Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
ReviewAcute low-pressure hydrocephalus: a case series and systematic review of 195 patients.
Acute low-pressure hydrocephalus (ALPH) is characterized by clinical manifestations of an apparent raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and ventriculomegaly despite measured ICP that is below the expected range (i.e., typically ≤ 5 cm H2O). ALPH is often refractory to standard hydrocephalus intervention protocols and the ICP paradox commonly leads to delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to characterize ALPH and develop an algorithm to facilitate diagnosis and management for patients with ALPH. ⋯ ALPH is an underrecognized variant phenotype of hydrocephalus that is associated with multiple etiologies and can be challenging to treat as it frequently does not initially respond to standard strategies of CSF shunting. With early recognition, ALPH can be effectively managed. A management algorithm is provided as a guide for this purpose.
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Harvey Cushing is considered the father of neurosurgery, not just for his work within the United States, but also for his global influence through international visitors and trainees. Starting in 1920, the neurosurgical clinic at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, led by Cushing, trained surgeons from all over the globe, many of whom returned home to establish neurosurgical departments and become neurosurgical pioneers themselves. ⋯ The authors demonstrate how Cushing provided the impetus for a movement that revolutionized neurology and neurosurgery worldwide. Even today, international cooperation continues to shape the success of our delicate specialty.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Earlier radiosurgery leads to better pain relief and less medication usage for trigeminal neuralgia patients: an international multicenter study.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition that is difficult to control with conservative management. Furthermore, disabling medication-related side effects are common. This study examined how stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) affects pain outcomes and medication dependence based on the latency period between diagnosis and radiosurgery. ⋯ TN patients managed with SRS within 4 years of diagnosis experienced a shorter interval to pain relief with low risk. SRS also yielded significant decreases in adjunct medication utilization. Radiosurgery should be considered earlier in the course of treatment for TN.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
Comparison of robotic-assisted carotid stenting and manual carotid stenting through the transradial approach.
The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of CorPath GRX robotic-assisted (RA) transradial (TR) carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared with manual TR CAS. ⋯ The authors' results suggest that RA TR CAS is feasible, safe, and effective. Neurovascular-specific engineering and software modifications are needed prior to complete remote control. Remote control has important implications regarding patient access to lifesaving procedures for conditions such as stroke and aneurysm rupture as well as operative precision. Future clinical investigations among larger cohorts are needed to demonstrate reliable performance and patient benefit.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2021
The 5-factor modified frailty index: an effective predictor of mortality in brain tumor patients.
Health measures such as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11) have been employed to predict general medical and surgical mortality, but their clinical utility is limited by the requirement for a large number of data points, some of which overlap or require data that may be unavailable in large datasets. A more streamlined 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) was recently developed to overcome these barriers, but it has not been widely tested in neuro-oncology patient populations. The authors compared the utility of the mFI-5 to that of the CCI and the mFI-11 in predicting postoperative mortality in brain tumor patients. ⋯ The adjusted mFI-5 model predicts 90-day postoperative mortality among brain tumor patients as well as our adjusted CCI and adjusted mFI-11 models. The simplified mFI-5 may be easily integrated into clinical workflows to predict brain tumor surgery outcomes in real time.