Obstructive hydrocephalus of uncommon etiology: case report and neurosurgical management of aqueductal web presenting in adolescence.

Introduction: Aqueductal webs are a rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus. Accurate diagnosis and intervention can prevent neurological complications.

Case Presentation: Herein, we describe a case of a child presenting with headaches and vomiting.

Utility of combining frailty and comorbid disease indices in predicting outcomes following craniotomy for adult primary brain tumors: A mixed-effects model analysis using the nationwide readmissions database.

Objective: The escalating healthcare expenditures in the United States, particularly in neurosurgery, necessitate effective tools for predicting patient outcomes and optimizing resource allocation. This study explores the utility of combining frailty and comorbidity indices, specifically the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (JHACG) frailty index and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), in predicting hospital length of stay (LOS), non-routine discharge, and one-year readmission in patients undergoing craniotomy for benign and malignant primary brain tumors.

Methods: Leveraging the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for 2016-2019, we analyzed data from 645 patients with benign and 30,991 with malignant tumors.

Pituitary Apoplexy: a re-appraisal of risk factors and best management strategies in the COVID-19 era.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical syndrome caused by acute hemorrhage and/or infarction of the pituitary gland, most commonly in the setting of a pituitary macroadenoma. PA generally presents with severe headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbance, and, in more severe cases, altered mental status. Many factors have been attributed to the risk of developing PA, including most recently, numerous reports showcasing an association with COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

Spontaneous sphenoid sinus meningocele with associated amenorrhea and headache: illustrative case.

Background: Developmental meningoceles of the sphenoid sinus are uncommon. When encountered, they are often associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.

Observations: The authors present the case of a 27-year-old female with a large meningocele eroding through the sella turcica and sphenoid sinus into the nasopharynx.

Meningioma transformation to glioblastoma following stereotactic radiosurgery: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor with increasing incidence. Stereotactic Radiosurgery Gamma Knife (SRS-GK) is a commonly used modality for neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of these tumors and is often necessary for long-term disease control, particularly for the World Health Organization grade II/III meningiomas. While there is strong evidence to support the use of SRS-GK for meningioma, there exists a risk of secondary malignancy that is not well understood.

STAT5b gain-of-function disease in a child with mycobacterial osteomyelitis of the skull: rare presentation of an emerging disease entity.

Purpose: STAT proteins play a key role in several cellular functions related to cell development, differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Persistent STAT activation due to somatic STAT5b gain-of-function mutation is a rare mechanism of STAT dysregulation that results in hypereosinophilia, frequent infections, leukemias, and pulmonary diseases. Herein, we describe a case of a child with a rare early onset STAT5b gain-of-function disease treated with targeted JAK inhibition who developed a cranial Mycobacterium avium osteomyelitis.

Imaging score for differentiation of meningioma grade.

Purpose: We sought to establish a comprehensive imaging score indicating the likelihood of higher WHO grade meningiomas pre-operatively.

Methods: All surgical intracranial meningioma patients at our institution between 2014 and 2018 underwent retrospective chart review. Preoperative MRI sequences were reviewed, and imaging features were included in the score based on statistical and clinical significance.

Social media in neurosurgery during COVID-19: an evaluation of the role of Neurosurgery Cocktail platform.

Background: Social media use in neurosurgery remains an understudied phenomenon. Our study aims to examine the global membership and engagement of the prominent Neurosurgery Cocktail Facebook group with over 25,000 neurosurgeons and trainees worldwide, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Neurosurgery Cocktail's numbers of members, posts, comments, and reactions were collected from December 2019 to November 2020.

Language and Geographic Representation of Neurosurgical Journals: A Meta-Science Study.

Objective: Medical journals have a role in promoting representation of neurosurgeons who speak primary languages other than English. We sought to characterize the language of publication and geographic origin of neurosurgical journals, delineate associations between impact factor (IF) and language and geographic variables, and describe steps to overcome language barriers to publishing.

Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, and Ulrich's Serial Analysis system were searched for neurosurgery journals.

