Surgical management of sacral schwannomas: a 21-year mayo clinic experience and comparative literature analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Sacral and presacral schwannomas are rare, accounting for a minority of spinal schwannomas. We present our institution's experience surgically treating spinal schwannomas and compare it to the literature. METHODS: Data were collected for 27 patients treated surgically for sacral or presacral schwannoma between 1997 and 2018 at all Mayo Clinic locations and 93 patients in the literature. Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival analysis was conducted. Unpaired two-sample t tests and Fisher's exact tests assessed statistical significance between groups. RESULTS: Our patients and those in the literature experienced a similar age at diagnosis (49.9 y/o. vs 43.4 y/o., respectively). Most of our patients (59.3%) reported full recovery from symptoms, while a minority reported partial recovery (33.3%) and no recovery (11.1%). A smaller percentage in the literature experienced full recovery (31.9%) and partial recovery (29.8%) but also no recovery (1.1%). Our patients experienced fewer complications (14.8% versus 25.5%). Disease-free survival curves for all patients showed no significant variation in progression by extent of resection of schwannoma (log-rank P = 0.26). No lesion progression was associated with full or partial symptom improvement (p = 0.044), and female patients were more likely to undergo resection via a posterior approach (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Outcomes of patients with sacral or presacral schwannomas vary based on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, symptoms, and surgical treatment. Among the range of symptoms experienced by these patients, the most common is pain. Prognosis improves and overall survival is high when the surgical approach towards sacral schwannomas is prepared and executed appropriately.

R2 advances in robotic-assisted spine surgery: comparative analysis of options, future directions, and bibliometric analysis of the literature.

Spine surgery has undergone rapid advancements over the past several decades with the emergence of robotic and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). While conventional MIS spine surgery has had relative success, its complication profile has warranted continued efforts to improve clinical outcomes. We discuss the functional, clinical, and financial aspects of four robotic options for spinal pathologies, namely ROSA, Mazor X, Da Vinci, and ExcelsiusGPS, and conduct a bibliometric analysis to better understand current trends and applications of these robots as the field of robotic spine surgery continues to grow. An extensive search of English-language published literature on robotic-assisted spinal surgery was performed in Elsevier's Scopus database. A bibliometric analysis was then performed on the top 100 most cited papers. The search yielded articles regarding robotic-assisted spine surgery application, limitations, and functional outcomes secondary to spine pathology. Accuracy analyses of 1733 screw placements were reviewed. The top 100 papers were published between 1992 and 2020, with a significant increase from 2015 onwards. The top publishing institution was John Hopkins University (n = 8). The top contributing author was Dr. Isador H. Lieberman (n = 6). The USA (n = 34) had the most articles on robotic spinal surgery, followed by Germany (n = 12). This review examines robotic applications in spine surgery, including four available options: ROSA, Mazor X, Da Vinci, and ExcelsiusGPS. Publication output over time, surgical outcomes, screw accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of these technologies have been investigated here. Certain robots have functional, clinical, and financial differences worth noting. Given the dearth of existing literature reporting postoperative complications and long-term comparative outcomes, there is a clear need for further studies on this matter.

Should asymptomatic cervical stenosis be treated in the setting of progressive thoracic myelopathy? A systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Unlike tandem stenosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, tandem cervical and thoracic stenosis (TCTS) of the spine is less common, and the approach and order of intervention are controversial. We aim to review the literature to evaluate the incidence and interventions for patients with cervical and thoracic stenosis. We provide illustrative cases to demonstrate that thoracic myelopathy in the setting of asymptomatic cervical stenosis can be treated safely. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature through electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was performed to present the current literature that evaluates TCTS as it relates to incidence and surgical interventions. We also present two cases of patients undergoing operative intervention for thoracic myelopathy in the setting of concurrent cervical stenosis. RESULTS: A total of 26 English original studies and case reports were identified. Nine studies evaluated the incidence of TCTS. 20 studies with a total of 168 patients with TCTS presented information on surgical intervention options. There is an overall aggregate incidence of 11.6% (530/4751) based on incidence studies. 165 patients underwent thoracic intervention. Of these patients, 63 patients underwent cervical intervention first, 29 underwent thoracic intervention first, and 73 underwent simultaneous, single-stage intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with myelopathy, both cervical and thoracic spine should be evaluated for TCTS. Order of operative intervention is tailored to clinical and radiographic information. In cases of thoracic myelopathy with asymptomatic cervical stenosis, thoracic intervention can be pursued with precautions to prevent further cervical cord injury.

