Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Trigeminal Neuralgia Associated with the Vertebral Artery: A Report of Two Cases.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes unilateral severe facial pain. The clinical features of trigeminal neuralgia are agonizing, paroxysmal, anticipated in one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve, with repetitive bursts of a few seconds, exacerbated by cutaneous stimuli. Microvascular decompression is proven effective, resulting in a positive outcome. Here, we report two cases of trigeminal neuralgia associated with the vertebral artery, who underwent endoscopic microvascular decompression. This case report aims to show the benefit of computational fluid dynamics evaluation of the neurovascular contact and its effect on change in wall shear stress magnitude of the offending vertebral artery after surgical management with microvascular decompression.

Needs, Roles, and Challenges of Young Asian Neurosurgeons.

BACKGROUND: Asia has a marked shortage of neurosurgical care, with approximately 2.5 million critical cases left untreated. The Young Neurosurgeons Forum of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies surveyed Asian neurosurgeons to identify research, education, and practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a pilot-tested e-survey was circulated to the Asian neurosurgical community from April to November 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables pertaining to demographics and neurosurgical practices. The chi-square test was used to explore the relationship between World Bank income level and variables on neurosurgical practices. RESULTS: A total of 242 responses were analyzed. Respondents were mostly from the low- and middle-income countries (70%). Most represented institutions were teaching hospitals (53%). More than 50% of the hospitals had between 25and 50 neurosurgical beds. Access to an operating microscope (P = 0.038) or image guidance system (P = 0.001) appeared to increase in correlation to a higher World Bank income level. Limited opportunities for conducting research (56%) and hands-on operating opportunities (45%) were leading challenges in daily academic practice. The leading challenges were limited numbers of intensive care unit beds (51%), inadequate or absent insurance coverage (45%), and lack of organized perihospital care (43%). Inadequate insurance coverage decreased with increasing World Bank income levels (P < 0.001). Organized perihospital care (P = 0.001), regular magnetic resonance imaging access (P = 0.032), and equipment necessary for microsurgery (P = 0.007) increased with higher World Bank income levels. CONCLUSIONS: Improving neurosurgical care hinges on regional and international collaboration and national policies to ensure universal access to essential neurosurgical care.

Brain Tumor Programs in Asia and Africa: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa and propose comprehensive evidence-based short- and long-term measures for improving the existing systems. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in June 2022 by the Asia-Africa Neurosurgery Collaborative. A 27-item questionnaire was designed and distributed to gain insight into the status and future directions of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa. Six components of brain tumor programs were identified-surgery, oncology, neuropathology, research, training, and finances-and assigned scores of 0-14. The total scores allowed subclassification of each country into levels of brain tumor program from I to VI. RESULTS: A total of 110 responses from 92 countries were received. These were subdivided into 3 groups: group 1, countries with response from neurosurgeons (73 countries); group 2, countries with no neurosurgeons (19 countries); and group 3, countries without a neurosurgeon response (16 countries). The components associated with the highest level of brain tumor program were surgery, neuropathology, and oncology. Most countries in both continents had level III brain tumor programs with a mean surgical score of 2.24. The major lag between each group was with respect to the advances in neuropathology and financial support. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to improve and develop existing and nonexistent neuro-oncology infrastructure, personnel, and logistics in countries across the continents, especially for the countries with no neurosurgeons.

Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy after Endovascular Treatment: Two Case Reports.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare neurological complication that occurs after the use of contrast medium in various angiographic procedures. Symptoms can be different, from headache to severe neurological deficit and coma. In the articles published to date, symptoms appeared immediately after application of contrast agent or within 24 hours. Here we present two cases of patients in whom CIE developed delayed after endovascular treatment.

Co-Existence of Atypical Meningioma, Intratumoral Lipometaplasia and Extensive Hyperostosis of Calvarium: A Rare Entity.

BACKGROUND: Lipomatous meningiomas are a rare variety of meningioma, in which fat storage occurs in adipocytes and lipoblasts are found within the tumor. World Health Organization grade II atypical meningiomas with lipometaplasia and extensive hyperostosis of calvarium is a rare type with a good prognosis after complete removal. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here we report a case of intracranial atypical meningioma with lipometaplasia and disproportionately large hyperostosis of overlying calvarium in a 40-year-old man. His computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed right frontotemporoparietal homogenous bony swelling with an underlying diffusely enhancing extra-axial, dural-based lesion with areas of hyperintensity on T1 and isointensity on T2 with perilesional edema. Microscopically, it revealed a meningeal neoplasm with hypercellularity, small cell changes, sheathing pattern, and extensive lipomatous metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: World Health Organization grade II atypical meningiomas with lipometaplasia and extensive hyperostosis of calvarium is a rare type with a good prognosis after complete removal. Clinical features in patients are similar to those of conventional meningioma; however, radiologic features depend on the amount of fat present in the tumor. To the best of our knowledge, there are no case reports in the current literature regarding this. Every new case will widen our horizon. Meningothelial cells exhibit lipomatous changes as a result of metabolic abnormalities.