NEUROSURGERY

Comprehensive Morphometric Analysis to Identify Key Neuroimaging Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Adult Hydrocephalus Using Artificial Intelligence
Gholampour S, Rosen JB, Pagan M, Chen S, Gomaa I, Dehghan A and Waterstraat MG
Hydrocephalus involves abnormal cerebrospinal fluid accumulation in brain ventricles. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for timely intervention and preventing progressive neurological deterioration. The aim of this study was to identify key neuroimaging biomarkers for the diagnosis of hydrocephalus using artificial intelligence to develop practical and accurate diagnostic tools for neurosurgeons.
Long-Term Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Pineocytomas: An International Multicenter Study
Hamel A, Tourigny JN, Niranjan A, Lunsford LD, Wei Z, Srinivasan PN, Liscak R, May J, Martínez Moreno N, Martínez Álvarez R, Lee CC, Yang HC, Tripathi M, Kumar N, Mashiach E, Kondziolka D, Briggs RG, Yu C, Zada G, Franzini A, Pecchioli G, Bowden GN, Dayawansa S, Sheehan J and Mathieu D
Pineocytomas are grade 1 tumors arising from the pineal parenchyma. Gross total resection can potentially cure these benign lesions but can be associated with morbidity. This study was designed to provide multi-institutional data to evaluate the results of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for pineocytomas.
In Reply: Hypertonic Saline Solution Versus Mannitol for Brain Relaxation During Craniotomies: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis
Menegaz de Almeida A, Viana P, Marinheiro G, Hoffmann Relvas J, Lopes L, Guilherme GL, Zanette Giusti JA, Oliveira P, Azevedo Silva Kaiser Cabral MA, Carvalho Santos R and Medani K
Letter: Hypertonic Saline Solution Versus Mannitol for Brain Relaxation During Craniotomies: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis
Beucler N, Do Tran A, Sellier A, Robert P and Dagain A
Clinical Benefits of Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium in Patients With Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Wildtype Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Retrospective Study of 100 Cases
Fujimoto Y, Fujita Y, Tanaka K, Nagashima H, Yamanishi S, Ikeuchi Y, Iwahashi H, Sanada S, Muragaki Y and Sasayama T
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with talaporfin sodium is an intraoperative local therapy administered after the surgical removal of malignant gliomas. However, its clinical efficacy in a large patient population has not been determined. To analyze the clinical outcomes and prognosis in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastoma patients treated with PDT.
Decoding Glioblastoma Heterogeneity: Neuroimaging Meets Machine Learning
Fares J, Wan Y, Mayrand R, Li Y, Mair R and Price SJ
Recent advancements in neuroimaging and machine learning have significantly improved our ability to diagnose and categorize isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastoma, a disease characterized by notable tumoral heterogeneity, which is crucial for effective treatment. Neuroimaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance radiomics, provide noninvasive insights into tumor infiltration patterns and metabolic profiles, aiding in accurate diagnosis and prognostication. Machine learning algorithms further enhance glioblastoma characterization by identifying distinct imaging patterns and features, facilitating precise diagnoses and treatment planning. Integration of these technologies allows for the development of image-based biomarkers, potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsy procedures and enabling personalized therapy targeting specific pro-tumoral signaling pathways and resistance mechanisms. Although significant progress has been made, ongoing innovation is essential to address remaining challenges and further improve these methodologies. Future directions should focus on refining machine learning models, integrating emerging imaging techniques, and elucidating the complex interplay between imaging features and underlying molecular processes. This review highlights the pivotal role of neuroimaging and machine learning in glioblastoma research, offering invaluable noninvasive tools for diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes. These advances in the field promise to usher in a new era in the understanding and classification of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.
