The aim of this study is evaluating in vivo degradation of photocrosslinkable hyaluronic acid (HA)-based dural sealant (HA photosealant) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological analysis to assess its biodegradability and effectiveness in preventing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.

Stereotactic bilateral anterior cingulotomy, including lesions in the anterior and midcingulate cortex, is one of the methods used for treating thalamic pain syndrome. In cases of non-ischemic thalamic lesions, simultaneous stereotactic biopsy of the lesion can be performed in combination with cingulotomy. In this paper we present a case of a 45-year-old male with a lesion in the right thalamus, causing a severe contralateral hemi-pain syndrome. Bilateral radiofrequency anterior cingulotomy and stereotactic biopsy were performed during a single surgery. Pain completely subsided within a few days following the anterior cingulotomy. Histological examination identified a diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II, ICD-O 9400/3), and the patient was subsequently referred for LINAC-based radiosurgery. The pain syndrome was controlled for 4 years, after which the pain syndrome returned with an increase in tumor size. Simultaneous anterior cingulotomy and stereotactic biopsy of the thalamic lesion represent a safe intervention for thalamic pain syndrome, enabling the alleviation of pain, verification of the lesion's etiology, and the application of appropriate treatment.

The medical metaverse can be defined as a virtual spatiotemporal framework wherein higher-dimensional medical information is generated, exchanged, and utilized through communication among medical personnel or patients. This occurs through the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, and others. We can envision a future neurosurgical operating room that utilizes such medical metaverse concept such as shared extended reality (AR/VR) of surgical field, AI-powered intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and real-time intraoperative tissue diagnosis. The future neurosurgical operation room will evolve into a true medical metaverse where participants of surgery can communicate in overlapping virtual layers of surgery, monitoring, and diagnosis.

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).

Managing giant partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms presents significant challenges due to their unfavorable natural history and the lack of standardized treatment approaches. Conventional treatments, whether open surgical or endovascular, often struggle to manage these aneurysms effectively, resulting in high recurrence rates or significant morbidity. The patient was a 62-year-old male with a symptomatic giant partially thrombosed aneurysm at the tip of the basilar artery, presenting with left-sided hemiparesis and dysarthria. Diagnostic imaging revealed a giant aneurysm with a wide-necked, canalized portion. A two-stage endovascular treatment was conducted, involving a balloon occlusion test (BOT) and intraoperative monitoring (IOM) for maximum patient safety. The treatment utilized stent-assisted Woven EndoBridge (WEB) embolization and serial bilateral vertebral artery trapping. The procedure successfully isolated the aneurysm and postoperative imaging confirmed the absence of recanalization, preserving the intact posterior circulation. The patient showed stable recovery and no neurological deficits during the 12-month follow-up period. This technical note demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of strategically integrating intrasaccular flow diversion using a WEB device and flow reversal through bilateral vertebral artery trapping for treating giant partially thrombosed aneurysms.

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly exhibit a poor mental health status and can easily develop aspiration pneumonia. Thus, early proper nutrition through oral or tube feeding is difficult to achieve, leading to malnutrition. However, evidence regarding early nutritional support in the intensive care unit (ICU) is lacking. We aimed to assess the effect of early nutrition in patients with TBI admitted to the ICU.

The femoral artery is the preferred access route for neurointerventions. The transfemoral approach (TFA) offers advantages such as a large diameter and easy access. However, it also entails disadvantages such as patient discomfort and high risk of complications. Following the initial report of coronary angiography using the transradial approach (TRA) in 1989, cardiologists discovered the advantages of TRA over the TFA and gradually replaced it with the TRA. In 1997, Matsumoto et al. used the TRA for cerebral angiography and neurointervention. Thereafter, the adoption of TRA for neurointervention gradually increased and good outcomes were reported. However, despite these developments, the adoption rate of TRA is relatively low. We reviewed the relevant studies to increase the accessibility of TRA for neurointerventionists.

In degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, interbody fusion surgery (IFS) has long been recommended as the gold standard of surgical management. However, IFS is less recommended for high-risk patients such as the elderly because it involves extensive surgery, with a long operation time and high volumes of blood loss, which lead to marked perioperative morbidity. We report an alternative primary and salvage treatment technique for high-risk lumbar spondylolisthesis through posterior lumbar element reinforcement using interspinous fixation (ISF) and decompression alone without interbody fusion.

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder frequently experienced by motorbike riders and stands as a leading cause of high disability rates globally. Research on neck pain among motorcyclist in metropolitan universities remains limited. However, given the rising population of urban motorcyclists, identifying factors contributing to neck pain becomes increasingly crucial.

