Infantile traumatic pericallosal aneurysm: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic aneurysms are a rare sequela of nonaccidental head trauma in infants. The rate of nonaccidental trauma (NAT) in the pediatric population is increasing; therefore, traumatic aneurysms are an important consideration in the evaluation of pediatric patients with abusive head trauma. OBSERVATIONS: A 24-day-old infant with no significant past medical or birth history presented with twitching and poor oral intake for 1 day. The patient was found to have bilateral subdural hematomas, multifocal contusions, and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. NAT work-up was remarkable for a period of repeated and prolonged abuse. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed a right pericallosal traumatic aneurysm that was treated by means of coil and Onyx embolization. LESSONS: Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are a rare but serious sequela of pediatric abusive trauma. Traumatic intracranial aneurysms should be considered in the setting of intracranial pathology associated with high-energy trauma. Despite new methods for the management of traumatic aneurysms, this pathology remains challenging to identify and treat, and the prognosis remains poor because of the diffuse injury often involved in these patients.

The evolution of neuromodulation for chronic stroke: From neuroplasticity mechanisms to brain-computer interfaces.

Stroke is one of the most common and debilitating neurological conditions worldwide. Those who survive experience motor, sensory, speech, vision, and/or cognitive deficits that severely limit remaining quality of life. While rehabilitation programs can help improve patients' symptoms, recovery is often limited, and patients frequently continue to experience impairments in functional status. In this review, invasive neuromodulation techniques to augment the effects of conventional rehabilitation methods are described, including vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). In addition, the evidence base for each of these techniques, pivotal trials, and future directions are explored. Finally, emerging technologies such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and the shift to artificial intelligence-enabled implants and wearables are examined. While the field of implantable devices for chronic stroke recovery is still in a nascent stage, the data reviewed are suggestive of immense potential for reducing the impact and impairment from this globally prevalent disorder.

Intraoperative Performance with the Exoscope in Spine Surgery: An Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND: Exoscope use in spinal neurosurgery has become a promising surgical option providing enhanced operative field visibility and ergonomics. However, data on its use in spine surgery are underreported in the literature. We aimed to assess the intraoperative outcomes in exoscope-assisted spine surgery compared with similar procedures performed using the operative microscope. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all spinal surgeries performed using an exoscope and, subsequently, an equal number of operative microscope cases performed by 2 senior surgeons at a single institution from 2016 to 2023. The variables included demographics, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and operative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 123 exoscope spinal surgeries were performed on 116 unique patients with a mean age of 67 ± 14 years, of whom 60 (52%) were women. The microscope group included 126 surgeries on 120 unique patients with a mean age of 62 ± 14 years, of whom 53 (45%) were women. The mean blood loss (28 mL vs. 132 mL; P = 0.0009), operative time (83 minutes vs. 103 minutes; P = 0.006), and length of stay (1.04 days vs. 1.73 days; P = 0.02) were significantly less for the exoscope group than for the microscope group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the exoscope resulted in a shorter operative time, less blood loss, a shorter length of stay, and favorable clinical outcomes compared with the use of the operative microscope. Neurosurgeons should consider this seemingly efficacious and ergonomically favorable visual technology for spinal surgeries.

Exoscope Efficacy and Feasibility in Pediatric Spinal Neurosurgery: A Single-Institution Cohort Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The exoscope has emerged as an efficacious microscope in adult spinal neurosurgery providing improved operative field visibility and surgeon ergonomics. However, outcome data and feasibility are underrepresented in the pediatric literature. We present the largest case series aimed at assessing operative and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing various exoscope-assisted spinal surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all consecutive pediatric (age <18 years) spinal surgeries performed with the use of an exoscope by 3 senior surgeons at a single institution from 2020-2023. Demographics and clinical and operative outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-six exoscope-assisted pediatric spine surgeries were performed on 89 unique patients, 41 (42.7%) of which were male. The mean age at surgery was 12 (±5.3) years. Spinal cord detethering (55.8%) was the most common procedure performed. The overall mean operative time for all procedures was 155 (±86) minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 18 (±41) mL. The mean length of stay was 5.4 (±6.5) days. There were 14 (14.6%) patients with complications in this cohort. At final follow-up, 64 (83.1%) of symptomatic patients reported neurologic symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Using the exoscope in a variety of pediatric spinal surgeries resulted in an acceptable average operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and rate of neurologic symptom improvement. The exoscope appears to be an efficacious option for pediatric neurosurgical spinal procedures.

