bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival of patients with synchronous brain metastases: an epidemiological study in southeastern Michigan
Authors: Thomas Ajith J. , Rock Jack P. , Johnson Christine C. , Weiss Linda , Jacobsen Gordon , Rosenblum Mark L. 
Published: January 2008

Object
It has been suggested that synchronous brain metastases (that is, those occurring within 2 months of primary cancer diagnosis) are associated with a shorter survival time compared with metachronous lesions (those occurring greater than 2 months after primary cancer diagnosis). In this study the authors used data obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program to determine the incidence of synchronous brain metastases and length of survival of patients in a defined population of southeastern Michigan residents.

Methods
Data obtained in 2682 patients with synchronous brain metastases treated from 1973 to 1995 were reviewed. Study criteria included patients in whom at least one brain metastasis was diagnosed within 2 months of the diagnosis of primary cancer and those with an unknown primary source. The incidence per 100,000 increased fivefold, from 0.69 in 1973 to 3.83 in 1995. The most frequent site for the primary cancer was the lung (75.4%). The second largest group (10.7%) consisted of patients in whom the primary site was unknown. The median survival length was 3.3 months. There was no significant difference in the median survival in patients with primary lung/bronchus and those with an unknown primary site (3.2 months and 3.4 months, respectively).

Conclusions
Patients who present with synchronous lesions have a poor prognosis, and the predominant cause of death, in greater than 90% of cases, is related to systemic disease; however, despite poor median survival lengths, certain patients will experience prolonged survival.
Single-stage anterior–posterior decompression and stabilization for complex cervical spine disorders
Authors: Schultz Karl D. , Mclaughlin Mark R. , Haid Regis W. , Comey Christopher H. , Rodts Gerald E. , Alexander Joseph 
Published: January 2008

Object
To evaluate the applicability and safety of single-stage combined anterior–posterior decompression and fusion for complex cervical spine disorders, the authors retrospectively reviewed 72 consecutive procedures of this type performed at their respective institutions.

Methods
The indications for decompression and stabilization included: postlaminectomy kyphosis (15 patients), trauma (19 patients), spondylosis and congenital stenosis (32 patients), and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (six patients). All patients underwent anterior cervical corpectomies in which allograft fibula and plates were placed, with 89% of patients undergoing two- or three-level procedures (range one–four levels). Lateral mass plating with autograft (morselized iliac crest) fusion was performed in all patients while the same anesthetic agent was still in effect. A hard cervical collar was used postoperatively in all patients (mean 13 weeks). All patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (mean 29 months).
Fusion was determined to be successful in all 72 patients (100%). Although the short-term morbidity rate reached 32%, the significant long-term morbidity rate was only 5%. At the 2-year follow-up examination, anterior cervical plate dislodgment was seen in one patient, and 16 of the 516 lateral mass screws implanted were observed to have partially backed out. However, there were no cases of nerve root injury, strut graft extrusion, or anterior plate or screw fracture. There were no clinically significant hardware complications and no patient required repeated operation.

Conclusions
The combined single-stage anterior–posterior decompression, reconstruction, and instrumentation procedure represents a viable option in the treatment of a select group of patients with complex cervical spinal disorders. The technique provides immediate rigid stabilization of the cervical spine, prevents anterior plate failure or strut graft extrusion, and eliminates the need for halo immobilization postoperatively. Furthermore, a higher rate of fusion is achieved with this combined approach than with the anterior approach alone.
Endoscopy-assisted wide-vertex craniectomy, “barrel-stave” osteotomies, and postoperative helmet molding therapy in the early management of sagittal suture craniosynostosis
Authors: Jimenez David F. , Barone Constance M. 
Published: January 2008

Object
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, associated complications, and outcome in patients with sagittal suture craniosynostosis in whom endoscopy-assisted wide-vertex craniotomy and “barrel-stave” osteotomy were performed.

Methods
During a 4-year period, 59 patients with sagittal suture synostosis underwent endoscopy-assisted wide-vertex craniectomies, barrel stave–like osteotomies, and postoperatively were fitted with custom-made molding helmets. Data on operative time, blood loss, transfusion rates, hospital length of stay, complications, and hospital charges were collected prospectively. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 3.7 months. The average blood loss was 31.8 ml; and only one patient required an intraoperative blood transfusion. Nine patients received transfusions of donor blood postoperatively. The mean operative time was 50 minutes, and all but three patients were discharged from the hospital the morning following surgery. There were no intraoperative complications. Normocephaly as well as normal cephalic indices were observed at latest follow up.

