bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebellar and hindbrain motion in Chiari malformation with and without syringomyelia
Authors: Leung Vannessa , Magnussen John S. , Stoodley Marcus A. , Bilston Lynne E. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
The pathogenesis of syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is unclear. Theories of pathogenesis suggest the cerebellar tonsils may obstruct CSF flow or alter pressure gradients, or their motion might act as a piston to increase CSF pressure in the spinal subarachnoid space. This study was performed to measure cerebellar tonsillar and hindbrain motion in CM-I and assess the potential contributions to syrinx formation.

METHODS
Sixty-four CM-I patients and 25 controls were retrospectively selected from a clinical database, and all subjects had undergone cardiac-gated cine balanced fast-field echo MRI. There were a total of 36 preoperative CM-I scans, which consisted of 15 patients with and 21 patients without syringomyelia. Nineteen patients underwent paired pre- and postoperative imaging. Anteroposterior (AP) and superoinferior (SI) movements of the tip of the cerebellar tonsils, obex, fastigium of the fourth ventricle, pontomedullary junction, and cervicomedullary junction were measured. The distance between the fastigium and tip of the tonsils was used to calculate tonsillar tissue strain (Δi/i0).

RESULTS
CM-I patients had significantly greater cerebellar tonsillar motion in both the AP and SI directions than controls (AP +0.34 mm [+136%], p < 0.001; SI +0.49 mm [+163%], p < 0.001). This motion decreased after posterior fossa decompression (AP −0.20 mm [−33%], p = 0.001; SI −0.29 mm [−36%]; p < 0.001), but remained elevated above control levels (AP +56%, p = 0.021; SI +67%, p = 0.015). Similar trends were seen for all other tracked landmarks. There were no significant differences in the magnitude or timing of motion throughout the hindbrain between CM-I patients with and without syringomyelia. Increased tonsillar tissue strain correlated with Valsalva headaches (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS
Cerebellar tonsillar motion may be a potential marker of CM-I and may have use in tailoring surgical procedures. The lack of association with syringomyelia suggests that tonsillar motion alone is not the driver of syrinx formation. Tonsillar tissue strain may play a part in the pathophysiology of Valsalva headaches.
Do measures of surgical effectiveness at 1 year after lumbar spine surgery accurately predict 2-year outcomes?
Authors: Adogwa Owoicho , Elsamadicy Aladine A. , Han Jing L. , Cheng Joseph , Karikari Isaac , Bagley Carlos A. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
With the recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there has been a dramatic shift toward critical analyses of quality and longitudinal assessment of subjective and objective outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. Accordingly, the emergence and routine use of real-world institutional registries have been vital to the longitudinal assessment of quality. However, prospectively obtaining longitudinal outcomes for patients at 24 months after spine surgery remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to assess if 12-month measures of treatment effectiveness accurately predict long-term outcomes (24 months).

METHODS
A nationwide, multiinstitutional, prospective spine outcomes registry was used for this study. Enrollment criteria included available demographic, surgical, and clinical outcomes data. All patients had prospectively collected outcomes measures and a minimum 2-year follow-up. Patient-reported outcomes instruments (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], SF-36, and visual analog scale [VAS]-back pain/leg pain) were completed before surgery and then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The Health Transition Index of the SF-36 was used to determine the 1- and 2-year minimum clinically important difference (MCID), and logistic regression modeling was performed to determine if achieving MCID at 1 year adequately predicted improvement and achievement of MCID at 24 months.

RESULTS
The study group included 969 patients: 300 patients underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), 606 patients underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and 63 patients underwent lateral interbody fusion (LLIF). There was a significant correlation between the 12- and 24-month ODI (r = 0.82; p < 0.0001), SF-36 Physical Component Summary score (r = 0.89; p < 0.0001), VAS-back pain (r = 0.90; p < 0.0001), and VAS-leg pain (r = 0.85; p < 0.0001). For the ALIF cohort, patients achieving MCID thresholds for ODI at 12 months were 13-fold (p < 0.0001) more likely to achieve MCID at 24 months. Similarly, for the TLIF and LLIF cohorts, patients achieving MCID thresholds for ODI at 12 months were 13-fold and 14-fold (p < 0.0001) more likely to achieve MCID at 24 months. Outcome measures obtained at 12 months postoperatively are highly predictive of 24-month outcomes, independent of the surgical procedure.

