Efficacy of subcutaneous sumatriptan in postcraniotomy pain and opioid consumption.

Objective: Traditional pain management pathways following craniotomy are predicated on opioids. However, narcotics can confound critical neurological examination, contribute to respiratory depression, lower the seizure threshold, and lead to medication habituation, dependence, and/or abuse. Alternative medications to better address postoperative pain while mitigating opioid-related adverse effects remain insufficiently studied.

Partial Response to Naxitamab for Brain Metastasis in Neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is a common pediatric tumor arising from sympathetic ganglion cells. High-risk NBL is based on age, stage, histology, and MYCN amplification, and is associated with a high mortality rate. The combination of naxitamab (NAX) and granulocyte-macrophage (cerebrospinal fluid) is a new treatment for high-risk and relapsed NBL approved for bone or bone marrow disease.

Ten-year review of neonatal neurosurgical outcomes and cost analysis.

Background: Neurosurgical interventions in neonates may contribute to increased neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. The impact of neurosurgical interventions on length of stay (LOS) and cost is not well-documented in the literature. In addition to LOS, other factors may impact overall resource utilization.

Efficacy of Conservative Therapy in Overhead Athletes with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative therapy in range of movement (ROM), strength, pain, subacromial space and physical function, in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021281559). The databases searched were: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Web of Science and SCOPUS.

The Scope and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Neuroemergent Patient Transfers, Clinical Care and Patient Outcomes.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to substantially alter previously established clinical practice patterns and has transformed patient care in American healthcare. However, studies to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on neuroemergent patient care and associated clinical outcomes are limited. Herein, we describe the impact of COVID-19 on the Neuroemergency Transfer Program (NTP) - a novel, urban, high volume interhospital patient transfer program.

Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis after Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: The Anticoagulation Dilemma.

 Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) is a relatively understudied complication of vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. Several studies have examined this topic; however, there is limited data on the incidence, clinical progression, and proper management of this patient population.  A retrospective review was performed for patients undergoing surgery for VS at a single institution.

Petrous Apex Cephaloceles: Radiology Features and Surgical Management of a Rare Entity.

Objective: To characterize the radiologic findings of petrous apex cephalocele (PAC) in a patient cohort, and report the surgical management for three symptomatic PAC patients and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak via the middle cranial fossa approach.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Academic center.

Clinical relevance of massage therapy and abdominal hypopressive gymnastics on chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To determine the clinical relevance of the effects that Massage-Therapy (MT) and Abdominal-Hypopressive-Gymnastics (AHG) and the combination of both procedures have on the disability, pain intensity, quality of life, and lumbar mobility of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP).

Methods: A randomized controlled-trial with parallel-groups, concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis was carried out. The sample included 60 adults with CNSLBP.

Increased spatial randomness and disorder of nucleates in dark-phase electrodeposition lead to increased spatial order and pattern fidelity in phototropically grown Se-Te electrodeposits.

The role of nucleation was investigated during phototropic growth of Se-Te. Under low levels of mass deposition (mass equivalent of -3.75 mC cm of charge passed) that produced small nucleate spacings, patterns in photoelectrochemically deposited Se-Te films converged at relatively earlier levels of mass deposition and ultimately exhibited higher pattern fidelity throughout pattern development as compared to pattern formation from larger initial nucleate spacings.

Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor of the Conus Medullaris.

Introduction: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare tumor of the central nervous system, especially when involving the spinal column or spinal cord.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 5-year-old girl with progressive bilateral lower extremity pain found to have a discrete nodular lesion of the conus with mild heterogeneous enhancement. Surgical decompression and resection demonstrated a pathologic tumor consistent with AT/RT with loss of INI1 protein on immunohistochemistry.

Prior smoking and nasoseptal flap usage adversely impact quality of life and healing after endoscopic pituitary surgery.

Objective: Endoscopic pituitary surgery (EPS) via the endonasal transsphenoidal approach is well established as an effective treatment modality for sellar masses. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between key patient and operative variables and rhinological outcomes as determined by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and endoscopic scores following EPS.

Methods: Prospectively collected SNOT-22 scores and objective endoscopic data were analyzed from a cohort of 109 patients who underwent EPS and had at least 90 days of postoperative follow-up.

Spontaneous Otogenic Pneumocephalus: Case Series and Update on Management.

 This study is aimed to report the largest independent case series of spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus (SOP) and review its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment.  Four patients underwent a middle cranial fossa approach for repair of the tegmen tympani and tegmen mastoideum. A comprehensive review of the literature regarding this disease entity was performed.

Pediatric Brainstem Gliomas: A Retrospective Study of 180 Patients from the SEER Database.

Background/aims: Large population-based studies are needed to assess the epidemiology and survival risk factors associated with pediatric brainstem gliomas. This retrospective study explores factors that may influence survival in this population.

Methods: Utilizing the SEER database, the authors retrospectively assessed survival in histologically confirmed brainstem gliomas in patients aged 17 and younger.

Repair of Temporal Bone Defects via the Middle Cranial Fossa Approach: Treatment of 2 Pathologies With 1 Operation.

Background: Temporal bone dehiscence (TBD) often results in leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or encephalocele. TBD can also occur over the superior semicircular canal, causing debilitating vertigo. Both can be repaired surgically, but traditional treatment is focused only on one pathology, not both.

A Pivotal Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Hydrogel Dural Sealant as an Adjunct to Dural Repair.

Background: A watertight dural repair is critical to minimizing the risk of postoperative complications secondary to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel hydrogel, Adherus Dural Sealant, when compared with control, DuraSeal Dural Sealant System, as an adjunct to standard methods of dural repair.

Methods: In this 17-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial designed as a noninferiority, single-blinded study, 124 patients received Adherus Dural Sealant (test sealant) and 126 received DuraSeal (control).

Truebeam Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Preliminary Results at a Single Institution.

Introduction: Radiosurgery is now an established method of satisfactory pain control in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The Varian Truebeam STx (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) linear accelerator (LINAC) system is an arc-based, frameless stereotactic radiosurgery system used for the treatment of TN. To our knowledge, there has been only one published series of patient histories that documents the use of a frameless LINAC system for the treatment of TN.

Post-operative intracranial hemorrhage related to using t-PA for declotting an occluded hemodialysis catheter: A cautionary tale.

Heparin and thrombolytic agents such as tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) are frequently used to prevent and treat occluded hemodialysis (HD) catheters. Thrombolytic agents have not been well studied for systemic effects. We present a post-operative neurosurgical patient who experienced a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after t-PA was used to treat an occluded HD catheter.

Minimally invasive evacuation of intraventricular hemorrhage with the Apollo vibration/suction device.

Intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) can occur as a consequence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, aneurysm rupture, arteriovenous malformation hemorrhage, trauma, or coagulopathy. IVH is a known risk factor for poor clinical outcome with up to 80% mortality. The current standard treatment strategy for IVH consists of the placement of an external ventricular drain.

Hyperdense suprasellar mass: An unusual radiological presentation of intracranial dermoid cyst.

We report an exceedingly rare patient with a hyperdense suprasellar dermoid cyst and a pertinent review of the literature. Intracranial dermoid tumors are rare congenital lesions of the brain that account for less than 1% of all intracranial tumors. Even though they are rare, typical CT scan and MRI features and location allow radiological diagnosis in the majority of patients.