Network signatures define consciousness state during focal seizures.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting 1% of the global population. Loss of consciousness in focal impaired awareness seizures (FIASs) and focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCSs) can be devastating, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Although ictal activity and interictal connectivity changes have been noted, the network states of focal aware seizures (FASs), FIASs, and FBTCSs have not been thoroughly evaluated with network measures ictally. METHODS: We obtained electrographic data from 74 patients with stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Sliding window band power, functional connectivity, and segregation were computed on preictal, ictal, and postictal data. Five-minute epochs of wake, rapid eye movement sleep, and deep sleep were also extracted. Connectivity of subcortical arousal structures was analyzed in a cohort of patients with both SEEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Given that custom neuromodulation of seizures is predicated on detection of seizure type, a convolutional neural network was used to classify seizure types. RESULTS: We found that in the frontoparietal association cortex, an area associated with consciousness, both consciousness-impairing seizures (FIASs and FBTCSs) and deep sleep had increases in slow wave delta (1-4 Hz) band power. However, when network measures were employed, we found that only FIASs and deep sleep exhibited an increase in delta segregation and a decrease in gamma segregation. Furthermore, we found that only patients with FIASs had reduced subcortical-to-neocortical functional connectivity with fMRI versus controls. Finally, our deep learning network demonstrated an area under the curve of .75 for detecting consciousness-impairing seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides novel insights into ictal network measures in FASs, FIASs, and FBTCSs. Importantly, although both FIASs and FBTCSs result in loss of consciousness, our results suggest that ictal network changes in FIASs uniquely resemble those that occur during deep sleep. Our results may inform novel neuromodulation strategies for preservation of consciousness in epilepsy.

Disparities in Access to Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease and Proposed Interventions: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), but disparities exist in access to DBS along gender, racial, and socioeconomic lines. SUMMARY: Women are underrepresented in clinical trials and less likely to undergo DBS compared to their male counterparts. Racial and ethnic minorities are also less likely to undergo DBS procedures, even when controlling for disease severity and other demographic factors. These disparities can have significant impacts on patients' access to care, quality of life, and ability to manage their debilitating movement disorders. KEY MESSAGES: Addressing these disparities requires increasing patient awareness and education, minimizing barriers to equitable access, and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the healthcare system. In this systematic review, we first review literature discussing gender, racial, and socioeconomic disparities in DBS access and then propose several patient, provider, community, and national-level interventions to improve DBS access for all populations.

Protein mimetic 2D FAST rescues alpha synuclein aggregation mediated early and post disease Parkinson's phenotypes.

Abberent protein-protein interactions potentiate many diseases and one example is the toxic, self-assembly of α-Synuclein in the dopaminergic neurons of patients with Parkinson's disease; therefore, a potential therapeutic strategy is the small molecule modulation of α-Synuclein aggregation. In this work, we develop an Oligopyridylamide based 2-dimensional Fragment-Assisted Structure-based Technique to identify antagonists of α-Synuclein aggregation. The technique utilizes a fragment-based screening of an extensive array of non-proteinogenic side chains in Oligopyridylamides, leading to the identification of NS132 as an antagonist of the multiple facets of α-Synuclein aggregation. We further identify a more cell permeable analog (NS163) without sacrificing activity. Oligopyridylamides rescue α-Synuclein aggregation mediated Parkinson's disease phenotypes in dopaminergic neurons in early and post disease Caenorhabditis elegans models. We forsee tremendous potential in our technique to identify lead therapeutics for Parkinson's disease and other diseases as it is expandable to other oligoamide scaffolds and a larger array of side chains.

