BRITISH JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY

Chiropractic in the NHS: is the placebo effect worth paying for as part of spinal surgery services?
Ogbu I and Kaliaperumal C
Improvement in cranial neuropathies following stereotactic radiotherapy as primary treatment for skull base meningiomas
Hafazalla K, Lan M, Piper K, Carey P, Khanna O, Shi W, Evans JJ, Andrews D, Judy K and Farrell CJ
Many patients with skull base meningiomas (SBMs) develop cranial neuropathies, though there is a paucity in literature regarding cranial neuropathy improvement following treatment. This is even more profound when isolating for patients who received stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) as their primary treatment without additional open surgery. Our goal was to investigate the effect of SRT on cranial neuropathies secondary to SBMs and identify predictors of favourable treatment response.
Novel minimally invasive irrigating catheter approach for subdural empyema: a case report
Carr MT, Kalagara R, Philbrick BD and Kellner CP
To present a new technique for the management of subdural empyema to promote resolution and prevent recurrence.
Diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination to distinguish sacroiliac joint pain as a cause of chronic low back pain
Vanaclocha V, Jordá-Gómez P, Saiz-Sapena N, Vanaclocha L and Kennedy J
Despite the availability of safe and effective surgical treatments for chronic SI joint pain, many clinicians find the diagnosis of SI joint pain challenging. Misdiagnosis can lead to misdirected surgery, which has important consequences. The study's goal was to determine whether a combination of clinical examination, joint block, and selected radiographic imaging can distinguish patients with SI joint pain from those with other causes of chronic low back pain.
Plagiarism-lessons learnt
Mukerji N
Accuracy of frameless robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography depth electrode implantation using the neurolocate registration system in paediatric patients
Kurzbuch AR, Scala MR, Cooper B, Kitchen J, Tronnier V and Ellenbogen J
We assessed the accuracy and performed a directional analysis of robot-assisted implantation of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) depth electrodes in children using the frameless neurolocate 3D registration module.
Follow up of infants with skull fractures by neurosurgeons due to the risk of growing fractures; is it needed?
John W, Lowes D and Leach P
Growing skull fractures are a rare complication of paediatric skull fractures. Despite its rarity, a large proportion of resources go towards detecting this complication. This study aims to identify the factors associated with growing skull fracture development to determine which children require follow-up.
Can angiogenesis be reliably determined on digital subtraction angiography in cerebral arteriovenous malformations?
Das S, Raffalli-Ebezant H, Kasher PR, Parry-Jones A and Patel HC
Angiogenesis and nascent blood vessel formation is thought to be important in cerebral arteriovenous malformation (cAVM) development and maintenance, of which little is known. Digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) features of angiogenesis in cAVMs are poorly described and the aim of this study was to describe the frequency of angiogenesis in patients who had a DSA showing a cAVM. We also sought to evaluate the intra- and inter-observer agreement of a diagnosis of angiogenesis and explore which angioarchitectural features were associated with angiogenesis.
Clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with a chronic subdural haematoma: multidisciplinary recommendations from presentation to recovery
Stubbs DJ, Davies BM, Edlmann E, Ansari A, Bashford TH, Braude P, Bulters DO, Camp SJ, Carr G, Coles JP, de Monteverde-Robb D, Dhesi J, Dinsmore J, Evans NR, Foster E, Fox E, Froom I, Gillespie C, Gray N, Grieve K, Hartley P, Lecky F, Kolias A, Jeeves J, Joannides A, Minett T, Moppett I, Nathanson MH, Newcombe VFJ, Outtrim JG, Owen N, Petermann L, Ralhan S, Shipway D, Sinha R, Thomas W, Whitfield PC, Wilson SR, Zolnourian A, Dixon-Woods M, Menon DK, Hutchinson PJ and
A chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is an encapsulated collection of fluid and blood degradation products in the subdural space. It is increasingly common, affecting older people and those living with frailty. Currently, no guidance exists to define optimal care from onset of symptoms through to recovery. This paper presents the first consensus-built recommendations for best practice in the care of cSDH, co-designed to support each stage of the patient pathway.
Successful surgical management of anterior cervical meningomyelocele associated with Klippel-Feil deformity using anterior vertebral reconstruction: a case report
Perrot T, El Hajj H, Moufid AY, David R, Billot M and Rigoard P
A rare case of Klippel-Feil syndrome associated with anterior cervical meningomyelocele is reported, treated successfully using partial cervical corpectomy, spinal cord microsurgical reinsertion into the spinal canal, and vertebral reconstruction. A 71-year-old patient presented with upper limb paraesthesia, chronic neck pain, and progressive motor distal impairment. Cervical spine imaging revealed an anterior cervical meningomyelocele digging into C7 vertebra and underlying adjacent congenital fusion blocks.
Longitudinal neurosurgical activity in the NHS: a retrospective study
Akkara Y and Mendoza N
Neurosurgical care within the NHS has experienced significant shifts since 2000. Although consultant and national training numbers have risen, waiting lists have remained substantially high. This study aims to examine trends in neurosurgical activity at an NHS institution.
