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The classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors by the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) has led to significant changes in tumor taxonomy. One of the most significant changes is that isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant forms of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have been differentiated into separate entities, no longer allowing entries to be classified as not otherwise specified (NOS). As a result, this entity only comprises the most aggressive adult-type tumors and established prognostic factors no longer apply. Glioblastoma (GBM) IDH-wildtype CNS WHO grade 4 typically presents necrosis and/or microvascular proliferation and molecular alterations. Herein, we aimed to classify glioblastoma cases to establish a patient survival pattern based on age, gender, the number of masses, tumor location, functional localization, presence of shift, the volume of edema and necrosis, extent of surgery, radiotherapychemotherapy protocol, and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) presence, affecting overall survival were determined retrospectively. A total of 433 patients >20 years old with primary GBM were treated in a single institution between 1996 and 2019. The median survival was 9±0.62 [95% CI 7.78-10.21] months and the survival rate after diagnosis was 39.4% in 1st year, 17% in 2nd year, and 5% in 3rd year. Statistically, age, tumor location, edema, and necrosis were indicated as independent preoperative predictors of prognosis, and younger age at diagnosis, the left temporal and the right occipital location, maximal tumor resection, and administration of temozolomide adjuvant chemotherapy were revealed favorable prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is one of the commonly used surgical options for the treatment of non-communicating hydrocephalus but reported success rates from ETV vary considerably, and a reliable noninvasive means to detect the efficacy of ETV is still lacking. In this study, the changes in Evans's Index and the transorbital optic nerve sheath (ONSD) diameter measurement after endoscopic third ventriculostomy were compared. Methods: Preoperative and early postoperative ultrasonographic ONSD measurement and preoperative and postoperative 3 months Evans' index of patients with hydrocephalus on whom ETVs were performed between 1 February 2018 and 23 May 2022 and analyzed. Results: The chart of 8 male and 2 female patients was analyzed. Their median age at presentation was 5.3 years (range 1 − 14 years). Mean ONSD values were 5.66 mms in the preoperative period, which was decreased to a mean of 4.17 mms in the early postoperative period. The Evans' index was 0.5320 in the preoperative period; however, it decreased to 0.4460 in the postoperative 3rd months. The preoperative and early postoperative mean ONSD values and Evans' Index of patients were significantly different. Interestingly, a negative correlation was also observed between ONSD values and Evans' index. Conclusions: ONSD measurement and Evans' index have been commonly used after ETV procedures İn pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. Still, there is an unexplained negative correlation between ONSD and Evans' index values. This study indicates that the two measures (Evans's index and ONSD) should be considered when performing follow-up examinations in patients after ETV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The morphological features of the cervical spine are an essential issue. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the structural and radiological changes in the cervical spine. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 patients with neck pain but no apparent cervical pathology were selected from a database of 5672 consecutive patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRIs were directly examined for cervical disc degeneration. These include Pfirrmann grade (Pg/C), cervical lordosis angle (A/CL), Atlantodental distance (ADD), the thickness of transverse ligament (T/TL), and position of cerebellar tonsils (P/CT). The measurements were taken at the positions of T1- and T2-weighted sagittal and axial MRIs. To evaluate the results, patients were divided into seven age groups (10–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70, and over). Results: In terms of ADD (mm), T/TL (mm), and P/CT (mm), there was no significant difference among age groups (P > 0.05). However, in terms of A/CL (degree) values, a statistically significant difference was observed among age groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Intervertebral disc degeneration was more severe in males than in females as age increased. For both genders, cervical lordosis, decreased significantly as age increased. T/TL, ADD, and P/CT did not significantly differ with age. The present study indicates that structural and radiological changes are possible reasons for cervical pain at advanced ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Ugur. Yazar, Ayhan. Kanat, Nezih. Akca, Gurkan. Gazioglu, Irfan. Arda, Hizir. Kazdal Hydrocephalus in its various forms constitutes one of the major problems in pediatric neurosurgical practice. The placement [...]