Early Fevers and Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio are Associated with Repeat Endovascular Interventions for Cerebral Vasospasm in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) may develop refractory arterial cerebral vasospasm requiring multiple endovascular interventions. The aim of our study is to evaluate variables associated with need for repeat endovascular treatments in refractory vasospasm and to identify differences in outcomes following one versus multiple treatments. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients treated for aSAH between 2017 and 2020 at two tertiary care centers. We included patients who underwent treatment (intraarterial infusion of vasodilatory agents or mechanical angioplasty) for radiographically diagnosed vasospasm in our analysis. Patients were divided into those who underwent single treatment versus those who underwent multiple endovascular treatments for vasospasm. RESULTS: Of the total 418 patients with aSAH, 151 (45.9%) underwent endovascular intervention for vasospasm. Of 151 patients, 95 (62.9%) underwent a single treatment and 56 (37.1%) underwent two or more treatments. Patients were more likely to undergo multiple endovascular treatments if they had a Hunt-Hess score > 2 (odds ratio [OR] 5.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82-15.84]; p = 0.003), a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio > 8.0 (OR 3.19 [95% CI 1.40-7.62]; p = 0.028), and more than two fevers within the first 5 days of admission (OR 7.03 [95% CI 2.68-20.94]; p < 0.001). Patients with multiple treatments had poorer outcomes, including increased length of stay, delayed cerebral ischemia, in-hospital complications, and higher modified Rankin scores at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A Hunt-Hess score > 2, a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio > 8.0, and early fevers may be predictive of need for multiple endovascular interventions in refractory cerebral vasospasm after aSAH. These patients have poorer functional outcomes at discharge and higher rates of in-hospital complications.

Biomarkers related to hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal stenosis is one of the most common spinal disorders in the elderly. Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (HLF) can contribute to spinal stenosis. The current literature suggests that various biomarkers may play important roles in the pathogenesis of HLF. However, the connection between these biomarkers and the development of HLF is still not well understood. This systematic review aims to explore the current literature on biomarkers related to the development of HLF. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search strategy looked for the titles, abstracts, and keywords of studies that contained a combination of the following phrases: "ligamentum flavum OR yellow ligament," "biomarkers," and "hypertrophy." Recorded data included study design, demographic characteristics (number of patients of each gender and mean age), study period, country where the study was conducted, biomarkers, and diagnostic modalities used. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies. RESULTS: The authors identified 39 studies. After screening, 26 full-text original articles assessing one or more biomarkers related to HLF were included. The included studies were conducted over a 22-year period. The most popular biomarkers studied, in order of frequency reported, were collagen types I and III (n = 10), transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) (n = 8), and interleukin (IL)-6 (n = 6). The authors found that mechanical stretching forces, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) induction, and TGF-ß were associated with increased amounts of collagen I and III. IL-6 expression was increased by microRNA-21, as well as by leptin, through the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers such as TGF-ß, IL-6, and collagen I and III have been consistently correlated with the development of HLF. However, the pathogenesis of HLF remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of the studies, patient populations, and research at the molecular level. Further studies are necessary to better characterize the pathogenesis of HLF and provide a more comprehensive understanding of how these biomarkers may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of HLF.

