bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of contour-based volume calculation for radiosurgery
Authors: Ma Lijun , Sahgal Arjun , Nie Ke , Hwang Andrew , Karotki Aliaksandr , Wang Brian , Shrieve Dennis C. , Sneed Penny K. , McDermott Michael , Larson David A. 
Published: November 2018

Object
Determining accurate target volume is critical for both prescribing and evaluating stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of contour-based volume calculations made by current major SRS platforms.

Methods
Spheres ranging in diameter from 6.4 to 38.2 mm were scanned and then delineated on imaging studies. Contour data sets were subsequently exported to 6 SRS treatment-planning platforms for volume calculations and comparisons. This procedure was repeated for the case of a patient with 12 metastatic lesions distributed throughout the brain. Both the phantom and patient datasets were exported to a stand-alone workstation for an independent volume-calculation analysis using a series of 10 algorithms that included approaches such as slice stacking, surface meshing, point-cloud filling, and so forth.

Results
Contour data–rendered volumes exhibited large variations across the current SRS platforms investigated for both the phantom (−3.6% to 22%) and patient case (1.0%–10.2%). The majority of the clinical SRS systems and algorithms overestimated the volumes of the spheres, compared with their known physical volumes. An independent algorithm analysis found a similar trend in variability, and large variations were typically associated with small objects whose volumes were < 0.4 cm3 and with those objects located near the end-slice of the scan limits.

Conclusions
Significant variations in volume calculation were observed based on data obtained from the SRS systems that were investigated. This observation highlights the need for strict quality assurance and benchmarking efforts when commissioning SRS systems for clinical use and, moreover, when conducting multiinstitutional cross-SRS platform clinical studies.
Gamma Knife surgery for brainstem metastases
Authors: Li Yanhe , Xu Desheng , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Yipei , Liu Dong , Liu Xiaomin , Wang Guokai , Lin Yiguang 
Published: November 2018

Object
The goal of this study was to assess neuroimaging and clinical outcomes in patients harboring brainstem metastases that were treated with the Leksell Gamma Knife.

Methods
Twenty-eight patients with brainstem metastases (32 lesions: 8 midbrain, 21 pontine, and 3 medullary) were consecutively treated with GKS. The primary cancer diagnoses in this group included 22 cases of lung cancer, 5 cases of breast cancer, and 1 case of rectal cancer. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 45–83 years). The median treated lesion volume was 0.78 cm3 (range 0.03–5.6 cm3), and the median GKS margin dose was 16 Gy (range 12–20 Gy). Overall survival in these patients was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results
The median survival time was 9 months after GKS (range 2–32 months). Survival was 39.3% at 1 year and 10.7% at 2 years. The tumor control rate in the series was 90.6% (29 of 32 lesions). Development of peritumoral edema occurred in 1 patient after GKS; 4 months after GKS, the edema disappeared.

Conclusions
Gamma Knife surgery using a median margin dose of 16 Gy is a safe and effective local therapy for patients with brainstem metastases.
Multisession Gamma Knife surgery for benign orbital tumors
Authors: Jo Kyung-Il , Im Yong Seok , Kong Doo-Sik , Seol Ho Jun , Nam Do-Hyun , Kim Yoon-Duck , Lee Jung-Il 
Published: November 2018

Object
The goal of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of multisession Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of benign orbital tumors.

Methods
Twenty-three patients who retained their vision despite having tumors touching their optic nerve were treated with multisession (4-fraction) GKS. The median tumor volume was 2800 mm3 (range 211–10,800 mm3), and the median cumulative margin dose was 20 Gy (range 18–22 Gy).

Results
The median clinical follow-up duration in these patients was 38 months (range 9–74 months). No patient experienced tumor progression in this study. In particular, a higher degree of tumor shrinkage was found in the 7 patients with cavernous hemangiomas than in patients with other types of lesions (p < 0.05). Of the 23 patients whose preoperative vision was preserved, 11 showed improvement in visual acuity and/or visual field and 12 showed stable visual acuity. No GKS-related adverse events were noted during or after treatment.

