These sulcal and gyral key points can be particularly useful for initial intraoperative sulci identification and dissection. Together, they compose a framework that can help in the understanding of hemispheric lesion localization, in the placement of supratentorial craniotomies, as landmarks for the transsulcal approaches to periventricular and intraventricular lesions, and in orienting the anatomic removal of gyral sectors that contain infiltrative tumors.

Compared with ETV, VPS is a superior method because it had better functional neurological outcomes 12 months after surgery.

T he temporal stem is a widely used term, but is still a controversial concept. Definitions of the stem range from its being as small as the fiber bundles passing between the limen insula and the anterior end of the temporal horn, to its being as large as including all the fibers passing beneath the length of the inferior limiting insular sulcus (ILS). 13,42,45,46 The transsylvian approach to the medial temporal lobe is commonly directed through or adjacent to the ILS and temporal stem, where opening of the temporal horn and exposure of the amygdala and the hippocampus are key steps. Unfortunately, the temporal lobe is the site of important brain functions, and complications involving visual and language deficits are not rare. 12,34,38 In this study, based on the larger definition of the stem, the location of each white matter pathway between the ILS and temporal horn was described, with special attention to their relation to the limen insula. The meeting point of the ILS with the limen insula can be identified during surgery and used as a landmark to estimate the position of each set of fibers beneath the ILS. MethodsFourteen adult cadaveric cerebral hemispheres were examined using ×3 to ×40 magnification. The specimens were fixed with formalin and preserved in a 70% alcohol abbreviatioNs DTI = diffusion tensor imaging; ILS = inferior limiting insular sulcus; LGB = lateral geniculate body; TLP = temporal limen point. obJect The purpose of this study was to describe the location of each white matter pathway in the area between the inferior limiting insular sulcus (ILS) and temporal horn that may be crossed in approaches through the temporal stem to the medial temporal lobe. Methods The fiber tracts in 14 adult cadaveric cerebral hemispheres were examined using the Klingler technique. The fiber dissections were completed in a stepwise manner, identifying each white matter pathway in different planes and describing its position in relation to the anterior end of the ILS. results The short-association fibers from the extreme capsule, which continue toward the operculae, are the most superficial subcortical layer deep to the ILS. The external capsule fibers are found deeper at an intermediate layer and are formed by the uncinate fasciculus, inferior frontooccipital fasciculus, and claustrocortical fibers in a sequential anteroposterior disposition. The anterior commissure forms the next deeper layer, and the optic radiations in the sublenticular part of the internal capsule represent the deepest layer. The uncinate fasciculus is found deep to the anterior third of the ILS, whereas the inferior frontooccipital fasciculus and optic radiations are found superficial and deep, respectively, at the posterior two-thirds of this length. coNclusioNs The authors' findings suggest that in the transsylvian approach, a 6-mm incision beginning just posterior to the limen insula through the ILS will cross the uncinate fasciculus but not the inferior frontooccipital fasciculus or optic radiations, but that longer incisions carry a...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe in detail the cortical and subcortical anatomy of the central core of the brain, defining its limits, with particular attention to the topography and relationships of the thalamus, basal ganglia, and related white matter pathways and vessels. METHODS The authors studied 19 cerebral hemispheres. The vascular systems of all of the specimens were injected with colored silicone, and the specimens were then frozen for at least 1 month to facilitate identification of individual fiber tracts. The dissections were performed in a stepwise manner, locating each gray matter nucleus and white matter pathway at different depths inside the central core. The course of fiber pathways was also noted in relation to the insular limiting sulci. RESULTS The insular surface is the most superficial aspect of the central core and is divided by a central sulcus into an anterior portion, usually containing 3 short gyri, and a posterior portion, with 2 long gyri. It is bounded by the anterior limiting sulcus, the superior limiting sulcus, and the inferior limiting sulcus. The extreme capsule is directly underneath the insular surface and is composed of short association fibers that extend toward all the opercula. The claustrum lies deep to the extreme capsule, and the external capsule is found medial to it. Three fiber pathways contribute to form both the extreme and external capsules, and they lie in a sequential anteroposterior disposition: the uncinate fascicle, the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle, and claustrocortical fibers. The putamen and the globus pallidus are between the external capsule, laterally, and the internal capsule, medially. The internal capsule is present medial to almost all insular limiting sulci and most of the insular surface, but not to their most anteroinferior portions. This anteroinferior portion of the central core has a more complex anatomy and is distinguished in this paper as the "anterior perforated substance region." The caudate nucleus and thalamus lie medial to the internal capsule, as the most medial structures of the central core. While the anterior half of the central core is related to the head of the caudate nucleus, the posterior half is related to the thalamus, and hence to each associated portion of the internal capsule between these structures and the insular surface. The central core stands on top of the brainstem. The brainstem and central core are connected by several white matter pathways and are not separated from each other by any natural division. The authors propose a subdivision of the central core into quadrants and describe each in detail. The functional importance of each structure is highlighted, and surgical approaches are suggested for each quadrant of the central core. CONCLUSIONS As a general rule, the internal capsule and its vascularization should be seen as a parasagittal barrier with great functional importance. This is of particular importance in choosing surgical approaches within this region.

