Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study at the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat, projected to cause over 40 million deaths by 2050. ESKAPE pathogens (, , , , , and spp.) are major contributors to nosocomial infections and AMR.

Surgical complication index for pediatric patients (SCIPP): A novel pediatric frailty index predicting postoperative complications in a study of 133 pediatric neurosurgical patients.

Purpose: A predictive index for surgical complications in pediatric patients is lacking in the current scientific literature. We have developed a simple index to accurately predict the likelihood of complications after surgery. The Surgical Complication Index for Pediatric Patients (SCIPP) is reliable and accurate for both heterogenous and specific groups of pediatric patients.

Cervical spine considerations in Goldenhar syndrome: a clinical perspective.

Background: Goldenhar syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder defined by a rare combination of congenital anomalies-an eye abnormality, in addition to two of the following three: ear anomalies, mandibular malformations, and vertebral defects. Notably, children with Goldenhar syndrome present with a high incidence of cervical spine malformations.

Clinical Case: In this report, we present an unusual case of a 15-year-old child with Goldenhar syndrome, who additionally presents with some clinical features of VACTERL syndrome.

Regional differences in reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and FAIR Health across common procedures for neurological surgeons.

Objective: FAIR Health-a nonprofit, state-funded database-was created as an independent repository of healthcare claims paid data to address allegations of price fixing. Many insurers have forced physicians to negotiate payments based on Medicare rates, rather than utilizing FAIR Health. The authors' objective was to provide an overview of regional differences in reimbursement rates per several sample neurosurgical Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and to compare Medicare, Medicaid, and usual, customary, and reasonable rates via FAIR Health rate estimates.

Surveillance of surgical site infections in orthopedic prosthetic surgery: a tool for identifying risk factors and improving clinical practice.

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most frequently encountered complications in prosthetic surgery, and are associated with increased hospitalization, costs and in-hospital mortality. There is no national system for the comprehensive monitoring of the incidence of SSIs.

Methods: All patients undergoing orthopedic prosthetic surgery from April 1 to June 30, 2023 were enrolled.

Pediatric skull inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a rare case report and literature review.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) represent rare neoplasms, particularly infrequent in the pediatric skull. We present a novel case of a newborn male with a 5 cm right temporal mass and discuss current diagnostic and treatment options for IMTs. A multidisciplinary effort to surgically remove the lesion was successful, and the patient's skull defect healed without neurological deficits.

Management of an older Marshall-Smith syndrome patient: a review of literature of MSS and craniosynostosis.

Marshall-Smith Syndrome (MSS) is a rare progressive developmental disorder that severely impairs a patient's intellectual development and physical health. The only known cause for MSS is a mutation in the nuclear factor 1 X (NFIX) gene. This mutation affects neuronal development and protein transcription.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education 20-Year Trends in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the United States: How Does Neurological Surgery Compare?

Background: Within the current medical workforce, diversity is limited among surgical specialties. However, diversity allows physicians to provide culturally competent care. This paper discusses the trends in racial, ethnic, and gender representation within different surgical subspecialties with an emphasis on neurosurgery over a 20-year time frame.

Utilization of Locum Tenens in Neurosurgery.

Introduction: Despite its rising popularity, little has been described about locum tenens employment (locums) in neurosurgery. This study provides the first nationwide overview of the locums neurosurgery experience.

Methods: An anonymous online survey examined practice characteristics of respondents, extent of and satisfaction with locums, motivations for pursuing locums, case volumes, agencies used, compensation, and positive/negative aspects of experiences.

Biopsy of diffuse midline glioma is safe and impacts targeted therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To quantify the safety and utility of biopsy of pediatric diffuse midline glioma (DMG).

Methods: This study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were queried for relevant articles from inception until June 2023.

The landscape of current research on pediatric diffuse midline glioma: a quantitative analysis of shifts, leaders, and future avenues.

Purpose: Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) has seen a surge of research interest in recent years with the growth in knowledge of new avenues for potential treatments. However, no bibliometric review of the field has been conducted to visualize the current state of the field. Here, we use bibliometric mapping to visualize the knowledge structure, collaborations, and trends in the field.

Moya moya vasculopathy and MECP2 duplication syndrome.

Background: Moya moya type vasculopathy (MMV) is a rare disorder in which there is narrowing of bilateral intracranial carotid arteries (Scott and Smith in New Engl J Med 360(12):1226-1237, 2009). MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by genetic duplications on Xq28 chromosome (Expanding the clinical picture of the MECP2 duplication syndrome. (Lim et al.

The impact of early aging on visual perception of space and time.

Visual perception of space and time has been shown to rely on context dependency, an inferential process by which the average magnitude of a series of stimuli previously experienced acts as a prior during perception. This article aims to investigate the presence and evolution of this phenomenon in early aging. Two groups of participants belonging to two different age ranges (Young Adults: average age 28.

Telehealth in Neurosurgery: 2021 Council of State Neurosurgical Societies National Survey Results.

Objective: Telehealth was rapidly adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was distributed to neurosurgeons in the United States (U.S.

Congenital unilateral lower lip palsy: a case-based review.

Background: Congenital unilateral lower lip palsy (CULLP), also referred to as congenital asymmetric crying facies (ACF), is a rare condition that causes pronounced depression of the unaffected lower lip when crying, despite symmetric appearance of the mouth and lips at rest. Unlike the acquired form of ACF, CULLP is idiopathic and often involves permanent defect.

Methods And Results: We present a case-based review of CULLP, including a thorough analysis of the relevant literature and a discussion of the exemplary case of 5-year-old patient presenting with unilateral facial asymmetry resulting from left-sided facial weakness.

The world seems different in a social context: A neural network analysis of human experimental data.

Human perception and behavior are affected by the situational context, in particular during social interactions. A recent study demonstrated that humans perceive visual stimuli differently depending on whether they do the task by themselves or together with a robot. Specifically, it was found that the central tendency effect is stronger in social than in non-social task settings.

Mechanisms of Peer Review and Their Potential Impact on Neurosurgeons: A Pilot Survey.

Background: Physician peer review is a universal practice in U.S. hospitals.

Neurosurgical management of patients with neurocutaneous melanosis: a systematic review.

Objective: Neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM), also referred to as neurocutaneous melanosis, is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by excess melanocytic proliferation in the skin, leptomeninges, and cranial parenchyma. NCM most often presents in pediatric patients within the first 2 years of life and is associated with high mortality due to proliferation of melanocytes in the brain. Prognosis is poor, as patients typically die within 3 years of symptom onset.

Trends in Racial and Ethnic Representation Among Neurosurgery Applicants and Residents: A Comparative Analysis of Procedural Specialties.

Background: Diversity, equity, and inclusion within the healthcare workforce are conducive to providing culturally competent care. However, few existing studies have assessed the level of racial and ethnic diversity among resident physicians and residency applicants. Our objective was to provide a comparative analysis of the trends in racial and ethnic representation within different subspecialties in medicine.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Treatment of Pediatric Hydrocephalus: Update of the 2014 Guidelines.

Background: The Congress of Neurological Surgeons reviews its guidelines according to the Institute of Medicine's recommended best practice of reviewing guidelines every 5 yrs. The authors performed a planned 5-yr review of the medical literature used to develop the "Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines" and determined the need for an update to the original guideline based on new available evidence.

Objective: To perform an update to include the current medical literature for the "Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines", originally published in 2014.