Protracted respiratory failure in a case of global spinal syringomyelia and Chiari malformation following administration of diazepam: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Syringomyelia is defined as dilation of the spinal cord's central canal and is often precipitated by skull base herniation disorders. Although respiratory failure (RF) can be associated with skull base abnormalities due to brainstem compression, most cases occur in pediatric patients and quickly resolve. The authors report the case of an adult patient with global spinal syringomyelia and Chiari malformation who developed refractory RF after routine administration of diazepam. OBSERVATIONS: A 31-year-old female presented with malnutrition, a 1-month history of right-sided weakness, and normal respiratory dynamics. After administration of diazepam prior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), she suddenly developed hypercapnic RF followed MRI and required intubation. MRI disclosed a Chiari malformation type I and syrinx extending from C1 to the conus medullaris. After decompressive surgery, her respiratory function progressively returned to baseline status, although 22 months after initial benzodiazepine administration, the patient continues to require nocturnal ventilation. LESSONS: Administration of central nervous system depressants should be closely monitored in patients with extensive syrinx formation given the potential to exacerbate diminished central respiratory drive. Early identification of syrinx in the context of Chiari malformation and hemiplegia should prompt clinical suspicion of underlying respiratory compromise and early involvement of intensive care consultants.

Vasospasm secondary to responsive neurostimulator placement: a previously unreported complication. Illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: The Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) system is an implantable device for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are not candidates for resection of a seizure focus. As a relatively new therapeutic, the full spectrum of adverse effects has yet to be determined. A literature review revealed no previous reports of cerebral vasospasm following RNS implantation. OBSERVATIONS: A 35-year-old man developed severe angiographic and clinical vasospasm following bilateral mesial temporal lobe RNS implantation. He initially presented with concerns for status epilepticus 8 days after implantation. On hospital day 3, a decline in his clinical examination prompted imaging studies that revealed a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke with angiographic evidence of severe vasospasm of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), MCA, anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and right ICA and ACA. Despite improvements in angiographic vasospasm after appropriate treatment, a thrombus developed in the posterior M2 branch, requiring mechanical thrombectomy. Ultimately, the patient was stabilized and discharged to a rehabilitation facility with residual cognitive and motor deficits. LESSONS: Cerebral vasospasm as a cause of ischemic stroke after uneventful RNS implantation is exceedingly rare, yet demands particular attention given the potential for severe consequences and the growing number of patients receiving RNS devices.

Subdural evacuation port system and middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma: a multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization and the Subdural Evacuation Port System (SEPS) are minimally invasive treatment paradigms for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Although SEPS offers acute decompression of local mass effect from a cSDH, MMA embolization has been shown to reduce the rate of cSDH recurrence. In combination, these procedures present a potentially safer strategy to a challenging pathology. The authors present a multi-institutional retrospective case series that assessed the safety, efficacy, and complications of SEPS and MMA embolization for cSDH. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent SEPS placement and MMA embolization for cSDH between 2018 and 2021 at three institutions. RESULTS: One hundred patients with 136 cSDHs and a median age of 73 years underwent both SEPS placement and MMA embolization. Initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores were between 14 and 15 in 81% of patients and between 9 and 13 in 14%. The median initial midline shift (MLS) was 7 mm, with subdural hematoma (SDH) in the left hemisphere (lh) in 30% of patients, right hemisphere (rh) in 34%, and bilateral hemispheres in 36%. Follow-up was available for 86 patients: 93.4% demonstrated decreased MLS, and all patients with lhSDH and rhSDH demonstrated progressive decrease in SDH size. The overall complication rate was 4%, including 1 case of facial palsy and 3 cases of iatrogenic acute SDH. Two subjects (2%) required craniotomy for hematoma evacuation. The rate of good functional outcomes, with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score < 2, was 89% on final follow-up and the overall mortality rate was 2%. A good mRS score on admission was associated with increased odds of functional improvement at follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SEPS placement with MMA embolization for cSDH can be done safely and effectively reduces cSDH size with minimal perioperative morbidity.

