Stereotactic Radiosurgery for World Health Organization Grade 2 and 3 Oligodendroglioma: An International Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: Oligodendrogliomas are primary brain tumors classified as isocitrate deshydrogenase-mutant and 1p19q codeleted in the 2021 World Health Organization Classification of central nervous system tumors. Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are well-established management options for these tumors. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for oligodendroglioma.

Innovations in intraoperative therapies in neurosurgical oncology: a narrative review.

Purpose: High-grade gliomas (HGG) represent the most aggressive primary brain tumors in adults, characterized by high recurrence rates due to incomplete resection. This review explores the effectiveness of emerging intraoperative therapies that may extend survival by targeting residual tumor cells. The main research question addressed is: What recent intraoperative techniques show promise for complementing surgical resection in HGG treatment?

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, examining recent studies on intraoperative therapeutic modalities that support surgical resection of HGG.

A comprehensive evaluation of career trajectories of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons William P. Van Wagenen fellows.

Objective: To elucidate the current academic, demographic, and professional factors influencing the career trajectories of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) William P. Van Wagenen (VW) fellows while also identifying trends that may influence future fellow selection.

Methods: Fifty-five VW fellows were identified from 1968 to 2022 from the AANS website, along with corresponding institutions, countries, and continents of study.

Intraoperative Imaging and Optical Visualization Techniques for Brain Tumor Resection: A Narrative Review.

Advancements in intraoperative visualization and imaging techniques are increasingly central to the success and safety of brain tumor surgery, leading to transformative improvements in patient outcomes. This comprehensive review intricately describes the evolution of conventional and emerging technologies for intraoperative imaging, encompassing the surgical microscope, exoscope, Raman spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, fluorescence-guided surgery, intraoperative ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. We detail how each of these imaging modalities contributes uniquely to the precision, safety, and efficacy of neurosurgical procedures.

Intratumoral Hemorrhage in Vestibular Schwannomas After Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Multi-Institutional Study.

Background And Objectives: Intratumoral hemorrhage (ITH) in vestibular schwannoma (VS) after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is exceedingly rare. The aim of this study was to define its incidence and describe its management and outcomes in this subset of patients.

Methods: A retrospective multi-institutional study was conducted, screening 9565 patients with VS managed with SRS at 10 centers affiliated with the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Gamma knife radiosurgery is regarded as the gold-standard stereotactic radiosurgery modality for the treatment of intracranial tumours, and its use has been expanded for the treatment of intraocular malignancies. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy, outcomes, and complications of gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to aggregate the clinical outcomes of patients with uveal melanomas or intraocular metastases treated primarily with gamma knife radiosurgery.

Using a Guided Machine Learning Ensemble Model to Predict Discharge Disposition following Meningioma Resection.

 Machine learning (ML) algorithms are powerful tools for predicting patient outcomes. This study pilots a novel approach to algorithm selection and model creation using prediction of discharge disposition following meningioma resection as a proof of concept.  A diversity of ML algorithms were trained on a single-institution database of meningioma patients to predict discharge disposition.

The Effect of a Student-Run Free Clinic on Hospital Utilization.

Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) serve uninsured patients and offer unique educational opportunities. However, the impact of these clinics on hospital utilization is unclear. In this pre-post observational study, we used multivariable modeling to test the hypothesis that patients of Shade Tree Clinic, the SRFC affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), would have decreased hospital utilization after joining the clinic.

Upper Extremity Pulse Pressure Predicts Amputation-Free Survival after Lower Extremity Bypass.

Increased pulse pressure reflects pathologic arterial stiffening and predicts cardiovascular events and mortality. The effect of pulse pressure on outcomes in lower extremity bypass patients remains unknown. We thus investigated whether preoperative pulse pressure could predict amputation-free survival in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass for atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

Prediction of Prolonged Ventilation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Data from an Artificial Neural Network.

Objectives: The need for mechanical ventilation 24 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is considered a morbidity by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The purpose of this investigation was twofold: to identify simple preoperative patient factors independently associated with prolonged ventilation and to optimize prediction and early identification of patients prone to prolonged ventilation using an artificial neural network (ANN).

Methods: Using the institutional Adult Cardiac Database, 738 patients who underwent CABG since 2005 were reviewed for preoperative factors independently associated with prolonged postoperative ventilation.

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study of D-Cycloserine in Chronic Stroke.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the USA. Up to 60% of patients do not fully recover despite intensive physical therapy treatment. N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA-R) have been shown to play a role in synaptic plasticity when activated.