Permanent Surgical Complications Research Articles

Brachial Plexus Schwannoma: A Systematic Review of Clinicopathological Features, Surgical Outcomes, and Prognosis of 341 Cases.

Although primary tumors of the brachial plexus (BP) are rare, schwannomas are the most frequently encountered type. This study evaluated the clinicopathological presentation, surgical outcomes, and prognosis of patients with BP schwannomas. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane on the 25th of March 2024. All English human studies that reported surgically managed BP schwannomas were included. This review included 341 patients from 82 studies, with a mean age of 41.49 years and a female majority (55.72%). The most common clinical presentation was swelling, observed in 245 patients (71.85%). Surgical intervention was performed in all cases, with gross total resection (86.80%) being the most common approach. Surgical complications included new motor deficits in 41 (12.02%), sensory deficits in 33 (9.68%), and new-onset pain in 6 cases (1.76%). Prognostic information was available for all the 280 patients. At the last follow-up, only a small number of patients showed no postoperative improvement. Of the 164 patients initially presenting with pain, 3 (1.83%) reported persistent symptoms. In addition, continued sensory deficits were noted in 13 (8.67%) of the 150 cases, and continued motor deficits in 4 (9.30%) of the 43 cases. Furthermore, 14 (19.71%) of 71 postoperative new-onset symptoms persisted at the last follow-up. One (16.67%) of the 6 patients experienced constant pain. Additionally, sensory deficits persisted in 8 (28.57%) of the 28 patients, and motor deficits persisted in 5 (13.51%) of the 37 patients. No local recurrence has been reported. This systematic review highlights the complexity of BP schwannoma. Despite the occurrence of postoperative complications, the overall prognosis remains favorable with minimal rates of persistent preoperative symptoms and permanent surgical complications. Accurate diagnosis and effective surgical management are necessary to improve the outcomes of patients with this rare, yet clinically significant condition.

Research advances on light-adjustable intraocular lens

Refractive error is a key determinant of visual acuity post-cataract surgery. Traditional methods for addressing refractive errors have been invasive, posing the risk of permanent surgical complications. Thus, the pursuit of non-invasive techniques for correcting refractive errors after cataract surgery is of significant clinical importance. Recently, a novel class of intraocular lenses (IOL), termed light-adjustable IOL, has emerged as a potential solution for refining refractive outcomes. These IOL possess the unique ability to alter their dioptric power in vitro through exposure to specific wavelengths of light, facilitating a non-invasive approach to refractive error correction. The landscape of light-adjustable IOL is diverse, encompassing ultraviolet light-adjustable IOL, novel nitinol-based thermomechanically adjustable IOL, IOL with refractive index changes induced by femtosecond lasers, and IOL utilizing two-photon effects for dioptric adjustment. This review article aims to summarize the advancements in light-adjustable lenses, providing insights and references for ongoing research and clinical practice in this field.

Active Surveillance of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Metastatic Cervical Lymph Nodes: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: The most frequent site of recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is cervical lymph nodes (LNs), which often necessitates repeated surgical interventions and morbidity in a generally indolent disease. Data on active surveillance (AS) of small cervical nodal metastasis are still scarce, particularly in real-world clinical settings. In this study, we evaluated the DTC outcomes of AS of metastatic cervical LNs and explored factors associated with disease progression. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including DTC patients with biopsy-proven metastatic cervical LNs, who were followed on AS in a tertiary care, university-based institution in Brazil. The inclusion criteria were cervical metastasis ≤2.0 cm and an AS duration of at least 6 months. We excluded lesions with aggressive histology, those in close proximity to or invading local structures. The primary outcome was disease progression (enlargement ≥3 mm in any diameter or a new cervical metastasis). Results: Data from 40 patients were analyzed. Most were female (77.5%) and had papillary thyroid cancer (97.5%). The mean age was 47.0 (± standard deviation 15.8) years. The 8th edition of the tumor, node, metastasis stage (TNM8) staging for DTC was as follows: 29 in stage I (74.4%), 8 in stage II (20.5%), and 2 in stage IV (5.0%). The median maximum LN diameter was 0.9 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8-1.3) cm, and the median AS follow-up duration was 27.5 (IQR, 16.5-47.3) months. Disease progression occurred in 14 (35%) patients: 7 (17.5%) due to enlargement ≥3 mm, and 7 (17.5%) had new cervical metastasis. The cervical progression-free survival was 51.0 (confidence interval, 47.0-55.0) months. No demographic, oncological, or biochemical factors were associated with disease progression. Of the 14 patients with disease progression, 8 were referred for surgery. No permanent surgical complications were reported. Of the six patients who remained on AS despite disease progression, five showed no further progression during subsequent follow-up (range 6-40 months). Conclusions: We observed that most small metastatic cervical LNs remained stable and were safely managed with AS. Nevertheless, these observations are limited by the retrospective design, small sample size, and short follow-up. Further prospective and long-term studies are warranted.

