Treatment selection towards active surveillance over definitive treatment for pituitary adenomas is influenced by sociodemographic factors.

Background: Clinical and sociodemographic predictors of pituitary adenoma (PA) patients undergoing active surveillance (AS) versus definitive treatment (DT) are poorly understood.

Objective: This population-based analysis aims to identify clinical and sociodemographic predictors of undergoing AS versus DT.

Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was utilized to query PA patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 undergoing AS or DT.

Development of a novel frameless skull-mounted ball-joint guide array for use in image-guided neurosurgery.

Objective: Successful convection-enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents to subcortical brain structures requires accurate cannula placement. Stereotactic guiding devices have been developed to accurately target brain nuclei. However, technologies remain limited by a lack of MRI compatibility, or by devices' size, making them suboptimal for direct gene delivery to brain parenchyma.

The effect of resveratrol on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and its tissue inhibitors in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is involved in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. An increase in MMP-9 expression by vascular component cells plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic substance, was suggested to play a role in preventing the progress of atherosclerotic disease.

Extensive Transduction and Enhanced Spread of a Modified AAV2 Capsid in the Non-human Primate CNS.

The present study was designed to characterize transduction of non-human primate brain and spinal cord with a modified adeno-associated virus serotype 2, incapable of binding to the heparan sulfate proteoglycan receptor, referred to as AAV2-HBKO. AAV2-HBKO was infused into the thalamus, intracerebroventricularly or via a combination of both intracerebroventricular and thalamic delivery. Thalamic injection of this modified vector encoding GFP resulted in widespread CNS transduction that included neurons in deep cortical layers, deep cerebellar nuclei, several subcortical regions, and motor neuron transduction in the spinal cord indicative of robust bidirectional axonal transport.

Plasma metabolomic biomarkers accurately classify acute mild traumatic brain injury from controls.

Past and recent attempts at devising objective biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid have focused on abundance measures of time-dependent proteins. Similar independent determinants would be most welcome in diagnosing the most common form of TBI, mild TBI (mTBI), which remains difficult to define and confirm based solely on clinical criteria. There are currently no consensus diagnostic measures that objectively define individuals as having sustained an acute mTBI.

A historical recount of chordoma.

Chordoma, a rare bone tumor that occurs along the spine, has led scientists on a fascinating journey of discoveries. In this historical vignette, the authors track these discoveries in diagnosis and treatment, noting events and clinicians that played pivotal roles in our current understanding of chordoma. The study of chordoma begins in 1846 when Rudolf Virchow first observed its occurrence on a dorsum sellae; he coined the term "chordomata" 11 years later.

Interfacing with the nervous system: a review of current bioelectric technologies.

The aim of this study is to discuss the state of the art with regard to established or promising bioelectric therapies meant to alter or control neurologic function. We present recent reports on bioelectric technologies that interface with the nervous system at three potential sites-(1) the end organ, (2) the peripheral nervous system, and (3) the central nervous system-while exploring practical and clinical considerations. A literature search was executed on PubMed, IEEE, and Web of Science databases.

Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Historical and Clinical Perspective.

Background: This review aims to highlight the clinical complexity of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) while presenting a brief historical discussion of cSDH.

Methods: A thorough literature search of published English-language papers was performed in PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases.

Results: cSDH affects 1-5.

Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Perspective on Subdural Membranes and Dementia.

Objective: To review the complex pathogenesis of the subdural membrane and the link between head trauma, dementia, and dural lymphatics.

Methods: A thorough literature search of published English-language articles was performed using PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases.

Results: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common intracranial pathology and a leading cause of reversible dementia.

Functional and Histological Effects of Chronic Neural Electrode Implantation.

Objectives: Permanent injury to the cranial nerves can often result in a substantial reduction in quality of life. Novel and innovative interventions can help restore form and function in nerve paralysis, with bioelectric interfaces among the more promising of these approaches. The foreign body response is an important consideration for any bioelectric device as it influences the function and effectiveness of the implant.

Linguistic Validation of Interactive Educational Interventions in Neurologic Trauma.

Background: Neurological surgeons oftentimes educate patients and their families on complex medical conditions and treatment options. Time constraints and varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds limit the amount of information that can be disbursed. In this study, we assessed the linguistic validity of interactive educational interventions in non-English-speaking patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion and their families.

The Role of In-Office Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Neck Masses.

To evaluate the efficacy of otolaryngologist-performed in-office ultrasound (US) in the clinical assessment of lateral neck masses, we performed a retrospective review of patients with lateral neck masses who had both a surgeon-performed US and US-guided fine-needle aspiration (USGFNA) at our tertiary academic center from 2012 to 2015. Fifty-nine patients were included. USGFNA results included 32 (54%) malignant lesions, 23 (39%) benign lesions, and 4 (6%) nondiagnostic lesions.

Interactive iBook-Based Patient Education in a NeuroTrauma Clinic.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Educational interventions may alleviate the burden of TBI for patients and their families. Interactive modalities that involve engagement with the educational material may enhance patient knowledge acquisition when compared to static text-based educational material.

Interactive eBooks in educating patients and their families about head injury regardless of age.

Objectives: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a common and debilitating injury that is particularly prevalent in patients over 60. Given the influence of head injury on dementia (and vice versa), and the increased likelihood of ground-level falls, elderly patients are vulnerable to TBI. Educational interventions can increase knowledge and influence preventative activity to decrease the likelihood of further TBI.

The Utility of In-Office Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Parotid Lesions.

Objective To determine whether the use of in-office ultrasound (US) by a head and neck surgeon is a useful adjunct to clinical assessment of parotid lesions and decrease the need of additional imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care academic center.

Use of interactive iBooks for patient education in otology.

Introduction: Physicians in the ambulatory setting face challenges in adequately educating patients in a brief office encounter.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an iPad-based interactive educational module (iBook) in various otologic pathologies.

Methods: Patients presenting with symptoms of tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss, or cochlear implant evaluation were included.

Implementation of an Interactive Tablet-based Educational Intervention in the Neurotrauma Clinic: A 1-year Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a devastating and widely prevalent cause of death and disability in the United States. Educational interventions integrated into neurosurgical neurotrauma clinics can facilitate patient education and optimize the clinical encounter. Interactive educational modalities may enhance knowledge acquisition and patient satisfaction, however, no description of implementing such a program has been presented in the literature.