- Provides a unified viewpoint on the various types of lesions encountered in the pineal region, while at the same time offering therapeutic perspectives for each type of lesion
- Clarifies controversies subjects in terms of diagnostic, therapy and adjuvant treatment helping readers select the most relevant aspects for their specific context
- Highlights the most practical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects contained in management algorithms based on the type of lesion, so as to offer practicing clinicians the most effective methods to solve certain cases
Neurosurgical lesions of the pineal region are extremely rare, accounting for roughly 1% of the total number of neurosurgical expansive lesions in modern practice. This book offers an up-to-date review of the relevant literature, combined with the personal perspectives of some highly experienced figures in the field.
The book is divided into two main parts, the first of which offers an overview of the pineal region from an anatomic, pathologic, imaging and therapeutic perspective. Special attention is given to surgical approaches to pineal region lesions. Microsurgical techniques are presented, together with detailed indications regarding specific locations of these lesions, specific complications, and controversial aspects concerning some of the approaches. A dedicated chapter addresses endoscopic techniques, their indications and limitations. Adjuvant therapies are also discussed, along with their particular indications and debated aspects.
In turn, the chapters in the second part cover specific lesions such as pineal region tumors, vascular lesions, and cystic and cyst-like lesions. Regarding pineal region tumors, the most frequent pathologies are presented in the most comprehensive and practical manner possible, with special attention to the appropriate therapeutic management for each type.
Further, there is a dedicated chapter on pineal region cysts. Given its depth of content, the book will allow neurosurgeons and specialists to greatly expand their understanding of pineal region lesions in daily clinical practice.
Table of ContentsI Overview- 1 Historical landmarks in pineal region surgery
- 2 Pineal region anatomy
- 3 Pathology of Pineal Region Lesions
- 4 Clinical presentation
- 5 Imagistic diagnosis
- 6 The Usefulness of Biomarkers for Diagnosis
- 7 Surgical Adjuvants for pineal region approach
II Surgical approaches for pineal region lesions- 8 Supracerebellar infratentorial approach
- 9 Occipital transtentorial approach
- 10 Transcallosal approach
- 11 Endoscopic approaches for pineal region lesions
- 12 Management of Hydrocephalus
III Adjuvant therapies- 13 Radiosurgery
- 14 Other radiotherapeutic techniques
- 15 Chemotherapy
IV Pineal region tumors- 16 Tumors of Pineal Cell Origin
- 17 Tumors of germ cell origin
- 18 Tumors of glial origin
- 19 Meningiomas of the pineal region
- 20 Metastatic tumors
V Vascular lesions of the pineal region- 21 Arterio-venous malformations
- 22 Cavernomas
- 23 Vein of Galen Aneurismal Malformation
VI Cysts and Cyst -Like Lesions of the pineal region- 24 Epidermoids and Dermoids
- 25 Pineal Cyst
VII Miscellanea- 26 Management algorithms
- 27 Conclusions