Global Economic Evaluation of the Reported Costs of Deep Brain Stimulation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the known benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS), the cost of the procedure can limit access and can vary widely. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the reported costs associated with DBS, as well as the variability in reporting cost-associated factors to ultimately increase patient access to this therapy. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature for cost of DBS treatment was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed and Embase databases were queried. Olsen & Associates (OANDA) was used to convert all reported rates to USD. Cost was corrected for inflation using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator, correcting to April 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-six articles on the cost of DBS surgery from 2001 to 2021 were included. The median number of patients across studies was 193, the mean reported age was 60.5 ± 5.6 years, and median female prevalence was 38.9%. The inflation- and currency-adjusted mean cost of the DBS device was USD 21,496.07 ± USD 8,944.16, the cost of surgery alone was USD 14,685.22 ± USD 8,479.66, the total cost of surgery was USD 40,942.85 ± USD 17,987.43, and the total cost of treatment until 1 year of follow-up was USD 47,632.27 ± USD 23,067.08. There were no differences in costs observed across surgical indication or country. CONCLUSION: Our report describes the large variation in DBS costs and the manner of reporting costs. The current lack of standardization impedes productive discourse as comparisons are hindered by both geographic and chronological variations. Emphasis should be put on standardized reporting and analysis of reimbursement costs to better assess the variability of DBS-associated costs in order to make this procedure more cost-effective and address areas for improvement to increase patient access to DBS.

Selective Electrocatalytic Degradation of Ether-Containing Polymers.

Leveraging electrochemistry to degrade robust polymeric materials has the potential to impact society's growing issue of plastic waste. Herein, we develop an electrocatalytic oxidative degradation of polyethers and poly(vinyl ethers) via electrochemically mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) followed by oxidative polymer degradation promoted by molecular oxygen. We investigated the selectivity and efficiency of this method, finding our conditions to be highly selective for polymers with hydridic, electron-rich C-H bonds. We leveraged this reactivity to degrade polyethers and poly(vinyl ethers) in the presence of polymethacrylates and polyacrylates with complete selectivity. Furthermore, this method made polyacrylates degradable by incorporation of ether units into the polymer backbone. We quantified degradation products, identifying up to 36 mol % of defined oxidation products, including acetic acid, formic acid, and acetaldehyde, and we extended this method to degrade a polyether-based polyurethane in a green solvent. This work demonstrates a facile, electrochemically-driven route to degrade polymers containing ether functionalities.

Intraoperative physiology augments atlas-based data in awake deep brain stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is commonly performed with patients awake to perform intraoperative microelectrode recordings and/or macrostimulation testing to guide final electrode placement. Supplemental information from atlas-based databases derived from prior patient data and visualised as efficacy heat maps transformed and overlaid onto preoperative MRIs can be used to guide preoperative target planning and intraoperative final positioning. Our quantitative analysis of intraoperative testing and corresponding changes made to final electrode positioning aims to highlight the value of intraoperative neurophysiological testing paired with image-based data to optimise final electrode positioning in a large patient cohort. METHODS: Data from 451 patients with movement disorders treated with 822 individual DBS leads at a single institution from 2011 to 2021 were included. Atlas-based data was used to guide surgical targeting. Intraoperative testing data and coordinate data were retrospectively obtained from a large patient database. Medical records were reviewed to obtain active contact usage and neurologist-defined outcomes at 1 year. RESULTS: Microelectrode recording firing profiles differ per track, per target and inform the locations where macrostimulation testing is performed. Macrostimulation performance correlates with the final electrode track chosen. Centroids of atlas-based efficacy heat maps per target were close in proximity to and may predict active contact usage at 1 year. Overall, patient outcomes at 1 year were improved for patients with better macrostimulation response. CONCLUSIONS: Atlas-based imaging data is beneficial for target planning and intraoperative guidance, and in conjunction with intraoperative neurophysiological testing during awake DBS can be used to individualize and optimise final electrode positioning, resulting in favourable outcomes.

"Common-Precursor" Protein Mimetic Approach to Rescue Aß Aggregation-Mediated Alzheimer's Phenotypes.

