The Unique Relationship between Neuro-Critical Care and Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency : Implications for Neurosurgeons in Neuro-Critical Care

The brain houses vital hormonal regulatory structures such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which may confer unique susceptibilities to critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in patients with neurological disorders. In addition, the frequent use of steroids for therapeutic purposes in various neurological conditions may lead to the development of steroid insufficiency. This abstract aims to highlight the significance of understanding these relationships in the context of patient care and management for physicians. Neurological disorders may predispose patients to CIRCI due to the role of the brain in hormonal regulation. Early recognition of CIRCI in the context of neurological diseases is essential to ensure prompt and appropriate intervention. Moreover, the frequent use of steroids for treating neurological conditions can contribute to the development of steroid insufficiency, further complicating the clinical picture. Physicians must be aware of these unique interactions and be prepared to evaluate and manage patients with CIRCI and steroid insufficiency in the context of neurological disorders. This includes timely diagnosis, appropriate steroid administration, and careful monitoring for potential adverse effects. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between neurological disease, CIRCI, and steroid insufficiency is critical for optimizing patient care and outcomes in this complex patient population.

Surgical Removal of a Ruptured Radiculomedullary Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare, and diagnosis and treatment are challenging. We report a rare case of a ruptured radiculomedullary artery aneurysm in a patient with Behçet disease. A 49-year-old man presented with severe lower abdominal and leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and an enhanced intradural-extramedullary lesion at the T12 spinal level with subarachnoid hemorrhage was identified. Diagnostic spinal angiography was performed to evaluate the vascular lesion, and a radiculomedullary artery aneurysm at the T12 level was identified. We performed surgical resection of the aneurysm and a good neurological outcome was obtained.

Outcomes in 20 Gynecologic Cancer Patient with Brain Metastasis: A Single Institution Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: The incidence of brain metastasis (BM) in gynecologic cancers has risen recently, due to prolonged survival times and an early diagnosis. We analyzed treatment outcomes of patients with BM from gynecologic cancers. METHODS: Among 951 patients with BM who were treated in neurosurgical department from July 2003 to February 2016, a total of 20 (2%) patients were from gynecologic cancers. The patients' clinical characteristics were collected by using medical records. There were 14 (66.7%) ovarian cancers, 4 (19.0%) uterine cancers, and 2 (9.5%) cervical cancers. As a primary treatment modality, 11 patients were treated with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS), 6 with surgical resection followed by whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), and 3 with WBRT only. Overall and progression-free survival according to the primary origin and the primary treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Median overall survival time was 28 months, and progression-free survival was 15 months. In patients with ovarian cancer, median overall survival did not reach during the follow-up periods and progression-free survival time was 15 months. Median overall survival time in patients who received GKS as the primary treatment was 17 months and that in patients who underwent surgical resection followed by WBRT was 37.3 months (p=0.16). The median value of progression-free survival time in patients who received GKS as the primary treatment was 12 months and that in patients who underwent surgical resection with WBRT was 42 months (p=0.042). Median follow up period of over all patients was 13 months. CONCLUSION: BM from gynecologic cancer is rare (2%), but our findings suggest that the prognosis might not always be poor. In our small series, surgical resection with WBRT was a treatment modality significantly associated with a longer progression-free survival. Additional studies with more cases and multi-institutional cooperation are needed to determine which treatment modality leads to better outcomes.

Renal cryoablation of small renal masses: A Korea University experience

PURPOSE: To evaluate the perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of renal cryoablation (RC) of small renal masses (SRMs) performed in Korea University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed an Institutional Review Board-approved database of 70 patients who underwent RC and were followed up for a minimum of 3 months by a single surgeon in Korea University Hospital from August 2007 to May 2014. Among these patients, 68 patients (79 renal masses) were enrolled in our research. We evaluated perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RC. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients (79 renal masses) underwent RC in our institution. The mean age of the patients was 62.0 years. The mean tumor size was 2.25 cm. Among the 59 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, only 1 patient (1.47%) was converted to open surgery. No other perioperative complications occurred. The mean preoperative and 1-month postoperative estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) were 71.8 and 68.3 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively (p=0.19). The mean 1-year postoperative eGFR was 65.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p=0.25). The mean follow-up period was 59.76 months (range, 3-119 months). Local tumor recurrence occurred in eight tumors (15.4%; a total of 52 renal cell carcinomas). Concerning treatment in the patients with recurrence, five patients underwent re-treatment and three patients are under active surveillance. None of the eight patients who experienced local recurrence had additional recurrence or tumor progression during the follow-up period. In our study, the recurrence-free rate was 83.0% and the cancer-specific survival rate was 100%. Moreover, the 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were both 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term experience with RC in our institution demonstrates that RC is a safe and effective treatment for patients with SRMs.

Concurrent and predictive validation of robotic simulator Tube 3 module

PURPOSE: We previously described a new procedure specific module (Tube 3) to allow the practice of vesicourethral anastomosis after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Herein, we report a predetermined proficiency level of Tube 3 and preliminary validation to explore whether this new module can lead to performance improvement in the da Vinci system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight urology residents and three urology fellows performed the Tube 3 module 1 hour daily for 7 days. The learning curve was depicted through a scatterplot and the stable point was identified through the cumulative sum chart. Concurrent and predictive validations were performed with the da Vinci system. The mean time to complete the task and end product rating score between Tube 3 training group and no Tube 3 training group were compared. RESULTS: Concerning the learning curve, about 41 repetitions comprising about 5 hours were needed to achieve this stable point when the mean time to complete Tube of 384 seconds was set as a target. With regarding to the concurrent and predictive validation, there significant differences were evident in the mean time to complete 16 needle passages and the vesicourethral anastomosis and the end product rating score. CONCLUSIONS: The virtual reality (VR) simulator can yield sufficient improvement in technical performance in Tube 3 within 5 hours. The acquired proficiency can be transferable to the vesicourethral anastomosis using the da Vinci system.

Standardized analysis of complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy: Korea University Hospital experience

PURPOSE: To analyze the complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) by use of a standardized reporting methodology by a single surgeon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively reviewed a maintained institutional database of 52 patients who underwent RARC to manage bladder cancer and were followed up in 3 months by a single surgeon at Korea University Medical Center from 2007 through 2014. All complications within 90 days of surgery were defined and categorized into 5 grades according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of complications. RESULTS: Fifty percent of patients (26 of 52) experienced a complication of any grade <90 days after surgery, and 11 patients (21.2%) experienced a major complication. Complications were grouped in systems-based categories. Fifty complications occurred in 52 patients and hematologic complication (transfusion) was the most common (13 of 52). Wound dehiscence, anastomotic leakage, urinary tract obstruction, mechanical obstruction, and thromboembolism occurred as major complications. Mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 247 mL and mean total operative time was 496 minutes. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 24.6, with 30.5 for extended dissection. EBL (over 300 mL), operative time, and method of urinary diversion were significant negative predictors of minor complications, whereas EBL (over 300 mL) was a significant negative predictor of major complications (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that the complication rate reported by use of a standardized methodology after robotic radical cystectomy is still considerable although comparable to that of contemporary robot series. EBL, operative time, and diversion methods were predictors of complications.