CONCLUSIONS
In a multiinstitutional prospective study, patient-centered measures of surgical effectiveness obtained at 12 months adequately predict long-term (24-month) outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. Patients achieving MCID at 1 year were more likely to report meaningful and durable improvement at 24 months, suggesting that the 12-month time point is sufficient to identify effective versus ineffective patient care.
Language, learning, and memory in children with and without single-suture craniosynostosis
Authors: Kapp-Simon Kathleen A. , Wallace Erin , Collett Brent R. , Cradock Mary Michaeleen , Crerand Canice E. , Speltz Matthew L. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
The language and memory functions of children with and without single-suture craniosynostosis (SSC) were compared at school age (mean 7.45 years, standard deviation [SD] 0.54 years). The children in this cohort were originally recruited in infancy and prior to cranial surgery for those with SSC.

METHODS
Individual evaluations of 179 school-aged children with SSC and 183 controls were conducted (70% of the original cohort) using standardized measures of language, learning, and memory. Parents participated in an interview about specialized education interventions and school progress. Parents and teachers completed questionnaires about language development.

RESULTS
Children with SSC (cases) obtained lower scores than controls on all measures. The adjusted differences in language, learning, and memory scores were modest, with SD ranging from 0.0 to −0.4 (p values ranged from 0.001 to 0.99). Censored normal regression was used to account for intervention services received prior to the school-age evaluation; this increased case-control differences (SD range 0.1 to −0.5, p value range 0.001 to 0.50). Mean scores for cases in each SSC diagnostic group were lower than those for controls, with the greatest differences observed among children with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis.

CONCLUSIONS
Children with SSC continue to show poorer performance than controls on language, learning, and memory tasks at early elementary school age, even when controlling for known confounders, although mean differences are small. Multidisciplinary care, including direct psychological assessment, for children with SSC should extend through school age with a specific focus on language and conceptual learning, as these are areas of potential risk. Future research is needed to investigate language, memory, and learning for this population during the middle to high school years.
Transfer of children with isolated linear skull fractures: is it worth the cost?
Authors: White Ian K. , Pestereva Ecaterina , Shaikh Kashif A. , Fulkerson Daniel H. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
Children with skull fractures are often transferred to hospitals with pediatric neurosurgical capabilities. Historical data suggest that a small percentage of patients with an isolated skull fracture will clinically decline. However, recent papers have suggested that the risk of decline in certain patients is low. There are few data regarding the financial costs associated with transporting patients at low risk for requiring specialty care. In this study, the clinical outcomes and financial costs of transferring of a population of children with isolated skull fractures to a Level 1 pediatric trauma center over a 9-year period were analyzed.

METHODS
A retrospective review of all children treated for head injury at Riley Hospital for Children (Indianapolis, Indiana) between 2005 and 2013 was performed. Patients with a skull fracture were identified based on ICD-9 codes. Patients with intracranial hematoma, brain parenchymal injury, or multisystem trauma were excluded. Children transferred to Riley Hospital from an outside facility were identified. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded. A cost analysis was performed on patients who were transferred with an isolated, linear, nondisplaced skull fracture.

