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Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign gynecological tumor. Rarely, it has benign extra-uterine growth patterns, including benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML), with lungs being the most common metastatic site.We present a case of a 47-year-old female who, 3 years prior to presentation, underwent abdominal supra-cervical hysterectomy for benign leiomyoma. Approximately 6 months prior to presentation, she was seen for shortness of breath and chest pain. A CT of the chest revealed multiple new non-calcified pulmonary nodules bilaterally. PET/CT demonstrated mild FDG uptake in multiple lung nodules, with no significant extra-thoracic sites of abnormal FDG uptake. A CT guided lung biopsy showed a low grade, smooth muscle tumor. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for smooth-muscle actin and desmin, estrogen and progesterone receptor and was negative for CD117, HMB-45, CD34, pan cytokeratin and EMA. She underwent wedge resection of one of the nodules which confirmed the above findings. A cytogenetic analysis was also performed, which was consistent with pulmonary BML. She ultimately underwent left lower lobe resection and was started on a daily aromatase inhibitor.BML is a rare disease usually seen in women of reproductive age. The pathogenesis and treatment remain controversial. BML mostly tends to have an indolent course and a favorable outcome. Keywords: Benign metastasizing leiomyoma, Pulmonary metastasis, Aromatase inhibitors

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated prevalence of scoliosis ranges from 3.3% to 5.5%. The management of these deformities is restricted due to lack of infrastructure and access to deformity spine surgeons. Utilizing surgical camps has been demonstrated to be efficient in transferring skills to low-resource environments; however, this has not been documented concerning deformity surgery., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. The scoliosis camp was held at a major referral spine center in East Africa. We documented information about the organization of the course. We also collected clinical and demographic patient data. Finally, we assessed the knowledge and confidence among surgeon participants on the management scoliosis., Results: The camp lasted 5 days and consisted of lectures and case discussions, followed by casting and surgical sessions. Five patients were operated during the camp. All the patients in the study were diagnosed with AIS, except one with a congenital deformity. The primary curve in the spine was in the thoracic region for all patients. Six months postoperative Scoliosis Research Society-22R Scoring System (SRS-22R) score ranged from 3.3-4.5/5. 87.5% of the participants found the course content satisfactory., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time an African scoliosis camp has been established. The study highlights the difficulty of conducting such a course and illustrates the feasibility of executing these complex surgeries in a resource-limited environment., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a global issue associated with potentially debilitating long-term consequences, including chronic low back pain (LBP). Short-term outcomes (<2 years) of patients with LDH have been extensively studied and demonstrate improvements in back and leg pain for both operative and conservative management. However, these improvements may not be sustained long-term (>2 years); patients with LDH may develop recurrent disc herniations, progressive degenerative disc disease, and LBP regardless of management strategy. Therefore, our objective is to determine the prevalence of chronic LBP after LDH, understand the relationship between LDH and chronic LBP, and investigate the relationship between radiological findings and postoperative pain outcomes., Methods: We performed a literature review on the PubMed database via a combination medical subject heading and keyword-based approach for long-term LBP outcomes in patients with LDH., Results: Fifteen studies (2019 patients) evaluated surgical and/or nonoperative outcomes of patients with LDH . Regardless of surgical or nonoperative management, 46.2% of patients with LDH experienced some degree of LBP long-term (range 2-27 years) as compared to a point prevalence of LBP in the general population of only 11.9%., Conclusions: Patients with LDH are more likely to experience long-term LBP compared to the general population (46.2% vs. 11.9%). Additionally, understanding the relationship between radiological findings and pain outcomes remains a major challenge as the presence of radiological changes and the degree of LBP do not always correlate. Therefore, higher quality studies are needed to better understand the relationship between radiological findings and pain outcomes., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common indication for surgery in the elderly. Preoperative radiographic evaluation of patients with LSS often reveals redundant nerve roots (RNRs). The clinical significance of RNRs is uncertain. RNRs have not been studied in the setting of minimally invasive surgery. This study investigates the relationship between RNRs and clinical outcomes after minimally invasive tubular decompression., Methods: Chart review was performed for patients with degenerative LSS who underwent minimally invasive decompression. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging parameters were assessed, and patient-reported outcomes were analyzed., Results: Fifty-four patients underwent surgery performed at an average of 1.8 ± 0.8 spinal levels. Thirty-one patients (57%) had RNRs. Patients with RNRs were older (median = 72 years vs. 66 years, P = 0.050), had longer median symptom duration (32 months vs. 15 months, P < 0.01), and had more levels operated on (2.1 vs. 1.4; P < 0.01). The median follow-up after surgery was 2 months (range = 1.3-12 months). Preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcomes were similar based on RNR presence. Patients without RNRs had larger lumbar cross-sectional areas (CSAs) (median = 121 mm 2 vs. 95 mm 2 , P = 0.014) and the index-level CSA (52 mm 2 vs. 34 mm 2 , P = 0.007). The CSA was not correlated with RNR morphology or location., Conclusions: Preoperative RNRs are associated with increased age, symptom duration, and lumbar stenosis severity. Patients improved after minimally invasive decompression regardless of RNR presence. RNR presence had no effect on short-term clinical outcomes. Further study is required to assess their long-term significance., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Strong forces are pushing minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) to the forefront of spine care. Less-invasive surgical techniques have been enabled by a variety of technical advances. Despite the promise of MISS, however, several factors, including few training opportunities, perception of a steep learning curve, and high upfront costs, have limited the adoption of these techniques. The "6 T's" is a framework highlighting key factors that must be accounted for to ensure safe and effective MISS as techniques continually evolve. Further, technological advancement in endoscopy, robotics, and augmented/virtual reality is enhancing minimally invasive surgeries to make them even less invasive and safer for patients. The evolution of these new techniques and technologies is driving the future of MISS., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Innovations in spinal endoscopy technology and technique have broadened their applications during the past 10 years. Smaller outer-diameter working-channel endoscopes have permitted safe usage in the cervical spine for full endoscopic decompressions. Endoscopic fusions have now been widely reported, leveraging compatible instrumentation for disc preparation and expandable interbody grafts. This ultra-minimally invasive technique has also enabled the performance of fusion procedures in awake patients under monitored anesthesia care, affording speedier recovery and treatment options for those unable to undergo general anesthesia. Revision surgery after open or minimally invasive posterior discectomy or instrumentation can now be performed with endoscopic techniques, which often leverage the transforaminal approach to avoid scar tissue and adhesions. These procedures, among other endoscopic surgeries, are now being increasingly performed in ambulatory surgery centers, as safe outcomes, economic benefits to the healthcare system, and patients' desire to recover at home are becoming more apparent. Finally, the standardization of endoscopic terminology, which has long been a confounder to proper communication and education in this field, has recently been addressed by leading experts in a consensus document, which will serve as the foundation for future collaborative advancements., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Spinal endoscopy has revolutionized the way spine surgeons deliver minimally invasive care for appropriately selected patients. The evolution of endoscopy has been tumultuous since its beginnings as a "blind" percutaneous procedure to access the disk until the present state, in which complex decompressions and even fusions can be accomplished through subcentimeter incisions. Engineering has played a crucial role in this evolution with advances in optics, illumination, and instrumentation that have allowed surgeons to work safely and efficiently in smaller and smaller corridors. Finally, the adaptation of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have complemented the benefits offered by spinal endoscopy to help patients return to the quality of life they seek through surgical intervention. In this article, we explore foundational elements of spinal endoscopy and look ahead to the future of this maturing field., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The advent of any new technology or technique is fraught with challenges in the early stages of development and adoption. This situation is no different for spinal endoscopy, which has been continuously developing for decades and has only recently gained significant traction in North America. Patient selection can be challenging for even expert endoscopic surgeons, given the limited abilities of current technology for patients with multilevel disease. Anatomic limitations, such as iliac crest location and small foraminal dimensions, can restrict application of the transforaminal approach, considered the "workhorse" of endoscopic techniques. A paucity of dedicated training opportunities has led many to become late adopters or preclude exposure entirely, limiting the next generation of surgeons and expansion of the field. Finally, economic constraints, including capital expenses and issues with insurance reimbursement, have generated difficulties to widespread acquisition. Nonetheless, the future is bright for spinal endoscopy, with potential solutions to these issues already generating progress. In the present report, we have summarized these challenges and discussed some of the current steps underway to help alleviate their impact., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The mobilization of subspecialty departments in reaction to the unique demands of the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City was swift and left little time for reflection and commemoration. The early days of the pandemic brought unprecedented stressors on the medical system that necessitated a restructuring of hospitals, reallocation of health care workers, and a shift in care and education paradigms to meet patient care demands and public health needs. As the number of cases, intensive care