Conclusions
The authors conclude that early treatment of infants with sagittal suture craniosynostosis by using minimally invasive, endoscopy-assisted wide-vertex craniectomies provides excellent results and a significantly lower morbidity rate than traditional calvarial vault reconstructive procedures.
The pathophysiology of thoracic disc disease
Authors: Mcinerney James , Ball Perry A. 
Published: January 2008

Nucleus pulposus herniations are far less common in the thoracic spine than at the cervical and lumbar regions. Traditionally, diagnosis of thoracic disc herniations has been challenging because the signs and symptoms are often subtle early in their course. As a result, delays in diagnoses are common. Because they are uncommon as well as difficult to diagnosis, the neurosurgical community has sparse data on which to base good clinical decision making for the treatment of these herniations.
In this review the authors seek to place the phenomenon of thoracic disc disease into the context of its pathophysiology. After a careful evaluation of the available clinical, pathological, and basic science data, a case is made that the cause of nucleus pulposus herniations in the thoracic spine is similar to those occurring in the lumbar and cervical regions. The lower incidence of herniations is ascribed primarily to the reduced allowable flexion at the thoracic level compared with the lumbar and cervical levels. To a lesser extent, the contribution of the ribs to weight-bearing may also play a role.
Further review of clinical data suggests that thoracic disc herniations, like herniated cervical and lumbar discs, may be asymptomatic and may respond to conservative therapy. Similarly, good surgery-related results have been reported for herniated thoracic discs, despite the more challenging nature of the surgical procedure.
The authors conclude that treatment strategies for thoracic disc herniations may logically and appropriately follow those commonly used for the cervical and lumbar levels.
Imaging-guided costotransversectomy for thoracic disc herniation
Authors: Kim Kee D. , Babbitz Jesse D. , Mimbs Jeffrey 
Published: January 2008

The surgical management of thoracic disc disease remains challenging. Outcomes after laminectomy had been poor, and modern posterolateral, lateral, and anterior approaches have evolved to replace this older procedure. Each has its own set of complications, and all are hampered, to varying degrees, by the limited visualization of the ventral disc space and spinal cord during decompression. The authors present their early experience with computer-assisted image guidance as an adjunctive tool for preoperative planning and navigation in the treatment of thoracic disc disease. Five consecutive patients underwent image-guided costotransversectomies between January 1999 and April 2000. The levels of herniation were T8–9 in three and T7–8 and T5–6, respectively, in the other two. There were four centrolateral herniations and one midline herniation. Three discs were soft and two hard. Two patients had previously undergone failed disc excisions. All patients had axial pain and myeloradiculopathies preoperatively. Three were unable to walk.
Four patients enjoyed good or excellent outcomes, with return of ambulation. One patient experienced only mild improvement in her severe paraparesis. Image-guidance was invaluable in planning the corpectomy and aiding visualization in situations in which the dura or disc were obscured; its use allowed successful surgical excisions in the most challenging circumstances.
Time course analysis and modulating effects of established brain tumor on active-specific immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Yang , Ng Ka-Yun , Lillehei Kevin O. 
Published: January 2008

Object
There have been numerous attempts to establish an effective immunotherapy for the treatment of brain tumors. To date, reliable methods to manipulate the immune system for promoting brain tumor regression have been disappointing. Generation of active immune responses in most of these studies was only possible in the absence of viable tumor cells, suggesting that immunotherapy can only be used as preventive therapy. In few studies the investigators have demonstrated success in using immunotherapy to treat a preestablished intracranial tumor. Using the 9L intracranial glioma model, the authors sought to delineate the underlying mechanisms for these observations.

Methods
In animals vaccinated with irradiated 9L glioma cells and interferon-gamma 14 and 7 days prior to intracranial tumor cell challenge, a significant increase in survival was shown. In contrast, vaccinations applied 3 days prior to, at the time of (Day 0) or 7 days after intracranial tumor cell challenge failed to influence survival. Histological examination of brain tissue specimens obtained in animals vaccinated before or after tumor cell challenge showed no difference in the degree of peritumoral mononuclear cell infiltration. When activated spleen cells obtained obtained from these animals were assayed for cytotoxicity and proliferative capacity, only those spleen cells derived from animals vaccinated prior to intracranial tumor cell challenge showed enhanced activity.

Conclusions
These data support the presence of a strong modulatory effect of tumor on local and systemic antitu-moral immune response. This immunosuppression appears to be secondary to a direct effect on T-cell function. Reversal of this immunosuppression may be a useful adjunct to tumor vaccine therapy.
Treatment of a glioblastoma patient by vaccination with autologous dendritic cells pulsed with allogeneic major histocompatibility complex class I–matched tumor peptides
Authors: Liau Linda M. , Black Keith L. , Martin Neil A. , Sykes Steven N. , Bronstein Jeff M. , Jouben-Steele Lisa , Mischel Paul S. , Belldegrun Arie , Cloughesy Timothy F. 
Published: January 2008

