Sellar and perisellar meningiomas: effects on pituitary function in a Spanish cohort observational study.

Purpose: Studies focused on the effects of sellar and/or perisellar (S/PS) meningiomas on pituitary function are scarce. The primary objective of the present study was to determinate the effects that S/PS meningiomas and their treatments have on pituitary function. Also, we described the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of the cohort of adult Spanish patients.

Mortality in patients older than 65 years undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease: a comparison with the general population.

Background: The increased life expectancy and prevalence of spondylarthrosis have led to a growing frequency of spinal surgery in older people. This study aims to assess whether there is an excess mortality concerning that expected in the general population associated with surgical procedures performed in patients over 65 years old for a degenerative disease of the lumbar spine.

Methods: All patients aged 65 years or older undergoing surgery at a single center between 2009 and 2019 for lumbar spine degenerative disease were included.

Video-based lecture engagement in a flipped classroom environment.

Purpose: to analyze which factors are associated with students' engagement and participation in video-based lectures in a flipped classroom environment.

Methods: A single-center experience with video-based lectures in undergraduate medical education is described. The activity was applied to the subject of Neurosurgery during two consecutive courses (2021/22 and 2022/23).

Vertebral compression fractures: pain relief, progression and new fracture rate comparing vertebral augmentation with brace.

Background: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is the third most frequent fragility fracture in the world. Conservative treatment, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty are all recognized therapies. However, diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations must be more consistent when comparing clinical guidelines.

Vertebral compression fractures managed with brace: risk factors for progression.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for vertebral compression fracture (VCF) progression in patients treated conservatively with a brace. Then, a case-control study was designed.

Methods: All patients over 50 years old with diagnosis of thoracic or lumbar VCF (T5 to L5) in absence of underlying oncological process, treated conservatively with brace, and consecutively attended at our department from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively selected for analysis.

Long-term quality of life after decompressive craniectomy.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy (DC) for any pathology that has caused life-threatening intracranial hypertension. Similarly, it aims to evaluate QoL perceived by caregivers or external informants. In addition to that, the last purpose is to determine which clinical or therapeutic factors could correlate with a better QoL.

Clinical Applications of (Fernblock): An Update.

Exposure to sun radiation leads to higher risk of sunburn, pigmentation, immunosuppression, photoaging and skin cancer. In addition to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), recent research indicates that infrared radiation (IR) and visible light (VIS) can play an important role in the pathogenesis of some of these processes. Detrimental effects associated with sun exposure are well known, but new studies have shown that DNA damage continues to occur long after exposure to solar radiation has ended.

Survival following vertebral compression fractures in population over 65 years old.

Background: Lower mortality has been demonstrated when vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are treated surgically (vertebral augmentation) vs. conservatively.

Aims: To analyze the overall survival in patients over 65 who suffer a VCF, to review the principal causes of death, and to detect which factors are associated with a greater risk of mortality.

Flipped classroom applied to Neurosurgery in undergraduate medical education.

Purpose: To compare the academic achievement obtained in Neurosurgery in a class of undergraduate students according to the pedagogical methodology employed: flipped classroom (FC) versus traditional lecture. Students' satisfaction with the FC model is also analyzed.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was designed.

Sinking bone flap due to overdrainage of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A case report and review of the literature.

The widespread use of decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty has led to a better understanding of its complications. However, cases of a sunken bone flap have hardly ever been described. We present the eighth case reported up to date and perform a review of the literature of this sporadic complication.

Non-communicating hydrocephalus from pork tapeworm obstructing the foramina of Monro and its endoscopic management; a case report from Europe.

Introduction: is the main causative agent of neurocysticercosis. The tapeworm can manifest inside the ventricles, usually in the form of intracranial hypertension. We present a case of hydrocephalus as a result of a neurocysticercosis lesion obstructing both foramina of Monro.

Oral extrusion of a vertebral body replacement device after chordoma tumor growth and radiation: case report and review.

Background: Screw migration following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a very rare complication and it is often related to device failure. Even more exceptional is the extrusion of an intervertebral graft.

Case Presentation: We report the second case of migration and extrusion through the oral cavity of a cervical vertebral body replacement device (expandable cylinder) in a patient that had undergone cervical corpectomy due to a vertebral chordoma.