Impact of Definitive Surgery for Graves' Disease on Adolescent Disease-Specific Quality of Life and Psychosocial Functioning.

Introduction: Pediatric Graves' disease (GD) is associated with hyperthyroid symptoms that impact psychosocial and physical functioning. Total thyroidectomy (TT) is a definitive treatment option that replaces antithyroid medication. While studies have examined health-related quality of life (QOL) in adults, there are no data describing impacts of TT in pediatrics. In this prospective longitudinal study, we explored the impact of TT on disease-specific QOL and satisfaction with TT and scar appearance in adolescent patients with GD undergoing TT. Methods: Patients 12-19 years old pursuing TT for GD and their parents were recruited to complete surveys before and at least 6 months after TT. Surveys assessed motivations for pursuing TT, QOL, perceived stigmatization, self-esteem, scar appearance, and surgery satisfaction. Paired scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and subscore associations were assessed using Spearman association tests. Results: Thirty-seven patient-parent dyads completed baseline surveys, including 20 patient-parent dyads completing pre- and post-TT surveys. At baseline, patients reported physical and cognitive symptomology, including tiredness, anxiety, and emotional susceptibility through ThyPRO. Psychosocial functioning at school was low through PedsQL. Disease-specific QOL significantly improved after TT, with notable improvements associated with resolution of goiter (median change = -26.14, p = 0.003), hyperthyroid symptoms (median change = -43.75, p = 0.002), tiredness (median change = -26.79, p = 0.017), cognitive impairment (median change = -14.58, p = 0.035), anxiety (median change = -33.33, p = 0.010), and emotional susceptibility (median change = -28.99, p = 0.035). Physical (median change = 18.75, p = 0.005) and school-related functioning (median change = 30.00, p = 0.002) also significantly improved post-TT. Reported GD-associated eye symptomology (thyroid eye disease) was the second lowest scoring ThyPRO subscore at baseline and improved after surgery (median change = 14.06, p = 0.03). Families reported median recovery by two months, high satisfaction with the outcomes of TT, and minimal concerns over scar appearance. No permanent surgical complications (i.e., recurrent laryngeal nerve damage or hypoparathyroidism) were sustained. Conclusions: In the setting of a high-volume surgeon with low complication rates, TT for GD in pediatric populations may have substantial beneficial effects on disease-specific QOL and psychosocial functioning, with minimal adverse complaints about scar appearance.

Clinical Outcome After Microsurgical Resection of Central Neurocytoma: A Single-Centre Analysis of 15 Years.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the immediate postoperative and long-term outcomes of central neurocytoma (CN) based on 15 years of experience in our institution.Methods: This single-institution study collected data of 43 patients with CN who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2020. We reviewed data of clinical, immediate postoperative outcome, and long-term outcome of patients. More specifically, we divided complications into neurological and regional complications groups.Results: Among the 43 patients with CN who underwent surgery, the transcortical (72.1%) or transcallosal (25.6%) approach was used. There were 18 patients (41.9%) who complained about postoperative neurological complications, including motor weakness (25.6%), memory deficit (18.6%), aphasia (7.0%), and seizure (4.7%). In addition, 18 patients suffered postoperative regional complications such as hydrocephalus (2.3%), hematoma (34.9%), infection (4.7%), and subcutaneous hydrops (2.3%). Only one-quarter of patients had suffered permanent surgical complications. The majority of patients recovered from the deficit and could turn back to normal life. There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between transcortical and transcallosal approaches. At a median follow-up of 61.8 months, the 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 87.0 and 74.0%, respectively. A multivariate Cox model analysis showed that the extent of resection was not related to progression-free survival. However, the extent of resection was significantly associated with overall survival, and gross total resection decreased the risk of death.Conclusions: Patients with CN show favorable outcomes after surgery. The transcortical and transcallosal approaches have similar postoperative complication rates and long-term follow-up outcomes. In terms of long-term prognosis, maximal safety resection should be the first choice of CN.

