World Neurosurg
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c-Met has been shown to be associated with tumor growth in several human cancers. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the c-Met expression and histopathologic/clinical characteristics. ⋯ c-Met expression was revealed to be a useful marker for prognosis prediction in IDH-mutant lower-grade gliomas and glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, representing a new independent prognostic marker that can be easily measured.
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Quality Improvement (QI) is essential for improving health care delivery and is now a required component of neurosurgery residency. However, neither a formal curriculum nor implementation strategies have been established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. ⋯ A formal didactic curriculum and practical application of QI methodologies adds value to resident training. Further, it has the potential to positively impact practice. Consideration should be given to adopting a formal QI curriculum by other neurosurgery departments and perhaps standardization on national level.
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This study examined the use of noninstrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and compared its effectiveness with that of instrumented fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with spondylolisthesis in elderly patients. ⋯ Noninstrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion with rhBMP-2 in elderly patients with LSS and spondylolisthesis is a viable alternative to instrumented fusion based on clinical outcomes measured in this study.
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Microvascular decompression surgery is the most effective treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS). The vertebral artery (VA) is a larger and more elastic vessel, which makes surgical management more difficult. We introduce a surgical technique of proximal Teflon transposition with interposition (PTTI) in the vertebromedullary space for HFS with a VA offender. ⋯ The PTTI technique can be considered as another treatment option in addition to the transposition technique reported previously.
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Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are vascular malformations composed of tangles of abnormally developed vasculature without capillaries. Abnormal shunting of arteries and veins is formed, resulting in high-pressure vascular channels, which potentially lead to rupture. BAVMs are generally considered a congenital disorder. But clinical evidence regarding involution, regrowth, and de novo formation argue against the static condition of this disease. Recently, the presence of the somatic activating KRAS mutations in more than half of BAVM cases was reported, suggesting the role of KRAS function in the pathogenesis. ⋯ KRAS mutations in codon35 were detected in about two thirds of specimens examined. KRAS function may actively contribute to the pathobiology of BAVM and can become a therapeutic target.