Erenumab in a patient with persistent headaches after subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report of an effective treatment.

A patient with persistent refractory headaches from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was treated with monthly erenumab injections, a monoclonal antibody to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor. These injections decreased the frequency and severity of the patient's debilitating headaches from daily to once or twice per month with positive improvement in function and quality of life. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature of a patient with persistent post-subarachnoid hemorrhage headache that was successfully treated with an antibody against the CGRP receptor.

Trends in Neurosurgeons Signing Medicare Opt-Out Affidavits.

Objective: In recent decades, many physicians have chosen to opt out of Medicare, allowing them to set their own pricing models for their patients. Characterization of Medicare opt-outs has not been thoroughly studied in any surgical specialty, including Neurosurgery. Our study characterizes the factors that may influence a neurosurgeon's decision to opt out of Medicare acceptance and contextualizes them both within the field and across various surgical specialties.

Interferon-Stimulated Genes and Immune Metabolites as Broad-Spectrum Biomarkers for Viral Infections.

The type I interferon (IFN-I) response is a critical component of the immune defense against various viral pathogens, triggering the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs encode proteins with diverse antiviral functions, targeting various stages of viral replication and restricting infection spread. Beyond their antiviral functions, ISGs and associated immune metabolites have emerged as promising broad-spectrum biomarkers that can differentiate viral infections from other conditions.

Homocysteine Metabolites, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Cardiovascular Disease.

Atherosclerosis is accompanied by inflammation that underlies cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its vascular manifestations, including acute stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease, the leading causes of morbidity/mortality worldwide. The monolayer of endothelial cells formed on the luminal surface of arteries and veins regulates vascular tone and permeability, which supports vascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction, the first step in the development of atherosclerosis, is caused by mechanical and biochemical factors that disrupt vascular homeostasis and induce inflammation.

Surgical Outcomes and Associated Morbidity of Active and Expectant Management of Second-Trimester Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS).

Management of second-trimester placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is currently center-dependent with minimal evidence-based practices. This study aims to analyze outcomes of hysterectomy as second-trimester active management (AM) versus cesarean hysterectomy as expectant management (EM) in cases of PAS with intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. This study is a retrospective case-control study of patients with a pathology-confirmed diagnosis of PAS managed at a single center over 16 years (2005-2020).

Comprehensive Review of Early and Late Toxicities in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibody Treatments for Hematologic Malignancies.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (or CAR-T) therapy and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, offering new options for relapsed or refractory cases. However, these therapies carry risks of early complications, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and delayed issues like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infections, and secondary cancers. Effective management requires early diagnosis using advanced biomarkers and imaging, along with prompt interventions involving immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and cytokine inhibitors.

Frailty Predicts Failure to Rescue following Malignant Brain Tumor Resection: A NSQIP Analysis of 14,721 Patients (2012- 2020).

Purpose: Failure to rescue (FTR) is defined as mortality within 30 days following a major complication. While FTR has been studied in various brain tumor resections, its predictors in malignant brain tumor resection (mBTR) remain unexplored. This study aims to identify FTR predictors in mBTR resection patients using a frailty-driven model.

Isolated, severe cerebellar hypoplasia and microcephaly secondary to congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a late preterm neonate.

This case report presents a late preterm infant diagnosed with severe cerebellar hypoplasia and microcephaly secondary to congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. Initially suspected to have Dandy-Walker malformation, postnatal MRI revealed significant cerebellar hypoplasia, without other typical cCMV findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of CMV in serum and urine.

Beyond Mentorship: Walking the Talk Through Sponsorship to Support Women in Academic Surgery.

Sponsorship is gaining recognition in academic surgery as an essential advancement beyond mentorship, particularly for women. While mentorship focuses on building the relationship between mentor and mentee to provide guidance, advice, and coaching, sponsorship entails more active involvement and buy-in from the senior towards the performance and growth of the junior. The ABCDs of sponsorship - Amplifying, Boosting, Connecting, and Defending - are powerful, concrete actions that can make a significant impact in the career and life of a future physician.