Abberent protein-protein interactions (aPPIs) are associated with an array of pathological conditions, which make them important therapeutic targets. The aPPIs are mediated via specific chemical interactions that spread over a large and hydrophobic surface. Therefore, ligands that can complement the surface topography and chemical fingerprints could manipulate aPPIs. Oligopyridylamides (OPs) are synthetic protein mimetics that have been shown to manipulate aPPIs. However, the previous OP library used to disrupt these aPPIs was moderate in number (∼30 OPs) with very limited chemical diversity. The onus is on the laborious and time-consuming synthetic pathways with multiple chromatography steps. We have developed a novel chromatography-free technique to synthesize a highly diverse chemical library of OPs using a "common-precursor" approach. We significantly expanded the chemical diversity of OPs using a chromatography-free high-yielding method. To validate our novel approach, we have synthesized an OP with identical chemical diversity to a pre-existing OP-based potent inhibitor of Aß aggregation, a process central to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The newly synthesized OP ligand (RD242) was very potent in inhibiting Aß aggregation and rescuing AD phenotypes in an in vivo model. Moreover, RD242 was very effective in rescuing AD phenotypes in a post-disease onset AD model. We envision that our "common-precursor" synthetic approach will have tremendous potential as it is expandable for other oligoamide scaffolds to enhance affinity for disease-relevant targets.

Spinal cord epidural stimulation for motor and autonomic function recovery after chronic spinal cord injury: A case series and technical note.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a debilitating condition, leading to chronic morbidity and mortality. In recent peer-reviewed studies, spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) enabled voluntary movement and return of over-ground walking in a small number of patients with motor complete SCI. Using the most extensive case series (n = 25) for chronic SCI, the present report describes our motor and cardiovascular and functional outcomes, surgical and training complication rates, quality of life (QOL) improvements, and patient satisfaction results after scES. Methods: This prospective study occurred at the University of Louisville from 2009 to 2020. scES interventions began 2-3 weeks after surgical implantation of the scES device. Perioperative complications were recorded as well as long-term complications during training and device related events. QOL outcomes and patient satisfaction were evaluated using the impairment domains model and a global patient satisfaction scale, respectively. Results: Twenty-five patients (80% male, mean age of 30.9 ± 9.4 years) with chronic motor complete tSCI underwent scES using an epidural paddle electrode and internal pulse generator. The interval from SCI to scES implantation was 5.9 ± 3.4 years. Two participants (8%) developed infections, and three additional patients required washouts (12%). All participants achieved voluntary movement after implantation. A total of 17 research participants (85%) reported that the procedure either met (n = 9) or exceeded (n = 8) their expectations, and 100% would undergo the operation again. Conclusion: scES in this series was safe and achieved numerous benefits on motor and cardiovascular regulation and improved patient-reported QOL in multiple domains, with a high degree of patient satisfaction. The multiple previously unreported benefits beyond improvements in motor function render scES a promising option for improving QOL after motor complete SCI. Further studies may quantify these other benefits and clarify scES's role in SCI patients.

Evidence for Thalamic Responsive Neurostimulation in Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Epilepsy.

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) has well-established efficacy in patients with identifiable seizure foci. Emerging evidence suggests the feasibility of expanding this treatment to patients with nonfocal or multifocal epileptic profiles with thalamic targeting. Our institution performed two successful implantations of thalamic RNS (tRNS) targeting the centromedian nucleus of the thalamus (CMT), and 1-year postoperative outcomes are provided. Additionally, a literature review of all reported tRNS was conducted. Publications were excluded if they did not include demographic data and/or epilepsy outcomes at follow-up. In the literature, 19 adult and 3 pediatric cases were identified. These cases were analyzed for outcome, indications, previous operations, and surgical practice variations. Both of our patients had failed multiple previous pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions for epilepsy. Case #1 underwent tRNS with bilateral CMT stimulation. Case #2 underwent tRNS with simultaneous right CMT and right insular stimulation, although an additional lead was placed in the left CMT and left capped for potential future use. Each has achieved ≥90% reduction in seizure burden and approach seizure freedom. 71% of patients in the literature review had multifocal, bilateral, or cryptogenic seizure onset. Three patients were implanted for Lennox Gastaut (2 of 3 are pediatric). 16 patients underwent an average of 1.6 failed procedures prior to successful tRNS implantation. Taken together, the 21 adult patients reviewed have experienced an average seizure reduction of 77% at the latest follow-up. 95% of the adult patients reported in the literature experienced >50% reduction in seizure activity following tRNS and 52% experienced ≥90% reduction in seizure burden following tRNS. Pediatric patients have experienced 70-100% improvement.

