Neurosurgery
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is typically associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Recent studies, however, have suggested that hypercapnia and chronic intermittent hypoxia may potentially provide protection against ischemic events like stroke. ⋯ SAH patients with OSA are significantly less likely to have a poor outcome when compared to non-OSA patients, despite having an increased risk of several comorbidities.
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Mentorship can be a powerful and life-altering experience during residency training, but there are few articles discussing mentorship models within neurosurgery. In this study, we surveyed US neurosurgical department mentorship practices and linked them to resident outcomes from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), including resident survey responses, board pass rates, and scholarly activity. A 19-question survey was conducted from October to December 2017 with the assistance of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. ⋯ Programs with well-established mentorship programs were found to have superior ACGME resident survey results, board pass rates, and more scholarly activity. There was not a significant difference among outcomes and the different models of formal mentorship practices. Barriers to mentorship, such as time and faculty/resident "buy-in," are identified.
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Meningioma growth rates are highly variable, even within benign subgroups, with some remaining stable, whereas others grow rapidly. ⋯ The proposed models might enable more accurate prediction of time to meningioma recurrence and thus determine optimal postoperative management. Moreover, combining this model with current knowledge of molecular processes underpinning recurrence could permit the identification of distinct meningioma subtypes and enable better-targeted therapies.
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Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a recognized transient or permanent complication following transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary tumors. ⋯ Although transient DI is a relatively common complication of endoscopic and microscopic TSS, permanent DI is much less frequent. The underlying pathology is an important predictor of both occurrence and permanency of postoperative DI.
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Solutes distribution by the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fluxes along perivascular spaces and through interstitial fluid (ISF) play a key role in the clearance of brain metabolites, with essential functions in maintaining brain homeostasis. ⋯ The solute distribution in the brain parenchyma by the CSF and ISF is impaired by DC, a phenomenon reversed by CP.