Positive sensory symptoms, in surgically managed patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: A long term follow­up.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy. Patients commonly experience neuropathic pain, leading them to seek medical advice. However, other symptoms experienced in patients with CTS, such as paresthesia, dysesthesia and allodynia, classed as positive sensory symptoms (PSS), are often under-reported. In the present study, patients with surgically-managed CTS were observed pre- and post-surgery to evaluate PSS, using the symptoms scale component of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and the Sensory Frequency of Symptoms Scale. In total, 19 patients were included in the present study, with 79% female patients, and a mean age of 54±10.59 years. In addition, the mean follow-up was 63±29.91 months. The results of the present study revealed a pre-surgery BCTQ score of 3.52±0.63 and a post-surgery BCTQ score of 1.58±0.61. Notably, improvements in pain were observed, at 7.7±2.26 pre-surgery compared with 1.65±2.88 post-surgery. Compared with pre-surgery, post-surgery paresthesia scores were reduced from 2.94±0.82 to 0.47±0.45, dysesthesia scores were reduced from 2.52±0.84 to 0.47±0.39 and allodynia scores were reduced from 0.63±0.75 to 0.26±0.47. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that median nerve decompression ameliorated CTS symptoms, such as paresthesia and dysesthesia. However, further investigations are required to verify the benefits of surgery in relieving allodynia.

The 100 Most Cited Articles on Functional Neurosurgery in Latin America: A Scientometric Analysis.

Significant progress has been made in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (SFN) within Latin America (LATAM), which can be attributed to the rapid advancements in technology and a growing pool of expertise. However, despite the growing importance of this field, a comprehensive scientometric analysis of LATAM contributions is still lacking. The aim of this study is to shed light on the top-cited articles in the field authored by LATAM researchers. A search of the Scopus database was performed using specific keywords in the field of SFN to retrieve the top 100 most cited articles. Only those with LATAM affiliation for the first or corresponding position were included. The 100 top-cited articles were published between 1978 and 2019 across 47 different journals. On average, these articles had a citation count of 97.2 citations. A total of 635 LATAM authors were identified, including 145 women. Notably, the 5 most productive and impactful authors were Velasco F., Velasco M., Velasco A.L., Cukiert A., and Jiménez F. Within the field of SFN, epilepsy accounted for 47% of the documents, while the remaining 53% encompassed research on psychiatric diseases, movement disorders, translational research, pain, and electrical mapping. Epilepsia emerged as the journal with the highest number of articles. Mexico and Brazil contributed the most articles, with the University of São Paulo and the Hospital General de Mexico being the most productive institutions. This scientometric analysis highlights the impactful research contributions from the region, identifies influential authors and institutions, and emphasizes the necessity for additional collaboration and exploration.

Comparison of microvascular decompression, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, and stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A long term quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD), radiofrequency rhizotomy (RFR), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are surgical techniques frequently used in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), although the results reported for each of these are diverse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare long-term pain control obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR in patients with idiopathic TN. METHODS: To compare the results obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR we chose a quasi-experimental, ambispective design with control groups but no pretest. A total of 52 participants (MVD n = 33, RFR n = 10, SRS n = 9) were included. Using standardized outcome measures, pain intensity, pain relief, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment were assessed by an independent investigator. The TREND statement for reporting non-randomized evaluations was applied. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at the initial postoperative period and at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: MVD has shown better results in pain scales compared to ablative procedures. Significant differences between groups were found regarding pain intensity and pain relief at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.022), 1 year (p < 0.001), 2 years (p = 0.002), and 3 years (p = 0.004) after the intervention. Those differences exceeded the thresholds of the minimal clinically important difference. A higher percentage of patients free of pain was observed in the group of patients treated by MVD, with significant differences at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.02), 1 year (p = 0.001), and 2 years (p = 0.04) after the procedure. Also, a higher risk of pain recurrence was observed in the RFR and SRS groups (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.33-7.46; p = 0.009; and HR 4.26, 95% CI 1.77-10.2; p = 0.001, respectively) compared to the MVD group. No significant differences were found in terms of quality of life and satisfaction with treatment. A higher incidence of complications was observed in the MVD group. CONCLUSION: Concerning pain control and risk of pain recurrence, MVD is superior to RFR and SRS, but not in terms of quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and safety profile.

