Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Sublabial transmaxillary approach to the inferior aspect of the orbit.
The objective was to demonstrate the surgical steps and outcomes of the sublabial transmaxillary microsurgical approach with endoscopic assistance to treat lesions in the inferior aspect of the orbit, as well as to describe the use of patient-specific 3D models to facilitate surgical preparation and improve experience with the technique. ⋯ The sublabial transmaxillary approach is a direct and safe method to resect cavernous malformations at the inferior aspect of the orbit. It reduces the risk of complications associated with lateral, transcranial, and transnasal approaches that may cross critical structures. The microsurgical approach provides the benefit of two-handed dissection for lesions embedded in orbital fat, which can be challenging because of adhesions to surrounding tissues. The use of 3D models can facilitate surgical planning and enhance familiarity with the approach.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Association of rare variants in RNF213 with severe progression of intracranial artery stenosis in quasi-moyamoya disease.
The genetic basis underlying the pathophysiology of quasi-moyamoya disease (qMMD) is unclear. Herein, the authors aimed to comprehensively analyze genetic variants in qMMD and investigate their association with clinical phenotypes, focusing on RNF213 and other moyamoya angiopathy (MMA)-related genes. ⋯ While the clinical implications of p.Arg4810Lys in cases with qMMD were not identified, the study findings suggest a potential association between RNF213 RVs and the significant progression of intracranial artery stenosis. Genetic analysis should not focus solely on p.Arg4810Lys but instead consider a comprehensive analysis of RNF213 for more accurate clinical prognostication of qMMD.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Pre-stereotactic radiosurgery neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts post-stereotactic radiosurgery survival of patients with brain metastases concurrently treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown clinical benefit for a wide range of cancer types. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reportedly correlates with survival time or progression-free survival in patients treated with ICIs. However, NLR has not yet been assessed in patients with brain metastases (BMs) receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) combined with concurrent ICIs. The authors investigated the predictive impact of NLR on the survival data of patients with BMs who received SRS with concurrent ICIs. ⋯ The authors found elevated pre-SRS NLR (> 5) to be associated with shorter OS and IC-PFS after SRS with concurrent ICIs for BMs. NLR is a simple, cost-effective, and widely accessible biomarker, which can thus be used for managing patients with BMs receiving SRS concurrently with ICIs. Further investigation in other large datasets is, however, required to validate these findings.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Academic productivity and career trajectory of international medical graduates in US neurosurgery residency programs.
The objective of this study was to review and compare the research experiences and career outcomes of international medical graduates (IMGs) with those of US medical graduates (USMGs). ⋯ The results indicate that IMGs often exhibit higher academic productivity than USMGs. Although there was no discernible difference in residency program rankings or postresidency fellowships completed, early academic appointments were more prevalent among IMGs.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Optimizing indirect targeting of the centromedian nucleus for deep brain stimulation by incorporating third ventricular anatomy.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the centromedian nucleus (CM) is used to treat diverse brain diseases including epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and disorders of consciousness. However, the CM is challenging to visualize on routine MRI. Many surgeons use an indirect targeting method based on established stereotactic coordinates. The authors aimed to quantify how often a DBS electrode's contacts were positioned within the CM using this approach, and to identify alternative indirect coordinates that are more accurate. ⋯ The unavailability of advanced MRI for direct targeting limits access to CM-DBS in resource-constrained neurosurgical programs. Standard indirect coordinates do not provide optimal targeting of the CM, with most contacts laterally placed in the sensory thalamus. The proposed indirect approach may therefore increase the accuracy and availability of CM-DBS, while reducing side effects.