Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant cerebellar tumor in children. With increasing health information-seeking behavior, YouTube has emerged as a popular source for patient education. However, the unregulated nature of its medical content raises concerns regarding accuracy and reliability. To evaluate the quality, reliability, and popularity of YouTube videos related to medulloblastoma using validated assessment tools. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed the first 100 YouTube videos retrieved using the keyword "medulloblastoma" (June 26, 2025). After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 96 videos were evaluated. Data collected included video source, views, likes, comments, and age. Quality was assessed using the DISCERN instrument, JAMA benchmarks, and Global Quality Score (GQS). Non-parametric statistical tests and Spearman correlation were applied. Videos originated primarily from the United States (45.8%), the United Kingdom (18.8%), and India (15.6%). Sources included private institutions (47.9%), public institutions (20.8%), physicians (12.5%), patient experiences (10.4%), and health channels (8.3%). Mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 56.39 ± 14.18, 2.68 ± 0.83, and 3.74 ± 0.89, respectively. Physician-uploaded videos had the highest quality scores (DISCERN: 62.88, GQS: 4.13; p < 0.001), whereas patient-experience videos scored lowest. Popularity metrics showed no significant correlation with quality scores. Medulloblastoma-related YouTube videos generally exhibit moderate-to-high quality, with physician and public institution uploads providing the most reliable information. Given the weak association between popularity and quality, healthcare professionals and institutions should actively contribute accurate, evidence-based content to improve online health literacy.

Background/Aim: Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are the collection of fluid, which is similar in composition to cerebrospinal fluid, within the congenitally duplicated arachnoid membrane. ACs are clinically silent lesions, but sometimes they can manifest themselves with headache, convulsion, focal neurological deficits, cognitive decline, torticollis, and macrocephaly. Although the appropriate surgical approach is less clear, there is a consensus on the need for surgical treatment in symptomatic ACs. This study aims to reveal the advantages and disadvantages of cystoperitoneal shunt and microsurgical fenestration techniques. Methods: One hundred ninety-one consecutive patients from 1 month to 15 years old with AC were evaluated for suitability. Sixteen patients who underwent surgery were included in the study. Medical records of the patients with AC managed at our institutions were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Sixteen of 191 patients underwent surgical treatment via craniotomy for microsurgical cyst fenestration (CF) and cysto-peritoneal shunting (CS). CF was performed with partial cyst wall excision in all patients. Results: Seizure was the most common presentation in the patients, followed by headache and trauma, respectively. In our series the most common indications of the surgery were increased intracranial pressure (IICP). CF was performed in nine patients, and CS was performed in seven as the primary treatment. CS-related complications, such as infection (n = 2), dysfunction (n = 2) and intraabdominal abscess (n = 1) were the most commonly observed complications. No infections were observed after CF, but subdural hematoma was observed in one child. Conclusions: Although the most common symptoms in cases with arachnoid cysts are headache, rare symptoms, such as torticollis, may exist. Due to this, clinicians should reveal the cyst-complaint relationship first. Given the increased complications of CS, in addition to shunt independency and being free from shunt-related complications, the microsurgical CF with wide excision of the membranes seems to be the more preferable surgical option.

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, resulting in an increased risk of fragility fractures, particularly vertebral fractures. Genetic factors are considered important in osteoporotic fracture susceptibility, and polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been widely studied because of their role in bone metabolism. To evaluate the distribution of VDR gene polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures and to assess their association with fracture susceptibility. Methods: This case–control study included 86 individuals: 43 patients who underwent vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fractures and 43 osteoporotic individuals without vertebral fractures serving as controls. VDR gene polymorphisms ApaI, TaqI, BsmI and FokI were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Genotype distributions were compared using Fisher’s exact test, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was evaluated. Results: A significant difference between groups was observed only for the ApaI polymorphism (p = 0.002). The GG genotype was more frequent in patients, whereas the variant genotypes (GT and TT) were more prevalent in controls. The GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures, while the presence of variant genotypes may be associated with reduced fracture susceptibility. No significant associations were found for TaqI, BsmI, or FokI polymorphisms. Conclusions: The ApaI polymorphism of the VDR gene may represent a protective genetic factor against osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In contrast, no associations were identified for the TaqI, BsmI, or FokI polymorphisms in this cohort. Larger studies in diverse populations are required to confirm these findings and to clarify the role of VDR gene variants in fracture susceptibility.

