Small pretreatment lesion size and high sphericity as favorable prognostic factors after laser interstitial thermal therapy in brain metastases.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify baseline clinical and radiological characteristics of brain metastases (BMs) associated with a higher probability of lesion-specific progression-free survival (PFS-L) after laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT).

Methods: A total of 47 lesions in 42 patients with BMs treated with LITT were retrospectively examined, including newly diagnosed BM, suspected recurrent BM, and suspected radiation necrosis. The association of baseline clinical and radiological features with PFS-L was assessed using survival analyses.

Evaluation of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Anatomical Location and Clinical Outcomes: A Single Institution's Experience.

Background: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is becoming increasingly recognized as a pathology underlying various auditory and vestibular complaints. To date, our understanding of the pathology has yet to attribute specific symptoms to the anatomic location of dehiscence in patients with SSCD. This study aims to address this issue by evaluating the relationship between symptomatology and anatomic location of dehiscence.

Postoperative Outcomes of Patients with Thin Bone Overlying the Superior Semicircular Canal: A Single Institution's Experience.

Background: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is defined by a bony defect overlying the superior semicircular canal (SSC) in the middle cranial fossa floor, causing a myriad of vestibular and auditory symptoms. Patients with thin bone without full dehiscence overlying the SSC also present with similar symptoms. There are currently no guidelines for surgical management of patients with thin bone.

Hypertonic Saline Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.

Hypertonic saline (HTS) is a widely used adjunct in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, there is significant variability in practice patterns. Toward the goal of optimality and standardization in the use of HTS in TBI, we performed a comprehensive review of clinical protocols reported in the neurosurgical and neurocritical care literature.

Customized polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants are associated with similar hospital length of stay compared to autologous bone used in cranioplasty procedures.

Objective: Cranioplasty is the surgical repair of cranial defects. Throughout its history, a number of different materials have been used, however, there is still no consensus on which material or method is best. The purpose of this study was to analyze the viability of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cranioplasty to autologous cranioplasty modalities.

Accuracy and outcomes of diffusion tensor imaging tractography in resection for vestibular schwannoma for facial nerve preservation.

Background: Impairment of facial nerve (FN) function is a common postoperative complication in surgical resections of Vestibular Schwannomas (VS). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography creates in vivo imaging of the anatomical location of white matter tracts that can be preoperatively used to visualize the displaced FN. We present an analysis of patients who underwent DTI tractography imaging prior to VS resection.

Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Outcomes in a Consecutive Series of 229 Surgical Repairs With Middle Cranial Fossa Craniotomy.

Background: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is the appearance of a third mobile window between the middle fossa and the superior semicircular canal. Surgical management is indicated in patients with persistent and debilitating symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative variables that may impact postoperative symptomatic resolution.

Risk factors for transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales to healthcare personnel gloves and gowns in the USA.

Background: Hospitals are sources for acquisition of carbapenem-resistant Entero-bacterales (CRE), and it is believed that the contamination of healthcare personnel (HCP) hands and clothing play a major role in patient-to-patient transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine which HCP types, HCP-patient interactions, and patient characteristics are associated with greater transmission of CRE to HCP gloves and gowns in the hospital.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study that enrolled patients with recent surveillance or clinical cultures positive for CRE at five hospitals in four states in the USA.

High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Organism Colonization in 28 Nursing Homes: An "Iceberg Effect".

Objective: Determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing organisms (ESBLs), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) among residents and in the environment of nursing homes (NHs).

Design: Point prevalence sampling of residents and environmental sampling of high-touch objects in resident rooms and common areas.

A systematic analysis of stereotactic radiosurgery surveys for residents in neurosurgery training programs.

Object: The use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has increased. SRS training has not risen congruently. Neurosurgeons have conducted surveys and advocated implementation of widespread, standardized radiosurgery training.

Meta-analysis of tumor control rates in patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery for cystic vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: The use of SRS for treatment of cystic vestibular schwannoma is a topic of mild controversy. This review serves to introduce a renewed understanding of the efficacy of SRS as a viable treatment modality for cystic VS.

Patients And Methods: This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence postoperative outcomes: A case series of 156 repairs.

Previous studies have looked at differences in predisposing factors, symptomology, treatment options, and outcomes in patients with SSCD experiencing audiologic and vestibular symptoms, however this study utilizes data from the largest series of SSCD patients by a single pair of neurosurgeon and head and neck surgeon to date. The objective was to determine what pre-operative factors, if any, contribute to post-operative outcomes in SSCD patients. A retrospective chart review collected patient demographics, preoperative symptoms, and postoperative symptoms.

Radiosurgery treatment is associated with improved facial nerve preservation versus repeat resection in recurrent vestibular schwannomas.