Feasibility of Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials and Electromyography during MRI-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is routinely used during neurosurgical procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is increasingly being used in patients with various brain lesions. Use of IONM (transcranial motor evoked potential [TcMEP] and electromyography [EMG]) during LITT of a brain lesion has not been described previously. METHODS: In this report, we describe a 70-year-old man who presented with motor weakness in whom imaging revealed a left thalamic lesion. Due to the difficulty in accessing the lesion and proximity to the motor tracts, patient was offered MRI-guided LITT using TcMEP and EMG. RESULTS: The patient underwent satisfactory ablation of the lesion with successful recording of the TcMEP and EMG. Technical nuances related to the set-up and procedure is discussed in this report. No procedure-related complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the first report of safety and feasibility of TcMEP and EMG during MRI-guided LITT for left thalamic glioblasatoma. This report paves the way for further prospective investigations regarding the utility of this technique for eloquent brain tumors.

Emerging Technologies for Epilepsy Surgery.

Patients with medically refractory epilepsy, as defined by failure to achieve seizure freedom after adequate trials of 2 antiseizure medications, should be considered for early surgical evaluation. Achieving seizure freedom or meaningful seizure reduction, the goals of surgical treatment, can significantly improve quality of life while decreasing disease-related morbidity and mortality. Preoperative work up and imaging modalities aid in localization of epileptogenic zones that can be targeted in surgery. Resection of a seizure focus yields highest chances of seizure freedom; however, many promising minimally invasive or noninvasive treatment options have been developed in recent years that are closely intertwined with technological advancements and serve as viable alternatives to resection, particularly neuromodulation and ablation procedures. There are also new treatment options being developed and new neuromodulation targets being studied. Surgical treatment options should be thoughtfully selected based on each patient's individual disease process and preferences.

Combined Responsive Neurostimulation and Focal Resection for Super Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Systematic Review and Illustrative Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is a neurologic emergency with high mortality and morbidity. Although medical algorithms typically are effective, when they do fail, options may be limited, and neurosurgical intervention should be considered. METHODS: We report a case of SRSE treated acutely with responsive neurostimulation (RNS) and focal surgical resection after intracranial monitoring. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature for neurosurgical treatment of SRSE (e.g., neurostimulation). Only published manuscripts were considered. RESULTS: Our patient's seizure semiology consisted of left facial twitching with frequent evolution to bilateral tonic-clonic convulsions. Stereoelectroencephalography and grid monitoring identified multiple seizure foci. The patient underwent right RNS placement with cortical strip leads over the lateral primary motor and premotor cortex as well as simultaneous right superior temporal and frontopolar resection. Status epilepticus resolved 21 days after surgical resection and placement of the RNS. The systematic review revealed 15 case reports describing 17 patients with SRSE who underwent acute neurosurgical intervention. There were 3 patients with SRSE with RNS placement as a single modality, all of whom experienced cessation of SE. Four patients with SRSE received vagus nerve stimulation (3 as a single modality and 1 with combined corpus callosotomy), of whom 1 had SE recurrence at 2weeks. Two patients with SRSE received deep brain stimulation, and the remaining 8 underwent surgical resection; none had recurrence of SE. CONCLUSIONS: RNS System placement with or without resection can be a viable treatment option for select patients with SRSE. Early neurosurgical intervention may improve seizure outcomes and reduce complications.

