Real-time navigation guidance with intraoperative CT imaging for pedicle screw placement using an augmented reality head-mounted display: a proof-of-concept study.

Objective: Augmented reality (AR) has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of instrumentation placement in spinal fusion surgery, increasing patient safety and outcomes, optimizing ergonomics in the surgical suite, and ultimately lowering procedural costs. The authors sought to describe the use of a commercial prototype Spine AR platform (SpineAR) that provides a commercial AR head-mounted display (ARHMD) user interface for navigation-guided spine surgery incorporating real-time navigation images from intraoperative imaging with a 3D-reconstructed model in the surgeon's field of view, and to assess screw placement accuracy via this method.

Methods: Pedicle screw placement accuracy was assessed and compared with literature-reported data of the freehand (FH) technique.

Two-year clinical and radiographic success of minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach for the treatment of degenerative lumbar conditions.

Background: The lateral transpsoas approach to interbody fusion is a less disruptive but direct-visualization approach for anterior/anterolateral fusion of the thoracolumbar spine. Several reports have detailed the technique, the safety of the approach, and the short term clinical benefits. However, no published studies to date have reported the long term clinical and radiographic success of the procedure.

Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis: current treatment options.

The significance and etiology of abnormal skull shape have been under investigation since ancient times. Nonsyndromic, or isolated, craniosynostosis predominates and is defined as suture fusion that creates functional impairments related to local effects of the fusion. The purpose of this article is to present our current approach to patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, outlining the place of both open, conventional approaches and newer, minimally invasive, endoscopic assisted craniosynostosis correction.

Automated intraoperative EMG testing during percutaneous pedicle screw placement.

Background: EMG screw testing has been shown to be sensitive and reliable in open spinal instrumentation cases. However, there is little evidence to show its applicability to percutaneous screw placement.

Purpose: To demonstrate the utility of EMG testing in percutaneous techniques, where lack of direct visualization poses an added risk to nerve injury.

Emotional and psychological impact of delayed craniosynostosis repair.

Introduction: Among children with craniosynostosis, there exists an interesting dynamic involving parents' preconceptions of craniosynostosis and its repair, influenced in large part by differing cultural perspectives. In a time in which we are understanding how critical a child's early formative years are in influencing his/her emotional and psychological development, the authors describe one medical aspect involved in that dynamic process.

Materials And Methods: The authors reviewed their cumulative experience at the Children's Hospital San Diego between January 2000 and June 2004 and identified nine children with significant craniofacial deformities and, for one reason or another, had delayed surgical repair.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF): a novel surgical technique for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: Minimally disruptive approaches to the anterior lumbar spine continue to evolve in a quest to reduce approach-related morbidity. A lateral retroperitoneal, trans-psoas approach to the anterior disc space allows for complete discectomy, distraction, and interbody fusion without the need for an approach surgeon.

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of a minimally disruptive lateral retroperitoneal approach and the advantages to patient recovery.

The pathophysiologic mechanism of cerebellar mutism.

Objective: Cerebellar mutism (CM) is a postoperative complication of mainly pediatric posterior fossa surgery. Multiple theories exist for explaining this phenomenon. We have made an attempt to further understand this entity given a particularly interesting case as it relates to multiple pathophysiologic pathways.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

Among patients with idopathic aqueductal stenosis or impedance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the posterior fossa due to tumour, endoscopic fenestration of the floor of the third ventricle creates an alternative route for CSF flow to the subarachnoid space via the prepeduncular cistern. By reestablishing CSF flow, this procedure dissipates any pressure gradient on midline structures. This may obviate the need for traditional CSF shunt diversion techniques in such settings.

Prolonged Jackson-Pratt drainage in the management of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a complication of spinal surgery. Intraoperative or postoperative identification of a CSF leak often results in wound healing complications, lumbar drain placement, and/or reoperation. These complications usually extend a patient's hospital stay, can be painful, and have their own associated risks.

Aneurysms in children: review of 15 years experience.

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysms in children are rare. The location, size, age, and presentation in the young are markedly different from that of adults. The 15-year experience of the senior author in southern California is presented.

Minimally disruptive decompression and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: Posterior spinal procedures through tubular exposures have been described. However, tubes restrain visibility and require co-axial instrument manipulation, increasing difficulty and potentially compromising surgical results. An independent-blade retractor system overcomes the obstacles of working through a tube and has been used to perform minimally-disruptive decompression and instrumented tranforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Indirect revascularisation for paediatric moyamoya disease: the EDAMS technique.

Moyamoya disease can have devastating effects on paediatric patients as a result of cerebral ischaemia. Several direct and indirect surgical methods have been devised in order to facilitate revascularisation. Debate has long ensued about which methods are most efficacious and yet safe.

