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Carbon-fiber reinforced (CFR) polyetheretherketone hardware is an alternative to traditional metal hardware used for spinal fixation surgeries before postoperative radiation therapy for patients with spinal metastases. CFR hardware's radiolucency decreases metal artifact, improving visualization and accuracy of treatment planning. We present the first clinical use and proof of principle of CFR spinal hardware with tantalum markers used for successful tracking of intrafraction motion (IM) using Varian TrueBeam IMR (Intrafraction Motion Review) software module during postoperative spine stereotactic radiation. A 63-year-old woman with history of endometrial cancer presented with acute back pain. Imaging demonstrated pathologic T12 vertebral fracture with cord compression. She underwent T12 vertebrectomy with circumferential decompression and posterior instrumented T10-L2 fusion at our facility using CFR-polyetheretherketone hardware with tantalum screw markers followed by postoperative stereotactic body radiation therapy to 3000 cGy in 5 fractions delivered to T11-T12. Tantalum screw markers were used for IMR tracking. During irradiation, 260 kV images were acquired, and IMR software was able to identify and track markers. During the entire treatment, the IM motions were less than 3 mm. This is the first presented case of CFR spinal hardware with tantalum markers used for successful IMR tracking of IM during daily spine stereotactic treatment. Future work will be needed to improve workflow and create a spine-specific IMR protocol., Competing Interests: Disclosures JDP reports research and speaking fees from Icotec, outside submitted work: Varian speeking fees, Novocure advisory board, Kroger trial funding, NIH R01CA269948, NIH R702 award, Biocept clinical trial funding, genentech clinical trial funding, (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Radiation Oncology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) focally destroys abnormal or dysfunctional tissue using thermal energy generated from alternating current. The utilization of RFA has gained popularity as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of skeletal metastases with a particular focus on palliative pain treatments to the spine, pelvis, long bones, sternum, and glenoid. More recently, single-session procedures that combine RFA with vertebral augmentation techniques have allowed treatment to areas of pain associated with pathologic fractures secondary to metastatic disease. Although many studies have been done to investigate the safety and efficacy of RFA, there have been no reported cases to date in which the use of RFA for the treatment of spinal metastases has led to any major permanent neurological injury., Case Description: This report describes a case of a 61-year-old woman who underwent RFA and kyphoplasty for spinal metastases and noted the immediate onset of lower extremity paralysis after the procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of permanent lower extremity paralysis in the medical literature after radiofrequency thermal ablation of spine metastases., Conclusions: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination suggest RFA-induced thermal injury as the most likely mechanism of paralysis. In this report, a review of previous in vivo models used in studying the efficacy and safety of spine RFA is conducted. Additionally, the literature has been reviewed for any neurological events reported with the use of RFA in the treatment of patients with vertebral pathology., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Myelopathy of the dorsal columns is a rare complication of intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy that occurs most frequently with IT methotrexate and cytarabine. This diagnosis is made with a combination of magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evoked potentials, and elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels, particularly myelin basic protein., Case Description: A 73-year-old man with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm and known central nervous system involvement underwent standard treatment, including 5 doses of IT cytosine arabinoside. Following this, he had documented CSF clearance of disease. One year later, he developed progressive lower extremity weakness, numbness, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging and repeat CSF analysis demonstrated recurrence, and he underwent further IT administration of methotrexate and cytarabine. CSF clearance of malignant cells was again established. However, weakness progressed to quadriplegia; loss of bowel/bladder control; and severe sensory loss, particularly vibration and proprioception. