Neurosurgery
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Gliomas are often in close proximity to functional regions of the brain; therefore, electrocortical stimulation (ECS) mapping is a common technique utilized during glioma resection to identify functional areas. Stimulation-induced seizure (SIS) remains the most common reason for aborted procedures. Few studies have focused on oncological factors impacting cortical stimulation thresholds. ⋯ SISs are rare but serious events during ECS mapping. SISs are most common when mapping the frontal lobe. Greater stimulation current is not associated with the identification of more cortical functional sites during glioma surgery.
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Frailty severity may be an important determinant for impaired recovery after cervical spine deformity (CD) corrective surgery. ⋯ While all groups exhibited improved postop disability and pain scores, frail patients experienced greater amount of improvement in overall health state compared to baseline disability. This signifies that with frailty severity, patients have more room for improvement postop compared to baseline quality of life.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. A subset of individuals have severe, treatment-resistant illness and are nonresponsive to medication or behavioral therapies. Without response to conventional therapeutic options, surgical intervention becomes an appropriate consideration. ⋯ LITT ventral capsulotomy was generally well tolerated, with promising evidence of effectiveness in the largest such series to date. Results were comparable to those after gamma knife ventral capsulotomy, as well as ventral anterior limb deep brain stimulation.
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The Koos classification of vestibular schwannomas is designed to stratify tumors based on extrameatal extension and compression of the brainstem. Our prior study demonstrated excellent reliability. No study has yet assessed its validity. ⋯ The Koos grading system did not predict the presence of absence of facial nerve dysfunction in our study population. There were trends within subgroups that require further exploration.
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Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin that typically arises from the mandible or maxilla. It represents approximately 2% of all odontogenic tumors. Gross total resection is the surgical goal given AC's aggressiveness and propensity for recurrence. We present the first reported AC metastasis to the cervical spine. ⋯ AC is a rare and aggressive pathology with a poor prognosis despite multimodal therapy. We present the first case of AC metastatic spread to the spine. We aim to bring this pathology to the attention of our worldwide neurosurgical colleagues and share our surgical approach and multidisciplinary management to assist those who may encounter this pathology in the future.