Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is often difficult for skull base surgeons to address. FD arises due to the abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts, ultimately resulting in immature osseous tissue replacing normal cancellous bone. When the skull base is involved, it can result in cranial nerve compression. FD affecting the optic canal and optic nerve is the most concerning as new onset of vision loss is considered a surgical emergency. The prevalence of FD is approximately 3.6 per 1,000,000. The most severe implications of this disease are neurological deficits due to cranial nerve compression, cosmetic appearance, and high recurrence rates even in the setting of surgical and medical therapy interventions. Methods: A PubMed search of “pediatric fibrous dysplasia management” using MESH Terms was conducted. Articles were excluded for non-English languages, inaccessibility, and events/erratum/letters to the editor. Included articles were in English, as well as encompassed pediatric FD case reports or comprehensive reviews of FD that discussed pediatric presentations. Results: A total of 109 articles were reviewed, and 44 were included in the final review. Most articles were case reports. There is a clear need for guidelines regarding surgical intervention, especially in the pediatric population, where hormonal fluctuation can influence rates of recurrence and bony deformity. Overall, most surgeons recommend close observation with biomarkers and radiographic imaging for asymptomatic patients until at least the age of 16 years old. Conservative methods, such as RANK-L inhibitors, can be utilized to decrease growth with some success, especially in older adolescents. Conclusion: This review is an update on this disease and its presentations, imaging findings, and treatment options. The current literature lacks clear guidance on management, especially in regard to surgical intervention or recurrence monitoring algorithms.
Social media platforms can increase gender diversity and foster community within the neurosurgical field. Women have been historically underrepresented in neurosurgery. The purpose of this study is to compile a list of women neurosurgeons on Twitter according to their social media influence and identify whether social media influence correlates with academic productivity. Women neurosurgeons (post-residency) in the United States who have Twitter accounts were obtained via the Women in Neurosurgery Twitter account and individuals who used the hashtag: #womeninneurosurgery (n= 50). Social media influence (followers, original posts, likes, retweets) was extracted through Popsters social media analytics platform for each of the accounts from January 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2023. The efficiency metric standardized retweets for follower count, as well as number of posts. Academic H-index scores were ascertained via SCOPUS. 3 lists were created based off the efficiency metric, follower count, and average likes per post. The relationship between the efficiency metric (average retweets per post per follower) and H-index was not significant at level of p < 0.05, whereas the relationships between follower count and H-index, and average likes per posts and H-index were significant at p < 0.05. The significant positive association found between H-index and average likes, as well as H-index and follower count demonstrates that social media influence and academic productivity/influence may go hand in hand. The lists of women neurosurgeons may serve as a guide for individuals interested in following women neurosurgeons on Twitter. Additionally, this would aid in fostering a community supportive of women neurosurgeons. Further, this may also inform individuals who would like to grow their presence on social media on how to build their following.
Grief is an under-recognized yet pervasive experience in neurosurgery, arising not only from the death of patients and loved ones but also from losses related to professional identity, health, and personal relationships. Despite its relevance, grief is often conflated with burnout or overlooked entirely within surgical culture. When personal adversity strikes, such as loss, illness, or major life upheaval, the intensity of neurosurgical practice can amplify these challenges, influencing professional identity, performance, and overall resilience. As the field continues to evolve and diversify, it is increasingly important to foster open dialogue about vulnerability, personal hardship, and life beyond the operating room. This perspective examines how neurosurgeons experience and process loss, distinguishing grief from burnout and resilience, and highlighting the need for institutional and cultural change.
Incarcerated patients have high rates of substance misuse and are at an increased likelihood of mortality within the first six months post-release. Student