Comparing posterior cervical foraminotomy with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in radiculopathic patients: an analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between posterior foraminotomy and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients presenting with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: The Quality Outcomes Database was queried for patients who had undergone ACDF or posterior foraminotomy for radiculopathy. To create two highly homogeneous groups, optimal individual matching was performed at a 5:1 ratio between the two groups on 29 baseline variables (including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, patient-reported scores, underlying pathologies, and levels treated). Outcomes of interest were length of stay, reoperations, patient-reported satisfaction, increase in EQ-5D score, and decrease in Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores for arm and neck pain as long as 1 year after surgery. Noninferiority analysis of achieving patient satisfaction and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in PROs was performed with an accepted risk difference of 5%. RESULTS: A total of 7805 eligible patients were identified: 216 of these underwent posterior foraminotomy and were matched to 1080 patients who underwent ACDF. The patients who underwent ACDF had more underlying pathologies, lower EQ-5D scores, and higher NDI and neck pain scores at baseline. Posterior foraminotomy was associated with shorter hospitalization (0.5 vs 0.9 days, p < 0.001). Reoperations within 12 months were significantly more common among the posterior foraminotomy group (4.2% vs 1.9%, p = 0.04). The two groups performed similarly in PROs, with posterior foraminotomy being noninferior to ACDF in achieving MCID in EQ-5D and neck pain scores but also having lower rates of maximal satisfaction at 12 months (North American Spine Society score of 1 achieved by 65.2% posterior foraminotomy patients vs 74.6% of ACDF patients, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The two procedures were found to be offered to different populations, with ACDF being selected for patients with more complicated pathologies and symptoms. After individual matching, posterior foraminotomy was associated with a higher reoperation risk within 1 year after surgery compared to ACDF (4.2% vs 1.9%). In terms of 12-month PROs, posterior foraminotomy was noninferior to ACDF in improving quality of life and neck pain. The two procedures also performed similarly in improving NDI scores and arm pain, but ACDF patients had higher maximal satisfaction rates.

Utilizing pre- and postoperative radiological parameters to predict surgical outcomes following untethering for tethered cord syndrome in a pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) can lead to significant downstream neurological deficits including gait deterioration, incontinence, and often unexplained chronic low-back pain. Surgical intervention may relieve symptoms, but there are no defined radiological parameters associated with surgical outcomes and functional status. The authors aimed to define pre- and postoperative radiological parameters for assessing surgical outcomes in TCS. METHODS: The authors performed a single-center retrospective review of all pediatric patients treated for TCS between 2016 and 2021. Patient baseline characteristics and operative metrics included age, sex, level of conus, level of procedure, tethering pathology, symptoms at presentation, complications, improvement of symptoms, and reoperation rate. MRI measurements included pre- and postoperative anterior canal distance (ACD) and bending angle (BA). RESULTS: Thirty-three pediatric patients were identified who underwent untethering of the spinal cord and had pre- and postoperative MRI between 2016 and 2021. The mean patient age was 5.64 ± 5.33 years. Twenty patients (60.60%) were female. Regarding the site of untethering, 31 procedures (93.93%) were performed at the lumbosacral region and 2 (6.06%) were performed at the thoracolumbar region. The conus medullaris was found above L3 in 21.21% of patients. Postoperatively, 18.18% of patients experienced complications, 48.48% showed improvement in their symptoms, and 48.48% were equivocal or had persistent symptoms. The mean preoperative ACD0 (measured from the posterior vertebral body margin [middle] to the anterior margin of the conus medullaris) was 6.15 ± 3.18 mm, the postoperative ACD0 was 2.25 ± 2.72 mm, and the average change in ACD0 was -0.90 ± 1.31 mm. The mean preoperative BA was 26.00° ± 11.56°, the mean postoperative BA was 15.92° ± 9.81°, and the average change in BA was -10.08° ± 8.80°. An optimal cutoff value for preoperative BA to predict reoperation in pediatric patients with complex TCS undergoing surgery was ≥ 31.70° (area under the curve = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: In surgically treated patients with TCS, certain preoperative radiological parameters may be important in predicting postoperative surgical outcomes; these parameters can be evaluated and reported to indicate patients at high risk for complications. Further prospective multicenter research is warranted to offer robust evidence of association of patient outcomes with preoperative radiological parameters in TCS.