unit patients, and deaths skyrocketed in New York City, many struggled with a somewhat paradoxical difficulty in perceiving the human value of what these numbers mean. Easily lost in the statistics are the stories and experiences of the physicians and trainees who were counted on to halt their own clinical practices and adapt their skillsets to tackle the pandemic. In this article, we present 10 brief narratives from the student members of the Neurosurgery Publication Group at Weill Cornell Medical College and members of the Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery Residency Program and Department of Neurological Surgery faculty. Reflecting on these individual experiences gives us an opportunity to simultaneously contribute to a history of New York City's reaction to COVID-19 and commemorate the individuals who were impacted by or succumbed to this disease., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The diagnostic and surgical management of epilepsy has made enormous strides over the past 3 decades, concomitant with advances in technology and electrophysiologic understanding of neuronal connectivity. Distinct zones have been identified within this network that each communicate and play a role in the genesis of seizures. Invasive and noninvasive modalities for defining the epileptogenic lesion or region have been able to more accurately determine which patients are optimal candidates for treatment when their seizures are refractory to conventional conservative management. Ablative, palliative, and disconnecting procedures have been developed as alternatives for traditional open resection techniques, and in recent studies, they have shown excellent seizure control and mitigation of complications. In this review, we discuss the evolution of these advancements in the management of epilepsy and provide an overview of current and future neurosurgical therapeutic modalities., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar approaches involve working in Kambin's triangle. These procedures are performed on awake patients or under general anesthesia with continuous electromyography. Potential morbidity of this approach includes injury to exiting and traversing nerve roots, as substantial dissection or cauterization of overlying tissues is required for visualization., Methods: We developed a novel connection system that accepts input from a bipolar radiofrequency probe to allow direct nerve stimulation in conjunction with electromyography. This study included 30 consecutive patients undergoing transforaminal endoscopic lumbar approaches for discectomies (73.3%), foraminal stenosis (23.3%), or lateral recess stenosis (3.3%). Demographic, operative, and outcomes data were collected., Results: Average age of patients was 61.4 years, and the L4-5 segment was most commonly treated (65.6%). Electrophysiologic mapping of the exiting nerve root was attempted in 28 patients with an average stimulation threshold of 8.6 ± 0.9 mA. Mapping of the traversing nerve root was attempted in 12 patients with an average stimulation threshold of 6.0 ± 0.8 mA. There were no instances of new postoperative sensorimotor deficits or dysesthesia. These findings persisted through mean and median follow-up of 294 days and 165 days, respectively. No patient required subsequent lumbar surgery., Conclusions: Our modified instrumentation and technique allow for accurate identification of the exiting and traversing nerve roots with minimal changes to the workflow of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar approaches. Modification of a bipolar radiofrequency device connection arrangement is simple, inexpensive, and reusable. In this study, no patients developed injury or pain related to nerve root dysfunction., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with single-ventricle congenital heart disease may present for scoliosis correction. These patients undergo a series of cardiac operations that create a novel circulation that has a significant impact on the management of their spinal surgery., Case Description: A 21-year-old man with severe scoliosis presented for posterior T4-L3 spinal fusion. He was born with complex congenital heart disease that resulted in his having a single functioning ventricle. He underwent a series of operations culminating in a Fontan procedure to palliate his heart disease. Both the surgical procedure and the anesthetic plan were modified based on his abnormal physiology, which led to a successful correction with no complications., Conclusions: Patients who have undergone a Fontan procedure can successfully undergo a lengthy scoliosis correction, but it requires multidisciplinary planning., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Compared to the thoracolumbar spine, the literature on cervical spine alignment is scarce. While a consistent number of articles have been published, few analyze the ideal surgical approaches for each type of deformity and the optimal amount of correction to achieve. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current literature on cervical spinal deformities (with or without myelopathy) and their surgical management; it is our goal to create a framework on which surgical planning can be made. A general assessment of the actually utilized parameters and correlation between the cervical and thoracolumbar spine alignment is presented. Moreover, we provide an analysis of cervical surgical approaches (anterior, posterior, or combined), techniques (laminoplasty, laminectomy and fusion, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, corpectomy), and their indications. Finally, a complete evaluation of outcomes and postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures based on questionnaires (NDI, VAS, SF-36, mJOA) is discussed. Several prospective studies would be useful in understanding how cervical alignment may be important