The prevalence of imposter syndrome among young neurosurgeons and residents in neurosurgery: a multicentric study.

OBJECTIVE: Imposter syndrome (IS) occurs when high-achieving individuals have a pervasive sense of self-doubt combined with fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite objective measures of success. This is one of the main causes of burnout among professionals, threatening their mental health and general well-being. The prevalence and severity of IS among neurosurgery residents and young neurosurgeons has not been yet studied. The primary outcomes of this study were the prevalence and severity of IS. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey including both a demographic questionnaire (Clance Imposter Phenomenon Survey) and compensatory mechanisms was distributed to young neurosurgeons and residents in neurosurgery in Italy. RESULTS: A total of 103 responses were collected. The prevalence rate was 81.6%. Among the respondents with IS, 42.7% showed moderate signs, 27.2% frequent, and only 11.7% had an intense symptomatology. Level of education, female sex, and academic achievements were all identified as predictive factors of IS. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 81.6% of respondents reported potentially significant levels. The implications of IS on both the outcomes in patients and the well-being of neurosurgeons should be evaluated in future studies.

Aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage during the COVID-19 outbreak in a Hub and Spoke system: observational multicenter cohort study in Lombardy, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Lombardy was the most affected Italian region by the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and underwent urgent reorganization for the management of emergencies, including subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (aSAH). The aim of the study was to define demographics, clinical, and therapeutic features of aSAH during the COVID-19 outbreak and compare these with a historical cohort. METHODS: In this observational multicenter cohort study, patients aged 18 years or older, who were diagnosed with aSAH at the participating centers in Lombardy from March 9 to May 10, 2020, were included (COVID-19 group). In order to minimize bias related to possible SAH seasonality, the control group was composed of patients diagnosed with aSAH from March 9 to May 10 of the three previous years, 2017-2018-2019 (pre-pandemic group). Twenty-three demographic, clinical, and therapeutic features were collected. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients during the COVID-19 period and 179 in the control group were enrolled at 14 centers. Only 4 patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The "diagnostic delay" was significantly increased (+ 68%) in the COVID-19 group vs. pre-pandemic (1.06 vs. 0.63 days, respectively, p-value = 0.030), while "therapeutic delay" did not differ significantly between the two periods (0.89 vs. 0.74 days, p-value = 0.183). Patients with poor outcome (GOS at discharge from 1 to 3) were higher during the COVID-19 period (54.2%) compared to pre-pandemic (40.2%, p = 0.044). In logistic regression analysis, in which outcome was the dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), five variables showed p-values < 0.05: age at admission, WFNS grade, treatment (none), days in ICU, and ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: We documented a significantly increased "diagnostic delay" for subarachnoid hemorrhages during the first COVID-19 outbreak in Lombardy. However, despite the dramatic situation that the healthcare system was experiencing, the Lombardy regional reorganization model, which allowed centralization of neurosurgical emergencies such as SAHs, avoided a "therapeutic delay" and led to results overall comparable to the control period.

Management of sellar and parasellar tumors becoming symptomatic during pregnancy: a practical algorithm based on multi-center experience and systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Sellar/parasellar tumors (SPTs) very rarely become symptomatic during pregnancy. No specific guidelines exist for their management, that is extremely challenging as mother and fetus health can be jeopardized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients with SPTs becoming symptomatic during pregnancy treated at two Italian referral Centers were retrospectively collected. Systematic literature review was also performed. RESULTS: Our series consisted of 6 cases, 3 meningiomas, 1 ACTH-secreting adenoma, 1 pituicytoma and 1 craniopharyngioma. Mean age at presentation was 33.6 ± 6.0 years. Five patients complained of visual disturbances, associated with headache in one case, that occurred between gestation week (GW) 22 and 34. In 5 cases, pregnancy was uneventful with the delivery of a healthy baby between GW 33 and 35, followed by endoscopic surgical tumor exeresis (n = 4) or proton bean therapy (n = 1). Another patient presented with stigmata typical of Cushing's syndrome and rapidly worsening pre-eclampsia, that required pregnancy interruption and adenomectomy. Based on personal and literature cases, a practical algorithm was proposed to help clinicians dealing with these patients. CONCLUSIONS: SPTs becoming symptomatic in pregnancy deserve careful monitoring and multidisciplinary management. Overall, wait-and-see approach is suggested, reserving surgery to patients with rapidly progressive/life-threatening situations, significant risk of permanent neurological impairment or malignant lesions.