An Assessment of Global Neurotrauma Prevention and Care Delivery: The Provider Perspective.

Background: Neurotrauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Assessment of injury prevention and prehospital care for neurotrauma patients is necessary to improve care systems.

Methods: A 29-question electronic survey was developed based on the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) checklist to assess neurotrauma policies and laws related to safety precautions.

A Predictive Model for Functional Outcome in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a well-established treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Variability in outcomes among thrombectomy patients results in a need for patient centered approaches to recovery. Identifying key factors that are associated with outcomes can help prognosticate and direct resources for continued improvement post-treatment.

Characteristics of Global Neurosurgery Sessions: A Retrospective Analysis of Major International Neurosurgical Conferences.

Background: The global burden of neurosurgical disease is substantial, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Medical conferences are important in connecting those from LMICs to those from high-income countries for support and serve as an educational and networking tool. In this study, we sought to quantitatively assess the incorporation of global neurosurgery topics in international conferences related to the neurosurgical specialty.

Biphenotypic Sinonasal Sarcoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Objectives: Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (BSNS), previously low-grade sinonasal sarcoma with neural and myogenic features, is a rare tumor of the sinonasal tract first described in 2012. Due to its rarity, limited literature is available in providing clinicians with a standardized treatment regimen, . This article aims to provide a clinical review of the currently available reported cases of BSNS, as well as presenting clinical, radiologic, and pathologic details of 2 novel cases.

Medical Malpractice and Vestibular Schwannomas: A Nationwide Review.

Objective: Most surgeons face litigation related to the care of their patients, with specialties including neurosurgery facing a particularly high risk. Diagnosis and management of vestibular schwannomas can be challenging, potentially giving rise to medicolegal proceedings. Accordingly, a full appreciation of the medicolegal implications of treating these challenging tumors is warranted.

Medical Malpractice and Trigeminal Neuralgia: An Analysis of 49 Cases.

Purpose: Our study fills the vacancy of litigation research related to trigeminal neuralgia management, giving health care providers the information needed to understand the potential litigious outcomes that follow treatment methods.

Methods: We queried the Westlaw database to identify litigation cases related to trigeminal neuralgia management. Key variables extracted included medical complaints, trial outcomes, and demographics.

Medical malpractice and meningiomas: an analysis of 47 cases.

Objective: Among medical practices, surgical fields, including neurosurgery, are at a high risk for medical malpractice litigation. With meningiomas contributing to 10% of the total neurosurgery litigation cases, the aim of this study was to identify demographic characteristics, reasons for litigation, and surgical complications commonly reported in these cases. This analysis serves to increase neurosurgeons' awareness of factors associated with medical malpractice litigation.

Utility of invasive electroencephalography in children 3 years old and younger with refractory epilepsy.

Objective: Early surgical intervention for pediatric refractory epilepsy is increasingly advocated as surgery has become safer and data have demonstrated improved outcomes with early seizure control. There is concern that the risks associated with staged invasive electroencephalography (EEG) in very young children outweigh the potential benefits. Here, the authors present a cohort of children with refractory epilepsy who were referred for invasive monitoring, and they evaluate the role and safety of staged invasive EEG in those 3 years old and younger.

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Craniofacial Clinic for Patients With Craniofacial Syndromes on Patient Satisfaction and Outcome.

Objective: Multidisciplinary clinics are becoming widely utilized. Given the number of patients with craniofacial syndromes evaluated at our institution, and the burden of assessment by multiple subspecialists, we created an American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-certified Craniofacial Multidisciplinary Clinic (CMC) composed of a nurse practitioner, neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon, otolaryngologist, oromaxillofacial surgeon, geneticist, pulmonologist, occupational therapist, dentist, and child life specialist to improve patient experience, lessen the burden of assessment, decrease time to surgery, and improve patients' understanding of the diagnosis and treatment plan specifically for patients with complex craniofacial syndromes. We reviewed the impact of this clinic after 1 year of implementation.