Electrode Location and Domain-Specific Cognitive Change Following Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
Zargari M, Hughes NC, Chen JW, Cole MW, Gupta R, Qian H, Summers J, Subramanian D, Li R, Dawant BM, Konrad PE, Ball TJ, Englot DJ, Dhima K and Bick SK
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms. DBS is also associated with postoperative cognitive change in some patients. Previous studies found associations between medial active electrode contacts and overall cognitive decline. Our current aim is to determine the relationship between active electrode contact location and domain-specific cognitive changes.
Commentary: Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade 1 International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K1 Study
Link MJ
Brain Abscess Causes Brain Damage With Long-Lasting Focal Cerebral Hypoactivity that Correlates With Abscess Size: A Cross-Sectional 18F-Fluoro-Deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Study
Müller EG, Dahlberg D, Hassel B, Revheim ME and Connelly JP
Bacterial brain abscesses may have long-term clinical consequences, eg, mental fatigue or epilepsy, but long-term structural consequences to the brain remain underexplored. We asked if brain abscesses damage brain activity long term, if the extent of such damage depends on the size of the abscess, and if the abscess capsule, which is often left in place during neurosurgery, remains a site of inflammation, which could explain long-lasting symptoms in patients with brain abscess.
Outcomes of Radiosurgery for WHO Grade 2 Meningiomas: The Role of Ki-67 Index in Guiding the Tumor Margin Dose
Meng Y, Bernstein K, Mashiach E, Santhumayor B, Kannapadi N, Gurewitz J, Snuderl M, Pacione D, Sen C, Donahue B, Silverman JS, Sulman E, Golfinos J and Kondziolka D
The management of World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 meningiomas is complicated by their diverse clinical behaviors. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can be an effective management option. Literature on SRS dose selection is limited but suggests that a higher dose is better for tumor control. We characterize the predictors of post-SRS outcomes that can help guide planning and management.
Predictive Value of Neurosurgery Applicant Metrics on Resident Academic Productivity
Banko L, Riesenburger N, Patel RV, Gilligan C, Cosgrove GR, Chiocca EA, Proctor MR, Patel AJ and Bi WL
Scholarship has been critical to neurosurgery. As grades and board examinations become pass-fail, finding metrics to distinguish applicants coupled with an emphasis on research has led to growth of reported academic output among neurosurgery applicants. We aimed to evaluate applicant factors that associate with an academically productive neurosurgery resident.
The Management of Symptomatic Moyamoya Disease in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Shahbandi A, Sattari SA, Azad TD, Xia Y, Lehner K, Yang W, Feghali J, Reynolds RA, Akbari SHA, Groves ML, Xu R, Caplan JM, Bettegowda C, Cohen AR, Huang J, Tamargo RJ and Gonzalez LF
The optimal management strategy for pediatric patients with symptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD) is not well established. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares surgical vs conservative management and direct/combined bypass (DB/CB) vs indirect bypass (IB) for pediatric patients with symptomatic MMD.
Letter: Application and Safety of Externally Controlled Metronomic Drug Delivery to the Brain by an Implantable Smart Pump in a Sheep Model
Huang M and Liu Y
Outcomes Associated With Stereotactic Radiosurgery After Multiple Resections of Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenomas: An International, Multicenter Case Series
Grogan D, Dumot C, Mantziaris G, Tos SM, Tewari A, Dayawansa S, Sheehan K, Sheehan D, Peker S, Samanci Y, Nabeel AM, Reda WA, Tawadros SR, AbdelKarim K, El-Shehaby AMN, Emad RM, Abdelsalam AR, Liscak R, May J, Mashiach E, Vasconcellos FN, Bernstein K, Kondziolka D, Speckter H, Mota R, Brito A, Bindal SK, Niranjan A, Lunsford LD, Benjamin CG, Almeida TAL, Mathieu D, Tourigny JN, Tripathi M, Palmer JD, Mao J, Matsui J, Crooks J, Wegner RE, Shepard MJ and Sheehan J
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) represents an effective treatment for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). However, no data have yet been published regarding results of SRS on NFPAs after multiple previous resections.
