Molecular classification to refine surgical and radiotherapeutic decision-making in meningioma.

Treatment of the tumor and dural margin with surgery and sometimes radiation are cornerstones of therapy for meningioma. Molecular classifications have provided insights into the biology of disease; however, response to treatment remains heterogeneous. In this study, we used retrospective data on 2,824 meningiomas, including molecular data on 1,686 tumors and 100 prospective meningiomas, from the RTOG-0539 phase 2 trial to define molecular biomarkers of treatment response.

Match rate of neurosurgery residents in the United States at their home institution: A comparative analysis of Pre COVID-19, During COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Limitations to medical student clinical rotation opportunities brought on by the pandemic has the potential to exacerbate differences in access to clinical experience between medical schools, and thus impact the distribution of graduates matching into neurosurgical programs nationwide. The utilization of virtual interviews that started after the pandemic are likely here to stay. In this study we seek to evaluate match rates for American (AMGs) and international medical graduates (IMGs) across the 6 most recent academic years, examining specifically the rate of home-institution matching before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigating Thoracic Vertebral Fractures in Residential Environments.

Introduction: Thoracic vertebral fractures within homes are pivotal public health concerns due to their associated morbidity and significant healthcare expenditures. This study aims to dissect the intricate epidemiology of these injuries, integrating comprehensive risk factors beyond conventional demographics and location analyses.

Methods: Utilizing a decade of data (2013-2022) from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, this study examines thoracic vertebral fractures across age and gender in household settings.

A Sodium Oxychlorosene-Based Infection Prevention Protocol Safely Decreases Postoperative Wound Infections in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.

Introduction: This study sought to determine the efficacy of a complex multi-institutional sodium oxychlorosene-based infection protocol for decreasing the rate of surgical site infection after instrumented spinal surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Infection prevention protocols have not been previously studied in ASD patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent posterior instrumented spinal fusion of the thoracic or lumbar spine for deformity correction between January 1, 2011, and May 31, 2019.

Comprehensive analysis of power tool injuries: implications for safety and injury prevention.

Background: Power tools are essential for productivity but carry significant injury risks. Addressing power tool injuries across diverse age groups is vital, as existing research predominantly focuses on specific occupational or non-occupational groups, leaving a gap in understanding various age cohorts within the diverse American population. This study aims to comprehend power tool injury epidemiology, raising awareness about the importance of targeted safety measures for enhancing public health.

Examination and Scientific Analysis of Thoracic Vertebral Fractures.

Background Thoracic vertebral fractures are clinically important due to their association with the thoracic spinal cord and the potential to cause devastating neurological injury. Using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data, this study investigated fracture patterns to understand associated factors to improve prevention strategies. We explored different factors associated with thoracic vertebral fractures to improve our understanding of preventative strategies and patient care standards, focusing on spatial distribution, sex-age dynamics, and location of injury.

Double Lumbar Localization of Myelomeningocele: Case Report.

Introduction: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a malformation resulting from the neural tube's failure to close during embryonic development, and the majority of the cases of neural tube defects (NTDs) were prevalent as single location lesions along the spine; however, multiple NTDs (MNTDs) are a very rare condition. Only a few cases of MNTDs were found in the literature.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 2-month-old male infant prenatally diagnosed with MMC, presented with two unconnected lumbar and lumbosacral epidermal, soft, dome-shaped swellings located on both sides of the midline (paravertebral) covered by intact skin.

Intraventricular hemorrhage in term infants: a single institutional experience between 2016 and 2020.

Purpose: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of prematurity is a known complication of preterm birth. Intraventricular hemorrhage in term infants is much less commonly encountered. To address the lack of information in the current literature concerning this demographic, we offer demographic and image findings that demonstrate etiology and predict the need for permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion.

Management and outcomes of surgical site tuberculosis infection due to infected bone graft in spine surgery: a single-institution experience and 1-year postoperative follow-up.

Objective: In 2021, several patients across the United States received bone allograft contaminated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). TB is typically a pulmonary infection with many possible extrapulmonary manifestations, including skeletal tuberculosis. However, TB is a rare causative organism of postoperative surgical site infection.

Utility of neuromuscular blockade reversal in the evaluation of acute neurosurgical patients: A retrospective case-series.

Objective: Sugammadex reversal of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is usually performed postoperatively. A scarcity of literature exists exploring sugammadex use for timely neurological examination of neurosurgical patients. NMBAs, like rocuronium, are used in the Emergency Department during intubation and their unpredictable duration of action often impedes timely and accurate assessment of patient neurological status.

Cervical Spine Injury in Children and Adolescents.

Complaints related to the neck are common following mild pediatric trauma. Although significant cervical spine injuries are most often seen and evaluated in the emergency room or inpatient setting, the primary care provider is faced with the evaluation of lower acuity complaints. We provide a review to assist with the efficient evaluation of these patients to facilitate decisions regarding return to play, the need for imaging, and need for referral to subspecialty providers.

Standard work tools for dynamic stereoelectroencephalography using ROSA: naming convention and perioperative planning.

Objective: The grid-based orthogonal placement of depth electrodes (DEs), initially defined by Jean Talairach and Jean Bancaud, is known as stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG). Although acceptance in the United States was initially slow, advances in imaging and technology have spawned a proliferation of North American epilepsy centers offering sEEG. Despite publications highlighting minimal access techniques and varied indications, standard work for phase I targeted DE has not been defined.

Virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a turning point in neurosurgical education.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused dramatic changes in medical education. Social distancing policies have resulted in the rapid adoption of virtual learning (VL) by neurosurgeons as a method to exchange knowledge, but it has been met with variable acceptance. The authors surveyed neurosurgeons from around the world regarding their opinions about VL and how they see the future of neurosurgical conferences.

The Natural History of Coiled Cerebral Aneurysms Stratified by Modified Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification.

Objective: The natural history and long-term durability of Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization is still unknown. We hypothesize a stepwise decrease in durability of embolized cerebral aneurysms as stratified by the Modified Raymond-Roy Classification (MRRC).

Methods: First-time GDC-embolized cerebral aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed from 2004 to 2015.

Natural History and Management of Incidentally Discovered Focal Brain Lesions Indeterminate for Tumor in Children.

Background: The incidental discovery of brain lesions in children has increased due to greater utilization of neuroimaging. Standardized surveillance and management guidelines following the discovery of such lesions remain nonexistent.

Objective: To study the natural history and management of incidental brain lesions in children.

Optimizing Postoperative Surveillance of Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma Using Tumor Behavior Patterns.

Background: Pediatric low-grade gliomas are among the most common childhood neoplasms, yet their post-treatment surveillance remains nonstandardized, relying on arbitrarily chosen imaging intervals.

Objective: To optimize postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance protocols for pediatric low-grade gliomas.

Methods: Patients aged 0 to 21 yr with pediatric low-grade gliomas, treated between 1990 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.

Neurenteric cyst at the dorsal craniocervical junction in a child: Case report.

Neurenteric cysts, also known as enterogenous cysts, are uncommon, benign, congenital lesions that usually occur in the posterior mediastinum but can be seen at any level of the neuraxis. Here, we report a pediatric patient with a neurenteric cyst in the dorsal craniocervical junction as the only third reported pediatric case in the literature in this rare location, and describe the clinical course and pathologic findings with a review of the literature on this rare entity.