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion-A Shift Toward Variant Anatomy and Clinical Implications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate impact of patient factors and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) anatomical structure on SIJ fusion outcomes. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, observational study evaluated patients diagnosed with SIJ dysfunction refractory to conservative measures who had available preoperative imaging of the sacrum and underwent SIJ fusion surgery. The impact of patient sociodemographics on pain improvement was assessed by Mann-Whitney U test. Differences in patient sociodemographics and outcome information between anatomical subtypes were assessed with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. χ2 test was used to compare joint anatomy distribution between studies analyzing SIJ variations. RESULTS: We included 77 total joints that underwent instrumentation. There were significant differences between the anatomical subtypes with female sex having significantly higher rates of non-normal joint anatomy. Younger age was significantly more common in bipartite/dysmorphic anatomy (53.9 years) than normal anatomy (70 years) (P < 0.05). There was a trend toward better outcomes in bipartite/dysmorphic and accessory variants, while semicircular defect and crescent variants trended toward worse outcomes. Nonnormal anatomy was significantly more frequent in our population than previous reports on nonpathological SIJ. CONCLUSIONS: A pathological SIJ has a significantly higher prevalence of variant joint anatomy. There appears to be a trend toward differences in surgical outcomes based on SIJ anatomy. Future research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these differences.

Ultrasonic spine surgery for every thoracic disc herniation: a 43-patient case series and technical note demonstrating safety and efficacy using a partial transpedicular thoracic discectomy with ultrasonic aspiration and ultrasound guidance.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are a challenging pathology. A variety of surgical techniques have been used to achieve spinal cord decompression. This series elucidates the versatility, efficacy, and safety of the partial transpedicular approach with the use of intraoperative ultrasound and ultrasonic aspiration for resection of TDHs of various sizes, locations, and consistencies. This technique can be deployed to safely remove all TDHs. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent a thoracic discectomy via the partial transpedicular approach between January 2014 and December 2020 by a single surgeon. Variables reviewed included demographics, perioperative imaging, and functional outcome scores. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (53.5% female) underwent 54 discectomies. The most common presenting symptoms were myelopathy (86%), motor weakness (72%), and sensory deficit (65%) with a symptom duration of 10.4 ± 11.6 months. A total of 21 (38.9%) discs were fully calcified on imaging and 15 (27.8%) were partially calcified. A total of 36 (66.7%) were giant TDHs (> 40% canal compromise). The average operative time was 197.2 ± 77.1 minutes with an average blood loss of 238.8 ± 250 ml. Six patients required ICU stays. Hospital length of stay was 4.40 ± 3.4 days. Of patients with follow-up MRI, 38 of 40 (95%) disc levels demonstrated < 20% residual disc. Postoperative Frankel scores (> 3 months) were maintained or improved for all patients, with 28 (65.1%) patients having an increase of 1 grade or more on their Frankel score. Six (14%) patients required repeat surgery, 2 of which were due to reherniation, 2 were from adjacent-level herniation, and 2 others were from wound problems. Patients with calcified TDHs had similar improvement in Frankel grade compared to patients without calcified TDH. Additionally, improvement in intraoperative neuromonitoring was associated with a greater improvement in Frankel grade. CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrate a minimally disruptive, posterior approach that uses intraoperative ultrasound and ultrasonic aspiration with excellent outcomes and a complication profile similar to or better than other reported case series. This posterior approach is a valuable complement to the spine surgeon's arsenal for the confident tackling of all TDHs.

Mindfulness in the OR: A Pilot Study Investigating the Efficacy of an Abbreviated Mindfulness Intervention on Improving Performance in the Operating Room.