Predictors of favorable outcome following hypoglossal-to-facial nerve anastomosis for facial nerve palsy: a systematic review and patient-level analysis of a literature-based cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Facial nerve palsy is a debilitating condition that can arise from iatrogenic, traumatic, or congenital causes. One treatment to improve function of the facial muscles after facial nerve injury is hypoglossal-to-facial nerve anastomosis (HFA). HFA's efficacy and predictors of its success vary in the literature. Here, the authors present a patient-level analysis of a literature-based cohort to assess outcomes and investigate predictors of success for HFA. METHODS: Seven electronic databases were queried for studies providing baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent HFA. Postoperative outcomes were measured using the House-Brackmann (HB) grading scale. A change in HB grade of 3 points or more was classified as favorable. A cutoff value for time to anastomosis associated with a favorable outcome was determined using the Youden Index. RESULTS: Nineteen articles with 157 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up length was 27.4 months, and the mean time to anastomosis after initial injury was 16 months. The end-to-side and end-to-end anastomosis techniques were performed on 84 and 48 patients, respectively. Of the 130 patients who had available preoperative and postoperative HB data, 60 (46.2%) had a favorable outcome. Time from initial injury to anastomosis was significantly different between patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes (7.3 months vs 29.2 months, respectively; p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff for time to anastomosis to achieve a favorable outcome was 6.5 months (area under the curve 0.75). Patients who underwent anastomosis within 6.5 months of injury were more likely to achieve a favorable outcome (73% vs 31%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HFA is an effective method for restoring facial nerve function. Favorable outcomes for facial nerve palsy may be more likely to occur when time to anastomosis is within a 6.5-month window.

Alginate hydrogels: A potential tissue engineering intervention for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major cause of low back pain and disability, affecting millions of people worldwide. Current treatments for IVD degeneration are limited to invasive surgery or pain management. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of biomaterials, such as alginate hydrogels, for the treatment of IVD degeneration. Alginate hydrogels are an example of such a biomaterial that is biocompatible and can be tailored to mimic the native extracellular matrix of the IVD. Derived from alginate, a naturally derived polysaccharide from brown seaweed that can be transformed into a gelatinous solution, alginate hydrogels are emerging in the field of tissue engineering. They can be used to deliver therapeutic agents, such as growth factors or cells, to the site of injury, providing a localized and sustained release that may enhance treatment outcomes. This paper provides an overview on the use of alginate hydrogels for the treatment of IVD degeneration. We discuss the properties of alginate hydrogels and their potential applications for IVD regeneration, including the mechanism against IVD degeneration. We also highlight the research outcomes to date along with the challenges and limitations of using alginate hydrogels for IVD regeneration, including their mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and surgical compatibility. Overall, this review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research on alginate hydrogels for IVD degeneration and to identify future directions for research in this area.

Predictive Factors of Intraoperative and Early Postoperative Outcome Measures After Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions Based on American Society of Anesthesiologists Score.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a surgical treatment that requires a close operative plane to the great vessels, which increases the risk of perioperative complications. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System as a predictive factor for unfavorable perioperative outcomes in ALIF procedures. We aimed to analyze the ASA score as a predictive factor of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing ALIFs. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed at each center to identify a consecutive set of patients who underwent an ALIF. Univariate and multivariate analyses between patients with preoperative ASA scores of ≤2 and >2 were performed to identify predictive factors that may contribute to adverse intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Among 210 patients identified, 59 (28.1%) had an ASA score >2 and 151 (71.9%) had an ASA score ≤2. On multivariate analysis, an ASA score >2 was predictive of increased 90-day reoperations (P = 0.02), estimated blood loss (EBL) (P = 0.02), and operative time (P = 0.02). Previous lumbar surgery was predictive of increased length of stay (P = 0.005), EBL (P < 0.001), 90-day readmission (P = 0.02), and operative time (P < 0.001). Posterior supplemental fixation was predictive of increased length of stay (P = 0.04). Increased number of operative levels was predictive of increased EBL (P < 0.001) and operative time (P < 0.001). Perioperative anticoagulation use was predictive of increased EBL (P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Increased ASA scores were associated with unfavorable outcomes after ALIF and also can be used as a predictive tool for the risk of reoperations.

