The 25 most cited articles on lateral lumbar interbody fusion: short review.

The lateral lumbar interbody fusion technique for lumbar arthrodesis is gaining popularity and being added as an option to traditional posterior and anterior approaches. In light of this, we analyzed the literature to identify the 25 most cited articles regarding lateral lumbar interbody fusion. The Thomson Reuters Web of Science was systematically searched to identify papers pertaining to lateral lumbar interbody fusion. The results were sorted in order to identify the top cited 25 articles. Statistical analysis was applied to determine metrics of interest, and observational studies were further classified. A search of all databases in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science identified 379 articles pertaining to lateral lumbar interbody fusion, with a total of 3800 citations. Of the 25 most cited articles, all were case series, reporting on a total of 2981 patients. These 25 articles were cited 2232 times in the literature and total citations per article ranged from 29 to 433. The oldest article was published in 2006, whereas the most recent article was published in 2015. The most cited article, by Ozgar et al., was cited 433 times, and the journal Spine published 7 of the 25 most cited articles. Herein, we report and analyze the 25 most cited articles on lateral lumbar interbody fusion, which include 25 cases series reporting a variety of data on a total of 2513 patients. Such data might assist in the design and interpretation of future studies pertaining to this topic.

Assessing Parental Anxiety in Pediatric Food Allergy: Development of the Worry About Food Allergy Questionnaire.

Food allergies (FAs) in children are increasingly common, and strict allergen avoidance and safety concerns place parents at risk for anxiety (Lau et al. in Pediatr Allergy Immunol 25:236-242, 2014). Assessing parental anxiety with generic instruments may not capture the unique experience of parents managing children's FAs. This study developed and preliminarily validated the 13-item Worry About Food Allergy (WAFA) questionnaire, a measure of FA-specific parental anxiety, in an online sample of 265 parents aged 22-66 (M = 40.25) of children with FAs. The WAFA showed good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = .89) and moderate convergent validity with other anxiety measures, indicating support for a reliable measure of a discrete, specific construct. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a single factor structure. Criterion validity was established through significant, small, positive correlations with relevant allergy variables. A coherent single factor measure, the WAFA, shows promise as a screening tool for parental anxiety in pediatric practice and FA management.

Spontaneous Resolution of Asymptomatic Pediatric Suprasellar Arachnoid Cysts: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts are infrequent nonneoplastic cystic lesions that account for approximately 1% of all arachnoid cysts. While various surgical treatment options have been proposed for symptomatic lesions, treatment guidelines regarding the management of asymptomatic sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts remain to be elucidated. This case series aims to provide a better insight into the management and outcomes of such lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We discuss 2 pediatric patients diagnosed with sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts who remained asymptomatic and demonstrated spontaneous gradual resolution of their arachnoid cysts on subsequent imaging studies. CONCLUSION: Review of the literature identified only a handful of previously reported cases of spontaneously disappearing suprasellar arachnoid cysts. There might be a role for conservative management of sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts in certain patients who remain asymptomatic.

Childhood cancer incidence and survival in Thailand: A comprehensive population-based registry analysis, 1990-2011.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asia is undergoing a transition from infectious to chronic diseases, including a dramatic increase in adult cancers. Childhood cancer research in Thailand has focused predominantly on leukemias and lymphomas or only examined children for a short period of time. This comprehensive multisite study examined childhood cancer incidence and survival rates in Thailand across all International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC) groups over a 20-year period. METHODS: Cancer cases diagnosed in children ages 0-19 years (n = 3574) from 1990 to 2011 were extracted from five provincial population-based Thai registries, covering approximately 10% of the population. Descriptive statistics of the quality of the registries were evaluated. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated using the Segi world standard population, and relative survival was computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Changes in incidence and survival were analyzed using Joinpoint Regression and reported as annual percent changes (APC). RESULTS: The ASR of all childhood cancers during the study period was 98.5 per million person-years with 91.0 per million person-years in 1990-2000 and 106.2 per million person-years in 2001-2011. Incidence of all childhood cancers increased significantly (APC = 1.2%, P < 0.01). The top three cancer groups were leukemias, brain tumors, and lymphomas. The 5-year survival for all childhood cancers significantly improved from 39.4% in 1990-2000 to 47.2% in 2001-2011 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both childhood cancer incidence and survival rates have increased, suggesting improvement in the health care system as more cases are identified and treated. Analyzing childhood cancer trends in low- and middle-income countries can improve understanding of cancer etiology and pediatric health care disparities.

Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy affects expression of adipogenic-regulating genes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in lean male mice offspring.

