Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports最新文献

Background  The ability to participate in clinical scholarship is a foundational component of modern evidence-based medical practice, empowering improvement across essentially every aspect of clinical care. In tandem, the need for comprehensive exposure to clinical research has been identified as a critical component of medical student training and preparation for residency that is underserved by traditional undergraduate medical education models. The goal of the current work was to provide guidelines and recommendations to assist novice medical students in taking ownership of their research education. Methods  The Clinical Research Primer was composed from pooled research documents compiled by the study authors and our institutional neurosurgery student research group. The Primer was then structured as the natural evolution of a research project from its inception through the submission process. Results  We divided the foundational components of the Clinical Research Primer into seven domains, each representing a landmark in the development of a peer-reviewed study, and a set of skills critical for junior scholars to develop. These vital components included the following: pitching and designing clinical studies, developing a research workflow, navigating the Institutional Review Board, data collection and analysis, manuscript writing and editing, submission mechanics, and tracking research projects for career development. Conclusion  We anticipate that the tools included in the Clinical Research Primer will increase student research productivity and preparedness for residency. Although our recommendations are informed by our experiences within neurosurgery, they have been written in a manner that should generalize to almost any field of clinical study.

Introduction  Prolactinomas are a common intracranial neoplasm and constitute most pituitary tumors. Although patients can present with variable hormone dysregulation and symptom severity, the use of dopamine agonists remains a first-line treatment. While bromocriptine has been found to increase tumor fibrosis, the effect of cabergoline on collagen deposition has been disputed. The aim of this article is to understand the influence of cabergoline on tumor fibrosis prior to resection. Case Presentations  Four male patients who underwent prolactinoma resection were included in this report. The average age was 39.8 years (range: 26-52 years). Pre-treatment prolactin levels ranged from 957.8 to 16,487.4 ng/mL. Three patients received cabergoline for at least 1 month prior to surgery (treatment range: 1-6 months). One patient had surgery without prior cabergoline use. Pathology reports confirmed each tumor to be of lactotroph origin. For each sample, Masson's trichrome staining was performed and the percentage of sample fibrosis was quantified using an artificial intelligence imaging software. Among those who received preoperative cabergoline, the extent of tumor fibrosis was in the range of 50 to 70%. In contrast, specimen fibrosis was approximately 15% without cabergoline use. Conclusion  This report demonstrates that a short duration of preoperative cabergoline can cause significant prolactinoma fibrosis. Understanding the effect of cabergoline on tumor consistency prior to surgery is essential as increased fibrosis can lead to more difficult tumor removal, reduce the extent of resection, and increase surgical complications. Considering these effects, further studies regarding the use of surgery prior to cabergoline for prolactinoma management are warranted.

Introduction  Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricular system. It can stem from obstructive and nonobstructive causes. Pregnancy introduces physiopathological changes that may heighten the risk of developing or worsening symptomatic hydrocephalus. Nevertheless, comprehensive reports on this aspect, especially regarding surgical interventions, remain scarce. Case Report  A young woman with a history of recurrent headaches experienced a worsening of her symptoms at the onset of her pregnancy. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the first trimester revealed increased ventricular dilation, indicating an obstructive cause due to aqueduct stenosis. During a neurosurgical board meeting, treatment options were discussed, considering the identifiable obstruction, the heightened intra-abdominal pressure associated with pregnancy, and the risk of ventricular shunt dysfunction. The patient underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) without complications, leading to both symptom relief and a successful conclusion to the pregnancy. Discussion  Neurosurgical procedures in pregnant women are uncommon due to the increased risks to both the mother and the fetus. However, when performed by a qualified multidisciplinary team, they can lead to positive outcomes. In cases of hydrocephalus during pregnancy, ETV appears to be a viable alternative for surgical intervention, particularly when hydrocephalus becomes symptomatic and an obstructive cause is identified, whether in patients with existing shunts or those with newly developed hydrocephalus.

Introduction  Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare proliferative systemic disease characterized by the growth of abnormal dendritic cells and wide-ranging organ involvement. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, but most commonly children, with a peak incidence in toddlers. Symptoms may vary depending on the affected organ or system. Case Report  A 43-year-old man presented with a left temporal stabbing headache unresponsive to management with therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Initial evaluation revealed a contrast-enhanced left temporal extra-axial lesion with bone and muscle compromise. Differential diagnoses, including multiple myeloma, were explored. Initial laboratory tests and imaging studies showed no other abnormalities, except for splenomegaly and a residual granuloma in the left lung. En bloc resection of the lesion was recommended. The patient underwent surgical intervention, which included resection of the dural lesion and all borders of an infiltrating tumor within the temporalis muscle and the affected portion of the left temporal bone. Posterior pathological examination revealed LCH. Postoperative course was uneventful. Follow-up appointments were scheduled after pathology results confirmed the diagnosis. Patient has continued follow-up for the following 3 months after the surgical procedure. Further evaluations are pending. Discussion  This case report corresponds to a patient with LCH. These patients are individualized and stratified based on local or systemic involvement to determine the most appropriate type of management. This is a rare case as LCH is rare in older patients and the initial presented lesion initially mimicked a meningioma; however, its atypical behavior and associated lytic compromise led to consideration of possible differential diagnoses. Conclusion  LCH can present with lytic bone lesions, mimicking other conditions, including infiltrative neoplastic lesions. Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical management are essential for optimal patient outcomes. Long-term follow-up is crucial to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.