Mapping the Landscape of Neurofibromatosis: A Bibliometric Evaluation Highlighting Our Current Understanding, Emerging Therapies, and Global Research Trends.

BACKGROUND: The literature on neurofibromatosis (NF) has never been systematically assessed using bibliometric analytic methodologies. We quantitatively analyzed the major trends and scientific output regarding NF, highlighting potential avenues for research. METHODS: An Elsevier's Scopus database search was performed for all indexed studies related to NF from 1898 to 2021. Validated bibliometric parameters were analyzed using productivity, citation, and keyword analysis, including text mining, content analysis, and collaboration network mapping from inception to date on R 4.1.2. RESULTS: Our search yielded 15,024 documents. Annual scientific production has grown at a compounded rate of 5.86%, with the largest occurring in 2021 (n = 626). Journals with the most publications on NF include the Journal of Medical Genetics (n = 117) and Neurology (n = 113). The topmost cited author was Gutmann DH (n = 295). The United States had the most international collaboration (n = 435; multiple country publications). Identification of citation classics revealed a shift in recent decades towards understanding genetic and molecular pathways of NF tumorigenesis. Macro-level and micro-level text mining revealed the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways, and syndromes, associated with NF. CONCLUSIONS: Our study exemplifies a quantitative method for understanding the historical and current state of academic efforts regarding NF. There has been a shift of treatment strategies towards targeting specific pathways involved in tumorigenesis. We highlight the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways in the literature as well as the top 20 associated syndromes. This data is encouraging as increased research in molecular targeted therapies aimed at NF pathogenesis may allow advances in disease control.

Utilizing Data from Wearable Technologies in the Era of Telemedicine to Assess Patient Function and Outcomes in Neurosurgery: Systematic Review and Time-Trend Analysis of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has driven the increased use of telemedicine and the adoption of wearable technology in neurosurgery. We reviewed studies exploring the use of wearables on neurosurgical patients and analyzed wearables' scientific production trends. METHODS: The review encompassed PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Bibliometric analysis was performed using citation data of the included studies through Elsevier's Scopus database. Linear regression was utilized to understand scientific production trends. All analyses were performed on R 4.1.2. RESULTS: We identified 979 studies. After screening, 49 studies were included. Most studies evaluated wearable technology use for patients with spinal pathology (n = 31). The studies were published over a 24-year period (1998-2021). Forty-seven studies involved wearable device use relevant to telemedicine. Bibliometric analysis revealed a compounded annual growth rate of 7.3%, adjusted for inflation, in annual scientific production from 1998 to 2021 (coefficient=1.3; 95% Confidence Interval = [0.7, 1.9], P < 0.01). Scientific production steadily increased in 2014 (n = 1) and peaked from 2019 (n = 8) to 2021 (n = 13) in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Publications spanned 34 journals, averaged 24.4 citations per article, 3.0 citations per year per article, and 8.3 authors per article. CONCLUSION: Wearables can provide clinicians with objective measurements to determine patient function and quality of life. The rise in articles related to wearables in neurosurgery demonstrates the increased adoption of wearable devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearable devices appear to be a key component in this era of telemedicine and their positive utility and practicality are increasingly being realized in neurosurgery.

The Impact of Major Military War Campaigns on Neurosurgery: Informetric Data and Time-Trend Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given the neurotrauma that soldiers might face during wars, a byproduct of such devastating neurosurgical conditions can be novel data, which can act as a catalyst for potentially paradigm-shifting research. We aimed to identify the impact of major U.S. military campaigns on military neurosurgery literature across defined time periods. METHODS: A comprehensive Elsevier's Scopus database search was performed to capture all published and indexed studies from 1915 to 2021 relevant to military neurosurgery. A discrete set of validated informetric metadata parameters were extracted and analyzed using productivity analysis, citation analysis, keyword analysis, text mining, content analysis, and collaboration network mapping. RESULTS: Our search yielded 2216 documents. Annual scientific production since 1915 grew at a compounded rate of 6.1% per year, with the most significant increases during U.S. military campaigns (coefficient = 42.9, P < 0.001) and following the introduction of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry in 2007 (coefficient = 114.5; P < 0.001). Each war had a direct influence on military neurosurgery literature growth (P < 0.05), with the most prominent following the Afghanistan war. The journals with the most publications on military neurosurgery were Military Medicine (n = 168) and Journal of Head Trauma. The topmost cited author was Hoge et al. (N = 2083), while the topmost cited country was the United States (N = 1098). CONCLUSIONS: Since World War II, the military has contributed significant historical developments to neurosurgery, the most prominent being after the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the introduction of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry.

