World Neurosurg
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To investigate adequate radiation doses for repeat Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) for trigeminal neuralgia in our series and meta-analysis. ⋯ Our study suggests that the second GKS dose is a potentially important factor.
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The three-dimensional (3D) endoscope is a novel tool that provides stereoscopic vision and may allow for improved dexterity and safety during surgical resection of ventral skull base lesions. We describe here the cumulative experience available in the neurosurgical literature. ⋯ Our findings suggest that 3D endoscopy provides improved surgical dexterity by affording the surgeon with depth perception when manipulating tissue and maneuvering the endoscope in the endonasal corridor.
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Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurologic entity characterized by a primary insult followed by a secondary pathologic cascade that propagates further injury. Hypothermia has an established clinical role in preventing SCI after cardiac arrest and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, yet its emergence as a potential neuroprotectant after spinal cord trauma remains experimental. There are currently no pharmacologic interventions available to prevent secondary mechanisms of injury after spinal cord trauma. ⋯ Although variability exists in the literature, therapeutic hypothermia most likely confers neuroprotection after spinal cord trauma by diminishing the destructive secondary cascade. The available clinical data suggest that regional and systemic hypothermia is a relatively safe and feasible initial treatment modality for patients with acute SCI when combined with surgical decompression/stabilization with or without steroids. However, establishing a clinical role for therapeutic hypothermia after spinal cord trauma will invariably depend on future well-designed, multicentered, randomized, controlled clinical trial data.
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Case Reports
Virtual Interactive Presence in Global Surgical Education: International Collaboration through Augmented Reality.
Technology allowing a remote, experienced surgeon to provide real-time guidance to local surgeons has great potential for training and capacity building in medical centers worldwide. Virtual interactive presence and augmented reality (VIPAR), an iPad-based tool, allows surgeons to provide long-distance, virtual assistance wherever a wireless internet connection is available. Local and remote surgeons view a composite image of video feeds at each station, allowing for intraoperative telecollaboration in real time. ⋯ Evolving technologies that allow long-distance, intraoperative guidance, and knowledge transfer hold great potential for highly efficient international neurosurgical education. VIPAR is one example of an inexpensive, scalable platform for increasing global neurosurgical capacity. Efforts to create a network of Vietnamese neurosurgeons who use VIPAR for collaboration are underway.
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Academic metrics can be used to compare the productivity of researchers. We aimed to use a variety of bibliometric parameters to assess the productivity of neurosurgeons working in the United Kingdom. ⋯ This study details the academic impact of United Kingdom-based neurosurgeons through the analysis of a number of citation metrics. It provides a benchmark bibliometric profile and we advocate future comparative assessments as a means to assess impact of and guide academic policy.