Comparison of Radiological and Clinical Outcomes between Expandable and Non-expandable Cages Following Cervical Corpectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion is considered the mainstay of surgical treatment in cervical pathology. Expandable and nonexpandable cages are preferred over autogenous bone graft because of donor-related morbidity. However, the choice of the cage type remains a debatable topic as studies report conflicting results.

Prediction of the functional and radiological outcome on the basis of independent factors with special emphasis on the use of 3D printed models in craniovertebral junction surgery.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the advantage of performing planned surgery using customized three-dimensional (3D) printed models versus performing surgery without using 3D printed models in patients with craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies and traumatic CVJ fractures and dislocations.

Methods: Forty-two patients with CVJ anomalies, who were planned for operative intervention in the Department of Neurosurgery at SMS Hospital from March 2019 to February 2021, were randomly divided into two groups and analyzed. First group was operated after rehearsal on a customized 3D printed model whereas the second group underwent operative intervention without the rehearsal of surgery on the 3D printed model.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Model-Assisted Management of Craniovertebral Junction Abnormalities: An Institutional Experience with Literature Review.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility and limitations of using three-dimensional (3D)-printed models for the management of craniovertebral (CV) junction abnormalities.

Overview Of Literature: In comparison to other bony and vascular anomalies, CV junction abnormalities are difficult to treat.

Cerebellopontine angle epidermoid with ipsilateral external ear atresia: an embryological association or a coincidence?

The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is the most common site for intracranial epidermoids. They may have varied presentations viz facial pain, hemifacial spasms, headache and uncommonly features of raised intracranial pressure. Their association with external ear atresia has not been reported in literature to date.

Intramedullary Melanocytoma of the Cervicothoracic Cord: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Melanocytoma is rare pigmented tumor of the leptomeninges which arise from the neural crest. Intramedullary location of the tumor is extremely rare, and only a few case reports are available in the literature. We report a case of 35-year-old female with the entity who had a near total removal of the intramedullary tumor with good postoperative outcome.

Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Brain Tumor Surgery.

Object: The objective is to evaluate the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in intra-axial brain tumor cases (gliomas and metastasis). To preoperatively assess the integrity and location of white matter (WM) tracts and plan the surgical corridor to cause least damage to the WM tracts with minimum postoperative new neurological deficits.

Materials And Methods: A total of 34 patients were included in this study.

Use of 3D printer model to study vertebral artery anatomy and variations in developmental craniovertebral junction anomalies and as a preoperative tool-an institutional experience.

Background: Spinal instrumentation using rods and screws have become procedure of choice for posterior fixation. Vertebral artery anatomy is highly variable in this region posing challenges during surgery. Our study used 3D printer model to understand the anatomy and variations in vertebral artery in live patients thereby providing an accurate idea about vertebral artery injury risk in these patients preoperatively and to rehearse the whole procedure.

Increasing the safety of surgical treatment for complex Cranio-vertebral anomalies using customized 3D printed models.

Surgery for the Cranio-vertebral (CV) junction anomalies using top loading subocciput (C0)/C1-C2 screws is difficult and requires high level of skill and expertise. This is because of complex abnormal anatomy in that region and other issues including the instrumentation. Thorough knowledge of the 3D anatomy of the Craniovertebral junction of the patient is essential for favourable outcome.

Giant lumbosacral schwannoma in a child.

Small spinal intradural extramedullary schwannoma are a common occurrence in the middle aged. However, giant schwannoma in pediatric age group is rare. We report one such case of giant extradural lumbosacral schwannoma in an 8-year-old child.

Urinary bladder perforation, intra-corporeal knotting, and per-urethral extrusion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a single patient: case report and review of literature.

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery is the most common procedure performed for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Erosive bladder perforation by a peritoneal catheter is an extremely rare complication of VPS. Only ten cases involving the normal (non-augmented) urinary bladder have been reported so far.

Cervical rib, a rare cause of recurrent stroke in the young: case report.

Background: Cervical rib usually causes neurological symptoms in the upper limb but stroke as an initial presentation is very uncommon. Recurrent supratentorial and infratentorial stroke in a single patient is very rare. Cervical rib can lead to anterograde or retrograde thromboembolic phenomenon leading to ischemic stroke.

Telemedicine in neurosurgical emergency: Indian perspective.

Telemedicine is rapidly developing telecommunication technology to provide medical information and services. The importance of telemedicine for neurosurgical emergencies was established with the fact that majority of the neurosurgical specialists are practicing in urban settings and in most of the rural areas, neurosurgical care is far off or non-existing. Countries with inadequate health care must incorporate telemedicine in their health care system.

Craniocerebral maduromycosis.

Craniocerebral maduromycetoma is extremely rare; only 2 cases have been reported so far. The authors report a case of maduromycetoma in a 17-year-old girl from a rural background in the state of Rajasthan, India, with involvement of the right parietal cortex, overlying bone, and subcutaneous tissue. The mass was totally excised, along with the involved dura mater, bone, and scalp.

Mucocele of the sphenoid sinus: A rare cause of reversible 3(rd) nerve palsy.

Ophthalmoplegia due to 3(rd) nerve palsy is a common occurrence, and is usually a sign of diabetes mellitus or a serious intracranial disease. We report a rare case of pupil sparing 3(rd) nerve palsy caused by mucocele of the sphenoid sinus. The patient regained 3(rd) nerve functions after successful decompression of the mucocele.

Programmable valve shunts: are they really better?

Programmable valve shunts allows selection of opening pressure of shunt valve. In the presented article, a unique complication pertaining to programmable shunts has been discussed. A 5-year-old boy who had tectal plate low grade glioma with obstructive hydrocephalus was managed with Codman programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Intracranial metastasis of spinal intramedullary anaplastic astrocytoma.

Meningeal spread of spinal intramedullary astrocytoma into the cranium is rare. Only few case reports are available so far in the literature. We report a case of intramedullary high grade astrocytoma of the conus, developing intracranial metastasis after three months of partial excision of the spinal mass.

Low velocity penetrating head injury with impacted foreign bodies in situ.

Penetrating head injury is a potentially life-threatening condition. Penetrating head injuries with impacted object (weapon) are rare. The mechanism of low velocity injury is different from high velocity missile injury.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever: a rare cause of pituitary tumor hemorrhage and reversible vision loss.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever leading to hemorrhage in pituitary adenoma is not reported till date: We herein report the first case of bilateral visual loss secondary to pituitary adenoma hemorrhage associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Urgent transnasal trans sphenoidal decompression of the macroadenoma prevented permanent visual loss in this patient. Pituitary apoplexy should be considered as differential diagnosis of visual deterioration apart from retinal hemorrhage, maculopathy, and optic neuropathy in cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

An unusual presentation of head injury: teeth in brain.

Penetrating injuries other than gunshot wounds or low-velocity wounds to the head are extremely rare. We report the case of a 19 year old male who sustained a penetrating craniocerebral trauma following a road traffic accident. Noncontrast CT scan revealed three foreign bodies embedded in left frontal lobe, which on surgery turned out to be human teeth.