Publications by authors named "Samer Hoz"
Background: Trigeminal nerve palsy (TNP) in patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) results from the disease process or its treatment. We systematically reviewed the literature on trigeminal palsy in patients with IAs.
Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science were searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Background: Presigmoid approaches provide access to several structures anterior to the sigmoid sinus (SS) and may be intended for the treatment of lesions located in the middle and posterior fossa. We conducted a morphometric cadaveric study investigating the infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine suprameatal approach (PRSA) as a unique operative corridor. The typical anatomic-radiological characteristics and variations were evaluated and analyzed to predict surgical accessibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosurgical training and practice rely heavily on research, which is a pivotal marker of academic productivity. This study investigates the current landscape of neurosurgery publications originating from Pakistan, encompassing overall research output, prevalent topics, and disparities across institutions and regions. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, were systematically searched up to November 1, 2023, using specified keywords.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Glomus tumors around the jugular foramen and inner ear can have variable presentations, including lower cranial nerve palsies, tinnitus, hearing loss, or palpable neck mass. In general, these tumors are benign paragangliomas with the definitive treatment consisting of radiosurgery or surgery. Endovascular embolization can be added as a critical adjunctive therapy to reduce the tumor vascularity before surgical resection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study explores the infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine suprameatal approach (PRSA) for surgically treating aneurysms in the proximal third of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), which traditionally requires complex techniques.
- Researchers conducted dissections and analyzed morphometric parameters in cadaveric heads to assess the approach's feasibility and anatomical variations.
- Findings suggest that the PRSA corridor allows for effective access to AICA aneurysms without risking hearing or balance, emphasizing the importance of individualized preoperative assessments to identify suitable patients.
Article Synopsis
- The ambient cistern (AC) and the ambient wing cistern (AWC) are complex anatomical structures in the brain, first defined by Dr. Bengt Liliequist in the 20th century, but have caused confusion in neuroanatomy over the years due to their intricate three-dimensional anatomy.
- A thorough literature review identified 60 relevant research articles after filtering out unrelated studies, revealing that while multiple related cisterns are described, they are often not presented as singular entities in medical literature.
- The study concludes that the AC and AWC are anatomically distinct yet interconnected structures, significant for diagnostic and surgical considerations related to brain masses near the tentorial hiatus, and can be approached via specific surgical methods.
Background: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has revolutionized the armamentarium for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) treatment. Technical and angiographic benchmarks to guide procedural and clinical success are less well established.
Methods: A single-center database was reviewed to compare outcomes after standalone MMAE with and without resultant residual angiographic opacification of frontal and parietal (F/P) branches.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers conducted a systematic review of 27 studies involving 545 patients, identifying five main combined approaches: Anterior petrosal, Supra-tentorial, Infratemporal fossa, Retrosigmoid, and Far-lateral suboccipital.
- * The study found that these approaches, especially the Anterior petrosal, are effective in treating conditions like meningiomas while showing strong surgical outcomes and low complication rates.
Article Synopsis
- Cranial nerve palsy (CNP) in patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) negatively affects quality of life, yet there's limited analysis on its prevalence and outcomes.
- A systematic review of 52 studies identified prevalent CNP types in 513 patients, with oculomotor nerve involvement being the most common (58.25%) and a notable correlation between unruptured aneurysms and CNP occurrence.
- Following treatment, 55% of patients achieved complete CNP resolution within 6 months, with varying success rates based on the specific cranial nerve affected.
Background: Proctoring in neuroendovascular surgery is one of the potential solutions for the shortage of personnel and experience, particularly in unstable and limited-resource areas such as Iraq.
Methods: The study was conducted at the Baghdad Neurovascular Center (BNC), the first Hybrid neurovascular institution in Iraq, where sequential online zoom-based meetings between the BNC team and the expert from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were used for teleproctoring for neurointerventional procedures.
Results: A total of 28 sessions were conducted, four sessions for each case.
Background: Cerebral vasospasm is a leading source of delayed morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Angioplasty may improve vasospasm, while optimal target and device selection remains controversial. This study aimed to identify features and devices associated with sustained efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Treatment outcomes of octogenarians with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are often considered poor. With ongoing advancements and experience in endovascular technology, we sought to evaluate the outcomes of octogenarians treated for aSAH in the second post-International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT)/Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial (BRAT) decade.
Method: A single-center database of aSAH was reviewed to identify patients aged 80 years or above undergoing aneurysm treatment.
Background And Objectives: The benefit of middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) has been recently demonstrated in a series of clinical trials. Whether MMAE benefits "trial-ineligible" patients remains elusive. We thus sought to explore the potential benefit of MMAE in neurologically stable (modified Rankin Scale ≤3) patients with "trial-ineligible" CSDHs because of large size: Thickness >15 mm and/or midline shift ≥5 mm.
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- Posterior circulation cerebral bypasses, like the occipital artery (OA) to vertebral artery (VA) bypass, are less common and have significant risks, with few existing reports on their effectiveness.
- A retrospective review of four cases (including five bypass surgeries) showed that patients, mainly older males with vertebrobasilar insufficiency, experienced improved outcomes after the procedure, which involved a direct connection from the OA to the VA-3 segment.
- The study underlines that while OA-VA bypass can be effective, particularly in select patients, there is a need for clearer definitions on surgical techniques and indications in the literature, emphasizing the importance of enhanced surgical education in this area.
Article Synopsis
- Gross total resection (GTR) of intracranial meningiomas is often curative, but about 20% of patients may need blood transfusions due to surgical blood loss or preoperative anemia.
- A scoping review analyzed 33 studies involving 3009 patients, revealing that headaches were the most common symptom and grade-1 meningothelial meningiomas were the most frequent type.
- The findings suggest that surgical factors, like the extent of blood loss during the operation and existing anemia, can significantly impact the need for blood transfusions in these surgeries.
Background: The Precentral Cerebellar Vein (PCV) plays a crucial role as an anatomical landmark in neurosurgery, and the possibility of its safe sacrifice is controversial. Understanding its anatomical nuances and clinical implications is fundamental in enhancing neurosurgical practice.
Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted to consolidate literature on the PCV.
Background: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can lead to significant morbidity and are particularly challenging to manage in resource-limited settings where endovascular treatment modalities are unaffordable for most patients.
Objective: To describe the first case series of AVM from Iraq with an analysis of the related clinicoradiologic characteristics, operative features, and outcomes.
Methods: A single-center database from October 2018 to December 2022 was reviewed to analyze the characteristics of cerebral AVMs who underwent surgical treatment in Baghdad, Iraq.
The importance of mentorships in medical education and neurosurgery is highly attributed to the support and encouragement of the advances and learning opportunities for medical students and junior neurosurgeons. Planning a mentorship program according to the target audience offers to satisfy different interests and enhance education. One of the main issues with most of the already implemented programs is the sustainability and inability to maintain continuous cycles of mentorship, which have a negative impact and have led to an interrupted pattern of learning which eventually leads to a decline in the engagement of participants and loss of interest.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cranial nerve (CN) palsy may manifest as an initial presentation of intracranial aneurysms or due to the treatment. The literature reveals a paucity of studies addressing the involvement of the 6 CN in the presentation of cerebral aneurysms.
Methods: Clinical patient data, aneurysmal characteristics, and CN 6 palsy outcome were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.