Factors affecting the approaches and complications of surgery in childhood papillary thyroid carcinomas

BackgroundThe aim of the study is to analyse the factors related to permanent surgical complications in children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma treated by total thyroidectomy with central and bilateral neck dissections. MethodsChildren and adolescents aged ≤18-year-old at presentation with papillary thyroid carcinoma during the years 1988–2010 underwent thyroid and lymph-node surgeries (with a median follow-up of 19.6 years) were analysed for post-surgical complications. ResultsPermanent surgical morbidity occurred in 14% (n = 70) of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy as well as bilateral central and lateral neck dissections (n = 509). Factors associated with permanent complications included pN1 with extra-nodal extension, > 4 metastatic lymph nodes in the central neck compartment, presence of distant metastases and younger age of patients at surgery. Patients who received extensive surgery had better relapse-free survival rates (p < 0.001). ConclusionTotal thyroidectomy and bilateral central as well as lateral neck dissections for children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma was associated with substantial postoperative complications. Nevertheless, it is associated with better prognosis for young patients with thyroid cancer. Prophylactic compartment-oriented lymph node dissections to these patients could be the management protocol in experienced hands.

Long-term outcome after epilepsy surgery in older adults

PurposeThe incidence of epilepsy in older adults is growing, as does the incidence of comorbidities. Therefore, when it comes to epilepsy surgery in medically intractable epilepsy, age is often seen as a limiting factor. To investigate the outcome after epilepsy surgery in a population of older adults, we compared the benefit for patients aged 50–59 years with those aged 60 years and older in respect of efficacy and safety. MethodPatients aged ≥50 years with medically intractable epilepsy who underwent epilepsy surgery from 1990 to 2013 were selected from the database of a German epilepsy center. All of them received a standardised and detailed presurgical diagnostic evaluation. Follow-up included at least four scheduled visits with EEG, MRI and neuropsychological testing. Outcome was assessed using the Engel outcome scale. Results79 patients aged between 50 and 67 years were followed-up for a median of 4.7 years (2–16 years). 68% of patients were free of disabling seizures (Engel class I, ≥60 years: 75%) and 58% were seizure-free (Engel class IA, ≥60 years: 70%). 90% of our patients suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), 9% from frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and one occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE). After surgery, 9% discontinued or tapered their medication. Permanent surgical complications occurred in 10% of cases and transient neurological deficits were seen in 11%. Older patients had a higher risk for postoperative hygroma (≥60 years 15%; <60 years 8%) and were more prone to postoperative memory deficits (≥60 years 45%), especially after resection of the dominant temporal lobe. Verbal and figural memory testing did not differ significantly between the groups. ConclusionsThe results support the view that in selected older patients, epilepsy surgery shows equal or even higher success rates as compared to younger patients. However, patients of older age may be at greater risk for postoperative hygroma and memory deficits, especially after dominant temporal lobe resections.

Inherent Tumor Characteristics That Limit Effective and Safe Resection of Giant Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas.

Surgical treatment of giant pituitary adenomas is sometimes challenging. We present our surgical series of giant nonfunctioning adenomas to shed light on the limitations of effective and safe tumor resection. The preoperative tumor characteristics, surgical approaches, outcome, and histology of giant nonfunctioning adenoma (>40 mm) in 128 consecutive surgical patients are reviewed. The follow-up period ranged from 19 to 113 months (mean 62.2 months). A transsphenoidal approach was used in the treatment of 109 patients and a combined transsphenoidal transcranial approach in 19 patients. A total of 93 patients (72.7%) underwent total resection or subtotal resection apart from the cavernous sinus (CS). The degree of tumor resection, excluding the marked CS invasion, was lower in tumors that were larger (P= 0.0107), showed massive intracranial extension (P= 0.0352), and had an irregular configuration (P= 0.0016). Permanent surgical complications developed in 28 patients (22.0%). Long-term tumor control was achieved in all patients by single surgery, including 43 patients with adjuvant radiotherapy. Most tumors were histologically benign, with a low MIB-1 index (<3.0%) beside a few tumors mainly silent adenomas of pituitary-specific transcription factor lineage. Irrespective of the surgical approach, massive intracranial extension, an irregular configuration, and marked CS invasion are inherent factors that independently limit effective resection. These high-risk tumors require an individualized therapeutic strategy.

