Articles tagged with Neurosurgery
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A study published in Neurosurgery found that most children and adolescents with herniated disks in the lower spine have some type of spinal vertebrae malformation. The researchers analyzed x-rays of 63 patients under age 20 and found that nearly all had at least one type of malformation involving the lumbar spine and sacrum.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that weight loss surgery curbs sweet tooth behavior by reducing dopamine release in the brain. The research suggests that positive outcomes are more likely if sugary foods seem less rewarding after surgery.
Researchers have invented a device that provides real-time augmented images under the microscope, allowing surgeons to clearly distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue. This technology can improve surgical accuracy and efficiency in brain cancer and aneurysm patients.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have reported the first successful use of a targeted therapy drug to treat a patient with a debilitating, recurrent brain tumor. Treatment with BRAF inhibitor dabrafinib led to rapid shrinkage of the tumor, and the patient remains symptom-free over a year after treatment.
A clinical trial reports superior outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion using triangular titanium implants, compared to nonsurgical management. The study shows significant reductions in pain, disability, and quality of life for patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
A study of 74 children with TSC found that more extensive surgery, including the entire epileptogenic zone, yields better seizure control. The study suggests that simply resecting the tuber may not be enough, and that a larger area of surrounding tissue must also be removed to achieve optimal results.
Researchers are testing a stimulated Raman scattering microscope to image brain tissue in real-time, allowing surgeons to see the difference between tumor tissue and normal brain. The technology has the potential to resolve a long-standing issue in cancer surgery by providing faster and more effective methods to assess tumor removal.
Children with TSC who undergo more extensive surgery have improved seizure control, whereas resecting just the tuber may not be enough. The study suggests that 'the malformed cortex surrounding the tuber may contribute more to epileptogenicity as opposed to the tuber itself'.
A recent NIH-funded study found that fetuses with enlarged ventricles may be less likely to benefit from in-utero surgery for spina bifida, suggesting a wait-and-watch approach may be better. Enlarged brain cavities are associated with a higher risk of needing a second surgery after birth.
A study by University of Florida Health researchers found that stroke victims with private insurance had lower mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications compared to those on Medicaid. The study analyzed nationwide data from over 1.5 million hospital admissions between 2002 and 2011.
A recent study published in Neurosurgery found that brain surgery quality of care is not accurately reflected by patient satisfaction ratings. Despite high overall satisfaction rates, many patients experienced postoperative complications, highlighting the need for more reliable measures of quality care.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that complete resection of high-grade brain cancer significantly improves survival rates in children. The study revealed a greater survival benefit for female patients compared to male patients. Gross total resection (GTR) improved the chances of survival free of recurrent or progressive cancer o...
Researchers found that the number of head impacts increased with activity intensity, with games having the most impacts. However, average impact severity was similar across practices, with helmet-only practices showing lower severity. Greater regulation of football practices is suggested to reduce the burden of head impact.
Scientists at UCLA have made groundbreaking breakthroughs in treating paralysis by developing a non-invasive procedure that stimulates the spinal cord, enabling five men with complete paralysis to move their legs. The new approach has shown promising results, suggesting that patients may regain control of multiple body functions.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that Massot's modern neurosurgical techniques played a critical role in Kutuzov's survival and ultimate victory over Napoleon. The brain surgery allowed Kutuzov to make the best decision, avoiding a confrontation with Napoleon's superior forces.
Two new studies found that Mobile Stroke Treatment Units (MSTUs) significantly reduce time to diagnose and treat stroke patients, greatly improving survival rates and recovery. MSTUs equipped with diagnostic tools and telemedicine capabilities facilitate real-time communication with hospital-based specialists.
A study found that patients who experienced significant reductions in pain and disability after spine surgery were more likely to be satisfied with their outcomes. Factors such as initial severity scores, insurance status, and mental health played a role in patient satisfaction rates.
A team of engineers and doctors at Vanderbilt University has developed a surgical robot with steerable needles equipped with wrists that provide needlescopic tools with previously lacked dexterity. This innovation allows for precise resections, suturing, and access to areas such as the nose, throat, ears, and brain.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine found that retired professional rugby players exhibit more severe symptoms of cervical spine degeneration, including narrower vertebral canals and greater muscle mass. The researchers suggest that stronger paraspinal muscles may aid in controlling spinal pain in this group.
Researchers found that serum S100B levels below 0.105 µg/L are an accurate predictor of no intracranial hemorrhage, reducing the need for costly CCT scans and hospitalizations. This simple blood test may help identify patients who can return home to recover.
