Comparison of correction of kyphotic deformity and implant failure in percutaneous short-segment pedicle screws fixation with index level versus long-segment pedicle screws fixation without index level for traumatic thoracolumbar junctional fractures: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare correction of kyphotic deformity (KD) and implant failure (IF) in percutaneous short-segment pedicle screws fixation (SSPF) with index level versus long-segment pedicle screws fixation (LSPF) without index level for traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) fractures.

Methods: This prospective study comprised 56 patients who met the study's inclusion criteria from the Department of Neurosurgery at the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences in Lahore, Pakistan presented between June 2022 and May 2023. We separated them into two groups: Group-A and Group-B, each with 28 patients.

Into the Neuroscape: Perceptions of Pakistani Medical Students and Recent Graduates toward Neurosurgery.

 Neurosurgery receives several applicants every year, but the decreasing size of the neurosurgery workforce in Pakistan despite evidence of initial student interest is perplexing. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate the perspective of medical students and recent graduates to get a holistic view of perceptions toward neurosurgery.  A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of medical students and recent graduates from different medical colleges.

Infrastructural Barriers to Neurosurgical Care of Brain Tumors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Appropriate surgical infrastructure is important for improving patient outcomes. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often struggle to provide adequate brain tumor surgery due to fractured infrastructure. This study aims to identify and evaluate barriers to surgical care infrastructure for brain tumors in LMICs.

Endovascular thrombectomy after 24 hours for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the role of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion in the very late window (>24 hours).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases till 2024. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Middle meningeal artery embolization alone versus combined with conventional surgery in the management of chronic subdural hematoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare outcomes of middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) alone versus combined with conventional surgery in the management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH).

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and CINAHL, followed by a meta-analysis comparing recurrence rates, surgical rescue, mortality, in-hospital complications, and length of hospital stay was conducted. Mean differences and risk ratios were pooled using a random effects model, with subgroup analysis performed using Cochrane RevMan 5.

Consensus guidelines for the management of primary supra-tentorial intraventricular tumour for low- and middle-income countries.

Almost any primary or metastatic brain tumour can manifest in intraventricular (IV) locations. These tumours may either originate within the ventricular system or extend into the IV space through growth. Such neoplasms represent a broad spectrum, with supratentorial IV tumours forming a heterogeneous group.

Consensus guidelines for the management of intracranial meningioma for low- and middle-income countries.

Intra-cranial meningiomas represent the most common type of extra-axial brain tumour in adults. Characteristically slow-growing and often asymptomatic, these tumours may only require observation in some cases. However, lesions that cause a significant mass effect necessitate intervention, primarily through surgical means.

Consensus guidelines for the management of intracranial ependymoma for low- and middle-income countries.

This paper presents comprehensive consensus guidelines for the management of intracranial ependymoma, neoplasms arising from ependymal cells in the central nervous system's ventricular system, in low- and middleincome countries (LMICs). Acknowledging the distinct epidemiological patterns of ependymomas, notably their higher incidence in paediatric patients, and variable survival rates, these guidelines emphasize tailored management approaches for different age groups. An expert panel, comprising specialists in neuro-oncology, convened to address gaps in diagnosis and management within LMICs, considering the varying clinical presentation based on tumour size and location.

Developing neuro-oncology clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review of the current literature.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have historically been under-represented in clinical trials, leading to a disparity in evidence-based recommendations for the management of neurooncological conditions. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a scoping review to assess the current literature on clinical trials in neuro-oncology from LMICs. The eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review included clinical trials registered and conducted with human subjects, with available English language text or translation, and focussed on neuro-oncological cases.

Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and implementation of a novel approach for intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, which is augmented with deep learning technology.

Materials And Methods: This study is designed as an observational to evaluate the feasibility and implementation of using an innovative approach to intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, augmented with deep learning technology. The study will be conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2024 to July 2026, with an estimated sample size of 258.

Failure Rates of Conservative Management of Minimally Symptomatic Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Conservative treatments for minimally symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) are debated, with surgery as the primary option.

Objective: To assess failure rates of a conservative approach for management of cSDH.

Methods: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.

Outcomes of COVID-19 and Influenza in Cerebral Palsy Patients Hospitalized in the United States: Comparative Study of a Nationwide Database.

Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, yet comparative outcomes between COVID-19 and influenza in this population remain underexplored. Using the National Inpatient Sample from 2020-2021, we performed a retrospective analysis of hospital data for adults with CP diagnosed with either COVID-19 or influenza. The study aimed to compare the outcomes of these infections to provide insights into their impact on this vulnerable population.

Adjuvant therapy for brain tumors in LMICs: A systematic review of barriers and possible solutions.

Background: Adjuvant therapy is an important tool in the arsenal of brain tumor management and can improve patients' outcomes significantly but low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often face challenges in provision. Therefore, our study aims to highlight barriers and strategies to adjuvant therapy of brain tumors in low-resource settings.

Method: A comprehensive search of literature was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Scopus, from inception to October 20, 2022.

Challenges to Early Detection of Brain Tumors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Objective: While early diagnosis of brain tumors is essential for improving prognoses, several challenges prevent early diagnosis of these illnesses in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective of this systematic review is to identify and evaluate the barriers and challenges to early detection of brain tumors in LMICs, as well as to propose potential solutions.

Methods: A thorough search of the literature was carried out with the aid of multiple databases, including Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

Governance Challenges to the Neurosurgical Care of Brain Tumors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often struggle to provide adequate neurosurgical care due to poor governance and institutional efforts, making access to care difficult. Therefore, our review of literature aims to identify gaps in government, national, and institutional efforts to combat barriers to neurosurgical care of brain tumors in LMICs, to inform future policy and action planning.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL without language restrictions from inception to October 20, 2022.

Applications, limitations and advancements of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging: A scoping review.

Background: Ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF-MRI) has emerged as an alternative with several portable clinical applications. This review aims to comprehensively explore its applications, potential limitations, technological advancements, and expert recommendations.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted across medical databases to identify relevant studies.

Brain Drain: A Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating Migration Intentions of Neurosurgery Trainees in Pakistan.

 Pakistan has a significant proportion of medical graduates who intend to leave the country for better opportunities abroad, leading to a brain drain. However, the push and pull factors within neurosurgery remain unexplored, emphasizing the need for evaluation to enact policy changes.  We conducted a nationwide survey across 22 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan accredited neurosurgery training centers in all provinces of Pakistan.