Analysis of prognostic factors and the role of epilepsy in neurosurgical patients with brain metastases.

Background: Brain metastases (BMs) represent the most frequent brain tumors in adults. The identification of key prognostic factors is essential for choosing the therapeutic strategy tailored to each patient. Epilepsy can precede several months of other clinical presentations of BMs.

An annotated catalog of the type material of Mecoptera deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods in Gainesville, Florida, USA.

The Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) is one of the largest and most valuable insect collections in the United States with more than twelve million curated specimens. The order Mecoptera currently comprises over 800 extant described species in nine extant families. The FSCA houses type material in the families Bittacidae, Panorpidae, and Panorpodidae.

Exceptional larval morphology of nine species of the species group (Diptera, Tephritidae).

is the most diverse and economically important genus of Tephritidae in the American tropics and subtropics. The striking morphology of the third instars of Norrbom, Stone, Norrbom & Korytkowski, Norrbom, Norrbom & Korytkowski, and three newly discovered and as yet formally unnamed species ( sp. Peru-82, Anastrephasp.

Haemostatic technique in malignant gliomas.

Introduction: Haemostasis in brain surgery is mandatory to avoid postoperative re-bleeding and a poor outcome. Postoperative intra-cavity haemorrhage is a frequent complication, especially in surgery of malignant gliomas because of the fragility of pathological vessels.

Material And Methods: In this technical note, we describe our 'compression' technique used to achieve haemostasis in adult patients who underwent surgery for supratentorial malignant gliomas (GBM) at our Institute from January 2019 to January 2022.

Upcycling Compact Discs for Flexible and Stretchable Bioelectronic Applications.

Electronic waste is a global issue brought about by the short lifespan of electronics. Viable methods to relieve the inundated disposal system by repurposing the enormous amount of electronic waste remain elusive. Inspired by the need for sustainable solutions, this study resulted in a multifaceted approach to upcycling compact discs.

Pre-operative hematological markers as predictive factors for overall survival and progression free survival in glioblastomas.

Introduction: Several hematological factors, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic nutrition index (PNI) and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), have been highlighted as systemic worse prognostic parameters for the outcome in gliomas. The aim of this study is to identify some pre-operative routinely blood tests as predictive parameters for the Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS) in glioblastoma (GBM).

Materials And Methods: From January 2013 to April 2019, 124 patients operated for glioblastoma were analyzed.

Laminectomy versus open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A clinical outcome analysis.

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is one of the most common diseases in the geriatric population. Decompressive laminectomy or laminoplasty is the predominant surgical procedure of choice, but there remains debate as to which procedure is optimal for managing CSM.

Methods: Here, we retrospectively analyzed 64 patients with CSM undergoing laminectomy (39 patients) versus laminoplasty (25 patients).

Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy and Craniocervical Junction Instability due to Metastatic Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma.

Metastases involving the clivus and craniocervical junction (CCJ) are extremely rare. Skull base involvement can result in cranial nerve palsies, while an extensive CCJ involvement can lead to spinal instability. We describe an unusual case of clival and CCJ metastases presenting with VI cranial nerve palsy and neck pain secondary to CCJ instability from metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma.

ABCB1 c.3435C>T polymorphism is associated with platinum toxicity: a preliminary study.

Background: Platinum-based doublets are the standard chemotherapy for lung cancer. The identification of markers associated with drug toxicity may improve the success of the treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping into the genes involved in platinum transport or detoxification may explain the occurrence of toxicities.

Coil Extrusion into the Naso- and Oropharynx Ten Years after Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Embolization: A Case Report.

Coil migration and extrusion outside the cranial compartment after embolization of cerebral aneurysms represents a very rare complication of the endovascular procedures and few cases are reported in the literature. Instability of the vascular malformation wall and the resolution of the intramural hematoma, especially in pseudoaneurysm, might generate extravascular migration of the coils in the first months after embolization. However, to the best of our knowledge, an extrusion of coil 10 years after embolization has never been reported.

