Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma of the scalp with intracranial space involvement: management of a rare entity. Illustrative case.

Background: Exophytic tumors of the calvaria (ETCs) remain a challenging pathology because of their complex management. The authors discuss the case of a woman with a large exophytic mass of the right frontotemporal region and underline their decision-making process on the management of this unique case and possible similar ones.

Observations: Neuroradiological findings showed a calvarial tumor with both epicranial and intracranial extension involving the frontotemporal bone with a mixed component (lytic and sclerotic) and dural infiltration with a pseudonodular pattern.

Proteomic Profiling of Pre- and Post-Surgery Saliva of Glioblastoma Patients: A Pilot Investigation.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an extremely aggressive brain tumor characterized by a high infiltration capability and recurrence rate. Early diagnosis is crucial to improve the prognosis and to personalize the therapeutic approach. This research explored, by LC-MS proteomic analysis after proteolytic digestion, the molecular profile of pre- and post-operative saliva pools from newly diagnosed (ND) GBM patients by comparing different times of collection and tumor recurrence (R).

Development and validation of a MRI-radiomics-based machine learning approach in High Grade Glioma to detect early recurrence.

Purpose: Patients diagnosed with High Grade Gliomas (HGG) generally tend to have a relatively negative prognosis with a high risk of early tumor recurrence (TR) after post-operative radio-chemotherapy. The assessment of the pre-operative risk of early versus delayed TR can be crucial to develop a personalized surgical approach. The purpose of this article is to predict TR using MRI radiomic analysis.

Clinical Implication of Brain Metastases En-Bloc Resection: Surgical Technique Description and Literature Review.

The role of brain metastases (BM) surgery is of paramount importance for patients' progression-free and overall survival. "En-bloc" and "piecemeal" resection represent the main surgical techniques. Although en-bloc resection remains the best surgical option, it is not widely adopted or feasible as the first choice.

The Three Pillars of Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review and Novel Analysis of Multi-Omics and Clinical Data.

Glioblastoma is the most fatal and common malignant brain tumor, excluding metastasis and with a median survival of approximately one year. While solid tumors benefit from newly approved drugs, immunotherapy, and prevention, none of these scenarios are opening for glioblastoma. The key to unlocking the peculiar features of glioblastoma is observing its molecular and anatomical features tightly entangled with the host's central nervous system (CNS).

The 3-Steps Approach for Lumbar Stenosis with Anatomical Insights, Tailored for Young Spine Surgeons.

: Lumbar decompression surgery for degenerative lumbar stenosis is an intervention which addresses a degenerative condition affecting many patients. This article presents a meticulous three-phase surgical approach, derived from our clinical experiences and intertwining anatomical insights, offering a nuanced perspective tailored for the educational needs of young spinal surgeons. : Six hundred and eighty-seven patients who underwent lumbar decompression surgery at a single institution were included in the present study.

Mindfulness vs. Physiotherapy vs. Medical Therapy: Uncovering the Best Postoperative Recovery Method for Low Back Surgery Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Single Institution's Experience.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness therapy compared to traditional physiotherapy and usual care in alleviating postoperative pain and improving functional outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Ninety patients undergoing lumbar decompression and fusion (LDF) who presented persistent low back pain after surgery were prospectively followed for one year. They were randomly divided into three groups: mindfulness therapy, physiotherapy, and medical therapy.

Scientific Data Spaces - Experiences from the EGI-ACE project.

This paper presents the approach adopted by the EGI-ACE project for the setup and delivery of Data Spaces for various scientific domains. The work was implemented by members of the EGI e-infrastructure and of several European Research Infrastructures in the context of the European Open Science Cloud programme. Our results are several Data Space services that enable the reuse and exploitation of open, scientific big data for compute intensive use cases.

Sciatica secondary to deep venous thrombosis of the persistent sciatic vein: the first case in the literature. Illustrative case.

Background: Sciatica usually results from lumbar nerve compression due to factors like disc herniations or lumbar canal stenosis. Despite its common causes, sciatic pain in a 52-year-old man following a coronavirus disease 2019 infection highlighted the importance of considering less common factors. Initially, minor disc protrusions were suspected as the cause of the symptoms, leading to the offer of surgery at another facility.

The Three-Step Approach for Lumbar Disk Herniation with Anatomical Insights Tailored for the Next Generation of Young Spine Surgeons.

: Lumbar disc herniation, a complex challenge in spinal health, significantly impacts individuals across diverse age groups. This article delves into the intricacies of this condition, emphasising the pivotal role of anatomical considerations in its understanding and management. Additionally, lumbar discectomy might be considered an "easy" surgery; nevertheless, it carries significant risks.

Topographic Patterns of Intracranial Meningioma Recurrences-Systematic Review with Clinical Implication.

Background: While several risk factors for recurrences have been defined, the topographic pattern of meningioma recurrences after surgical resection has been scarcely investigated. The possibility of theoretically predicting the site of recurrence not only allows us to better understand the pathogenetic bases of the disease and consequently to drive the development of new targeted therapies, but also guides the decision-making process for treatment strategies and tailored follow-ups to decrease/prevent recurrence.

Methods: The authors performed a comprehensive and detailed systematic literature review of the EMBASE and MEDLINE electronic online databases regarding the topographic pattern of recurrence after surgical treatment for intracranial meningiomas.

The Role of Psychosomatic Traits in Tailored Workup for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion-A Case Series.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of preoperatively assessed psychosomatic traits on postoperative pain, disability, and quality of life outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a widely employed surgical procedure for treating cervical spondylosis.

