Citations

ABSTRACT Objectives Alar reconstruction is common, yet high‐quality outcomes data are limited. This review synthesizes the available literature to guide evidence‐informed reconstructive choices. Methods A systematic review identified 35 eligible studies reporting defect characteristics, techniques, and aesthetic, functional, and graft/flap outcomes. Single‐patient case reports, purely technical papers, and studies without outcome data were excluded. Results Full‐thickness skin grafts (FTSG), FTSG with cartilage, and composite grafts have been used with acceptable aesthetic outcomes for small defects. Local flaps are most common for small to intermediate defects, while regional flaps, particularly melolabial (MLF) and paramedian forehead flaps (PMFF), are the primary options for larger defects. PMFFs have higher reported cosmetic satisfaction but may require more secondary procedures. Conclusions Standard data and evidence reporting for alar subunit reconstruction is very limited, with a predominance of retrospective and technique‐driven studies and gestalt‐based outcomes. Standardized reporting of defect size, functional outcomes, and validated patient‐reported measures is needed. Until higher‐quality data is available, reconstructive decisions should be individualized.

ABSTRACT Background Multiple meta‐analyzes suggest that acne improvement with isotretinoin leads to improved mental health outcomes in adults, though isotretinoin‐related psychiatric data, including for suicidality, are limited for adolescents. Methods PubMed, MEDLINE, EmBase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for papers published between 1982 and September 2024 that reported suicidality following isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris in adolescents aged 18 or younger. Results A total of 24 full text articles were reviewed. Despite numerous case reports describing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicides were rare. Databases suggest that adolescents taking isotretinoin are the group with the most suicide attempts, but epidemiological studies including matched controls suggest this could be a function of the number of prescriptions in this population. Observational, cohort, and case‐time‐control studies did not consistently report an increased risk of suicidality with isotretinoin. When compared with those prescribed antibiotics, isotretinoin‐prescribed adolescents had no increase in suicidality during treatment but had a higher prevalence of suicidal behavior in the year after treatment. If patients prescribed isotretinoin developed suicidal ideation, it was more likely to develop early in or following completion of treatment. Conclusion There exists a conventionally held belief in the association between isotretinoin use and suicidal ideation for adolescent patients, but this narrative review does not indicate a consistent relationship.

BACKGROUND Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are malignant tumors that rarely demonstrate heterologous differentiation from angiosarcomatous components. These lesions can be hard to accurately diagnose. OBSERVATIONS A 25-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a history of a left lumbar subcutaneous MPNST developed a lung metastasis of only the angiosarcoma component of the MPNST. Prior to H3K27me3 staining of the lung mass, there was no association of the angiosarcoma with the MPNST. Reinterpretation of the lumbar subcutaneous MPNST led to the identification of a previously unrecognized angiosarcomatous portion in that tumor as well. LESSONS This case highlights the importance of using H327me3 staining for accurate diagnosis of biopsies only capturing the heterologous components of MPNST. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE251012

BACKGROUND Medication-refractory essential tremor (ET) patients who undergo MR-guided focused ultrasound or Gamma Knife thalamotomy may experience tremor recurrence, prompting rescue deep brain stimulation (DBS). Yet, the impact of prior ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) lesioning on DBS targeting, microelectrode recording (MER), and stimulation programming remains uncertain. OBSERVATIONS The authors present 3 ET patients undergoing bilateral DBS for tremor recurrence after thalamotomy. Thalamotomy lesions showed depressed electrophysiological activity versus nonlesioned VIM on MER (p = 0.0397) and required smaller DBS charge density increases for tremor control, suggesting irreversible lesion effects despite tremor recurrence. Tremor recurrence correlated with lesion mislocation; specifically, ablations missed the central VIM (mean 1.8 mm) and decussating dentato-rubro-thalamic tract. For rescue DBS, ventral VIM stimulation yields the greatest tremor reduction, while central VIM stimulation balanced tremor control with adverse effects. LESSONS DBS is a safe, effective rescue treatment for failed thalamotomy without needing to retarget the prior lesion site. The authors advocate for prospective studies of initial DBS targeting 2 mm anterior to standard VIM coordinates, reducing intraoperative readjustment for central VIM stimulation; and initial thalamotomy targeting 1 mm anterior and 1.2–1.5 mm superior to standard coordinates for durable tremor control through ablation of both central and ventral VIM. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25955