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that play a central role in the initiation and modulation of antitumor immune responses. In this pilot study, we investigated the ability of autologous DCs pulsed ex vivo with allogeneic major histocompatibility complex class I–matched glioblastoma peptides to stimulate host antitumor immune responses when injected as a vaccine.
A patient with recurrent brainstem glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) received a series of three intradermal immunizations of antigen-pulsed DCs on an outpatient basis following surgical debulking of her posterior fossa tumor. Dendritic cell vaccination was well tolerated, and no clinical signs of autoimmunity or experimental allergic en-cephalomyelitis were detected. She developed a measurable cellular immune response against the allogeneic glioblastoma peptides used in her vaccine preparation, as demonstrated by in vitro T-cell proliferation assays. In addition, increased T-cell infiltration was noted within the intracranial tumor site in the biopsy sample obtained following DC vaccination. An objective clinical response, however, was not evident, and this patient eventually died 21 months after her disease was diagnosed.
To our knowledge, this is the first patient with brain cancer ever to be treated with DC-based immunotherapy. This case illustrates that vaccination with DCs pulsed with acid-eluted glioblastoma peptides is feasible and can induce systemic antigen-specific immunity in a patient with recurrent GBM. Additional studies are necessary to determine the optimum DC doses and antigen loading conditions that may translate into clinical effectiveness and survival benefit for patients with brain tumors. Phase I trials for malignant glioma are currently underway.
Long-term outcome for patients with split cord malformation
Authors: Proctor Mark R. , Scott R. Michael 
Published: January 2008

Object
Split cord malformations (SCMs) are relatively rare forms of occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) and tethered spinal cord syndrome. The majority of these cases present in early childhood, with neurocutaneous stigmata being an early presenting feature. Prophylactic detethering surgery is advocated by most neurosurgeons due to the risk of neurological deterioration over time caused by patient growth and activity. However, unlike other forms of OSD, the course of SCM progression after surgery is not well understood, and little has been published about long-term follow-up results. In this study the authors review the results obtained in 16 patients in whom the senior author performed surgery over a 13-year period (average length of follow up almost 8 years).

Methods
Presentation, surgical approach, and outcome are evaluated, and the long-term outcome of neurological status, pain, bowel/bladder disturbance, and spinal deformities are emphasized.

Conclusions
The primary conclusion is that patients with SCM generally tolerate surgery well and experience few complications. Neurological deterioration is rare except in cases in which retethering occurs, (two patients in this series). Although impaired bowel and bladder function was stabilized or improved and pain was reliably relieved postoperatively, preexisting vertebral column deformities usually progressed after surgery and, in most cases, required spinal fusion.
Congenital tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults
Authors: Iskandar Bermans J. , Fulmer Benjamin B. , Hadley Mark N. , Oakes W. Jerry 
Published: January 2008

Object
The management of tethered cord syndrome with onset of symptomatology occurring in adulthood remains controversial, although the necessity of early surgery in the pediatric tethered cord syndrome population is well established. To ascertain the results of surgery in adult patients with this anomaly, the authors undertook a retrospective review of 34 cases.

Methods
The authors studied the hospital records of 34 consecutive patients who presented in adulthood with tethered cord syndrome and conducted follow-up phone interviews with 28 of them. The population consisted of 12 men and 22 women, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years (mean 34 years). The most common presenting feature was pain, followed by weakness and incontinence. All patients underwent surgery. The most common operative findings were tight filum terminale, split cord malformation, and lipomyelomeningocele, paralleling those observed in pediatric studies.
Long-term surgical results and patient outcome ratings were encouraging. After a mean clinical follow-up period of 4 years, significant improvement occurred in 22 of 27 patients presenting with pain, 13 of 27 patients with motor or sensory dysfunction, and 11 of 18 patients with bowel and bladder disturbance. In addition, telephone interviews were obtained after a period of 8.6 years. Twenty-two (79%) of 28 patients called the operation a long-term success; 21 (75%) of 28 patients believed that they had significant postoperative improvement (and not just stabilization) in pain and/or neurological function. Surgical complications were generally minor.
Surgery-related complications included one cerebrospinal fluid leak and five pseudomeningoceles. Two patients complained of worsening motor or sensory dysfunction and one of worsening bladder dysfunction, whereas four patients experienced persistent pain and one complained of worsening pain postoperatively. According to the patients, the vast majority of these complications were minor.
Nineteen (86%) of 22 employed patients returned to work after surgery. Two (33%) of six patients who were not employed before surgery worked full time postoperatively. Only two of the 28 patients interviewed had received Workers' Compensation benefits; both of these had good outcomes and returned to work.

