Intracranial Bypass of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms: Indications, Technical Aspects, and Clinical Outcomes
Written by Dom Mahoney, MS
Due to the tortuous path described by the vessel, PICA aneurysms present a particular challenge. In this article the authors describe the clinical features and surgical techniques used in the management of 7 complex PICA aneurysms.
Head Injury 2Ed: Pathophysiology & Management
Written by Edoardo Agosti, MS
AUTHOR:
P Reilly, R Bullock
EDITOR:
CRC Press, 2005
This book offers a systematic evaluation of traumatic brain injury, trying to tackle the most difficult and challenging management problems facing clinicians in the management of traumatic brain injury. Inside there are several sections devoted to various aspects of traumatic brain injury, as classification of mechanisms of injury, classification of traumatic brain injury, physiological mechanisms involved in neuronal damage, measuring and monitoring the injury, pediatric head injury, missile wounds, outcome prediction, brain death, treatment. Detailed guidelines-based management algorithms are provided in the appendices.
Location: New Dehli, India
Neurotrauma (head and spinal injuries) remains a forefront contributor to high mortality and morbidity globally. Department of Neurosurgery at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has taken the initiative to hold an update conference on recent advances in neurotrauma care annually for the last five years.
Groups of experts from all over the world will come together to share their experience in managing neurotrauma cases, discuss research and recent updates. The theme of this year is “Bridging Gap between Basic and Advanced Neurotrauma Care”.
This year, the event is more unique as it will be preceded by First AONeuro Seminar-Neurotrauma symposium (26th-27th October 2017) at AIIMS, New Delhi. This symposium will discuss at length updates on TBI in extremes of age. Faculty for this event range from WFNS president, TRACK TBI leaders and neurotrauma experts from the top centres of USA, Australia, Korea, Italy and many other countries. This course covers the current best strategies and considerations for managing neurotrauma patients. It features an international faculty of experts and is based on the competencies defined in AONeuro’s new neurotrauma curriculum. The course content is delivered using multiple educational methods. Comprehensive lectures concentrate on the understanding of core material. Interactive case presentations will further deepen this knowledge and facilitate the discussion in trauma management. Newly developed practical exercises enable participants to apply AO principles in the management of common injuries. Case-based discussions link the lecture material and practical skills with the clinical problems commonly encountered in everyday practice.
http://www.aiimsneurotrauma.com/
Classification and surgical approaches for transnasal endoscopic skull base chordoma resection: a 6-year experience with 161 cases
Written by Dom Mahoney, MSAs is the case with many other tumours, the extent of resection of chordoma has been seen to correlate directly with prognosis. Surgical approach to these lesions is complicated due to their proximity to numerous critical neurovascular structures, however endonasal approaches are becoming more popular. Existing classification systems are based primarily on considering the requirements of open microsurgery. The authors of this article retrospectively reviewed 161 patients that underwent endonasal resection of chordomas at their unit, in order to develop a more endonasal-specific system of classification.
They describe a system of classifying endonasally approached chordomas based on their location. This system has the benefit of being more applicable to endonasal surgeries. Although the total and subtotal resection rates between tumours of the different classifications are described as ‘significant’, it is unclear whether this refers to statistical significance. The method will require further validation in larger studies before it can be fully adopted.
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(DOI: 10.1007/s10143-015-0696-1)
AOSpine: a community of spine surgeons
Written by Giorgio Saraceno, MS
AOSpine is a community of spine surgeons from all over the world with the aim to generating, distributing, and exchanging knowledge in the field of spinal pathologies.
AOSpine activities are focused on three major key points: education, research and community development. On the first point, AOSpine set up courses, symposia and academic congresses addressed to different types of surgeons. AOSpine Research is focused on generation of evidenced-based recommendations and clinical studies through the AOSpine Research Network and the AOSpine Knowledge Forums. AOSpine Membership make it possible both to facilitate knowledge access and promote knowledge exchange thanks to a global community of surgeons passionate about scientific advance.
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Modified thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and its clinical usefulness
Written by Dom Mahoney, MS
Appropriate classification of thoracolumbar spinal injuries is crucial for appropriate management of patients and communication between healthcare professionals. The thoracolumbar injury and classification score (TLICS) was designed in 2005 to stratify spinal injuries based on their morphology, neurological sequelae and the integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex. Eleven years later, authors of the above article suggest a modified approach to TLICS, which they report shows greater correlation to outcomes in their series. Both are summarised below.
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(DOI: 10.1177/0284185115580487)
Spinal Cord and Spinal Column Tumors: Principles and Practice
Written by Edoardo Agosti, MS
AUTHOR:
Curtis A. Dickman, Michael G. Fehlings, Ziya L. Gokaslan
EDITOR:
Thieme
PUBLICATION DATE:
March 2006
DESCRIPTION:
Spinal column and spinal cord tumors are relatively rare (approximately 3 to 4 times less common than intracranial tumors) with a variable incidence of 0.9 to 2.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants each year. Despite the relatively low impact from an epidemiological point of view, they are certainly an important chapter in the field of neurosurgery both for diagnosis and for the management of patients.
