Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Availability of Specialist Training and Different Training Pathways across Africa.

Background: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is the surgical specialty concerned with the treatment of a broad range of conditions that affect the head, face, mouth, neck, and jaw. In Africa, there is a paucity of information about the specialist training available to aspiring African Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Objective: This paper aimed at shedding light on the available OMFS specialist training programmes and training pathways across Africa.

The prognostic utility of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in spinal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is reportedly an effective prognostic tool across various medical and surgical fields, but its value in spinal surgery is unestablished. We aim to investigate the relationship between elevated baseline/postoperative NLR and patient outcomes in spinal surgery.

Materials And Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases for studies investigating the prognostic value of NLR in spine patients.

Trends in research grant applications and outcomes among medical students in the United Kingdom: a national self-reported cross-sectional survey.

Background: Research funding disparities contribute to clinical academic workforce inequalities. Hence, our study explores the association between student demographics and research grant application rates and outcomes among UK medical students.

Methods: This is a national multicentre cross-sectional survey of UK medical students in the 2020-21 academic year.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Lung Cancer-A Retrospective UK Single-Centre Study.

Purpose: Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a severe complication of cancer that can lead to irreversible neurological impairment, necessitating prompt recognition and intervention. This retrospective, single-centre study aimed to determine the prognostic factors and survival rates among patients presenting with MSCC secondary to lung cancer.

Methods And Materials: We identified 74 patients with epidural metastases-related spinal cord compression and a history of lung cancer through the electronic database of Medway Maritime Hospital in the United Kingdom (UK), spanning the period from April 2016 to September 2021.

The impact of phosphodiesterase inhibition on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019150639).

Predictors of self-reported research engagement and academic-career interest amongst medical students in the United Kingdom: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: We hypothesised that the gender/ethnic disparities and reductions in the UK academic-clinician workforce stem from research experience in medical school. This study investigated the factors influencing research engagement and academic-career interests among UK medical students.

Methods: Using a 42-item online questionnaire, a national multicentre cross-sectional survey of UK medical students was conducted over 9 weeks in the 2020/21 academic year.

Predictors of self-reported research productivity amongst medical students in the United Kingdom: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: The number of academic clinicians in the UK is declining and there are demographic inequalities in the clinical-academic workforce. Increased research productivity by medical students is believed to reduce future attrition in the clinical-academic workforce. Thus, this study investigated the association between student demographics and research productivity amongst UK medical students.

Predictors of self-reported research self-efficacy and perception of research amongst medical students in the United Kingdom: a national cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: There has been a decline in the number of academic clinicians in the UK, and there are ethnic/gender disparities in the academic workforce. Higher research self-efficacy (RSE) and a positive perception of research (PoR) amongst students are associated with a higher motivation to engage in academic medicine. Hence, this study aimed to determine the factors that influence RSE and PoR amongst UK medical students.

Does Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Patient-Reported Pain and Functional Outcomes at 12 Months After Lumbar Fusion?

Background: Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been described in various fields to predict pain outcomes, but its prognostic utility for pain/functional outcomes after spine surgery is unclear.

Objective: To determine the relationship between preoperative NLR and pain/functional outcomes at 12 months after lumbar fusion.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study of 53 patients who underwent lumbar fusion and collected demographic data including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, spinal levels operated, and preoperative NLR.

Preoperative lymphocyte percentage and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are useful predictors of 30-day postoperative complications after lumbar fusion.

Background: Lymphocyte percentage/count, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have shown prognostic significance in patients with cancer, stroke, and following cardiac surgery. However, the utility of these blood parameters for assessing the 30-day postoperative risk for lumbar fusion complications has not been established.

Methods: In this single-center-single-surgeon retrospective series, 77 consecutive patients underwent one- or two-level lumbar fusion.

Cavernous sinus haemangioma: systematic review and pooled analysis relating to a rare skull base pathology.

Cavernous sinus haemangiomas (CSHs) are rare malformations of the microcirculation arising from the cavernous sinus. A systematic review and pooled data analysis of the associated clinical features, diagnostic modalities, management, and outcomes for CSHs was done. In total, 68 articles (338 cases) were eligible for analysis based on our selection criteria.

Systematic review of the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of nontraumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), with the aim of determining suitability for clinical trials involving SCI patients.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE and Embase databases, following registration with PROPSERO (CRD42019149671).

Traumatic pneumorrhachis: systematic review and an illustrative case.

Pneumorrhachis (PR) refers to free air in the spinal canal. We aim to describe a case report and conduct a systematic review focused on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of traumatic PR. We conducted a language-restricted PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Ovid database search for traumatic PR cases published till June 2019.

Scalp Cirsoid Aneurysms: Case Illustration and Systematic Review of Literature.

Background: Scalp cirsoid aneurysms are rare subcutaneous arteriovenous fistulae affecting the scalp. They can be easily misdiagnosed and mistreated.

Objective: To review reported cases of scalp cirsoid aneurysms for their incidence, etiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes using an illustrative case.

International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury: factors influencing the frequency, completion and accuracy of documentation of neurology for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Introduction: We aim to evaluate the effects of injury-related factors and clinician training grades on the frequency, completion and accuracy of International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) charts in a tertiary care neurosurgery unit.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analysed 96 ISNCSCI charts of 24 traumatic spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients and 26 controls (vertebral fracture but neurologically intact), written by 50 clinicians. Seven components of each ISNCSCI charts (motor scores, sensory scores, sensory levels, motor levels, neurological level of injury, SCI severity and AIS) were reviewed to evaluate the effect of injury factors and clinician grade on the completion and accuracy of the ISNCSCI components.