Background: Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are benign neoplasms of the Schwann cells of cranial nerve VIII, and treatment of VS typically involves surgical resection. However, tumor recurrence may necessitate reintervention, and secondary treatment modalities include repeat surgical resection or adjuvant radiosurgery. The purpose of this study is to examine the scientific literature in order to determine whether surgical resection or radiosurgery for recurrent VS results in better tumor control, hearing preservation, and preservation of facial nerve function.

Vitrification and storage of oral mucosa epithelial cell sheets.

Shipping time and shipping delays might affect the quality of the stem cells based engineered "organs." In our laboratory, we have developed a limbal stem cell deficient (LSCD) rabbit model. To reverse the LSCD, we cultured oral mucosal epithelial cells for 2-3 weeks and engineered cultured autologous oral mucosa epithelial cell sheets (CAOMECS), which were grafted on the LSCD cornea.

Engineering, differentiation and harvesting of human adipose-derived stem cell multilayer cell sheets.

The study goals were to engineer and harvest scaffold-free undifferentiated/differentiated multilayer human adipose-derived stem cell (hADSC) cell sheets, in absence of treatment.  The hADSC are seeded in 35 mm culture dishes. At confluence or when multilayer cell sheets are formed, hADSC are treated with predefined differentiation culture media (adipocyte, chondrocyte and osteoblast).

Multiancestry Genome-Wide Association Study of Lipid Levels Incorporating Gene-Alcohol Interactions.

A person's lipid profile is influenced by genetic variants and alcohol consumption, but the contribution of interactions between these exposures has not been studied. We therefore incorporated gene-alcohol interactions into a multiancestry genome-wide association study of levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. We included 45 studies in stage 1 (genome-wide discovery) and 66 studies in stage 2 (focused follow-up), for a total of 394,584 individuals from 5 ancestry groups.

Spontaneous Shrinkage of Cystic Acoustic Neuroma.

Background: Cystic acoustic neuromas typically present with more rapid growth and shorter symptomatic periods when compared with solid tumors.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 70-year-old man unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, frequent falls, and worsening ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a 33.

Feeder Cells Free Rabbit Oral Mucosa Epithelial Cell Sheet Engineering.

The optimal cell culture method of autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet is not well established for a safe transplantation on to the patients' ocular surface. Animal serum and 3T3 mouse feeder cells are currently being used to stimulate the growth of the epithelial cells. However, the use of animal compounds can have potential side effects for the patient after transplantation of the engineered cell sheet.

Red Blood Cell Transfusions Following Resection of Skull Base Meningiomas: Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

 This article identifies risk factors for and investigates clinical outcomes of postoperative red blood cell transfusion in patients with skull base meningiomas.  Retrospective cohort study.  Single academic medical center.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Neurosurgical Patients: A Historical Review and Current Perspectives.

Today, stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective therapy for a variety of intracranial pathology that were treated solely with open neurosurgery in the past. The technique was developed from the combination of therapeutic radiation and stereotactic devices for the precise localization of intracranial targets. Although stereotactic radiosurgery was originally performed as a partnership between neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists, this partnership has weakened in recent years, with some procedures being performed without neurosurgeons.

Bacterial burden is associated with increased transmission to health care workers from patients colonized with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are significant vectors for transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms among patients in intensive care units (ICUs). We studied ICU patients on contact precautions, colonized with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), to assess whether bacterial burden is associated with transmission to HCWs' gloves or gowns, a surrogate outcome for transmission to subsequent patients.

Methods: From this prospective cohort study, we analyzed 96 VRE-colonized ICU patients and 5 HCWs per patient.

Patient contact is the main risk factor for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus contamination of healthcare workers' gloves and gowns in the intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine which healthcare worker (HCW) roles and patient care activities are associated with acquisition of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) on HCW gloves or gowns after patient care, as a surrogate for transmission to other patients.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Medical and surgical intensive care units at a tertiary-care academic institution.

Bayesian evidence and epidemiological implications of environmental contamination from acute respiratory infection in long-term care facilities.

Skilled nursing home facilities (SNFs) house a vulnerable population frequently exposed to respiratory pathogens. Our study aims to gain a better understanding of the transmission of nursing home-acquired viral respiratory infections in non-epidemic settings. Symptomatic surveillance was performed in three SNFs for residents exhibiting acute respiratory symptoms.

Genetic Variants Associated With Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Hispanic Boys With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) disproportionately affects Hispanic boys. Further, obesity and insulin resistance are major risk factors for NAFLD. No gene localization studies had been performed on children with biopsy-proven NAFLD.

Risk factors for platelet transfusion in glioblastoma surgery.

The objectives of this study are to identify risk factors for and to evaluate clinical outcomes of platelet transfusion in glioblastoma surgery. The medical records of adult patients who underwent craniotomy for glioblastoma resection at a single academic medical center were retrospectively reviewed. We stratified patients into 2 groups: those who were transfused at least 1 unit of platelets intraoperatively or postoperatively (no more than 7 days after surgery), and those who were not transfused with platelets.