Articles tagged with Neurosurgery
A landmark study by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shows fetal surgery for spina bifida can improve outcomes for children with the condition. Fetal surgery significantly reduced the need to divert fluid from the brain, improved mobility, and increased the chances that a child will be able to walk independently.
Patients with hydrocephalus and white matter changes who underwent shunt operations showed significant improvements in mental function and walking ability. The study's findings provide conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of shunt surgery in treating this condition.
Medical College of Georgia researchers explore the role of aquaporin-4 in traumatic brain injuries, discovering that curcumin and brilliant blue G can block inflammation and swelling. The findings hold promise for improved treatment options for patients with TBI.
According to a 21-year study, surgery for acoustic neuromas achieves gross total resection in the vast majority of patients, resulting in minimal morbidity and mortality. The procedure also preserves facial function in 90% of cases, with 44% of patients regaining useful hearing in the affected ear.
A Mayo Clinic study found that aggressive surgery to completely remove low-grade brain tumors (gliomas) in children offers the highest chance of overall survival. If complete removal is not possible, adding radiation therapy yields similar results.
Researchers demonstrate that individuals can intentionally alter the firing rate of specific neurons in the brain, increasing some while decreasing others. This control is achieved through focusing thoughts on particular images displayed on a computer screen.
Researchers have found that individuals can rapidly and voluntarily control neurons deep in their brains, allowing them to manipulate images on computer screens. The study uses epilepsy patients with electrodes implanted in their brains to record individual neuron activity in response to specific images.
Transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery (TONES) is a safe and effective treatment for advanced brain diseases and traumatic injuries. By performing surgery through the eye socket, surgeons can gain equivalent access to the front of the brain while eliminating large ear-to-ear scars associated with major brain surgery.
A Loyola University Health System study found that only seven of the 22 patients who experienced pulmonary embolisms showed evidence of leg blood clots. Researchers suggest screening for DVTs in the arms as well as legs before and after surgery to assess risk.
The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies has launched World Neurosurgery, a monthly journal addressing regional and global issues in neurosurgery. Published by Elsevier, the journal will disseminate content to over 20 million clinicians and scientists.
Researchers have discovered that Michelangelo's depiction of God in the Sistine Chapel ceiling contains unusual features resembling a brainstem, with implications for our understanding of the artist's anatomy knowledge. The findings suggest another hidden anatomical detail in the painting, potentially related to the spinal cord.
ATV accidents result in severe head and spine trauma, costing $3.24 billion annually, with children under 20 years old accounting for 42% of these injuries. The study highlights the need for improved ATV stability, increased helmet use, and rider training to reduce the risk of such accidents.
A new study suggests that awake sedation for brain surgery can shorten hospital stays by 3.5 days compared to general anesthesia. The study also found a 36% decrease in post-intensive-care direct cost for cases receiving conscious sedation.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital tested spinal cord stimulation in a single patient with Parkinson's disease, finding that low-frequency SCS worsened symptoms while high-frequency SCS improved motor function. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential benefits of this approach for PD patients.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed nanoparticles that can enhance MRI scans and surgical procedures for brain tumor removal. The magnetic and fluorescent nanocomposites can help doctors visualize tumors before surgery, allowing for more precise removal.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that a commonly used bypass surgery technique may impair the brain's ability to regulate blood flow, increasing the risk of stroke. Researchers found that seven patients experienced strokes after cooling and rewarming, highlighting the need for improved monitoring to prevent such incidents.
UCLA researchers have made a direct recording of mirror neurons in the human brain, showing they are more widely distributed than previously thought. The study found that specific subsets of mirror cells increased activity during action execution but decreased it when observing an action.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that can safely remove large brain tumors from an area at the bottom of the skull, near the sinus cavities. The study found that this approach resulted in complete tumor removal in 96% of patients and could be a game-changer for patients with pituitary macroadenomas.
Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that underprivileged African-American, Hispanic, and low-income patients with brain tumors are significantly less likely to be referred to high-volume specialty hospitals. This finding contradicts federal health care agency recommendations for equal access and quality of care.
A recent study found that racial disparities in access to high-quality surgical care for brain tumors have increased over time. Patients of color are less likely than white patients to receive treatment at high-volume hospitals, which can lead to poorer outcomes.
