Neurosurgery
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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used in the treatment of brain metastases, benign tumors, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Single-fraction radiosurgery, though ubiquitous, is limited by lesion size and location. ⋯ Published retrospective analyses suggest that local control rates for brain metastases and benign tumors, as well as the rates of AVM obliteration, following hfSRS treatment are comparable to those reported for single-fraction SRS. Additionally, the toxicities from hypofractionated treatment appear comparable to those seen with single-fractioned SRS to small lesions.
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The wait-and-scan modality has emerged as an important strategy in the management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) as it has been demonstrated that many tumors grow slowly or do not show any growth over long periods. ⋯ While there may be no price to pay in wait-and-scan as far as hearing is concerned, this may not be the case for facial nerve outcomes, wherein the results may be better if the patients are taken earlier for surgery.
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Tethering after spinal surgery is caused by adhesions that arise from intradural tissue manipulation. Microsurgical detethering is the only treatment for symptomatic patients, but retethering occurs commonly and no treatment is widely available to prevent this complication. ⋯ This first-in-human series provides evidence that HAM grafts are a safe and potentially efficacious method for preventing retethering after microsurgical intradural lysis of adhesions. These results lay the groundwork for further prospective controlled trials in patients with this difficult-to-treat pathology.
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Value-based episode of care reimbursement models is being investigated to curb unsustainable health care costs. Any variation in the cost of index spine surgery can affect the payment bundling during the 90-d global period. ⋯ There was considerable variation in total 90-d cost for elective ACDF surgery. Our model can explain about 62% of these variations in 90-d cost. The episode of care reimbursement models needs to take into account these variations and be inclusive of the factors that drive the variation in cost to develop a sustainable payment model. The generalized applicability should take in to account the differences in patient population, surgeons' and institution-specific differences.