Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.8
2.7
Journals
Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery
share announcement

Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 2818

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Visocchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University Rome, Rome, Italy
2. Craniovertebral Junction Surgery Operative Unit, Master II Degree and Research Center, Catholic University Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: spine; skull base; craniocervical junction; brain tumors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesco Signorelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Interests: neurotrauma; CSF dynamic disturbances; hydrocephalus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements and best practices in the fields of neurosurgery and spine surgery. This collection of articles showcases cutting-edge research, techniques, and clinical experiences from worldwide leading experts in these disciplines.  The Special Issue focuses on research articles and reviews, emphasizing the exclusion of case reports to maintain a high level of scientific rigor. Topics covered include innovative surgical approaches, emerging technologies, perioperative care, patient outcomes, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the treatment of neurological and spinal disorders.This compilation serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and students interested in staying current with the rapidly evolving landscape of neurosurgery and spine surgery. The contributions of seasoned practitioners shed light on the most pressing issues and promising developments in these crucial medical specialties.

Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Visocchi
Dr. Francesco Signorelli
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

  • brain
  • skull base
  • craniocervical junction
  • spine and spinal cord
  • demolition reconstruction

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 3585 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Strategies in Patients Affected by Tumors Infiltrating the Skull: A Single Center Experience
by Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana, Sruthi Ranganathan, Salvatore Marrone, Jessica Naimo, Matteo Giunta, Angelo Spitaleri, Marco Fricia, Gianluca Ferini and Gianluca Scalia
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15040420 - 20 Apr 2025
Viewed by 106
Abstract
Background: One-step cranioplasty combined with tumor removal is a recognized approach in neuro-oncology for patients with neoplastic skull invasion. The use of advanced technologies, including Mixed Reality (MR), has introduced new possibilities in surgical workflows. MR technology may provide additional benefits in preoperative [...] Read more.
Background: One-step cranioplasty combined with tumor removal is a recognized approach in neuro-oncology for patients with neoplastic skull invasion. The use of advanced technologies, including Mixed Reality (MR), has introduced new possibilities in surgical workflows. MR technology may provide additional benefits in preoperative planning, patient engagement, and intraoperative guidance. Can the proposed treatment algorithm, which includes Mixed Reality (MR) for preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation, demonstrate tangible utility and improve outcomes in the surgical management of skull-invasive tumors? Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 14 patients treated at Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy, for skull-invasive tumors. The treatment algorithm incorporated tumor removal and one-step cranioplasty using custom-made titanium alloy meshes. Standard intraoperative navigation was compared with MR-based navigation. MR headsets and the Virtual Surgery Intelligence (VSI) platform were employed for preoperative planning, surgical guidance, and patient/family communication. Tumor types included nine meningiomas and five other tumor variants. Results: The integration of MR proved beneficial for preoperative planning, facilitating enhanced visualization of patient anatomy and aiding communication with patients and families. MR-assisted intraoperative navigation offered improved anatomical familiarity but demonstrated slightly lower accuracy compared with standard navigation. Postoperative outcomes were satisfactory across the cohort, with no significant complications reported. Conclusions: The study highlights the potential utility of the proposed treatment algorithm including MR technology in the surgical management of skull-invasive tumors. While MR provides enhanced visualization and preoperative engagement, standard navigation remains more precise during surgery. Nevertheless, MR serves as a valuable complementary tool, and its role in neuro-oncological workflows is expected to grow with technological advancements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

20 pages, 5880 KiB  
Review
Use of Carbon Fiber Implants to Improve the Safety and Efficacy of Radiation Therapy for Spine Tumor Patients
by Fred C. Lam, Santosh Guru, Deyaldeen AbuReesh, Yusuke S. Hori, Cynthia Chuang, Lianli Liu, Lei Wang, Xuejun Gu, Gregory A. Szalkowski, Ziyi Wang, Christopher Wohlers, Armine Tayag, Sara C. Emrich, Louisa Ustrzynski, Corinna C. Zygourakis, Atman Desai, Melanie Hayden Gephart, John Byun, Erqi Liu Pollom, Elham Rahimy, Scott Soltys, David J. Park and Steven D. Changadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15020199 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 909
Abstract
Current standard of care treatment for patients with spine tumors includes multidisciplinary approaches, including the following: (1) surgical tumor debulking, epidural spinal cord decompression, and spine stabilization techniques; (2) systemic chemo/targeted therapies; (3) radiation therapy; and (4) surveillance imaging for local disease control [...] Read more.
Current standard of care treatment for patients with spine tumors includes multidisciplinary approaches, including the following: (1) surgical tumor debulking, epidural spinal cord decompression, and spine stabilization techniques; (2) systemic chemo/targeted therapies; (3) radiation therapy; and (4) surveillance imaging for local disease control and recurrence. Titanium pedicle screw and rod fixation have become commonplace in the spine surgeon’s armamentarium for the stabilization of the spine following tumor resection and separation surgery. However, the high degree of imaging artifacts seen with titanium implants on postoperative CT and MRI scans can significantly hinder the accurate delineation of vertebral anatomy and adjacent neurovascular structures to allow for the safe and effective planning of downstream radiation therapies and detection of disease recurrence. Carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) spine implants have emerged as a promising alternative to titanium due to the lack of artifact signals on CT and MRI, allowing for more accurate and safe postoperative radiation planning. In this article, we review the tenants of the surgical and radiation management of spine tumors and discuss the safety, efficacy, and current limitations of CFR-PEEK spine implants in the multidisciplinary management of spine oncology patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