A new study published in The Lancet and The Lancet Neurology found that carotid stenting is not as effective as standard surgery in preventing stroke or as safe in the short-term. Surgery was shown to almost halve the risk of stroke and death within 30 days after treatment, compared to stenting.
Head injuries are a common cause of hospital admissions and death in skiing and snowboarding, with 120,000 people in North America affected annually. Helmets can reduce the risk by up to 60%, according to research. Doctors recommend integrating helmets into ski culture through public awareness campaigns and role modeling.
Researchers at the University of Washington studied brain signals in eight patients awaiting epilepsy surgery, finding that imagined movements can strengthen brain activity. After less than 10 minutes of practice, brain signals from imagined movement became significantly stronger than when actually performing the physical motion.
Research finds that selective brain damage, particularly in parietal regions, can modulate human spirituality and religious attitudes. The study identified a causative link between specific brain lesions and changes in self-transcendence, a personality trait reflecting spiritual feeling and behavior.
Researchers at UCLA's Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program have found that a non-invasive approach to pre-surgical testing, combined with earlier consideration for surgery, is associated with the best seizure-free surgical outcome in patients with TSC. Approximately two-thirds of TSC patients became seizure-free after surgery.
Researchers found that physicians' bedside exams did a better job than CT scans in predicting which patients would need to return to the operating room to treat complications such as bleeding. The low-cost, simple exam appears to be superior to routine CT scans in determining return to the operating room.
A French team has developed a computerized 3D model that predicts the movement of the heart as it beats, allowing robotic tools to move in concert with each beat. This innovation could enable less invasive surgical procedures with high precision and reduce complications.
Researchers have developed a new method using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to improve the removal of benign tumors in children. By visualizing nerve fiber bundles, DTI enables surgeons to avoid damaging critical brain tissue and achieve more complete tumor removal.
A new miniature microscope enables neurosurgeons to visualize brain tumors in real-time, allowing for more precise removal and accurate diagnosis. This technology has the potential to reduce surgery time by up to 40 minutes and improve patient outcomes.
A Johns Hopkins study found that Hispanic children diagnosed with brain tumors receive specialized care at one-third the rate of other children, despite efforts to equalize access. The research highlights persistent gaps in care among certain patients and raises concerns about the future impact on this growing demographic.
A new study uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect the site of perception of tinnitus in the brain, allowing physicians to target specific areas with treatments. The imaging technique reveals activity in both hemispheres of the brain for patients with bilateral tinnitus, providing hope for future interventional strategies.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that using a drain after surgery to release a chronic subdural hematoma significantly reduces both mortality and hematoma recurrence. The study assessed 215 patients with chronic SDH who underwent burr-hole surgery, with a significant benefit observed in the group using a drain.
Researchers are conducting a phase II gene therapy trial using CERE-110 to treat patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine the safety and benefits of injecting the gene into the brain, which produces Nerve Growth Factor to help nerve cells survive.
A new study by Loyola University Health System researchers highlights the limitations of hospital report cards, particularly in neurosurgery. The mortality index used in these reports fails to account for factors such as patient mix, complex cases, and treatment of lower-risk elective versus high-risk non-elective cases.
A recent study of 311 patients with coiled brain aneurysms who underwent retreatment procedures found a low risk of death or permanent major disability, with only 1.28% of patients experiencing adverse outcomes. The study supports the emergence of endovascular coiling as a safe and effective treatment option for recurrent brain aneurysms.
A recent animal model study found that exposure to high concentrations of oxygen hastens memory loss in Alzheimer's mice. The study suggests that the combination of brain beta amyloid and hyperoxia may trigger Alzheimer's symptoms, particularly in those at increased risk. Researchers propose reducing oxygen exposure as a potential prev...
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that long-term memory losses and cognitive problems after bypass surgery are caused by coronary artery disease, not the heart-lung machine. Researchers discovered significant cognitive decline in patients with no use of heart-lung devices.
GIFTED HANDS: AMERICA'S MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO SURGERY explores the history of American surgical practice, from pre-Columbian and colonial eras to modern-day scientific surgery. The book highlights key medical breakthroughs, innovative surgeons like Alexis Carrel and Joseph Murray, and their impact on the field.
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have developed a new surgical technique to treat refractory epilepsy, with nine patients showing successful results. The innovative approach reduces risks and complications associated with previous insular surgeries.
