World Neurosurg
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Review
Publication Trends of Non-Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
To evaluate publication trends in nonobstetric brachial plexus injury research. ⋯ While high-income countries still represent the majority of publications, the contribution of researchers from middle-income countries is increasing. The most common destiny journals are field specific, with a relatively low IF. Although most articles are primary research, a representative portion have a shallow level of evidence (case reports and narrative reviews).
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Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is common in premature newborns and poses a high risk for morbidity with lifelong disability. We searched the available literature for original and secondary literature regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of IVH in order to trace changes in the management of this disease over time. We examined IVH pathogenesis and epidemiology and reviewed the history of medical and surgical treatment for intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm children. ⋯ We provide a historical review of the evolution of treatment for IVH in newborns. While the management of IVH has grown significantly over time, IVH remains a common neurosurgical disease that continues to affect patient and caregiver quality of life and health care costs. Despite advances in treatment over more than a century, IVH remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants, and an understanding of past approaches may inform the development of new treatments.
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Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) is one the most disabling postoperative neurological complications after posterior fossa surgery in children. CMS is characterized by a transient mutism with a typical onset demonstrated within 2 days postoperatively accompanied by associated ataxia, hypotonia, and irritability. Several hypotheses for the anatomical basis of pathophysiology and risk factors have been suggested. ⋯ The efficacy of potential pharmacological and speech therapies has been studied in small trials. Long-term motor speech deficits and associated cognitive and behavioral disturbances have now been found to be common among CMS survivors, affecting their development and requiring rehabilitation, leading to significant financial effects on the healthcare system and distress to the family. The aim of the present review was to outline the cerebellar anatomy and function and its connections in relationship to the pathophysiology and to refine the risk factors and treatment strategies for CMS.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed health care delivery across the United States. Few analyses have specifically looked at quantifying the financial impact of the pandemic on practicing neurosurgeons. A survey analysis was performed to address this need. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has led to decreases in patient and procedural volume and physician compensation despite stable practice expenses. Significantly more respondents in the Northeast region noted decreases in procedural volume and reassignment to nonneurosurgical COVID-related medical duties. Future analysis is necessary as the pandemic evolves and the long-term clinical and economic implications become clear.
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Multicenter Study
Relative risks and benefits of crossing the cervicothoracic junction during multilevel posterior cervical fusion: A multicenter cohort.
To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications in patients undergoing multilevel posterior cervical fusion surgery, ending at C7 or crossing the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ). ⋯ Crossing the CTJ during multilevel posterior cervical fusion surgery reduced instrument failures at LIV, but increased the surgical invasiveness and perioperative and postoperative complications.