Metabolic Syndrome Components in Patients with Pituitary Adenoma.

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors of the anterior portion of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis), representing the 25% of all the tumor alterations. Pituitary adenomas are classified by the type of hormone secreted, cellularity, size, and structural alterations by the hormonal segregation. The diagnosis consists on the histopathological identification of cell types and the image-guided by magnetic resonance or tomography; the treatment can be both pharmacological and surgical. Metabolic Syndrome is the set of clinical conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases with an estimated prevalence of 25% worldwide. The alterations of metabolic syndrome are obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus type II. Pituitary adenomas and metabolic syndrome have an important relationship, hormone-secreting by pituitary adenomas affects a myriad of signaling pathways, which allows a favorable environment for the appearance of the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, patients with pituitary adenomas are shown to have an improvement in metabolic parameters after the medical/surgical treatment. The objective of this review is to explore the possible mechanisms through which PAs contributes to MetSx.

Intracranial Rosai Dorfman disease - A rare differential diagnosis of multiple meningiomas: a case report.

Rosai Dorfman Destombes (RDD) disease is a non-Langerhans histiocytosis. The central nervous system is affected in < 5% of cases. We report the case of a 59-year-old man, who began 8 months before admission with headache, diminished visual acuity in the temporal hemifields, hyposmia, and seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging showed three midline skull-base lesions in anterior, media, and posterior fossae. We performed a complete resection of symptomatic lesions using a bifrontal craniotomy. The histopathological analysis determined RDD, therefore, we started steroid treatment. Our case description is due to the diagnosis and location, one of the rarest reported to date in the literature.

La enfermedad de Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes (RDD) es una histiocitosis no Langerhans. El SNC se ve afectado en menos del 5% de los casos. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 59 años quien inició ocho meses previos al ingreso con cefalea, hemianopsia bitemporal, hiposmia y convulsiones. La resonancia magnética mostró tres lesiones de la base del cráneo en las fosas anterior, media y posterior. Realizamos una resección completa de las lesiones sintomáticas mediante una craneotomía bifrontal. El análisis histopatológico determinó RDD. Nuestro caso es debido al diagnóstico y localización, uno de los más raros reportados hasta la fecha en la literatura.

Neuropathic Pain and Positive Sensory Symptoms in Brachial Plexus Neuropathy: An Exploratory Study of Outcomes after Surgical Decompression and Proposal of a New Sensory Frequency of Symptoms Scale.

BACKGROUND: There are no articles that aim to evaluate the specific role of surgical decompression on the recovery of pain and positive sensory symptoms (PSS) in patients with brachial plexus neuropathy (BPN), as well as the relationship between pain and frequency of sensory manifestations. METHODS: A prospective before and after study was performed, considering the pain intensity through the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the frequency of PSS through a proposed new scale: Sensory Frequency of Symptoms Scale (SFSS). To compare the patients before and after the intervention, a paired T-test, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Cohen's D test were made, coupled with a Spearman analysis in order to establish the relationship between pain and PSS. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study, the clinical evaluation showed changes in pain according with VAS, going from a mean preoperative state of 8.19 to 1.31 after surgery, showing significant changes (84%, p < 0.00006, Δ = 2.776). Within the PSS, a significant decrease was observed in paresthesias (74%, p < 0.0001, Δ = 1.645), dysesthesias (80%, p < 0.002, Δ = 1.453), and allodynia (70%, p = 0.031, Δ = 0.635). Conversely, the preoperative correlation analysis between pain and dysesthesias/allodynia showed a low and non-significant relationship (R < 0.4, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decompression is an effective technique for the relief of pain and sensory manifestations in adult patients with BPN of compressive origin. No relationship was observed between pain and dysesthesias/allodynia. Therefore, during clinical evaluation, they should be considered as independent manifestations, highlighting the need to validate new scales.