New or Blossoming Hemorrhagic Contusions After Decompressive Craniectomy in Traumatic Brain Injury: Analysis of Risk Factors.

The development or expansion of a cerebral hemorrhagic contusion after decompressive craniectomy (DC) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs commonly and it can result in an unfavorable outcome. However, risk factors predicting contusion expansion after DC are still uncertain. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the growth or expansion of hemorrhagic contusion after DC in TBI.

Risk factors for post-traumatic hydrocephalus following decompressive craniectomy.

Background: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is one of the main complications of decompressive craniectomy (DC) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Then, the recognition of risk factors and subsequent prompt diagnosis and treatment of PTH can improve the outcome of these patients. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the development of PTH requiring surgical treatment in patients undergoing DC for TBI.

Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Cranioplasty and Hydrocephalus on Outcome.

Objective: After severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) associated with uncontrollable high intracranial pressure (ICP), today the main challenge for neurosurgeons remains to identify who may obtain benefit from decompressive craniectomy (DC) and which factors after DC influence the prognosis of these patients. The aim of this paper was to identify the pre- and postoperative determinants of outcome after DC.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients undergoing DC for sTBI from 2003 to 2011.

Prognostic Factors in Glioblastoma: Is There a Role for Epilepsy?

The prognostic relevance of epilepsy at glioblastoma (GBMs) onset is still under debate. In this study, we analyzed the value of epilepsy and other prognostic factors on GBMs survival. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiological, surgical and histological data in 139 GBMs.

Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy with Anterior C1 Arch Preservation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Long-Term Follow-Up and Further Technical Improvement by Anterior Endoscopic C1-C2 Screw Fixation and Fusion.

Objective: To examine the long-term outcomes (minimum of 4.5 years) of endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy (EEO) with preservation of anterior C1 ring to treat irreducible ventral bulbo-medullary compressions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to illustrate a novel technique of anterior pure endoscopic craniovertebral junction (CVJ) reconstruction and fusion. In fact, long-term clinical studies are still lacking to elucidate the effective role of EEO and whether it can obviate the need for posterior fixation.

Mini-Craniotomy under Local Anesthesia to Treat Acute Subdural Hematoma in Deteriorating Elderly Patients.

 Surgical treatment for acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) in elderly patients is still considered unsatisfactory. Series focusing on the use of conventional craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy in such patients report discouraging results. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission seems to be crucial in the decision-making process.

Supraorbital subfrontal trans-laminar endoscope-assisted approach for tumors of the posterior third ventricle.

Background: Different surgical approaches have been developed for dealing with third ventricle lesions, all aimed at obtaining a safe removal minimizing brain manipulation. The supraorbital subfrontal trans-lamina terminalis route, commonly employed only for the anterior third ventricle, could represent, in selected cases with endoscopic assistance, an alternative approach to posterior third ventricular lesions.

Methods: Seven patients underwent a supraorbital subfrontal trans-laminar endoscope-assisted approach to posterior third ventricle tumors (two craniopharyngiomas, one papillary tumor of the pineal region, one pineocytoma, two neurocytomas, one glioblastoma).

Endoscopic Transnasal Odontoidectomy With Anterior C1 Arch Preservation and Anterior Vertebral Column Reconstruction in Patients With Irreducible Bulbomedullary Compression by Complex Craniovertebral Junction Abnormalities: Operative Nuance.

Background: During the past decades, the transoral transpharyngeal approach has been advocated as the standard route for the removal of odontoid causing an irreducible symptomatic neural compression. However, it may be potentially associated with a significant built-in morbidity because of the splitting of the soft palate for an adequate working angle, tracheostomy, and incision of the oral mucosa, causing exposure to a higher risk of infection by oral flora.

Objective: To describe our experience with the minimally invasive pure endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy in patients with bulbomedullary compression affected by complex anterior craniovertebral junction abnormalities.