Whither Zoos? An Inescapable Question.

As a founding coeditor of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science and a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare and Ethics (CZAWE), I welcome this opportunity to publish for the third time (see earlier issues Volume 16, Number 4 [2013] and Volume 18, Supplement [2015]) selected proceedings from the Fourth Global Animal Welfare Congress of the Detroit Zoological Society's CZAWE. I have the honor of presenting a brief overview of the congress, entitled "Zoos and Aquariums as Welfare Centers: Ethical Dimensions and Global Commitment," which was held May 3, 2017, through May 6, 2017.

Robotically guided radiosurgery for children.

Background: A robotically guided linear accelerator has recently been developed which provides frameless radiosurgery with high precision. Potential advantages for the pediatric population include the avoidance of the cognitive decline associated with whole brain radiotherapy, the ability to treat young children with thin skulls unsuitable for frame-based methods, and the possible avoidance of general anesthesia. We report our experience with this system (the "Cyberknife") in the treatment of 21 children.

Pre- and postnatal MR imaging of hypothalamic hamartomas associated with arachnoid cysts.

We describe two cases of hypothalamic hamartoma associated with arachnoid cysts. One case was initially documented on prenatal MR images. Because of the rarity of the association and resultant distortion in regional anatomy, the solid component of the mass may be overlooked.

Animal model research: the apples and oranges quandary.

In this paper, I explore the premises underlying the problem of the evaluation of animal models. I argue that the presence of similarities and differences between the model and the modelled, although historically and currently a dominant antinomy framing evaluation, is not a bottom-line consideration. What is critical is 1) whether we learn and 2) whether we improve treatment through the animal model research.

Three new tools for parathyroid surgery: expensive and unnecessary?

Background: The intraoperative quick parathyroid hormone assay, the intraoperative gamma probe, and endoscopic parathyroidectomy are three very new techniques developed to facilitate parathyroid surgery. Some hospitals do not have the necessary equipment, and many, like ours, continue to operate in the time-honored way.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective chart review of 34 such operations, done with the use of Sestamibi scans, but entirely without the newer modalities.

Postoperative home visits?

Purpose: Because most surgery patients now recover at home rather than in the hospital, we wanted to determine whether postoperative home visits by the operating surgeon would improve medical outcomes, and whether this innovation would strengthen resident training.

Methods: A surgeon who had performed 347 procedures during a 7-month period attempted to do a home visit to each patient within 48 hours after surgery.

Results: Many patients had to be disqualified for various reasons, leaving 143 candidates.

Study of the MIB-1 labeling index as a predictor of tumor progression in pilocytic astrocytomas in children and adolescents.

Purpose: The pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common childhood brain tumor. This report examines the MIB-1 labeling index (LI) as a predictor of progression-free survival (PFS) among childhood PAs.

Patients And Methods: Consecutive PAs were examined to determine whether the MIB-1 LI was associated with tumor progression.

Prognostic factors in children and adolescents with low-grade oligodendrogliomas.

Few reports exist describing the progression-free and overall survival of children with low-grade (WHO grade II) oligodendrogliomas treated uniformly with aggressive surgery but without adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Furthermore, significant prognostic features, including the MIB-1 labeling index (LI), have not been reported for children with oligodendrogliomas. The medical records of 20 consecutive patients with low-grade oligodendrogliomas were reviewed.

Nonperioperative strokes in children with central nervous system tumors.

Background: Nonperioperative strokes are rare yet potentially devastating events for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The incidence of and risk factors for nonperioperative strokes in children with CNS tumors is unknown.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of children from their institution with CNS tumors.