Complications of interhemispheric transcallosal approach in children: review of 15 years experience.

Objective: The interhemispheric transcallosal approach to deep-seated lesions in and around the ventricular system avoids cortical manipulation and injury. Few case series discuss the morbidity associated with this approach. This study describes the 15-year experience of the senior author in Southern California.

Microsurgical keyhole middle fossa arachnoid cyst fenestration.

Microsurgical keyhole fenestration is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of middle fossa arachnoid cysts. This procedure can be performed with minimal morbidity through a keyhole craniotomy. Patient selection is crucial, as is knowledge of the surgical anatomy.

Minimally-invasive technique for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Minimal access surgical techniques have been described for diskectomy and laminectomy procedures performed through tubular exposures. Tubular exposures, however, restrain visibility to a fixed diameter and require co-axial instrument manipulation. An independent blade retractor system has been developed to overcome the obstacles of working through a tube.

Subfrontal transbasal approach and technique for resection of craniopharyngioma.

A multimodality approach to craniopharyngioma, including minimally invasive stereotactic techniques, microsurgery, conventional radiotherapy, and radiosurgery has been recommended to tackle craniopharyngioma aggressively while minimizing harm to the patient. With all approaches, there are varying levels of risk for endocrinological morbidity, vascular complications, neuropsychological and behavioral disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and learning disabilities. Although many treatment options are available, total tumor resection remains the most commonly performed procedure for treatment of craniopharyngioma, and it is still believed to give the patient the greatest chance of having an independent and productive life with low risk of recurrences.

Surgical correction of metopic synostosis.

Background: Premature closure of the metopic suture results in deformation of the anterior portion of the calvarium, which can vary from mild to severe. In mild forms, there is only prominent ridging of the metopic suture; more severe forms result in a marked narrowing of the frontal and temporal regions that in turn affects the supraorbital rims and produces hypotelorism.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive cases of metopic synostosis treated over a 12-year period.

Management of pilocytic astrocytoma with diffuse leptomeningeal spread: two cases and review of the literature.

Introduction: Leptomeningeal dissemination of juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) is a rare event. We report two children with disseminated JPAs treated with a chemotherapeutic agent, temozolomide, after progression of the disease despite surgery, traditional chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.

Case Reports: Patient 1 presented with hydrocephalus and progressive lower extremity weakness, and was found to have a suprasellar mass as well as extensive spinal disease.

Birth and evolution of the football helmet.

Objective: To review the advent and evolution of the football helmet through historical, physiological, and biomechanical analysis.

Methods: We obtained data from a thorough review of the literature.

Results: Significant correlation exists between head injuries and the advent of the football helmet in 1896, through its evolution in the early to mid-1900s, and regulatory standards for both helmet use and design and tackling rules and regulations.

Analysis and evolution of head injury in football.

Objective: To review head injury in football through historical, anatomic, and physiological analysis.

Methods: We obtained data from a thorough review of the literature.

Results: The reported incidence of concussion among high school football players dropped from 19% in 1983 to 4% in 1999.

Fronto-orbital and cranial osteotomies with resorbable fixation using an endoscopic approach.

Over the past 3 years the authors have used modified minimally invasive endoscopic techniques in the surgical correction of craniosynostosis. For selected patients, these techniques offer an alternative to traditional techniques, minimizing postoperative morbidity and the need for cranial banding. Long-term follow-up will be needed to assess the ultimate efficacy of these techniques.

Vertebral body granuloma of the cervical region after pencil injury.

Objective And Importance: Granuloma formation has been reported as a rare complication of pencil lead injury. Insufficient data exist regarding pencil lead injuries of the cervical spine. We present the findings in an 18-year-old male patient with secondary granuloma formation after a penetrating transoral pencil injury.

Stabilization of anterior cervical spine with bioabsorbable polymer in one- and two-level fusions.

Objective: We present our experience using a bioabsorbable polymer in the surgical management of one- and two-level degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Twenty-six patients were treated at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center or the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Diego, CA. All cases were performed under the direction of a single neurosurgeon (WRT).

Atypical presentation of C-7 radiculopathy.

Object: The authors retrospectively reviewed the presenting symptomatology and 6-month outcome in 241 consecutive patients who underwent C6-7 anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) from an overall series of 1008 patients in whom the senior author performed one-level procedures.

Methods: In 28 (12%) of the 241 patients, the sole complaint was subscapular pain on the side ipsilateral to nerve root compression. In 11 patients (5%), the primary complaint was unilateral deep breast or chest pain.