Foldamers reveal and validate therapeutic targets associated with toxic α-synuclein self-assembly.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no successful prevention or intervention. The pathological hallmark for PD involves the self-assembly of functional Alpha-Synuclein (αS) into non-functional amyloid structures. One of the potential therapeutic interventions against PD is the effective inhibition of αS aggregation. However, the bottleneck towards achieving this goal is the identification of αS domains/sequences that are essential for aggregation. Using a protein mimetic approach, we have identified αS sequences-based targets that are essential for aggregation and will have significant therapeutic implications. An extensive array of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays is utilized to validate αS sequences and their structural characteristics that are essential for aggregation and propagation of PD phenotypes. The study aids in developing significant mechanistic and therapeutic insights into various facets of αS aggregation, which will pave the way for effective treatments for PD.

Incidence of repeat procedures and healthcare utilization following surgery, radiosurgery, and percutaneous procedures in elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: Management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in elderly patients poses significant challenges. The impact of different treatment modalities (surgery, radiosurgery [RS], and percutaneous techniques [PTs]) on healthcare utilization is not well defined in the management of TN in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term healthcare utilization metrics of different interventions in the management of elderly patients with TN. METHODS: The MarketScan database was queried using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology, from 2000 to 2016. TN patients ≥ 65 years of age managed using surgery, RS, and PTs with at least 5 years of follow-up after the index procedure were included. Outcomes analyzed were hospital admissions, outpatient services, and medication refills. RESULTS: Of 993 patients, 43% (n = 430) underwent RS, 44% (n = 432) had PTs, and only 13% (n = 131) underwent surgery for TN. Overall, the median age of patients was 74 years old, 64% were females, 90% had Medicare insurance, and 17% had an Elixhauser index ≥ 3. Patients in the surgery group were younger (median age 71 years) with a higher comorbidity index (≥ 3; 24%) compared with patients undergoing RS and PTs (13% and 17%, respectively). At 1, 2, and 5 years after the index procedure, 41%, 48%, and 57% of patients in the PT cohort underwent any repeat procedure compared with 11%, 18%, and 29% for the RS cohort, and 6%, 9%, and 11% for the surgical cohort, respectively. Also, patients in the PT cohort incurred 1.8, 1.9, and 2.0 times the combined payment at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively, compared with the surgery cohort. Similarly, patients who underwent RS for TN incurred 1.4, 1.5, and 1.5 times the combined payment at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively, compared with the surgery cohort. At 5 years after the index procedure, combined payments for the PT cohort were $79,753 (IQR $46,013, $144,064) compared with $61,016 (IQR $27,114, $117,097) for the RS cohort and $41,074 (IQR $25,392, $87,952) for the surgery cohort (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: PTs followed by RS were the common procedures used in the majority of elderly patients with TN. However, surgery for TN resulted in durable control with the least need for reoperations up to 5 years after the index procedure, followed by RS and PTs. PTs for TN resulted in the highest utilization of healthcare resources and need for reoperations at all time points. These findings should be considered in clinical decision-making when selecting appropriate treatment modalities in elderly patients with TN.

