title: Intrinsic tumors of the medulla: surgical complications.
abstract: Intrinsic focal tumor of the medulla oblongata is an uncommon entity. Of the 51 cases presenting for treatment of a brainstem glioma between 1984 and 1990, only 7 were confined to the medulla. Radical excision was performed on each patient. Four of the first 5 patients who were extubated in the recovery room had CO2 retention, with associated respiratory arrest and hypoxia. Three suffered permanent cranial nerve deficits as a result. It is the purpose of this report to describe the serious complications of medullary surgery and to make recommendations as to how they may be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, New York University Medical Center, N.Y.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiminski-Maher
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wisoff
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*