World Neurosurg
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Evolving technologies and health care quality metrics have altered treatment algorithms for acoustic neuromas (ANs), increasing trends toward observation and radiosurgery, with proportionate declines in use of microsurgery. A correlation between increasing surgical volumes and superior outcomes has been investigated previously in numerous surgical diseases, including AN. ⋯ Despite a relative decline in microsurgery compared with previous eras, care at HVCs is still associated with superior short-term outcomes, such as decreased LOS, facial nerve or other severe complications, and nonroutine discharges.
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Intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IPR) always results in a poor prognosis for the patient. However, the risk factors of IPR are unclear. In this article, the risk factors are explored, a nomogram model for predicting IPR is established, and the prognostic factors for patients with IPR are analyzed. ⋯ Hunt-Hess grading, aneurysm neck, intraoperative assistive technology, and vasospasm were independent risk factors for IPR. Hydrocephalus requiring surgical intervention, times of rupture, location of aneurysm, and the number of aneurysms were relevant to the prognosis of patients.
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Women constitute a minority (9.2%) of academic neurosurgeons. We previously found that women in academic medicine are disadvantaged in funding and career advancement opportunities. We hypothesized that women are also underrepresented at neurosurgical society conferences. ⋯ In 2014-2018, underrepresentation of women in national neurosurgical conferences either matched or exceeded the baseline gender disparity seen in academic neurosurgery. We discussed potential causes of and strategies to address these findings.
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Patients with cancer often present with brain metastases in the setting of controlled extracranial disease, for which they receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and surgical resection. The role of systemic therapy after SRS is unclear. Brain metastasis indicates active cancer dissemination, and microscopic systemic disease may be present despite absence of gross disease as assessed by conventional imaging modalities. ⋯ Only a minority of patients with brain metastases and controlled extracranial disease receive adjuvant systemic therapy after SRS, but those that do have a reduced risk of brain relapse. Post-SRS systemic therapy may act prophylactically to reduce the risk of intracranial cancer recurrence.
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Diverse adipose lesions can affect peripheral nerves, including an intrinsic disorder known as lipomatosis of nerve (LN). This condition leads to massive nerve enlargement and has often been associated with nerve territory overgrowth. Although LN has been well documented as a peripheral lesion, it is uncertain whether LN can occur or extend intradurally. ⋯ A review of our institutional cases and reported cases did not show any example of LN extending or occurring intradurally. It appears that LN is a benign tumor-like nerve lesion that is without a central location, unlike more well-known tumors such as schwannomas.