Hiromasa Yoshioka

Fluorescence-guided surgery for glioblastoma multiforme using high-dose fluorescein sodium with excitation and barrier filters.

We have developed a technique of fluorescence-guided surgery using high-dose fluorescein sodium (20mg/kg) with excitation and barrier filters for glioblastoma multiforme surgery. This technique was used in 10 patients, with surgery proceeding as expected in all patients. There were no complications or permanent side effects. This method uses filters to help distinguish between the usually invisible tumor and the brain surface, as well as allowing a detailed assessment of the positional relationships with tumor vessels and the surrounding normal vessels. As sufficient yellow staining was present even without filters, delicate microsurgery was also possible under a normal white-light microscope. Both environments could be used as necessary during surgery according to the requirements of resection, thereby improving the reliability and safety of surgery.

The chicken egg and skull model of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery improves trainee drilling skills.

BackgroundWe verified the effectiveness of training in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (eETSS) techniques using chicken eggs and a skull model. MethodsWe verified the area of eggshell removed by drilling when five residents and four experts used the chicken eggs and a skull model.ResultsWhen residents performed drilling on 10 eggs, a mean (± standard deviation [SD]) area of 31.2 ± 17.5 mm2 was removed from the first egg, and 104.8 ± 3.3 mm2 from the tenth and final egg, representing an increase in area and a decrease in SD. The experts performed the same drilling operation on a single egg, and removed a mean area of 257± 31.7 mm2. These results demonstrated that skills improved as a result of this training, and suggested that this method was also capable of overcoming the initial individual differences in the amount of force applied and ability. An obvious difference between residents and experts was seen in the area removed (p = 0.00011); however, this was attributed to differences in endoscopic manipulation, rather than drilling skill.ConclusionOur findings suggest that this training method could be adequate for acquiring eETSS techniques. Although experts showed superior endoscopic manipulation, residents may also be able to acquire adequate endoscopic skills through further training, and our training method appears to offer an effective means of improving eETSS techniques.

Safe and accurate sylvian dissection with the use of indocyanine green videoangiography

Background: Sylvian dissection is an essential microneurosurgical skill for neurosurgeons. The safe and accurate opening of the sylvian fissure is desirable for a good prognosis. Methods: The aim of this report is to demonstrate the use of indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography to recognize the superficial sylvian vein (SSV) and thus enable a wide opening of the sylvian fissure, especially in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Results: The small tributary flowing into the SSV was distinguishable from a passing one, which deeply entered the insula. In addition, an entering point of a tributary to the SSV, which ran perpendicular to the insula, was occasionally determined. SSV, which was barely discernable in a reddish SAH involving the sylvian fissure, was clearly demarcated using ICG videoangiography. Two representative cases of sylvian dissection are herein presented. Conclusion: The performance of ICG videoangiography before sylvian dissection is a simple and useful method for identifying a vital approach route for safe and accurate sylvian dissection, and it reduces the risk of causing any accidental injury to the veins in the sylvian fissure.

Novel surgical technique to solidify cyst-type metastatic brain tumors using autologous fibrin glue for complete resection.

Background: An outstanding issue regarding the surgical treatment of cyst-type metastatic brain tumors is the incomplete resection of cyst walls. Herein we propose a novel surgical technique that can overcome this issue. During a surgical procedure for cystic tumors, autologous fibrin glue is to be injected into the tumor cysts, which solidifies the cyst lumens and cyst walls en bloc with reducing the tumor size. As a result, tumor masses and cyst walls can be removed completely in an en bloc fashion in all cases. Methods: The illustrative case presented in this report is a patient with metastatic brain tumors in the frontal lobe. When we reached the tumor wall surgically, we first suctioned out the cyst content and subsequently injected autologous fibrin glue into the cyst lumen. The autologous fibrin glue solidified the tumor en bloc, and we resected the tumor mass and the cyst walls in an en bloc fashion. Results: We have applied this technique to four cases with cyst-type metastatic brain tumors. This approach made it possible to perform ideal en bloc resection in all cases. There were no adverse events due to the autologous fibrin glue. Conclusion: We developed a novel surgical technique to solidify cyst-type metastatic brain tumors using autologous fibrin glue, which allows en bloc resection of tumor masses and cyst walls quite safely using inexpensive materials. Given these advantages, it appears a promising surgical strategy for cyst-type metastatic brain tumors.

S2-4. Neuromodulative treatments for spasticity

Intractable and severe spasticity after CNS disturbance has the ability to impact on the quality of life (QOL), function and care of the patients. Where medical and physical treatments have proved insufficient, a surgical approach may be pursued. Irrespective of the underlying pathology, intrathecal baclofen (ITB) will reduce spasticity in a controllable and reversible fashion. Owing to the potential for complications of ITB, careful selection and preparation are required to produce satisfactory results. And ITB therapy can greatly improve activities of daily living and QOL, and this treatment is attracting attention as a neuromodulatory therapy that also affects metabolic and respiratory functions and even state of consciousness. We here report the surgical methods and therapeutic outcomes for our patients who underwent ITB therapy for spastic patients in our hospital, together with an investigation of the effects on metabolic and respiratory functions. We want to present the most up-to-date information about ITB therapy.

Zigzag Skin Incision Effectively Camouflages the Scar and Alopecia for Moyamoya Disease: Technical Note

Moyamoya disease is commonly diagnosed in children, and requires various vascular reconstruction to improve symptoms. Therefore, scar widening and hair loss after craniotomy, which sometimes occurs in this disease, are serious problems for patients. A variety of plastic surgical techniques in scalp have been reported to minimize the scar widening and hair loss. However, any neurosurgical reports describing this purpose have never been published for moyamoya disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether these plastic surgical techniques could be applied to bypass surgery without any compromise of vascular reconstruction for moyamoya disease. We performed direct and indirect vascular reconstruction in six hemispheres of moyamoya disease patients not only in the middle cerebral artery territory but also in the anterior cerebral artery territory. The scalp incision was designed not parallel to the hair stream, and the bevelled incision was conducted not to jeopardize the hair follicles. The scar and hair loss were effectively camouflaged throughout the postoperative period in all cases. This study demonstrates that our design of scalp incision achieve effective vascular reconstruction and obscure the scar and hair loss.

A Case of Glioblastoma Multiforme with Hematogenous Metastases to the Pleura

Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)often infiltrates surrounding tissues, an action which is known as a clinical characteristic of this deadly disease. In contrast, extracranial metastases of GBM rarely occur. Consequently, the underlying mechanisms and prognosis of GBM metastasis remain unclear. In this regard, we here present a case of GBM with pleural metastases and discuss the relevant literature. The patient was a 62-year-old male who was originally diagnosed with GBM in the right temporal lobe and underwent craniotomy for tumor removal. Gross total resection was successfully performed. The patient received postoperative chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide, followed by maintenance chemotherapy with temozolomide alone. He showed a good postoperative course until a small recurrence occurred in the resection cavity at 17 months after the surgery. At 21 months, the patient developed thoracodorsal pain due to a large volume of pleural effusion with pleural masses. An intrathoracic biopsy revealed that the pleural lesions were metastases of the GBM. Simultaneously, intracranial imaging studies indicated tumor spread into the right cavernous sinus. These findings suggest that the GBM may have infiltrated into the cavernous sinus via the dura surrounding the cavernous sinus adjacent to the resection cavity and metastasized hematogenously to the pleural cavity. (Received September 2;accepted October 16, 2014)