports, produces persistent cognitive problems in at least 15% of patients. Unfortunately, conventional neuropsychological tests usually yield results within normal limits in this population. The main objective of this event-re...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2012.10.FOCUS12253
更新日期:2012-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Since the publication of preliminary results from the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in 1998 there has been a great deal of debate concerning the natural history of these lesions and their attendant risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Therefore, the authors reviewed a selected number ...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/foc.2004.17.5.3
更新日期:2004-11-15 00:00:00
abstract::Arteriovenous fistulae of the internal maxillary artery are exceedingly rare, with less than 30 cases reported in the literature. Most of these lesions are congenital, iatrogenic, or posttraumatic. The most common presentation of internal maxillary artery fistulae is pulsatile tinnitus and headache. Because these lesi...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2019.1.FocusVid.18479
更新日期:2019-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::This is the case of a man in his 40s who suffered sudden collapse into a deep coma as a result of a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) feeding artery aneurysm within the lateral ventricle. The ruptured aneurysm was successfully treated with Onyx embolization of the feeding pedicle. The AVM and the feeding arter...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2017.7.FocusVid.17127
更新日期:2017-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Choroid plexus tumors consist of papillomas and carcinomas. A variety of germline and somatic genetic changes have been demonstrated for each of these subtypes. In this paper, the authors summarize the current knowledge of the genetic bases of these tumors. ...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/foc.2006.20.1.11
更新日期:2006-01-15 00:00:00
abstract::The benefits of anterior interbody arthrodesis in deformity surgery are well known and include load sharing and increased fusion rates. A minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach to the anterior lumbar spine is a promising alternative to traditional interbody techniques for the treatment of adult degenerative sc...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2013.V2.FOCUS13198
更新日期:2013-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::OBJECT Spinal tumor resection has historically been performed via open approaches, although minimally invasive approaches have recently been found to be effective in small cohort series. The authors compare surgical characteristics and clinical outcomes of surgery in patients undergoing mini-open and open approaches f...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2015.5.FOCUS15187
更新日期:2015-08-01 00:00:00
abstract::Endovascular cerebral revascularization is becoming a frequently used alternative to surgery for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease, especially in the intracranial circulation where options are limited. Recent literature regarding the equivalent efficacy of carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy in c...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/2009.1.FOCUS08276
更新日期:2009-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Chiari malformation is a developmental disorder that is often associated with other abnormalities of the cerebrospinal axis. Despite widespread recognition of this association, there is relatively little information on the treatment of these coexisting disorders in the setting of cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. In an ef...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.1999.6.6.5
更新日期:1999-06-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Fifteen hundred patients have received deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacotherapy over the last half-century, but few during the last decade. Deep brain stimulation for neuropathic pain has shown variable outcomes and gained consensus approval in Europe but not the US. T...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/2013.7.FOCUS1346
更新日期:2013-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Bell palsy remains the most common cause of facial paralysis. Unfortunately, this term is often erroneously applied to all cases of facial paralysis. METHODS:The authors performed a retrospective review of data obtained in 11 patients who were treated at a university-based referral practice between July 1988 an...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2002.12.5.3
更新日期:2002-05-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 15% of nontraumatic SAH and has been reported with low morbidity and mortality rates. We report on a large series of patients with angiogram-negative SAH who experienced an atypical nonbenign clinical course. METHODS:Between December 2001 and Novembe...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2009.2.FOCUS092
更新日期:2009-05-01 00:00:00
abstract::Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are common vascular lesions of the CNS that may lead to seizures, focal neurological deficits, and fatal hemorrhagic stroke. Human genetic studies have identified 3 genes associated with CCM, and biochemical and molecular studies in mice have elucidated signaling pathways with i...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/2010.6.FOCUS10135
更新日期:2010-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::OBJECTIVE The authors describe their results using an endoscope as an adjunct to microsurgical resection of inferior vestibular schwannomas (VSs) with extension into the fundus of the internal auditory canal below the transverse crest. METHODS All patients who had undergone middle fossa craniotomy for VSs performed by...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2017.12.FOCUS17663
更新日期:2018-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::Electrodiagnostic testing in patients who have upper-extremity symptoms, which may include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), has been the gold standard for diagnosis for many years. Despite their value, these tests are underutilized. The authors examined the use patterns of electrodiagnostic testing at the University of V...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.1997.3.1.5
更新日期:1997-07-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:The authors undertook a study to compare two intraoperative imaging modalities, low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and a prototype of a three-dimensional (3D)-navigated ultrasonography in terms of imaging quality in lesion detection and intraoperative resection control. METHODS:Low-field MR imaging was u...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 临床试验,杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2001.10.2.4
更新日期:2001-02-15 00:00:00
abstract::Subarachnoid-pleural fistula is a rare type of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, and there are only several cases reported in the literature. The authors describe a 65-year-old male patient in whom a diagnosis of T7-8 disc herniation had been made. He underwent surgery via a right lateral extracavitary approach. Post...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/foc.2000.9.1.9
更新日期:2000-07-15 00:00:00
abstract::In this article the authors attempt to raise awareness of the pitfalls and controversial issues in nerve tumor surgery. In a case-guided format, examples of ambiguous findings, inappropriate tumor removal, repeated surgery, and nerve repairs are provided. The authors also discuss the need to establish a correct diagno...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.3171/foc.2007.22.6.20
更新日期:2007-06-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:The causal treatment of Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) consists of removing the obstruction of CSF flow at the level of the foramen magnum. Cerebrospinal fluid flow can be visualized using dynamic phase-contrast MR imaging. Because there is only a paucity of studies evaluating CSF dynamics in the region of th...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2011.7.FOCUS11105
更新日期:2011-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an increasingly used novel local/regional delivery method targeted directly to tissue. It relies on a continuous pressure gradient for distribution of therapeutic agents into the interstitial space, with administration of the infusate over a few days. Cintredekin besudotox (...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 临床试验,杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2006-04-15 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECT:Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are devastating lesions causing refractory epilepsy, rage attacks, social ineptitude, and precocious puberty. Microsurgical and/or endoscopic resection offers an excellent risk/benefit profile for cure or improvement of epilepsy. METHODS:The authors reviewed a prospective database ...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2010.11.FOCUS10250
更新日期:2011-02-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECTIVE:Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) represents 17% of the world's land, 14% of the population, and 1% of the gross domestic product. Previous reports have indicated that 81/500 African neurosurgeons (16.2%) worked in SSA-i.e., 1 neurosurgeon per 6 million inhabitants. Over the past decades, efforts have been made to imp...
journal_title:Neurosurgical focus
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.3171/2019.12.FOCUS19853
更新日期:2020-03-01 00:00:00