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Neurosurgery resident education in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study, history, and future educational opportunities

Zerubabbel K. Asfaw, Tsegazeab Laeke, Abenezer T. Aklilu, Abat Sahlu, Mestet Yibeltal, Mekdes Musie Awano, Ernest J. Barthélemy, and Isabelle M. Germano

OBJECTIVE

An adequate healthcare workforce characterizes high-quality health systems. Sustainable domestic neurosurgery training is critical to developing a local neurosurgical workforce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study evaluated how neurosurgical training is delivered in Ethiopia, provides a historical narrative of neurosurgery training in the nation, and proposes future educational opportunities.

METHODS

A mixed-methods design consisting of a semi-structured interview and a comprehensive survey was used to acquire data. The interview participants included neurosurgery program directors and faculty involved in resident education. The survey was sent to all current neurosurgery residents in Ethiopia.

RESULTS

Ethiopian neurosurgical service began in 1970, and neurosurgical education started in 2006 with the establishment of the Addis Ababa University (AAU) residency program. The survey response rate was 86%, with 69 of 80 eligible neurosurgery residents responding. Most respondents were male (93%), aged 20–25 years (62%), and enrolled in the AAU program (61%). The oldest medical schools affiliated with tertiary hospitals were the top feeder institutions for neurosurgery training. Seventy-one percent of respondents worked for more than 60 hours/week, and 52% logged at least 100 cases annually. Survey responses demonstrated a critical need to establish subspecialty training and harmonize the national training curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

The history of Ethiopian neurosurgery training exemplifies how global neurosurgery efforts focused on capacity building can rapidly expand the local neurosurgical workforces of LMICs. Opportunities for neurosurgical education require initiatives promoting a subspecialized, diverse workforce that attains both the clinical and academic proficiency necessary for advancing neurosurgical care locally and globally.

In Journal of Neurosurgery Publish Before Print

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Oncolytic viral therapy: a review and promising future directions

Ramya Reddy, Sandra C. Yan, Zahra Hasanpour Segherlou, Mohammad-Reza Hosseini-Siyanaki, Jordan Poe, Carlos Perez-Vega, E. Antonio Chiocca, and Brandon Lucke-Wold

Oncolytic viral therapy is quickly emerging as a promising subset of immunotherapy, which theoretically can target tumor cells while sparing surrounding healthy cells by harnessing the replication machinery of viruses with tropism for tumor cells, resulting in direct oncolysis, and by transforming immunologically "cold" tumor into areas that elicit the host’s immune response. This review provides an overview of oncolytic viral therapy until the present day, starting with the original concept in 1912. The general mechanism of oncolytic viruses (OVs) depends on selectively integrating them into tumor cells based on genetic engineering of viral genomic material, inducing oncolysis and eliciting the host’s innate immune response. Moreover, a major component of oncolytic viral therapy has been herpes simplex virus, with talimogene laherparepvec being the only FDA-approved oncolytic viral therapy for the treatment of melanomas. This review explores the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and therapeutic uses of several DNA and RNA viral families. A snapshot of the oncolytic viral treatments used in the most recent and advanced clinical trials is also provided. Lastly, the challenges of implementing oncolytic viral therapy are explored, both at a molecular and clinical level, with a highlight of promising future directions. In particular, the lack of an optimal delivery method based on tumor type for oncolytic viral therapy poses a significant obstacle, even in clinical studies. Intrathecal continuous delivery of OVs is a promising prospect, potentially by adapting the novel continuous irrigation and drainage IRRAflow catheter. Further exploration and testing of the IRRAflow catheter should be undertaken.

In Journal of Neurosurgery Publish Before Print

Open access

Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging signal in the burr hole and the identification of the intracranial infection of a deep brain stimulation device: illustrative case

Ryota Sasaki, Hidehiro Hirabayashi, and Ichiro Nakagawa

BACKGROUND

Device infection is a critical postoperative complication in deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, intracranial infections are rare and lack specific findings, which lead to a challenging diagnosis.

OBSERVATIONS

A 59-year-old female with generalized dystonia underwent bilateral globus pallidus internus and subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS device implantation. One year earlier, a left STN-DBS extension wire disconnection was observed and replaced. The patient presented to our department because of tenderness along the extension wire that had persisted for 1 month. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head indicated abnormal signals around the lead of the left STN and burr hole. Intraoperatively, the authors observed pus and infected granulation tissue in the burr holes. After device removal, antibiotics were administered, and the patient successfully progressed without complications. Moreover, the abnormal MRI signal disappeared.

