Characterization of jugular bulb position on computed tomography (CT) with implications for excision of vestibular schwannomas.

To describe the distribution of jugular bulb position and pneumatization of posterior lip of internal auditory meatus (IAM) in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). This retrospective study included 43 patients who had a thin slice (< 2 mm) CT temporal bone for preoperative planning of retrosigmoid approach for excision of VS between March 2011 and March 2021. On computed tomography (CT), high riding jugular bulb was defined by its relationship to IAM and correlated with type of jugular bulb according to Manjila et al.

Effect of Staphylococcal Decolonization Regime on Post-Craniotomy Meningitis.

Post craniotomy meningitis (PCM), an uncommon complication following craniotomy can be categorized as either bacterial meningitis (BM) or aseptic meningitis (AM) based on the results of CSF culture. Staph. aureus is a common causative organism.

Recurrence After Microsurgical Excision of Third Ventricular Colloid Cysts in a Contemporary Cohort of 84 Patients.

Objective: To examine recurrence rates in patients undergoing microsurgical excision of colloid cysts of the third ventricle with long-term serial clinical and imaging follow-up and to identify risk factors for cyst recurrence.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a single-surgeon cohort of 84 patients who underwent microsurgical excision of a third ventricular colloid cyst between 1994 and 2018 and who were followed for at least 12 months after surgery. The primary outcome of interest was recurrence (asymptomatic and symptomatic).

Pre-operative clinical deterioration and long-term surgical outcomes in 41 patients with split cord malformation type 1.

Purpose: To document the pre-operative rate of clinical deterioration in a cohort of patients with split cord malformation type 1 (SCM 1) and the early- and long-term surgical outcome in these patients.

Methods: Data from 41 patients with SCM 1 operated upon by the same surgeon (VR) between January 2008 to June 2023 were retrospectively reviewed with respect to history of clinical deterioration prior to surgery and early and long-term surgical outcomes.

Results: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 79.

Serum Proteomic Predictors of Calcification of Solitary Cysticercus Granuloma.

Solitary cysticercus granulomas (SCG), prevalent among Indian patients with new-onset seizures, either resolve completely or transform into calcified granulomas. This study aimed to identify serum proteins through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry that could predict calcification of SCGs in 20 patients with SCG with at least 6-months of follow-up. At a median follow-up of 14 months, the SCG had calcified (n = 5), resolved (n = 11), or persisted (n = 4).

Comparison of Sinonasal Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Uni-nostril and Bi-nostril Endoscopic Trans-sphenoidal Excision of Pituitary Adenomas: A Prospective Study.

 Prospective studies comparing quality-of-life and olfaction in patients undergoing endoscopic uni-nostril versus bi-nostril trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery have not been published.  We prospectively compared olfaction and quality-of-life at baseline and at 3 to 6 months follow-up using the Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory-12 (ASK-12) questionnaire, composite olfaction score, and Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Score (LKES) in 43 patients who underwent endoscopic excision of pituitary adenoma with either a uni-nostril (24 patients) or a bi-nostril (19 patients) approach.  Baseline data for both groups were comparable.

Mass Spectrometry Identifies Taenia solium Proteins in Sera of Patients With and Without Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a major cause of global acquired epilepsy, results from Taenia solium larval brain infection. T. solium adult worms release large numbers of infective eggs into the environment contributing to high levels of exposure in endemic areas.

Pott's puffy tumor: An unusual complication of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis.

Objective: To describe clinicoradiological features and surgical outcomes in a series of nine patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) who presented with Pott's puffy tumor (ROCM-PPT).

Methods: The records of nine patients with ROCM-PPT seen between March 2020 and December 2021 were analysed. Clinical features, radiology, histopathology, operative findings, management and outcome were noted.

Quantitative Assessment of Brain Expansion After Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma as a Predictor of Recurrence.

Background: A lack of brain expansion is considered a risk factor for recurrence after evacuation of a chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported on objective measurement of brain expansion after evacuation of a CSDH.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients undergoing 2 burr hole evacuation of a CSDH.

Correlation between Monocyte Gene Expression and Inflammation on Brain Imaging in Patients with Solitary Cerebral Cysticercus Granuloma.

Prior work has shown that 14 monocyte genes are upregulated in patients with different forms of parenchymal neurocysticercosis, including solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG). The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in inflammation associated with SCG seen on follow-up brain imaging are also reflected in changes in expression of these 14 genes. Peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes were isolated from 20 patients with SCG at initial diagnosis and at clinical and imaging follow-up of 6 months or more.

Correlation Between Post-Radiosurgery Perinidal Hyperintensity and AVM Obliteration Following LINAC-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Objective: We studied the correlation between new-onset perinidal hyperintensity (PH) on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and obliteration of intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Methods: A retrospective study of 148 patients with an intracranial AVM who underwent SRS between September 2005 and June 2018 and had ≥1 radiological follow-up (early magnetic resonance imaging) 12-18 months after SRS was performed to analyze the correlation between PH (graded from 0 to 2) and AVM obliteration.

