Deep learning-based prediction of rheumatoid arthritis-associated deformity on MRI.

Introduction: While the prevalence of surgery to correct atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), subaxial subluxation (SAS) and vertical translocation (VT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had declined, cervical deformity is still observed regularly.

Research Question: The objective of this study is to develop a deep learning-based algorithm to predict RA-associated upper cervical spine deformity in patients before or close to RA diagnosis, with the purpose of early risk stratification.

Materials And Methods: Patients with RA in which follow-up cervical MRI studies (at least 3 years apart) were available were identified retrospectively in two tertiary care centers.

Volumetric changes in the bone flap at one year follow up in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Although bone resorption has been extensively reported following craniectomy, bone resorption and fusion rates following craniotomy remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to conduct a volumetric assessment of craniotomy resorption and fusion rates at one year following the index surgery. Adult patients who had a computed tomography scan immediately after craniotomy and at one year follow up were included in the study.

Safety of non-osseous union of type II odontoid fractures-a multi-institutional cohort study.

Background Context: The management of type II odontoid fractures in elderly patients presents significant clinical challenges. Surgical treatment may lead to operative complications, while conservative management may increase the risk of non-osseous union, potentially compromising fracture stability.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the safety of non-osseous union subtypes in type II odontoid fractures following conservative treatment and to identify risk factors for unstable fractures.

Impact of Adjacent Muscular Anatomic Preservation on Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Failure.

Background: Surgical intervention is a cornerstone of adult spinal deformity (ASD) management. However, there remain burdens from complications, including proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF). Posterior anatomic preservation at the uppermost instrumented vertebra has emerged as an accessible approach to potentially reduce PJK/PJF risk.

Improved clinical and radiographic outcomes with expandable cages in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a propensity-matched cohort analysis.

Objective: The restoration of sufficient overall lumbar lordosis (LL) and segmental LL (SL) is associated with achieving optimal sagittal balance, decreasing back pain, and enhancing functional outcomes for patients. Expandable cages were developed in hopes of improving radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes, although current clinical evidence is inconclusive. Here, the authors aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing one- or two-level open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with expandable versus static cage placement, using propensity-matched cohorts.

Neurosurgical Residency Training at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, the Resident Perspective.

Background And Objective: Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Medical Centers play a crucial role in training neurosurgery residents. Although previous studies have examined the impact of VA rotations from the attending perspective, the resident experience remains unexplored. We present a national survey of neurosurgery residents to assess their perceptions of VA rotations, focusing on operative experience, call burden, longitudinal patient care experiences, and overall strengths and limitations.

Interictal discharge traveling waves recorded from stereoelectroencephalography electrodes.

Objective: Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are intermittent high-amplitude electrical signals that occur between seizures. They have been shown to propagate through the brain as traveling waves when recorded with epicortical grid-type electrodes and small penetrating microelectrode arrays. However, little work has been done to translate experimental IED analyses to more clinically relevant platforms such as stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG).

Advances and Evolving Challenges in Spinal Deformity Surgery.

Background: Surgical intervention is a critical tool to address adult spinal deformity (ASD). Given the evolution of spinal surgical techniques, we sought to characterize developments in ASD correction and barriers impacting clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a literature review utilizing PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to examine advances in ASD surgical correction and ongoing challenges from patient and clinician perspectives.

Neurological Surgery Residency Programs in the United States: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background And Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has approved 117 neurological surgery residency programs which develop and educate neurosurgical trainees. We present the current landscape of neurosurgical training in the United States by examining multiple aspects of neurological surgery residencies in the 2022-2023 academic year and investigate the impact of program structure on resident academic productivity.

Methods: Demographic data were collected from publicly available websites and reports from the National Resident Match Program.

FDA-approved machine learning algorithms in neuroradiology: A systematic review of the current evidence for approval.

Over the past decade, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have become increasingly prevalent in the medical field. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating AI algorithms as "medical devices" to ensure patient safety. However, recent work has shown that the FDA approval process may be deficient.

Deep Brain Stimulation Lead Localization Variability Comparing Intraoperative MRI Versus Postoperative Computed Tomography.

Background And Objectives: Commercially available lead localization software for deep brain stimulation (DBS) often relies on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to define electrode positions. When cases are performed with intraoperative MRI, another imaging set exists with which to perform these localizations. To compare DBS localization error between postoperative CT scans and intraoperative MRI.

Global, Regional, and National Economic Consequences of Stroke.

Background: An understanding of global, regional, and national macroeconomic losses caused by stroke is important for allocation of clinical and research resources. The authors investigated the macroeconomic consequences of stroke disease burden in the year 2019 in 173 countries.

Methods: Disability-adjusted life year data for overall stroke and its subtypes (ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) were collected from the GBD study (Global Burden of Disease) 2019 database.

Spinal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer at Mass General Brigham: A Twenty-Year Case Series With Literature Review.

Objective: We present an institutional case series of patients treated for colorectal carcinoma (CRC) spinal metastases to investigate the outcomes between no treatment, radiation, surgery, and surgery/radiation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with CRC spinal metastases presenting to affiliated institutions between 2001 and 2021 wereidentified. Information related to patient demographics, treatment modality, treatment outcomes, symptom improvement, and survival was collected by chart review.

Integration of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Into Neurosurgical Residency Programs.

Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers serve as a unique training environment for US residency programs. In this study, we aim to explore the scope and details of VA integration into neurosurgery resident training. We used data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education database to provide an overview of neurosurgery training programs with an active VA affiliation and developed a multi-institutional survey to gather information related to rotation design, operative volume, expectations, and core training values.

Machine Learning in the Classification of Pediatric Posterior Fossa Tumors: A Systematic Review.

: Posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) are a morbid group of central nervous system tumors that most often present in childhood. While early diagnosis is critical to drive appropriate treatment, definitive diagnosis is currently only achievable through invasive tissue collection and histopathological analyses. Machine learning has been investigated as an alternative means of diagnosis.

The Relationship Among Surgeon Experience, Complications, and Radiographic Outcomes in Spine Deformity Surgery: The Experience of a Junior Surgeon.

Objective: To examine complication rates and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) by a junior surgeon.

Methods: A study was conducted of a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent an open posterior interbody fusion of the thoracic and/or lumbar regions by a single surgeon for ASD between 2018 and 2022. Patient characteristics, complications, and common radiographic parameters of spinopelvic alignment were collated.

A national stratification of the global macroeconomic burden of central nervous system cancer.

Objective: Country-by-country estimates of the macroeconomic disease burden of central nervous system (CNS) cancers are important when determining the allocation of resources related to neuro-oncology. Accordingly, in this study the authors investigated macroeconomic losses related to CNS cancer in 173 countries and identified pertinent epidemiological trends.

Methods: Data for CNS cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were collected from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database.

The current state of glioma data registries.

Background: The landscape of glioma research has evolved in the past 20 years to include numerous large, multi-institutional, database efforts compiling either clinical data on glioma patients, molecular data on glioma specimens, or a combination of both. While these strategies can provide a wealth of information for glioma research, obtaining information regarding data availability and access specifications can be challenging.

Methods: We reviewed the literature for ongoing clinical, molecular, and combined database efforts related to glioma research to provide researchers with a curated overview of the current state of glioma database resources.