Preclinical Validation of Multilevel Intraparenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in the Porcine Spinal Cord.

Although multiple clinical trials are currently testing different stem cell therapies as treatment alternatives for many neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injury, the optimal injection parameters have not yet been defined. To test the spinal cord's tolerance to increasing volumes and numbers of stem cell injections in the pig. Twenty-seven female Göttingen minipigs received human neural progenitor cell injections using a stereotactic platform device. Cell transplantation in groups 1 to 5 (5-7 pigs in each) was undertaken with the intent of assessing the safety of an injection volume escalation (10, 25, and 50 µL) and an injection number escalation (20, 30, and 40 injections). Motor function and general morbidity were assessed for 21 days. Full necropsy was performed; spinal cords were analyzed for graft survival and microscopic tissue damage. No mortality or permanent surgical complications were observed during the 21-day study period. All animals returned to preoperative baseline within 14 days, showing complete motor function recovery. The histological analysis showed that there was no significant decrease in neuronal density between groups, and cell engraftment ranged from 12% to 31% depending on the injection paradigm. However, tissue damage was identified when injecting large volumes into the spinal cord (50 μL). This series supports the functional safety of various injection volumes and numbers in the spinal cord and gives critical insight into important safety thresholds. These results are relevant to all translational programs delivering cell therapeutics to the spinal cord.

Total versus hemithyroidectomy for small unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma

The correct approach to treat low-risk intrathyroidal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial. Specific authors advocate unilateral thyroidectomy to minimize perioperative morbidity. The purpose of the present study was to determine an effective treatment strategy for patients with small unilateral papillary thyroid. This was a retrospective comparative analysis of 161 patients with PTC treated between 2001–2010; 60 consecutive patients following hemithyroidectomy and 101 patients following total thyroidectomy. Only patients with preoperatively-predicted localized unilateral disease were included. No between-group difference was identified in the rate of permanent surgical complications. In total, 36 hemithyroidectomy patients (60%) exhibited benign thyroid nodules in the contralateral lobe on preoperative ultrasound; this factor was found to positively correlate with the performance of ≥1 fine needle aspirations (FNAs) during follow-up. In addition, 47 hemithyroidectomy patients (78.3%) were prescribed thyroxine postoperatively. The hemithyroidectomy patients visited the endocrine clinic significantly less frequently than the total thyroidectomy patients (P=0.01), but were referred more often for neck ultrasound (P=0.03) and FNA (P<0.001). In addition, an increased number of patients in the hemithyroidectomy group were reoperated for suspected recurrent/persistent disease (P=0.06). Results of this retrospective study indicate that hemithyroidectomy for small unilateral PTC is associated with a significant follow-up burden and provides no clear patient benefit.

Hypothalamic hamartomas: Optimal approach to clinical evaluation and diagnosis

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) present a difficult medical problem, manifested by gelastic seizures, which are often medically intractable. Although existing techniques offer modest surgical outcomes with the potential for significant morbidity, the relatively novel technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic laser ablation (SLA) offers a potentially safer, minimally invasive method with high efficacy for the HH treatment. We report here on 14 patients with medically refractory gelastic epilepsy who underwent stereotactic frame-based placement of an MR-compatible laser catheter (1.6 mm diameter) through a 3.2-mm twist drill hole. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared laser surgery system (Visualase, Inc.) was utilized to ablate the HH, using real-time MRI thermometry. Seizure freedom was obtained in 12 (86%) of 14 cases, with mean follow-up of 9 months. There were no permanent surgical complications, neurologic deficits, or neuroendocrine disturbances. One patient had a minor subarachnoid hemorrhage that was asymptomatic. Most patients were discharged home within 1 day. SLA was demonstrated to be a safe and effective minimally invasive tool in the ablation of epileptogenic HH. Because use of SLA for HH is being adopted by other medical centers, further data will be acquired to help treat this difficult disorder.

