Customized cost-effective polymethylmethacrylate cranioplasty: a cosmetic comparison with other low-cost methods of cranioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hand-moulded cranioplasty and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) prostheses made from bone impressions are economical but the cosmetic results are less than satisfactory. Commercially available customized prostheses perform better but are prohibitively expensive. We evaluate the performance of a locally developed, low-cost customized PMMA cranioplasty prosthesis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cosmetic outcome of 3 types of PMMA cranioplasty as well as with objective measurements on postoperative CT scans METHODS: This study includes 70 patients who underwent cranioplasty between March 2016 and June 2020. In this period, patients had their cranioplasty prostheses made by intra-operative hand moulding (HM), by using the removed bone as a template and making a bone impression (BI) or by 3D printing the prosthesis based on a CT scan. Cosmetic outcomes were assessed by the patient and the operating surgeon on an 8-point scale. The degree of measured anthropometric asymmetry was measured on a postoperative CT scan and correlated with the cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: Our locally produced 3D-printed cranioplasty prostheses showed a statistically better performance in cosmetic scores when compared to the HM and BI (p value < 0.001). CT anthropometric measurements significantly correlated with cosmetic outcome (p value 0.01) CONCLUSION: Our 3D cranioplasty prostheses had better cosmetic outcomes than HM and BI prostheses, and our technique is able to produce them at 10% of the cost of the currently available commercial customized prostheses.

Outcomes of Unilateral Pallidotomy in Focal and Hemidystonia Cases: A Single-Blind Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of dystonia has been widely documented. However, there is limited literature on the outcome of lesioning surgery in unilateral dystonia. OBJECTIVE: We restrospectively reviewed our cases of focal and hemidystonia undergoing unilateral Pallidotomy at our institute to evaluate the short-term and long-term outcome. METHODS: Patients who underwent radiofrequency lesioning of GPi for unilateral dystonia between 1999 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) and Dystonia Disability Scale (DDS) preoperatively at the short term follow-up (<1 year) and at long-term follow-up (2-7.5 years). Video recordings performed at these time points were independently reviewed by a blinded movement disorders specialist. RESULTS: Eleven patients were included for analysis. The preoperative, short-term, and long-term follow-up motor BFMDRS and DDS scores were 15.5 (IQR [interquartile range]: 10.5, 23.75) and 10.5 (IQR: 6.0, 14.5); 3.0 (IQR: 1.0, 6.0, P = 0.02) and 3.0 (IQR: 3.0, 8.0, P = 0.016); and 14.25 (IQR: 4.0, 20.0, P = 0.20) and 10.5 (IQR: 2.0, 15.0, P = 0.71) respectively. For observers B, the BFMDRS scores at the same time points were 19 (IQR: 12.5, 27.0), 7.5 (IQR: 6.0, 15.0, P = 0.002), and 21 (IQR: 7.0, 22.0, P = 0.65) respectively. The improvement was statistically significant for all observations at short-term follow-up but not at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pallidotomy is effective for hemidystonia or focal dystonia in the short term. Continued benefit was seen in the longer term in some patients, whereas others worsened. Larger studies may be able to explain this in future.

Preventing Postoperative Apoplexy in Giant Pituitary Adenomas using Combined Trans-Sphenoidal and Cranial Surgery.

Background: Combined surgery consisting of endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery (ETSS) and transcranial (TC) surgery for giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) has been recommended to prevent lethal postoperative apoplexy. Based on our experience, we attempt to rationalize the indications for such surgery. Materials and Methods: We report the magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of the tumor and the outcomes in patients with GPAs who underwent ETSS only and combined surgery. Total tumor volume (TTV), tumor extension volume (TEV), and suprasellar extension of tumor (SET) were calculated based on the lines drawn on MR images and compared between those who underwent ETSS only and those who underwent combined surgery. Results: Of 80 patients with GPAs, eight (10%) underwent combined surgery (seven in the same sitting and one had staged surgery). All eight patients (100%) who underwent combined surgery had tumors with multilobulations, extensions, and encasement of the vessels in the circle of Willis (COW). Of 72 patients who underwent ETSS alone, 21 (29.1%) had a multilobulated tumor, 26 (36.2%) tumors had anterior/lateral extensions, and 12 (16.6%) had encasement of the COW. The mean TTV, TEV, and SET for the combined surgery group were significantly higher than those in the ETSS group. None of the patients who underwent combined surgery suffered postoperative residual tumor apoplexy. Conclusion: Patients with GPAs in whom there are significant lateral intradural or subfrontal tumor extensions should be considered for combined surgery at the same sitting to avoid devastating postoperative apoplexy in the residual tumor, which can occur when ETSS alone is performed.

