Articles tagged with Neurosurgery
A study of 486,000 head impacts in 450 athletes found that concussions diagnosed by trainers had a wide range of symptoms and symptoms onset times. The authors highlight the heterogeneity in concussion diagnoses and emphasize the need for further investigation to determine predictors of long-term risks.
A virtual reality simulator called NeuroTouch provides neurosurgery trainees with valuable opportunities to practice essential skills and techniques for brain cancer surgery. The system uses 3-D graphics and haptic technology to simulate common tasks and tools, allowing surgeons to practice basic surgical skills.
A nationwide hospital database analysis found no significant difference in the risk of death for operations performed in July compared to all other months. The complication rate was also similar, with rates ranging from 1.4% to 7.2%. The results suggest that there is no 'July phenomenon' affecting neurosurgical risks.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that surgery itself has a profound impact on brain pathology and cognition in mice with human Alzheimer disease genes. Surgery causes a lasting increase in Alzheimer's pathology and significant cognitive impairment, primarily through inflammation.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that women with moyamoya disease are at higher risk of adverse outcomes, including stroke, after surgical treatment. Despite this, both men and women experience significant improvements in health and functioning after surgery.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have identified two brain regions that encode vowel pronunciation. The discovery may lead to new technology that verbalizes unspoken words of people paralyzed by injury or disease.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have unraveled how our brain cells encode vowel pronunciation in speech. They found two distinct areas in the brain responsible for this process, one responding to all vowels and another firing exclusively for specific vowels.
A study published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management found that therapeutic hypothermia can limit the devastating consequences of brain injury after cardiac arrest. The survey results show a wide variation in patient selection criteria for therapeutic hypothermia across New Jersey hospitals.
A study found that higher population density of neurosurgeons in the US is associated with lower mortality rates from motor vehicle accidents, which are often caused by traumatic brain injuries. Rural areas tend to experience more MVA-related deaths due to slower medical response times and reduced access to trauma resources.
The study found that while initial results of 2-level axial lumbar interbody fusion were promising, complications arose within 2 years, including screw breakage and rod detachment. Solid spinal fusion was achieved in only 8% of patients at 24 months postoperatively.
New research establishes a link between postoperative delirium and prolonged loss of cognitive function in cardiac surgery patients. Interventions to prevent delirium may help cardiac patients avoid long-term cognitive consequences.
The University of Akron has established a Conquer Chiari Research Center to improve diagnosis and treatment of Chiari malformation, a disorder causing head, neck, and shoulder pain. Researchers will use computational fluid dynamics to simulate brain fluid flow, helping determine if surgery is warranted.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin can protect the injured spinal cord and minimize clinical and biochemical effects of myelopathy in rats. The combination reduces inflammation, provides structural material to plasma membranes, and produces strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin preserved walking ability in rats with spinal-cord injury, while a Western diet caused measurable walking problems. The study suggests that dietary supplements may help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck.
A study in Neurosurgery found that surgeons with low experience (less than 4 procedures/year) have higher complication rates for spinal stenosis surgery. Hospital volume was unrelated to complication rates, suggesting individual surgeon expertise is key.
New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that patients with a past history of skin infection are three times more likely to develop painful and costly surgical site infections during operations. Despite following proper procedures to prevent SSIs, some patients appear to be more susceptible to contracting an infection due to un...
A study published in Neurosurgery found that surgical and nonsurgical treatment for C2 fractures in older adults resulted in similar short- and long-term outcomes, including mortality rates and complication rates. The researchers analyzed the outcomes of 56 older adults treated for C2 fractures over a ten-year period.
A 71-year-old man regained partial thumb and finger movement after undergoing nerve transfer surgery to bypass a cervical spinal cord injury. The procedure, described as reducing the severity of the injury by placing healthy motor nerves close to damaged ones, took less time than traditional repair methods.
A new UCLA study reveals that a high-fructose diet can slow the brain and impair memory and learning. However, adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet may help minimize this damage.
Researchers developed a non-invasive monitoring technique to assess changes in brain arteries, detecting brain damage in 61 children undergoing heart repair surgery. The 'hemoglobin volume index' allowed for real-time detection of brain injury and potential adjustments to blood pressure management.
A new study from UCSF found that brain surgery for epilepsy has not increased in the decade since a landmark clinical trial demonstrated its effectiveness. Despite this, thousands of Americans suffer from uncontrolled seizures each year, highlighting disparities by race and insurance status.