RESULTS
Between 2005 and 2013, a total of 619 pediatric patients with isolated skull fractures were transferred. Of these, 438 (70.8%) patients had a linear, nondisplaced skull fracture. Of these 438 patients, 399 (91.1%) were transferred by ambulance and 39 (8.9%) by helicopter. Based on the current ambulance and helicopter fees, a total of $1,834,727 (an average of $4188.90 per patient) was spent on transfer fees alone. No patient required neurosurgical intervention. All patients recovered with symptomatic treatment; no patient suffered late decline or epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS
This study found that nearly $2 million was spent solely on transfer fees for 438 pediatric patients with isolated linear skull fractures over a 9-year period. All patients in this study had good clinical outcomes, and none required neurosurgical intervention. Based on these findings, the authors suggest that, in the absence of abuse, most children with isolated, linear, nondisplaced skull fractures do not require transfer to a Level 1 pediatric trauma center. The authors suggest ideas for further study to refine the protocols for determining which patients require transport.
Low rates of recurrence and slow progression of pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma after gross-total resection: justification for reducing surveillance imaging
Authors: Dodgshun Andrew J. , Maixner Wirginia J. , Hansford Jordan R. , Sullivan Michael J. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are common brain tumors in children. Optimal management of PA is gross-total resection (GTR), after which event-free survival (EFS) is excellent. The tempo of recurrences, when they do occur, is relatively sparsely reported, and there is no agreed upon surveillance recommendation for patients in this category. It has been suggested that surveillance MRI is performed too frequently and could be safely reduced in both frequency and duration. The authors conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients with PA who underwent GTR at a single institution over an 18-year period and who had documented recurrences.

METHODS
All patients under 18 years of age who had undergone GTR of a PA between 1996 and 2013 were included in the study. Clinical, radiological, and tumor characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS
Sixty-seven patients met the criteria for GTR over the period studied. The 5-year EFS rate was 95% (95% CI 89%–100%) and overall survival was 100%. Recurrences showed a nonsignificant trend of occurring more commonly in patients with persistent nonenhancing FLAIR abnormalities after surgery, but there was no difference with regard to tumor location. All recurrences occurred before 3 years postresection, all were asymptomatic, and all patients were observed for at least one additional scan after the initial detection during routine surveillance MRI before further therapy was undertaken.

CONCLUSIONS
EFS and overall survival are excellent after GTR in this population with PAs. Progression after recurrence occurs slowly and is asymptomatic. A less intensive schedule of MRI surveillance in this group of patients would result in time and cost savings, without compromising safety. The authors suggest a schedule of 6 MRI scans to be obtained postoperatively, at 3–6 months, then at 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years.
Association of increased morbidity with the occurrence of hyperglycemia in the immediate postoperative period after elective pediatric neurosurgery
Authors: Filho Nazel Oliveira , Alves Rodrigo L. , Fernandes Adriano T. , Castro Fernanda S. P. , Melo José Roberto Tude , Módolo Norma S. P. 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE
The acute elevation of blood glucose in perioperative pediatric patients subjected to cardiac surgery and in victims of head trauma is associated with higher rates of postoperative complications. Data on the occurrence of hyperglycemia and its association with unfavorable outcomes among patients who have undergone elective neurosurgery are scarce in the literature. This study aimed to determine whether the occurrence of hyperglycemia during the perioperative period of elective neurosurgery for the resection of tumors of the CNS in children is associated with increased morbidity.

METHODS
This retrospective cohort analysis included 105 children up to 12 years of age who underwent elective neurosurgery for resection of supratentorial and infratentorial CNS tumors between January 2005 and December 2010 at the São Rafael Hospital, a tertiary care medical center in Salvador, Brazil. Demographic data and intraoperative and postoperative information were collected from the medical records. Differences in blood glucose levels during the perioperative period were evaluated with nonparametric tests.

RESULTS
The patients who developed postoperative complications exhibited higher blood glucose levels on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (162.0 ± 35.8 mg/dl vs 146.3 ± 43.3 mg/dl; p = 0.016) and peak blood glucose levels on postoperative Day 1 (171.9 ± 30.2 mg/dl vs 156.1 ± 43.2 mg/dl; p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that peak blood glucose levels on postoperative Day 1 were independently associated with a higher odds ratio for postoperative complication (OR 1.05). The occurrence of hyperglycemia (>150 mg/dl) upon admission to the ICU was associated with longer ICU (p = 0.003) and hospital (p = 0.001) stays.

CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of hyperglycemia during the postoperative period after elective pediatric neurosurgery for the resection of CNS tumors was associated with longer hospital and ICU stays. Postoperative complications were associated with higher blood glucose levels upon admission to the ICU and higher peak blood glucose on the first postoperative day.
Interhemispheric transchoroidal approach to resect third ventricular teratoma
Authors: Ito Yuki , Inoue Tomohiro , Tamura Akira , Tsutsumi Kazuo 
Published: January 2016

The authors demonstrate an interhemispheric transchoroidal approach for third ventricular teratoma resection. Interhemispheric dissection exposed the corpus callosum at a length of about 2 cm. A callosotomy was made to enter into the right lateral ventricle. After septal vein ligation, dissection was made of the space between the right fornix and right internal cerebral vein (ICV); thus bilateral fornix and left ICV would be retracted to the left; right choroid plexus, right ICV to the right. By this transchoroidal approach, the foramen of Monro was extended posteriorly, providing enough of a surgical corridor to resect a posteriorly located third ventricular tumor.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/gIzPiH3zx_o.
Retractorless surgery for a pineal region tumor through an occipital transtentorial approach
Authors: Nakao Naoyuki 
Published: January 2016

This video demonstrates surgical techniques of the occipital transtentorial approach to a pineal region tumor without using a fixed brain retractor, which may cause functional impairment or even tissue injury to the occipital visual cortex. There are several ways to facilitate retractorless surgery through this approach. A lateral-semiprone positioning of the patient can induce gravity retraction. The brain is relaxed by draining CSF fluid through lumbar drainage or lateral ventricular tap in the case of obstructive hydrocephalus. Dynamic retraction with handheld instruments after extensive dissection of the deep venous system, including basal veins, can provide a sufficient working space.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/kQvEHiNcRow.
Microsurgical resection of ambient cistern arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Choudhri Omar , Lawton Michael T. 
Published: January 2016

The middle tentorial incisural space, located lateral to the midbrain and medial to the temporal lobe, contains the ambient cistern through which courses the third, fourth, and fifth cranial nerves, posterior cerebral artery (PCA), superior cerebellar artery, and the choroidal arteries. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in this compartment are supplied by the thalamogeniculate and posterior temporal branches of the PCA, and drain into tributaries of the basal vein of Rosenthal. We present a case of an AVM in this middle tentorial incisural space that persisted after embolization and radiosurgery, and was microsurgically resected through a subtemporal approach. This case demonstrates the anatomy of the middle incisural space and technical aspects in microsurgical resection of these rare AVMs.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/V-dIWh8ys3E.
Subfrontal trans-lamina terminalis approach to a third ventricular craniopharyngioma
Authors: Choudhri Omar , Chang Steven D. 
Published: January 2016

Craniopharyngiomas are benign, partly cystic epithelial tumors that can rarely occur in a retrochiasmatic location with involvement of the third ventricle. The lamina terminalis is an important neurosurgical corridor to these craniopharyngiomas in the anterior portion of the third ventricle. We present a video case of a large midline suprasellar and third ventricular craniopharyngioma in a 32-year-old male with visual disturbances. The tumor was approached with a subfrontal translamina terminalis exposure, and a gross-total resection of the tumor was achieved. This surgery involved working through a lamina terminalis fenestration around the optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tracts, and the anterior communicating artery complex. This video illustrates the techniques employed in performing a transbasal anterior skull base approach to the third ventricle and demonstrates vivid surgical anatomy of neurovascular structures around the lamina terminalis.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/fCYMgx8SnKs.
Supracerebellar infratentorial sitting craniotomy for a pinealoblastoma
Authors: Choudhri Omar , Chang Steven D. 
Published: January 2016