Interprogram Differences in Core General, Core Plastic, and Plastic Surgery-Adjacent Training.

Background: Plastic surgery training continues to evolve with integrated residents spending more time in plastic versus general surgery. Herein, we provide an updated description of interprogram differences in core general, core plastic, and plastic surgery-adjacent training curricula.

Methods: We obtained rotation schedules from US plastic surgery residency websites or program coordinators for AY2021-2022.

Exploring Glypican-3 targeted CAR-NK treatment and potential therapy resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Despite advancements in current HCC treatment, it remains a malignancy with poor prognosis. Therefore, developing novel treatment options for patients with HCC is urgently needed.

Echocardiographic Updates in the Assessment of Cardiomyopathy.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an updated overview of the role of echocardiography in the assessment of cardiomyopathies, highlighting recent findings and technological advancements.

Recent Findings: Over the past few years, significant advancements in echocardiographic techniques have improved diagnostic accuracy and provided important prognostic value in the assessment of cardiomyopathies. Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases affecting the heart muscle.

Global trends in surgical approach to neonatal brachial plexus palsy: a systematic review.

Background: We analyzed trends in age at surgery and surgical approach over time and geography.

Methods: We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA-IPD guidelines to include individual patient data. Collected data included age at surgery, location of surgery, and surgical approach.

Brain-derived textiloma post glioblastoma resection and application of oxidized regenerated cellulose: A pilot, bedside-to-bench, translational study.

Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC; marketed as Surgicel® and Tabotamp®) is routinely used as an intraoperative hemostatic agent. Rarely, residual ORC has been associated with a foreign body reaction generating cystic or granulomatous lesions (i.e.

Role of the serum levels of the inter-organs messenger fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer patients.

FGF21 regulates local and systemic metabolic homeostasis. High serum FGF21 was found in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. The pathways linking obesity and breast cancer remain elusive.

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons guidelines development: patient engagement update to standard operating procedure.

Introduction: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Guidelines Committee develops evidence-based surgical guidelines. Involvement of patient partners is important to ensure patient concerns and values are adequately addressed and incorporated. This standard operating procedure (SOP) for the process of patient partner involvement within the guidelines is described here.

The Impact of Learning Curve on Robotic Living Donor Nephrectomy Outcomes: Retrospective Analysis.

Background: We aimed to investigate the outcome of patients after RDN at different time points.

Methods: We studied the outcomes of 77 living robotic living donor nephrectomies (RDN). Donors were separated into three groups: learning curve period (LCP), stabilisation period (SP), and teaching period (TP).

Systemic Absorption of Oral and Rectal Vancomycin in a Critically Ill Patient: A Case Report.

Enteral administration of vancomycin is the standard treatment for () colitis and is presumed to have no systemic absorption. In critically ill patients, however, especially with multi-organ failure, enteral absorption of vancomycin is unpredictable and can cause severe toxicity if it remains unrecognized. We therefore report a case of systemic absorption of enteric vancomycin in a patient with severe colitis.

Risk factors for metastatic disease at presentation with chordoma and its prognostic value.

Background: Chordoma is a rare bone cancer arising from the embryonic notochord with special predilection to the axial skeleton. The locally destructive nature and metastatic potential of chordomas can lead to devastating outcomes in terms of survival. The purpose of this study was to examine potential risk factors predictive of metastatic disease at presentation and prognostic factors in patients with metastasis.

Physical function estimates change in pain following IIPT among children with chronic pain.

Introduction: Chronic pain can negatively impact a child's quality of life. Pediatric Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT) programs aim to improve overall functioning despite pain through various rehabilitative strategies. It is, however, unclear whether improved function corresponds to self-reported decrease in pain levels.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Who Is At Risk?

Introduction: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare but well recognized complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with increased morbidity and poor clinical outcomes. There is a scarcity of literature describing the prevalence and risk factors associated with this complication. The aim of this study was to identify patients who are at risk of developing TCM in non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.