Introduction: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) can induce psychological stress, leading to anxiety, depression, and impaired quality of life (QoL). Most studies on this topic are limited by small sample sizes, cross-sectional designs, and a focus on treated rather than untreated cases, leaving a gap in the literature. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate mental health and QoL outcomes in patients with untreated UIAs. Methods: A systematic search was conducted up to 30 November 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central for studies comparing patients with untreated UIAs to a control group. The outcomes of interest included anxiety, depression, and QoL. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1.7 and R 4.3.1. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics and the Cochrane Q test. Risk ratios (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were computed using a frequentist random-effects model. Results: We included five studies with 417,152 patients, of whom 85,668 (20.53%) had untreated UIAs. In the pooled analysis, patients with untreated UIAs had significantly higher anxiety levels (SMD 0.66; 95% CI [0.16; 1.17]; p = 0.01; I² = 76%) and lower QoL (SMD −0.82; 95% CI [−1.12; −0.53]; p = 0.01; I² = 56%) compared to the control group However, no statistically significant differences were found in depression (RR 0.94; 95% CI [0.52; 1.72]; p = 0.84; I² = 88%) between groups. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates a potential association between untreated UIAs and increased anxiety levels and reduced QoL. Regarding depression, no significant differences were observed between groups.

Diastematomyelia is an infrequent congenital anomaly that anatomically presents with a longitudinal division of the spinal cord at the level of one or several sections. It is generally diagnosed and treated in children. We present a 25-year-old female patient who has entered the Neurosurgery clinic after a traumatic experience with severe low back pain evaluated with 7 points on the visual analog scale (VAS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar area discovered evidence for diastematomyelia type 1 at levels L3-L5 with deformations in L4 and L5 vertebrae and mild scoliosis. Because of the lack of neurological deficiency, the patient's treatment was conservative and included a 10-day intake of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with myorelaxant and physiotherapy. On the 15th day, the patient was evaluated with 2 points on VAS. Neurological follow-up examinations were conducted on the third and the sixth month and the patient was evaluated with VAS 1, which proves that conservative treatment is successful for diastematomyelia in adults without neurological deficiency.

Background: Bulgaria carries a high burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) but, at the start of this study, lacked a nationwide organized screening program. Understanding specialist views (particularly on mail-based fecal testing) is essential for effective policy development. Objective: The objective is to assess the attitudes towards, practices of, and perceived barriers to CRC screening among Bulgarian gastroenterologists, with a focus on the feasibility of mail-based fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 38 gastroenterologists examined clinical use of FOBT, screening method preferences, and perceived systemic and patient-level barriers to CRC screening. Results: Among respondents, 57.89% reported using FOBT in clinical practice, and 71.05% indicated they would undergo the test themselves and recommend it to relatives. Colonoscopy was the preferred diagnostic tool for 84.21% of participants; however, the existing literature raises concerns about its feasibility for large-scale population screening. Key systemic barriers, rated on a 5-point Likert scale, included financial constraints (mean = 3.08), inadequate infrastructure (2.89), and healthcare workforce shortages (2.71). Patient-level barriers were led by low health literacy (4.13), lack of motivation (3.95), and procedural fears (3.26). A majority (84.38%) believed that mail-based FOBT would increase screening uptake, and 57.89% supported annual distribution of test kits. Nearly all respondents (97.37%) favored initiating screening at age 50. Conclusions: This study highlights strong support among Bulgarian gastroenterologists for a national CRC screening program, with particular endorsement of mail-based FOBT. Despite acknowledged systemic and population-level barriers, the findings suggest that such an approach could increase screening coverage, promote early detection, and support the strategic rollout of Bulgaria’s emerging cancer control initiatives.

Awake craniotomy is a surgical procedure that has been gaining significance over the past decades. Neuronavigation is an intraoperative technology that locates tumors and monitors the brain cortex during awake craniotomy. The presence of cerebral low-grade gliomas in the frontal lobe creates a risk of affecting vital centers of the brain cortex during surgery. We present a clinical case of a 42-year-old male patient who entered the neurosurgery clinic with a clinical manifestation of headache for two months. MRI showed evidence of the recurrence of a left frontal glioma. Differential diagnoses of frontal gliomas include metastases, abscesses, and cysts. The pathophysiologic background of the disease is the mutation of neuroglial cells, which leads to an abnormal and uncontrollable proliferation. Under sleep-awake anesthesia, operative treatment was performed through left frontal awake craniotomy under neuronavigation. As a result, a total excision was achieved. Motor functions of the right limbs and speech have been preserved. The patient was mobilized on the day after the intervention. Surgery-related complications were not observed. The patient had relief from the symptoms and was discharged on the fifth day. Awake craniotomy combined with neuronavigation was the most efficient and the least harmful method for the excision of the tumor. For low-grade gliomas localized in the frontal area of the encephalon, awake craniotomy is the only secure option for surgery.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a growing medical and social problem due to the expected increase in the number of patients and the lack of effective treatments. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the most common NDs, affecting millions of people worldwide. The hallmark of NDs is the progressive loss of neurons and their functions in the brain or peripheral nervous system, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms and permanent disability. Their complex pathology, which involves several interacting mechanisms, is the main challenge in finding a cure. Current treatments for NDs can alleviate some symptoms and slow their progression but cannot reverse the course of the disease. Recent studies have focused on neurotrophic factors (NTFs) as promising new therapies for NDs. NTFs and their receptors are essential for the development, survival, and growth of neuronal cells and play a role in the cellular defense system. Research suggests that bioactive compounds from plants and medicinal mushrooms have the potential to prevent and treat age-related neurological disorders by influencing the expression of NTFs. These natural sources provide a multi-targeted approach to improving NDs, offering both preventive and therapeutic benefits.

The development of meningoencephalitis is a result of an inflammation of the meninges and the brain, which can cause neurological sequelae. Cerebellar meningoencephalitis in adult patients is extremely rare and requires special diagnostic approaches. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of meningoencephalitis and evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. We present a 45-year-old male patient who has entered the neurosurgery clinic with a severe headache lasting for a month. Neurological status determines intracranial hypertension. Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) showed evidence of hyperintense lesions with homogenous enhancement in the right hemisphere of the cerebellum. The patient underwent a suboccipital paramedian craniotomy to excise the lesions and for the pathohistological examination of the biopsy material. Biopsy examination found sections expressing an infection process causing chronic meningoencephalitis in the right hemisphere of the cerebellum. The patient was treated postoperatively with cephalothin 2 g every 12 hours for 14 days. Follow-up examinations proved a relief of the symptoms. Meningoencephalitis of the cerebellum and the meninges is a complication that may occur in adulthood, and surgical excision, biopsy examination, and antibiotic therapy are promising methods for managing the disease.