World Neurosurg
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The modified Brain Injury Guidelines (mBIG) provide a framework to stratify traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients based on clinical and radiographic factors in level 1 and 2 trauma centers. Approximately 75% of all U.S. hospitals do not carry any trauma designation yet could also benefit from these guidelines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of applying the mBIG protocol in a community hospital without any trauma designation. ⋯ The mBIG protocol can safely stratify patients in a nontrauma hospital. Because nontrauma centers tend to see more patients with minor TBIs, implementation could result in significant cost savings, reduce unnecessary hospital and intensive care unit resources, and reduce transfers to a tertiary institution.
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Surgical clipping is a valuable treatment option for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the comprehensive impact of clipping and perioperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) on renal function remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of perioperative 3D-CTA and surgical clipping on renal function in patients with CKD. ⋯ Surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms and perioperative 3D-CTA with normal-dose contrast media did not impair renal function in patients with CKD. These results could be valuable in determining treatment strategies for those with CKD and intracranial aneurysms.
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Perform radiologic measurements and analysis of normal brain computed tomography (CT) scans; delineate a new ventricular entry point from cutaneous landmarks, highlighting the potential surgical implications of these findings. ⋯ The freehand technique for accessing the lateral ventricles is a common neurosurgical procedure but is often accompanied by complications. To address this, we suggest a novel entry point for ventricular access, determined by cutaneous reference points. This point is situated 12.4 cm posterior to the nasion along the midline and 2.1 cm lateral to the midline. Although our findings may play a role in presurgical planning for ventricular pathologies, future prospective studies are warranted.
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Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) are a rare subgroup of neoplasms, encompassing both benign, slow-growing masses, and malignant lesions; radical surgical excision represents the cornerstone of treatment for such pathologies regardless of histopathology, which, on the other hand, is a known predictor of survival and neurologic outcome postsurgery. The present study aims to investigate the relevance of other factors in predicting survival and long-term functional outcomes. ⋯ Consistently with literature, preoperative neurologic function is the most important factor predicting long-term functional outcome (0.17, CI 0.069-0.57 with P = 0.0018), advocating for early surgery in the management of IMSCTs, whereas late complications such as myelopathy and neuropathic pain were present regardless of preoperative function.
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Brain tumors pose a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited resources and high costs, resulting in hampered service delivery of neurosurgical care and significant disparities in patient outcomes compared to high-income nations. Therefore, our systematic review aims to identify barriers to service delivery in providing adequate surgical care for the management of brain tumors in LMICs. ⋯ Targeted interventions considering economic constraints are essential to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of neuro-oncologic services in developing countries. International collaborations and building capacity are vital for improving patient outcomes and service delivery, as well as forming multidisciplinary teams and utilizing resource-saving, innovative methods.