Conclusions
Multisession radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife may be a good strategy for tumors in direct contact with the optic nerve. A cumulative margin dose of up to 22 Gy delivered in 4 sessions is safe for preservation of visual function with a high probability of tumor control.
Malignant transformation in vestibular schwannoma: report of a single case, literature search, and debate
Authors: Seferis Charalampos , Torrens Michael , Paraskevopoulou Chryssa , Psichidis Georgios 
Published: November 2018

ObjectThe significance of radiation in the induction of malignancy in vestibular schwannomas (VSs) after radiosurgery is unclear despite an increasing number of case reports. The authors describe a new case of verified malignant transformation in a vestibular schwannoma (MTVS) and provide a new evaluation of such cases previously reported in the literature.MethodsA 46-year-old woman underwent subtotal resection of a right-sided VS in 2004. The histological characteristics of the lesion were typical and benign. In early 2007 Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) was performed to treat a residual enlarging remnant. The radiosurgery parameters included the following: target volume 3.5 cm3, prescription dose 12 Gy, prescription isodose 45%, maximum dose 26.7 Gy, and coverage 97%. At 2 years' follow-up the lesion was enlarged to 5.2 cm3, but by 5 years it had decreased to 2.3 cm3. Six months later the lesion was 8.4 cm3. Repeated surgery was performed, and a histological analysis revealed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The case was further managed with repeated GKS performed in the spring of 2013. At that time, the radiosurgery parameters included the following: target volume 3.5 cm3, prescription dose 16 Gy, prescription isodose 45%, maximum dose 35.6 Gy, and coverage 91%. This Gamma Knife Department has treated a total of 205 patients with VS (local incidence of MTVS 0.49%). A search of the literature published up to and including 2013 was performed using PubMed as well as more informal search methods.ResultsThis patient is the 29th reported case of MTVS after radiation therapy. Of these cases, 40.7% were patients with neurofibromatosis (NF). In those cases in which histology showed tumors with previously benign characteristics, totally conforming to the criteria for MTVS, the mean delay to malignant expression was 68 months (median delay 72 months). The authors also retrieved papers reporting 30 cases of malignant VS in patients who had not undergone radiation treatment. Five of those cases were malignant transformation of a benign entity, and in 4 of them histology had verified that the initial disease was benign. In those 4 cases, there was a mean delay to malignant expression of 7.2 months (median delay 8 months).ConclusionsDespite more frequent reports of MTVS after radiation treatment recently, there has been no accurate quantification of the risk, except in patients with NF, in whom the incidence of malignancy is high in relation to the numbers treated. The present analysis indicates that the risk of malignancy over 20 years in cases in which no radiation treatment has occurred is 1.32–2.08 per 100,000, and this risk decreases to 1.09–1.74 per 100,000 if cases of NF are excluded. After radiation treatment, the overall risk over 20 years is 25.1 per 100,000, and this risk decreases to 15.6 per 100,000 if cases of NF are excluded. Radiation treatment increases the risk by approximately 10 times in non-NF cases.
Radiosurgery target location and individual anatomical variation in trigeminal nerves
Authors: Hung Yi-Chieh , Lee Cheng-Chia , Liu Kang-Du , Chung Wen-Yuh , Pan David Hung-Chi , Yang Huai-Che 
Published: November 2018