Punctate Midline Myelotomy: A Historical Overview and Case Series with Detailed Efficacy and Side Effect Profiles.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with punctate midline myelotomy (PMM) for malignant and benign visceral pain with an emphasis on detailed side-effect profiles and efficacy. METHODS: Thirteen adults (5 men) underwent microsurgical transverse-crush PMM. RESULTS: Median follow-up for the benign pain group (n = 6) was 17.5 months (10-72) and for the malignant group (n = 7) was 8 months (0.5-31). Five of seven patients in the malignant pain group obtained excellent, lasting relief. Two had initial relief followed by worsening pain with disease progression. In the benign pain group, two patients with endodermal-origin pain (gastrointestinal tract, bladder) had complete, long-lasting relief. Three patients with mesodermal-origin pain (ureter) had excellent relief for 2-3 months, followed by recurrence in two and partial (40%) recurrence in the third. One man with pre-existing cervical myelopathy underwent PMM for benign testicular-region pain from which he had long-term relief but only transient relief of coexisting low-back and leg pain. There were no motor deficits in either group, and all patients remained ambulatory and continent. The most common side effect was transient numbness of the medial leg and foot. Two patients (both with pre-existing spinal pathology) reported persistent moderate reduction of bowel, bladder, and sexual sensation. CONCLUSIONS: PMM offers substantial pain relief for carefully selected patients with intractable visceral pain. Relief from primarily endoderm-derived structures was most complete and long-lasting. Relief from mesoderm-derived structures was typically transient or incomplete. There was essentially no relief from pain of ectoderm-derived structures. Detailed preoperative counseling is important, especially for those with pre-existing neurologic deficits.

Thecal sac ligation for the treatment of post-infectious intrathecal-prevertebral CSF fistula in a paraplegic patient.

The occurrence of a symptomatic post-infectious intrathecal to prevertebral fistula is rare. We report the presentation and management of a 38-year-old chronically paraplegic male with longstanding thoracic osteomyelitis and epidural infection who developed a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula causing symptomatic intracranial hypotension (IH). During an interventional radiology (IR)-guided aspiration of what was thought to be residual abscess, pulsatile, clear fluid was observed. A subsequent CT myelogram showed air in the spinal canal and a CSF fistula between the thecal sac and the pre-vertebral space. Upon intraoperative exploration, a large ventral dural defect was identified with insufficient native dura for primary closure and the thecal sac was tied off cranial to the level of the fistula. Given the large ventral dural defect, the fistula was likely the result of longstanding infection in the epidural space rather than the IR guided aspiration. The aspiration likely transgressed an existing fistula and may have exacerbated the symptoms of IH by providing another route for CSF egress. The patient's postural headaches completely resolved post-operatively. Thecal sac ligation is a viable treatment option in select circumstances with symptomatic CSF fistula.

Robotic Applications in Cranial Neurosurgery: Current and Future.

Robotics applied to cranial surgery is a fast-moving and fascinating field, which is transforming the practice of neurosurgery. With exponential increases in computing power, improvements in connectivity, artificial intelligence, and enhanced precision of accessing target structures, robots are likely to be incorporated into more areas of neurosurgery in the future-making procedures safer and more efficient. Overall, improved efficiency can offset upfront costs and potentially prove cost-effective. In this narrative review, we aim to translate a broad clinical experience into practical information for the incorporation of robotics into neurosurgical practice. We begin with procedures where robotics take the role of a stereotactic frame and guide instruments along a linear trajectory. Next, we discuss robotics in endoscopic surgery, where the robot functions similar to a surgical assistant by holding the endoscope and providing retraction, supplemental lighting, and correlation of the surgical field with navigation. Then, we look at early experience with endovascular robots, where robots carry out tasks of the primary surgeon while the surgeon directs these movements remotely. We briefly discuss a novel microsurgical robot that can perform many of the critical operative steps (with potential for fine motor augmentation) remotely. Finally, we highlight 2 innovative technologies that allow instruments to take nonlinear, predetermined paths to an intracranial destination and allow magnetic control of instruments for real-time adjustment of trajectories. We believe that robots will play an increasingly important role in the future of neurosurgery and aim to cover some of the aspects that this field holds for neurosurgical innovation.

