Intraoperative Ultrasonography in Resection of Diffuse Glioma

Diffuse glioma is a primary brain tumor that originates from glial supportive cells and is the most common type of intra-axial brain tumor. Open tumor resection is the first step in the treatment of diffuse gliomas. The extent of resection (EOR) directly influences clinical outcomes in glioma surgery. However, resection of diffuse glioma is encountered with the problem of macroscopic and even microscopic similarity of normal brain and tumor. Furthermore, maximizing EOR requires attention because a mistake in identifying and preserving normal brain regions in complete resection can lead to catastrophic complications

Acute Hemifacial And Hemiparesis Caused By Hemorrhagic Vestibular Schwannoma; A Case Report

Vestibular schwannoma is a benign and common slow-growing tumor that develops on the vestibular divisions of cranial nerve VIII. Some risk factors may enhance intratumoral hemorrhage risk which leads to tumor management to early surgical procedures. Hence, we describe a 57-year-old man presented with hearing loss and a 5*8 mm vestibular schwannoma. Eight months later, the patient was referred with headache, nausea and vomiting, right hemifacial paresis, and hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 45*35 mm hemorrhagic vestibular schwannoma. Surgical pathology reported hemorrhagic vestibular schwannoma. This was a rare case of hemorrhagic vestibular schwannoma with none of the established risk factors for the intratumoral hemorrhage and presented with Wallenberg-like syndrome. Many risk factors can cause hemorrhagic vestibular schwannoma. We present one case of small vestibular schwannoma without any predisposing of hemorrhage and acute onset of same side hemifacial paresis and hemiparesis

Letter to the Editor "Effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Neurological Surgery Care and Education; Our Experience from Iran".

peer reviewe

The Research Status of Neurological Surgery Residents; A Survey of Iranian Residency Programs

peer reviewedBackground: Research activities promote the appreciation for evidence-based medicine (EBM), quality patient care and clinical competence of resident physicians. We decided to investigate the research background of Iranian neurological surgery residents and their attitude toward research through a survey. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on Iranian neurological surgery resident physicians between February and April 2020. We provided an online survey, including 13 questions, using Google form and then sent the link to survey via WhatsApp application. Following the first post, two more reminders were sent to the groups after 2 and 4 weeks. Results: Responses were received from 89 respondents from which about 88% used to spend two hours or less per week for research. Almost equal numbers of resident physicians chose academic position (n=43) or private practice (n=39) as their future job. Only seven respondents stated immigration for assumed future job position. Clinical research (47%) was the most frequent type of research done by participants and clinical research education (43.2%) during medical school was the most common way of obtaining research experience. Agreement with doing research during residency program (45.6%) was more than disagreement (22.4%) and neutral attitude (32%). Conclusion: There is a low tendency among Iranian neurological surgery residents for conducting research projects during their programs. Lack of a proper research curriculum, heavy clinical duties and consequent shortage of time as well as insufficient encouraging points, are the main reasons. Designing a research plan for residency programs may successfully increase the research involvement rate

The The Research Status of Neurological Surgery Residents; A Survey of Iranian Residency Programs: Research Status of Iranian Neurosurgery Residents

Background: Research activities promote the appreciation for evidence-based medicine (EBM), quality patient care and clinical competence of resident physicians. We decided to investigate the research background of Iranian neurological surgery residents and their attitude toward research through a survey.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on Iranian neurological surgery resident physicians between February and April 2020. We provided an online survey, including 13 questions, using Google form and then sent the link to survey via WhatsApp application. Following the first post, two more reminders were sent to the groups after 2 and 4 weeks.Results: Responses were received from 89 respondents from which about 88% used to spend two hours or less per week for research. Almost equal numbers of resident physicians chose academic position (n = 43) or private practice (n = 39) as their future job. Only seven respondents stated immigration for assumed future job position. Clinical research (47%) was the most frequent type of research done by participants and clinical research education (43.2%) during medical school was the most common way of obtaining research experience. Agreement with doing research during residency program (45.6%) was more than disagreement (22.4%) and neutral attitude (32%).Conclusion: There is a low tendency among Iranian neurological surgery residents for conducting research projects during their programs. Lack of a proper research curriculum, heavy clinical duties and consequent shortage of time as well as insufficient encouraging points, are the main reasons. Designing a research plan for residency programs may successfully increase the research involvement rate

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population