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated high signal intensity in bilateral posterior columns. A lower thoracic spine dorsal column biopsy revealed cord destruction and diffuse macrophage infiltration with profound destruction of the neuropil., Conclusions: Although dorsal column myelopathy has previously been described in association with IT chemotherapy, this has solely been diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination, electrodiagnostic criteria, radiographic findings, and CSF analysis. This case provides a pathologic evaluation of an antemortem obtained specimen revealing diffuse macrophage infiltration and profound destruction of the neuropil. Whereas the mechanism underlying spinal cord toxicity following IT chemotherapy remains largely unknown, this case demonstrates a potentially macrophage-mediated process., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dysplastic gangliocytoma (Lhermitte-Duclos disease [LDD]) typically presents as a PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog)-positive, insidious unilateral mass of the cerebellar cortex. Patients can present with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will reveal a characteristic laminar/tigroid appearance. Surgical management has been superior to conservative measures for symptomatic lesions. The outcomes for bilateral craniotomy have not yet been described., Case Description: A 50-year-old patient with Cowden syndrome had initially presented with vertigo and imbalance. T2-weighted MRI showed a striated pattern of hypointensity and hyperintensity in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres consistent with Lhermitte-Duclos disease. He underwent right posterior fossa craniotomy with near total surgical resection and achieved symptom resolution. However, 3 years later, asymptomatic recurrence of the right-sided LDD and progression of left-sided LDD were noted. These were managed with a 1-year course of temozolomide. Both lesions remained stable until 4 years after completion of temozolomide. MRI demonstrated progression in the left hemisphere requiring a second surgical resection. PTEN analysis of the resected lesion was negative for mutation., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first reported case of bilateral cerebellar hemisphere LDD ultimately managed by temporally dissociated bilateral surgical resections. Our patient was unique in that he had undergone surgery for resection of LDD, followed by a second surgery for contralateral progression 8 years later. The therapeutic options to prevent recurrence are limited, although temozolomide did seem to impede progression. Symptomatic patients will typically benefit most from surgical intervention. Given the strong association between adult LDD and Cowden syndrome, maintaining close follow-up care and possible surveillance imaging will be essential., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts (ISACs) with associated neurologic deficits are encountered infrequently. Various management strategies have been proposed with minimal data on comparative outcomes., Objective: We describe the clinical and radiologic presentation as well as the outcomes of 14 surgically managed patients who presented with an ISAC and associated myelopathy., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of consecutive patients presenting with neurologic deficits associated with idiopathic ISACs at our institution. The diagnoses were based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies followed by intraoperative and histopathological confirmation., Results: A total of 14 consecutive patients with ISACs (1 cervicothoracic, 12 thoracic, and 1 thoracolumbar) and associated myelopathy were identified. Syringomyelia was noted in 8 patients. All ISACs were treated with cyst fenestration and partial wall resection through a posterior approach. Preoperative neurologic symptoms were noted to be stable or improved in all patients starting at 6-week postoperative follow-up. The median (interquartile range) preoperative mJOA score was 13 (12.0-14.8), whereas the postoperative median score at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range 6-50 months) was 16 (14.0-17.0), which represents a median improvement (ΔmJOA) of 2.0 (1.3-3.0) (P < 0.001). Comparison of ΔmJOA scores between cases without and with associated syrinxes did not reveal a significant difference (P = 0.23). Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed spinal cord re-expansion at the level of the ISAC in all cases and either complete or partial syrinx resolution in 7 of 8 cases., Conclusions: Early treatment with fenestration and partial wall resection allows for cord decompression, syrinx resolution, and gradual resolution of myelopathic symptoms in most cases., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon, primary neoplasm of the central nervous system with a relatively favorable prognosis. Most patients are managed with surgery alone and experience significant long-term survival. PXAs occur most commonly along the superficial surfaces of the temporal lobes. Although these tumors may occur in other regions of the brain, their origin within the spinal cord is rare, and it is unclear whether spinal cord PXAs should be managed differently from their intracranial counterparts., Case Description: We describe a 31-year-old patient with a PXA of spinal cord origin who despite surgery, radiation, and multiple chemotherapy regimens experienced anaplastic transformation of his tumor and died of extensive leptomeningeal progression., Conclusions: To our knowledge, our patient represents the seventh reported case of PXA of the spinal cord but is the first described to have a BRAF mutation. Specifically, both the initial and recurrent tumors of the patient showed the same BRAF V600E mutation, which refutes previous suggestions that BRAF mutations may be limited to intracranial PXAs and also shows that BRAF mutations may occur earlier in PXA tumorigenesis., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gangliogliomas are rare, low-grade intra-axial tumors that exhibit both neuronal and glial components. Although the vast majority present as an intracranial lesion, a rare subset exist as isolated lesions of the spinal cord. Gangliogliomas have also been shown to harbor mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and BRAF