Informed consent is a crucial communication process between doctors and patients for obtaining patients' approval before initiating medical treatment. It is derived from the legal principles of medical contracts and requires doctors to explain the treatment process to patients. Surgeons should be aware of informed consent not only to avoid unnecessary litigation risks but also to provide patients with the right to self-determination. The aim of the study is to help surgeons in Korea understand the legal doctrine on informed consent for practical application. This article reviews the legal doctrine of informed consent according to 5W1H-why, who, whom, what, when, and how-with judicial cases to communicate effectively with patients in clinical settings. Irrespective of the seniority and rank of a doctor, they have the responsibility to provide patients with the information required to protect their right to self-determination. Informed consent should be advanced for patients to consider, discuss with significant others, and determine whether or not to undergo medical treatment. At that stage, patients need to be informed of the necessity, risks, and so on. The most common method of informed consent is an oral explanation utilizing certain forms for documentation. However, the informed consent of patients can be exempted on certain occasions. Optimal informed consent, when implemented, leads to patient-centered care, which significantly improves patient satisfaction and outcomes. Ultimately, it not only protects doctors from litigation risks but also upholds patients' autonomy.

Subdural hematomas (SDH) are classified clinically and/or radiologically as acute (ASDH), subacute (SSDH) and chronic (CSDH). The management differ depending on their classification, with only the ASDH having a definite accepted surgical guideline. Non-acute SDH, specifically SSDH and CSDH have no clear surgical guidelines but are managed similarly in some literature. This study was conducted to determine if there is a difference in outcomes among surgically managed non-acute SDH in a specific elderly population of retired military personnel.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by substantial heterogeneity and limited therapeutic options. As molecular approaches to central nervous system (CNS) tumors have gained prominence, this study examined the roles of three genes, TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5, known to be involved in oncogenesis, developmental processes, and maintenance of cancer stem cell properties, which have not yet been extensively studied in GBM. This study is the first to present gene expression data for TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 specifically within the context of GBM patient survival.

Advancements in AVM surgical techniques for cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) underscore its efficacy. Our research aims to showcase the positive outcomes of treating low-grade AVMs surgically, focusing on safety and effectiveness.

Although Republic of Korea is an advanced country in medical technology with a successful treatment rate for serious diseases, such as cancer, and has improved technology for highly difficult surgery, many excellent medical doctors and physicians are struggling due to the recent unreasonable medical environment. Specialization in brain tumor surgery also faces challenges in Republic of Korea, including low financial incentives, legal threats, and limited career prospects. In response, the Korea Brain Tumor Society (KBTS) formed the Future Strategy Committee to assess these obstacles and propose solutions.

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society (JKNS), which has a history of over 50 years, has made great progress recently. In order to continue this progress in the future, we need to think about the strategies we will take and put them into practice. The progress of JKNS is an important opportunity to publicize the achievements of Korean neurosurgery to the world and for Korea to contribute further to global neurosurgery. We also need to think about and implement various measures to improve the inflow of papers of high quality from various countries and to establish an appropriate merit system for reviewers.

Korea's healthcare system and policy promotes early, actively stroke treatment to improve prognosis. This study represents stroke epidemiology and outcomes in Korea.

Palliative care is a specialized approach designed to enhance the quality of life for both patients and their families, offering patient-centered care through comprehensive assessment and care planning. However, the integration of palliative care within neuro-critical care settings has been relatively understudied. This descriptive study aims to identify the characteristics, palliative care needs, and outcomes of patients referred to palliative care services during admission to the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NS-ICU).

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory disease that has been rarely reported in the genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands, skin, lungs, bone, and endometrium. Central nervous system malakoplakia is extremely rare, and even then, it has only been reported in the cerebrum and cerebellum. A definite diagnosis of malakoplakia depends on microscopic detection of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. We would like to present the case of a 61-year-old male who, after undergoing a liver transplant and receiving prolonged antibiotic treatment for Escherichia coli bacteremia, presented with quadriparesis and gait disturbance. The clinical and radiologic appearance of malakoplakia mimics that of malignant tumor. This is a condition with no established appropriate treatment and presents challenges due to its spinal cord location. However, this case presents a case of spinal cord malakoplakia and may provide newly differential diagnosis of an intramedullary mass in the spinal cord.

The dominant vertebral artery (VA) approach is primarily considered in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute occlusion of the vertebrobasilar (VB) artery. As accessing the dominant artery is sometimes difficult, we present our experience treating acute VB stroke via a nondominant VA approach through a comparison with the dominant VA approach.