World Neurosurg
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The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is a major dural vessel that plays a significant role in developing chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs). Understanding its variable anatomy is essential for the effective management of cSDH and the prevention of complications. ⋯ The most common configuration of MMA was Adachi-type IC. The MMA most often originated from the maxillary artery. The posterior branch of the MMA was typically dominant and most frequently originated from the distal segment. There was no significant impact of Adachi type on treatment results or fluoroscopy time.
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Medicare reimbursements for otolaryngology and neurosurgery procedures have generally declined since 2000. We explore Medicare reimbursement trends for anterior cranial fossa, middle cranial fossa, posterior cranial fossa, pituitary surgery, and skull base reconstruction surgery from 2000-2022. ⋯ While nominal per-service Medicare reimbursement has increased for skull base surgery codes, there has been a downward trend in inflation-adjusted procedural reimbursement. This parallels findings in other otolaryngology and neurosurgery procedures. Despite this, surgical volume in all skull base surgery subfields has increased, indicating increased utility and adoption of these techniques.
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Transarterial embolization (TAE) is generally the endovascular treatment of choice for tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). Although flow control of the feeder vessel has been reported to achieve complete shunt blockade, flow control in the absence of ischemia tolerance of internal carotid artery as a feeder has not been reported. We present a case in which treatment by Onyx TAE with intermittent flow control of the meningohypophyseal trunk as the feeder was successful for a tentorial dAVF presenting with myelopathy without tolerance of ischemia. ⋯ Intermittent flow control of the meningohypophyseal trunk using a balloon may be safe and effective for cases showing no tolerance for ischemia.
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To verify the feasibility and discuss advantages and disadvantages of a piezoelectric orbitotomy during superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach (SETOA). An illustrative case demonstrating the application of this novel technique is also presented. ⋯ Piezoelectric orbitotomy may offer a viable, selective, effective, safe alternative to high-speed drilling during SETOA, especially for patients with intra-axial pathologies, in which a watertight closure is mandatory. This procedure could prevent or decrease the risk of some of the main postoperative complications associated with standard SETOA, potentially resulting in better functional and esthetic outcomes.
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There are critical disparities in the neurosurgical care provided around the globe due to challenges in resource allocation, training, and infrastructure. Global neurosurgical collaborations have replaced classical mission trips to address these disparities. However, the development of these collaborations and the impact of research funding on their growth have not yet been systematically studied. In this article, we use a graph theoretical approach to investigate trends in funding and co-authorship between and among authors from high-income countries (HICs) and authors from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ⋯ This work shows significant and rapid growth in international neurosurgical partnerships, especially in HIC-LMIC and LMIC-LMIC collaborations. Also, a significant positive relationship exists between research funding and LMIC-HIC co-authorship trends. This work encourages us as a community to continue to expand our translational collaborations with LMIC neurosurgeons and establish funding mechanisms independent of HIC authors.