Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) captures neural information from the surface of the cerebral cortex during surgeries such as resections for intractable epilepsy and tumors. Current clinical ECoG grids come in evenly spaced, millimeter‐sized electrodes embedded in silicone rubber. Their mechanical rigidity and fixed electrode spatial resolution are common shortcomings reported by the surgical teams. Here, advances in soft neurotechnology are leveraged to manufacture conformable subdural, thin‐film ECoG grids, and evaluate their suitability for translational research. Soft grids with 0.2 to 10 mm electrode pitch and diameter are embedded in 150 µm silicone membranes. The soft grids are compatible with surgical handling and can be folded to safely interface hidden cerebral surface such as the Sylvian fold in human cadaveric models. It is found that the thin‐film conductor grids do not generate diagnostic‐impeding imaging artefacts (<1 mm) nor adverse local heating within a standard 3T clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Next, the ability of the soft grids to record subdural neural activity in minipigs acutely and two weeks postimplantation is validated. Taken together, these results suggest a promising future alternative to current stiff electrodes and may enable the future adoption of soft ECoG grids in translational research and ultimately in clinical settings.

Visualizing major periventricular anatomical landmarks intraoperatively during brain tumor removal is a decisive measure toward preserving such structures and thus the patient's postoperative quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe potential standardized preoperative planning using standard landmarks and procedures and to demonstrate the feasibility of using augmented reality (AR) to assist in performing surgery according to these “roadmaps.” The authors have depicted stepwise AR surgical roadmaps applied to periventricular brain surgery with the aim of preserving major cognitive function. In addition to the technological aspects, this study highlights the importance of using emerging technologies as potential tools to integrate information and to identify and visualize landmarks to be used during tumor removal.

Practical ImplicationsAcute awareness impairment, confusion or other neurologic symptoms occurring in supine position should raise the possibility of transient intracranial hypertension, notably through the compression of a possible pseudomeningocele.

Background Social Media (SoMe) is becoming increasingly used in the medical community, and its use has been related with academic productivity. However, utilization of SoMe in the European neurosurgical community has not been assessed systematically. Methods An online search was undertaken to discover SoMe accounts of (1) national and related neurosurgical societies listed on the EANS website, (2) neurosurgical journals present on EANS website, (3) neurosurgery centers within EANS member countries, as listed on their website. SoMe accounts of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram were searched for journals and societies, and Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for neurosurgery departments. The number of likes/followers/subscribers was recorded. Results Five (31%) neurosurgery journals had a SoMe presence. The highest number of followers, likes, and tweets was found for JNNP, and Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B had the most subscribers and video views. SoMe usage was identified for 11 national (28.2%) and 2 multi-national neurosurgical societies. From these, the French Society of Neurosurgery had the largest number of Facebook followers (> 2800) and Likes (> 2700), the Society of British Neurological Surgeons had the largest number of Twitter followers (> 2850), whereas EANS overall had the most followers on Twitter > 5100 and Facebook > 5450. A total of 87 SoMe neurosurgery center accounts were found on either Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, for 64 of 1000 centers (6.4%) in 22 of 40 different countries (55%). Of these 67% (n = 43/64) arose from 6 countries (England, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine). There were more Facebook accounts (n = 42) than Instagram accounts (n = 23) or Twitter accounts (n = 22). Conclusion SoMe use amongst neurosurgical societies and departments in Europe is very limited. From our perspective, explanations are lacking for the correlated numbers to the market shares of SoMe in the respective countries. Further research, including a survey, to follow up on this important topic should be undertaken among EANS members.

Background Context: Decompression or sequestrectomy in the lumbar spine can be performed under general (GA) or regional anesthesia. In elderly patients, it is still not clear, which procedure should be chosen. Objective: To demonstrate that spinal anesthesia (SA) is a safe choice for lumbar decompression or sequestrectomy in elderly patients Design: Retrospective clinical single-center study. Patients Sample: We included 154 patients with ages over 75 years after lumbar decompression or sequestrectomy. The mean age of the patients was 81 years. Outcome Measures: Perioperative data (blood loss, dural tear, operative and perioperative time, delirium, urinary retention, and hospital stay) and the postoperative 1-year follow-up (visual analog scale and complication rate). Patients and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patients that underwent lumbar decompression or sequestrectomy between January 2019 and December 2020. The data from the GA and SA groups were compared. Results: SA was performed in 56 patients whereas 98 patients received a GA. There was no clinically relevant difference between both groups with comparable complication rates. The time of surgery, blood loss, perioperative time, and hospital stay time were significantly less in the SA group. Conclusions: SA and GA are both safe and reliable procedures for lumbar decompression or sequestrectomy in elderly patients with no clinically relevant difference.