Scientists from UCSF used brain recordings to decode which speaker a subject was listening to, even when multiple voices were present. The study sheds light on the human brain's ability to focus on one voice in noisy environments, with implications for language learning disorders and neuroprosthetic devices.
Researchers found carotid endarterectomy to be a safe, less expensive treatment option for certain patients at risk for stroke. Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons also present findings on intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas and giant aneurysms using flow diversion.
A case report reveals the devastating consequences of dabigatran-induced brain hemorrhage, emphasizing the importance of rapid assessment and intervention after minor head trauma in patients taking anticoagulant medications. The study's findings underscore the need for medical providers to be aware of this high-risk complication.
A powerful new imaging technique called High Definition Fiber Tracking (HDFT) has been developed to clearly see for the first time neural connections broken by traumatic brain injury. HDFT scans have identified disruptions in neural pathways, allowing researchers to pinpoint breaks in the cables and quantify the proportion of fibers lost.
Researchers at UCLA have found that stimulating a critical junction in the brain can improve memory in human patients. The study focuses on the entorhinal cortex, which plays a crucial role in transforming daily experiences into lasting memories.
Researchers found that padding reduced linear impact dosages, but did not eliminate rotational injury risk. They also discovered a heightened risk of brain strain injury in both boxing and MMA, despite padding, emphasizing the need for improved protective measures.
A 26-year study found that nearly half of epilepsy surgery patients were free of disabling seizures, while 80% reported better quality of life. The study suggests increased use of surgical intervention could offer patients long-term seizure control and improved lives.
Researchers found that downregulation of CD97 gene expression by suppressing Wilms tumor 1 protein results in reduced cellular invasiveness exhibited by glial tumor cells, correlating with glioma cell invasiveness and proposed as a new target for anti-glioma therapies.
A comparative study has found that stenting and surgery for blocked neck arteries are equally effective in preventing repeat blockages. The study showed identical rates of recurring blockage at 5.8% after both procedures, with no significant difference in the risk of stroke.
Researchers tested ice hockey, alpine ski, and bicycling helmets to protect young children's heads during winter sports. The study found that no helmet provided adequate protection for all types of impacts, highlighting the need for a new type of winter play helmet.
Researchers found changes in motor cortex of the brain in patients with spinal cord compression, which may impact surgical procedures and patient outcomes. The study also identified a 15% decrease in N-acetylaspartate levels, suggesting potential implications for reversibility and treatment.
Physicians at Barrow Neurological Institute have written a biography of Ukrainian anatomist Vladimir Betz, who discovered giant pyramidal neurons known as Betz cells. These cells' function with cortical organization was a turning point in neuroscience, revolutionizing cell fixation and staining methods.
Research suggests that surprising good or bad outcomes drive learning, with neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus processing unexpected rewards and disappointments similarly. This finding may inform future therapies to accelerate re-learning in patients with brain damage.
Dr. R. Michael Scott has made groundbreaking innovations in pial synangiosis and novel advances in neurosurgery, transforming the field of pediatric neurosurgery. The Children's Department of Neurosurgery under his tenure experienced significant growth, becoming the largest pediatric neurosurgery department worldwide.
A Journal of the American College of Surgeons study found that malpractice lawsuits against US surgeons can lead to depression, stress, and professional dissatisfaction. The study also showed that surgical specialties such as neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery report high rates of malpractice lawsuits.
A surgical procedure aimed at bypassing a blocked brain artery did not lower the subsequent stroke rate after 2 years, compared to those who did not have the surgery. Patients who made it through the first month without a stroke had their risk of subsequent stroke almost cut by three-fourths.
University Hospitals neurosurgeons champion brain bypass in select patients with complex brain aneurysms or cerebrovascular disorders. The procedure can reduce stroke risk and improve symptoms in young patients with moyamoya syndrome.
Researchers warn that forced migration due to climate change will have calamitous results if not planned carefully. The team emphasizes the need for informed decision makers and careful planning to avoid community devastation. Resettlement efforts have left millions impoverished in the past, highlighting the complexities of the task.
Scientists developed a new tool to identify cancerous and healthy brain tissue, allowing for more precise tumor removal and reduced risk of recurrence. The tool, combining an ultrasonic aspirator with a mass spectrometer, proved successful on human brain samples in half the time previously needed.
