Publications by authors named "David J Daniels"

Residency websites can often be crucial for influencing neurosurgery applicants' first impressions of programs. This study explores the representation of diversity on neurological surgery residency program websites and evaluates the impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements. The websites of 117 neurological surgery residency programs were evaluated for the presence of 12 diversity and inclusion elements.

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  • Posterior fossa decompression is a surgical procedure for Chiari malformation type I that can lead to complications and persistent symptoms in up to 20% of patients, especially in pediatric cases where prediction tools are lacking.
  • A study of 71 pediatric patients with Chiari 1 found that motor deficits, surgical complications, and persistent hydrocephalus post-surgery were significant predictors of poor outcomes, while the presence of syringomyelia was associated with better outcomes.
  • The findings highlight the need to consider these factors when evaluating potential surgical risks and what to expect in postoperative recovery for children undergoing this procedure.
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Introduction: Congenital hydrocephalus often results in irreversible and severe damage to the brain despite postnatal interventions. The potential for prenatal intervention to mitigate these deleterious effects underscores the importance of a suitable animal model. We aimed assess the results of an ultrasound-guided transuterine approach to replicate the BioGlue injection fetal hydrocephalus model.

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Pediatric high-grade gliomas are a devastating subset of brain tumors, characterized by their aggressive pathophysiology and limited treatment options. Among them, H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) of the brainstem stand out due to their distinct molecular features and dismal prognosis. Recent advances in molecular profiling techniques have unveiled the critical role of H3 K27 alterations, particularly a lysine-to-methionine mutation on position 27 (K27M) of the histone H3 tail, in the pathogenesis of DMG.

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Purpose: Pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas are the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in children. More than 30% of diffuse hemispheric gliomas (DHG) in adolescents harbor histone H3 G34 mutations and are recognized by the World Health Organization as a distinct tumor entity. By reporting bibliometric characteristics of the most cited publications on H3 G34-mutant DHG (H3 G34 DHG), we provide an overview of emerging literature and speculate where future research efforts may lead.

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Objective: Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is a congenital disorder occurring in 0.1% of the population. In symptomatic cases, surgery with posterior fossa decompression (PFD) is the treatment of choice.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to investigate how congenital anomalies at the atlanto-occipital joint affect the stability of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) in children with Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia, focusing on the prevalence of certain anomalies and their connection to occipitocervical fusion (OCF) after surgery.
  • Researchers analyzed data from patients in the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium, comparing those who underwent posterior fossa decompression with OCF to those who only had posterior fossa decompression, while ensuring both groups were similar in age, sex, and symptoms.
  • Results indicated that the group which underwent both procedures had significantly higher angles
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Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the quantitative features of intraoperative electromyographic recordings obtained from cranial nerve III, IV, and VI neuromonitoring using 25-mm intraorbital electrodes, in the larger context of demonstrating the practicality of this technique during neurosurgical cases.

Methods: A 25-mm-long shaft-insulated intraorbital needle electrode is routinely used at the authors' institution for extraocular muscle (EOM) electromyographic monitoring of the inferior rectus, superior oblique, and/or lateral rectus muscles when their function is at risk. Cases monitored between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, were reviewed for patient demographics, tumor location and pathology, EOMs monitored, pre- and postoperative examination, and complications from electrode placement.

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 Safe, effective access to the fourth ventricle for oncologic resection remains challenging given the depth of location, restricted posterior fossa boundaries, and surrounding eloquent neuroanatomy. Despite description in the literature, a practical step-by step dissection guide of the suboccipital approaches to the fourth ventricle targeted to all training levels is lacking.  Two formalin-fixed, latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification and endoscopic visualization.

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Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare yet highly aggressive soft tissue sarcomas of mesenchymal origin, characterized by a heterogeneous pathological spectrum, limited therapeutic options, and high metastatic potential.

Methods: Here, the authors conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited MPNST articles by utilizing Elsevier's Scopus to identify all relevant published and indexed articles referring to MPNST, thereby aiming to elucidate the pertinent research findings regarding the disease's pathophysiology and therapeutic advancements. Articles were classified as basic science or clinical and analyzed for various bibliometric parameters.

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  • * Surgical resection of the tumor is crucial for patient outcomes, but the extent of resection needed (from total to partial) is still debated among medical professionals.
  • * Balancing effective tumor removal while minimizing complications and preserving quality of life is a key consideration in managing medulloblastoma.
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Introduction: H3 K27-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is the most common malignant brainstem tumor in the pediatric population. Despite enormous preclinical and clinical efforts, the prognosis remains dismal, with fewer than 10% of patients surviving for two years after diagnosis. Fractionated radiation remains the only standard treatment options for DMG.

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Purpose: Choroid plexus tumors (CPT) are relatively rare CNS tumors that primarily occur in children. They are classified as low-grade choroid plexus papilloma, including atypical ones, and high-grade choroid plexus carcinoma based on histological characteristics. There has been extensive academic research regarding these complex tumors.

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Purpose: We aim to determine whether preoperatively initiated gabapentin for pain control impacts the percentage of rootlets cut during monitored, limited laminectomy selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) procedure.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes participants with cerebral palsy who had SDR for treatment of spasticity between 2010 and 2019 at a single-institution tertiary care center. One-level laminectomy SDR aimed to evaluate the cauda equina roots from levels L2-S1 with EMG monitoring.

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Background And Objectives: Medulloblastomas are embryonal tumors predominantly affecting children. Recognition of molecularly defined subgroups has advanced management. Factors influencing the management and prognosis of adult patients with medulloblastoma remains poorly understood.

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Primary brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a diverse group of neoplasms that occur within the brain and spinal cord. Although significant advances in our understanding of the intricate biological underpinnings of CNS neoplasm tumorigenesis and progression have been made, the translation of these discoveries into effective therapies has been stymied by the unique challenges presented by these tumors' exquisitely sensitive location and the body's own defense mechanisms (e.g.

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Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Over the last few decades, significant progress has been made in revealing the key molecular underpinnings of this disease, leading to the identification of distinct molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. In this review, we provide an update on the molecular landscape of medulloblastoma and treatment strategies.

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Inhibition of the interaction between MDM2 and p53 has emerged as a promising strategy for combating cancer, including the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Numerous MDM2 inhibitors have been developed and are currently undergoing rigorous testing for their potential in GBM therapy. Encouraging results from studies conducted in cell culture and animal models suggest that MDM2 inhibitors could effectively treat a specific subset of GBM patients with wild-type or functional p53.

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H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are frequently biopsied to obtain tissue diagnosis, inform clinical decision-making, and determine clinical trial eligibility. Tissue yield from biopsies is typically low, leaving little material available for research. To advance understanding of disease biology and promote preclinical testing of novel therapeutics, collecting viable cellular material from treatment-naive tumors is of paramount importance.

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Objective: The neurosurgery chief resident year is traditionally completed during the final residency year; however, a recent directive decried that enfolded fellowships should be undertaken following completion of the chief experience for most fellowships.

Methods: A national survey was distributed to U.S.

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Tweetable abstract Emerging targeted therapies offer hope for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Innovative drug delivery enhances potential treatments. #MPNST #TargetedTherapies #TherapeuticDelivery.

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Purpose: To create a high-quality, cadaver-based, operatively oriented resource documenting the anterior transcortical and interhemispheric transcallosal approaches as corridors to the third ventricle targeted towards neurosurgical trainees at all levels.

Methods: Two formalin-fixed, latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification and endoscopic-assisted visualization. Dissections of the transcortical and transcallosal craniotomies with transforaminal, transchoroidal, and interforniceal transventricular approaches were performed.

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