14 pages, 1045 KiB  
Systematic Review
Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Following Cervical Spine Surgery—Two Case Reports and a Systematic Review of the Literature
by Felicia Hellquist, Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Ali Buwaider, Erik Edström and Adrian Elmi-Terander
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030256 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is a rare complication after cervical spine surgery and is reported after both anterior and posterior approaches. It often presents with dysarthria, dysphagia, and hoarseness. We present a systematic review of the literature and two cases of patients [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is a rare complication after cervical spine surgery and is reported after both anterior and posterior approaches. It often presents with dysarthria, dysphagia, and hoarseness. We present a systematic review of the literature and two cases of patients presenting with confirmed HNP after anterior cervical spine surgery. Methods: Two retrospective case reports and a systematic review of the literature were presented. The electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception. Results: In total, 17 cases of HNP were reported in the literature, including the two hereby presented. Ten cases involved the anterior approach and seven the posterior approach. The reported risk of HNP following cervical spine surgery varied between 0.01% and 2.5% depending on the procedure. The main etiology was mechanical compression of the nerve. Most of the cases recovered within a few months with conservative treatment. In some cases, permanent hypoglossal injury with persistent symptoms was reported. In both of the current cases, the symptoms gradually improved and completely resolved after a few months. Conclusions: HNP is a rare complication after cervical spine surgery. The causes of hypoglossal palsy are multifactorial, but mechanical injury is the most common. A thorough understanding of the nerve’s anatomy is essential to minimize the risk of injury during anesthesia, patient positioning, and surgery. Understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to HNP post-cervical spine surgery enables the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate its occurrence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 261 KiB  
Systematic Review
Diffusion Tensor Imaging as Neurologic Predictor in Patients Affected by Traumatic Brain Injury: Scoping Review
by Federica Paolini, Salvatore Marrone, Gianluca Scalia, Rosa Maria Gerardi, Lapo Bonosi, Umberto Emanuele Benigno, Sofia Musso, Alba Scerrati, Domenico Gerardo Iacopino, Francesco Signorelli, Rosario Maugeri and Massimiliano Visocchi
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15010070 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1145
Abstract
Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a variant of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), enables a neuroanatomical microscopic-like examination of the brain, which can detect brain damage using physical parameters. DTI’s application to traumatic brain injury (TBI) has the potential to reveal radiological features [...] Read more.
Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a variant of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), enables a neuroanatomical microscopic-like examination of the brain, which can detect brain damage using physical parameters. DTI’s application to traumatic brain injury (TBI) has the potential to reveal radiological features that can assist in predicting the clinical outcomes of these patients. What is the ongoing role of DTI in detecting brain alterations and predicting neurological outcomes in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and/or diffuse axonal injury? Methods: A scoping review of the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The aim was to identify all potentially relevant studies concerning the role of DTI in TBI. From an initial pool of 3527 publications, 26 articles were selected based on relevance. These studies included a total of 729 patients with moderate to severe TBI and/or diffuse axonal injury. DTI parameters were analyzed to determine their relationship with neurological outcomes post-TBI, with assessments of several brain functions and regions. Results: The studies included various DTI parameters, identifying significant relationships between DTI variations and neurological outcomes following TBI. Multiple brain functions and regions were evaluated, demonstrating the capability of DTI to detect brain alterations with higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity than MRI alone. Conclusions: DTI is a valuable tool for detecting brain alterations in TBI patients, offering enhanced accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to MRI alone. Recent studies confirm its effectiveness in identifying neurological impairments and predicting outcomes in patients following brain trauma, underscoring its utility in clinical settings for managing TBI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Collection Series: Insight into Neurosurgery)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop