Artificial intelligence innovations in neurosurgical oncology: a narrative review.

Purpose: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly integrated clinically within neurosurgical oncology. This report reviews the cutting-edge technologies impacting tumor treatment and outcomes.

Methods: A rigorous literature search was performed with the aid of a research librarian to identify key articles referencing AI and related topics (machine learning (ML), computer vision (CV), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), etc.

Synthetic interpolated DSA for radiation exposure reduction via gamma variate contrast flow modeling: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) yields high cumulative radiation dosages (RD) delivered to patients. We present a temporal interpolation of low frame rate angiograms as a method to reduce cumulative RDs.

Methods: Patients undergoing interventional evaluation and treatment of cerebrovascular vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage were retrospectively identified.

Machine learning for automated and real-time two-dimensional to three-dimensional registration of the spine using a single radiograph.

Objective: The goal of this work was to methodically evaluate, optimize, and validate a self-supervised machine learning algorithm capable of real-time automatic registration and fluoroscopic localization of the spine using a single radiograph or fluoroscopic frame.

Methods: The authors propose a two-dimensional to three-dimensional (2D-3D) registration algorithm that maximizes an image similarity metric between radiographic images to identify the position of a C-arm relative to a 3D volume. This work utilizes digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs), which are synthetic radiographic images generated by simulating the x-ray projections as they would pass through a CT volume.

Case report: Minimally invasive modification of the Goel-Harms atlantoaxial fusion utilizing percutaneous screws and intra-articular cage is feasible and results in decreased blood loss.

Treatment of atlantoaxial pathology is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While surgical techniques for fixation are well established, approaches that minimize blood loss and muscle dissection are advantageous for expediting recovering and minimizing surgical risk. We present a 34-year-old female who presented with a Type III odontoid fracture requiring surgical fixation.

Sociodemographic disparities as a determinant of fetal versus postnatal surgical myelomeningocele repair.

Objective: Relatively few women undergo open maternal-fetal surgery (OMFS) for myelomeningocele (MMC) despite the potential to reverse hindbrain herniation, reduce the rate of infant shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, and improve ambulation. These benefits have the potential to significantly reduce morbidity and lifetime medical care. In this study, the authors examined demographics and socioeconomic variables of women who were offered and opted for OMFS for MMC versus postnatal MMC surgery, with the purpose of identifying variables driving the disparity between these two patient populations.

Novel use of percutaneous cervical pedicle inlet screws for supplemental posterior fixation after anterior cervical deformity correction.

Introduction: Correction of cervical deformity can be achieved using anterior cervical fixation and fusion techniques. However, supplemental posterior fixation is a critical component for ensuring biomechanical longevity and favorable patient outcomes. We present a novel percutaneous technique for posterior cervical fixation in patients where cervical pedicle (CP) screws may not be feasible and midline muscle dissection is not needed.

Computational methods for visualizing and measuring verapamil efficacy for cerebral vasospasm.

Cerebral vasospasm is a dreaded sequelae of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), requiring timely intervention with therapeutic goals of improving brain perfusion. There are currently no standardized real-time, objective assessments of the interventional procedures performed to treat vasospasm. Here we describe real-time techniques to quantify cerebral perfusion during interventional cerebral angiography.

Pediatric nonoperative skull fractures: delayed complications and factors associated with clinic and imaging utilization.

Objective: Skull fractures represent a common source of morbidity in the pediatric trauma population. This study characterizes the type of follow-up that these patients receive and discusses predictive factors for follow-up.

Methods: The authors reviewed cases of nonoperative pediatric skull fractures at a single academic hospital between 2007 and 2017.

Predictors of Prostatic Artery Embolization Technical Outcomes: Patient and Procedural Factors.

Purpose: To identify technical factors that significantly change prostatic artery embolization (PAE) technical outcomes and to derive and test technical outcome predictive models.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of PAEs performed by 2 operators (OPs) was performed: OP1, between April 2014 and May 2017 (n = 150); OP2, between February 2017 and December 2017 (n = 67). Multivariate analysis with mixed-effects modeling was used to test significance and derive predictive models.

Ultradeep analysis of tumor heterogeneity in regions of somatic hypermutation.

Tumor heterogeneity is of growing importance in the treatment of cancers. Mutational hot spots are prime locations for determining number and proportions of low variant allele frequency (VAF) tumor subclones by next generation sequencing. Low VAF detection is complicated by poor mapping efficiency in regions with high mutation density.

Intraclonal diversity in follicular lymphoma analyzed by quantitative ultradeep sequencing of noncoding regions.

Cancers are characterized by genomic instability, and the resulting intraclonal diversity is a prerequisite for tumor evolution. Therefore, metrics of tumor heterogeneity may prove to be clinically meaningful. Intraclonal heterogeneity in follicular lymphoma (FL) is apparent from studies of somatic hypermutation (SHM) caused by activation-induced deaminase (AID) in IGH.