Volume-staged versus dose-staged stereotactic radiosurgery, with or without embolization, in the treatment of large brain arteriovenous malformations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: While safe and effective modalities exist to treat small arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), large (>10 cm) AVMs remain difficult to cure via surgical or endovascular means. Staged stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), either volume-staged (VS) or dose-staged (DS), has been proposed for large AVMs. The relative efficacy of these two strategies, with or without endovascular embolization, is unclear.

Radiology Reports Do Not Accurately Portray the Severity of Cervical Neural Foraminal Stenosis.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: (1) To compare cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiology reports to a validated grading system for cervical foraminal stenosis (FS) and (2) to evaluate whether the severity of cervical neural FS on MRI correlates to motor weakness or patient-reported outcomes.

Background: Radiology reports of cervical spine MRI are often reviewed to assess the degree of neural FS.

Impact of Postoperative Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy on Survival of Patients with Spinal Metastases in the Context of Additional Systemic Adjuvant Therapy.

Background: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been established as a safe and effective treatment modality for control of long-term pain and tumor growth. However, few studies have investigated the efficacy of postoperative SBRT versus conventional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in extending survival within the context of systemic therapy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis at our institution was conducted.

Analysis of socioeconomic and demographic factors on post-treatment outcomes for metastatic spinal tumors.

Objective: Sociodemographic factors may play a role in incidence and treatment of metastatic spinal tumors, as there is a delay in diagnosis and increased incidence of relevant primaries. There has yet to be a detailed analysis of the impact of sociodemographic factors on surgical outcomes for spinal metastases. We sought to examine the influence of socioeconomic factors on outcomes for patients with metastatic spinal tumors.

Neurologic, functional, and survival outcomes following surgical management of metastatic breast cancer to the spine.

Objective: Metastatic spinal tumors commonly arise from primary breast cancer. We assessed outcomes and identified associated variables for patients who underwent surgical management for spinal metastases of breast cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients surgically treated for spinal metastases of breast cancer.

Myeloid Cell Classification and Therapeutic Opportunities Within the Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment in the Single Cell-Omics Era.

The glioma tumor microenvironment (TME) is complex and heterogeneous, and multiple emerging and current technologies are being utilized for an improved comprehension and understanding of these tumors. Single cell analysis techniques such as single cell genomic and transcriptomic sequencing analysis are on the rise and play an important role in elucidating the glioma TME. These large datasets will prove useful for patient tumor characterization, including immune configuration that will ultimately influence therapeutic choices and especially immune therapies.

Impact of intraoperative direct cortical stimulation dynamics on perioperative seizures and afterdischarge frequency in patients undergoing awake craniotomy.

Objective: Intraoperative stimulation is used as a crucial adjunct in neurosurgical oncology, allowing for greater extent of resection while minimizing morbidity. However, limited data exist regarding the impact of cortical stimulation on the frequency of perioperative seizures in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing awake craniotomy with electrocorticography data by a single surgeon at the authors' institution between 2013 and 2020 was conducted.

Predictors of an academic career among fellowship-trained spinal neurosurgeons.

Objective: Although fellowship training is becoming increasingly common in neurosurgery, it is unclear which factors predict an academic career trajectory among spinal neurosurgeons. In this study, the authors sought to identify predictors associated with academic career placement among fellowship-trained neurological spinal surgeons.

Methods: Demographic data and bibliometric information on neurosurgeons who completed a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education between 1983 and 2019 were gathered, and those who completed a spine fellowship were identified.

Lumboperitoneal shunts for the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The standard of care for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. However, VP shunts require intracranial intervention and are associated with notable postoperative complications, with some groups reporting complication rates for VP shunts ranging from 17 to 33%, along with failure rates up to 17.7%.

Overview of medical malpractice in neurosurgery.

Annually, 20% of all practicing neurosurgeons in the United States are faced with medical malpractice litigation. The average indemnity paid in a closed neurosurgical civil claim is $439,146, the highest of all medical specialties. The majority of claims result from dissatisfaction following spinal surgery, although claims after cranial surgery tend to be costlier.

Surgical versus conservative treatment of unilateral subaxial non-subluxed facet fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Unilateral subaxial non-subluxed facet fractures (USNSFF) are a pathology seen in traumatic events such as motor vehicle accidents. Management involves either rigid collar bracing or surgical intervention. There currently is no consensus on the treatment of these injuries; this review aims to examine the extant data for recommendations as to which treatment is more effective.