A University of Cincinnati study found that performing stereotactic needle biopsies in eloquent areas of the brain, associated with language or other critical functions, carries no greater risk than in non-eloquent areas. The study compared complication rates between functional and non-functional brain regions.
Researchers at UCLA's Brain Injury Research Center are re-examining the standard treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggesting that fueling the brain with glucose may not be the best approach. Instead, they propose using alternative compounds like pyruvate and beta-hydroxybutyrate to optimize recovery.
A new study published in Epilepsia reveals that surgery for babies and toddlers suffering from epilepsy is relatively safe and effective in controlling seizures. Early surgery may also have a positive impact on brain development.
Patients who undergo aggressive brain surgery after a severe stroke generally improve their lives and live longer, according to research by neurologists at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The study found that patients who didn't have the surgery were about three times more likely to die within a year than those who did.
BioSET and Brookhaven Lab have patented a synthetic peptide, B2A, that enhances bone growth in spine fusion surgeries. The peptide is used in a combination medical device called AMPLEX, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies.
A new study finds aggressive surgery followed by targeted radiotherapy is effective in treating a rare form of childhood brain cancer. The treatment improved event-free survival rates, with children under 3 years old showing excellent outcomes.
Using a three-dimensional image-guided system to help place screws in the spine results in safe and accurate surgery with decreased nerve injuries and misplaced screws compared to traditional operations.
Scientists present reports on novel technologies to restore memory circuits, alter drug effects, deliver targeted therapies and improve brain imaging. The advancements aim to pinpoint seizure causes and deliver precise treatments, promising a new era in epilepsy care.
A new spinal deformity classification system has been developed to define the range of normalcy for spine alignment. The system, published in Neurosurgery, uses a systematic approach to define neutral upright spinal alignment across different age groups.
A new study has identified 11 clinical risk factors that can help doctors weigh the risks and benefits of carotid surgery. The study found advanced age and non-white patients are at higher risk for death or stroke after surgery.
Researchers are exploring alternative energy solutions and innovative approaches to medicine. Virtual reality technology is being used to create realistic 3D presentations on mobile devices, while a new method for measuring brain function during surgery could improve outcomes.
A US neurosurgeon reports promising results treating soldiers with severe brain injuries in Iraq, where aggressive therapies led to unexpected survival rates. In contrast to predicted dire outcomes, some patients showed remarkable recovery, challenging the predictive value of standard neurological assessments.
Dr. Edward Duckworth is using less-invasive techniques to remove tumors, repair life-threatening aneurysms, and reduce seizures in epilepsy patients. The procedure involves reaching the brain through smaller openings, resulting in decreased pain and shorter hospital stays.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital discovered that depolarization waves in the brain spread through adjacent areas after a stroke, leading to further cell death. The study's findings may enable the translation of decades-long experimental research into clinical applications.
A new study found that elderly patients with brain tumors aged 75 and older do not receive aggressive treatments like younger patients. However, treating these patients aggressively with multi-modality therapies can lead to better survival rates without affecting mental abilities or causing unbearable side effects.
Cancer researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh are developing novel treatments for gliomas, a common type of brain tumor, through three projects funded by the NIH grant. The goal is to take these approaches from laboratory testing to clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
A new neuroimaging study maps functional brain areas to improve cognitive skills before, during, and after brain tumour surgery. The study uses fMRI to localize important areas and preserve motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities.
Researchers found a correlation between smoking history and increased risk of aneurysm recanalization in patients treated with coil embolization. Cigarette smoking is the only factor consistently identified as a predisposition for cerebral aneurysms.
A University of Cincinnati study found that new coiling devices are no more effective than traditional bare platinum coils in preventing brain aneurysm recurrence. The study analyzed 100 patients and found a higher rate of repeated treatments with the newer, more expensive coils.
Pak H. Chan receives the Thomas Willis Award for major contributions to stroke understanding, while S. Claiborne Johnston and Pooja Khatri receive awards for clinical stroke research and young investigator recognition respectively.
Scientists at the University of Leicester have developed new Doppler ultrasound techniques to detect emboli, reducing intra-operative and post-operative stroke rates by 96% and 99.3%, respectively. The 30-day death/stroke rate has also fallen from 6% to 2.6%.