Kraniyosinostoz, kafa tası sütürlerinin erken kapanması sonucu gelişen ve beyin gelişimini olumsuz etkileyen konjenital bir anomalidir. Sendromik ve nonsendromik olarak ikiye ayrılan bu durum, kafatası büyümesini durdurarak çeşitli kafa şekli bozukluklarına yol açar. Tedavide amaç, kafa içi basıncı azaltarak nörokognitif gelişimi korumak ve normal kranial anatomiye dönmektir; bu süreç genellikle erken yaşlarda cerrahi müdahaleyi gerektirir. Craniosynostosis is a congenital anomaly caused by the premature fusion of cranial sutures, which negatively impacts brain development. Classified into syndromic and nonsyndromic types, this condition restricts skull growth and leads to various cranial deformities. The primary goal of treatment is to protect neurocognitive function by reducing intracranial pressure and restoring normal anatomy, typically requiring surgical intervention in early childhood.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To evaluate factors affecting the fusion process and to compare radiological and clinical outcomes among different surgical techniques in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Summary of Background Data: PLIF is widely performed to restore spinal stability in degenerative lumbar conditions. The rate and timing of solid fusion are influenced by multiple patient- and surgery-related factors, including age, sex, graft type, cage usage, smoking, and diabetes status. Understanding these factors is essential for optimizing surgical planning and postoperative outcomes. Methods: Seventy-three patients who underwent PLIF for degenerative lumbar pathologies with a minimum of 24 months of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified according to age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, graft type, cage usage, and surgical technique (PLIF, PLIF+facetectomy, TLIF). Fusion status was evaluated using the Bridwell fusion criteria. Radiological parameters (lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination, four-to-floor angle, disc height) and clinical outcomes (Odom’s criteria) were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v27.0; a P value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Female patients demonstrated significantly higher 12-month fusion rates compared to males ( P <0.001). Autograft usage was associated with higher—but not statistically significant—fusion rates at 12 months ( P =0.232). Cage placement resulted in significantly better preservation of disc height ( P =0.019) and a significant postoperative improvement in lumbar lordosis ( P =0.028). No statistically significant differences were found between surgical techniques in terms of Odom’s criteria or sagittal balance parameters, although all groups showed clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusions: Female sex and autograft use appear to favor earlier fusion, while cage placement provides significant benefits in preserving disc height and improving lumbar lordosis. Surgical technique (PLIF, PLIF+facetectomy, TLIF) did not significantly affect long-term fusion rates or clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of patient-specific surgical planning and optimization of modifiable risk factors. These findings highlight that personalized surgical decision-making, rather than the choice of fusion technique alone, plays a key role in optimizing outcomes following PLIF.

Background Context: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, designed for semi-rigid stabilization, offer a lower elastic modulus than metallic rods, promoting physiological load sharing and reducing hardware-related complications. Nevertheless, their clinical efficacy—particularly regarding pedicle screw loosening—remains inadequately studied. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of screw loosening and to evaluate potential contributing factors in patients who underwent semi-rigid stabilization with PEEK rods for lumbar degenerative pathologies. Study Design/Setting: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: The data of 58 patients who underwent semi-rigid stabilization using PEEK rods between 2017 and 2023 and had a minimum follow-up of 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, surgical details, preoperative and postoperative pain scores, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Screw loosening was assessed based on plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Results: The study population consisted of 67.2% female patients, with a mean age of 60.4 ± 12.7 years. The screw loosening rate was 13.8%, with six cases attributed to deficiency in preoperative planning, one case to Parkinson’s disease-related physical rigidity, and one case with an osteoporosis. A significant association was found between screw loosening and lower DEXA values as well as higher postoperative VAS scores ( p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between screw loosening and diagnosis, gender, or surgical segment length. Conclusions: Semi-rigid stabilization using PEEK rod systems maintains screw loosening rates within acceptable limits. However, surgical technique errors and low bone quality significantly increase the risk of loosening. Careful patient selection is critical for minimizing complication rates. PEEK rods should not be applied to patients with severe instability, anterior column insufficiency, and osteoporosis.