Interventions and strategies for enhancing the consent process in neurosurgery. A systematic review of the literature
Elmahdi A and Smith D
The informed consent process in neurosurgery aims to support patient autonomy and provide comprehensive information for decision-making. However, gaps in communication and understanding between patients and surgeons persist, that need to be addressed. This systematic review examined the interventions and strategies which to enhance the process of consent in neurosurgery.
A review of acute symptomatic seizures during awake craniotomy for tumour resection
Freund BE, Barrios ML, Feyissa AM, Sabsevitz D, Grewal SS, Freeman WD, Middlebrooks EH, Sanchez-Garavito JE, Quinones-Hinojosa A and Tatum WO
Awake craniotomy (AC) is a procedure often performed concomitantly with direct electrical cortical stimulation (DES) and electrocorticography (ECoG) during functional brain mapping. Patients undergoing AC are at risk of acute symptomatic seizures, including intraoperative (IS) and early postoperative seizures (EPS) which can lead to higher risk of morbidity. Predicting those who are at risk of IS and EPS could alert clinicians and provide the ability to closely monitor and consider management changes in the acute setting to prevent seizures.
Uncomplicated linear skull fractures in the paediatric population: a retrospective observational study in a UK Major Trauma Centre
Najmi VS, Yellamraju SK, Toman E, Elmaghraby M, Lo W, Gallo P, Solanki G, Rodrigues D, Afshari FT and Pepper J
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise that paediatric patients with linear skull fractures do not require admission in the absence of intracranial injury. Despite this, a period of inpatient neuro-observation has become the standard advice and practice in the UK for fear of deterioration. Our experience is that these children rarely deteriorate or require neurosurgical intervention. The primary aim of this study was to describe the incidence of neurological deterioration in patients referred to our paediatric neurosurgery unit with linear skull fractures.
Spontaneous speech: a robust measurement before, during and after awake brain surgery in patients with glioma
Collée E, Vincent AJPE, Jiskoot LC, Bos EM, Schouten JW, Dirven CMF and Satoer D
Patients with glioma often report language complaints with devastating effect on daily life. Analysing spontaneous speech can help to understand underlying language problems. Spontaneous speech monitoring is also of importance during awake brain surgery: it can guide tumour resection and contributes to maintaining language function. We aimed to investigate the spontaneous speech of patients with glioma in the perioperative period and the additional value of spontaneous speech analyses compared to standardised language testing.
Development and early Evaluation of a novel tool for assessment of individualised risk tolerance during surgical consent
Booker J, Penn J, Newall N, Rowland D, Sinha S and Marcus HJ
The legal interpretation of consent has transitioned over the last decade. Surgeons must identify what patients value to individualise surgical consent. This presents a considerable challenge during busy ward rounds or outpatient clinics. We aimed to develop and evaluate a novel risk tolerance tool to aid surgical consent.
Chiari malformation type I and craniosynostosis in adults: Retrospective analysis over a 10 year period in a tertiary care Centre
Suraj Prasad A, Barron P, Sivakumar A, Correia Copley P, Gallo P and Kaliaperumal C
Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) pathophysiology remains uncertain. One theory involves small posterior fossa volumes leading to tonsillar herniation. Craniosynostosis causes suture fusion, which can limit skull growth, and has been investigated in paediatric CM1 cohorts. We aimed to identify the prevalence of concurrent craniosynostosis in adult CM1 patients.
Strategic insights and survival outcomes: a systematic review of CNS metastases in uterine cervical cancer
Corazzelli G, Zanuttini L, Balestrini D, Quercia S and Martinoni M
Uterine cervical cancer, predominantly caused by HPV, is the fourth most common malignancy in women, rarely leading to Central Nervous System (CNS) metastases with a poor prognosis. This study analyzes 137 cases, focusing on the clinical progression, treatment efficacy, and survival outcomes, highlighting the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to extend patient survival in the face of inconsistent evidence and management practices.
Towards net-zero operating in neurosurgery
Hodnett R, Murphy M, Williams A, Slator N, Love-Jones S and Wigfield C
The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to public health and surgery is a significant contributor to carbon emissions generated by the NHS. In this paper, we describe our experience of sustainable operating by using evidence-based methods to reduce our carbon footprint across three neurosurgical theatres during our 'Green operating day'.
Hyperostosis in meningioma: a retrospective exploration of histological correlates
Cook WH, Khan DZ, Khellaf A, Tsyben A, Posa M, Sorour M, Budohoski KP, Briggs M, Allinson KSJ, Kirollos RW and Helmy AE
Meningiomas are the most common type of primary brain tumour. Hyperostosis is commonly associated but remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between meningioma-associated hyperostosis and other tumour variables.
The prognostic utility of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in paediatric brain tumours: a retrospective case control study
Lim MS and Crimmins D
Paediatric brain tumours (PBT) are the most common cause of death among all childhood cancers. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to prognosticate many adult cancers. There is a paucity of literature on the NLR in PBTs. This study aims to study the link between PBTs and the NLR by comparing the preoperative serum NLR in children under 16 with brain tumours with their outcome in terms of grade of brain tumour and overall survival.