oncogene. Previous studies in ganglioglioma have correlated p53 mutations with histologic transformation and BRAF mutations with worse prognosis., Case Description: In this report, we describe a 35-year-old female who presented with multifocal ganglioglioma, involving both the conus medullaris and filum terminale. The dominant lesion in the filum terminale was resected, which revealed World Health Organization I grade, p53 mutant, and BRAF wildtype status. Our study documents the first report of a multifocal ganglioglioma, originating within the spinal cord., Conclusions: Importantly, this case contradicts previous reports of p53 and BRAF mutations portending worsened tumor behavior and prognosis and demonstrates that further studies are needed to delineate the role of genetic characterization in the biologic understanding and management of gangliogliomas., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Multimodal intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IOM) provides assessment of spinal cord pathways during neurosurgery. Despite widespread use, few data exist regarding sensitivity and specificity of IOM in predicting neurologic outcome during decompression and instrumentation for epidural spine tumors., Methods: Retrospective analysis evaluated consecutive spine procedures involving IOM modalities (somatosensory evoked potentials [SSEP], motor evoked potentials [MEP], and electromyography [(EMG]) from 2007 to 2009. Demographic and surgical information, intraoperative neurophysiologic data, and pre- and postoperative neurologic status were collected. All cases involved neoplastic epidural spinal cord compression by a primary or metastatic tumor and included posterolateral decompression and instrumented fusion., Results: Two-hundred and eight consecutive patients had spine surgery during this time period and one hundred and fifty-two met inclusion criteria. All patients had SSEP monitoring, with 4 having transient changes and 7 persistent changes. One hundred and twenty-two patients had combined SSEP and MEP monitoring, with 3 having transient changes and 4 persistent changes in MEP signals. Two patients had neurophysiologic changes associated with hypotension and correction led to normalization. One developed new neurologic deficits after surgery. Two from the total cohort had new postoperative neurologic deficits. One had a transient decrease in MEP amplitude while the other had no intraoperative changes., Discussion: These cases are often long with significant blood loss, and stability of multiple IOM modalities provides reassurance that spinal cord function remains intact. Signal changes should result in scrutiny of blood pressure, surgical technique and anesthesia. Preserved IOM signals are suggestive of preserved neurologic outcome., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

At the turn of the twentieth century, the only computational device used in neurosurgical procedures was the brain of the surgeon. Today, most neurosurgical procedures rely at least in part on the use of a computer to help perform surgeries accurately and safely. The techniques that revolutionized neurosurgery were mostly developed after the 1950s. Just before that era, the transistor was invented in the late 1940s, and the integrated circuit was invented in the late 1950s. During this time, the first automated, programmable computational machines were introduced. The rapid progress in the field of neurosurgery not only occurred hand in hand with the development of modern computers, but one also can state that modern neurosurgery would not exist without computers. The focus of this article is the impact modern computers have had on the practice of neurosurgery. Neuroimaging, neuronavigation, and neuromodulation are examples of tools in the armamentarium of the modern neurosurgeon that owe each step in their evolution to progress made in computer technology. Advances in computer technology central to innovations in these fields are highlighted, with particular attention to neuroimaging. Developments over the last 10 years in areas of sensors and robotics that promise to transform the practice of neurosurgery further are discussed. Potential impacts of advances in computers related to neurosurgery in developing countries and underserved regions are also discussed. As this article illustrates, the computer, with its underlying and related technologies, is central to advances in neurosurgery over the last half century., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the commonest cause of death due to malignancy in non-smokers in the western countries. The two main hereditary types of colorectal cancer are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), constituting approximately 10% of all cases of colorectal cancer. The main aim of this review is to reappraise the current advances in the genetics and diagnosis of HNPCC., Methods: A Medline search was carried out to identify papers published from 1970 to 1999 on HNPCC. Embase and Cochrane databases were also searched. Reference lists of retrieved articles were carefully searched for additional articles., Results and Conclusions: Recent technological advances in the genetics of HNPCC have refined the criteria for diagnosis and management of HNPCC, however current policies regarding the testing of pedigrees are not clearly established. We believe that with the rapid development in this area definitive clinical guidelines will need to be available in future for the management of HNPCC., (Copyright 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.)

