The History of the Neurosciences at the Albert Einstein Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center-Science at the Heart of Medicine.

"Science at the heart of medicine," the ethos of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and its university hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, has shaped the institution's legacy of pivotal contributions in the neurosciences. From its inception to the present day, the leaders of these institutions have epitomized the integration of clinical medicine, technical excellence, and multidisciplinary basic research. Over time these skills have become increasingly imperative for addressing neurological disorders and overcoming obstacles hindering progress in the field.

Human Adapted Prosomeric Model: A Future for Brainstem Tumor Classification.

This study reevaluates the conventional understanding of midbrain anatomy and neuroanatomical nomenclature in the context of recent genetic and anatomical discoveries. The authors assert that the midbrain should be viewed as an integral part of the forebrain due to shared genetic determinants and evolutionary lineage. The isthmo-mesencephalic boundary is recognized as a significant organizer for both the caudal midbrain and the isthmo-cerebellar area.

Imaging score for differentiation of meningioma grade.

Purpose: We sought to establish a comprehensive imaging score indicating the likelihood of higher WHO grade meningiomas pre-operatively.

Methods: All surgical intracranial meningioma patients at our institution between 2014 and 2018 underwent retrospective chart review. Preoperative MRI sequences were reviewed, and imaging features were included in the score based on statistical and clinical significance.

The Effect of a Multidisciplinary Spine Clinic on Time to Care in Patients with Chronic Back and/or Leg Pain: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Chronic back and leg pain are leading causes of disability worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare the care in a unidisciplinary (USC) versus multidisciplinary (MSC) spine clinic, where patients are evaluated by different specialists during the same office visit. Adult patients presenting with a chief complaint of back and/or leg pain between June 2018 and July 2019 were assessed for eligibility.

Microsurgical Treatment of Deep and Eloquent AVMs.

Over the past 30 years, the treatment of deep and eloquent arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has moved away from microneurosurgical resection and towards medical management and the so-called minimally invasive techniques, such as endovascular embolization and radiosurgery. The Spetzler-Martin grading system (and subsequent modifications) has done much to aid in risk stratification for surgical intervention; however, the system does not predict the risk of hemorrhage nor risk from other interventions. In more recent years, the ARUBA trial has suggested that unruptured AVMs should be medically managed.

Use of the Image Guided Minimally Invasive BrainPath System to Evacuate Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhages.

BrainPath (NICO, Indianapolis, Indiana) is a tool that can be used to evacuate supratentorial hematomas due to spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, when ICH occurs in the posterior fossa, an open approach is often undertaken to evacuate the hematoma. The application of minimally invasive technology, while available, has not been well established.

Separation surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: comparison of a minimally invasive versus open approach.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of separation surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus open surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing MIS or standard open separation surgery for MESCC between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Both groups received circumferential decompression via laminectomy and a transpedicular approach for partial corpectomy to debulk ventral epidural disease, as well as instrumented stabilization.

Neurologic Syndromes Predict Higher In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19.

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is protean in its manifestations, affecting nearly every organ system. However, nervous system involvement and its effect on disease outcome are poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to determine whether neurologic syndromes are associated with increased risk of inpatient mortality.

A safe, reliable, inexpensive and novel technique to localize in the mid thoracic spine in the prone position: Proof of concept and technical illustration.

Intraoperative localization within the thoracic spine in the prone position may be particularly difficult on account of absence of common landmarks such as the sacrum or the C2 vertebra, thus increasing the potential for wrong-level surgery that may lead to patient morbidity and potential litigation. Some current localization methods involve implantation of markers that are invasive and serve to add to procedural expense while yet still failing to entirely eliminate errors. We describe a novel, non-invasive, and inexpensive technique for intraoperative localization of the thoracic spine in the prone position using an esophageal temperature probe.

A novel severity score to predict inpatient mortality in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 is commonly mild and self-limiting, but in a considerable portion of patients the disease is severe and fatal. Determining which patients are at high risk of severe illness or mortality is essential for appropriate clinical decision making. We propose a novel severity score specifically for COVID-19 to help predict disease severity and mortality.

COVID-19 Infection Among Healthcare Workers: Serological Findings Supporting Routine Testing.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a major contributor to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontline healthcare workers in COVID-19 hotspots have faced numerous challenges, including shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and difficulties acquiring clinical testing. The magnitude of the exposure of healthcare workers and the potential for asymptomatic transmission makes it critical to understand the incidence of infection in this population.

Surgical Outcomes for Upper Lumbar Disc Herniations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To conduct a literature review on outcomes of discectomy for upper lumbar disc herniations (ULDH), estimate pooled rates of satisfactory outcomes, compare open laminectomy/microdiscectomy (OLM) versus minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques, and compare results of disc herniations at L1-3 versus L3-4.

Methods: A systematic review of articles reporting outcomes of nonfusion surgical treatment of L1-2, L2-3, and/or L3-4 disc herniations was performed.

The Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Wound Complications After Single-Level Posterolateral and Interbody Fusion for Spondylolisthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cigarette smoking on the development of wound complications, including wound dehiscence, superficial infection, deep infection, or organ space infection, within the first 30 postoperative days in patients undergoing surgery for spondylolisthesis.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database for the years 2012-2014 was used to identify adult patients who underwent single-level posterolateral fusion (PLF) or interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis. Wound complications occurring within 30 days were compared between current smokers and nonsmokers.

Simple facet joint repair with dynamic pedicular system: Technical note and case series.

Purpose: Facet joints are important anatomical structures for the stability of spine. Surgical or degenerative damage to a facet joint may lead to spinal instability and causes clinical problems. This article explains the importance of facet joints, reviews facet replacement systems, and describes a simple and effective method for facet replacement after surgical removal of facet joints.

Survival analysis in patients with newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma multiforme using pre- and post-treatment peritumoral perfusion imaging parameters.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if peritumoral (PT) perfusion parameters obtained from dynamic susceptibility weighted contrast enhanced perfusion MRI can predict overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Twenty-eight newly diagnosed GBM patients, who were treated with resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, were included in this study. Evaluated perfusion parameters were pre- and post-treatment PT relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF).

Govert Bidloo (1649-1713) and the first description of lipomyelomeningocele.

Introduction: Govert Bidloo was a Dutch anatomist and royal physician who lived during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Most remembered for his anatomy text and feud with contemporary William Cowper, Bidloo's surgical text appears to describe the first case of what is now known as a lipomyelomeningocele.

Methods: The authors review the life of Bidloo and his description of this pathologic entity.