Surgical approaches for resection of vestibular schwannomas: Translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, and middle fossa approaches

pre-printSurgical removal remains one of the key treatment modalities for vestibular schwannomas. A team approach between a neurotologist and a neurosurgeon offers the patient the expertise of both specialties and maximizes the chances for an optimal outcome. Vestibular schwannomas can typically be resected through 1 of 3 main surgical approaches: the translabyrinthine, the retrosigmoid, or the middle fossa approaches. In this report and videos, the authors describe and illustrate the indications and surgical techniques for the removal of these tumors

Neuroendoscopic treatment of symptomatic giant Virchow–Robin spaces

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Background: Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) or perivascular spaces are interstitial cystic spaces surrounding the vasculature of brain parenchyma and course from the subarachnoid space. Small VRS (less than 2 mm) appear in all age groups, but can enlarge and be confused with other lesions like cystic neoplasms. These enlarged VRS are termed giant tumefactive perivascular spaces (GRPVS). Case Description: We present the case of a 50-year-old male who presents with right eye pain, blurred vision, headache, and gait imbalance. He was diagnosed with GRPVS and underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and cyst fenestration. Postoperative imaging showed a decrease in size of the ventricular system with evidence of flow through the aqueduct and ventriculostomy. Brainstem VRS cysts decreased in size. Conclusion: Unlike the other small number of case reports, this patient is unique in his age of presentation and successful endoscopic method of treatment. The endoscopic approach provided great exposure and adequate access to the lesions. Clinically, symptoms improved, cyst size decreased, and need for permanent shunt placement was averted

La contribution de l'agriculture biologique au développement durable des Pays du Sud : coopérative agricole biologique libanaise

Ce mémoire porte sur la contribution de l'agriculture biologique au développement durable du secteur agricole libanais. Le mouvement biologique se présente comme un système agricole qui peut améliorer les conditions socio-économiques et environnementales des pays du Sud. Bien que, théoriquement, le mouvement biologique ait le potentiel à contribuer au développement durable des pays du Sud, c'est sa contribution pratique que nous voulons étudier. Pratiquement, l'agriculture biologique contribue-t-elle à l'amélioration du niveau de vie des producteurs du Sud ou perpétue-t-elle les relations inégales de pouvoir entre le Nord et le Sud? Nous avons effectué un séjour d'observation-participante au sein de l'organisation non gouvernementale Vision Mondiale. Cette O.N.G fournit le soutien technique et financier à la coopérative Biocoop pour permettre aux producteurs membres d'obtenir la certification biologique. En prenant position avec la conception tripolaire hiérarchisée du développement durable, nous avons évalué, sur le terrain, les impacts de la transition au biologique. Cette transition permet-elle aux acteurs impliqués de prendre en considération tous les aspects environnementaux, sociaux et économiques du développement durable sans accepter une compensation entre eux? Notre étude de cas et l'analyse des représentations sociales des acteurs impliqués dans la Biocoop nous ont montré que l'agriculture biologique ne peut pas pratiquement contribuer au développement durable du secteur agricole libanais. En effet, les conditions socio-économiques des producteurs libanais ne sont pas favorables pour l'obtention de la certification biologique malgré le soutien technique et financier qu'ils reçoivent de Vision Mondiale. Paradoxalement, le mouvement biologique prétend améliorer les conditions socio-économiques des producteurs du Sud, toutefois, l'obtention de la certification biologique est presque impossible avant cette amélioration. Les normes et les exigences qu'impose la certification biologique aux producteurs du Sud ne leur permettent pas de se développer de façon durable, au contraire, ils reconstruisent les rapports inégaux de force entre le Nord et le Sud. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Secteur agricole, Agriculture biologique, Certification biologique, Conception tripolaire hiérarchisée du développement durable, Pays en développement, Environnement, Conditions socio-économiques

Neuroendoscopic treatment of symptomatic giant Virchow–Robin spaces

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Background: Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) or perivascular spaces are interstitial cystic spaces surrounding the vasculature of brain parenchyma and course from the subarachnoid space. Small VRS (less than 2 mm) appear in all age groups, but can enlarge and be confused with other lesions like cystic neoplasms. These enlarged VRS are termed giant tumefactive perivascular spaces (GRPVS). Case Description: We present the case of a 50-year-old male who presents with right eye pain, blurred vision, headache, and gait imbalance. He was diagnosed with GRPVS and underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and cyst fenestration. Postoperative imaging showed a decrease in size of the ventricular system with evidence of flow through the aqueduct and ventriculostomy. Brainstem VRS cysts decreased in size. Conclusion: Unlike the other small number of case reports, this patient is unique in his age of presentation and successful endoscopic method of treatment. The endoscopic approach provided great exposure and adequate access to the lesions. Clinically, symptoms improved, cyst size decreased, and need for permanent shunt placement was averted

Delayed intraventricular metastasis of clival chordoma

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author’s publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml

Familial colloid cyst of the third ventricle

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are rare benign lesions. They can present as incidental finding on imaging or with symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus. To date, 18 familial cases of colloid cyst have been reported. Due to the extreme rarity of these cysts, it has been suggested that there is a genetic component involved. This report presents a familial colloid cyst in non-twin brothers who both presented in their early twenties. In addition, both of them had congenital inguinal hernia. This may represent a potential association between familial colloid cysts and congenital inguinal hernia that could provide us with insight into the genetic mechanism involved

Environmental, Social and Governance-related Challenges in the Construction Industry (CIC 2023)

The construction industry is faced with several Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges and opportunities that include, but are not limited to, a massive carbon footprint, the physical impacts of climate change, green building certifications, supply chain, innovative product design, pollution control, health and safety, diversity and inclusion, community development, business ethics, and biodiversity. With these ESG issues front and centre in daily headlines, investors, shareholders and all other stakeholders are demanding greater transparency in relation to the construction industry's interaction with the environment and the society in which they operate and upon which they depend for long-term business continuity. ESG factors are becoming fundamental nonfinancial information for the long-term valuation of a company, for the investment decision-making process and in determining capital allocations. All the key players in the construction industry, including engineering and construction services firms, manufacturers and distributors of construction materials, buildings products and furnishing companies, real estate developers, and real estate services companies, need to convince stakeholders that they are delivering optimal outcomes when it comes to the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. In this paper, we will address and discuss the following questions: What are the key ESG challenges and opportunities that construction industry is facing? How are these key ESG challenges identified and acted upon? What are the enablers used by the construction industry to address and manage ESG factors? Among these enablers, we will look in details at the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) and its capability to satisfy the investors ESG disclosures needs