Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2024
Multicenter StudyA nomogram to predict long-term facial nerve function after vestibular schwannoma resection: a contemporary multi-institutional study.
The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram to predict long-term facial nerve (FN) function after vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. ⋯ Better immediate postoperative HB grade, intraoperative FN EMG response ≥ 100 µV, and tumor size ≤ 25 mm strongly predicted good long-term FN function after VS resection. A point-of-care nomogram based on these variables could serve as a useful tool for postoperative counseling and prognosis of long-term FN recovery.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2024
Combined neuromodulation and resection for functional cortex epilepsy: a case series.
Medically refractory epilepsy (MRE) often requires resection of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) for effective treatment. However, when the SOZ is in functional cortex (FC), achieving complete and safe resection becomes difficult, due to the seizure network overlap with function. The authors aimed to assess the safety and outcomes of a combined approach involving partial resection combined with focal neuromodulation for FC refractory epilepsy. ⋯ Maximal safe resection combined with focal neuromodulation presents a promising alternative to stand-alone resections for MRE epileptogenic zones overlapping with functional brain. This combined approach prioritizes the preservation of function while improving seizure outcomes.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2024
An analysis of potentially avoidable neurosurgical transfers to a tertiary-care level I trauma center.
Previous studies of neurosurgical transfers indicate that substantial numbers of patients may not need to be transferred, suggesting an opportunity to provide more patient-centered care by treating patients in their communities, while probably saving thousands of dollars in transport and duplicative workup. This study of neurosurgical transfers, the largest to date, aimed to better characterize how often transfers were potentially avoidable and which patient factors might affect whether transfer is needed. ⋯ This study demonstrates that a large number of neurosurgical transfers can probably be treated in their home hospitals and highlights that the vast majority of patients transferred for neurosurgical conditions do not receive emergency neurosurgery. Further research is needed to better guide transferring and receiving facilities in reducing the burden of excessive transfers.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2024
Microsurgical anatomy and approaches to thalamic gliomas. Part 1: A cartography guide for navigating to the thalamus. Integrating 3D model rendering with anatomical dissections.
The selection of appropriate microsurgical approaches to treat thalamic pathologies is currently largely subjective. The objective of this study was to provide a structured cartography map for surgical navigation to treat gliomas involving different surfaces of the thalamus. ⋯ Microsurgical approaches to thalamic gliomas continue to be challenging. Nonetheless, safe and effective cisternal, ventricular, and cortical corridors can be developed with thoughtful planning, anatomical understanding, and knowledge of the advantages, risks, and limitations of each approach. In some cases, it is wise to combine these approaches with staged procedures, as the authors demonstrate in Part 2. In Part 1 of this two-part series, they discuss thalamic microsurgical anatomy and illustrate the trajectory and exposures of all six approaches to guide decision-making. Part 2 discusses their thalamic glioma microsurgical case series, which utilizes these microsurgical approaches.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2024
Sub-Saharan African experience of neurosurgical oncology care: challenges and barriers encountered at 7 cancer treatment centers.
Wide disparities in neurosurgical oncology care and treatment outcomes exist globally despite recent improvements in diagnostics and cancer therapy. To better understand the challenges to neurosurgical oncology care in low-resource settings, the authors collected data on national neurosurgical capacity and hospital diagnostic and treatment capacity across 7 national referral hospitals in 7 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). ⋯ There are significant challenges to timely and quality neurosurgical oncology care in SSA especially for children. System-level interventions are needed to strengthen neurosurgical oncology care capacity in SSA.