Acute alcohol intoxication as a confounding factor for mild traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute alcohol intoxication is universally considered a risk factor for traumatic brain injury (TBI), therefore an indication for head CT scan. There is no evidence in the literature for this attitude. Aim of this study is to assess the need for head CT scan in acutely alcohol-intoxicated subjects with mTBI and the role of Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score in this kind of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all 3358 consecutive patients presenting to our department in Switzerland, with TBI as chief complaint between January 2014 and January 2018. RESULTS: Alcohol was a statistically significant factor for presentation with a GCS score lower than 15. As for bleedings in mild TBI patients, the results were somewhat contradictory with GCS 15 patients showing a higher percentage of hemorrhages than GCS 14 patients. By dividing alcohol-intoxicated subjects into groups per blood alcohol concentration, the higher was the alcohol level, the lower the GCS score. CONCLUSIONS: We can affirm that GCS score is underestimated in acutely intoxicated head trauma patients. In this kind of patient, alcohol is a confounding factor and mild TBI could be safely managed by watchful waiting.

Custom-made trabecular titanium implants for the treatment of lumbar degenerative discopathy via ALIF/XLIF techniques: rationale for use and preliminary results.

PURPOSE: Related to the development and diffusion of ALIF and XLIF, it is possible to correct sagittal malalignment in selected cases of lumbar degenerative discopathy with a relatively low invasiveness. Still, the malposition or the inappropriate size of the implanted cages may lead to the subsidence of the vertebral endplates with loss of correction as well as a decrease in the potential to restore spinal biomechanics in the long run. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety, feasibility, and preliminary clinical and radiological results when using custom-made, trabecular titanium cages in ALIF and XLIF procedures. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 18 consecutive patients who underwent either an ALIF or an XLIF procedure with the implant of a custom-made, trabecular titanium cage for lumbar degenerative disease with sagittal imbalance, with a minimum of 1-year clinical and radiological follow-up. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 14 months, the Oswestry score dropped to a mean of 13 from a preoperative value of 48 (p < 0.0001). Lumbar lordosis was significantly improved, especially in the lower lumbar segment L4-S1 (+ 11 ± 7°; p < 0.0001). No cases of subsidence were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Custom-made, trabecular titanium cages allowed a segmental, steady, durable sagittal correction via ALIF and XLIF approaches. The absence of cage subsidence at 1 year encourages further studies on a larger cohort with longer follow-up. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Anxiety in neurosurgical patients undergoing nonurgent surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries into lockdown and has led to the postponement of nonurgent neurosurgical procedures. Although stress has been investigated during this pandemic, there are no reports on anxiety in neurosurgical patients undergoing nonurgent surgical procedures. METHODS: Neurosurgical patients admitted to hospitals in eastern Lombardy for nonurgent surgery after the lockdown prospectively completed a pre- and postoperative structured questionnaire. Recorded data included demographics, pathology, time on surgical waiting list, anxiety related to COVID-19, primary pathology and surgery, safety perception during hospital admission before and after surgery, and surgical outcomes. Anxiety was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Descriptive statistics were computed on the different variables and data were stratified according to pathology (oncological vs nononcological). Three different models were used to investigate which variables had the greatest impact on anxiety, oncological patients, and safety perception, respectively. Because the variables (Xs) were of a different nature (qualitative and quantitative), mostly asymmetrical, and related to outcome (Y) by nonlinear relationships, a machine learning approach composed of three steps (1, random forest growing; 2, relative variable importance measure; and 3, partial dependence plots) was chosen. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients from 10 different hospitals were included in the study. None of the patients developed COVID-19 after surgery. State and trait anxiety were reported by 30.3% and 18.9% of patients, respectively. Higher values of state anxiety were documented in oncological compared to nononcological patients (46.7% vs 25%; p = 0.055). Anxiety was strongly associated with worry about primary pathology, surgery, disease worsening, and with stress during waiting time, as expected. Worry about positivity to SARS-CoV-2, however, was the strongest factor associated with anxiety, even though none of the patients were infected. Neuro-oncological disease was associated with state anxiety and with worry about surgery and COVID-19. Increased bed distance and availability of hand sanitizer were associated with a feeling of safety. CONCLUSIONS: These data underline the importance of psychological support, especially for neuro-oncological patients, during a pandemic.

COVID-19 and neurosurgical training and education: an Italian perspective.