Next-generation personalized cranioplasty treatment.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical procedure, that is followed by cranioplasty surgery. DC is usually performed to treat patients with traumatic brain injury, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, brain edema, skull fractures, etc. In many published clinical case studies and systematic reviews, cranioplasty surgery is reported to restore cranial symmetry with good cosmetic outcomes and neurophysiologically relevant functional outcomes in hundreds of patients. In this review article, we present a number of key issues related to the manufacturing of patient-specific implants, clinical complications, cosmetic outcomes, and newer alternative therapies. While discussing alternative therapeutic treatments for cranioplasty, biomolecules and cellular-based approaches have been emphasized. The current clinical practices in the restoration of cranial defects involve 3D printing to produce patient-specific prefabricated cranial implants, that provide better cosmetic outcomes. Regardless of the advancements in image processing and 3D printing, the complete clinical procedure is time-consuming and requires significant costs. To reduce manual intervention and to address unmet clinical demands, it has been highlighted that automated implant fabrication by data-driven methods can accelerate the design and manufacturing of patient-specific cranial implants. The data-driven approaches, encompassing artificial intelligence (machine learning/deep learning) and E-platforms, such as publicly accessible clinical databases will lead to the development of the next generation of patient-specific cranial implants, which can provide predictable clinical outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cranioplasty is performed to reconstruct cranial defects of patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy. Cranioplasty surgery improves the aesthetic and functional outcomes of those patients. To meet the clinical demands of cranioplasty surgery, accelerated designing and manufacturing of 3D cranial implants are required. This review provides an overview of biomaterial implants and bone flap manufacturing methods for cranioplasty surgery. In addition, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine-based approaches to reduce clinical complications are also highlighted. The potential use of data-driven computer applications and data-driven artificial intelligence-based approaches are emphasized to accelerate the clinical protocols of cranioplasty treatment with less manual intervention and shorter intraoperative time.

Clinico-Surgical Outcomes of Giant Intracranial Epidermoids: Gross Total Resection vs Subtotal Resection Which is Better?

AIM: To analyze the clinical and surgical outcomes following gross total resection (GTR) and planned subtotal resection (STR) of giant intracranial epidermoid tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, all patients who were diagnosed with and operated for giant intracranial epidermoid tumors between January 2007 and May 2016 were included. The demographics, clinical outcomes, and surgical outcomes of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in this study, and multicompartmental epidermoid tumors were observed in 23% of the patients. The mean size of the tumors was 6.2 cm (range, 4.0?9.0 cm). GTR and near-total resection (NTR) were performed in 34 (71%) patients. Fourteen patients (29%) underwent STR. Most patients (89%) had Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) of 5, whereas 8% had GOS of 4. The GTR/NTR group (23.5%) had more permanent complications than the STR group (7.1%). The mean follow-up period was 5.2 years (range, eight months to nine years). In the STR group, four patients (29%) showed an increase in the residual tumor, and only one patient (7%) was symptomatic and required reoperation. CONCLUSION: STR of giant intracranial epidermoid tumors is a safe surgical strategy with good surgical outcome. The requirement for reoperation is usually late and seldom required but can be done safely. The average time to recurrence was more than seven years.

Development of a Unique Mouse Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Using a Simple Novel Tool.

STUDY DESIGN: Animal case control study. PURPOSE: To create a simple, reproducible disc degeneration model for mouse coccygeal vertebrae. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Back pain due to disc degeneration is probably the most common problem encountered in neurosurgical practice. An easily reproducible animal model for disc degeneration will help in understanding its pathophysiology, and serve as a platform for examining various therapeutic options. METHODS: A total of 18 mice were divided into injured (n=12) and non-injured (n=6) groups. The disc height index (DHI%) at coccygeal 4-5 level was measured by computed tomography (CT) scan for all mice. Coccygeal 4-5 discs of the injury group were injured using a 32G needle fixed to a novel tool and confirmed by CT. The non-injury group underwent no procedure. DHI% was measured by CT at 2-, 4-, and 6-week post-injury, and all mice tails were sectioned for histopathology grading of disc degeneration at the respective time intervals. RESULTS: The injured group showed significant variation in DHI% at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, whereas there was no change in the noninjured group. Histopathologic evaluation with Safranin O stain showed a worsening of the disc degeneration score at 2, 4, and 6 weeks in the injured group, but in the non-injured group there was no change. Percutaneous needle injury technique with our novel tool provided 100% accuracy and uniform degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, easily reproducible mouse model for disc degeneration was created using a simple, cost-effective, novel tool and technique, its advantage being high precision and user friendly.

Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Augment Regeneration of Intervertebral Disc in a Reproducible and Validated Mouse Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model.

