World Neurosurgery: X最新文献

Objective

The present study aimed to analyze the academic attributes of the presidents of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) over the past four decades to elucidate the trajectories of these societies' leaderships.

Methods

Forty-three AANS and 43 CNS presidents of the past four decades were identified. Demographic and research productivity data were collected from publicly available sources.

Results

Compared to AANS presidents, CNS presidents were younger (median = 48 years vs. 59.5 years; p < 0.001), had fewer years of practice prior to their election (15 years vs. 28 years; p < 0.001), had higher NIH funding rate (37.2% vs. 11.6%; p = 0.01), and higher rate of practicing at academic institutions (93% vs. 74.4%; p = 0.04). The CNS presidents had a comparable median number of publications at election (AANS: 72 vs. CNS: 94 publications, p = 0.78) but a higher median h-index scores (AANS: 28 vs. CNS: 59; p = 0.04). In the multiple linear regression analysis, vascular subspecialty (β = 0.21 [95% CI: 0.09–0.34]; p = 0.002) and practicing in a non-academic institution (β = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.08–0.39]; p = 0.007) were predictors for later election for AANS presidency.

Conclusions

We characterized the attributes of AANS and CNS presidents to serve as useful references for career trajectories for junior neurosurgeons and trainees. Research and academic presence seem to be associated with early election to both societies.

Objectives

To formulate the most current, evidence-based recommendations for the role of medication, physical medicine, and rehabilitation in the management of acute low back pain lasting <4 weeks.

Methods

A systematic literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed from 2012 to 2022 using the search terms “acute low back pain,” “drugs,” “bed rest,” “physical medicine,” rehabilitation.” Standardized screening criteria resulted in a total of 39 articles that were analyzed, including 16 RCTs, 8 prospective studies, 6 retrospective studies, and 9 systematic reviews. This up-to-date information was reviewed and presented at two separate meetings of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Spine Committee. Two rounds of the Delphi method were utilized to vote on the statements and arrive at a positive or negative consensus.

Results and conclusion

The WFNS Spine Committee finalized twelve recommendation guidelines on the role of medication, physical medicine and rehabilitation in the management of acute LBP. We advocate for a uniform approach to the treatment of these patients, including proper patient education and utilizing drugs with proven efficacy and minimal side effects. First-line pharmacologic agents are acetaminophen and NSAIDs; muscle relaxants can be used for spasms and pain reduction, and opioids should be minimized. Continued activity, rather than bed rest, is recommended, and lumbar spine orthotics may be used to reduce pain and augment functional status. Thermotherapy, cryotherapy, TENs, spinal manipulative therapy, and acupuncture may all be used as adjuncts to improve acute LBP.

Objective

Cerebral vasospasm and the resultant delayed cerebral infarction is a significant source of mortality following aneurysmal SAH. Vasospasm is currently detected using invasive or expensive imaging at regular intervals in patients following SAH, thus posing a risk of complications following the procedure and financial burden on these patients. Currently, there is no blood-based test to detect vasospasm.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were systematically searched to retrieve studies related to cerebral vasospasm, aneurysm rupture, and biomarkers. The study search dated from 1997 to 2022. Data from eligible studies was extracted and then summarized.

Results

Out of the 632 citations screened, only 217 abstracts were selected for further review. Out of those, only 59 full text articles met eligibility and another 13 were excluded.

Conclusions

We summarize the current literature on the mechanism of cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia, specifically studies relating to inflammation, and provide a rationale and commentary on a hypothetical future bloodbased test to detect vasospasm. Efforts should be focused on clinical-translational approaches to create such a test to improve treatment timing and prediction of vasospasm to reduce the incidence of delayed cerebral infarction.

Background

Several strategies were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance residency training and patient care.

Objective

This study aims to assess the post-pandemic landscape of neurosurgical training and practice.

Method

A survey consisting of 28 questions examining the challenges faced in neurosurgery and the adaptive measures was conducted among US neurosurgery residents from May 2022 to May 2023.

Results

This study encompassed 59 neurosurgical residents, predominantly male (72.9%) and in later years of training (66.1%) and were distributed across 25 states. Telemedicine and tele-education were pivotal during the pandemic, with virtual lecture series, standalone lectures, and virtual discussions highly favored. Remote didactic learning increased for nearly half of the residents, while 54.2% resumed in-person instruction. Telemedicine was deemed effective by 86.4% for evaluating neurosurgical patients. Access to teaching environments was restricted for 61.0% of residents, impacting their training. The pandemic significantly influenced elective surgeries, with complete cancellations reported by 42.4%. Reduced faculty engagement was noted by 35.6% of residents, while 47.5% reported a negative impact on the overall resident experience. The majority (76.3%) considered changes to their training reasonable given the global health situation.