Colorectal cancer results in 18,000 deaths annually in England and Wales, with 24,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Despite a better understanding of the genetics, and advancement in surgical and anaesthetic techniques, there has been little reduction in mortality and morbidity from this disease over the past 25 years. Colorectal cancer fits recognized criteria for a disease that should be screened in asymptomatic individuals. The putative duration of the adenoma to carcinoma sequence gives an ample window of opportunity to detect and treat colorectal cancer. In this article we have reviewed the strategies involved in screening for colorectal cancer in an asymptomatic population. We have presented trials and arguments for and against the different screening methods and discussed cost effectiveness of screening. In the USA and Canada, major professional organizations and societies now endorse screening; in the UK it is still far from being accepted. We feel that the available evidence shows that colorectal cancer screening has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality from this disease and that funding for a mass screening and public education programme should be sought.

Aims: To investigate the use of pre-operative chemo-irradiation in downstaging advanced rectal cancer prior to surgical resection., Methods: We examined the pathological effects of chemo-irradiation on 24 rectal tumours and correlated the efficacy of treatment with the level of apoptosis, mitosis, P53 and bcl-2 protein expression on pre-treatment biopsies., Results: All tumours were resectable following chemo-irradiation. Six cancers showed complete regression with no viable tumour in the resection specimen. A significant correlation was found between spontaneous tumour apoptosis and tumour regression., Conclusions: Our results suggest that in rectal cancer the apoptotic rate in untreated tumour tissue may predict sensitivity to radiation and cytotoxic agents. No relationship was found between regression and mitotic rate, p53 or bcl-2 expression.

The effects of human urogastrone (0-25 mug. per kg. per hour intravenously) in four male patients with proven Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (z.e.s.) and in four healthy control subjects have been studied. After urogastrone in z.e.s. patients gastric acid volume and concentration decreased and basal acid output was reduced by 50-82%; the concentrations of intrinsic factor and pepsin in gastric juice increased by 60-300%; and peak plasma-gastrin concentration increased by 127-164% of basal concentration. A significant negative correlation between increase in plasma-gastrin concentration and decrease in acid output was observed (r=-0-72, P less than 0-01). Ulcer pain was relieved 30-60 minutes after the beginning of urogastrone infusion. These results suggest that urogastrone can inhibit the endogenously stimulated acid hypersecretion in z.e.s.

Gastric-acid output bears a significant relationship to parietal cell mass and to lean body mass. The relationships of pepsin output to gastric-acid output and to lean body mass have been investigated in 13 normal subjects and 40 duodenal-ulcer patients. Peak pepsin output (P.P.O[I]) was stimulated by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and the enzyme was assayed by Piper's method. Peak acid output to pentagastrin (P.A.O.[Pg] was obtained at a separate test. P.P.O.(I) correlated significantly with P.A.O.(Pg) in normal subjects (r equals 0-889, P less than 0-0001). P.P.O.(I) also showed good correlation with lean body mass (L.B.M.) (r equals 0-714, P less than 0-01), suggesting that P.P.O.(I) reflects peptic cell mass in normal subjects. In 40 duodenal-ulcer subjects there was no significant overall correlation of P.P.O.(I) with P.A.O(Pg) or with L.B.M. However, expressing the results as output of pepsin per milliequivalent of acid per kilogramme of lean body mass allowed separation of the ulcer patients into two groups whose ratios appeared to correlate with their symptomatic state at the time of testing: thus mean P.P.O(I) per meq. acid per kg. L.B.M. for duodenal-ulcer patients in relapse was significantly greater than the ratios for the patients in remission and for the normal group (P less than 0-001), suggesting either the presence of an increased sensitivity to insulin stimulation or a lack of pepsin inhibitor substance during a relapse of ulcer symptoms.

Three patients with dyspeptic symptoms who were being treated with the H2-receptor blocking drug, cimetidine, were later found to have gastric carcinoma. It was not possible to determine whether the association was fortuitous, whether the drug had masked the neoplastic change, or whether it was involved in some other way. Repeated clinical and endoscopic evaluation is essential in patients on this treatment for any length of time.