Neurosurgery
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The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has approved 117 neurological surgery residency programs which develop and educate neurosurgical trainees. We present the current landscape of neurosurgical training in the United States by examining multiple aspects of neurological surgery residencies in the 2022-2023 academic year and investigate the impact of program structure on resident academic productivity. ⋯ Neurological surgery residency programs successfully train the next generation of neurosurgeons focusing on education, clinical training, case numbers, and milestones. These programs offer trainees the chance to tailor their career trajectories within residency, creating a rewarding and personalized experience that aligns with their career aspirations.
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In patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), the optimal time to determine the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) score remains controversial because of possible confounding factors. Goals of this study were (1) to analyze the most sensitive timepoint to determine the WFNS score in patients with aSAH and (2) to evaluate the impact of initial native computed tomography (CT) imaging on reducing the mismatch of "false poor grade" patients. ⋯ The initial WFNS score may misclassify a subgroup of patients with aSAH as poor grade, which can be avoided by later determination of the WFNS score, at days 3-4 losing its usefulness. Alternatively, the initial WFNS score can be improved in its predictive value, especially in poor-grade patients, using criteria from the initial native CT imaging, such as the Hijdra, LeRoux, and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Early Brain Edema score, combined in the ICT WFNS score with even higher predictive power.
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Dysphagia and vocal cord palsy (VCP) are common otolaryngological complications after revision anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (rACDF) procedures. Our objective was to determine the early incidence and risk factors of VCP and dysphagia after rACDF using a 2-team approach. ⋯ VCP is more likely to occur in long-segment rACDF but is often temporary. Clinically relevant and functional rates of dysphagia approach 37% and 45%, respectively, at 2 weeks postoperatively after rACDF.
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Classical trigeminal neuralgia (cTN) is a painful disease. Microvascular decompression (MVD) provides immediate and durable relief in many patients. A variety of positive and negative prognostic biomarkers for MVD have been identified. The sagittal angle of the trigeminal nerve at the porus trigeminus (SATNaPT) is an MRI biomarker that can identify a subset of patients with cTN whose trigeminal nerve anatomy is different from normal controls. The purpose of this case-control study was to determine whether an abnormally hyperacute SATNaPT is a negative prognostic biomarker in patients with cTN undergoing MVD. ⋯ In patients with cTN being considered for MVD, a hyperacute SATNaPT is a negative prognostic biomarker that predicts a higher likelihood of surgical failure. Patients with a hyperacute SATNaPT, particularly those without MRI evidence of vascular compression, may benefit from other surgical treatments or a modification of MVD to adequately address the underlying cause of cTN.
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Conventional protocols for inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) during the workup of hypercortisolemia require adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) measurement at multiple time points with corticotropic-releasing hormone (CRH) used as a stimulator. Modernized evidence-based protocols must also reflect the increased utilization of desmopressin (DDAVP) for ACTH stimulation as the manufacturing shortage of traditionally used CRH continues. We model the diagnostic accuracy and potential economic savings of DDAVP utilization and reduced time point sampling. ⋯ DDAVP is a cost-efficient and effective alternative to CRH during IPSS. Our results encourage prospective evaluation of potentially fewer sampling time points in the interest of time and cost efficiency balanced with preserved accuracy.