PURPOSE: Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a widespread issue that may have long-lasting consequences on offspring adiposity. We sought to determine how maternal vitamin D deficiency during the perinatal period would affect offspring adipose tissue development and gene expression. METHODS: Female C57BL/6 J mice were fed either a vitamin D deficient (VDD) or control diet from 4 weeks before pregnancy (periconception) until 7 days postparturition. Male offspring were weighed and euthanized at 75 days of age (early adult period), at which point serum was collected for biochemical analyses, and perigonadal and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (PGAT and SQAT, respectively) were excised, weighed, then flash-frozen for later histology and analyses of adipogenic gene expression. RESULTS: All adult male offspring were nonobese; there were no significant differences in body weight, adipose pad weight, or adipocyte size. However, VDD-exposed offspring had greater expression of the adipogenic-regulating genes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) and vitamin D receptor (Vdr). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that exposure to vitamin D deficiency during the perinatal period can directly affect genes involved in the development of adipose tissue in nonobese offspring. These novel findings invite further investigation into the mechanisms by which maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy affects adipose development and metabolic health of offspring.

Medical care experiences of children with autism and their parents: A scoping review.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families may benefit from the provision of additional supports in health care settings, particularly when preparing for and attending medical appointments. This review examined literature that describes experiences in medical care settings from the perspective of patients under age 18 with ASD and their caregivers. A scoping review was conducted to examine the experiences of children with ASD and their families in medical care settings. Twenty-nine studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. The review indicated a number of challenges (e.g., parent-reported problems in parent-provider communication and overwhelming environments) as well as factors that facilitate positive experiences (e.g., providing positive reinforcement and explaining exam steps) during medical appointments. Children with ASD and their families are faced with many challenges while receiving care in medical settings. The present review identified many challenges families face, as well as facilitators of positive experiences. Understanding the unique experiences of patients with ASD and their parents will help to improve experiences in medical care settings for children, caregivers, and health care providers.

An Exploratory Study Examining Current Assessment Supervisory Practices in Professional Psychology.

The extant literature reveals a considerable amount of research examining course work or technical training in psychological assessment, but a dearth of empirical research on assessment supervision. This study examined perspectives on current assessment supervisory practices in professional psychology through an online survey. Descriptive and qualitative data were collected from 125 survey respondents who were members of assessment-focused professional organizations and who had at least 1 year of supervision experience. Responses indicated a general recognition of the need for formal training in assessment supervision, ongoing training opportunities, and adherence to supervision competencies. Responses indicated more common use of developmental and skill-based models, although most did not regard any one model of assessment supervision as superior. Despite the recommended use of a supervision contract, only 65.6% (n = 80) of respondents use one. Discussion, directed readings, modeling, role-play, and case presentations were the most common supervisory interventions. Although conclusions are constrained by low survey response rate, results yielded rich data that might guide future examination of multiple perspectives on assessment supervision and ultimately contribute to curriculum advances and the development of supervision "best practices."

Associations between cytokines, endocrine stress response, and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder.

Many children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but the etiology is currently unknown. Some individuals with ASD show altered reactivity to stress and altered immune markers relative to typically-developing individuals, particularly stress-responsive cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Acute and chronic stress is associated with the onset and exacerbation of GI symptoms in those without ASD. The present study examined whether GI symptoms in ASD were associated with increases in cortisol, a stress-associated endocrine marker, and TNF-α and IL-6 in response to stress. As hypothesized, a greater amount of lower GI tract symptoms were significantly associated with post-stress cortisol concentration. The relationship between cortisol response to stress and GI functioning was greater for children who had a history of regressive autism. Exploratory analyses revealed significant correlations between cortisol response, intelligence, and inappropriate speech. In contrast, symptoms of the lower GI tract were not associated with levels of TNF-α or IL-6. Significant correlations were found, however, between TNF-α and IL-6 and irritability, socialization, and intelligence. These findings suggest that individuals with ASD and symptoms of the lower GI tract may have an increased response to stress, but this effect is not associated with concomitant changes in TNF-α and IL-6. The relationship between cortisol stress response and lower GI tract symptoms in children with regressive autism, as well as the relationships between cortisol, IL-6, and intelligence in ASD, warrant further investigation.

Sexual Health Concerns Among Cancer Survivors: Testing a Novel Information-Need Measure Among Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients.