Factors associated with increased inpatient charges following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with vasospasm: A nationwide analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasospasm, following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), can have high-cost implications for inflicted individuals and their families. To our knowledge, factors associated with high inpatient charges have not been explored. We aimed to address this gap. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried between 2016 and 2018 to identify patients with vasospasm following aSAH. Patients in the upper quartile of charges were identified and analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses for significant contributing variables. RESULTS: We identified 1861 patients with aSAH complicated by vasospasm. Multivariate analysis revealed ten statistically significant variables as independent risk factors in association with higher charges. Patients were more likely to be in the upper quartile of charge when younger (OR 0.99 [0.99-0.98]; p < 0.01), a never smoker (OR 1.38 [1.04-1.83]; p < 0.05), concurrent congestive heart failure (OR 1.63 [1.05-2.54]; p < 0.05), requiring VP shunt placement (OR 2.29 [1.68-3.14]; p < 0.001) or tracheostomy (OR 3.05 [2.22-4.18]; p < 0.001), on mechanical ventilation (OR 1.90 [1.40-2.58]; p < 0.001), paralysis (OR 1.34 [1.04-1.74]; p < 0.05) or neurological deficit (OR 1.59 [1.24-2.03]; p < 0.001) as a complication, and being Hispanic (OR 1.89 [1.36-2.64]; p < 0.001) or "other" (OR 1.76 [1.08-2.88]; p < 0.05) for race. CONCLUSION: Our study elucidates several factors, from certain demographics and requiring adjunctive mechanical support to several procedures, that may contribute to the high-cost implications faced by aSAH patients suffering vasospasm. While many of these factors may not be unexpected, further research is warranted to help elucidate controllable factors and develop trials to identify early interventions to reduce the financial burden on such patients.

A Comprehensive Overview of Pediatric Neoplasms at the Craniocervical Junction: Meningiomas, Schwannomas, and Chordomas.

Tumors of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) are complicated pathologies with high patient mortality or low quality of life. In the pediatric population, these tumors are less prevalent, with various symptomatic presentations that include motor and neurological manifestations. Three of the most common neoplasms at the CCJ in children are meningiomas, schwannomas, and chordomas. In this review, we will characterize the tissue biomarkers, clinical presentation, treatment methods, and surgical outcomes for these pediatric tumors at the CCJ. A comprehensive literature review was used using the PubMed Database. Keywords used were "craniocervical junction", "pediatric", "meningiomas", schwannomas", and "meningiomas". Articles that were not related to the CCJ, included only adult cases, and non-English studies were filtered. Our search yielded a total of 11 studies, with a total of 239 pediatric patients with tumors at the CCJ. These studies were broken down as five for meningiomas, one for schwannomas, and eight for chordomas. In conclusion, resection of pediatric neoplasms at the CCJ is challenging due to anatomical limitations and the size of the patient. Within the CCJ, chordomas were the most prevalent tumor type, with schwannomas being the least prevalent. Literature findings indicate that genetic mutations of the NF2 gene associated with neurofibromatosis type II, as well as incomplete tumor resection, are predictors of poor outcomes. Further developments of monoclonal antibody chemotherapy and endoscopic approaches could expand treatment options for aggressive pediatric neoplasms at the skull base.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion: single institutional review of complications and associated variables.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: As more patients undergo anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures and more devices are created for that purpose, it is important to understand the complications that can arise and the variables that mitigate risk for major and minor complications. PURPOSE: To assess complication rates after ALIF with or without posterior instrumentation and variables associated with increased likelihood of postoperative complications. We aim to provide this data as benchmarking to improve patient safety and surgical care. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: All adult patients who underwent ALIF between 2017 and 2019 was performed OUTCOME MEASURES: Post-operative major and minor complications were evaluated. METHODS: Complications were recorded and presented as percentages. Patient demographics, perioperative, and postoperative data were also collected and analyzed between patients who had no complications and those that had any complication. Subgroup analysis of surgical complications were performed by nonparametric Chi-square tests. Continuous variables were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Ninty-five of three hundred sixty-two (26.2%) of patients experienced a minor or major complication. Among the most common complications found were surgical site infections (5.8%), neurological complications (4.1%), vascular complications (3.6%), and urinary tract infections (3.3%). Patients undergoing ALIF alone with post-operative complications had higher mean age, higher BMI, higher ASA status, and experienced higher estimated blood loss. Patients undergoing ALIF and posterior instrumentation with post-operative complications were more likely to have diabetes and had a higher ASA status. Patients with any complications from both groups had longer length of stay, discharge to a non-home setting and were more likely to be readmitted or return to the operating room. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals variables associated with complications at our institution, including age of the patient, BMI, and ASA status leading to higher complications and greater LOS, higher readmission rates, and disposition to skilled facilities.