Object The sylvian fissure or lateral sulcus is the most identifiable feature of the superolateral brain surface and constitutes the main microneurosurgical corridor, given the high frequency of approachable intracranial lesions through this route. The anterior sylvian point (ASyP) divides this fissure in its main anterior and posterior rami and was evaluated in this study for its morphology, exact location, and sulcal and neural relationships to assess its suitability as an initial, visually identifiable landmark for further neuroimaging and intraoperative estimation of its adjoining suprasylvian structures. Methods This study is based on 32 formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres. The brains were removed from the skulls of 16 cadavers after the introduction of plastic catheters through properly positioned burr holes; the number of specimens for some of the analyzed data differed because of incorrect positioning of catheters or damage to the studied structures caused by the initial steps of the study. The ASyP had a cisternal aspect in 94% of the specimens and was always located inferior to the triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, 2.3 ± 0.5 cm in front of the inferior rolandic point. The ASyP was located underneath the 1.5-cm-diameter cranial area of the anterior aspect of the squamous suture. Its adjoining structures that compose the suprasylvian operculum have constant basic morphological configurations. Conclusions The ASyP underlies the anterior aspect of squamous suture just behind the pterion, can be easily recognized, and constitutes a reliable initial sulcal landmark for further estimation of the suprasylvian sulcal and gyral structures. The suprasylvian operculum can be understood as a series of convolutions roughly arranged as a V-shaped convolution, with its vertex constituted by the ASyP, followed by three U-shaped convolutions and one C-shaped convolution.

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Spinal cord disease represents a major cause of morbidity and suffering in cancer patients. Prevention or minimization of neurologic deficits depends on an understanding of early symptoms, clinical course, and treatment options. Early diagnosis is crucial, as current treatments usually arrest the course of the disease but much less commonly restore lost neurologic function. This article will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management of the causes of spinal cord dysfunction directly related to cancer. It will briefly discuss myelopathies related to paraneoplasia and treatment complications. Epidural spinal cord compressionSpinal cord or cauda equina dysfunction resulting from tumor growth in the spinal epidural space is commonly referred to as epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC). In some ways, spinal epidural metastasis (SEM) may be a better term, as it encompasses the phenomena of root, cauda equina, and minor degrees of thecal sac compression SEM/ESCC is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in cancer patients, and will receive the bulk of attention in this article. EpidemiologyAlthough careful, contemporary population-based studies are unavailable, the best evidence suggests that 5% of patients dying of cancer have suffered ESCC [1]. With more than 500,000 Americans succumbing to cancer yearly, there are likely to be more than 25,000 cases of ESCC yearly in the United States.Neurol Clin N Am

Object The most appropriate method to determine the quality of life of patients with intradural primary spinal tumors (IPSTs) is not still well established. Methods Clinical data in 234 patients who underwent surgery for intradural spinal disease were collected prospectively. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a generic score scale, was administered to 148 patients with IPSTs to demonstrate if the survey can be used to effectively evaluate these patients. Forty-eight patients were excluded because they did not complete the protocol. The study was finally conducted with 100 patients (45 male and 55 female) with IPSTs, and the results were compared with those of 2 other scales: the McCormick scale and the Aminoff-Logue scale. Results Construct validity was demonstrated by confirming the hypothesized relationship between the scores of the SF-36 and the McCormick scale (p = 0.003), the Aminoff-Logue gait subscale (p = 0.025), the Aminoff-Logue micturition subscale (p = 0.013), and the Aminoff-Logue defecation subscale (p = 0.004). Reliability was demonstrated for all 8 SF-36 domain scales and the Physical Component Summary and the Mental Component Summary of the SF-36, where in each the Cronbach alpha satisfied the Nunnally criterion of > 0.85. Conclusions The authors' results demonstrated that SF-36 provides valid and reliable data for patients with IPSTs and that the survey can be used appropriately to evaluate these patients.