A Cost-Utility Analysis for Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection in Clinically Nodal-Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Although prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) may reduce future locoregional recurrence after total thyroidectomy (TT) for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), it is associated with a higher initial morbidity. We aimed to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness between TT with pCND (TT+pCND) and TT alone in the institution's perspective. Our case definition was a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 nonpregnant female patients aged 50 years with a 1.5-cm cN0 PTC within one lobe. A Markov decision tree model was constructed to compare the estimated cost-effectiveness between TT+pCND and TT alone after a 20-year period. Outcome probabilities, utilities, and costs were estimated from the literature. The threshold for cost-effectiveness was set at US$50,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Sensitivity and threshold analyses were used to examine model uncertainty. Each patient who underwent TT+pCND instead of TT alone cost an extra US$34.52 but gained an additional 0.323 QALY. In fact, in the sensitivity analysis, TT+pCND became cost-effective 9 years after the initial operation. In the threshold analysis, none of the scenarios that could change this conclusion appeared clinically possible or likely. However, TT+pCND became cost-saving (i.e., less costly and more cost-effective) at 20 years if associated permanent vocal cord palsy was kept ≤ 1.37 %, permanent hypoparathyroidism was ≤ 1.20 %, and/or postoperative radioiodine ablation use was ≤ 73.64 %. In the institution's perspective, routine pCND for low-risk PTC began to become cost-effective 9 years after initial surgery and became cost-saving at 20 years if postoperative radioiodine use and/or permanent surgical complications were kept to a minimum.

Hypothalamic hamartoma causing gelastic seizures treated with stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation

To present a case of small hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) causing gelastic seizures and treated with stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation. A 22-year-old man presented with intractable gelastic seizures and focal seizures refractory to medical treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 6 mm x 6 mm x 7 mm sessile intraventricular HH. Under local anesthesia, four intra-hamartoma lesions were made via stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation using a depth electrode for recording and stimulation. Transient central hyperthermia, hypertension, and tachycardia were observed during the coagulation procedure. Intra-hamartoma spikes and slow waves were identified on depth electrode recordings. No gelastic seizure was induced by deep stimulation. The patient was seizure-free during the 12-month follow up and no permanent surgical complications occurred. Stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation may be an effective and safe treatment option in selected cases of hypothalamic hamartoma with gelastic seizures.

Thyroidectomy for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Complications and Associated Cancers

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is usually treated medically; however, thyroidectomy is sometimes indicated. Thyroiditis can make thyroid dissection more difficult and possibly increase the risk of surgical complications. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of complications and associated cancer in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Retrospective series of 474 patients treated surgically at the University of California, San Francisco, between January 1985 and June 2005 with final pathology demonstrating Hashimoto's thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, or chronic thyroiditis. Parameters evaluated included demographics, surgical indications, and postoperative complications. Among the 474 patients, 133 had thyroidectomy because of preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers (median age 39 years; 116 females and 17 males), 316 had thyroidectomy because of benign thyroid nodules or goiter (median age 47.5 years; 292 females and 24 males), and 25 had thyroidectomy to relieve local symptoms caused by thyroiditis but did not have thyroid nodules (median age 42 years; 25 females). No death or permanent surgical complications occurred. One hundred and fifty-two patients (32.1%) had transient postoperative hypocalcemia, 2 (0.4%) had transient recurrent nerve palsy, and 4 (0.8%) had a postoperative neck hematoma. Fifty-three percent had thyroid cancer at final histological examination. Thyroidectomy can be performed in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a low risk of permanent surgical complications. Cancer is common in patients who have a thyroidectomy for Hashimoto's thyroiditis even when not suspected preoperatively.

Unilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson disease

The object of this study was to assess the results of unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for management of advanced Parkinson disease (PD). A clinical series of 24 patients (mean age 71 years, range 56-80 years) with medically intractable PD, who were undergoing unilateral magnetic resonance imaging-targeted, electrophysiologically guided STN DBS, completed a battery of qualitative and quantitative outcome measures preoperatively (baseline) and postoperatively, using a modified Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations protocol. The mean follow-up period was 9 months. Statistically significant improvement was observed in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part II score (18%), the total UPDRS PART III score (31%), the contralateral UPDRS Part III score (63%), and scores for axial motor features (19%), contralateral tremor (88%), rigidity (60%), bradykinesia (54%), and dyskinesia (69%), as well as the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life questionnaire score (15%) in the on-stimulation state compared with baseline. Ipsilateral symptoms improved by approximately 15% or less. Performance on the Purdue pegboard test improved in the contralateral hand in the on-stimulation state compared with the off-stimulation state (38%, p < 0.05). The daily levodopa-equivalent dose was reduced by 21% (p = 0.018). Neuropsychological tests revealed an improvement in mental flexibility and a trend toward reduced letter fluency. There were no permanent surgical complications. Of the 16 participants with symmetrical disease, five required implantation of the DBS unit on the second side. Unilateral STN DBS is an effective and safe treatment for selected patients with advanced PD. Unilateral STN DBS provides improvement of contralateral motor symptoms of PD as well as quality of life, reduces requirements for medication, and possibly enhances mental flexibility. This method of surgical treatment may be associated with a reduced risk and may provide an alternative to bilateral STN DBS for PD, especially in older patients or patients with asymmetry of parkinsonism.