Predictors of volitional motor recovery with epidural stimulation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) has enabled volitional lower extremity movements in individuals with chronic and clinically motor complete spinal cord injury and no clinically detectable brain influence. The aim of this study was to understand whether the individuals' neuroanatomical characteristics or positioning of the scES electrode were important factors influencing the extent of initial recovery of lower limb voluntary movements in those with clinically motor complete paralysis. We hypothesized that there would be significant correlations between the number of joints moved during attempts with scES prior to any training interventions and the amount of cervical cord atrophy above the injury, length of post-traumatic myelomalacia and the amount of volume coverage of lumbosacral enlargement by the stimulation electrode array. The clinical and imaging records of 20 individuals with chronic and clinically motor complete spinal cord injury who underwent scES implantation were reviewed and analysed using MRI and X-ray integration, image segmentation and spinal cord volumetric reconstruction techniques. All individuals that participated in the scES study (n = 20) achieved, to some extent, lower extremity voluntary movements post scES implant and prior to any locomotor, voluntary movement or cardiovascular training. The correlation results showed that neither the cross-section area of spinal cord at C3 (n = 19, r = 0.33, P = 0.16) nor the length of severe myelomalacia (n = 18, r = -0.02, P = 0.93) correlated significantly with volitional lower limb movement ability. However, there was a significant, moderate correlation (n = 20, r = 0.59, P = 0.006) between the estimated percentage of the lumbosacral enlargement coverage by the paddle electrode as well as the position of the paddle relative to the maximal lumbosacral enlargement and the conus tip (n = 20, r = 0.50, P = 0.026) with the number of joints moved volitionally. These results suggest that greater coverage of the lumbosacral enlargement by scES may improve motor recovery prior to any training, possibly because of direct modulatory effects on the spinal networks that control lower extremity movements indicating the significant role of motor control at the level of the spinal cord.

Minimally Invasive Endoscopy for Acute Subdural Hematomas: A Report of 3 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Acute subdural hematomas (aSDHs) occur in approximately 10% to 20% of all closed head injury and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in traumatic brain injury patients. Conventional craniotomy is an invasive intervention with the potential for excess blood loss and prolonged postoperative recovery time. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive endoscopy for evacuation of aSDHs in a pilot feasibility study. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive patients with aSDHs who underwent surgical treatment at our institution with minimally invasive endoscopy using the Apollo/Artemis Neuro Evacuation Device (Penumbra, Alameda, California) between April 2015 and July 2018. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised three patients. The Glasgow Coma Scale on admission was 15 for all 3 patients, median preoperative hematoma volume was 49.5 cm3 (range 44-67.8 cm3), median postoperative degree of hematoma evacuation was 88% (range 84%-89%), and median modified Rankin Scale at discharge was 1 (range 0-3). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic evacuation of aSDHs can be a safe and effective alternative to craniotomy in appropriately selected patients. Further studies are needed to refine the selection criteria for endoscopic aSDH evacuation and evaluate its long-term outcomes.

Rapid high-fidelity contour shaping of titanium mesh implants for cranioplasty defects using patient-specific molds created with low-cost 3D printing: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Cranioplasty is a neurosurgical procedure to repair skull defects. Sometimes, the patients' bone flap cannot be used for various reasons. Alternatives include a custom polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implant or titanium mesh; both incur an additional cost. We present a technique that uses a 3D printer to create a patient- specific 3D model used to mold a titanium mesh preoperatively. CASE DESCRIPTION: We included three patients whose bone flap could not be used. We collected the patients' demographics, cost, and time data for implants and the 3D printer. The patients' computed tomography DICOM images were used for 3D reconstruction of the cranial defect. A 3D printer (Flashforge, CA) was used to print a custom mold of the defect, which was used to shape the titanium mesh. All patients had excellent cosmetic results with no complications. The time required to print a 3D model was ~ 6 h and 45 min for preoperative shaping of the titanium implant. The intraoperative molding (IOM) of a titanium mesh needed an average of 60 min additional operative room time which incurred $4000. The average cost for PEEK and flat titanium mesh is $12,600 and $6750. Our method resulted in $4000 and $5500 cost reduction in comparison to flat mesh with IOM and PEEK implant. CONCLUSION: 3D printing technology can create a custom model to shape a titanium mesh preoperatively for cranioplasty. It can result in excellent cosmetic results and significant cost reduction in comparison to other cranioplasty options.