With advances in the fields of genomics and regenerative medicine, novel tools capable of early diagnosis and more effective treatment for neurological disorders are becoming a reality. In this Research Topic of Frontiers we propose to collect articles from global leaders in the field of neurosurgery to review the most exciting advances in genomics, proteomics and regenerative medicine as they pertain to neurosurgical pathologies.

Johns Hopkins University

Frontiers in Surgery

Neurosurgery

Personalized Medicine and Neurosurgery Volume II

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare benign intracranial tumor origin that predominantly manifests in the lateral ventricle in children, accounting for 0.3%–0.6% of all primary intracranial tumors. It is extremely rare to have the CPP in the trigone of the lateral ventricle through the contralateral posterior interhemispheric transfalcine transprecuneus approach (PITTA). Herein, we report this rare case. A 7-year-old girl presented with headache. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed periatrial lesions, and histopathological examination confirmed CPP (WHO grade I). The contralateral PITTA is a safe, effective, reasonable, and appropriate for some lesions in the trigone of the lateral ventricle. It provides a wider surgical angle (especially for the lateral extension) and reduces the risk of disturbance of the optic radiation compared with the conventional approaches. The use of multiple modern neurosurgical techniques, including interventional embolization, intraoperative navigation, microscope, and electrophysiological monitoring, make the procedure much easier and more accurate, and the neuroendoscope adds to the visualization of the microscope and can reduce surgical complications.

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare benign intracranial tumor origin that predominantly manifests in the lateral ventricle in children, accounting for 0.3%&#x2013;0.6% of all primary intracranial tumors. It is extremely rare to have the CPP in the trigone of the lateral ventricle through the contralateral posterior interhemispheric transfalcine transprecuneus approach (PITTA). Herein, we report this rare case. A 7-year-old girl presented with headache. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed periatrial lesions, and histopathological examination confirmed CPP (WHO grade I). The contralateral PITTA is a safe, effective, reasonable, and appropriate for some lesions in the trigone of the lateral ventricle. It provides a wider surgical angle (especially for the lateral extension) and reduces the risk of disturbance of the optic radiation compared with the conventional approaches. The use of multiple modern neurosurgical techniques, including interventional embolization, intraoperative navigation, microscope, and electrophysiological monitoring, make the procedure much easier and more accurate, and the neuroendoscope adds to the visualization of the microscope and can reduce surgical complications.

Resection of the tumor in the trigone of the lateral ventricle via the contralateral posterior interhemispheric transfalcine transprecuneus approach with multi-modern neurosurgery technology: a case report

Intermediate nerve neuralgia (INN) is a rare craniofacial pain syndrome. The diagnosis of INN is challenging because of the complex ear sensory innervation that results in a clinical overlap with both trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). A 76-year-old woman with a remarkable medical history presented with right otalgia and mandibular pain for 7 years. Neurological examination revealed a diminished sensation in the distribution of the intermediate nerve (IN). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an impression of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) on the facial–vestibulocochlear nerve complex (VII/VIII complex). The patient underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) after long-term oral medication. We confirmed that the responsible vessel was close to the VII/VIII complex and isolated the vessel under the microscope via a right-sided suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. The patient's otalgia and mandibular pain disappeared after the operation. There were no additional neurological deficits. In conclusion, MVD is a safe and feasible option for patients with INN who fail to respond to adequate pharmacotherapy.

Intermediate nerve neuralgia (INN) is a rare craniofacial pain syndrome. The diagnosis of INN is challenging because of the complex ear sensory innervation that results in a clinical overlap with both trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). A 76-year-old woman with a remarkable medical history presented with right otalgia and mandibular pain for 7 years. Neurological examination revealed a diminished sensation in the distribution of the intermediate nerve (IN). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an impression of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) on the facial&#x2013;vestibulocochlear nerve complex (VII/VIII complex). The patient underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) after long-term oral medication. We confirmed that the responsible vessel was close to the VII/VIII complex and isolated the vessel under the microscope via a right-sided suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. The patient&apos;s otalgia and mandibular pain disappeared after the operation. There were no additional neurological deficits. In conclusion, MVD is a safe and feasible option for patients with INN who fail to respond to adequate pharmacotherapy.

Microvascular decompression for intermediate nerve neuralgia: a case report and literature review

Most spinal meningiomas (SM) are benign lesions of the thoracic spine and are usually treated surgically. This study aimed to explore treatment strategies and construct a nomogram for SM. Data on patients with SM from 2000 to 2019 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. First, the distributional properties and characteristics of the patients were descriptively evaluated, and the patients were randomly divided into training and testing groups in a 6:4 ratio. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to screen the survival predictors. Kaplan–Meier curves explained survival probability by different variables. The nomogram was constructed based on the results of LASSO regression. The predictive power of the nomogram was identified using the concordance index, time-receiver operating characteristics, decision curve analysis, and calibration curves. We recruited 1,148 patients with SM. LASSO results for the training group showed that sex (coefficient, 0.004), age (coefficient, 0.034), surgery (coefficient, −0.474), tumor size (coefficient, 0.008), and marital status (coefficient, 0.335) were prognostic factors. The nomogram prognostic model showed good diagnostic ability in both the training and testing groups, with a C-index of 0.726, 95% (0.679, 0.773); 0.827, 95% (0.777, 0.877). The calibration and decision curves suggested that the prognostic model had better diagnostic performance and good clinical benefit. In the training and testing groups, the time-receiver operating characteristic curve showed that SM had moderate diagnostic ability at different times, and the survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group (training group: p = 0.0071; testing group: p = 0.00013). Our nomogram prognostic model may have a crucial role in predicting the six-month, one-year, and two-year survival outcomes of patients with SM and may be useful for surgical clinicians to formulate treatment plans.