ObjectThe authors evaluated individual anatomical variations in the trigeminal nerves of patients with medically intractable trigeminal neuralgia and clarified the relationships among the variations, radiosurgical target locations, and the clinical outcomes after high-dose Gamma Knife surgery (GKS).MethodsFrom 2006 through 2011, the authors conducted a retrospective review of 106 cases of primary or secondary trigeminal neuralgia consecutively treated with GKS targeting the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) for which a maximal dose of 90 Gy and a 20% isodose line to the brainstem were used. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patients' pre- and post-GKS clinical conditions. To evaluate individual anatomical variations among trigeminal nerves, the authors used 3 parameters: the length of the trigeminal nerve in the cistern (nerve length), the length of the target between the radiation shot and the brainstem (targeting length), and the ratio between nerve length and targeting length (targeting ratio).ResultsThe median length of the trigeminal nerves in the 106 patients was 9.6 mm (range 6.04−20.74 mm), the median targeting length was 3.8 mm (range 1.81−10.84 mm), and the median targeting ratio was 38% (range 13%− 80%). No statistically significant differences in pain relief and pain recurrence were detected among patients with these various nerve characteristics. However, radiation-induced facial hypesthesia correlated with nerve length and targeting ratio (p < 0.05) but not with absolute distance from the brainstem (targeting length).ConclusionsIn trigeminal neuralgia patients who received DREZ-targeted GKS, the rate of pain relief did not differ according to anatomical nerve variations. However, the frequency of facial hypesthesia was higher among patients in whom the nerve was longer (> 11 mm) or the targeting ratio was lower (< 36%). Adjusting the target according to the targeting ratio, especially for patients with longer nerves, can reduce facial hypesthesia and enable maintenance of effective pain control.
Gamma Knife surgery for facial nerve schwannomas
Authors: Moon Ju Hyung , Chang Won Seok , Jung Hyun Ho , Lee Kyu Sung , Park Yong Gou , Chang Jong Hee 
Published: November 2018

