World Neurosurg
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The complement system seems to influence cancer pathophysiology. The primary aim of this study was to explore complement components associated with the classical pathway (CP) of the complement system in peripheral blood from patients with IDH-wild-type (IDH-wt) glioblastoma. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that there are alterations in C1q and C1r concentrations in peripheral blood from patients with IDH1-wt glioblastoma compared with the normal population. Patients who displayed reduced C1q and C1r levels had a significantly shorter survival.
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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) can be performed with and without supportive anterior cervical plating. Fusion rates, incidence of dysphagia, and repeat surgery are concerns when performing ACDF with or without plating. We aimed to compare procedural success and outcomes between patients treated with and without cervical plating for 1-2 level ACDF. ⋯ In this propensity score-matched case-control study, we report comparable effectiveness and outcomes of performing 1-2 level ACDF with and without cervical plating.
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Craniopharyngiomas arise from the Rathke pouch and account for 1.2%-18.4% of pediatric primary brain tumors. Despite relatively good survival outcomes, patients face long-term morbidity from recurrences, visual impairment, and endocrinopathies, which reduce quality of life. We examined the management of pediatric craniopharyngiomas, their recurrences, and subsequent neuroendocrine sequelae in a tertiary center in South-East Asia. ⋯ Long-term management of pediatric craniopharyngioma remains difficult, with multiple recurrences and long-term neuroendocrine sequelae impairing quality of life for patients. Further research into management of recurrences and neuroendocrine sequelae, as well as novel therapies to improve outcomes in these patients, may be warranted.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children. Previous studies evaluated outcomes of adult patients; however, few assessed outcomes of pediatric TBI patients presenting with herniation. This study investigated outcome data in pediatric patients presenting with TBI and cerebral herniation and the interventional strategies used for each patient in a rural community. ⋯ TBI remains a serious concern in the pediatric population with no clear guidelines on the optimal treatment. This study highlights the advantage of integrating more aggressive surgical intervention, such as decompressive craniectomy, in rural communities earlier in the hospital course. Future studies should explore additional factors that could contribute to outcomes in this patient population.
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Social media has irreversibly impacted global interpersonal connectivity. This study aims to understand how information discussed in condition-specific communities, called "subreddits," on the major social media platform Reddit, can improve education by medical providers. ⋯ Cranial neurosurgical disease can overwhelm patients, leaving them with unaddressed questions. Reddit provides anonymity and camaraderie within condition-specific communities not found at the doctor's office. The ease of access to an Internet community may encourage redditors to seek health information online.