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has an impact also on neurosurgical training and education, especially in most affected countries. We surveyed Italian neurosurgical residents, asking them to provide a brief description and analyze the situation they are experiencing and how the educational system reacted to the pandemic in one of the most affected countries all over the world. METHODS: An 18-question, web-based survey was administered to Italian neurosurgical residents from May 3 to May 11, 2020, by web-link or e-mail invitation. Closed-ended, multiple choice questions were focused on the experience of neurosurgical residents in the last 2 months (from March to May 2020) concerning both clinical and educational aspects. RESULTS: Among 331 Italian neurosurgical residents invited to participate, 192 responded to the survey (58%). According to the participants' responses, in the whole country, only 29.7% of residents were directly involved in the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. Time spent in the clinic and surgical activity was significantly reduced in most of the cases. Educational activities as well as scientific activity and time spent for studying, on the other hand, were reported to be significantly increased by the majority of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Most Italian neurosurgical residents reported significant changes on both training and education, highlighting a prompt reaction of the educational system in the whole country, regardless the local and regional diffusion of the pandemic.

Endoscopic transorbital surgery for spheno-orbital lesions: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic transorbital approach has been recently proposed for the surgical management of spheno-orbital lesions as an alternative to craniotomy surgeries. METHOD: We analyze the technical nuances and what we have changed as our experience increased after the first operations performed for 12 different spheno-orbital lesions. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic transorbital approach is useful for the treatment of selected spheno-orbital lesions and could represent an interesting option in experienced hands. More studies are needed to fully understand its potentialities and limitations.

Thoraco-lumbar selective fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Lenke C modifier curves: clinical and radiographic analysis at 10-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To examine the radiological and clinical outcomes of a single-center case series of selective thoracic fusions (STF) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Lenke C modifier curves, with a long-term follow-up. METHODS: We evaluated at 6 months and 10 years different radiological parameters on both thoracic and lumbar districts: coronal curves, sagittal curves, apical vertebral translation (AVT), and apical vertebral rotation (AVR). The clinical outcome was determined using the SRS 22 score. Data were also analyzed dividing the patients by their Risser and Lenke scores. RESULTS: In examining 90 patients we reported a radiological benefit from STF on both thoracic and lumbar districts. The corrections in the values of both coronal curves, AVT, and AVR are relevant at 6 months and do not significantly vary at the latest follow-up. Sagittal curves are not relevantly affected at any time point. All the SRS 22 score evaluations showed significant improvement at 6 months, in particular, the self-image analysis. A further improvement was also reported at 10 years, in particular in pain and function scores. At no time point were significant differences retrieved by comparing SRS 22 results as divided by Risser or Lenke grading systems. CONCLUSIONS: STF is an effective treatment option both in clinical and radiographical terms. The results at 10-year follow-up confirm both the stability of the correction and the improvement of the clinical outcome scores. Risser and Lenke grading systems are not relevant variables predictive of clinical efficacy.

Chordoid glioma: a rare radiologically, histologically, and clinically mystifying lesion.

Chordoid glioma (CG) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm (WHO grade II) of uncertain origin whose typical localization is in the anterior part of the third ventricle. Its clinical, radiological, and histological features may vary and furthermore mimic other kind of benign lesions usually associated with a better outcome. We report a case of a 43-year-old female who underwent gross total removal of a lesion of the third ventricle causing hydrocephalus. The imaging studies and the intraoperative examination led at first to a hypothesis of meningioma. Early surgical and neurological outcomes were good. The patient underwent multiple complications related to hypothalamic dysfunctions and thrombohemorragic issues and eventually died because of systemic infections. Definitive examination was of chordoid glioma of the third ventricle. Reviewing literature, we evaluated possible pitfalls in radiological and histological diagnosis as well as in surgical and medical treatment of CGs. Despite their benign presentation, a high incidence of multiple possible severe complications is reported. Early alertness and combined treatment strategies could improve overall CGs treatment strategies.

Interscapular Pain after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Does Zygapophyseal Joints over Distraction Play a Role?

Introduction: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical disc herniation (CDH) is commonly performed. Specific post-operative complications include dysphagia, dysphonia, cervicalgia, adjacent segment disorder, cage subsidence, and infections. However, interscapular pain is commonly reported by these patients after surgery, although its mechanisms have not been clarified yet. Methods: This retrospective series of 31 patients undergoing ACDF for CDH at a single Academic Hospital. Baseline and post-operative clinical, radiological, and surgical data were analyzed. The linear regression analysis was conducted to identify any factor independently influencing the incidence rate of post-operative interscapular pain. Results: The mean age was 57.6 ± 10.8 years, and the M:F ratio was 2.1. Pre-operative mean VAS-arm was 7.15 ± 0.81 among the 20 patients reporting brachialgia, and mean VAS-neck was 4.36 ± 1.43 among those 9 patients reporting cervicalgia. At 1 month, interscapular pain was still reported by 8 out of the 17 patients who experienced it post-operatively, and it was recovered in all patients after 2 months. The regression analysis showed that interscapular pain was not directly associated with age (p = 0.74), gender (p = 0.46), smoking status (p = 0.44), diabetes (0.42), pre-operative brachialgia (p = 0.21) or cervicalgia (p = 0.48), symptoms duration (p = 0.13), baseline VAS-arm (p = 0.11), VAS-neck (p = 0.93), or mJOA (p = 0.63) scores, or disc height modification (p = 0.90). However, the post-operative increase in the mean zygapophyseal joint rim distance was identified as an independent factor in determining interscapular pain (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the onset of interscapular pain following ACDF may be determined by over distraction of the zygapophyseal joint rim. Then, proper sizing of prosthetic implants could reduce this painful complication.