未破裂脳動静脈奇形 未破裂脳動静脈奇形の治療方針とその成績

The treatment of unruptured cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is still controversial. We have been treating these patients according to the Spetzler & Martin (S&M) grading system. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 46 unruptured AVM patients and also evaluated the bleeding rate during follow-up period. Recently we also started performing functional MRI, tractography, and 3-dimensional (3D) angiography for these patients before treatment. In 18 of 22 patients in S&M Grade I and II, AVMs were surgically removed and the outcome was good. Six of 9 patients in S&M Grade IV and V, were conservatively treated. In patients in S&M Grade III, various treatments were performed according to the location of the AVM, but all their outcomes were favorable. The rate of permanent surgical complications was 15.3% in 26 unruptured AVM patients. Based on our treatment results, aggressive treatment should be performed in patients with S&M Grade I and II. However, treatment decisions must be carefully considered based on functional MRI, tractography of AVM, and 3D angiography.

Treatment results of acromegaly as analyzed by different criteria.

Results of treatment of acromegaly are often incomparable due to the different criteria which have been used for defining cure or control of disease. At the present time it is widely accepted, that the main criteria of cure must be normalization of IGF-1 and a GH in the OGTT < 2 ng/ml. In this retrospective study we investigated the endocrinological results of 56 patients, who were surgically treated because of a GH-producing pituitary adenoma, by different criteria. Twelve of our patients had had additional medical treatment after surgery, two received radiotherapy. At a mean follow-up of 34 months after surgery 66% of patients had a basal GH < 5 ng/ml, 64% had a GH in the OGTT < 2 ng/ml and 73% had normalization of IGF-1. The combined criteria of OGTT < 2 ng/ml and IGF-1 normalization have been fulfilled in 59% of patients. None of these latter patients developed a clinical recurrence during the follow-up period. An optimal result (endocrinological cure, no permanent surgical complications and intact pituitary function) was achieved in 43% of patients. Although surgery was responsible for 19 new pituitary axis deficiencies (7 corticotropic axis, 8 thyrotropic axis and gonadotropic axis), 22 partial deficiencies improved to normalization after surgery (respectively 6, 3, and 13). Pre-operatively 55% of patients had no pituitary deficiency, after surgery this was 61%, leaving a net positive result of 6% less pituitary deficiencies. The authors conclude that normalization of IGF-1 combined with an OGTT < 2 ng/ml are adequate criteria for the definition of cure of acromegaly. However, the authors propose to include post-treatment hypopituitarism as an additional criterion by which treatment of acromegaly should be evaluated.

CT guided thalamotomy for movement disorders in multiple sclerosis: problems and paradoxes.

Unilateral ventrolateral (VL) thalamotomy for medically refractory tremorigenic movement disorders (MD) was performed in 9 patients with established multiple sclerosis. All patients had abolition of their coarse action/kinetic tremor with improvement in arm and hand function. In two patients some intention tremor either remained or was unmasked. Target coordinates ranged from 2 to -5 mm relative to the intercommissural line and from 8 to 16 mm lateral to the midline. There were no permanent surgical complications and the one stage procedure under local anesthetic was well tolerated. Although there were also improvements in posture and speech in some patients the overall and longer term functional impact of surgery was, except in two patients, disappointing. Since multiple sclerosis is a spectrum of disease entities, and tremor may be only one manifestation of the disease, clinical studies that use comprehensive patient assessments and objective criteria may allow prediction of longer term functional outcome in specific patient subgroups. The specific aims of the stereotactic procedure in severely disabled patients with MS and MD must also be clear.