While it is recognized that cancer treatment can contribute to problems in sexual function, much less is currently known about the specific sexual health concerns and information needs of cancer survivors. This study tested a new instrument to measure cancer survivors' sexual health concerns and needs for sexual information after cancer treatment. The Information on Sexual Health: Your Needs after Cancer (InSYNC), developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts, is a novel 12-item questionnaire to measure sexual health concerns and information needs of cancer survivors. We tested the measure with a sample of breast and prostate cancer survivors. A convenience sample of 114 cancer survivors (58 breast, 56 prostate) was enrolled. Results of the InSYNC questionnaire showed high levels of sexual concern among cancer survivors. Areas of concern differed by cancer type. Prostate cancer survivors were most concerned about being able to satisfy their partners (57 %) while breast cancer survivors were most concerned with changes in how their bodies worked sexually (46 %). Approximately 35 % of all cancer survivors wanted more information about sexual health. Sexual health concerns and unmet information needs are common among breast and prostate cancer survivors, varying in some aspects by type of cancer. Routine screening for sexual health concerns should be included in comprehensive cancer survivorship care to appropriately address health care needs. The InSYNC questionnaire is one tool that may help clinicians identify concerns facing their patients.

Vitamin D deficiency & childhood obesity: a tale of two epidemics.

Obesity and vitamin D deficiency represent two of the most wide-spread health concerns in the United States, especially among children. There is a well-established inverse relationship between vitamin D status and obesity; however, it is unknown as to whether vitamin D deficiency contributes to, or is a consequence of obesity. Based on available research, the positive effects of correcting hypovitaminosis D in obesity seem to be primarily related to its action on glycemic control.

Surgical treatment of a giant paraophthalmic aneurysm postfailed flow diversion through endoscopic endonasal approach: Technical nuances and review of the literature.

Background: Giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms are usually treated through flow diversion, coiling, or a combination of both. However, certain cases that fail the endovascular treatment pose a technical challenge. Case Description: A 68-year-old male presented with gradual visual changes affecting his right eye and was found to have a giant unruptured right paraophthalmic aneurysm. The aneurysm showed growth, and the patient's symptoms worsened despite coiling and flow diversion. Due to the location of this aneurysm and persistent compression of the optic chiasm by the coil mass, his right ICA was sacrificed, and an expanded endoscopic endonasal approach was successfully used to clip the residual aneurysm, remove the coil mass, and thus, decompress the optic chiasm. The patient's visual symptoms improved after that, and post clipping imaging demonstrated adequate occlusion of his right paraophthalmic aneurysm. Conclusion: Recognizing the option of an endoscopic endonasal approach for clipping giant internal carotid aneurysms is of great importance. This approach can be safe and technically successful for the treatment of paraophthalmic aneurysms that fail the typical endovascular treatment.

Caregiver-reported infant motor and imitation skills predict M-CHAT-R/F.

Altered motor and social-communicative abilities in infancy have been linked to later ASD diagnosis. Most diagnostic instruments for ASD cannot be utilized until 12 months, and the average child is diagnosed substantially later. Imitation combines motor and social-communicative skills and is commonly atypical in infants at risk for ASD. However, few measures have been developed to assess infant imitation clinically. One barrier to the diagnostic age gap of ASD is accessibility of screening and diagnostic services. Utilization of caregiver report to reliably screen for ASD mitigates such barriers and could aid in earlier detection. The present study developed and validated a caregiver-report measure of infant imitation at 4, 6, and 9 months and explored the relationship between caregiver-reported imitation and motor abilities with later ASD risk. Participants (N = 571) were caregivers of term and preterm infants recruited as part of a large multi-site study of PediaTrac™, a web-based tool for monitoring and tracking infant development. Caregivers completed online surveys and established questionnaires on a schedule corresponding to well-child visits from birth to 18 months, including the M-CHAT-R/F at 18 months. Distinct imitation factors were derived from PediaTrac at 4, 6, and 9 months via factor analysis. The results supported validity of the imitation factors via associations with measures of infant communication (CSBS; ASQ). Imitation and motor skills at 9 months predicted 18-month ASD risk over and above gestational age. Implications for assessment of infant imitation, detecting ASD risk in the first year, and contributing to access to care are discussed.

Clinical presentation and treatment of 26 spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEDAVFs) are rarely diagnosed vascular malformations that can cause spinal cord compression and congestive myelopathy. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective case series of patients with SEDAVFs who underwent observation or treatment at UCLA medical center between 1993 and 2023. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2023 a total of 26 patients at UCLA were found to have a SEDAVF. The median age at treatment was 59 years (range 4 months to 91 years). Compared with sacral, lumbar, and thoracic SEDAVFs, patients with cervical SEDAVF were younger (41 years vs 63 years, P=0.016) and more likely to be female (66.7% vs 14.3%, P=0.006). Possible triggers for development of SEDAVFs may be prior spinal surgery or trauma (n=4), turning the neck (n=1), lifting a heavy box (n=1), a prolonged period of bending over (n=1), and neurofibromatosis type 1 (n=1). Of the 22 patients treated endovascularly, 18 (82%) were angiographically cured on the first attempt without complications. One patient underwent surgical treatment alone and had a failed surgery on the first attempt, and developed a surgical site infection after the second successful attempt at treatment. Of the 16 patients with adequate clinical follow-up, 11 (69%) demonstrated early improved clinical outcome (eg, improved strength on examination, absent bruit). CONCLUSIONS: SEDAVFs are a rarely diagnosed disease that can be treated effectively and safely with endovascular embolization in most cases. Patients with sacral, lumbar, and thoracic SEDAVFs were older and more often male compared to patients with cervical SEDAVFs.