Conclusions
Tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults is an uncommon entity that can become symptomatic. Although surgery in adults involves greater risk of neurological injury than in children, it is a low-risk procedure with encouraging results. Because neurological deficits are generally irreversible, early surgery is recommended.
Refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension treated with stereotactically planned ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement
Authors: Maher Cormac O. , Garrity James A. , Meyer Fredric B. 
Published: January 2008

Object
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts have not been widely used for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) because of the difficulty of placing a shunt into normal or small-sized ventricles. The authors report their experience with stereotactic placement of VP shunts for IIH.

Methods
The authors reviewed the clinical records of all patients in whom stereotaxis was used to guide the placement of a VP shunt for IIH at their institution. All shunts were placed using stereotactic guidance to target the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. Patients were contacted at a mean postoperative interval of 15.1 months. No patients were lost to follow up.
The authors identified 13 patients who underwent placement of a stereotactically guided VP shunt for IIH over a 6-year period. A trial of either acetazolamide or steroid therapy had failed in all patients. Prior surgical treatments included optic nerve sheath fenestrations in seven patients and cerebrospinal fluid diversionary procedures, other than stereotactic VP shunt procedures, in nine patients. Twelve patients reported excellent or good durable symptomatic relief at the time of follow up. No patient suffered progression of visual deficits. Four patients experienced persistent headaches following the procedure. Three patients required a revision of the VP shunt for technical failure.

Conclusions
Stereotactically guided VP shunt placement is an effective and durable treatment option in many cases of IIH that are refractory to more traditional medical and surgical approaches.
Image-guid ed thoracic pedicle screw placement: a technical study in cadavers and preliminary clinical experience
Authors: Kim Kee D. , Johnson J. Patrick , Babbitz Jesse D. 
Published: January 2008

Object
Thoracic pedicle screw fixation is effective and reliable in providing short-segment stabilization. Although the procedure is becoming more widely used, accurate insertion of the screws is difficult due to the small dimensions of thoracic pedicles, and the associated risk is high due to the proximity of the spinal cord. In previous studies authors have shown the accuracy of image-guided lumbar pedicle screw placement, but there have been no reported investigations into the accuracy of image-guided thoracic pedicle screw placement. The authors report their experience with such an investigation.

Methods
To evaluate the accuracy of image-guided thoracic pedicle screw placement in vitro and in vivo, thoracic pedicle screws were placed with an image-guidance system in five human cadavers and 10 patients. In cadavers, the accuracy of screw placement was assessed by postoperative computerized tomography and visual inspection and in patients by postoperative imaging studies. Of the 120 pedicle screws placed in five cadavers pedicle violation occurred in 23 cases (19.2%); there was one pedicle violation (4.2%) in each of the last two cadavers. Of the 45 pedicle screws placed in 10 patients, pedicle violations occurred in three (6.7%).

Conclusions
In comparison with historical controls, the accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement is improved with the use of an image-guidance system. It allows the surgeon to visualize the thoracic pedicle and the surrounding structures that are normally out of the surgical field of view. The surgeon, however, must be aware of the limitations of an image-guidance system and have a sound basic knowledge of spinal anatomy to avoid causing serious complications.
Surgical approaches and strategies for skull base chordomas
Authors: Tamaki Norihiko , Nagashima Tatsuya , Ehara Kazumasa , Motooka Yasuhiko , Barua Kanak Kanti 
Published: January 2008

Object
The management of chordomas involving the skull base continues to present a number of treatment-related problems. Recently, both radical resection and charged-particle irradiation or stereotactic radiosurgery have reportedly been found effective for tumor control and for promoting a better quality of life in patients. In this article the authors analyzed the outcomes in 17 patients with skull base chordomas who were surgically treated at Kobe University Hospital between 1972 and 2000.

Methods
Preoperative radiological examinations included magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, angiography, and balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery. Among the various surgical approaches used to remove the tumor were the frontoorbitozygomatic, transmaxillary, transcondylar, transsphenoidal, and the transbasal. Total removal was achieved in two (12%), near-total removal in three (18%), subtotal removal in nine (52%), and partial removal in three patients (18%). Since 1990, chordomas have been radically resected via various skull base approaches; the combined total or near-total removal rate has been 80% in this period. Radical removal of the tumors has not led to an increased risk. At the final follow-up review (mean 59.5 month), 75% of the patients were still alive, and 25% had died of chordoma recurrence. The overall recurrence-free survival rate was 82% at 3 years and 51% at 5 years. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate in the five patients who underwent the operation during the past decade was 77% (mean follow up of 5.2 years). In two patients with recurrent tumors who underwent radiosurgery, no evidence of tumor regrowth was demonstrated at 3 years posttreatment.

Conclusions
The authors suggest that for the treatment of skull base chordomas radical resection is a key factor for longer survival and improved quality of life. Patients with sufficiently small tumors, which show a favorable configuration and location, can be suitable candidates for stereotactic radiosurgery.