Conclusions

Strategies implemented during the peak of the pandemic remain crucial in shaping neurosurgery training. Telemedicine has become indispensable, with widespread adoption. Tele-education has also expanded, providing additional learning opportunities. However, traditional didactic courses and hands-on experiences remain essential for comprehensive training. Balancing technology-driven methods with established approaches is crucial for optimizing neurosurgical education and maintaining high-quality patient care.

Purpose

The study aims to evaluate the role of substance P in cerebral edema and outcomes associated with acute TBI.

Method

Patients with acute TBI who presented within 6 h and a CT scan showed predominantly cerebral edema were included in the study. Substance P level was assessed from a serum sample collected within 6 h of trauma. We also evaluated the brain-specific gravity using the Brain View software.

Result

A total of 160 (128 male) patients were recruited. The median serum substance P concentration was 167.89 (IQR: 101.09–238.2). Substance P concentration was high in the early hours after trauma (p = 0.001). The median specific gravity of the entire brain was 1.04. Patients with a low Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at admission had a high concentration of the substance P. In the univariate analysis, low GCS, elevated serum concentrations of substance P level, high Rotterdam grade, high cerebral edema grade, a high international normalized ratio value, and high blood sugar levels were associated with poor outcomes at six months. In logistic regression analysis, low GCS at admission, high cerebral edema grade, and elevated blood sugar level were strongly associated with poor outcomes at six months. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.884 (0.826–0.941).

Conclusion

Serum substance P is strongly associated with the severity of cerebral edema after TBI. However, brain-specific gravity does not directly correlate with posttraumatic cerebral edema severity. Serum substance P does not influence the clinical outcome of traumatic brain injury.

Background

The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt redirects cerebrospinal fluid flow, with the selection of entry points crucial for optimal outcomes. Anatomical landmarks and specific entry points, such as Kocher's, Frazier's, Keen's, and Dandy's points, have been utilized for shunt catheter placement. This study investigates the impact of various entry points on outcomes, particularly the necessity for revision procedures, in patients undergoing VP shunt placement.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from patients in our center's database, collected from October 2017 to October 2022. Participants were classified based on ventriculoperitoneal shunt entry points. The study followed STROBE guidelines. Continuous variables were presented as means with standard deviations (SD) and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Linear Model ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-squared tests were used for comparisons. Data analysis was conducted using Jamovi software.

Results

Our study included 94 patients who underwent shunt procedures. The patients were categorized into four treatment groups: Dandy point (10), Frazier point (21), Keen point (43), and Kocher point (20).

Conclusion

Our study found no significant differences in age, FOHR, and indication for shunt placement among catheter entry point subgroups. However, gender distribution, catheter length, and catheter tip location significantly varied. The proportion of patients requiring revision surgery varied among the groups, with the highest rate in the Dandy point group and the lowest in the Keen group; however, the difference among the entry groups was insignificant.

Introduction There is no methodology to predict aneurysm occlusion using residual volume after flow diverter stent treatment. We retrospectively examined whether residual aneurysm volume at 6 months postoperatively can predict the degree of aneurysm obliteration at 1 year after flow diverter stent treatment. Materials and Methods This single institution study included 101 consecutive patients who underwent flow diverter stent treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Based on pre-treatment aneurysm volume, the percentage residual volume was calculated 6 months postoperatively. The volume of the aneurysm was determined using the volume calculation function of the cerebral angiography equipment. 1 year postoperatively, patients were classified into two groups: the good obliteration group (GG; O'KellyMarotta [OKM] grading scale: C and D) and the poor obliteration group (PG; OKM: A and B). Statistical analysis was performed to determine if there was a difference in residual aneurysm volume percentage at 6 months postoperatively between the two groups. Results A total of 20 patients were studied: 6 in the GG and 14 in the PG. Mean residual aneurysm volume at 6 months postoperatively in the GG was 33.1% (±34.7), while that in the PG was 80.6% (±24.8) (P=0.018). A residual aneurysm volume of ≥35.2% at 6 months postoperatively was significantly associated with poor aneurysm obliteration at 1 year postoperatively (AUC=0.88, P=0.008). Conclusions Residual aneurysm volume percentage at 6 months after flow diverter stent treatment might be able to predict the likelihood of aneurysm occlusion at 1 year postoperatively