LESSONS

A characteristic abnormal MRI signal within the burr hole in DBS may suggest early infection even in the absence of other inflammatory findings. Clinicians should ensure that MRI is not limited to intracranial findings but extends beyond the extracranial space.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of a primary intradural spinal chondrosarcoma in a young adult: illustrative case

Anthony J. Piscopo, Nahom Teferi, Alec Hanson, Meron Challa, Mark Smith, Kathryn Eschbacher, and Patrick Hitchon

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is an aggressive subtype of chondrosarcoma that occurs extremely rarely in the central nervous system. Patients often present with pain or sensorimotor deficits, and resection is considered the gold standard. The role of adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy is largely unknown.

OBSERVATIONS

A 22-year-old male presented with a 4-month history of progressive back and bilateral leg pain. He underwent imaging workup with magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine and was found to have an intradural, extramedullary, heterogeneously enhancing mass spanning the L4–5 vertebral levels. Intraoperatively, a lobular, partially calcified mass with a ventral dural attachment displacing the nerve roots laterally was observed. The mass was removed en bloc, and the patient later underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, with no evidence of recurrence 2 years following surgery.

LESSONS

Spinal MCS is extremely rare and often presents with a more aggressive course than conventional chondrosarcoma. Radiological diagnosis is challenging, as the tumor mimics different pathologies. The presence of calcifications, heterogeneous enhancement, and a more rapid clinical course as well as the presence of HEY1::NCOA2 gene fusion, which can be detected by surrogate immunohistochemistry, aids in diagnosis. Resection is the standard of care, and adjuvant radiation may be considered to reduce local recurrence, although further studies are warranted.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of recurrent intracranial malignant triton tumor in an adult: illustrative case

Ajmain Chowdhury, Alex Belzer, Nahom Teferi, Hend Al-Kaylani, Juan Vivanco-Suarez, Assim Saad Eddin, Kathryn Eschbacher, Mohammed Milhem, and Patrick Hitchon

BACKGROUND

Malignant triton tumors (MTTs) are a rare and aggressive type of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor identified histologically by focal rhabdomyoblastic differentiation.

OBSERVATIONS

A 37-year-old female with a prior history of Hodgkin lymphoma presented with acute-onset confusion, cognitive deficits, and weakness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hemorrhagic intracranial mass later confirmed to be a malignant triton tumor. The patient underwent two resections and several courses of chemoradiation for multiple tumor recurrences and metastases. Unfortunately, despite extensive treatment, she died 2 years after initial presentation from complications of this tumor. Her overall survival (OS) of 26.7 months was double that reported in historical cohorts (OS ∼13 mos).

LESSONS

The diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system MTTs are difficult and require a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiologists, and oncologists. Histopathological analysis is required for confirmation of diagnosis. Gross-total resection of tumor and adjuvant radiation therapy have been shown to give patients the highest rates of survival and improved outcomes. Further studies and clinical trials are warranted to investigate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents like temozolomide, bevacizumab, and abemaciclib.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Extradural lumbar arteriovenous fistula imitating a synovial cyst: illustrative case

Leonidas Trakolis, Georgios Moutsianos, Viktoras Gourvas, and Athanasios Petridis

BACKGROUND

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula is the most common spinal vascular malformation. It usually presents with neurological deficits due to venous congestive myelopathy. Sometimes, however, the symptoms are radicular and can imitate those of a disc hernia or synovial cyst.

OBSERVATIONS

In this illustrated case, a 34-year-old male patient presented with radicular pain due to nerve root compression. In the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the spine, a synovial cyst was suspected, so the patient underwent no further examination before surgery. Intraoperatively, the authors were surprised to see a vascular malformation, which was shown to be an extradural arteriovenous fistula according to the histopathological examination.

