Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Investigation of Prognostic Variables and Creation of a Stronger Predictive Model.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is frequently complicated by permanent shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, but it is difficult to predict which patients are at highest risk.

Objective: This study seeks to identify novel variables associated with shunt dependency after aSAH and to create a predictive algorithm that improves upon existing models.

Methods: Retrospective case control design was used.

Comparing Cortical Bone Trajectory and Traditional Pedicle Screws in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study of One-Year Outcomes.

Introduction: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) at a single institution. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term results associated with cortical bone trajectory (CBT) and traditional pedicle screw (TPS) via posterolateral approach in TLIF.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated from November 2014 to March 2019 were included in the CBT TLIF group, while consecutive patients treated from October 2010 to August 2017 were included in the TPS TLIF group.

Current state of radiomic research in pancreatic cancer: focusing on study design and reproducibility of findings.

Objectives: To critically appraise methodology and reproducibility of published studies on CT radiomics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: PRISMA literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus databases was conducted from June to August 2022 relating to CT radiomics human research articles pertaining to PDAC diagnosis, treatment, and/ or prognosis, utilising Image Biomarker Standardisation Initiative-compliant (IBSI) radiomic software. Keyword search included [pancreas OR pancreatic] AND [radiomic OR [quantitative AND imaging] OR [texture AND analysis]].

Complication rate of overlapping versus nonoverlapping functional and stereotactic surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Overlapping surgery, in which one attending surgeon manages two overlapping operating rooms (ORs) and is present for all the critical portions of each procedure, is an important policy that improves healthcare access for patients and case volumes for surgeons and surgical trainees. Despite several studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of overlapping neurosurgical operations, the practice of overlapping surgery remains controversial. To date, there are no studies that have investigated long-term complication rates of overlapping functional and stereotactic neurosurgical procedures.

Turning on the light for brain tumor surgery: A 5-aminolevulinic acid story.

To aid surgeons in more complete and safe resection of brain tumors, adjuvant technologies have been developed to improve visualization of target tissue. Fluorescence-guided surgery relies on the use of fluorophores and specific light wavelengths to better delineate tumor tissue, inflammation, and areas of blood-brain barrier breakdown. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), the first fluorophore developed specifically for brain tumors, accumulates within tumor cells, improving visualization of tumors both at the core, and infiltrative margin.

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Cavernous Malformations: A Systematic Review.

Background: Microsurgical resection of intracranial cavernous malformations (CM) is regarded as the standard treatment, but in recent years, there has been a trend toward minimally invasive procedures like ablation of such lesions by using laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT).

Methods: A systematic search using keywords 'laser interstitial thermal therapy' OR 'LITT' AND 'cavernoma' OR 'cavernous angiomas' OR 'cavernous malformations' was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane electronic bibliographic databases and studies reporting the outcome of LITT procedure on intracranial CM were included. The demographic data, symptoms of patients, location and size of the lesion, and surgical outcome were extracted from the articles.

Telemedicine in Spine Surgery: Outcomes for 138 Patients With Virtual Preoperative Assessment Compared to Historical Controls.

Introduction: COVID-19 has accelerated the use of telemedicine in all aspects of health care delivery, including initial surgical evaluation. No existing literature investigates the safety and efficacy of telemedicine to preoperatively evaluate spine surgery candidates. Our objectives were: (1) Compare the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between the telemedicine preoperative visit and in-person preoperative visit groups.

The Utility of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Resection of Cerebellar Hemispheric Pilocytic Astrocytomas: A Cohort Study.

Background: The mainstay of treatment for cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas in the pediatric population is surgery. The use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) as a surgical adjunct may lower the likelihood of reoperation. Studies have examined iMRI in heterogenous tumor populations, but few have looked at single pathologies.

Revascularization Is Associated With a Reduced Stroke Risk in Patients With Sickle Cell-Associated Moyamoya Syndrome.

