A4 Thoracolumbar Fracture Class Is Associated With a Greater Degree of Vertebral Height Loss in Conservatively Managed Patients.

Introduction: Thoracolumbar (TL) junction fractures are common, often resulting from high-energy trauma or osteoporosis, and may lead to neurological deficits, deformities, or chronic pain. Treatment decisions for neurologically intact patients remain controversial, with nonsurgical management often favored. The AO classification system has been used to characterize thoracolumbar fractures using fracture morphology and clinical factors affecting clinical decision-making for fracture management.

Mathematical modeling of meningioma volume change after radiation treatment.

Objective: Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous tumor and are often treated with radiation therapy. This study examines the long-term volumetric changes of intracranial meningiomas in response to radiation therapy. The objective is to analyze and model the volumetric changes following treatment.

Delayed Burr Hole Evacuation Compared With Acute Craniotomy for Acute Subdural Hematoma in Older Patients With Low-Energy Trauma.

Background Acute subdural hematomas commonly require emergent surgical decompression by craniotomy. There is currently limited research on alternative surgical strategies in the elderly population. This study investigates delayed surgical intervention for stable patients with low-energy trauma presenting with acute subdural hematomas.

The Spaghetti Sign: Nerve Root Redundancy in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Objective: Redundant nerve roots (RNRs) seen in conjunction with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are well-described radiographic findings. Several studies suggest their presence may be a negative prognostic indicator of postoperative outcome. Our hypothesis was that severe RNR (informally known as the spaghetti sign [SS]) can serve as a reliable marker of LSS that would benefit from surgical decompression.

Superficial siderosis: comparison of two cases indicates two distinct diagnostic entities. Illustrative cases.

Background: Superficial siderosis is the deposition of hemosiderin in the superficial layers of the central nervous system. It has been described in patients with chronic leakage of blood into the cerebrospinal fluid or with amyloid angiopathy, often associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Observations: We present two cases of superficial siderosis with vastly different symptomatologies and treatment courses.

Reducing Gadolinium Exposure in Patients Undergoing Monitoring for Meningiomas.

Background Due to the non-malignant and slow-growing nature of many meningiomas, surveillance with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as an acceptable management plan. However, repeated imaging with gold-standard contrast-based studies may lead to contrast-associated adverse effects. Non-gadolinium T2 sequences may serve as a suitable alternative without the risk of adverse effects of contrast.

Resolution and Re-ossification of Orbital-Wall Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Following Stereotactic Needle Biopsy.

 Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that encompasses a spectrum of clinical syndromes. It is characterized by the proliferation and infiltration of white blood cells into organs or organ systems. Reports of management of these lesions have included biopsy, resection, curettage, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

The Richmond Acute Subdural Hematoma Score: A Validated Grading Scale to Predict Postoperative Mortality.

Background: Traumatic acute subdural hematomas (aSDHs) are common, life-threatening injuries often requiring emergency surgery.

Objective: To develop and validate the Richmond acute subdural hematoma (RASH) score to stratify patients by risk of mortality after aSDH evacuation.

Methods: The 2016 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried to identify adult patients with traumatic aSDHs who underwent craniectomy or craniotomy within 4 h of arrival to an emergency department.

Growth Analysis of Untreated Meningiomas under Observation.

Background:  When meningiomas are small or asymptomatic, the decision to observe rather than treat requires balancing the growth potential of the lesion with the outcome and side effects of treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize the growth patterns of untreated meningiomas to better inform the clinical decision-making process.

Methods:  Patients with meningiomas were identified from 2005 to 2015.

The Effect of Radiation on Meningioma Volume Change.

Background: Radiation therapy is a common treatment for meningiomas. Volume changes of meningiomas in response to radiation are not well characterized. This study seeks to quantify the volume change of meningiomas following radiation.

Comorbid Medical Conditions as Predictors of Overall Survival in Glioblastoma Patients.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive central nervous system tumor with a poor prognosis. This study was conducted to determine any comorbid medical conditions that are associated with survival in GBM. Data were collected from medical records of all patients who presented to VCU Medical Center with GBM between January 2005 and February 2015.

One hundred years of neurosurgery at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University (1919-2019).

The Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019. It was founded by C. C.

Comparison of ABC/2 estimation and a volumetric computerized method for measurement of meningiomas using magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Measurement of tumor growth rates over time for patients with meningiomas has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Our objective was to compare two methods of measuring meningioma volume: (1) the simplified ellipsoid (ABC/2) method; and (2) perimetric volume measurements using imaging software modules.

Methods: Patients with conservatively managed meningiomas for at least 1.

Outcomes after craniotomy for resection of craniopharyngiomas in adults: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

Purpose: Craniopharyngiomas occur in suprasellar locations that pose challenges for surgical management. This study evaluates the incidence of complications following craniotomy for craniopharyngioma in adults and investigates risk factors for these complications.

Methods: Patients who underwent craniotomy for excision of craniopharyngioma were identified from the 2005-2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP).

Safety Outcomes Following Spine and Cranial Neurosurgery: Evidence From the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Background: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) was used to establish predictors for 30-day postoperative complications following spine and cranial neurosurgery.

Materials And Methods: The ACS-NSQIP participant use files were queried for neurosurgical cases between 2005 and 2015. Prevalence of postoperative complications following neurosurgery was determined.

Arachnoiditis ossificans and syringomyelia: A unique presentation.

Background: Arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) is a rare disorder that was differentiated from leptomeningeal calcification by Kaufman and Dunsmore in 1971. It generally presents with progressive lower extremity myelopathy. Though the underlying etiology has yet to be fully described, it has been associated with various predisposing factors including vascular malformations, previous intradural surgery, myelograms, and adhesive arachnoiditis.

Wilms tumor 1 gene, CD97, and the emerging biogenetic profile of glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary brain tumor, and current treatment regimens are only marginally effective. One of the most vexing and malignant aspects of GBM is its pervasive infiltration into surrounding brain tissue. This review describes the role of the Wilms tumor 1 gene (WT1) and its relationship to GBM.