Neurosurgery
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There is controversy over the optimal treatment strategy for patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). ⋯ Mild DCM is associated with significant impairment in quality of life. Surgery results in significant gains in functional status, level of disability, and quality of life.
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Bibliometrics is defined as the study of statistical and mathematical methods used to quantitatively analyze scientific literature. The application of bibliometrics in neurosurgery continues to evolve. ⋯ This study represents the most comprehensive bibliometric assessment of neurosurgical resident academic productivity during training to date. New benchmarks for individual and department academic productivity are provided. A supportive research environment for neurosurgical residents is associated with increased academic productivity, but a scholarly activity requirement was, surprisingly, not shown to have a positive effect.
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Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignancy of the brain, with a dismal prognosis. Immunomodulation via checkpoint inhibition has provided encouraging results in non-CNS malignancies, but prediction of responders has proven to be challenging in glioblastoma patients. ⋯ The failure of recent trials of immune therapies in glioblastoma underscores the need to appropriately measure response in the treated tissue. This trial may provide insight on indicators of which patients will respond to immune therapy.
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Magnesium supplementation has potential for use in nerve regeneration. The expression of some magnesium transporter genes is reflective of the intracellular magnesium levels. ⋯ The increased plasma magnesium levels after consuming a high magnesium diet were highly correlated with the down-regulation of magnesium transporter genes in monocytes, nerves, and muscle tissues after sciatic nerve crush injury. The study findings suggest that there are beneficial effects of administering magnesium after a nerve injury.
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Despite the multitude of available treatments, glioblastoma (GBM) remains an aggressive and uniformly fatal tumor. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment that holds promise for treating patients with GBM who are not candidates for traditional open craniotomy. However, due to the recent introduction of LITT into clinical practice, large series that evaluate safety and long-term outcomes after LITT are lacking. ⋯ LITT appears to be a safe and effective treatment for GBM in properly selected patients.