in the assessment and treatment of cervical deformities with or without myelopathy. In particular, future works should concentrate on the correlation between cervical alignment parameters, disability scores, and myelopathy outcomes. We propose, via comprehensive literature review, a guide of practical key points on surgical techniques, cervical alignment, and symptom improvement goals surgeons should aim to achieve for each patient., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of intranasally administered pitavastatin in the PTZ-induced kindling model., Materials and Methods: Subconvulsant dose of PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p) was administered on an alternate day until the development of kindling. Behavioural test, biochemical tests and inflammatory cytokines were estimated. Comparative molecular docking study of sodium valproate (VPA) and pitavastatin was performed to predict the binding affinity with GABA A and GABA transaminase. Intranasally administered pitavastatin (0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg) and VPA (200 mg/kg) were used to investigate its protective effect., Key Findings: Comparative in-silico study showed docking score of -4.56 and -2.86 against GABA A receptor whereas -5.56 and -1.86, against GABA transaminase. Root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.39A and 0.55A was found for pitavastatin and VPA, respectively. The present study showed the dose-dependent protective effect of intranasally administered pitavastatin and oral VPA against PTZ-induced seizure, cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation., Significance: Our findings suggest that the intranasally administered pitavastatin is potential therapeutic approach to managing PTZ-induced kindling and associated comorbid conditions via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant potential. Further, pitavastatin can modulate GABA A receptor and GABA transaminase enzyme to ameliorate seizure. Meanwhile, more extensive studies are required to establish the molecular mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of pitavastatin., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We describe our technique and evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes for patients undergoing L4/5 posterior lumbar interbody fusion with 3D-navigation guided cortical bone trajectory screws (PLIF-CBT) for grade 1 or 2 degenerative spondylolisthesis with a minimum follow-up time of 12 months., Methods: A single-institution series of 18 patients was evaluated with data prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Pain and disability scores were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively, including back and bilateral leg pain visual analog scores (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Radiographic fusion was assessed as complete, partial, or none based on the presence of bridging bones across the disc space, posterior elements, or both., Results: Patients demonstrated statistically significant reductions in back pain VAS (P = 0.0025), leg pain VAS (P < 0.0001), and ODI (P < 0.0001) at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. Radiographic fusion at an average of 14.9 months postoperatively was available for 16/18 patients, with 6 patients demonstrating fusion (4/6 with complete fusion; 2/6 with partial fusion). There were no instances of intraoperative complications or delayed complications requiring subsequent interventions., Conclusions: PLIF-CBT can be performed in a safe and reproducible fashion with excellent clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively. The outcomes did not correlate with fusion status, which was unexpectedly low at 37.5% without significant hardware abnormalities necessitating reoperations. PLIF-CBT offers several perioperative advantages compared with traditional open PLIF and requires longer-term studies to demonstrate its durability with regard to improvement in clinical pain and radiographic endpoints, including anterior and/or posterior element fusion., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Two-dimensional radiographic methods have been proposed to evaluate the radiographic outcome after indirect decompression through extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF). However, the assessment of neural decompression in a single plane may underestimate the effect of indirect decompression on central canal and foraminal volumes. The present study aimed to assess the reliability and consistency of a novel 3-dimensional radiographic method that assesses neural decompression by volumetric analysis using a new generation of intraoperative fan-beam computed tomography scanner in patients undergoing XLIF., Methods: Prospectively collected data from 7 patients (9 levels) undergoing XLIF was retrospectively analyzed. Three independent, blind raters using imaging analysis software performed volumetric measurements pre- and postoperatively to determine central canal and foraminal volumes. Intrarater and Interrater reliability tests were performed to assess the reliability of this novel volumetric method., Results: The interrater reliability between the three raters ranged from 0.800 to 0.952, P < 0.0001. The test-retest analysis on a randomly selected subset of three patients showed good to excellent internal reliability (range of 0.78-1.00) for all 3 raters. There was a significant increase in mean volume ≈20% for right foramen, left foramen, and central canal volumes postoperatively (P = 0.0472; P = 0.0066; P = 0.0003, respectively)., Conclusions: Here we demonstrate a new volumetric analysis technique that is feasible, reliable, and reproducible amongst independent raters for central canal and foraminal volumes in the lumbar spine using an intraoperative computed tomography scanner., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Extreme