Establishing and developing a magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound program in a resource-limited setting: the Philippine experience.

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive lesioning technique used to treat movement disorders such as essential tremor (ET), Parkinson's disease (PD), and X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP). We would like to report our experience in establishing and developing our MRgFUS program and preliminary results. Adult patients with tremor-dominant PD (TDPD), ET, and XDP were considered for initial screening (neurologic evaluation, skull density ratio [SDR] determination). Eligible patients underwent secondary screening (neurosurgical and neuropsychological evaluation, psychiatric and medical clearance). During the procedure, a neuro-anesthesiologist and neurologist were also present to monitor the patient and perform neurologic evaluation, respectively. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at 2 weeks post-treatment, then at every 3 months. A total of 30 patients underwent MRgFUS treatment: 22 TDPD, 6 XDP, and 2 ET. The mean age was 55.7 years, and majority were male (86.7%). Mean disease duration was 8.6 years. Mean SDR was 0.46. The targets for TDPD and ET were the contralateral ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus; for XDP, it was the pallidothalamic tract. The mean maximum temperature was 59.8oC; number of sonocations, 7.3; and treatment time, 64.6 min. Majority of patients improved after the procedure. Transient intraprocedural adverse events (headache, dizziness) were reported in 20% of patients while post-procedural events (mild weakness, numbness) were seen in 16.7%. Only 26.7% of patients had follow-up data. Despite the unique challenges encountered, MRgFUS treatment is feasible in resource-limited settings. Additional steps would have to be made to develop and improve the program.

Challenges and Opportunities in Awake Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Surgery in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review and Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) are presented with unique challenges and opportunities when performing awake craniotomy (AC) for brain tumors. These circumstances arise from factors that are financial, infrastructural, educational, personnel, and sociocultural in nature. METHODS: We performed a systematic narrative review of series on AC for intra-axial brain tumors in LICs/LMICs using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in these settings. The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. RESULTS: After initially identifying 74 studies, inclusion-exclusion criteria were applied, leaving a total of 14 studies included in the review. These involved 409 patients who underwent AC in LICs/LMICs. These series were from India, Ghana, Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, the Philippines, and Egypt. The most common pathology encountered were gliomas (10-70%). Most studies (11/14, 78.5%) reported on their technique of cortical-subcortical mapping. All reported on motor mapping and 8 of these performed language mapping. The most common outcomes reported were seizure and neurologic deficits, and longest follow-up was at 1 year. Challenges noted were lack of equipment and trained personnel, need for validated tests for the local setting, and sociocultural factors. Opportunities identified were volume for training, technique innovation, and international collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: There are numerous challenges and opportunities that arise when performing AC in LICs/LMICs. A collaborative approach toward harnessing the opportunities, and seeking creative solutions to address the challenges, would provide an ideal mechanism toward advancing neurosurgical care and specialty worldwide.

Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound pallidothalamic tractotomy for patients with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism: a study protocol.

Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive method for controlling tremor and has recently been used in patients with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP). This study aims to determine the improvement in dystonia and parkinsonism in patients with XDP after MRgFUS pallidothalamic tractotomy. This prospective study will be conducted at the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila. The primary outcome measure is the change in the pre- and post-treatment XDP-Movement Disorder Society of the Philippines Scale scores. In addition, demographic and clinical data will be collected, including the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale, Part III of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale score, XDP clinical and functional stage, the five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, MRgFUS treatment parameters, and adverse events. Patients will be assessed within 24 hours of treatment, then at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months post-treatment. This protocol was approved by the University of the Philippines Manila Research Ethics Board (UPMREB 2022-0271-01). Data collection began in January 2023. This protocol has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: Trial Registration number: NCT05592028.

Leveraging national and global political determinants of health to promote equity in cancer care.

