World Neurosurg
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When diagnosed simultaneously, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension form a medical constellation called metabolic syndrome (MetS). The prevalence of MetS in Western cultures has been on a steady increase and MetS has been associated with increased postoperative complications in multiple surgical settings. ⋯ A diagnosis of MetS does not seem to be associated with increased rates of surgical site events. However, neurosurgeons should be aware that these patients have a significantly higher likelihood of general medical complications, readmissions, reoperations, and death.
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The deficit in access to neurosurgical care worldwide remains a challenge, particularly in the developing economies such as Nigeria, where the neurosurgeon density is low. The concern that arguably subsists in sub-Saharan Africa is the decline in the number of recruited candidates into surgical specialty training programs, including neurosurgery, despite increasing burden of surgical cases. This study assessed the perception and willingness of medical undergraduates regarding neurosurgery career and determined the factors influencing their choice. This understanding will be critical to advancing ways of motivating them toward a neurosurgery career. ⋯ Our study indicated that the proportion of final-year medical students willing to choose neurosurgery career was low and there was sex disparity in the willingness to pursue a neurosurgical career.
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Frame-based stereotaxy represents the gold standard for biopsy of deep-seated lesions. Visual control of possible bleeding in these lesions is not possible. Neuroendoscopic biopsy represents an alternative procedure for tissue sampling in deep-seated intraventricular lesions. The authors present a technique for transventricular-navigated endoscopic biopsy of lesions that are located in the paraventricular region. ⋯ Endoscopically conducted biopsies with the aid of navigated tracking of the probe represent a possible additional technique in selected paraventricular intraparenchymal pathologies. The endoscopic approach enables the direct visualization of the intraventricular surface and its vessels. In contrast to standard stereotactic biopsy, direct visual control of hemostasis can be obtained even in paraventricular tumors.