LESSONS

In atypical MRI findings of the spine, vascular malformations should be considered. In cases with a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, the thrombosis risk can be high and lead to a need for prolonged anticoagulation.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Management of a challenging dura-embedded anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop during a retrosigmoid hearing-preserving vestibular schwannoma resection: microsurgical technique and operative video. Illustrative case

Jaime L. Martínez Santos, Robert C. Sterner, and Mustafa K. Başkaya

BACKGROUND

Anatomical variants of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), such as an anomalous “AICA loop” embedded in the dura and bone of the subarcuate fossa, increase the complexity and risk of vestibular schwannoma resections. Classically, osseous penetrating AICA loops are the most challenging to mobilize, as the dura must be dissected and the surrounding petrous bone must be drilled to mobilize the AICA away from the surgical corridor and out of harm.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present a rare case of a dura-embedded, osseous-penetrating AICA loop encountered during a hearing-preserving retrosigmoid approach in which they demonstrate safe and efficient microdissection and mobilization of the AICA loop without having to drill the surrounding bone.

LESSONS

Although preoperative recognition of potentially dangerous AICA loops has been challenging, thin-sliced petrous bone computed tomography scanning and high-quality magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in preoperative diagnosis. Furthermore, this report suggests that a retrosigmoid approach is superior, as it allows early intradural recognition and proximal vascular control and facilitates more versatile mobilization of AICA loops.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

A new strategy for treating drug-resistant focal aware seizures: thalamic specific nuclei deep brain stimulation. Illustrative case

Osvaldo Vilela-Filho, Hélio F. Silva-Filho, Lissa C. Goulart, Paulo C. Ragazzo, and Francisco M. Arruda

BACKGROUND

Focal aware seizures (FASs) are relatively common and frequently pharmaco-resistant. If the seizure onset zone (SOZ) is in eloquent cortical areas, making resective surgery risky and inadvisable, deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus, which is efficacious in less than half of the cases, has been the main alternative. New targets should be searched to address this deficiency. The present study aims to determine if DBS of different thalamic specific nuclei can modulate the abnormal electrical activity of the SOZ located in their respective cortical projection areas. Herein, the authors present the first patient in an ongoing trial.

OBSERVATIONS

A 60-year-old female patient presented with 25-year history of pharmaco-resistant focal aware visual seizures frequently evolving to focal impaired awareness seizures. The SOZ was in the right occipital lobe (positron emission tomography-computed tomography/video electroencephalography). Magnetic resonance imaging was normal. She underwent ipsilateral lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) DBS procedure. After a 24-month follow-up, seizure frequency decreased by 97%, improving quality of life and daily functioning without complications.

LESSONS

This is the first time the LGN has been targeted in humans. The results support the hypothesis that led to this study. This strategy represents a paradigm shift in the way of treating pharmaco-resistant FASs not amenable to resective surgery.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Removal of a flanged ventricular catheter: illustrative case

M. Benjamin Larkin, Tyler T. Lazaro, Howard L. Weiner, and William E. Whitehead

BACKGROUND

Flanged ventricular catheters were created in the 1970s to decrease shunt failure by preventing the holes at the catheter tip from contacting the choroid plexus. However, the flanges on the catheter frequently scarred within and tether to the choroid plexus, resulting in higher rates of intraventricular hemorrhage when removed. Today, flanged catheters are rarely encountered.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors describe an illustrative case of a 7-year-old girl recently adopted from another country with a history of myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus. She had been treated with a flanged catheter at birth. She presented with a shunt infection, which required removal of the flanged catheter tethered to the choroid.

LESSONS

The authors illustrate the safe removal of a posterior-entry flanged ventricular catheter tethered to the choroid plexus using monopolar flexible electrocautery. The removal was monitored with a flexible endoscope inserted from an ipsilateral anterior burr hole and was followed by an endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Rosai-Dorfman disease mimicking craniopharyngioma: a challenging differential diagnosis. Illustrative case

Yu-Chung Juan, Chun-Chung Chen, Ying-Hsuan Li, Ren-Ching Wang, and Hui Shan Lu

BACKGROUND

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare non-Langerhans histiocytic disorder with less than 5% central nervous system involvement and is often mistaken for meningioma given the similarity in imaging features. The authors present the unique case of a 44-year-old female who presented with ongoing visual impairment.

OBSERVATIONS

A purely suprasellar mass was noted on magnetic resonance imaging and was initially diagnosed as craniopharyngioma. Unexpectedly, the pathology report revealed RDD.

LESSONS

To date, only six cases of sellar RDD have been reported, and our case is the first reported with a purely suprasellar presentation. No standard treatment has been established for RDD, and next-generation sequencing may be a promising therapeutic option.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)