BACKGROUND Ligamentotaxis-based indirect decompression using lateral approaches is well described for degenerative lumbar disease, yet its application in managing burst fractures remains underexplored. OBSERVATIONS A 72-year-old osteopenic male with an L4 burst fracture underwent a single-position robot-assisted lateral L4 corpectomy, L2–3 oblique lumbar interbody fusion, L5–S1 lateral anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and robot-assisted percutaneous segmental fixation from L2 to the ilium. Postoperative MRI demonstrated significant indirect decompression with a decrease in ligamentous buckling and restoration of the spinal canal cross-sectional area. The ligamentotaxis created by the height and lordosis restoration produced adequate decompression without resection of the ventral retropulsed fragments or posterior direct decompression. LESSONS This case illustrates that single-position lateral lumbar corpectomy can achieve indirect decompression while sparing the morbidity of an open posterior approach. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report with MRI evidence of indirect decompression following single-position lateral lumbar corpectomy. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE26118

BACKGROUND Cystic adventitial disease (CAD) and intraneural ganglion cysts (IGCs) are rare mucinous lesions typically linked to an articular origin via macroscopic conduits. While secondary propagation between vascular and neural systems may occur through shared fascial sheaths, a direct microvascular route has not been previously described. OBSERVATIONS A 60-year-old man presented with progressive left tibial neuropathy. High-resolution 7T MRI and surgery revealed a large popliteal CAD lesion connecting to the knee joint via the middle genicular artery, alongside a secondary tibial IGC lacking an independent articular nerve connection. Findings demonstrated that high-pressure CAD mucin tracked along a small connecting vascular branch, creating a novel microvascular arterio-neural pathway to infiltrate the tibial nerve. Targeted articular branch disconnection and cyst decompression yielded significant clinical improvement, with no recurrence on 7-month follow-up 7T MRI. LESSONS This case expands the unifying articular theory, demonstrating that synovial fluid propagation can exploit a microvascular arterio-neural pathway rather than strictly macroscopic fascial planes. High-resolution 7T MRI is essential for visualizing these subtle connections. Successful management requires meticulous identification and disconnection of the primary joint connection to prevent recurrence. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE26411

Abstract Introduction Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) carries higher morbidity and mortality than ischemic stroke. Recent studies have demonstrated improved patient outcomes by applying ultra-early bundled interventions including blood pressure management, coagulopathy reversal, and osmotic therapy. Effective strategies to deliver these ultra-early treatment options are currently being explored. On December 19th, 2022, the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) launched the “ICH Phases” communication system to accelerate ICH patient care. Objective To evaluate adherence to the AHA/ASA guidelines in acute ICH care following the implementation of our novel-tiered paging system. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients admitted with spontaneous ICH during 2024 and 2025. We excluded traumatic cases. We extracted clinical data such as time to imaging, documentation of ICH score, blood pressure control, reversal of anticoagulation, venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) prophylaxis and discharge disposition. Results Among 67 patients, 68.7% underwent CT imaging within 25 minutes. We documented the ICH score within 6 hours in 82.9% of patients. Nearly 94.7% of patients with SBP>140 mm Hg received antihypertensive therapy, yet only 18% reached target BP within 60 minutes. We completed the reversal of anticoagulation within 120 minutes in 75% of patients. VTE prophylaxis was initiated within 24 hours in 91% of patients. Discussion Our novel system demonstrated adherence to the AHA/ASA guidelines, and time sensitive benchmarks in neuroimaging, reversal of anticoagulation, and VTE prophylaxis. Early BP control remains a challenge, that highlights the discrepancy between guidelines and real-ground implementation. Conclusion A novel tiered paging system is effective for enhancing early ICH care. Such a holistic system remains critical for sustained improvement in quality of care.