Health and politics are deeply intertwined. In the context of national and global cancer care delivery, political forces-the political determinants of health-influence every level of the cancer care continuum. We explore the "3-I" framework, which structures the upstream political forces that affect policy choices in the context of actors' interests, ideas, and institutions, to examine how political determinants of health underlie cancer disparities. Borrowing from the work of PA Hall, M-P Pomey, CJ Ho, and other thinkers, interests are the agendas of individuals and groups in power. Ideas represent beliefs or knowledge about what is or what should be. Institutions define the rules of play. We provide examples from around the world: Political interests have helped fuel the establishment of cancer centers in India and have galvanized the 2022 Cancer Moonshot in the United States. The politics of ideas underlie global disparities in cancer clinical trials-that is, in the distribution of epistemic power. Finally, historical institutions have helped perpetuate disparities related to racist and colonialist legacies. Present institutions have also been used to improve access for those in greatest need, as exemplified by the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda. In providing these global examples, we demonstrate how interests, ideas, and institutions influence access to cancer care across the breadth of the cancer continuum. We argue that these forces can be leveraged to promote cancer care equity nationally and globally.

Perceptions and Likelihood of Medical Students to Pursue a Career in Neurosurgery: Findings from the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: The number of neurosurgeons in the Philippines is less than ideal for its population, so there is a need to recruit and train more. This study aimed to determine medical students' perception of neurosurgery and their likelihood of pursuing a career in this specialty. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of medical students in the Philippines to assess their perceptions and likelihood of pursuing a career in neurosurgery. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a χ2 test with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 627 medical students completed the survey, with a response rate of 72.4%. The mean age was 23.8 years, and almost half (49.1%) were women. They had mostly negative perceptions of neurosurgery, and only 18.7% were likely to pursue a career in this specialty. Reasons included poor work-life balance, poor understanding of neuroscience and neurosurgery, and the self-perceived lack of manual dexterity. The most common sources of their perceptions included lectures, movies, and neurosurgery residents and consultants whom they met in hospital. Previous exposure to neurosurgery lectures or rotations, going back to their hometown to work, and having a physician parent were associated with a higher likelihood of pursuing neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that medical students' perceptions of neurosurgery were generally negative and that only 18.7% were likely to pursue it as a career. Major changes would have to be made to improve students' perceptions to attract more students to the field and increase the neurosurgical workforce.

Predictive Value of Hematologic Inflammatory Markers in Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to determine the ability of hematologic markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and red cell distribution width [RDW]) in predicting delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), modified Rankin Scale scores, and mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: A retrospective observational 6-year review of medical records was conducted to identify all consecutive patients with aSAH admitted to the largest training hospital in the Philippines. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the association of the biomarkers with the respective outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to detect overall predictive accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 222 patients with aSAH were included, of whom 11.71% developed DCI. Most patients with NLR ≥5.9 subsequently died (77 vs. 52%; P = 0.03). DCI was also associated with poor functional outcomes with higher modified Rankin Scale scores (3-6) on discharge (92% vs. 49%; P < 0.01), and longer duration of hospitalization (median, 20 vs. 13 days; P = 0.01). In receiver operating characteristic analyses, the value of RDW was predictive for DCI (area under the curve, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.79; P < 0.01). The values of NLR (area under the curve, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59-0.74) potentially predict functional outcome. RDW, NLR, and their combinations were poor discriminators of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that some hematologic parameters analyzed could be of potential value as prognostic biomarkers in patients with aSAH. Hematologic biomarkers are widely available and practical parameters that may be of considerable clinical value in aSAH management, especially in lower-middle-income countries such as the Philippines.

Success and complication rates of endoscopic third ventriculostomy for tuberculous meningitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Because ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) insertion for patients with hydrocephalus from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) can be complicated by shunt infection and malfunction, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been proposed as an alternative. The aim of this review was to determine the success, technical failure, and complication rates of ETV in TBM in a meta-analysis and determine which factors are predictive of outcome. The PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to April 2020 for case series, cohort studies, or randomized controlled trials reporting success, technical failure, or complication rates. For studies with individual patient data available, logistic regression analysis was done to determine whether age, sex, clinical grade, and type of hydrocephalus on imaging was predictive of outcome. Eight studies with a total of 174 patients were included in the review. Using random-effects modeling, the pooled estimate of success rate was 59% (95% CI 50-68%), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 30%). The technical failure and complication rates were 5% and 15%, respectively, but these variables had moderate heterogeneity. In 36 patients with individual patient data, a non-communicating type of hydrocephalus on imaging was associated with an odds ratio of 5.90 (95% CI 1.1-32.9, p = 0.043) for success. In summary, ETV for TBM had a pooled success rate of 59%, technical failure rate of 5%, and complication rate of 15%. An imaging finding of non-communicating hydrocephalus was associated with increased success. High-quality randomized, prospective studies using VPS insertion as control are needed to further define the role of ETV in TBM.