Spinal Cord and Spinal Column Tumors: Principles and Practice is a text that fully addresses all aspects of tumours in this region, providing a detailed analysis of the anatomy, pathology, evaluation, diagnosis, and management techniques of spinal column and cord tumors.
From a therapeutic point of view, both neurosurgical and non-surgical treatments such as systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, embolization techniques, external beam radiation
therapy, brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery are addressed.
This book is a comprehensive text, lending insight into current techniques in managing these for all neurosurgeons and residents.
Eurospine 2017 - October 11 - 13, 2017
Written by Anatoli Dimitrov
The aims of EUROSPINE are to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and ideas in the field of research, prevention and treatment of spine diseases. There is also a strong drive to improve the collaboration between European spinal surgery centres. This year’s meeting promises to be of a high calibre, with presentations by world-renowned experts, discussions on the latest scientific developments, and opportunities to meet with colleagues and friends. It will be an event from which you can learn a great deal and enjoy yourself, finally taking something back home that you can put it in practice.
Impact of Tumor Histology on Resectability and Neurological Outcome in Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Single-Center Experience With 102 Patients
Written by Dom Mahoney, MS
Intramedullary spinal cord tumours have an estimated incidence of 1.1 cases in 100,000. Previously, the plane of dissection when surgically excising these lesions has been the key indicator for gauging extent of resection. Other articles have called into question the influence of histopathological characteristics on the definition of tumour boundary. The authors of this article report the results of a retrospective analysis determining the influence of tumour histology on resectability and neurological outcomes in cases of intramedullary spinal cord tumours. The 2016 WHO CNS classification emphasised the importance of genetic findings. This should be borne in mind when approaching results presented in articles in which this is not accounted for.
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Brainbook is a group of healthcare professional (neurosurgeons, trainees and nurses) working at The Royal London Hospital. An important feature distinguishing Brainbook from other similar groups is the aim to ease tension in patient’s families explaining what happens in a neurosurgical theatre. Furthermore, Brainbook hopes to make neurosurgical education accessible to all: contents are indeed totally free and concerning different topics. In this regard it is directed at medical students, residents, nurses and other healthcare professionals, as well has patients and their families.
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Spinal cord tumors present a significant treatment dilemma. This video summarizes clinical and surgical approaches to patients with intra- and extramedullary lesions.
Prof. Sciubba’s main area of interest is complex spine surgery, especially tumors and deformities. In his presentation he briefly explains the classification, differential diagnosis, management algorithm for intradural spinal cord tumors, as well as surgical outcomes, risks of postsurgical spinal deformities and need of instrumentation.
Use of intraoperative cell-salvage for autologous blood transfusions in metastatic spine tumour surgery: a systematic review
Written by Dom Mahoney, MS
Metastases make up the most significant group of tumours in the central nervous system in terms of incidence. Surgical resection of these lesions is often complicated by significant blood loss. Although allogenic blood product replacement is most frequently used to address this, the application of intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) has been researched. Although the authors conclude that there is insufficient evidence to establish resolutely if IOCS is generally safe in cancer surgery, they did establish that the technique does not significantly increase the risk of tumour dissemination (a major concern in the use of IOCS). Critically, no studies on the use of IOCS in cases of spinal metastasis were included. However, the findings of the authors still provides valid justification for further investigation.
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Building neurosurgical capacity in low and middle income countries
Written by Edoardo Agosti, MS
Currently neurosurgery capacity in low- and middle-income countries is far from adequate due to staffing shortages, limited resources and poor bed space. There are about 33,000 neurosurgeons around the world, but more 91,000 will be needed to manage the 14 million additional patients who need neurosurgical treatment every day. This paper describes an ongoing collaboration between the Mulago Hospital Department of Neurosurgery (Kampala, Uganda) and Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC, USA) as a replicable model to meet the needs of developing and developed countries.
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The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) is a professional, scientific, non-governmental organization comprising 5 Continental Associations, 115 National Neurosurgical Societies, and represents some 30,000 neurosurgeons worldwide.
The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies aspires to promote global improvement in neurosurgical care. The mission of the WFNS is to work together with member societies to improve worldwide neurosurgical care, training and research to benefit the patients.
The goals of the WFNS are deliberated and pursued through scientific, standing and ad-hoc committees and during the International Congress of Neurosurgery which takes place every four years.
The WFNS works to increase visibility and credibility of its activities among neurosurgeons, researchers, other health professionals, international professional organizations and the general public. This is accomplished through publications, surveys, campaigns, a website and cooperation with other medical and lay organization.
Resembling Istanbul’s harmonic blend of cultures, this year’s hosts aim to make “WFNS XVI. World Congress of Neurosurgery” a great opportunity to gather neurosurgeons from all around the world.