Publications by authors named "al-Mefty O"

Objective: The objective was to assess the performance of a context-enriched large language model (LLM) compared with international neurosurgical experts on questions related to the management of vestibular schwannoma. Furthermore, another objective was to develop a chat-based platform incorporating in-text citations, references, and memory to enable accurate, relevant, and reliable information in real time.

Methods: The analysis involved 1) creating a data set through web scraping, 2) developing a chat-based platform called neuroGPT-X, 3) enlisting 8 expert neurosurgeons across international centers to independently create questions (n = 1) and to answer (n = 4) and evaluate responses (n = 3) while blinded, and 4) analyzing the evaluation results on the management of vestibular schwannoma.

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Objective: This study describes an innovative optic nerve MRI protocol for better delineating optic nerve anatomy from neighboring pathology.

Methods: Twenty-two patients undergoing MRI examination of the optic nerve with the dedicated protocol were identified and included for analysis of imaging, surgical strategy, and outcomes. T2-weighted and fat-suppressed T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced images were acquired perpendicular and parallel to the long axis of the optic nerve to achieve en face and in-line views along the course of the nerve.

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Falcotentorial meningiomas involve the tentorial apex and straight sinus, posing challenges when encasing the galenic venous system. Microneurosurgery is considered the best treatment option for large falcotentorial meningiomas because it provides a definitive cure. In contrast, Gamma Knife surgery mainly allows the control of smaller or residual tumors after microsurgical resection.

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The evolution of endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery raises the question of the role of transcranial surgery for pituitary tumors, particularly with the effectiveness of adjunct irradiation. This narrative review aims to redefine the current indications for the transcranial approaches for giant pituitary adenomas in the endoscopic era. A critical appraisal of the personal series of the senior author (O.

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Geniculate ganglion hemangioma (GGH) is rarely presented in the neurosurgical literature. It extends extradurally on the middle fossa floor and displaces the intratemporal part of the facial nerve. Surgical treatment is advisable at early symptoms.

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Background: Meckel cave tumors are relatively rare, especially trigeminal nerve (TN) schwannomas. These tumors frequently project through the trigeminal pore, occupying the middle and posterior fossae. The most used routes to this region are the suboccipital retrosigmoid intradural approach (SORSA) and the transzygomatic middle fossa approach (TZMFA).

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Article Synopsis
  • Surgery for facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) in patients with good facial function is challenging, especially in cases like a 41-year-old male who had a cystic CPA tumor.
  • The fascicular-sparing technique was used to carefully separate the nerve fibers and debulk the tumor while preserving the nerve's endoneurium, resulting in a near-total resection.
  • The patient's recovery included a stable mild facial nerve deficit, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and specialized techniques to maintain nerve function and reduce complications.
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Article Synopsis
  • FN schwannomas are rare tumors that can affect facial nerve function, with different subtypes based on their origin and location; managing these tumors, especially when FN function is intact, poses unique challenges.
  • A study analyzed 13 patients with FN schwannomas, including demographics, surgical methods, and outcomes, revealing that some techniques preserved nerve function better than others.
  • The findings suggest personalized management for FN schwannomas, recommending observation for stable cases and sub- or near-total resections using a fascicle-sparing approach when any deterioration in nerve function occurs.
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Background: Posterior fossa AVMs constitute about 10% of AVMs and are associated with a higher rate of hemorrhage and increased morbidity and mortality rates necessitating treatment with rare exception. Cerebellar AVMs differ markedly from their supratentorial counterparts in that there are no perforating vessels involvement, drainage into the deep cerebral venous system, or presence of eloquent functional area except for the dentate nucleus. While Yaşargil has classified cerebellar AVMs into seven subtypes according to their location, de Oliveira .

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Syringomyelia is often resistant to various treatment modalities. Chiari I malformations are associated with syringomyelia in approximately 69% of operative cases. Failure to resolve syringomyelia after Chiari decompression is common.

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Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), causes postoperative morbidity and mortality in neurosurgical patients. The use of pharmacological prophylaxis for DVT prevention in the immediate postoperative period carries increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage, especially after skull base surgeries.

Objective: To investigate the impact of routine Doppler ultrasound monitoring in prevention and tiered management of VTE after skull base surgery.

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