Scientists at UT Arlington and UNTHSC are building a prototype shunt flow monitoring system that can deliver on-demand and continuous readings of hydrocephalus. This could lead to better treatment, especially in infants and children who account for most shunt operations.
A new laser-based technique called multi-exposure speckle imaging (MESI) aims to provide accurate blood flow measurements during neurosurgery. The technology has the potential to transform images and enable surgeons to distinguish healthy arteries from blocked ones, allowing for better assessment of problem areas.
A national study involving over 9 million Medicare patients found that patients rehospitalized with complications after major surgery are 26% more likely to survive if they return to the hospital where they had their operation. The researchers suggest maintaining continuity of care when readmissions occur is a key predictor of survival.
Researchers have developed an imaging technology that can provide surgeons with a color-coded map of a patient's brain, distinguishing between cancerous and healthy tissue. This could potentially make brain tumor removal safer and more effective by allowing surgeons to visualize the area being operated on.
Researchers investigated mannitol dosing errors in patients with intracranial emergencies. The study found a 22% dosing error rate, with underdosing being the most common error, occurring in 8.3% of cases.
A new classification system has been developed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of low- and intermediate-grade gliomas (LGGs), reducing the reliance on subjective tumor appearance. The system uses molecular and genetic analysis to identify three distinct groups of LGGs with varying prognoses, offering a more objective approach.
A multidisciplinary team of Loyola University Medical Center physicians report a case of a 12-year-old boy with refractory seizures due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the brain. The case highlights the challenge in distinguishing different lesions based on imaging, emphasizing the importance of carefully analyzing available ...
Researchers have discovered a set of neurons in the medial temporal lobe that is indicative of an individual's confidence level in their memories. The study found that the activity of these neurons, known as familiarity and novelty neurons, is proportional to confidence, suggesting that they play a key role in assessing memory quality.
Children with epilepsy who undergo brain surgery are at a higher risk of struggling academically, according to a new study. Despite surgery stopping seizures, these children often experience lower scores in reading, spelling, and numeracy due to pre-existing brain abnormalities.
A 16-year-old patient underwent a novel approach to diagnosis, where the spinal tumor was removed endoscopically while awake and under local anesthesia. Pathology confirmed Ewings sarcoma diagnosis, enabling effective treatment.
Neurosurgeon authors establish a surgical skills laboratory and dissection curriculum for resident education, improving surgical skills and understanding of anatomical relationships. The program has been implemented at the Cleveland Clinic, providing a comprehensive training environment and enhancing future standards in surgical training.
Doctors at TUM used navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation to map motor areas in patients with malignant brain tumors. This method improved prognosis by reducing residual tumor tissue and shortening hospitalization periods. Mapping of motor areas also enabled surgeons to remove tumors without affecting functional areas.
Researchers have detailed two surgical approaches for auditory brainstem implantation, including a translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid approach, to minimize damage to the brainstem and improve speech recognition. The procedures aim to restore hearing in patients with NF2 and other causes of retrocochlear deafness.
Researchers at UC Davis Health System have combined fetal surgery with a placental stem cell treatment to reduce the effects of spina bifida, with six lambs regaining ability to walk without noticeable disability after birth. The study aims to confirm safety and determine optimal dosing for potential human clinical trials.
A new study published in Neurosurgery finds that surgery provides good functional outcomes and a high cure rate for patients with lower-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain. The research evaluated 105 patients with AVMs from 2005 to 2012, concluding that treatment is recommended for appropriately selected patients.
As the US population ages, chronic subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is expected to become the most common adult brain condition requiring neurosurgical intervention. By 2030, hospitals and neurosurgeons may be under-manned to handle the projected increase in patients with SDH.
A minimally invasive spinal fusion procedure results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and a shorter hospital stay. The surgery allows for faster recovery and return to work, greatly improving patients' quality of life.
Researchers at McGill University developed a powerful new intraoperative probe for detecting cancer cells in real time during surgery. The Raman spectroscopy probe has a greater than 92% accuracy in identifying invasive brain cancers, and its use may improve patient outcomes by reducing cancer recurrence and extending survival times.
A study by Dr. Timothy R. Smith and colleagues found that over three-fourths of US neurosurgeons practice defensive medicine, ordering extra tests and procedures to mitigate malpractice risks. Rates were highest in states with high-risk liability environments, where neurosurgeons reported stopping procedures due to fear of lawsuits.
