Our study aims to provide a synthesis of the best available evidence on the hemoglobin (hgb) red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds in adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, as well as describing the risk factors and outcomes associated with RBC transfusion in this population. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess articles discussing RBC transfusion thresholds and describe complications secondary to transfusion in adult TBI patients in the perioperative period. Fifteen articles met search criteria and were reviewed for analysis. Compared to non-transfused, TBI patients who received transfusion tended to be primarily male patients with worse Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Glasgow Coma Scale. Further, the meta-analysis corroborated that transfused TBI patients are older ( p = 0.04), have worse ISS scores ( p = 0.001), receive more units of RBCs ( p = 0.02), and have both higher mortality ( p < 0.001) and complication rates ( p < 0.0001). There were no differences identified in rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and Abbreviated Injury Scale scores. Additionally, whereas many studies support restrictive (hgb <7 g/dL) transfusion thresholds over liberal (hgb <10 g/dL), our meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in mortality between those thresholds ( p = 0.79). Current Class B/C level III evidence predominantly recommends against a liberal transfusion threshold of 10 g/dL for TBI patients (Class B/C level III), but our meta-analysis found no difference in survival between groups. There is evidence suggesting that an intermediate threshold between 7 and 9 g/dL, reflecting the physiological oxygen needs of cerebral tissue, may be worth exploring.

Background/Aim: Leptomeningeal metastases (LMs) of the spine have complex management. We reviewed the literature on spine LMs. Materials and Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web-of-Science, and Cochrane were searched following the PRISMA guidelines to include studies of spine LMs. Results: We included 46 studies comprising 72 patients. The most frequent primary tumors were lung (19.4%) and breast cancers (19.4%). Median time from primary tumors was 12 months (range=0-252 months). Cauda equina syndrome occurred in 34 patients (48.6%). Nodular spine LMs (63.6%) were more frequent. Concurrent intracranial LMs were present in 27 cases (50.9%). Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was positive in 31 cases (63.6%). Cases were managed using palliative steroids (73.6%) with locoregional radiotherapy (55.6%) chemotherapy (47.2%), or decompressive laminectomy (8.3%). Post-treatment symptom improvement (32%) and favorable radiological response (28.3%) were not different based on treatment (p=0.966; p=0.727). Median overallsurvival was 3 months (range=0.3-60 months), not significantly different between radiotherapy and chemotherapy (p=0.217). Conclusion: Spine LMs have poor prognoses. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are only palliative, as described for intracranial LMs.Leptomeningeal metastases (LMs) are late-stage complications of systemic malignancies, occurring approximately in 5-10% of patients with solid and hematologic neoplasms (1, 2). Frequently manifesting with new neurological deficits, LMs may be detected at T1-contrast MRI follow-ups as nodular or diffuse meningeal enhancement, and may be confirmed with high-volume cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taps for cytology (3,4). Several systemic therapeutic options are available, but the treatment goal remains palliation, as mean survival ranges 3-6 months (3,5,6).LMs involving the spine represent unique entities that may severely impact patients' functional status (7, 8). While diffuse spinal LMs may remain clinically silent and go undetected, nodular spinal LMs frequently compress spinal nerve roots causing radicular pain or neurological impairments (2, 9). Nodular spinal LMs may also lead to acute or progressive cauda equina syndrome, which require urgent diagnosis and management (10,11). While surgical decompression may provide prompt symptomatic relief, patients may not be good candidates due to their significant tumor burden (2, 3). In these cases, locoregional radiation, chemotherapy, and other systemic treatments may be pursued to achieve similar clinical outcomes (12, 13).Although spinal LMs pose significant challenges in the oncological care of patients with systemic metastases, only 619 This article is freely accessible online.

ObjectiveAfrica has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit globally and many medical students in Africa lack exposure to the field. This study aims to assess the impact of a neurosurgical rotation during medical school in shaping the perception and interest of students toward a career in neurosurgery.Study DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsA Google form e-survey was disseminated to African clinical medical students between February 21st and March 20th, 2021. Data on exposure and length of neurosurgical rotation and perception of, and interest in, neurosurgery were collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regression modeling.ResultsData was received from 539 students in 30 African countries (30/54, 55.6%). The majority of participants were male and were from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Most students had undertaken a formal neurosurgery rotation, of which the majority reported a rotation length of 4 weeks or less. Students who had more than 4 weeks of neurosurgical exposure were more likely to express a career interest in neurosurgery than those without [odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, p &lt; 0.04] and men were more likely to express interest in a neurosurgical career compared to women (OR = 3.22, p &lt; 0.001), after adjusting for other factors.ConclusionNeurosurgical exposure is a key determinant in shaping the perception and interest of medical students toward a career in neurosurgery. Our findings support the need: i) for a continent-wide, standardized curriculum guide to neurosurgical rotations and ii) to advocate for gender inclusivity in education and policy-making efforts across the African continent.

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