Is Advanced Age a Factor That Influences the Clinical Outcome of Single- or Double-Level MIS-TLIF? A Single-Center Study with a Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up on 103 Consecutive Cases.

As life expectancy rises, more elderly people undergo spinal fusion surgery to treat lumbar degenerative diseases. The MIS-TLIF technique, which minimizes soft tissue manipulation, is a promising fusion technique for frailer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate if older age is a significant factor in the clinical outcome of single- or double-level MIS-TLIF. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 consecutive patients. Data were compared between younger (<65 y.o.) and older (≥65 y.o.) patients. We observed no significant differences between baseline characteristics of the two groups apart from the frequency of disk space treated, with a relative predominance of L3-L4 space treated in the elderly (10% vs. 28%, p = 0.01) and L5-S1 space in younger patients (36% vs. 5%, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in complication rate, surgical satisfaction, EQ 5D-5L, or Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) global or specific scores, with the exception of the EQ 5D-5L "mobility" score, where older patients fared worse (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 2.3 ± 1.4; p = 0.05). The minimal invasiveness of the surgical technique, age-related specific outcome expectations, and biomechanical issues are all potential factors influencing the lack of age group differences in outcome scores.

Evaluation of endocrinological sequelae following particle therapy performed on anterior skull base lesions in the adult population.

Background: Radiotherapy has increasingly assumed a central role in the multidisciplinary treatment of skull base lesions. Unfortunately, it is often burdened by relevant radio-induced damage to the pituitary function and the surrounding structures and systems. Patients who were treated with radiotherapy around the sellar region especially have a high risk of developing radio-induced hypopituitarism. Particle therapy has the potential advantage of delivering a higher radiation dose to the target while potentially sparing the sellar region and pituitary function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pituitary function in adult patients who have undergone hadron therapy for anterior skull base lesions involving or surrounding the pituitary gland. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, and noncontrolled study. We evaluated pituitary and peripheral hormone levels in all patients referring to National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia, Italy for anterior skull base tumors. Furthermore, we performed a magnetic resonance imaging for every follow-up to evaluate potential tumoral growth. Results: We evaluated 32 patients with different tumoral lesions with a mean follow-up of 27.9 months. The mean hadron therapy (HT) dose was 60 ± 14 Gray, with a mean dose per fraction of 2.3 ± 2.1 Gray. Six patients were treated with carbon ions and 26 with protons. Pituitary hormone alteration of some kind was reported for six patients. No patient experienced unexpected severe adverse events related to particle therapy. Conclusion: Particle radiotherapy performed on anterior skull base lesions has proved to cause limited damage to pituitary function in the adult population.

Ultra-Early Treatment of Neurosurgical Emergencies with Endoscopic Endonasal Approach: Experience from Three Italian Referral Centers.

PURPOSE: the aim of this multicenter study is to preliminarily assess the role of the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA) in ultra-early (i.e., within 12 h) management of selected neurosurgical emergencies in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes. METHODS: 26 patients affected by sellar/parasellar pathologies with rapid progression of symptoms were managed with EEA within 12 h from diagnosis in three Italian tertiary referral Centers from January 2016 to December 2019. Both clinical and radiological data have been collected preoperatively as well as post-operatively in order to perform retrospective analysis. RESULTS: The average time from admission to the operating room was 5.5 h (±2.3). The extent of resection was gross-total in 20 (76.9%), subtotal in 6 (23.1%) patients. One patient experienced re-bleeding after a subtotal removal of a hemorrhagic lesion. Patients with a longer time from admission (>4 h) to the operatory room (OR) experienced stable impairment of the visual acuity (p = 0.033) and visual field (p = 0.029) in the post-operative setting. CONCLUSIONS: The Endoscopic Endonasal Approach represents a safe, effective technique that can be efficiently used with good results in the management of selected neurosurgical emergencies in centers with adequate experience.