Primary spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients: differences among presentation patterns - A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if there are differences between the presentation patterns of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) associated to COVID-19. METHODS: It was performed a systematic search based on PRISMA guidelines of the cases reported in PUBMED of HS associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection and we added to this sample cases from our own hospital cohort. Patients in the database were separated by groups according to presentation symptoms: if they debuted with neurological symptoms or debuted with pulmonary symptoms. RESULTS: Seventy cases were included in the study. Patients that debuted with pulmonary symptoms accounted for 68.6% of the cases with an interval between the development of symptoms and the presentation of HS of 15.6 days. We found that the use of anticoagulants during hospitalization, multifocal image pattern, and the elevation of D-dimer, Ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly associated with the group of pulmonary presentation, whereas the presence of hypertension during hospitalization, and a lower hemoglobin level was associated with the group of neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although HS associated with COVID-19 is a clinical entity with increasing evidence, it is necessary to establish that there are two forms of presentation with their own characteristics.

OBJETIVO: determinar si existen diferencias entre los patrones de presentación de hemorragia intracraneal asociada a COVID-19. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática basada en la guía PRISMA de los casos reportados en PUBMED de hemorragia intracraneal asociados a infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se agregaron a esta muestra casos de nuestra propia cohorte hospitalaria. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 70 casos. Los pacientes que debutaron con síntomas pulmonares representaron el 68.6% de los casos con un intervalo entre el desarrollo de los síntomas y la presentación de la hemorragia intracraneal de 15.6 días. Encontramos que el uso de anticoagulantes durante la hospitalización, el patrón de imagen multifocal y la elevación de los niveles de dímero D, ferritina y deshidrogenasa láctica se asociaron significativamente con el grupo de presentación pulmonar, mientras que la presencia de hipertensión durante la hospitalización, y un nivel de hemoglobina más bajo se asoció con el grupo que debutó con síntomas neurológicos. CONCLUSIÓN: si bien la hemorragia intracraneal asociada a COVID-19 es una entidad clínica con evidencia creciente, es necesario establecer que existen dos formas de presentación con características propias.

Concordance and diagnostic yield of stereotactic biopsies for posterior fossa: Technique and experience in a reference hospital.

AIM: Describe our stereotactic brain biopsy (SBB) technique for intra-axial lesions of the posterior fossa, evaluate its effectiveness and safety, and compare them with other series. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in ten consecutive patients, whose variables were age, gender, location of the lesions, clinical, radiological, and histopathological diagnoses, complications, and mortality, for analysis using descriptive statistics and tests of concordance and diagnostic validity. RESULTS: Lesions were pontine in seven cases, and pontomedullary in three occasions, with histopathological diagnoses of four Grade II astrocytomas, two Grade IV astrocytomas, two infectious process, one neuroblastic tumor, and one cavernous malformation, whose frequency differs from the previous reports (χ2 = 0.07). The clinical-radiological concordance was poor (κ = 0.20). The validity of the clinical diagnosis had intermediate values (Sn = 66.7%, Sp = 75%), while radiological studies were more sensitive (Sn = 100%, Sp = 25%). A definitive diagnosis was obtained in all procedures, with no permanent morbidity or mortality because of the surgery. CONCLUSION: The SBB technique for posterior fossa implemented in our hospital shows high diagnostic yield, as well as absolute safety for the patient.

OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra técnica de biopsia cerebral estereotáctica (SBB) para lesiones intraaxiales de fosa posterior, evaluar su eficacia y seguridad y compararlas con otras series. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo en 10 pacientes consecutivos, cuyas variables fueron edad, sexo, localización de las lesiones, diagnósticos clínicos, radiológicos e histopatológicos, complicaciones y mortalidad, para análisis mediante estadística descriptiva y pruebas de concordancia y validez diagnóstica. RESULTADOS: Las lesiones fueron pontinas en 7 casos y pontomedulares en 3 ocasiones, con diagnósticos histopatológicos de 4 astrocitomas grado II, 2 astrocitomas grado IV, 2 procesos infecciosos, 1 tumor neuroblástico y 1 malformación cavernosa, cuya frecuencia difiere de reportes previos (χ2 = 0.07). La concordancia clínico-radiológica fue mala (κ = 0.20). La validez del diagnóstico clínico tuvo valores intermedios (Sn = 66.7%, Sp = 75%), mientras que los estudios radiológicos fueron más sensibles (Sn = 100%, Sp = 25%). Se obtuvo un diagnóstico definitivo en todos los procedimientos, sin morbimortalidad permanente por la cirugía. CONCLUSIÓN: La técnica SBB para fosa posterior implementada en nuestro hospital muestra un alto rendimiento diagnóstico, así como una seguridad absoluta para el paciente.

In Vitro Exposure of Primary Human T Cells and Monocytes to Polyclonal Stimuli Reveals a Basal Susceptibility to Display an Impaired Cellular Immune Response and Develop Severe COVID-19.

The contribution of the cellular immune response to the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still uncertain because most evidence comes from patients receiving multiple drugs able to change immune function. Herein, we conducted a prospective cohort study and obtained blood samples from 128 unvaccinated healthy volunteers to examine the in vitro response pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and monocyte subsets to polyclonal stimuli, including anti-CD3, anti-CD28, poly I:C, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recombinant spike S1 protein, and lipopolysaccharide. Then, we started a six-month follow-up and registered 12 participants who got SARS-CoV-2 infection, from whom we retrospectively analyzed the basal immune response pattern of T cells and monocytes. Of the 12 participants infected, six participants developed mild COVID-19 with self-limiting symptoms such as fever, headache, and anosmia. Conversely, six other participants developed severe COVID-19 with pneumonia, respiratory distress, and hypoxia. Two severe COVID-19 cases required invasive mechanical ventilation. There were no differences between mild and severe cases for demographic, clinical, and biochemical baseline characteristics. In response to polyclonal stimuli, basal production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon (IFN-) gamma significantly decreased, and the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) increased in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from participants who posteriorly developed severe COVID-19 compared to mild cases. Likewise, CD14++CD16- classical and CD14+CD16+ non-classical monocytes lost their ability to produce IFN-alpha in response to polyclonal stimuli in participants who developed severe COVID-19 compared to mild cases. Of note, neither the total immunoglobulin G serum titers against the virus nor their neutralizing ability differed between mild and severe cases after a month of clinical recovery. In conclusion, using in vitro polyclonal stimuli, we found a basal immune response pattern associated with a predisposition to developing severe COVID-19, where high PD-1 expression and low IL-2 and IFN-gamma production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and poor IFN-alpha expression in classical and non-classical monocytes are linked to disease worsening. Since antibody titers did not differ between mild and severe cases, these findings suggest cellular immunity may play a more crucial role than humoral immunity in preventing COVID-19 progression.

Stereotactic biopsy for intracranial space occupying lesions: Experience in a referral hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic brain biopsy (SBB) is used for establishing the histological diagnosis of intracranial lesions that are not amenable for a direct surgical approach. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe our experience having an evaluation of the biopsy sample by a neuropathologist during SBB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 140 consecutive patients who underwent SBB between 2014 and 2018 in whom trans-operatory analysis of the sample was performed. RESULTS: There were 56% men. The mean age was 45 years. Histological diagnosis was performed in 131 of 140 patients (94% overall diagnostic yield). The presurgical radiological diagnosis was correct in 39%. Neoplastic lesions were reported in 108 cases, and 32 were non-neoplastic. We performed craniotomy and resection after biopsy in 14%. We found complications in 6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: SBB continues to be a safe, useful, and inexpensive procedure. The diagnostic performance of SBB increases when intraoperative cytological evaluation by a neuropathologist is included in the study.