Free Mucosal Graft for Reconstruction after Nonfunctional Pituitary Adenoma Surgery.

Background: In the search for an effective closure without nasosinusal morbidity, we have studied the efficacy of free mucosal graft as a reconstructive technique of the sellar floor after the resection of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA).

Methods: In 100 endonasal endoscopic surgeries, we analyzed the personal history, radiological and intraoperative aspects that could have an impact on the risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. They were divided into three groups: no mucosa flap/graft, mucosal free graft, and nasoseptal pedicled flap.

Volumetric Study of Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas: Predictors of Gross Total Resection.

Objective: Despite the efforts made to determine the achieved resection grade after pituitary adenoma surgery, there is a high level of disagreement among all the available classifications and measurement methods used. Our objective is to identify the factors that preoperatively could predict a gross total resection (GTR) of a clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma through an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Methods: Across 100 surgeries, we analyzed epidemiologic and clinical data, radiologic relevant data, extent of resection (EOR), and postoperative outcomes.

Neuroprotective effect of indomethacin in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

Loss of cerebral autoregulation in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon has been reported in other Central Nervous System diseases such as neonatal intraventricular haemorrhage. Several studies have demonstrated that low-dose indomethacin prevents this latter condition. A previous rat model was used to resemble NPPB phenomenon.

[Non-functioning pituitary adenomas: epidemiology, clinical and postoperative outcome].

Introduction: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas are the most frequent tumor group in the sellar region. They are usually benign neoplasms diagnosed after visual or hormonal symptoms, although it is not uncommon to detect them as a casual finding.

Aim: To analyze the clinical aspects found in this disease and its response after surgical treatment.

Experimental rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-reperfusion mimicking normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

Background: Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon is a major life-threatening complication that restricts the treatment of complex intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The aim of the study it to develop a rat model mimicking NPPB phenomenon that enables the evaluation of any therapy to prevent such complication.

Methods: Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to either a study or a control group.

Extract of (EDA) Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by UV Radiation and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Exposure to natural and artificial light and environmental pollutants are the main factors that challenge skin homeostasis, promoting aging or even different forms of skin cancer through a variety of mechanisms that include accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), engagement of DNA damage responses, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling upon release of metalloproteases (MMPs). Ultraviolet A radiation is the predominant component of sunlight causative of photoaging, while ultraviolet B light is considered a potentiator of photoaging. In addition, different chemicals contribute to skin aging upon penetration through skin barrier disruption or hair follicles, aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) being a major effector mechanism through which toxicity is exerted.

Characterisation of resistance mechanisms developed by basal cell carcinoma cells in response to repeated cycles of Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with methyl-aminolevulinate acid (MAL-PDT) is being used for the treatment of Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), but recurrences have been reported. In this work, we have evaluated resistance mechanisms to MAL-PDT developed by three BCC cell lines (ASZ, BSZ and CSZ), derived from mice on a ptch+/- background and with or without p53 expression, subjected to 10 cycles of PDT (10G). The resistant populations showed mesenchymal-like structure and diminished proliferative capacity and size compared to the parental (P) cells.

Fernblock Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by Visible and Infrared A Radiation.

Sun overexposure leads to higher risk of photoaging and skin cancer. The contribution of infrared (IR) and visible light (VIS) radiation is currently being taken into account in their pathogenesis. Erythema, hyperpigmentation, genotoxicity or the increase of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression are some of the effects induced by these types of radiation.

Effects of photodynamic therapy on dermal fibroblasts from xeroderma pigmentosum and Gorlin-Goltz syndrome patients.

PDT is widely applied for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer pre-malignant and malignant lesions (actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma). In photodynamic therapy (PDT) the interaction of a photosensitizer (PS), light and oxygen leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus the selective tumor cells eradication. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome (GS) patients are at high risk of developing skin cancer in sun-exposed areas.

Resistance of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer to Nonsurgical Treatments. Part II: Photodynamic Therapy, Vismodegib, Cetuximab, Intralesional Methotrexate, and Radiotherapy.

A wide range of treatments is now available for nonmelanoma skin cancer, including 5-fluorouracil, ingenol mebutate, imiquimod, diclofenac, photodynamic therapy, methotrexate, cetuximab, vismodegib, and radiotherapy. All are associated with high clinical and histologic response rates. However, some tumors do not respond due to resistance, which may be primary or acquired.