Mahmoud M. Taha

Intraoperative stenting for brachiocephalic and carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVEEndovascular stenting is an alternative treatment for brachiocephalic artery stenosis, replacing standard surgical approaches such as carotid endarterectomy. However, a percutaneous approach may be difficult because various conditions such as severe arteriosclerosis of iliac or femoral arteries and aortic disease. We report our experience with intraoperative stenting for these lesions, presenting indications, strategy, and results. METHODSSeven patients underwent intraoperative stent placement via an open cervical approach. The sites of lesions included 1 innominate artery, 1 common carotid artery, and 5 cervical carotid arteries. Stenting was performed with a sheath introducer placed through a surgically exposed common carotid artery via a small skin incision or common carotid artery exposed for simultaneously performed carotid endarterectomy. Distal protection was used in 6 patients with an endovascular protective balloon or external clamping with forceps. RESULTSSufficient dilation of stenosis was obtained in all cases. No complications such as transient ischemic attack, cerebral infarction, and hyperperfusion were encountered. Wound hematoma was not experienced despite perioperative antiplatelet therapy and heparinization during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up over 1 year showed no restenosis in 5 available patients. CONCLUSIONIntraoperative stenting may be an excellent alternative for patients in whom both direct surgical approach and standard percutaneous endovascular approach are not possible.

Olfactory Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Schwannomas are benign tumors, which arise from the Schwann cells of the central or peripheral nerves. They form 8% of all intracranial tumors and most of the cases arise from vestibular division of the 8 th cranial nerve. Rare cases are shown to arise from the olfactory or optic nerve, being devoid of myelin sheath. Up to date and according to our best of knowledge, 66 cases have been reported till now. Here we present a review of the literature and a case report of a 56-year-old male with an accidently discovered anterior cranial fossa schwannoma, following a road traffic accident. Tumor was completely excised, using a right frontal approach. Histopathology revealed Antoni-A cellular pattern. Although rare, but olfactory nerve schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis in anterior cranial fossa space occupying lesions, and the approach should be designed taking into consideration, this rare entity.

Supra-Tentorial Cortical Ependymoma in an Adult: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Supratentorial cortical ependymoma is a rare primary brain tumor in adults. Only 50 cases are reported in the literature including pediatric and adult patients. We report a 30-year-old male with sensory-type seizures who was found to have a right posterior frontal cortical lesion with large cystic component. The lesion was resected completely and histopathology and immunohistochemistry examinations confirmed anaplastic ependymoma WHO grade III. The patient received radiotherapy treatment post-surgery, and he was tumor free one year after treatment.

Retraction Note to: Surgical management of intractable spasticity

This article, ‘Surgical management of intractable spasticity’, Mohamed I. Barakat, Waleed Elhady, Mohamed Gouda, Mahmoud Taha and Ibrahim Metwaly published in European Spine Journal, March 2016, Vol. 25, Issue 3, pp 928–935, First online: 14 December 2015, DOI 10. 1007/s00586-015-4326-y, has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief because this article has considerable overlap with the paper published in the Zagazeg University Journal, Egypt, ISSN 1110-1431, in 10-9-2012. Therefore it does not represent entirely original material and has to be withdrawn. The authors have agreed to retract the article, recognizing that it constitutes duplicate publication. In addition Mohamed Gouda asked to remove his name from the paper as a co-author because he had no direct or indirect relations with this paper.