Towards a common language in neurosurgical outcome evaluation: the NEON (NEurosurgical Outcome Network) proposal.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to achieve a consensus on the minimum set of outcome measures and predictors to be used in the neurosurgical practice and on the timing of outcome assessment. METHODS: A consensus building approach was employed. All neurosurgical departments in Lombardy (Italy) were invited to participate by the Carlo Besta Neurologic Institute IRCCS Foundation. Three workshops were organized during which a multidisciplinary group called Neurosurgical Outcome Network (NEON) was created and the methodology to select outcome measures, predictors, and timing of outcome assessment was established. Eight working groups were created for the different neurosurgical diseases (neuro-oncological, skull base, vascular, traumatic, spinal, peripheral nervous system, malformation, functional) and 8 workshops were organized to identify the outcome measures and predictors specific for each of the neurosurgical diseases based on the experts' clinical practice and the existing literature. RESULTS: A total of 20 neurosurgical departments participated in this study. Specific outcome measures, predictors and the timing of outcome assessment were identified for each of the 8 neurosurgical diseases. Moreover, a list of variables common to all pathologies were identified by the NEON group as further data to be collected. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus on the minimum set of outcome measures and predictors and the timing of outcome assessments for 8 neurosurgical diseases was achieved by a group of neurosurgeons of the Lombardy region, called NEON. These sets could be used in future studies for a more homogeneous data collection and as a starting point to reach further agreement also at national and international level.

Neuroembolization may expose patients to radiation doses previously linked to tumor induction.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies indicate a link between low-dose irradiation (<10,000 mGy) to the head and the local occurrence of tumors after decades of delay. Comparable radiation doses can be reached during neuro-endovascular procedures (NEP), but the incidence of similar exposures has not been completely delineated. We compared the levels of radiation to the head measured during NEP to those reported for patients developing radiation-induced cancers. METHODS: In our prospective study we determined the cumulative maximum entrance skin doses (MESD) and the incidence of epilation in 107 consecutive patients submitted to NEP between 2003 and 2007. We also extensively searched the literature and compared our results with the data we found. RESULTS: The cumulative MESD due to NEP was above 3,000 mGy (range 3,101-5,421 mGy) in 18 patients. In 22 we observed partial epilation within 10 weeks from the initial NEP. Sixty cases of epilation after NEP have been previously reported in the literature. The average of the reported MESD was 4,241 mGy (range 2,000-6,640 mGy). CONCLUSION: Physical dosimetry and the incidence of partial epilation indicate that about one fifth of the patients submitted to NEP received radiation doses comparable to those linked to the occurrence of tumors. The potential risks of developing tumors after a long delay, when compared to the immediate benefits of endovascular treatment of aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain, do not counterindicate NEP, but increased awareness of the risk should help physicians and patients to make a fully informed decision when other treatments are available.

Young Neurosurgeons and Technology: Survey of Young Neurosurgeons Section of Italian Society of Neurosurgery (Società Italiana di Neurochirurgia, SINch).

BACKGROUND: Technological advancement in neurosurgery is a continuous process aimed at improving existing devices and implementing innovative ones. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)-derived technologies (i.e., machine learning and virtual or augmented reality) have been entering this field, promising to significantly change its future. The acquisition of technological skills should be a goal of training for young neurosurgeons. The aim of this study is the analysis of competence and attitude toward intraoperative devices of young neurosurgeons. METHODS: An online electronic survey was sent to 256 members of the Young Neurosurgeons Section of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (Società Italiana di Neurochirurgia, SINch), inquiring about their competences and attitude toward surgical technologies and AI-derived devices. RESULTS: A total of 152 neurosurgeons participated in the survey. Most participants reported sufficient skills in autonomously setting up and using the optic neuronavigator (93.4% and 92.1%, respectively), advanced microscope (80.3% and 76.3%), magnetic neuronavigator (75% and 72.4%), ultrasonography (63.2% and 60.5%) and high-definition endoscope (55.3% and 46%). Most (92.1%) considered operative devices useful and 89.5% reported a high motivation to acquire technological skills. AI-derived devices have already been used by 56.6% of participants but only 31.6% received proper dedicated training. CONCLUSIONS: Italian young neurosurgeons have acquired technical skills sufficient for the autonomous use of the most common operative devices, reporting a positive attitude toward technology with high motivation to learn and awareness of their potential harmfulness. A promising number of participants had already used AI-derived technologies, although only a few had received focused training for these devices.