Investigator-initiated clinical trial of stabilizer device: A novel intracranial exchange guidewire for neuroendovascular treatments.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendovascular procedures, especially those involving significant vessel tortuosity, giant intracranial aneurysms, or distally located lesions, frequently necessitate exchange methods. However, exchange maneuvers pose a risk of inadvertent vessel injury. To address these challenges, a Stabilizer device was developed and evaluated for its efficacy and safety. This clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the Stabilizer device in facilitating the navigation of neuroendovascular devices to target lesions in cases where the exchange technique was necessary. METHODS: This was a single-arm, prospective, open-label, multicenter clinical trial performed at nine different sites. It focused on investigating the use of the Stabilizer device for treating intracranial aneurysms and atherosclerosis. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were enrolled across nine centers in Japan from July 21, 2022, to March 10, 2023. The study enrolled 24 (77.4%) patients with intracranial aneurysms and seven (22.6%) patients with intracranial artery stenosis. Majority of the target lesions were in the middle cerebral artery territory (83.9%). The Stabilizer device was used to exchange for 0.027-inch catheters, intermediate catheters, PTA balloons, and Wingspan stent system. The Stabilizer device demonstrated 100% technical success rate. While three complications related to the treatment were noted, there were no complications related to the device, including any vascular damage. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first multicenter clinical trial that investigated and demonstrated technical efficacy as well as overall safety profile of the Stabilizer device in neuroendovascular procedures where the use of an exchange method was necessary.

Cosmetic Outcomes of Supraorbital Keyhole Craniotomy Via Eyebrow Incision: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Supraorbital eyebrow craniotomy is a minimally invasive alternative to a frontotemporal craniotomy and is often used for tumor and vascular pathologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate how patient cosmetic outcomes are affected by technique variations of this approach. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically searched, and results were reported according to PRISMA guidelines. For the meta-analysis portion, the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used, and the primary end points were patient satisfaction and percentage of permanent cosmetic complications. Results A total of 2,629 manuscripts were identified. Of those, 124 studies (8,241 surgical cases) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 93.04 ± 11.93% of patients reported favorable cosmetic outcome following supraorbital craniotomy, and mean number of cases with permanent cosmetic complications was 6.62 ± 12.53%. We found that vascular cases are associated with more favorable cosmetic outcomes than tumor cases ( p = 0.0001). Addition of orbital osteotomy or use of a drain is associated with adverse cosmetic outcomes ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.0001, respectively). The location of incision, size of craniotomy, utilization of an endoscope, method of cranial reconstruction, skin closure, use of antibiotics, and addition of pressure dressing did not significantly impact cosmetic outcomes ( p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions Supraorbital craniotomy is a minimally invasive technique associated with generally high favorable cosmetic outcomes. While certain techniques used in supraorbital keyhole approach do not pose significant cosmetic risks, utilization of an orbital osteotomy and the addition of a drain correlate with unfavorable cosmetic outcomes.

Sustained ICP Elevation Is a Driver of Spatial Memory Deficits After Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Leads to Activation of Distinct Microglial Signaling Pathways.

The mechanisms of cognitive decline after intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in some patients continue to be poorly understood. Multiple rodent models of intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage have only shown mild or even no cognitive impairment on subsequent behavioral testing. In this study, we show that intraventricular hemorrhage only leads to a significant spatial memory deficit in the Morris water maze if it occurs in the setting of an elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Histopathological analysis of these IVH + ICP animals did not show evidence of neuronal degeneration in the hippocampal formation after 2 weeks but instead showed significant microglial activation measured by lacunarity and fractal dimensions. RNA sequencing of the hippocampus showed distinct enrichment of genes in the IVH + ICP group but not in IVH alone having activated microglial signaling pathways. The most significantly activated signaling pathway was the classical complement pathway, which is used by microglia to remove synapses, followed by activation of the Fc receptor and DAP12 pathways. Thus, our study lays the groundwork for identifying signaling pathways that could be targeted to ameliorate behavioral deficits after IVH.