Most spinal meningiomas (SM) are benign lesions of the thoracic spine and are usually treated surgically. This study aimed to explore treatment strategies and construct a nomogram for SM. Data on patients with SM from 2000 to 2019 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. First, the distributional properties and characteristics of the patients were descriptively evaluated, and the patients were randomly divided into training and testing groups in a 6:4 ratio. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to screen the survival predictors. Kaplan–Meier curves explained survival probability by different variables. The nomogram was constructed based on the results of LASSO regression. The predictive power of the nomogram was identified using the concordance index, time-receiver operating characteristics, decision curve analysis, and calibration curves. We recruited 1,148 patients with SM. LASSO results for the training group showed that sex (coefficient, 0.004), age (coefficient, 0.034), surgery (coefficient, −0.474), tumor size (coefficient, 0.008), and marital status (coefficient, 0.335) were prognostic factors. The nomogram prognostic model showed good diagnostic ability in both the training and testing groups, with a C-index of 0.726, 95% (0.679, 0.773); 0.827, 95% (0.777, 0.877). The calibration and decision curves suggested that the prognostic model had better diagnostic performance and good clinical benefit. In the training and testing groups, the time-receiver operating characteristic curve showed that SM had moderate diagnostic ability at different times, and the survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group (training group: p = 0.0071; testing group: p = 0.00013). Our nomogram prognostic model may have a crucial role in predicting the six-month, one-year, and two-year survival outcomes of patients with SM and may be useful for surgical clinicians to formulate treatment plans.

Clinical diagnosis model of spinal meningiomas based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database

ObjectiveCerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) levels in adults with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are poorly studied. The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of CSF-TP levels in patients with PHH.</sec>MethodsThe clinical data of 156 patients with hemorrhagic brain disease were retrospectively studied and divided into PHH and NPHH groups. Single-factor and multi-factor analyses were performed, and the key role of CSF-TP was evaluated using linear analysis.</sec>ResultsAmong the 156 patients, 85 (54.5%) had PHH and 34 (21.8%) underwent surgeries. Hypertension (p = 0.017), days [total fever time when body temperature ≥ 38.5°C (p = 0.04)], Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (p < 0.001), and time (from the onset of the disease to the obtainment of CSF-TP after lumbar puncture (p < 0.001) were important factors for PHH. Logistic regression analysis revealed that GCS score < 8 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.943 (1.421–6.097), p = 0.004] and CSF-TP × time ≥ 9,600 [OR = 2.317 (1.108–4.849), p = 0.026] were independent risk factors for PHH. All CSF-TP values were averaged every 2 days. CSF-TP was negatively correlated with time. Linear analysis showed that CSF-TP in the PHH group was higher than that in the NPHH group at the same onset time, and that the duration of detectionin the CSF was longer.</sec>ConclusionCerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) × time ≥ 9,600 and GCS score <8 were independent risk factors for PHH. CSF-TP was higher in the PHH group than in the NPHH group.</sec>

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) levels in adults with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are poorly studied. The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of CSF-TP levels in patients with PHH.Methods: The clinical data of 156 patients with hemorrhagic brain disease were retrospectively studied and divided into PHH and NPHH groups. Single-factor and multi-factor analyses were performed, and the key role of CSF-TP was evaluated using linear analysis.Results: Among the 156 patients, 85 (54.5%) had PHH and 34 (21.8%) underwent surgeries. Hypertension (p = 0.017), days [total fever time when body temperature ≥ 38.5°C (p = 0.04)], Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (p &lt; 0.001), and time (from the onset of the disease to the obtainment of CSF-TP after lumbar puncture (p &lt; 0.001) were important factors for PHH. Logistic regression analysis revealed that GCS score &lt; 8 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.943 (1.421–6.097), p = 0.004] and CSF-TP × time ≥ 9,600 [OR = 2.317 (1.108–4.849), p = 0.026] were independent risk factors for PHH. All CSF-TP values were averaged every 2 days. CSF-TP was negatively correlated with time. Linear analysis showed that CSF-TP in the PHH group was higher than that in the NPHH group at the same onset time, and that the duration of detectionin the CSF was longer.Conclusion: Cerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) × time ≥ 9,600 and GCS score &lt;8 were independent risk factors for PHH. CSF-TP was higher in the PHH group than in the NPHH group.