Resident Salary Compared With Living Wages at US Training Institutions.

Objective: To compare living wages and salaries at US residency programs.

Background: It is unknown how resident salary compares to living wages across the United States.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of publicly available resident salary affordability from training centers with postgraduate year (PGY)-1 through PGY-7 resident compensation for 2022-2023 was compared with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living-Wage Calculator.

Lumbar Drain Use during Middle Fossa Approaches for Nonneoplastic Pathology of the Skull Base.

 The middle fossa craniotomy (MFCs) is commonly utilized for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, encephaloceles, and superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). This study compares postoperative outcomes of MFCs with and without LD use.  A retrospective cohort study of adults over the age of 18 years presenting for the repair of nonneoplastic CSF leak, encephalocele, or SSCD via MFC from 2009 to 2021 was conducted.

Symptom resolution following a repeat concussion within the same athlete.

Introduction: Repeat sport-related concussion (SRC) is anecdotally associated with prolonged recovery. Few studies have examined repeat concussion within the same athlete. We sought to explore differences in symptom burden and recovery outcomes in an individual athlete's initial and repeat SRC.

Techniques to Reduce the Rate of Infection in Surgeries for Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunting in Adults.

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement is associated with high rates of infection. Multiple standardized protocols, particularly in pediatric populations, have been proposed to mitigate this infection rate. We sought to determine the effectiveness of a standardized shunt infection protocol in a large adult population.

Global pediatric craniopharyngioma management modalities and outcomes.

Introduction: Pediatric craniopharyngioma is a complex pathology, with optimal management involving a multidisciplinary approach and thoughtful care coordination. To date, no studies have compared various treatment modalities and outcomes described in different global regions. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to compare demographics, clinical presentation, treatment approach and outcomes of children diagnosed with craniopharyngioma globally.

Predicting early versus late recovery from sport-related concussion using decision tree analysis.

Objective: Accurately predicting early (≤ 14 days) versus typical (15-27 days) or delayed (≥ 28 days) recovery from sport-related concussion (SRC) may allow for improved resource utilization and precision in planning and carrying out rehabilitation. In this study, the authors sought to develop an algorithm that enables accurate differentiation of recovery periods and duration after SRC. The authors hypothesized that data regarding initial symptom burden as quantified by a Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score, time to presentation, and number of prior concussions would be the most useful for analyzing predictive factors for concussion recovery duration.

Investigation of Factors Contributing to Racial Differences in Sport-Related Concussion Outcomes.

Objective: Following sport-related concussion (SRC), early studies have demonstrated racial differences in time to clinical recovery; however, these differences have not been fully explained. We sought to further explore these associations by considering possible mediating/moderating factors.

Methods: Data from patients aged 12-18 years diagnosed with SRC from November 2017 to October 2020 were analyzed.

Association between preoperative hematologic markers and aggressive behavior in meningiomas.

Introduction: Meningiomas have varying degrees of aggressive behavior. Some systemic hematologic makers are associated with malignancy, but their value in predicting aggressive meningioma behavior is not fully understood.

Objective: To evaluate the association between preoperative markers such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-monocyte ratio (NMR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and diagnostic and prognostic factors including WHO grade, proliferation index, presence of edema on preoperative MRI, and tumor recurrence.

Conditional Recurrence-Free Survival After Surgical Resection of Meningioma.

Background: Recurrence after meningioma resection warrants serial surveillance imaging, but little evidence guides the optimal time interval between imaging studies/surveillance duration.

Objective: To describe recurrence-free survival (RFS) after meningioma resection, conditioned to short-term RFS.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study for adults presenting for meningioma resection from 2000 to 2018 was conducted.

Barbed Suture versus Interrupted Suture in Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Are They Equivalent?

Introduction: Posterior cervical spine approaches have been associated with increased rates of wound complications compared to anterior approaches. While barbed suture wound closure for lumbar spine surgery has been shown to be safe and efficacious, there is no literature regarding its use in posterior cervical spine surgery. In a cohort of patients undergoing elective posterior cervical spine surgery, we sought to compare postoperative complication rates between barbed and traditional interrupted suture closure.

In Single-Level, Open, Posterior Lumbar Fusion, Does Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion or Posterolateral Fusion Lead to Better Outcomes?

Background: Two common approaches for open, one-level, posterior lumbar fusions include transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) alone without an interbody.

Objective: To compare TLIF vs PLF alone in (1) discharge disposition, (2) return to work (RTW), and (3) patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was undertaken between October 2010 and May 2021, all with a 1-year follow-up and excluding patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Matched case-control analysis of outcomes following surgical resection of incidental meningioma.

Purpose: The management of incidentally discovered meningioma remains controversial. We sought to compare outcomes following surgical resection of incidental meningioma to a matched cohort of symptomatic meningiomas.

Methods: A retrospective single-center case-control study was conducted for patients undergoing resection of incidental meningioma from 2000 to 2019.

Disseminated craniospinal low-grade glioma in a patient with NF-1 without optic pathway pathology: illustrative case.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a neurocutaneous autosomal dominant disorder that predisposes patients to develop intracranial low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Most LGGs in patients with NF-1 involve the optic pathway but can arise anywhere throughout the central nervous system. NF-1-related disseminated pediatric LGG (dPLGG) in the absence of a dominant optic pathway glioma has not been described.

A comparison of MRI appearance and surgical detethering rates between intrauterine and postnatal myelomeningocele closures: a single-center pilot matched cohort study.

Introduction: Intrauterine myelomeningocele repair (IUMR) and postnatal myelomeningocele repair (PNMR) differ in terms of both setting and surgical technique. A simplified technique in IUMR, in which a dural onlay is used followed by skin closure, has been adopted at our institution. The goal of this study was to compare the rates of clinical tethering in IUMR and PNMR patients, as well as to evaluate the appearance on MRI.

Outcomes following surgical resection of cystic intracranial meningiomas.

Introduction: Cystic meningiomas are rare, accounting for 2-7% of all intracranial meningiomas. Little is known regarding whether these meningiomas behave differently compared to solid meningiomas. We sought to study this relatively uncommon imaging appearance of meningioma and to evaluate its clinical significance.

Loss to Follow-up and Unplanned Readmission After Emergent Surgery for Acute Subdural Hematoma.

Background: Loss to follow-up (LTF) and unplanned readmission are barriers to recovery after acute subdural hematoma evacuation. The variables associated with these postdischarge events are not fully understood.

Objective: To determine factors associated with LTF and unplanned readmission, emphasizing socioeconomic status (SES).

Impact of Thrombocytopenia on Preoperative Hematoma Expansion for Acute Traumatic Subdural Hematoma.

Background: Acute subdural hematoma is a neurosurgical emergency. Thrombocytopenia poses a management challenge for these patients. We aimed to determine the impact of thrombocytopenia on preoperative hemorrhage expansion and postoperative outcomes.

Comparison of supratentorial meningioma resection outcomes by dural reconstruction technique.

Objective: Excision of intracranial meningiomas often requires resection or coagulation of the dura mater. The choice of dural closure technique is individualized and based on surgeon preference. The objective of this study was to determine outcomes following various dural closure techniques for supratentorial meningiomas.