Awake Craniotomy in Low-Resource Settings: Findings from a Retrospective Cohort in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Awake craniotomy is a technique used to maximize resection of lesions in eloquent areas of the brain and preserve function. Although its use in high-income centers is well documented for tumors and vascular lesions, reports of its use in low-middle-income countries are limited. There are no published series from the Philippines. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent awake craniotomy at a tertiary referral center in Manila, Philippines from 2010 to 2019. Data on demographics, clinical features, diagnoses, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and outcomes were collected. Regression analyses were performed to correlate use of intraoperative adjuncts with outcome measures (extent of resection, complication rate, neurologic status after surgery and on last follow-up, and in-hospital mortality). RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were included in the cohort, who had a male predilection (60%) and a mean age at diagnosis of 40.4 years. The most common indication was tumor excision (90%), followed by excision of arteriovenous malformations (5%) and cavernomas (3%). Of the tumors, the most common histopathologic diagnosis was low-grade glioma (48%). The intraoperative complication rate was 13.8%, with the most common complication being patient intolerance. Gross total excision rate for tumors was 78.3%. Univariate analysis showed that use of a cortical stimulator was associated with improved neurologic status on last follow-up (P = 0.0471). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience shows that awake craniotomy is feasible in low-middle-income country settings and is safe and effective for excision of tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and cavernomas.

Safety and Clinical Outcome of Good-Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Non-Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND: While patients with good grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are routinely admitted in intensive care units, critical care capacity in low-middle income countries (LMICs) is limited. In this study, we report the outcomes of good-grade SAH (Hunt and Hess grades I & II) patients admitted in ICU and non-ICU settings at a center in the Philippines and determine if site of care is predictive of outcome. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all adults diagnosed with good-grade SAH in a five-year period. Patients were analyzed according to three groups based on site of care: Group A (>50% of length of stay in ICU), Group B (>50% of LOS in non-ICU), and Group C (100% of LOS in non-ICU). The primary outcome measures were in-hospital mortality and mRS score at discharge. The secondary outcome measures were complication rate and LOS. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients was included in the cohort, which had a mean age of 51.16 years and a female predilection (64%). The rates of in-hospital mortality and favorable functional outcome at discharge were 0.82% and 93.8%, respectively, with no difference across groups. Delayed cerebral ischemia and infection were more frequently diagnosed in ICUs (p < 0.001), while rebleeding occurred more commonly in non-ICUs (p = 0.02). The median LOS was significantly longer in patients who developed complications. CONCLUSIONS: Admission of good-grade aneurysmal SAH patients in non-ICU settings did not adversely affect both in-hospital mortality and functional outcome at discharge. Prospective, randomized studies may lead to changes in pattern of ICU utilization which are critical for LMICs.

Treating nasoethmoidal encephalocele in a low-resource country: a surgical experience from a Philippine multidisciplinary craniofacial team.

PURPOSE: It was described that nasoethmoidal encephalocele repair in the Philippines has been limited by insufficient resources, financial constraints, and a lack of surgical expertise. The purpose of this study was to report initial results and complications of Philippine patients with nasoethmoidal encephalocele surgically managed with an approach adapted to an environment with limited financial resources. METHODS: All patients (n = 21) with nasoethmoidal encephalocele who underwent intracranial and extracranial repairs (frontal wedge osteotomy to access the encephalocele cyst and cranial base defect, dural defect repair, split frontal grafts fixed with polydioxanone sutures to reconstruct the cranial defect and nasal dorsum, and medial canthopexy) from January 2015 to May 2017 were included. The correlations between sizes of masses and cranial defects with the occurrence of complications were tested. The surgical results were classified based on a previously published outcome grading scales I-IV on the need for additional surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (90.5%) had unremarkable post-operative course. Two patients (9.5%) presented with complications (cerebrospinal fluid leak and surgical site infection) which were successfully managed with no additional surgery. The sizes of masses and cranial defects were not correlated (p > 0.05) with complications. The overall rate of surgical results ranked according to the need for additional surgery was 2.4 ± 0.5 (between categories II and III). CONCLUSIONS: We reported successful surgical repair of nasoethmoidal encephaloceles in Philippine patients by a local multidisciplinary craniofacial team.