Two new fluorescent dyes, CLR1501 and CLR1502, attracted to cancer cells, were evaluated for their ability to differentiate brain tumors from normal brain tissue in mice. The results confirmed that both agents provided excellent fluorescence discrimination of tumor from adjacent normal brain.
A novel radioguided surgery technique using Y-90 DOTATOC can effectively identify residual cancer cells during brain tumor surgery, reducing healthy tissue removal. The study's findings suggest the potential for improved resection margins and enhanced patient outcomes.
A survey of female meningioma survivors aged 25-44 found they were more likely to want and intend to have a child than the general population, driven by concerns over recurrent meningioma and treatment needs. Physicians' advice on risk factors also influenced their decisions.
Researchers found that flow-diverting stents associated with ischemic complications in brain territories supplied by parent arteries and small branches covered by the stent. Despite high incidence of clinically silent lesions, low permanent complication rate suggests technique is safe and effective for aneurysm treatment.
A prospective randomized controlled trial found that laparoscopic shunt placement reduced distal shunt failures, a common complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. The study also showed comparable overall shunt malfunction rates and hospitalization times between the two groups.
Recent guidelines aiming to reduce neuroimaging tests for patients with headaches may overlook diagnoses of brain tumors. Neurosurgeons warn that these limits could delay or even prevent diagnosis in up to 30% of cases, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Rochester used imaging technique to show how brain heals itself after surgery, predicting vision recovery based on myelin insulation. This finding could have implications for treating various central nervous system injuries.
Researchers map out 'safe entry zones' for brainstem surgery using fiber tract dissection techniques and 3D photography. The study provides unprecedented descriptions and images of the inner anatomy of the brainstem, helping neurosurgeons plan the best approach to microsurgical procedures.
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic technique using songbird courtship calls to safely map the human brain during complex neurosurgery. The technique, called focal intraoperative cooling, involves cooling specific regions of the brain while patients undergo surgery, reducing surgical risk for epilepsy and brain tumor patients.
A new emergency treatment protocol for subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysms significantly reduces in-hospital rebleeding and improves clinical outcomes. Patients treated under the protocol show a lower incidence of repeated hemorrhage within 24 hours, compared to those treated earlier.
A University of Washington startup has developed a new football helmet designed to mitigate concussion forces. The innovation reduces linear and rotational acceleration, a significant breakthrough in brain injury protection.
Researchers at Georgia State University used the Granger causality test to analyze brain signals and locate seizure sources, improving surgical outcomes for patients. The study found that the test can detect seizures up to 10 seconds earlier than previous methods, leading to a higher cure rate.
Dr. Nicole McLaughlin is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on patients with OCD undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery to measure brain connectivity before and after the procedure. The goal is to understand the neural mechanisms of therapeutic change and develop novel therapies for OCD and related anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a robotic device that can treat severe epilepsy with a minimally invasive procedure. The system uses a shape-memory alloy needle steered by a robotic platform to destroy the area where seizures originate, avoiding drilling through the skull.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discover that electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes on the scalp can measure spreading depolarizations in injured brains, which are associated with worse outcomes. This non-invasive technique has the potential to revolutionize bedside neuro-monitoring.
Researchers identified over 4000 genes with differing expression profiles between VS cells and normal Schwann cells, including the aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Testing compounds BEZ235 and PKI-587 reduced tumor cell viability and increased cell death.
The journal tackles past, current and future concepts of sports concussion through advocacy, education, prevention, treatment and groundbreaking research. Recent studies show that persistent post-concussion symptoms may arise from structural or metabolic alterations in the brain.
A comprehensive review of sports concussions highlights the evolution of concussion treatment and research, from helmets to rule changes. Neurosurgeons emphasize the importance of helmet safety and cultural changes in reducing head injuries.
A new study found that weight loss surgery can improve cognitive function and reduce altered brain activity associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery may contribute to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease in obese people, according to researchers.
Percutaneous stereotaxic rhizotomy (PSR) provides good pain relief at a much lower cost than other surgical treatments, but is underutilized due to limited data and complications. The study found PSR to be eight times more cost-effective than microvascular decompression and 13 times more cost-effective than stereotactic radiosurgery.
Researchers found that TeleStroke Units improved stroke care in rural Bavaria, Germany, by increasing the number of patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from 2.6% to 15.5%. The median time between arrival and tPA administration fell from 80 minutes to 40 minutes.