Mortality in patients older than 65 years undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease: a comparison with the general population.

Background: The increased life expectancy and prevalence of spondylarthrosis have led to a growing frequency of spinal surgery in older people. This study aims to assess whether there is an excess mortality concerning that expected in the general population associated with surgical procedures performed in patients over 65 years old for a degenerative disease of the lumbar spine.

Methods: All patients aged 65 years or older undergoing surgery at a single center between 2009 and 2019 for lumbar spine degenerative disease were included.

Video-based lecture engagement in a flipped classroom environment.

Purpose: to analyze which factors are associated with students' engagement and participation in video-based lectures in a flipped classroom environment.

Methods: A single-center experience with video-based lectures in undergraduate medical education is described. The activity was applied to the subject of Neurosurgery during two consecutive courses (2021/22 and 2022/23).

Long-term quality of life after decompressive craniectomy.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy (DC) for any pathology that has caused life-threatening intracranial hypertension. Similarly, it aims to evaluate QoL perceived by caregivers or external informants. In addition to that, the last purpose is to determine which clinical or therapeutic factors could correlate with a better QoL.

Survival following vertebral compression fractures in population over 65 years old.

Background: Lower mortality has been demonstrated when vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are treated surgically (vertebral augmentation) vs. conservatively.

Aims: To analyze the overall survival in patients over 65 who suffer a VCF, to review the principal causes of death, and to detect which factors are associated with a greater risk of mortality.

Sinking bone flap due to overdrainage of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A case report and review of the literature.

The widespread use of decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty has led to a better understanding of its complications. However, cases of a sunken bone flap have hardly ever been described. We present the eighth case reported up to date and perform a review of the literature of this sporadic complication.

Oral extrusion of a vertebral body replacement device after chordoma tumor growth and radiation: case report and review.

Background: Screw migration following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a very rare complication and it is often related to device failure. Even more exceptional is the extrusion of an intervertebral graft.

Case Presentation: We report the second case of migration and extrusion through the oral cavity of a cervical vertebral body replacement device (expandable cylinder) in a patient that had undergone cervical corpectomy due to a vertebral chordoma.

Free Mucosal Graft for Reconstruction after Nonfunctional Pituitary Adenoma Surgery.

Background: In the search for an effective closure without nasosinusal morbidity, we have studied the efficacy of free mucosal graft as a reconstructive technique of the sellar floor after the resection of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA).

Methods: In 100 endonasal endoscopic surgeries, we analyzed the personal history, radiological and intraoperative aspects that could have an impact on the risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. They were divided into three groups: no mucosa flap/graft, mucosal free graft, and nasoseptal pedicled flap.

Volumetric Study of Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas: Predictors of Gross Total Resection.

Objective: Despite the efforts made to determine the achieved resection grade after pituitary adenoma surgery, there is a high level of disagreement among all the available classifications and measurement methods used. Our objective is to identify the factors that preoperatively could predict a gross total resection (GTR) of a clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma through an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Methods: Across 100 surgeries, we analyzed epidemiologic and clinical data, radiologic relevant data, extent of resection (EOR), and postoperative outcomes.

Neuroprotective effect of indomethacin in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

Loss of cerebral autoregulation in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon has been reported in other Central Nervous System diseases such as neonatal intraventricular haemorrhage. Several studies have demonstrated that low-dose indomethacin prevents this latter condition. A previous rat model was used to resemble NPPB phenomenon.

Experimental rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-reperfusion mimicking normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

Background: Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon is a major life-threatening complication that restricts the treatment of complex intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The aim of the study it to develop a rat model mimicking NPPB phenomenon that enables the evaluation of any therapy to prevent such complication.

Methods: Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to either a study or a control group.

Intradural extramedullary spinal ependymoma: a benign pathology?

Study Design: Spinal ependymoma is a benign central nervous system tumor described as an intramedullary lesion more frequently located at the conus medullaris. It has been described exceptionally in the literature as an intradural extramedullary tumor.

Objective: Presentation of an extremelly rare location and evolution of extremedullary ependymoma and discussion of its probable origin, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and follow-up.