Disc fragments are well known to migrate to superior, inferior, or lateral sites in the anterior epidural space, posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments is an extremely rare disorder, 61 cases have been reported to date. However, there were no cases with perforated ligamentum flavum (LF). We report a different case with perforation of ligamentum ligamentum by disc fragment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of perforation LF by a posterior epidural migrated sequester disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Sudden death from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not uncommon. Aims: The goal of this study is to elucidate the effect of the cervical spinal roots and the related dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) on cardiorespiratory arrest following SAH. Settings and Design: This was an experimental study conducted on rabbits. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 22 rabbits which were randomly divided into three groups: control (n = 5), physiologic serum saline (SS; n = 6), SAH groups (n = 11). Experimental SAH was performed. Seven of 11 rabbits with SAH died within the first 2 weeks. After 20 days, other animals were sacrificed. The anterior spinal arteries, arteriae nervorum of cervical nerve roots (C6-C8), DRGs, and lungs were histopathologically examined and estimated stereologically. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using the PASW Statistics 18.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Intergroup differences were assessed using a one-way ANOVA. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: In the SAH group, histopathologically, severe anterior spinal artery (ASA) and arteriae nervorum vasospasm, axonal and neuronal degeneration, and neuronal apoptosis were observed. Vasospasm of ASA did not occur in the SS and control groups. There was a statistically significant increase in the degenerated neuron density in the SAH group as compared to the control and SS groups (P < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory disturbances, arrest, and lung edema more commonly developed in animals in the SAH group. Conclusion: We noticed interestingly that C6-C8 DRG degenerations were secondary to the vasospasm of ASA, following SAH. Cardiorespiratory disturbances or arrest can be explained with these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Little seems to be known about the sexual dysfunction (SD) in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Aims: Investigation of sexual and sphincter dysfunction in patient with lumbar disc hernitions. Settings and Design: A retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: Sexual and sphincter dysfunction in patients admitted with lumbar disc herniations between September 2012-March 2014. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using the Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW) Statistics 18.0 for Windows (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to evaluate the difference between patients. Results: Four patients with sexual and sphincter dysfunction were found, including two women and two men, aged between 20 and 52 years. All of them admitted without low back pain. In addition, on neurological examination, reflex and motor deficit were not found. However, almost all patients had perianal sensory deficit and sexual and sphincter dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of three patients displayed a large extruded disc fragment at L5- S1 level on the left side. In fourth patient, there were not prominent disc herniations. There was not statistically significant difference between pre-operative and post-operative sexual function, anal-urethral sphincter function, and perianal sensation score. A syndrome in L5-S1 disc herniation with sexual and sphincter dysfunction without pain and muscle weakness was noted. We think that it is crucial for neurosurgeons to early realise that paralysis of the sphincter and sexual dysfunction are possible in patients with lumbar L5-S1 disc disease. Conclusion: A syndrome with perianal sensory deficit, paralysis of the sphincter, and sexual dysfunction may occur in patients with lumbar L5-S1 disc disease. The improvement of perianal sensory deficit after surgery was counteracted by a trend toward disturbed sexual function. Further researches are needed to explore the extent of this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to observe the relationship between age distribution and overall survival in glioblastoma multiforme. A series of 274 glioblastoma patients were analyzed retrospectively. Patients received chemoradiation with temozolomide. For the whole population, median overall survival time was 9.80 ±1.78 (95% CI, 6.31-13.28) months and 1-, 2- and 3- years survival rates were 38.3%, 16.1% and 8.4% respectively. Median survival time of the patients = 5th, 6th, 7th and = 8th decade 26.00±7.12, 14.42±3.07, 13.65±2.14 and 5.25±0.73 respectively. There were a statistically significant difference in median survival rates among the four groups (p< 0.001). GBM remains a poor prognosis and fatal brain tumor despite the availability of multimodal treatment options. Age can be considered as the most important prognostic factor in patients with GBM as elderly patients have an extremely poor prognosis. Further research is thus warranted for the selection of treatment options that can improve the OS as well as ensure quality of life in the adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningioma is a neoplasm derived from meningothelial cells. Grade1 meningiomas consist of 9 different subtypes. One of the rare subtypes is metaplastic meningioma. Metaplastic meningioma could be defined as "xanthomatous meningioma" in the presence of prevalent xanthomatous changes. A 32-year-old male patient presented to the outpatient clinic with complaints of vertigo and tinnitus. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large mass lesion of 7.4 cm in the right frontal region with an extra-axial localization. Resection material demonstrated a neoplasm composed of classical meningothelial meningioma areas accompanied with areas of xanthomatous changes, containing cells with clear, vacuolated cytoplasm. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, and progesterone expression were evident in both xanthomatous and meningothelial meningioma areas. Additionally, CD68 positivity was also observed in xanthomatous areas. EMA positivity is a neoplastic marker for xanthomatous cells and is a critical marker to differentiate these cells from macrophages, which is crucial for pathologists in the differential diagnosis. Xanthomatous meningiomas are quite rare and our case presentation is the 7 < sup > th < /sup > one in the current literature.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastasis, who were treated by whole brain radiotherapy with a conventional boost at a single institution., Material and Methods: A total of 296 patients diagnosed with NSCLC with brain metastasis and referred to our clinic for radiotherapy between 2000 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study., Results: The median age was 60.8 ± 12.1 years, with a range of 21-85 years. The estimated median survival time for all patients was 7.81 ± 0.66 months (95% CI: 6.52-9.11). The one-year survival, two-year survival and three-year survival rates were 18.8%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The median survival of patients with solitary brain metastasis who received 45 Gy radiotherapy was 14.70 ± 2.80 months (95% CI: 9.20-20.20). These patients had 6 and 12 months survival rates of 65.4% and 42.6%, respectively. The median survival time of patients with solitary brain metastasis who received > 45 Gy radiotherapywas 13.86 ± 2.56 months (95% CI: 8.08-18.02). These patients had 6 and 12 months survival rates of 66.2% and 27.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.321). The median survival duration of patients under 65 years was 9.65 ± 1.02 months. The median survival time of patients aged 65 years and overwas 5.15 ± 0.51 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the median survival rates between the groups (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Patients with solitary metastasis or single metastases tolerated whole brain radiotherapy with a conventional boost. Although the overall survival rates were numerically better in the high dose RT group, the difference was not statistically significant. Prospective studies with a larger sample size are needed to consolidate our results.

Stroke in children is relatively uncommon. We describe an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with primary eosinophilic granuloma (EG) of the frontal bone. After excision of the EG, the postoperative course was eventful. The patient had an acute right middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct and had been comatose with a diminished Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 5. Urgent decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty was performed. The postoperative course after the second operation was uneventful. Hematological tests revealed a diagnosis of factor V Leiden. The patient was discharged with left hemiparesis and GCS of 15. To the best of our knowledge, no such clinical picture of MCA infarction after EG excision has been described before. Neurosurgeons should be aware of inherited thrombophilias, such as factor V Leiden, if the postoperative clinical course worsens because of cerebral artery thrombosis. Also, decompressive hemicraniectomy could be life saving and should be performed urgently without any hesitation.

At present, the rapid advances in neurosurgical knowledge and technology are putting increased pressure on neurosurgeons to process huge quantities of information, with requirements for continuous learning and updating knowledge and skills which are time-consuming but essential. All these changes to the venerated status quo of neurosurgical practice have created an environment that may have a negative impact on neurosurgical professional behaviour. As a result, it may be that neurosurgeons find it increasingly difficult to meet their responsibilities to patients. In these circumstances, reaffirming the fundamental and universal principles and values of neurosurgical professionalism, which remain ideals to be pursued by all neurosurgeons, becomes all the more important. This paper summarizes the definition, evolution, and practice of neurosurgical professionalism.