ObjectThe aim of this study was to evaluate the tumor control rate and functional outcomes after Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) among patients with a facial nerve schwannoma.MethodsThe authors reviewed the radiological data and clinical records for 14 patients who had consecutively undergone GKS for a facial nerve schwannoma. Before GKS, 12 patients had facial palsy, 7 patients had hearing disturbance, and 5 patients had undergone partial or subtotal tumor resection. The mean and median tumor volumes were 3707 mm3 and 3000 mm3, respectively (range 117–10,100 mm3). The mean tumor margin dose was 13.2 Gy (range 12–15 Gy), and the mean maximum tumor dose was 26.4 Gy (range 24–30 Gy). The mean follow-up period was 80.7 months (range 2–170 months).ResultsControl of tumor growth was achieved in all 12 (100%) patients who were followed up for longer than 2 years. After GKS, facial nerve function improved in 2 patients, remained unchanged in 9 patients, and worsened in 3 patients. All patients who had had serviceable hearing at the preliminary examination maintained their hearing at a useful level after GKS. Other than mild tinnitus reported by 3 patients, no other major complications developed.ConclusionsGKS for facial nerve schwannomas resulted in excellent tumor control rates and functional outcomes. GKS might be a good primary treatment option for patients with a small- to medium-sized facial nerve schwannoma when facial nerve function and hearing are relatively preserved.
Cervical mismatch: the normative value of T1 slope minus cervical lordosis and its ability to predict ideal cervical lordosis
Authors: Staub Blake N. , Lafage Renaud , Kim Han Jo , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Mundis Gregory M. , Hostin Richard , Burton Douglas , Lenke Lawrence , Gupta Munish C. , Ames Christopher , Klineberg Eric , Bess Shay , Schwab Frank , Lafage Virginie , _ _ 
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVENumerous studies have attempted to delineate the normative value for T1S−CL (T1 slope minus cervical lordosis) as a marker for both cervical deformity and a goal for correction similar to how PI-LL (pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis) mismatch informs decision making in thoracolumbar adult spinal deformity (ASD). The goal of this study was to define the relationship between T1 slope (T1S) and cervical lordosis (CL).METHODSThis is a retrospective review of a prospective database. Surgical ASD cases were initially analyzed. Analysis across the sagittal parameters was performed. Linear regression analysis based on T1S was used to provide a clinically applicable equation to predict CL. Findings were validated using the postoperative alignment of the ASD patients. Further validation was then performed using a second, normative database. The range of normal alignment associated with horizontal gaze was derived from a multilinear regression on data from asymptomatic patients.RESULTSA total of 103 patients (mean age 54.7 years) were included. Analysis revealed a strong correlation between T1S and C0–7 lordosis (r = 0.886), C2–7 lordosis (r = 0.815), and C0–2 lordosis (r = 0.732). There was no significant correlation between T1S and T1S−CL. Linear regression analysis revealed that T1S−CL assumed a constant value of 16.5° (R2 = 0.664, standard error 2°). These findings were validated on the postoperative imaging (mean absolute error [MAE] 5.9°). The equation was then applied to the normative database (MAE 6.7° controlling for McGregor slope [MGS] between −5° and 15°). A multilinear regression between C2–7, T1S, and MGS demonstrated a range of T1S−CL between 14.5° and 26.5° was necessary to maintain horizontal gaze.CONCLUSIONSNormative CL can be predicted via the formula CL = T1S − 16.5° ± 2°. This implies a threshold of deformity and aids in providing a goal for surgical correction. Just as pelvic incidence (PI) can be used to determine the ideal LL, T1S can be used to predict ideal CL. This formula also implies that a kyphotic cervical alignment is to be expected for individuals with a T1S < 16.5°.
Complications of spinal osteotomy for thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis in 342 patients: incidence and risk factors
Authors: Qian Bang-ping , Huang Ji-chen , Qiu Yong , Wang Bin , Yu Yang , Zhu Ze-zhang , Mao Sai-hu , Jiang Jun 
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVETo describe the incidence of complications in spinal osteotomy for thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to investigate the risk factors for these complications.METHODSFrom April 2000 to July 2017, 342 consecutive AS patients with a mean age (± SD) of 35.4 ± 9.8 years (range 17–71 years) undergoing spinal osteotomy were enrolled. Patients with complications within the 1st postoperative year were identified. Demographic, radiological, and surgical data were compared between patients with and without complications. The complications were classified into intraoperative and postoperative complications.RESULTSA total of 310 consecutive pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and 37 multiple Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO) procedures were performed in 342 patients. Overall, 47 complications were identified in 47 patients (13.7%), including 31 intraoperative complications and 16 postoperative complications. Patients with complications were older than those without (p = 0.006). A significant difference was observed in preoperative global kyphosis (GK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and the correction of these radiographic parameters between patients with and without complications (p < 0.05). Two-level PSO (p = 0.022) and an increased number of instrumented vertebrae (p = 0.019) were significantly associated with an increased risk of complications.CONCLUSIONSThe overall incidence of complications was 13.7%. Age; preoperative GK, LL, and SVA; the correction of GK, LL, and SVA; 2-level PSO; and number of instrumented vertebrae were risk factors. Therefore, the potential risk of extensive surgeries with large correction and long fusion in older AS patients with severe GK should be seriously considered in surgical decision-making.
Current treatment strategy for newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum: results of an international survey
Authors: Dea Nicolas , Fisher Charles G. , Reynolds Jeremy J. , Schwab Joseph H. , Rhines Laurence D. , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Bettegowda Chetan , Sahgal Arjun , Lazáry Áron , Luzzati Alessandro , Boriani Stefano , Gasbarrini Alessandro , Laufer Ilya , Charest-Morin Raphaële , Wei Feng , Teixeira William , Germscheid Niccole M. , Hornicek Francis J. , DeLaney Thomas F. , Shin John H. , _ _ 