Neurosurgery Fellowships and the Residencies That Enfold Them: A Nationwide Correlational Analysis
Bashir R, Gould GC and Miller JP
Accredited neurosurgery fellowship training is available in 10 subspecialties and can sometimes be completed during the postgraduate year (PGY)-7 residency year. However, it is not clear whether there are sufficient residency graduates to fill the number of positions available, and residency curriculum structure to support enfolded training is evolving.
Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade II International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K2 Study
Bin-Alamer O, Abou-Al-Shaar H, Peker S, Samanci Y, Pelcher I, Begley S, Goenka A, Schulder M, Tourigny JN, Mathieu D, Hamel A, Briggs RG, Yu C, Zada G, Giannotta SL, Speckter H, Palque S, Tripathi M, Kumar S, Kaur R, Kumar N, Rogowski B, Shepard MJ, Johnson BA, Trifiletti DM, Warnick RE, Dayawansa S, Mashiach E, Vasconcellos FN, Bernstein K, Schnurman Z, Alzate J, Kondziolka D and Sheehan JP
This study assessed the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in comparison with watchful waiting for managing Koos grade II vestibular schwannomas (VS).
Diagnostic Accuracy of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurement by Ultrasonography for Noninvasive Estimation of Intracranial Hypertension in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Uparela-Reyes MJ, Ordoñez-Cure S, Moreno-Drada J, Villegas-Trujillo LM and Escobar-Vidarte OA
Intracranial hypertension (IH) is associated with an unfavorable outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and management strategies guided by intracranial pressure monitoring improve prognosis. Owing to the limitations of using invasive devices, measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by ultrasonography is an alternative noninvasive method. However, its accuracy has not been validated in patients with TBI, so we aim to determine the diagnostic accuracy of measuring ONSD by ultrasonography in patients with TBI to estimate IH, compared with invasive monitoring.
Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade I International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K1 Study
Bin-Alamer O, Abou-Al-Shaar H, Peker S, Samanci Y, Pelcher I, Begley S, Goenka A, Schulder M, Tourigny JN, Mathieu D, Hamel A, Briggs RG, Yu C, Zada G, Giannotta SL, Speckter H, Palque S, Tripathi M, Kumar S, Kaur R, Kumar N, Rogowski B, Shepard MJ, Johnson BA, Trifiletti DM, Warnick RE, Dayawansa S, Mashiach E, Vasconcellos FN, Bernstein K, Schnurman Z, Alzate J, Kondziolka D and Sheehan JP
This investigation evaluates the safety and efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) vs observation for Koos grade I vestibular schwannomas (VS).
Letter: The Rising Shift to Open Access Journals in Neurosurgery With Exuberant Fees: Challenges and Limitations
Musmar B and Jabbour PM
Updated 5-Year Institutional Bibliometric Profiles for United States Neurosurgery Residency Programs and the Relationship Between Social Media Presence and Objective Departmental Metrics
Chang AN, Boyett D, Chou D and Chan AK
The authors report current 3-year and 5-year institutional bibliometric profiles and investigate the correlations between objective metrics of neurosurgical residency programs and social media presence, including residency program size, faculty count, Doximity rankings, and measures of research output.
Safety and Efficacy of Tiny (≤3 mm) Unruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Treatment: An Analysis of the NeuroVascular Quality Initiative-Quality Outcomes Database Cerebral Aneurysm Registry
Padmanaban V, Harbaugh T, Zhu J, Zhou S, Ansari SA, Howington JU, Sahlein DH, Tejada JG, Wilkinson DA, Simon SD, Cockroft KM, Church EW and
Improved imaging modalities have led to an increased detection of intracranial aneurysms, many of which are small. There is uncertainty in the appropriate management of tiny aneurysms. The objective of this study was to use a large, multi-institutional NeuroVascular Quality Initiative-Quality Outcomes Database (NVQI-QOD) to assess the frequency, safety, and efficacy of treatment of tiny, unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms.