Neurosurgery
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Current treatment guidelines for clival chordomas recommend surgical resection followed by high-dose radiotherapy (RT). However, in patients in whom gross total resection (GTR) is achieved, the benefits of additional RT remain unclear. ⋯ After achieving GTR of clival chordoma, fractionated RT offers unclear benefit upon survival outcomes.
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Multicenter Study
A Multicenter Allelic Analysis of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: Nature Versus Nurture?
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is an incompletely defined disease process with no known unifying pathophysiological mechanism. ⋯ We identified 5 SNPs in patients with DISH that occurred more frequently than a global reference. We also identified novel environmental associations. We hypothesize that DISH represents a heterogeneous condition with both multiple genetic and environmental influences.
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Recent advances in treatment of malignant brain tumors have improved outcomes. However, patients continue to experience significant disability. Palliative care helps patients with advanced illnesses improve their quality of life. There is a paucity of clinical studies examining palliative care usage among patients with malignant brain tumors. ⋯ Palliative care is underutilized among all patients with malignant brain tumors. Within this population, disparities in utilization are exacerbated by sociodemographic factors. Prospective studies investigating utilization disparities across race and insurance status are necessary to improve access to palliative care services for this population.