Background: Moyamoya syndrome refers to a progressive stenosis of the internal carotid arteries and can be associated with sickle cell disease. These codiagnoses result in severe risk for stroke, even in patients on optimal medical management. Surgical revascularization has been shown to be safe in small case series.

Spinal Arachnoid Webs: Presentation, Natural History, and Outcomes in 38 Patients.

Background: Spinal arachnoid webs are rarely described bands of thickened arachnoid tissue in the dorsal thoracic spine. Much is unknown regarding their origins, risk factors, natural history, and outcomes.

Objective: To present the single largest case series, detailing presenting symptoms and outcomes amongst operative and nonoperative patients, to better understand the role of intervention.

Feasibility and Morbidity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Stereotactic Laser Ablation of Deep Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: A Report of 4 Cases.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has been used successfully to treat epileptogenic cortical cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). It is unclear whether MRgLITT would be as feasible or safe for deep CCMs.

Objective: To describe our experience with MRgLITT for symptomatic deep CCMs.

Complication Rates in Early Versus Late Cranioplasty-A 14-Year Single-Center Case Series.

Background: Cranioplasty (CP) following decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a common neurosurgical procedure for cranial cosmesis and protection. There is uncertainty regarding the complication rates and potential benefits related to the timing of CP.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the timing of CP on complication rates for different etiologies of DC.

Safety Profile and Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Stand-Alone 2-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 41 Consecutive Patients.

Objective: The use of stand-alone 2-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) for degenerative lumbar disease has been increasing as an alternative to routinely augmenting these constructs with posterior fixation or fusion. Despite the potential benefits of a stand-alone approach (decreased cost and operative time, decreased pain and early mobilization), there is a paucity of information regarding these operations in the literature. This investigation aimed to determine the safety profile, radiographic outcomes including fusion rates, improvement in preoperative pain, and spinopelvic parameter modification, for patients undergoing stand-alone 2-level ALIF.

Telemedicine in the Evaluation and Management of Neurosurgical Spine Patients: Questionnaire Assessment of 346 Consecutive Patients.

Study Design: Retrospective questionnaire study of all patients seen via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large academic institution.

Objective: This aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction of telemedicine clinic to in-person visits; to evaluate the preference for telemedicine to in-person visits; to assess patients' willingness to proceed with major surgery and/or a minor procedure based on a telemedicine visit alone.

Summary Of Background Data: One study showed promising utility of mobile health applications for spine patients.

Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for posterior fossa neoplasms.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has been increasingly used to treat a number of intracranial pathologies, though its use in the posterior fossa has been limited to a few small series. We performed a multi-institutional review of targets in the posterior fossa, reporting the efficacy and safety profile associated with laser ablation in this region of the brain.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing LITT in the posterior fossa was performed from August 2010 to March 2020.

Endovascular sacrifice of the proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery for treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Background: Ruptured aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery (VA) or posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are challenging to treat as they are often dissecting aneurysms necessitating direct sacrifice of the diseased segment, which is thought to carry high morbidity due to brainstem and cerebellar stroke. However, relatively few studies evaluating outcomes following VA or proximal PICA sacrifice exist. We sought to determine the efficacy and outcomes of endovascular VA/PICA sacrifice.

Outcomes in Patients with Moyamoya Syndrome and Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Moyamoya syndrome, a progressive, idiopathic stenosis of the internal carotid arteries, results in increased risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Revascularization procedures have been shown in small studies to be both safe and efficacious for these patients; however, randomized controlled trials are lacking. The goal of this systematic review is to organize the literature evaluating surgical intervention versus conservative medical management.

Safety and effectiveness of stereotactic laser ablation for epileptogenic cerebral cavernous malformations.

Objective: Magnetic resonance (MR) thermography-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy, or stereotactic laser ablation (SLA), is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery for focal epilepsy caused by cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). We examined the safety and effectiveness of SLA of epileptogenic CCMs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 19 consecutive patients who presented with focal seizures associated with a CCM.