Combination of Tractography, Intraoperative Computed Tomography and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence in Stereotactic Brain Biopsies: A Case Series.

Stereotactic needle biopsy (SNB) may be performed to collect tissue samples from lesions not amenable to open surgery. Integration of tractography, intraoperative imaging and fluorescence has been applied to reduce risk of complications and confirm the adequacy of bioptic specimens. Clinical and radiological data from patients who underwent stereotactic needle biopsy with the use of intraoperative CT, tractography and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence in a single Hospital were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the procedure.

Evaluation of the extent of resection of intracranial tumors with virtual intraoperative MRI: a case series.

Objective: Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) is the gold-standard technique for intraoperative evaluation of the extent of resection in brain tumor surgery. Unfortunately, it is currently available at only a few neurosurgical centers. A commercially available software, Virtual iMRI Cranial, provides an elastic fusion between preoperative MRI and intraoperative CT (iCT).

Safety and Efficacy of Zero-Profile Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Cages Filled with Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BCP) in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A Case Series.

: In the evolving landscape of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the integration of biomechanical advancements and proper fusion-enhancing materials is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. This case series evaluates the efficacy and clinical implications of employing zero-profile polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages filled with biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) in ACDF procedures, focusing on fusion and subsidence rates alongside patient disability, residual pain, and quality of life. : This case series comprises 76 consecutive patients, with a median follow-up of 581 days.

Navigated, percutaneous, three-step technique for lumbar and sacral screw placement: a novel, minimally invasive, and maximally safe strategy.

Background: Minimally invasive spine surgery is a field of active and intense research. Image-guided percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) placement is a valid alternative to the standard free-hand technique, thanks to technological advancements that provide potential improvement in accuracy and safety. Herein, we describe the clinical results of a surgical technique exploiting integration of neuronavigation and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) for minimally invasive PPS.

Automatic rigid image Fusion of preoperative MR and intraoperative US acquired after craniotomy.

Background: Neuronavigation of preoperative MRI is limited by several errors. Intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) with navigated probes that provide automatic superposition of pre-operative MRI and iUS and three-dimensional iUS reconstruction may overcome some of these limitations. Aim of the present study is to verify the accuracy of an automatic MRI - iUS fusion algorithm to improve MR-based neuronavigation accuracy.

The role of psychopathological symptoms in lumbar stenosis: A prediction model of disability after lumbar decompression and fusion.

Introduction: Pre-operative psychological factors may influence outcome after spine surgery. The identification of patients at risk of persisting disability may be useful for patient selection and possibly to improve treatment outcome.

Methods: Patients with neurogenic claudication associated with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) performed a psychological assessment before lumbar decompression and fusion (LDF) surgery.

Return to Martial Arts after Surgical Treatment of the Cervical Spine: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature for an Evidence-Based Approach.

Cervical spine injuries are considered common in athlete populations, especially in those involved in high-contact sports. In some cases, surgical treatment can be necessary, and, therefore, return-to-play (RTP) after surgery represent a notable issue. We performed a systematic review of literature according to the PRISMA statement guidelines using the following search algorithm: (("ACDF") OR ("cervical spine surgery") OR ("neck surgery") OR ("cervical discectomy") OR ("foraminotomy") OR ("cervical disc replacement")) AND (("return to play") OR ("athlete") OR ("contact sports") OR ("martial arts")).

Intraoperative CT-guided navigation versus fluoroscopy for percutaneous pedicle screw placement in 192 patients: a comparative analysis.

Background: Percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) placement is a key step in several minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) procedures. Traditional technique for PPS makes use of C-arm fluoroscopy assistance (FA). More recently, newer intraoperative imaging techniques have been developed for PPS, including CT-guided navigation (CTNav).

Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Interbody Fusion: A Comparison between Porous Tantalum and Polyetheretherketone Cages.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) may be performed with different kinds of stand-alone cages. Tantalum and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are two of the most commonly used materials in this procedure. Few comparisons between different stand-alone implants for ACDF have been reported in the literature.

Intraoperative Integration of Multimodal Imaging to Improve Neuronavigation: A Technical Note.

Background: Brain shift may cause significant error in neuronavigation, leading the surgeon to possible mistakes. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most reliable technique in brain tumor surgery. Unfortunately, it is highly expensive and time consuming and, at the moment, it is available only in few neurosurgical centers.

Investigating Glioblastoma Multiforme Sub-Proteomes: A Computational Study of CUSA Fluid Proteomic Data.

Based on our previous proteomic study on Cavitating Ultrasound Aspirator (CUSA) fluid pools of Newly Diagnosed (ND) and Recurrent (R) glioblastomas (GBMs) of tumor core and periphery, as defined by 5-aminolevulinc acid (5-ALA) metabolite fluorescence, this work aims to apply a bioinformatic approach to investigate specifically into three sub-proteomes, i.e., Not Detected in Brain (NB), Cancer Related (CR) and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) proteins following selected database classification.

Neuro-Oncology Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: The Point of View of the Neuroradiologist.

Background: The multi-disciplinary tumor board (MTB) is essential to quality cancer care and currently recommended to offer the best personalized clinical approach, but little has been published regarding MTBs in neuro-oncology (nMTBs). The aim of the present paper is to describe our nMTB, to evaluate its impact on clinical management decisions, and to assess the role of neuroradiologists.

Methods: The retrospective evaluation of the cases discussed at our nMTB from March 2017 to March 2020.