BACKGROUND: Surgery requires operating room physicians to succumb to unpredictable schedules, long hours, and involved operations, which have led many to acquire maladaptive habits to attain focus in the OR. Research on mindfulness in the medical community has shown positive results on stress, burnout, and quality of life. However, due to the seemingly subjective nature of the benefits of mindfulness as well as the lengthy time requirement by participants, researchers have had difficulty conducting experiments with adequate sample sizes and controls in operating room specialties. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the hypotheses that a brief mindfulness intervention on physicians, residents, and anesthesiologists can improve mindfulness, focus, and perceived stress in the operating room. Additionally, we hypothesized that the improvement in scores are independent of level of training and physician type. METHODS: As part of a 3 (Physician Type) X 3 (Case) X 2(Timing) factorial design, 33 surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical residents completed a pre- and postintervention Mindfulness Awareness and Attention Scales (MAAS) survey. Three categories of surgery cases, routine-elective, complex-elective, and add-on, were completed pre- and postintervention, along with measures addressing focus and perceived stress. The intervention included a 25-minute mindfulness training on the benefits of mindfulness and how to utilize a brief, 4-minute mindfulness skill employed prior to each postintervention surgery. RESULTS: The mindfulness intervention was associated with a significant increase in mindfulness (p = 0.006) and flow state (p = 0.009) and a significant decrease in perceived stress (p = 0.033), particularly during the complex routine cases (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a brief mindfulness intervention that is compatible with the busy workflow of operating room physicians and can increase the mindful state of participants as well as improve factors that are associated with burnout and distractions.

Endovascular Management of a Giant Skull Base Cavernous Aneurysm: Parent Artery Occlusion Is Still a Relevant Strategy.

Cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are usually considered benign as the natural history of the condition is often asymptomatic; however, CCAs can reach giant proportions and become symptomatic, thus requiring treatment. The introduction of flow diverters has revolutionized management of this condition. However, the parent artery geometry in giant lesions may prove exceedingly difficult to navigate and deploy stents satisfactorily. In such cases, indirect surgical treatment such as proximal occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) should be employed. Preoperative balloon test occlusion is indicated before permanent occlusion to identify patients who demonstrate hemispheric ischemia (for possible bypass), but it requires understanding of important operative complications and technical nuances. Endovascular parent artery sacrifice is an effective modality to achieve proximal occlusion. Here, we describe the step-wise management approach in a 53-year-old female with a giant, left CCA presenting with headache and cavernous sinus syndrome who was ultimately successfully treated with endovascular coiling and ICA occlusion. The management of complex lesions such as giant skull base aneurysms requires a sound understanding of vascular anatomy, tools available for evaluation, and physiological interpretation of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to obtain excellent clinical results and patient satisfaction.

Medical Students' Knowledge and Perception of Deep Brain Stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established neurosurgical procedure commonly used in movement and psychiatric disorders. Its widespread clinical implementation, however, may not be commensurate with medical education. No current assessment of medical student's understanding of DBS as a treatment option for indicated conditions is available, potentially threatening the availability of DBS to future patients. The aim of the present study is to explore the current knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward DBS as a treatment modality. METHODS: A total of 65 medical students at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine were surveyed regarding their knowledge of DBS. The survey consisted of a 25-item questionnaire including a demographic section and 3 separate inventories designed to assess bias, knowledge, and self-assessment of knowledge specific to DBS therapy. Students in pre-clinical and clinical years were analyzed separately to describe changes in knowledge or attitude associated with clinical exposure to DBS. Comparisons were analyzed using t tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. RESULTS: Of surveyed students, 36% were unsure of the FDA approval status of DBS treatment; 65% of students believed they had not been adequately educated about DBS and its utility; and 10.6% of students believed that DBS is likely associated with severe adverse effects and/or brain damage. The overall baseline attitudes of students toward DBS were positive. There was no observed difference between surveyed pre-clinical and clinical students, highlighting a lack of exposure throughout the clinical years of medical school education. CONCLUSION: Although DBS is an effective treatment modality for various conditions, current education is non-commensurate with its application, which can negatively impact awareness and understanding for its implications by medical professionals. In order to better serve patients who may benefit from DBS, medical curricula must change to educate future physicians on the benefit of this intervention.