Comparison of surgical interventions for the treatment of early-onset scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Several growth-preserving surgical techniques are employed in the management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). The authors' objective was to compare the use of traditional growing rods (TGRs), magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs), Shilla growth guidance techniques, and vertically expanding prosthetic titanium ribs (VEPTRs) for the management of EOS. METHODS: A systematic review of electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane, was performed. Outcomes of interest included correction of Cobb angle, T1-S1 distance, and complication rate, including alignment, hardware failure and infection, and planned and unplanned reoperation rates. The percent changes and 95% CIs were pooled across studies using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 67 studies were identified, which included 2021 patients. Of these, 1169 (57.8%) patients underwent operations with TGR, 178 (8.8%) Shilla growth guidance system, 448 (22.2%) MCGR, and 226 (11.1%) VEPTR system. The mean ± SD age of the cohort was 6.9 ± 1.2 years. The authors found that the Shilla technique provided the most significant improvement in coronal Cobb angle immediately after surgery (mean [95% CI] 64.3% [61.4%-67.2%]), whereas VEPTR (27.6% [22.7%-33.6%]) performed significantly worse. VEPTR also performed significantly worse than the other techniques at final follow-up. The techniques also provided comparable gains in T1-S1 height immediately postoperatively (mean [95% CI] 10.7% [8.4%-13.0%]); however, TGR performed better at final follow-up (21.4% [18.7%-24.1%]). Complications were not significantly different among the patients who underwent the Shilla, TGR, MCGR, and VEPTR techniques, except for the rate of infections. The TGR technique had the lowest rate of unplanned reoperations (mean [95% CI] 15% [10%-23%] vs 24% [19%-29%]) but the highest number of planned reoperations per patient (5.31 [4.83-5.82]). The overall certainty was also low, with a high risk of bias across studies. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggested that the Shilla technique was associated with a greater early coronal Cobb angle correction, whereas use of VEPTR was associated with a lower correction rate at any time point. TGR offered the most significant height gain at final follow-up. The complication rates were comparable across all surgical techniques. The optimal surgical approach should be tailored to individual patients, taking into consideration the strengths and limitations of each option.

