To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of a suprasellar DC in a pediatric patient that was removed endoscopically.

BACKGROUND:Dystonia is a group of disorders characterized by involuntary slow repetitive twisting movements and/or abnormal posture. Surgical options such as neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation and neuroablative procedures are available for patients who do not respond to conservative treatment.OBJECTIVE:To present our series of patients with dystonia who were treated with stereotactic combined unilateral radiofrequency lesioning of the motor thalamus, field of Forel, and zona incerta.METHODS:Medical records of 50 patients with dystonia who were treated with unilateral combined lesions were reviewed. Outcomes of the surgical procedure were evaluated using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (with movement and disability subscales) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-tremor items.RESULTS:Based on the symptoms, patients were categorized as having generalized dystonia (34%), hemidystonia (30%), and dystonic tremor (DT) (36%). Primary/idiopathic dystonia, primary genetic/hereditary dystonia, and secondary dystonia accounted for 16%, 4%, and 80% of patients, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 156.2 ± 88.9 mo. The overall improvement in the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale scores (movement and disability, respectively) was 57.8% and 36.4% in generalized dystonia, 60.0% and 45.8% in hemidystonia, and 65.6% and 56.8% in DT. Patients with DT showed an 83.3% improvement in mean Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale tremor score. Patients with cerebral palsy showed mean improvements of 66.7% in movement scores and 50.8% in disability scores. No mortality or major morbidity was observed postoperatively.CONCLUSION:Stereotactic radiofrequency unilateral combined thalamotomy, campotomy, and zona incerta lesions may be an effective surgical alternative for patients with dystonia, especially those with secondary dystonia resistant to deep brain stimulation.

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AIM: To present one of neurosurgery's earliest pioneers, Dr. Vahdettin Turkman, who contributed to neurosurgical practice globally from east to west (Iraq, Tukey, England, Germany and the United States) in the early 1960s. MATERIAL and METHODS:This paper is the result of numerous interviews conducted in Turkey, Iraq, USA, and Canada.RESULTS: During Dr. Turkman's brief life, he accomplished a great deal that contributed to the global advancement of modern neurosurgery. CONCLUSION:Dr. Turkman's contributions and achievements have inspired many neurosurgeons trained at Ankara and Hacettepe Universities, Neurosurgery Departments in Turkey, and around the world. We honor Dr. Turkman and pay tribute to his memory.

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