ANTECEDENTES: la biopsia cerebral por estereotaxia (SBB) se utiliza para establecer el diagnóstico histológico de lesiones intracraneales que no son susceptibles de un abordaje quirúrgico directo. OBJETIVO: describir nuestra experiencia de tener una evaluación de la muestra de biopsia por un neuropatólogo durante el procedimiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: análisis retrospectivo de 140 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a SBB entre 2014-2018 en los que se realizó análisis transoperatorio de la muestra. RESULTADOS: El 56% fueron hombres. La edad promedio fue de 45 años. El diagnóstico histológico se realizó en 131 de 140 pacientes (rendimiento diagnóstico global del 94%). El diagnóstico radiológico prequirúrgico fue correcto solo en el 39%. Se identificaron lesiones neoplásicas en 108 casos, y en 32 se documentaron lesiones no neoplásicas. En el 14% de los casos se realizó posterior a la biospia craneotomía y resección de la lesión. Encontramos complicaciones en el 6% de los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: SBB sigue siendo un procedimiento seguro, útil y económico. El rendimiento diagnóstico de SBB aumenta cuando se incluye la evaluación citológica intraoperatoria por un neuropatólogo.

Resection of meningiomas in a different location (sphenoid wing and tuberculum sellae) through a single craniotomy report of a case and review of the literature.

Meningiomas are the most frequent extra-axial tumors of the nervous system. Multiple meningiomas are defined as the presence of two or more lesions that appear simultaneously or not, in different intracranial location, without association to neurofibromatosis. Each lesion must be evaluated individually for treatment, which consists in microsurgical resection in most cases. A 59-year-old woman presented with neurological symptoms from different anatomical site. Two extra-axial tumors of different location, at right sphenoid wing and the other in the tuberculum sellae were identified. Microsurgical resection was decided in one-step surgery, using the same craniotomy for both lesions with complete resection.

Los meningiomas son los tumores extraaxiales más frecuentes del sistema nervioso. Los meningiomas múltiples o meningiomatosis (MM) se definen como la presencia de 2 o más lesiones que aparecen simultáneamente o no, en diferente localización intracraneal, sin asociación con neurofibromatosis. Cada lesión debe ser evaluada de manera individual para su tratamiento. Presentamos una paciente con meningiomatosis. La sintomatología era muy variada de localizaciones anatómicas diferentes. En los estudios de imagen, se identificaron tumores extra axiales de diferente localización, una lesión alar y otra del tubérculo sellar. Se decidió la resección microquirúrgica en un solo tiempo, mediante la misma craneotomía.

The Combined Use of Cytokine Serum Values with Laboratory Parameters Improves Mortality Prediction of COVID-19 Patients: The Interleukin-15-to-Albumin Ratio.

Laboratory parameters display limited accuracy in predicting mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, as with serum albumin. Emerging evidence suggests that cytokine serum values may enhance the predictive capacity of albumin, especially interleukin (IL)-15. We thus investigated whether the use of the IL-15-to-albumin ratio enables improving mortality prediction at hospital admission in a large group of COVID-19 patients. In this prospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled and followed up three hundred and seventy-eight patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis until hospital discharge or death. Two hundred and fifty-five patients survived, whereas one hundred and twenty-three died. Student's T-test revealed that non-survivors had a significant two-fold increase in the IL-15-to-albumin ratio compared to survivors (167.3 ± 63.8 versus 74.2 ± 28.5), a difference that was more evident than that found for IL-15 or albumin separately. Likewise, mortality prediction considerably improved when using the IL-15-to-albumin ratio with a cut-off point > 105.4, exhibiting an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.841 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.725-0.922, p < 0.001). As we outlined here, this is the first study showing that combining IL-15 serum values with albumin improves mortality prediction in COVID-19 patients.

Hemorrhagic stroke associated to COVID-19 infection in Mexico General Hospital.