Rescue therapy with novel waveform spinal cord stimulation for patients with failed back surgery syndrome refractory to conventional stimulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) have demonstrated efficacy in individuals with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). However, a subgroup of patients may become refractory to the effects of conventional waveforms over time. The objective of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the current literature on the use of novel waveform spinal cord stimulation for the management of FBSS refractory to conventional SCSs. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search of the literature published in electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE and Epub Ahead of Print, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus, was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The outcomes of interest were reduction in back pain and/or leg pain after conversion from conventional to novel SCSs. Risk of bias was assessed with the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. The strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) criteria. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies with 137 patients with FBSS were identified. Studies were published between 2013 and 2021. The mean ± SD age of the pooled patient sample was 55 ± 10.5 years. All patients who underwent treatment with conventional SCSs were identified. Two studies evaluated the efficacy of high-density spinal cord stimulation, 3 studies evaluated burst spinal cord stimulation, and 1 study assessed multimodal waveforms. The mean difference in back pain scores after conversion from a standard SCS to a novel waveform SCS was 2.55 (95% CI 1.59-4.08), demonstrating a significant reduction in back pain after conversion to novel stimulation. The authors also performed a subgroup analysis to compare burst stimulation to tonic waveforms. In this analysis, the authors found no significant difference in the average reductions in back pain between the 2 groups (p = 0.534).The authors found an I2 statistic equivalent to 98.47% in the meta-regression model used to assess the effect of follow-up duration on study outcome; this value implied that the variability in the data can be attributed to the remaining between-study heterogeneity. The overall certainty was moderate, with a high risk of bias across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Rescue therapy with novel waveform spinal cord stimulation is a potential option for pain reduction in patients who become refractory to conventional SCSs. Conversion to novel waveform SCSs may potentially mitigate expenses and complications.

Transradial versus Transfemoral Approaches in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroendovascular Interventions: A Meta-Analysis of Current Literature.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of the transradial approach (TRA) has been increasing in popularity as a primary method to conduct both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. As this technique gains broader acceptance and use within the neuroendovascular community, comparing its complication profile with a better-established alternative technique, the transfemoral approach (TFA), becomes more important. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of TRA compared with TFA in patients undergoing diagnostic, therapeutic, and combined neuroendovascular procedures. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A literature search of PubMed and other databases was conducted for studies from all available dates. To compare TRA and TFA, we performed an indirect meta-analysis between studies that mentioned the complications of the procedures. RESULTS: Our search yielded 532 studies, of which 108 met full inclusion criteria. A total of 54,083 patients (9137 undergoing TRA and 44,946 undergoing TFA) were included. Access site complication rate was lower in TRA (1.62%) compared with TFA (3.31%) (P < 0.01). Neurological complication rate was lower in TRA (1.64%) compared with TFA (3.82%) (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Vascular spasm rate was higher in TRA (3.65%) compared with TFA (0.88%) (P < 0.01). Wound infection complication rate was higher in TRA (0.32%) compared with TFA (0.2%) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TFA are significantly more likely to experience access site complications and neurological complications compared with patients undergoing TRA. Patients undergoing TRA are more likely to experience complications such as wound infections and vascular spasm.

The Virtual Vision of Neurosurgery: How Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are Transforming the Neurosurgical Operating Room.

BACKGROUND: In this era of imagination and technological innovation, mixed reality systems such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are contributing to a wide array of neurosurgical care, from the betterment of surgical planning and surgical comfort to novel treatments and improved resident education. These systems can augment procedures that require high-level dexterity such as minimally invasive surgery and tumor excisions, as well as peripheral and neurovascular surgery. We define and compare the technological features, indications, and characterized outcomes of VR and AR systems in the context of neurosurgery through a review of the literature to date. Moreover, this review discusses the limitations of VR and AR and includes an overview of the cost-effectiveness of each of these systems. METHODS: An extensive review of the literature on AR and VR was performed using PubMed, OVID Medline, and Embase from January 1, 2006 to April 2, 2022. Terms used for the search included AR, spinal surgery, VR, and neurosurgery. RESULTS: The search yielded full-text English language-related articles regarding VR and AR application, limitations, and functional outcomes in neurosurgery. An initial set of 121 studies were screened and reviewed for content. Thirteen studies were included, which involved 162 patients, 550 screw placements, 58 phantom spines, and learning points from simulation training of 276 involved residents. CONCLUSIONS: This literature review examines recent research into VR and AR applications in neurosurgical care. The literature establishes that there are technological features, indications, outcomes, limitations, and cost-effectiveness differences between these systems. Based on ongoing and evolving applications of the VR and AR systems, the innovative potential that they make available to the future of neurosurgical patient care makes clear the need for further studies to understand the nuances between their differing technological advances.