Pinealoblastomas are WHO grade IV tumors of the pineal region and comprise up to 50% of all pineal parenchymal tumors. They are highly aggressive tumors that spread along the craniospinal axis and are most commonly seen in children. The standard of care involves maximal surgical resection and chemoradiation following tissue diagnosis. We present the rare case of a large pinealoblastoma in an 18-year-old girl who presented with headaches and Parinaud's syndrome from tectal compression. An attempt was made at endoscopic transventricular biopsy of the tumor at an outside hospital, but it was aborted given bleeding at the biopsy site. We performed a supracerebellar infratentorial approach in a sitting position to achieve a gross-total resection of the tumor. This video case illustrates techniques for setting up a sitting craniotomy and approaching a previously biopsied hemorrhagic pinealoblastoma. The venous conglomerate at the tentorial incisura was found to be enveloped by the tumor and a thickened arachnoid scar. Surgical anatomy of the third ventricle and the pineal region is illustrated in this case through the process of surgical dissection and tumor resection.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/CzB0lFQ7AyI.
Microsurgical treatment of a tentorial galenic dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Choudhri Omar , Steinberg Gary K. 
Published: January 2016

Tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulae (TDAVFs) are complex lesions with the arteriovenous fistula located between the leaves of the tentorium cerebelli. While a large portion of dural arteriovenous fistulae are treated endovascularly, TDAVF may require additional microsurgical treatment given their high risk of hemorrhage and multitude of feeders. We describe the case of a 65-year-old male who presented with hemorrhage from a straight sinus and galenic TDAVF. The straight sinus portion of the fistula was obliterated by 3 endovascular treatments and 1 microsurgical treatment. The galenic component of the TDAVF persisted and was approached via a posterior interhemispheric approach in a lateral position. This video demonstrates surgical technique and anatomy associated with this rarely seen dural arteriovenous fistula.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/iOLzWOabLZ0.
ICG-VA application in subtemporal transtentorial treatment of a Cognard V dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Rustemi Oriela , Scienza Renato , Della Puppa Alessandro 
Published: January 2016

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) with cervical perimedullary drainage, Cognard V, are a surgically challenging rare entity. In this video we show the disconnection of a right tentorial Cognard V dAVF, done through a subtemporal transtentorial approach with the application of indocyanine green video angiography. A 47-year-old man presented with severe tetraparesis. Only partial embolization was possible. An osteoplastic frontotemporal craniotomy was performed to obtain a wide view along with CSF release to safely mobilize the temporal lobe. Neuronavigation was used to detect the fistula and indocyanine to detect the tentorial afferent arteries and to confirm final disconnection.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/Yr8tAiiHNXU.
Posterior interhemispheric transtentorial approach for resection of a meningioma at the posteromedial tentorial incisura
Authors: Liyong Sun , Bao Yuhai , Liang Jiantao , Li Mingchu , Ren Jian 
Published: January 2016

The posterior interhemispheric approach is a versatile approach to access lesions of the pineal region, posterior incisural space, posterior region of third ventricle, and adjacent structures. We demonstrate the case of a 26-year-old woman with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus caused by a meningioma at the posteromedial tentorial incisura. Gross-total removal of the tumor was successfully achieved via a posterior interhemispheric transtentorial approach. The patient reported an immediate and significant symptomatic improvement after surgery. The detailed operative technique and surgical nuances, including the surgical corridor, tentorium incision, tumor dissection and removal are illustrated in this video atlas.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/nSNyjQKl7aE.
Posterior interhemispheric approach and microsurgical resection of a pineal parenchymal neoplasm of intermediate differentiation
Authors: Nanda Anil , Konar Subhas , Kalakoti Piyush , Maiti Tanmoy 
Published: January 2016

Owing to a deep-seated location and intricate venous anatomy, pathologies of the posterior third ventricular region pose formidable challenges to the operating neurosurgeon. In this video, we present a case of an elderly Caucasian female with a rare histological variant of a pineal parenchymal mass who presented with gait disturbances and worsening retro-orbital headache. Radiological and clinco-histopathological correlates of this rare tumor pathology having intermediate differentiation are highlighted. Briefly outlined are surgical pearls and strategies to minimize complications, as the tumor is approached through the posterior interhemispheric corridor, to achieve a gross-total decompression.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/KXwclZ7Ei84.