INTRODUCCIÓN: en la actual pandemia de COVID-19, existe evidencia creciente que ha identificado el neurotropismo del virus SARS-CoV-2 y sus complicaciones neurológicas, incluida la enfermedad cerebrovascular isquémica y escasamente hemorragia cerebral (HC). OBJETIVO: describir las características clínicas, radiológicas, de laboratorio y pronósticas de los pacientes con HC asociada al SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODOS: se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos con prueba de PCR confirmatoria para infección por SARS-CoV-2 y HC. RESULTADOS: en un período de 90 días, en un centro de referencia COVID-19 en México, de 1108 pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2, se encontraron 4 pacientes (0.36%) con HC. Tenían una edad de 71(±12.2) años, 2 eran mujeres. Se encontró que dos tenían factores de riesgo cardiovascular previos. En dos casos se encontró el origen en el núcleo dentado mientras que los otros dos correspondieron al tálamo. Tres de los cuatro pacientes murieron. Postulamos que el descontrol hipertensivo, coagulopatía, trombocitopenia y la respuesta inmune inducida por el virus SARS-CoV-2 podrían desencadenar HC en un paciente con riesgo previo. CONCLUSIONES: la HC se asocia a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 con mal pronóstico cuando se presenta. Los equipos de neurocirugía deben estar preparados para el tratamiento oportuno de estos pacientes. INTRODUCTION: In the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing body of evidence that has identified the neurotropism of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its neurological complications, including cerebrovascular disease, focusing mainly in ischemic and scarcely about hemorrhagic stroke (HS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe clinical, radiological, laboratory tests, and prognostic characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 associated HS. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a confirmatory PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 infection and a HS demonstrated by head CT were included in the study. RESULTS: Over a period of 90 days, in a COVID-19 reference center in Mexico, out of a total of 1108 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, it found 4 patients (0.36%) who meet criteria. They had an age of 71 (±12.2) years, 2 were women. It was found that two had prior cardiovascular risk factors. Two of the HS originated in the dentate nucleus while the other two corresponded to the thalamus. Three of the four patients died. We suggest that catastrophic uncontrolled blood pressure, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, and immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 could in a specific patient trigger HS. CONCLUSIONS: HS is associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection with poor prognosis when it presented. Neurosurgery teams should prepare for the timely and appropriate treatment of this patients.

Women in Neurosurgery: First Neurosurgeon in Latin America and Current Mexican Leaders.

BACKGROUND: History has taught us that Mexican culture has been largely supported by women, despite gender prejudice from the society. Neurosurgery has not been the exception. Therefore, we investigated the challenges and influence of female neurosurgeons in Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature and an analysis of the internal database of the Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery focusing on 3 topics: 1) the historical presence of women and gender inequality in Mexico; 2) the life and legacy of the woman who became the first neurosurgeon in Mexico and in Latin America; and 3) the participation of women in neurosurgery in the past 3 decades. RESULTS: In Latin America, the first woman in neurosurgery was María Cristina García-Sancho, who completed her neurosurgical training in 1951. Currently, women represent 6.2% of the total members of the Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery (MSNS). This percentage is still low, although data collected in this study suggest that it might increase in the next few years because 16.7% of Board Directors of the MSNS are women, the next elected president is a female neurosurgeon, and 14.5% of neurosurgery residents are women. CONCLUSIONS: Although a steady increase has occurred of women in neurosurgery in Mexico, there is still work to do, especially to overcome the barriers related to the old assumptions of the cultural and social roles of women.

Lumbar dermoid cysts: 3 illustrative cases and a total review of the literature of the last two decades.

Spinal dermoid cysts are relatively infrequent tumors generally associated with a benign course. Here we describe three cases and analyzed the 109 cases of lumbar dermal cysts described in the literature in the last 20 years. We report a pediatric patient with a dermoid cyst posterior to a lumbar surgery for myelomeningocele repair with bad evolution; and two adult patients with the affection of the motor and autonomic function with good surgical outcomes. In approximately half of the reviewed cases, it was reported at least one complication. In fact, two cases had a fatal outcome. We discuss relevant characteristics of these lesions and those aspects probably associated with complications and bad outcomes.

