Basic and clinical research publications of Indonesian neurosurgeons: Where are we?

Background: With changes in European and the US academia and education systems, research has become a measurement to define academic productivity, as it is a crucial component in the process of becoming a well-trained neurosurgeon. In this recent study, we aimed to reveal the current status and challenges facing neurosurgical research in Indonesia. Methods: An open-access PubMed MEDLINE database search was performed to reveal all articles published by Indonesian Neurosurgeons from 1980 to July 2021. The detail was extracted to the following parameters: academia center or city of the study, year of publication, study type, topic, journal, institution and Q status, first author, article citation, international collaboration, and the working field. These data were processed and examined. Results: During 1980 and July 2021, a total of 242 PubMed-indexed papers were published from Indonesia. The number of publications started increasing significantly from 2010 to 2021, with an average of 19 papers per year since 2010. Most of the studies came from Bandung (22.7%), with Universitas Padjadjaran as the center of the study. According to the paper type, the majority of the articles were basic and clinical research (45.5%). The most common study type was case reports (33.5%). Neurotrauma (21.9%) was the most frequent topic followed by neuro-oncology (21.07%) and spine trauma (11.98%). Conclusion: Published articles in the neurosurgery field in Indonesia has shown a higher, promising trend. Despite many challenges faced in the process, there was significant progress in the past few decades compared to the previous ones. A comprehensive deliberate plan and multidisciplinary effort that focuses on overcoming the problems regarding defining academic productivity is needed for further improvement of neurosurgical care in Indonesia.

The Bandung neurosurgery patient outcomes project, Indonesia (Part I): Methods, participant characteristics, and pre-discharge outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about neurosurgery patient outcomes in Indonesia. Our study sought to describe patient characteristics, health care pathways, health-related quality of life, and health/rehabilitation care needs of patients admitted to, and discharged from, a major neurosurgery department. METHODS: Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years admitted to the Neurosurgery Department in a regional referral hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. Baseline data was collected on admission. An in-person interview (in the Indonesian language) was held 1 to 2 days pre-discharge. Sociodemographic along with clinical characteristics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and EQ-5D-5L data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 217 patients were admitted, 37 died before discharge, and a pre-discharge interview was undertaken by 178 (82%). Almost half (48%) were admitted because of injury, 38% brain tumour, 10% acute illness, and 4% other conditions. The mean age was 41 years. On admission, 63% had a mild Glasgow Coma Scale, 31% moderate, and 3% severe. The average hospital stay was 8 days for injury and 24 days for illness patients. Prior to discharge, one-third, or less, of the 178 patients interviewed reported "no problems" in the EQ-5D dimensions of mobility (32%), self-care (27%), usual activities (16%), and pain/discomfort (32%), whereas 70% reported "no problems" with anxiety/depression. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of patients are being discharged with considerable levels of difficulty in four of the five EQ-5D dimensions. This stresses the importance of providing good follow-up and support of patients and their families.

Adult medulloblastoma: A rare case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant embryonal tumor which commonly arises in the cerebellum. It is relatively rare and accounts for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors. The tumor primarily occurs in childhood; however, rarely, it may be found in adult population. In addition, medulloblastoma in adult population shows features which are quite distinct from the pediatric group. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented to our institution with a history of blurred vision of both eyes for 5 months preceded by intermittent headache since the previous year. Preoperative investigation suggested a posterior fossa mass and we suspected an ependymoma. The patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt and craniotomy tumor removal, followed by radiotherapy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination were performed, and the results showed a diagnosis of medulloblastoma. CONCLUSION: This case is exceptional because adult medulloblastoma occurrence in our center is extremely rare, and the diagnosis can only be established through histopathological and immunohistochemical studies.