BACKGROUND: Back pain and radicular pain due to disc degeneration are probably the most common problems encountered in neurosurgical practice. The experience and results of stem cell therapy in animal disc degeneration model will help us while doing clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in an established mouse disc degeneration model. METHODS: An easily reproducible mouse coccygeal (Co) 4-5 disc degenerated model by CT-guided percutaneous needle injury was established. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured from mouse bone marrow and validated. By an established technique, 24 mice disc degenerative models were generated and divided equally into 3 groups (test, placebo, and control). The test group received MSCs with fibrin glue scaffold and placebo group received only scaffold after 6 weeks of degeneration. The control group did not receive any injection. The effects of MSCs were analyzed 8 weeks post injection. RESULTS: The test group showed a significant change in disc height index (%) in micro CT, whereas in the placebo and control groups, there was no change. The Safranin O staining showed an increase in glycosaminoglycan content and the polarized imaging of picrosirius red staining showed restoration of the collagen fibers in annulus fibrosus, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Intradiscal MSC injection restored disc height and promoted regeneration in the discs at the end of 8 weeks. MSC's niche depends on the microenvironment of the host tissue. These findings will be helpful for clinical trials.

Television tip-over head injuries in children.

Head injuries caused by television (TV) sets falling on small children are becoming frequent in India with increasing sales of TV sets. This report describes television tip-over injuries in eight children aged 14 months to 6 years. Symptoms and findings were varied, from only swelling of the eyes to coma. Head computerized tomography scan findings were also diverse and included fractures (most common), intracranial hematomas and infarcts. Six of the eight children were successfully managed conservatively, one patient died on the third postoperative day, and one patient refused admission. The anatomical proportions and biomechanics of spine and body of small children make them more vulnerable to these crushing types of head injuries. As there is significant morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries, there is a need for increased awareness about these injuries among health personnel, general public, teachers, government officials and TV-manufacturing companies.

Minimizing CSF Leak and Wound Complications in Tethered Cord Surgery with Prone Positioning: Outcomes in 350 Patients.

BACKGROUND: We document the results of a protocol to reduce the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and other wound complications in patients undergoing tethered cord surgery (TCS). METHODS: Data from all patients undergoing TCS between January 2009 and April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnosis (high risk or low risk; based on the presence of fascial and dural defects at surgery), type of graft used for dural or fascial repair, and CSF leak and other wound complications in the postoperative period were noted. All patients were nursed in the prone position with elevation of the foot end of the bed (Trendelenburg position) for at least 5 days after surgery with a subfascial drain in place. RESULTS: Of a total of 350 patients (191 high risk; 159 low risk), CSF leak from the wound was noted in 16 (4.5%). All but 4 of these patients were managed with wound suturing with or without insertion of a subcutaneous drain with continued nursing in the prone and Trendelenburg position. Two patients had meningitis and 3 patients had wound infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of synthetic grafts (P < 0.000) and inability to close the dura (P = 0.02) were the only significant risk factors for CSF wound leak. Wound infections and/or dehiscence were noted in 17 (4.8%) other patients. CONCLUSION: Postoperative prone nursing with Trendelenburg position minimizes the incidence of CSF leak and other wound complications.

Postoperative Hormonal Outcomes in Patients with Large and Giant Non-functioning Pituitary Adenomas.

OBJECTIVE AND AIMS: To study hormonal axis (HA) dysfunction pre-operatively and at three months after surgery in patients with large (>3 cms) (Hardy's grade C) and giant (>4 cms) nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA). METHODS: One hundred thirty nine patients operated between 2006 and 2017, with 3 months post-operative hormonal evaluation, were included in this retrospective study. HA damage was categorized as 0 to 3 based on number of axes (thyrotroph, corticotroph and gonadotroph) that were affected. Risk factors studied for HA dysfunction before and after surgery included duration of symptoms, size of tumor, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and extent of resection. RESULTS: Preoperatively 45 (32.3%) had no axis involvement, 34 (24.4%), 36 (25.8%) and 24 (17.2%) had one, two and three axes involvement respectively. Thyrotroph axis was affected in most patients. Tumor volume had significant correlation with preoperative pituitary dysfunction (P < 0.000). Post-operatively HA function remained same in 100 (72%), improved in only 7 (5%) and worsened in 32 (23%) of the patients. Of the 3 HA, corticotroph function worsened in most patients. None of the patients who had dysfunction in all three axes had improvement after surgery. No significant risk factors were associated with post-operative pituitary function outcomes. Persistent diabetes insipidus was noted in six (4.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Pre-operatively anterior pituitary dysfunction is noted in nearly two-thirds of patients with large and giant NFA. Tumor volume >15 cc had significant correlation with pre-operative panhypopituitarism. Post-operatively, pituitary function remains the same in nearly three quarters of the patients. No significant risk factors were found for post-operative hormonal outcomes.