The Neutrophil-to-Monocyte Ratio and Lymphocyte-to-Neutrophil Ratio at Admission Predict In-Hospital Mortality in Mexican Patients with Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection (Covid-19).

There is a deep need for mortality predictors that allow clinicians to quickly triage patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) into intensive care units at the time of hospital admission. Thus, we examined the efficacy of the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio (LNR) and neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR) as predictors of in-hospital death at admission in patients with severe Covid-19. A total of 54 Mexican adult patients with Covid-19 that met hospitalization criteria were retrospectively enrolled, followed-up daily until hospital discharge or death, and then assigned to survival or non-survival groups. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory parameters were recorded at admission. A total of 20 patients with severe Covid-19 died, and 75% of them were men older than 62.90 ± 14.18 years on average. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease were more prevalent in non-survivors. As compared to survivors, LNR was significantly fourfold decreased while NMR was twofold increased. LNR ≤ 0.088 predicted in-hospital mortality with a sensitivity of 85.00% and a specificity of 74.19%. NMR ≥ 17.75 was a better independent risk factor for mortality with a sensitivity of 89.47% and a specificity of 80.00%. This study demonstrates for the first time that NMR and LNR are accurate predictors of in-hospital mortality at admission in patients with severe Covid-19.

Surveillance system for acute severe infections with epidemic potential based on a deterministic-stochastic model, the StochCum Method.

BACKGROUND: The dynamic interactions of severe infectious diseases with epidemic potential and their hosts are complex. Therefore, it remains uncertain if a sporadic zoonosis restricted to a certain area will become a global pandemic or something in between. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to present a surveillance system for acute severe infections with epidemic potential based on a deterministic-stochastic model, the StochCum Method. DESIGN: The StochCum Method is founded on clinical, administrative, and sociodemographic variables that provide a space/time map as a preventive warning of possible outbreaks of severe infections that can be complemented based on the sum of all the first accumulated cases. If the outbreak is happening in high-risk areas, an early warning can be elicited to activate the health response system and save time while waiting for the confirmation of symptomatic cases. RESULTS: The surveillance system was tested virtually for 1 month on admissions to the emergency room of a public hospital located in Mexico City, Mexico. It promptly identified simulated cases of acute respiratory infections with epidemic potential. CONCLUSIONS: The StochCum Method proved to be a practical and useful system for conducting epidemic surveillance on a hospital network.

Effect of unilateral amygdalotomy and hypothalamotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. METHOD: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.

[Efecto de la amigdalotomía e hipotalamotomía unilateral en pacientes con agresividad refractaria].

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. METHOD: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.

ANTECEDENTES: El tratamiento neuroquirúrgico, aunque polémico, se considera un recurso útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades psiquiátricas crónicas como la agresividad refractaria. OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínicos y los efectos colaterales de la hipotalamotomía posteromedial (HPM) asociada a amigdalotomía en pacientes con agresividad refractaria. MÉTODO: Se realizó un ensayo clínico en pacientes con agresividad crónica y refractaria a tratamiento farmacológico. Se les realizó amigdalotomía central asociada a HPM mediante termocoagulación por radiofrecuencia. El grado de agresividad se cuantificó mediante la escala global de agresividad de Yudofsky. Los cambios postoperatorios en la conducta agresiva continuaron siendo evaluados cada 6 meses durante al menos 36 meses. RESULTADOS: Se observó un cambio estadísticamente significativo de la conducta agresiva, a lo largo de 36 meses de seguimiento. Se describen los efectos colaterales de la asociación de ambos procedimientos, siendo el de mayor frecuencia la somnolencia y algunos casos de reducción en la conducta sexual. CONCLUSIÓN: Las lesiones unilaterales simétricas y simultáneas del núcleo central de la amígdala y del hipotálamo posteromedial contralaterales a la dominancia motora dan el mismo efecto clínico en la reducción de la agresividad patológica que las lesiones bilaterales.