Spontaneous necrotizing granuloma of the cerebellum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial necrotizing granulomatous space-occupying lesions are sparsely reported in literature. Variability in presenting symptomatology and radiographic features makes diagnostic work-up difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents the case of a 77-year-old female with sinusitis and fatigue who underwent an MRI revealing a posterior fossa lesion compressing the fourth ventricle. Subsequent contrast CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis was negative for primary malignancy. Histopathologic examination of the lesion following biopsy showed it to be a necrotizing granuloma in an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) negative patient. The most likely diagnosis was determined to be spontaneous necrotizing granuloma, a rare entity with only one previous report noted. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous necrotizing granuloma of the CNS is a rare entity that represents an important differential consideration in the work-up of space occupying lesions of the CNS.

Initial Report of an Intradural Extramedullary Metastasis of a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor to the Cervical Spine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are known to frequently metastasize to the liver and lymphatics; however, metastasis to the spine is exceedingly rare. We report the first case of an intradural, extramedullary pNET metastasis to the upper cervical spine. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 75-year-old Hispanic male patient with history of stage IV pNET with metastasis to the liver and lymph nodes and new-onset lymphadenopathy seen on CT of the chest was found on positron emission tomography scan to have a lesion in the cervical spine. The patient was neurologically intact on physical examination, yet given the patient's medical history, magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine was performed, revealing a right-sided intradural, extramedullary mass at the C1-C2 level with associated mass effect on the spinal cord, likely representing a schwannoma. Due to the tumor size, mass effect, and the need for definitive tissue diagnosis, a partial C1-C2 laminectomy with intradural resection of the tumor was performed. The histology was consistent with the patient's known pNET. CONCLUSIONS: As treatment for pNETs has evolved, there has been a surge in unique presentations of systemic well-differentiated pNETs being reported. It is vital that patients diagnosed with pNET be monitored for metastases, and when discovered, treated promptly.

Distal Cauda equina syndrome: A case report of lumbosacral disc pathology and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is an uncommon entity that presents acutely with all or some of the following symptoms; urinary incontinence from retention, fecal incontinence from loss of sphincter tone, saddle area hypoesthesia or anesthesia, and acute or progressive weakness in one or both lower extremities. The protean symptomatology is often mixed and is vulnerable to confounding comorbidities making the accurate and timely diagnosis of this syndrome uniquely challenging. Here, we present the case of a man who developed isolated sacral nerve dysfunction from CES in the midst of a diabetic crisis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 53-year-old male with a long history of uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes presented with acute-onset urinary and fecal incontinence, scrotal anesthesia, and a 3-day history of lower back pain with intermittent bilateral leg pain. This patient displayed no objective changes in leg strength, sensation, or reflexes. In addition, the patient tested positive for cocaine and had a blood glucose level of 800 mg/dL which confounded his clinical picture. The patient underwent bilateral laminectomies from L4-S1 with the removal of a large sequestered disc fragment from the S1-S2 disc space within 8 h of presentation with reasonable recovery. CONCLUSION: Highly variable presentations often confound the accurate and timely diagnosis of CES with severe implications on quality of life. Despite the limited functional recovery seen after surgical decompression, urgent or emergent intervention is paramount for treatment. Our patient's presenting symptomatology and comorbidities highlight the need for practitioners to maintain a high index of suspicion in anyone with incontinence and back pain, regardless of distractors and even in the absence of other anticipated motor or sensory findings.

Control of microtubule dynamics using an optogenetic microtubule plus end-F-actin cross-linker.

We developed a novel optogenetic tool, SxIP-improved light-inducible dimer (iLID), to facilitate the reversible recruitment of factors to microtubule (MT) plus ends in an end-binding protein-dependent manner using blue light. We show that SxIP-iLID can track MT plus ends and recruit tgRFP-SspB upon blue light activation. We used this system to investigate the effects of cross-linking MT plus ends and F-actin in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells to gain insight into spectraplakin function and mechanism. We show that SxIP-iLID can be used to temporally recruit an F-actin binding domain to MT plus ends and cross-link the MT and F-actin networks. Cross-linking decreases MT growth velocities and generates a peripheral MT exclusion zone. SxIP-iLID facilitates the general recruitment of specific factors to MT plus ends with temporal control enabling researchers to systematically regulate MT plus end dynamics and probe MT plus end function in many biological processes.