lateral interbody fusion (ELIF) has gained popularity as a minimally invasive technique for indirect decompression. However, graft subsidence potentially threatens long-term success of ELIF. This study evaluated whether 26-mm-wide cages can eliminate subsidence and subsequent loss of decompression in ELIF., Methods: Patients undergoing ELIF surgery using a 26-mm-wide cage were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographics and perioperative data for radiographic and clinical outcomes were recorded. Radiographic parameters included regional sagittal lumbar lordosis and foraminal and disc height. Clinical parameters were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale. Subsidence of 26-mm-wide cages was compared with previous outcomes of patients undergoing ELIF using 18-mm-wide and 22-mm-wide cages., Results: There were 21 patients and 28 spinal segments analyzed. Radiographic outcome measures such as disc and foraminal height revealed significant improvement at follow-up compared with before surgery (P = 0.001). Postoperative to last follow-up cage subsidence translated into 0.34 mm ± 0.26 and -0.55 mm ± 0.64 in disc and foraminal height loss, respectively. Patients with 26-mm-wide cages experienced less subsidence by means of disc (26 mm vs. 18 mm and 22 mm, P ≤ 0.05) and foraminal height (26 mm vs. 18 mm, P = 0.005; 26 mm vs. 22 mm, P = 0.208) loss compared with patients receiving 18-mm-wide and 22-mm-wide cages., Conclusions: The 26-mm-wide cages almost eliminated cage subsidence in ELIF. Compared with 18-mm-wide and 22-mm-wide cages, 26-mm-wide cages significantly reduced cage subsidence in ELIF at midterm follow-up. A 26-mm-wide cage should be used in ELIF to achieve sustained indirect decompression., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Extreme lateral interbody fusion (ELIF) is a powerful tool for interbody fusion and coronal deformity correction. However, evidence regarding the success of ELIF in decompressing foraminal, lateral recess, and central canal stenosis is lacking. We performed a systematic review of current literature on the potential and limitations of ELIF to indirectly decompress neural elements., Methods: A literature search using PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect databases was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. Information on study design, sample size, population, procedure, number and location of involved levels, follow-up time, and complications as well as information on conflict of interest was extracted and evaluated., Results: We selected 20 publications including 1080 patients for review. Most publications (90%) were retrospective case series. Most frequent indications for ELIF included degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative scoliosis. Most studies revealed significant improvement in radiographic and clinical outcome after ELIF. Mean foraminal area, central canal area, and subarticular diameter increased by 31.6 mm 2 , 28.5 mm 2 , and 0.85 mm. ELIF successfully improved foraminal stenosis. Contradictory results were found for indirect decompression of central canal stenosis. Data on lateral recess stenosis were scarce., Conclusions: Current data suggest ELIF to be an efficient technique in decompression of foraminal stenosis. Evidence on decompression of central canal or lateral recess stenosis via ELIF is low, and results are inconsistent. Most studies are limited by study design, sample size, and potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) inhibitors have attracted great attention due to their ability to suppress the tumors formation. In our ongoing research, a series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione (1-12) has been synthesized under simple reaction conditions in good to excellent yields (86-98%) and their TP inhibition potential has also been evaluated. The majority of synthesized compounds showed moderate thymidine phosphorylase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 38.24±1.28 to 258.43±0.43μM, and 7-deazaxanthine (7DX) was used as a reference compound (IC50 38.68±4.42). The TP activity was very much dependent on the C-5 substituents; among this series the compound 6 bearing 4-hydroxyphenyl group was found to be the most active with IC50 38.24±1.28μM. Molecular docking studies revealed their binding mode., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Internet technology provides unprecedented opportunities to assemble large numbers of individuals with rare diseases from across the world to conduct clinical research studies. One such rare disease is Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a cancer predisposition syndrome affecting ~1/3000-4000 individuals worldwide. To enable large epidemiological research studies on NF1, we developed an online NF1 Patient Registry Initiative (NPRI) (https://nf1registry.wustl.edu/). Our objective is to describe the methods for registry development and implementation as well as the characteristics of participants during the first year of registry operation. Following electronic consent, participants completed a 30-45 minute questionnaire with 11 sections that asked about demographic, health, and social information. During the first year, 308 individuals from 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 19 countries participated. Of these, 98% provided demographic information and ~85% completed all questionnaire sections, of which 95% reported the presence of at least two NF1 diagnostic criteria. Most participants who completed the questionnaire indicated willingness for future contact (99%) and for providing biological samples (94%). Based on this first year of experience, we conclude that online registries provide a valuable tool for assembling individuals with a rare disease from across the world for research studies., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)