Around half of adults undergoing surgery for epilepsy are seizure-free after 10 years, with improved outcomes seen for those with anterior temporal resections. The study highlights the need for further improvements in presurgical assessment and surgical treatment to increase success rates.
Researchers recorded novel responses to human faces from single neurons in humans, revealing a new insight into the neural basis of social perception. The findings suggest that the brain is highly sensitive to representing entire faces and responding strongly to anything wrong with the face.
Researchers at UC Davis Health System used bone marrow-derived adult stem cells to promote bone tissue growth after cervical disc removal. The procedure, part of a nationwide clinical trial, aims to relieve chronic, debilitating pain by eliminating friction between vertebrae and nerve compression.
Rasmussen Encephalitis is a rare neurological disease causing seizures, cognitive deficits and paralysis of half the body. Researchers at UCLA aim to narrow down the cause(s) of the disease using animal models and collaboration between experts in brain immunology and neuropathology.
A recent study published by Dietrich Manzey et al. investigated the performance consequences of advanced automated navigation support for surgeons. The results show that navigated-control assistance provides benefits for patient safety and surgical outcome, but also slows performance, increases workload, and reduces situation awareness.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found flexible-fiber CO2 lasers to be safe and effective in endoscopic assisted transsphenoidal craniotomies, with low complication rates. The study demonstrated the utility of this technology for treating pituitary tumors and other sellar lesions.
The new discs mimic the natural structure of human discs, with improved mechanical properties over time. This breakthrough could lead to a significant reduction in chronic back and neck pain, allowing patients to maintain their mobility and quality of life.
A study by Johns Hopkins physicians found that stents can prevent brain aneurysms from recurring after minimally invasive coiling procedures. The research suggests that stenting can make coiling a more promising option for the 30,000 people diagnosed with brain aneurysms each year in the US.
A new UCSF study reveals that brain surgery can completely cure two-thirds of people with severe and untreatable epilepsy, highlighting the importance of accurate brain mapping in achieving successful outcomes. The study's findings also underscore the need for further research into developing new methods to pinpoint seizure sources.
A new treatment combines minimally invasive surgery and t-PA to dissolve blood clots in brain tissue. The treatment showed significant improvement in clot size reduction and patient recovery compared to supportive care.
A study published in the journal Brain found that electrical disturbances in the brain, known as cortical spreading depolarizations, are associated with poor recovery and long-lasting outcomes after neurotrauma. These disturbances can be invisible on routine EEG exams but represent extreme changes in voltage.
A study found that 27% of children in Canada received surgeries after the established six-month target date. Delays can affect physical and cognitive development, particularly in cases like strabismus and scoliosis.
A study by neurosurgeons at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that anti-depressants can boost brain cells after injury, improving depression and memory. The medication, imipramine, increased the number of neurons in the hippocampus, a key area for memory, and enhanced novel object recognition tests.
SLU professor of neurosurgery Saleem Abdulrauf's high-flow brain bypass procedure improves treatment outcomes by reducing invasive procedures and maintaining blood flow in the brain. The technique is built upon the original brain bypass surgery developed in the 1960s and has been recognized for its potential to minimize recovery time.
Researchers observed a 5.1% increase in brain tissue thickness after brain bypass surgery, reversing loss and improving neurocognitive function in patients with impaired blood flow. The study offers hope for treating chronic cerebrovascular disease and its associated neurocognitive impairment.
A new study from UCSF found that arthroplasty, a newer surgery for cervical disc disease, can restore range of motion and reduce repeat surgeries in younger patients. For people under 50 with the condition, arthroplasty is a viable option.
Neurosurgeons from NYU Langone present cutting-edge surgical approaches and applications of technology for lateral skull base conditions, low-grade glioma tumors, and spinal surgery. The department's expertise has been recognized as one of the top ten hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery.
A Phase I clinical trial at UTHealth demonstrates that bone marrow stem cells are safely used in treating severe traumatic brain injury in children. After six months of follow-up, all children showed significant improvement, with seven out of ten experiencing a good outcome.
A review of Harvey Cushing's notes from the early 20th century has uncovered copious documentation of his own surgical mishaps and suggestions for preventing them. This open acknowledgment of errors may have contributed to groundbreaking medical advancements during Cushing's era, with similar benefits possible today.
Two projects will test BCI technology in patients with spinal cord injuries, allowing them to control computer cursors and prosthetic limbs using their thoughts. The projects aim to gain a better understanding of how to train and motivate patients who will benefit from BCI technology.