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the spectrum of current treatment protocols for managing newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum.METHODSA survey on the treatment of spinal chordoma was distributed electronically to members of the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor, including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and radiation oncologists from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Survey participants were pre-identified clinicians from centers with expertise in the treatment of spinal tumors. The suvey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTSThirty-nine of 43 (91%) participants completed the survey. Most (80%) indicated that they favor en bloc resection without preoperative neoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT) when en bloc resection is feasible with acceptable morbidity. The main area of disagreement was with the role of postoperative RT, where 41% preferred giving RT only if positive margins were achieved and 38% preferred giving RT irrespective of margin status. When en bloc resection would result in significant morbidity, 33% preferred planned intralesional resection followed by RT, and 33% preferred giving neoadjuvant RT prior to surgery. In total, 8 treatment protocols were identified: 3 in which en bloc resection is feasible with acceptable morbidity and 5 in which en bloc resection would result in significant morbidity.CONCLUSIONSThe results confirm that there is treatment variability across centers worldwide for managing newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum. This information will be used to design an international prospective cohort study to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for patients with spinal chordoma.
The effect of C2–3 disc angle on postoperative adverse events in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Lee Bryan S. , Walsh Kevin M. , Lubelski Daniel , Knusel Konrad D. , Steinmetz Michael P. , Mroz Thomas E. , Schlenk Richard P. , Kalfas Iain H. , Benzel Edward C. 
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVEComplete radiographic and clinical evaluations are essential in the surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Prior studies have correlated cervical sagittal imbalance and kyphosis with disability and worse health-related quality of life. However, little is known about C2–3 disc angle and its correlation with postoperative outcomes. The present study is the first to consider C2–3 disc angle as an additional radiographic predictor of postoperative adverse events.METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with CSM who underwent surgeries from 2010 to 2014. Data collected included demographics, baseline presenting factors, and postoperative outcomes. Cervical sagittal alignment variables were measured using the preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Univariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between dependent and independent variables, and a multivariable logistic regression model was created using stepwise variable selection.RESULTSThe authors identified 171 patients who had complete preoperative and postoperative radiographic and outcomes data. The overall rate of postoperative adverse events was 33% (57/171), and postoperative C2–3 disc angle, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis, and C2–7 Cobb angle were found to be significantly associated with adverse events. Inclusion of postoperative C2–3 disc angle in the analysis led to the best prediction of adverse events. The mean postoperative C2–3 disc angle for patients with any postoperative adverse event was 32.3° ± 17.2°, and the mean for those without any adverse event was 22.4° ± 11.1° (p < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONSIn the present retrospective analysis of postoperative adverse events in patients with CSM, the authors found a significant association between C2–3 disc angle and postoperative adverse events. They propose that C2–3 disc angle be used as an additional parameter of cervical spinal sagittal alignment and predictor for operative outcomes.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring for intradural extramedullary spinal tumors: predictive value and relevance of D-wave amplitude on surgical outcome during a 10-year experience
Authors: Ghadirpour Reza , Nasi Davide , Iaccarino Corrado , Romano Antonio , Motti Luisa , Sabadini Rossella , Valzania Franco , Servadei Franco 
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, accuracy, and relevance on surgical outcome of D-wave monitoring combined with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) during resection of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors.METHODSClinical and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) data obtained in 108 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for IDEM tumors at the Institute for Scientific and Care Research “ASMN” of Reggio Emilia, Italy, were prospectively entered into a database and retrospectively analyzed. The IONM included SSEPs, MEPs, and—whenever possible—D-waves. All patients were evaluated using the modified McCormick Scale at admission and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up .RESULTSA total of 108 patients were included in this study. A monitorable D-wave was achieved in 71 of the 77 patients harboring cervical and thoracic IDEM tumors (92.2%). Recording of D-waves in IDEM tumors was significantly associated only with a preoperative deeply compromised neurological status evaluated using the modified McCormick Scale (p = 0.04). Overall, significant IONM changes were registered in 14 (12.96%) of 108 patients and 9 of these patients (8.33%) had permanent loss of at least one of the 3 evoked potentials. In 7 patients (6.48%), the presence of an s18278 caudal D-wave was predictive of a favorable long-term motor outcome even when the MEPs and/or SSEPs were lost during IDEM tumor resection. However, in 2 cases (1.85%) the D-wave permanently decreased by approximately 50%, and surgery was definitively abandoned to prevent permanent paraplegia. Cumulatively, SSEP, MEP, and D-wave monitoring significantly predicted postoperative deficits (p = 0.0001; AUC = 0.905), with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 97%. Comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of these tests, D-waves appeared to have a significantly greater predictive value than MEPs and especially SSEPs alone (0.992 vs 0.798 vs 0.653; p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). On multiple logistic regression, the independent risk factors associated with significant IONM changes in the entire population were age older than 65 years and an anterolateral location of the tumor (p < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONSD-wave monitoring was feasible in all patients without severe preoperative motor deficits. D-waves demonstrated a statistically significant higher ability to predict postoperative deficits compared with SSEPs and MEPs alone and allowed us to proceed with IDEM tumor resection, even in cases of SSEP and/or MEP loss. Patients older than 65 years and with anterolateral IDEM tumors can benefit most from the use of IONM.