Revisiting the Endoscopic vs. Microscopic colloid cysts resection battle with emphasis on endoscope assisted technique.

Introduction: Colloid cysts are challenging regarding their location. Surgical resection remains the therapeutic option of choice for symptomatic cysts. However, choosing the optimal surgical approach is still a subject of debate.

Effect of the extent of posterior septectomy on surgical access during the endoscopic endonasal approach to the sella: A technical note.

Background: Using the bi-nostril 4-hand technique during the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) facilitates bimanual microsurgical techniques yet requires resection of the posterior nasal septum. The surgical exposure and degree of maneuverability gained proportionate to the extent of posterior septectomy in the sagittal plane was previously quantified.

Research Question: We aim to describe our technique of posterior septectomy, and the effect of its extent in the axial plane on surgical access, and instrument maneuverability.

Preemptive strategies and lessons learned from complications encountered with microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

Objective: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the only curative treatment modality for hemifacial spasm (HFS). Although generally considered to be safe, this surgical procedure is surrounded by many risks and possible complications. The authors present the spectrum of complications that they met in their case series, the possible causes, and the strategies recommended to minimize them.

Late Frontal Bone Reconstruction Using Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Titanium Mesh Customization: A Case Series.

Background: The convex frontal bone is covered by thin skin, rendering its reconstruction cosmetically challenging. Customized alloplastic implants provide better contouring than autologous bone, yet their high cost and availability limit their application. We assess customized titanium mesh implants precontoured using patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) printed models for late frontal cranioplasty.

Risk factors of congenital hydrocephalus: a case-control study in a lower-middle-income country (Egypt).

Objective: Hydrocephalus is the most common brain disorder in children and is more common in low- and middle-income countries. Research output on hydrocephalus remains sparse and of lower quality in low- and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries. Most studies addressing hydrocephalus epidemiology are retrospective registry studies entailing their inherent limitations and biases.

An eye on the future for defeating hydrocephalus, ciliary dyskinesia-related hydrocephalus: review article.

Congenital hydrocephalus affects approximately one in 1000 newborn children and is fatal in approximately 50% of untreated cases. The currently known management protocols usually necessitate multiple interventions and long-term use of healthcare resources due to a relatively high incidence of complications, and many of them mostly provide a treatment of the effect rather than the cause of cerebrospinal fluid flow reduction or outflow obstruction. Future studies discussing etiology specific hydrocephalus alternative treatments are needed.

A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression.

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable.

Objective: We aim to study factors that might influence the postoperative patterns and duration needed until final recovery.

Soft tissue density within the foramen magnum, a predictor for surgical intervention in pediatric patients with Chiari malformation type I.

Objective: Chiari malformation type I (CMI) is diagnosed as herniation of the cerebellar tonsils by at least 5 mm below the foramen magnum. However, the degree of tonsillar herniation is a poor predictor of the need for decompression surgery. Exploration for an alternative morphological predictor for surgical intervention could provide greater insight into the development of an appropriate treatment plan for these patients.

Visual changes after space flight: is it really caused by increased intracranial tension? A systematic review.

Introduction: Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) was linked to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) attributable to the combined effects of microgravity and environmental conditions encountered during spaceflight. Microgravity countermeasures as lower body negative pressure (LBNP) are potential interventions for SANS. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive qualitative analysis of literature contrasting simulation and spaceflight studies, focusing on the pathophysiology of SANS, and highlighting gaps in current knowledge.

Effects of growth hormone therapy in pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency and Chiari I malformation: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) on pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and Chiari I malformation (CIM) are not well investigated within the current body of literature. With no clear indication of the effects of GHRT on CIM disease progression, we sought to determine the effect of GHRT on tonsillar herniation and progression of CIM symptomatology.

Methods: From a previously established database of 465 patients with radiologically confirmed CIM defined as > 5 mm of tonsillar descent on head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we identified 20 patients who also had GHD.

C5 palsy following posterior decompression and instrumentation in cervical stenosis: Single center experience and review.

Objective: Causation and avoidance of C5 palsy after laminectomy have proven elusive, with multiple factors incriminated including width of the laminectomy, spinal cord migration, C5 neural foraminal stenosis, or intraoperative C5 root traction. In an attempt to identify risk factors for C5 palsy after decompression in cervical stenosis and myelopathy, the following review was conducted. This report is from a single center with consistent criteria for diagnosis and management of cervical stenosis and myelopathy.

Intraventricular extension of an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is an independent predictor of a worse functional outcome.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the impact of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on the cognitive prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured cerebral aneurysm, independent of the presence of intraparenchymal hemorrhage, hydrocephalus or vasospasm.

Patient And Methods: A Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of patients with aneurysmal SAH from July 2009 to November 2016 was performed. Patients were included if they had a saccular aneurysm with a Hunt-Hess grade (HHG) 1-3.

Emergency Optic Canal Decompression for Vision Salvage in Fibrous Dysplasia.

Background: The most common neurologic manifestations of fibrous dysplasia (FD) are vision and hearing loss. Optic decompression for progressive vision loss has been shown to yield positive results in terms of visual outcomes; however, emergency optic decompression surgery for sudden loss of vision in FD has not to date been reported in the pediatric population. We report the first case of FD presenting with sudden vision loss and successfully managed with emergency optic decompression.

Development of an Arabic version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire as a tool to study eye diseases patients in Egypt.

Aim: To develop and test an Arabic version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25).

Methods: NEI-VFQ-25 was translated into Arabic according to WHO translation guidelines. We enrolled adult consenting patients with bilateral chronic eye diseases who presented to 14 hospitals across Egypt from October to December 2012, and documented their clinical findings.