Results: Of the 148 patients, 95 were male.

Preventing Postoperative Apoplexy in Giant Pituitary Adenomas using Combined Trans-Sphenoidal and Cranial Surgery.

Background: Combined surgery consisting of endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery (ETSS) and transcranial (TC) surgery for giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) has been recommended to prevent lethal postoperative apoplexy. Based on our experience, we attempt to rationalize the indications for such surgery.

Materials And Methods: We report the magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of the tumor and the outcomes in patients with GPAs who underwent ETSS only and combined surgery.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Brain Contusion and Early Outcomes in Patients with Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas Undergoing Unifrontal Surgery: Single Center Experience with 110 Patients.

Background: Though frontal lobe contusion is a major cause for morbidity and prolonged hospitalization following excision of anterior skull base meningiomas, there is only limited literature on this complication. This study aimed to find out the incidence of postoperative frontal lobe contusion, identify the risk factors for its development and its impact on early postoperative outcome.

Methods: Data from 110 patients who underwent excision of anterior skull base meningiomas through a unilateral supraorbital craniotomy from 2001 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Characterizing syringomyelia and its clinical significance in 140 patients with lipomyelomeningocele.

Objective: The aims of this study were to characterize syringomyelia in patients with lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) and investigate the association between the presence of a syrinx and patient neurological deficits.

Methods: Patients with LMMC who had been admitted between 2007 and 2020 were included in the study. Syringomyelia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was classified into three groups: true syrinx, early syrinx, and presyrinx.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Procalcitonin-A Potential Biomarker for Post-Craniotomy Bacterial Meningitis.

Background: The literature regarding the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis of post-craniotomy bacterial meningitis and differentiating it from aseptic meningitis is sparse.

Materials And Methods: CSF total WBC count, sugar, protein, and PCT were measured in febrile patients with suspected post-craniotomy meningitis during the first 30 days following an intradural cranial procedure for non-trauma indications. Patients were diagnosed as postoperative bacterial meningitis if CSF culture was positive (PBM, n = 28) or postoperative aseptic meningitis if CSF culture was sterile and there was no evidence of systemic infection (PAM, n = 31).

Chronic Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Patients With Immunocompetence: A Review.

Objective: We aimed to study the literature on chronic granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis to elucidate the changing trends in the management of the disease.

Data Sources: Using specific keywords, we searched the PubMed, PubMed Central, and Scopus databases over the past 50 years, which yielded 938 articles in the English language.

Review Methods: Scrutiny of 147 relevant articles revealed 15 homogenous case series (255 cases of histologically proven chronic granulomatous fungal sinusitis alone) and 8 heterogeneous case series (patients with other types of fungal sinusitis included), which were analyzed in detail (all with >5 cases each).

ZFTA (Zinc Finger Translocation Associated) Fusion in Supratentorial Ependymomas: Low Prevalence in South Asians and No Correlation with Survival.

Background: Supratentorial ependymomas (STEs) are an aggressive group of ependymomas, topographically distinct from their posterior fossa and spinal counterparts. Zinc finger translocation associated (ZFTA) fusion-positive cases have been reported to account for the majority of STEs, although data on its association with poorer outcomes are inconsistent.

Materials And Methods: We assessed the prevalence of the ZFTA fusion by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization in a cohort of 61 patients (68 samples) with STE.

Three Decades of Vellore Grading for Tuberculous Meningitis with Hydrocephalus: A Reappraisal.

Background: This review documents the evolution of the Vellore grading system for tuberculous meningitis and hydrocephalus (TBMH), its evaluation by different authors, and analyzes the need for further modification in light of the published literature.

Methods: Published literature was searched in PubMed and Google Scholar using the search terms, "tuberculous meningitis hydrocephalus" and "Vellore grading." The retrieved articles were reviewed by the author and the appropriate ones were chosen for inclusion in the study.

Indian Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery Consensus Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Shunt Infection: Version 2020-21.

Background: Shunt infection is the most significant morbidity associated with shunt surgery. Based on the existing literature for the prevention and management of shunt infection, region and resource-specific recommendations are needed.

Methods: In February 2020, a Guidelines Development Group (GDG) was created by the Indian Society of Paediatric Neurosurgery (IndSPN) to formulate guidelines on shunt infections, which would be relevant to our country and LMIC in general.

Post Traumatic Hydrocephalus: Incidence, Pathophysiology and Outcomes.

Background: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is seen more often in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC). It is associated with prolonged hospital stay and unfavorable outcomes.

Objective: To study the incidence and risk factors for development of PTH in patients undergoing DC in our institution and to review the literature on PTH with respect to incidence, risk factors, pathophysiology, and outcomes of management.