OBJECTIVE Several cases of highly elevated serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) after surgical interventions have been described in the literature. A consensus on possible risk factors is still lacking. We therefore studied CK-levels in a large population of patients undergoing neurosurgical interventions and sought to determine possible risk factors. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 150 e...

This is the second of two articles on intraoperative neural monitoring. The aim of part one was to provide a concise overview of intraoperative nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery and its effectiveness. Part 1 included a brief review of the surgical anatomy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and described the surgical landmarks which can be used to identify the nerve during surgery. Part 2 will d...

Intradural intramedullary mixed type hemangioma is a rare histotype of primary spinal cord tumors, though it can carry a severe clinical burden leading to limb dysfunction or motor and sensory disturbances. Timely intervention with radical resection is the hallmark of treatment but achieving it is not an easy task even for experienced neurosurgeons. We herein present an exemplificative case pre...

OBJECTIVE To determine the beneficial effects of intraoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multimodal neuronavigation, and intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring-guided surgery for treating supratentorial cavernomas. METHODS Twelve patients with 13 supratentorial cavernomas were prospectively enrolled and operated while using a 1.5 T intraoperative MRI, multimodal ne...

Augmented reality is a term coined in 1992 by Tom Caudell, used to define a direct or indirect view of the physical realworld combined with virtual elements, creating a live mixed reality. Augmented reality devices typically consist of a combined headset, GPS, and display system to show the user virtual information that is actually added to reality. Augmented reality offers endless possibilitie...

This chapter discusses the unique challenges that endoscopic skull base surgery present to the neuroanesthesiologist. The neuroanesthesiology team plays a vital role in ensuring a safe outcome to this delicate surgery. Highly specialized endoscopic techniques and equipment, together with the use of sophisticated intraoperative monitoring, all mandate skillful anesthesia management that is tailo...

The risk for cardiovascular complications while providing any level of sedation or general anesthesia is greatest when caring for patients already medically compromised. It is reassuring that significant untoward events can generally be prevented by careful preoperative assessment, along with attentive intraoperative monitoring and support. Nevertheless, providers must be prepared to manage unt...