The paper's objective was to demonstrate that intracranial tumor response to a therapeutic agent depends on how well the drug penetrates the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The key finding was that intravenous checkpoint inhibitors, demonstrated to be ineffective in phase 3 human trials in recurrent malignant gliomas, were quite effective in an intracranial glioma and melanoma model if the BBB was opened with intraarterial NEO100, a drug currently undergoing phase 2a intranasal trials. This study adds important considerations to previously failed intracranial clinical trials regarding whether the trial failed because of the drug or because the drug did not reach the target.
Researchers evaluated the indications and the preliminary clinical outcomes of the traditional dual growing rod (TDGR) technique combined with apical pedicle screws (APSs) in patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). With the addition of APSs, enhanced apical deformity control, improved curve correction, and good correction maintenance were achieved, without adverse effects on spinal/thoracic growth. This technique provides an alternative for patients with EOS and may reduce the risks for mechanical complications during lengthening treatment.
Investigators reviewed and classified 201 medical malpractice cases pertaining to laminectomy between 2000 and 2022. Delayed or denied treatment was identified as the primary source of litigation risk to providers, accounting for 52.7% of the reviewed malpractice litigations. Analysis of these cases may provide clinicians with a better understanding of malpractice risk factors and, in turn, practices through which these risk factors may be mitigated.
Decompression and instrumented fusion are commonly performed as the surgical treatment in patients with symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis. However, evidence is lacking as to whether fusion is indeed superior to decompression alone for these patients. In this study, the authors demonstrated that adding fusion to decompression is a superior treatment in terms of functional outcome and perceived recovery. The findings of this study support the scientific basis for the widespread practice of fusion in isthmic spondylolisthesis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of CSF leakage after cranial surgery in children. The risk of CSF leakage in children is 7.5%, which is comparable to the risk reported in adults, and CSF leakage may have serious clinical impacts. This study provides a valuable benchmark for the CSF leakage risk in children and may form the basis for future studies investigating specific strategies to prevent CSF leakage in pediatric patients.
Researchers performed a meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment versus standard medical treatment in patients with basilar artery occlusion. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment had a higher rate of good functional outcome and a lower rate of mortality at 90 days compared with patients who underwent standard medical treatment. Endovascular treatment may improve the clinical outcomes in patients with basilar artery occlusion, but the optimal population needs to be studied further.
Featuring presentations on selected videos published in this issue by Dr. Willem Pondaag, Dr. Stephen P. Miranda, and Dr. Robert J. Spinner. Moderated by Dr. Zarina Ali with Drs. William Couldwell (Editor-in-Chief) and Aaron Cohen-Gadol (Associate Editor).
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