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Brain Sciences
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Advanced Clinical Technologies in Treating Neurosurgical Diseases
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Advanced Clinical Technologies in Treating Neurosurgical Diseases

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 1375

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Franco Servadei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Milan, Italy
2. IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
Interests: brain trauma; global neurosurgery; intraoperative neuromonitoring
Dr. Kenan Arnautovic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Semmes-Murphey Clinic and Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA
Interests: skull base neurosurgery; preservation of vision; chiari I malformation; pituitary tumors
Dr. Roberto Stefini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosurgery, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano Hospital, 20025 Milan, Italy
Interests: use of 3D 4K exoscope; cranial reconstruction and cranioplasty; arteriovenous malformation; use of brain suite in neurosurgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced clinical technologies have profoundly reshaped the landscape of neurosurgical treatment, offering enhanced precision in diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and improved patient outcomes. Several pivotal technologies play crucial roles in modern neurosurgery:

  1. Focused ultrasound technology: During surgical procedures, focused ultrasound technology enables neurosurgeons to precisely visualize brain tissue in real time. This capability allows for the ongoing monitoring of treatment progress and adjustments to ultrasound beams, ensuring accurate targeting, and is particularly beneficial for deep-seated tumors.
  2. Exoscopes: Exoscopes are contemporary visualization tools empowering neurosurgeons to execute complex procedures with precision. Utilizing high-definition cameras, exoscopes project magnified images of the surgical field onto a monitor in real time, facilitating enhanced visualization, crucial for delicate brain and spinal cord procedures.
  3. Robotic-assisted surgery: The integration of robotics enhances surgical precision and dexterity, enabling surgeons to perform intricate maneuvers with greater accuracy.
  4. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies: These technologies aid in preoperative planning, surgical simulation, and intraoperative guidance, facilitating better decision making and improved surgical outcomes.
  5. Improved technology for neurosurgical education in brain and spine surgery: There is a need for new devices, such as simulators, to improve surgical training outside of the operating theatre.
  6. Digitalized operating theaters: Digital connections with radiological and clinical images for integration with microscopes and exoscopes  
  7. Intraoperative devices such as Neuronavigation, NMR, CT scan, O and C arms, 5-ala, and fluorescine and their impact on patient outcomes
  8. The role of serum biomarkers in improving the management of neurosurgical diseases
  9. New techniques and new devices for cranial reconstruction

These advanced clinical technologies represent just a fraction of the rapidly evolving field of neurosurgical treatment. Continued innovation in, and integration of, these technologies can hold promise in further enhancing patient outcomes and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in neurosurgical care.

Prof. Dr. Franco Servadei
Dr. Kenan Arnautovic
Dr. Roberto Stefini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • augmented and virtual reality
  • intraoperative neuroimaging
  • minimally invasive neurosurgery
  • neurophysiological monitoring
  • robotics in neurosurgery

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2863 KiB  
Article
The Use of Technology-Based Simulation among Medical Students as a Global Innovative Solution for Training
by Francesco Guerrini, Luca Bertolino, Adrian Safa, Matilde Pittarello, Anna Parisi, Ludovica Vittoria Beretta, Elena Zambelli, Francesca Totis, Giovanni Campanaro, Lorenzo Pavia, Giannantonio Spena, Federico Nicolosi and Franco Servadei
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(7), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070627 - 23 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Background: Technological advancements have been rapidly integrated within the neurosurgical education track since it is a high-risk specialty with little margin for error. Indeed, simulation and virtual reality during training can improve surgical performance and technical skills. Our study aims to investigate the [...] Read more.
Background: Technological advancements have been rapidly integrated within the neurosurgical education track since it is a high-risk specialty with little margin for error. Indeed, simulation and virtual reality during training can improve surgical performance and technical skills. Our study aims to investigate the impact of neurosurgical technology-based simulation activities on medical students. Methods and Materials: The “Suturing Mission–The Symposium” was a three-day event held at Humanitas University. Participants had access to live-streamed conferences held by worldwide experts in several fields of neurosurgery and practical simulations of dura mater sutures, microvascular anastomosis, and augmented reality neurosurgical approaches. An anonymous survey was conducted at the beginning and end of the event. Results: 141 medical students with a mean age of 21 participated. After the course, 110 participants (77.5%) showed interest in pursuing a surgical path, with a great prevalence in those who had planned to have a surgical career before the event (88.7% vs. 41.4%, p < 0.001). Participants were also asked about their comfort levels while handling surgical instruments, and a good outcome was reached in 72.7% of participants, with a significant difference between those who had previously attended a suture course (87.8% vs. 66.3%, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Training sessions on surgical simulators were effective in increasing participants’ interest in pursuing a surgical path, improving their understanding of postgraduate orientation, and boosting their confidence with surgical instruments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Technologies in Treating Neurosurgical Diseases)
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11 pages, 3775 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis on Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery with and without Intraoperative Fluorescein Sodium Enhancement
by Amer A. Alomari, Sadeen Sameer Eid, Flavia Fraschetti, Silvia Michelini and Luciano Mastronardi
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060571 - 3 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS), also known as acoustic neuroma, is a benign, well-encapsulated, and slow-growing tumor that originates from Schwann cells, which form the myelin sheath around the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII cranial nerve). The surgical treatment of this condition presents a challenging task [...] Read more.
Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS), also known as acoustic neuroma, is a benign, well-encapsulated, and slow-growing tumor that originates from Schwann cells, which form the myelin sheath around the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII cranial nerve). The surgical treatment of this condition presents a challenging task for surgeons, as the tumor’s location and size make it difficult to remove without causing damage to the surrounding structures. In recent years, fluorescein sodium (FS) has been proposed as a tool to enhance surgical outcomes in VS surgery. This essay will provide an analytical comparison of the use of FS in VS surgery, evaluating its benefits and limitations and comparing surgical outcomes with and without FS-assisted surgery. Methods: In a retrospective study conducted at San Filippo Neri Hospital, we examined VS cases that were operated on between January 2017 and December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, which consisted of patients who underwent surgery without the use of FS until January 2020 (102 cases), and group B, which included patients who underwent surgery with FS after January 2020 (55 cases). All operations were performed using the retrosigmoid approach, and tumor size was classified according to the Koos, et al. classification system. The extent of surgical removal was evaluated using both the intraoperative surgeon’s opinion and postoperative MRI imaging. Preoperatively and postoperatively, facial nerve function and hearing were assessed. In group B, FS was used to assist the surgical procedures, which were performed using a surgical microscope equipped with an integrated fluorescein filter. Postoperative clinical and MRI controls were performed at six months and annually, with no patients lost to follow-up. Results: This study investigated the impact of intraoperative fluorescein exposure on tumor resection and clinical outcomes in patients with VS. The study found a statistically significant difference in the tumor resection rates between patients who received fluorescein intraoperatively (p = 0.037). Further analyses using the Koos classification system revealed a significant effect of fluorescein exposure, particularly in the Koos 3 subgroup (p = 0.001). Notably, no significant differences were observed in hearing loss or facial nerve function between the two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between tumor size and Koos, age, and size, but no significant correlation was found between facial nerve function tests. Conclusions: FS-assisted surgery for VS may potentially enhance tumor resection, allowing for more comprehensive tumor removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Technologies in Treating Neurosurgical Diseases)
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