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An in-depth analysis by the AANS, utilizing just-released 2009 head injury statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission yielded some alarming trends. According to the AANS analysis, there were an estimated 446,788 sports-related head injuries treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009, an increase by nearly 95,000 from the prior year. Many of these injuries are preventable.

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What does it take to forever change the landscape of medical meetings successfully and in grand fashion? The AANS can now answer that after seeing a yearlong dream come to fruition at its 78th Annual Meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, May 1-5, which was conducted via the iPod touch.

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High-grade glioma or GBM is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, as well as the most devastating, accounting for 19 percent of all primary brain tumors. Standard treatment includes surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Research analyzes the relationship between extent of tumor resection and patient outcome.

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Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological condition which typically affects adults ages 55 and older. An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Research analyzes the connection between NPH and AD, studying tau-protein abnormalities of the brain and the efficacy of shunt placement in these patients.

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The cost of treating back pain is currently estimated at more than $100 billion annually in the U.S. Many patients with back pain have comorbidities that impact spine surgery. Research analyzes how other health conditions impact length of hospital stay and costs in patients undergoing spine surgery.

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Lumbar discectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed in the U.S. for patients experiencing back and leg pain. An incidental durotomy is one of the most frequent complications during lumbar discectomy. Research analyzes whether this complication affects long-term patient outcome.

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Since July 2003, residents in most programs have been limited to an 80-hour work week. Recently, the 80-hour resident work week has come under fire, but until now, there has not been in-depth research in the field of neurosurgery on how this impacts residents. Research analyzes the impact of fatique on neurosurgery residents' psychomotor and cognitive skills.

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Moyamoya disease (MMD) is an uncommon, progressive cerebrovascular disease in which the main arteries feeding the brain are narrowed or occluded on both sides, reducing blood flow to the brain. Research analyzes whether gender plays a role in clinical presentation and treatment outcomes following revascularization surgery.

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Neuronal Ceroid Liposfuscinosis (NCL), often referred to as Batten disease, is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that afflicts infants and young children. First FDA-authorized clinical trial utilizing purified neural stem cells yields promising results in five children battling the disease.

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EMTALA was enacted in 1986 to provide access to emergency medical care and transfer for all patients, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Research analyzes insurance status on head injury patient transfer and the specifics involved in this practice.

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Malignant gliomas are brain tumors that are highly resistant to treatment and usually fatal. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. Phase I clinical trial shows that two innovative treatment approaches may safely be combined to treat patients with this highly aggressive form of brain cancer.

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Worldwide, an estimated 340 million people suffer from an episode of major depression every year. About 20 percent of patients fail to respond to a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Research studies the role of the ventral striatum in processing rewards and its potential for targeting treatment in patients with major depression.

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The gold-standard method of determining cortical functional in brain surgery has been electrocortical stimulation (ECS). Research explores the potential of real-time brain mapping of eloquent cortex to improve outcome in patients undergoing epilepsy and brain tumor surgery.

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In 2009, it was estimated that a total of 22,070 new cases of brain and other CNS tumors were diagnosed. Pituitary adenomas represent one of the most common brain tumors. Research analyzes the efficacy of radiosurgery in the largest group of patients with a pituitary adenoma, to date.

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The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. The AANS is expected to host an estimated 6,000 attendees at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with more than 3,000 medical registrants. The scientific meeting starts Monday, May 3.

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James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FRCS, will be named president of the AANS at the AANS Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, May 1-5, 2010. Dr. Rutka has been on the Neurosurgical Staff at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto since 1990. He was appointed chairman of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto in 1999, and the Dan Family Chair that same year. He is currently co-director of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre.

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Back and neck problems can be caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, injury, strain or osteoarthritis. Although more than 75 percent of Americans will experience some back pain during their lifetime, about 90 percent of cases are resolved without surgery. The AANS offers back pain information and prevention tips during National Neurosurgery Awareness Week.

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The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which reached an agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. in December 2009 to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency, clinical fellowship grant program, is pleased to announce that five programs have been awarded fellowship funding for 2010-2011.

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The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which reached an agreement with DePuy Spine, Inc. in October 2009 to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency, clinical fellowship grant program, is pleased to announce that 12 programs have been awarded fellowship funding for 2010-2011.

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When medical attendees register at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the AANS 78th Annual Meeting beginning Friday evening, April 30, instead of a 165-page final program book and briefcase-size bag weighing just under 2 pounds, they will be receiving the Apple iPod touch® and a convenient lightweight nylon pouch with neck strap to house it.

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Journalists - register to attend the nation's largest annual scientific meeting for neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents in training, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, nurse/physician assistants, and other allied health professionals. Learn about groundbreaking advances in neurosurgical research.

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Accidental falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury among Americans of all ages according to the AANS. And among Americans age 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries. In 2008, nearly 8.6 million Americans suffered accidental falls according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking a few minutes to make simple changes around the home can help prevent falls and potentially life-altering or even fatal head injuries.

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Clinical and basic science papers do not have to be published in large, high-impact publications to garner attention, and in fact when it comes to specialized areas of medicine such as neurosurgery, publications devoted to the subspecialty produce many citation classics. “Citation classic” is a term given to articles that have been cited more than 400 times.

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The tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson this past March put a spotlight on the potential risks inherent to skiing, as well as the deadly consequences that can result from head trauma. And while skiing and snowboarding head injuries tend to me more severe, ice hockey contributes to more head injuries per year than skiing.

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The NREF has reached an agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency fellowship grant program. These fellowships will cover general neurosurgery as well as subspecialty areas such as pediatrics, neurosurgical oncology, peripheral nerve, neurocritical care, and stereotactic & functional neurosurgery.

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The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurosurgeons has reached an agreement with DePuy Spine, Inc. to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency fellowship grant program.

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Every year, there are tragic stories about athletes who suffer life-altering football-related injuries to the brain and spine. According to the AANS, in 2008, football contributed to the second highest number of sports-related head injuries, behind cycling. Of the nearly 41,000 people treated for football-related head injuries at U.S. hospital emergency rooms, 16,900 were age 14 and younger.

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The AANS and CNS announced their support for many of the provisions contained in H.R. 3400, the "Empowering Patients First Act," which was unveiled in Congress last week. Among the positive aspects: the legislation preserves patient access to quality healthcare with a choice in doctors "“ specialists and primary care alike, and incorporates comprehensive medical liability reforms.

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The AANS and WFNS will host an estimated 2,700 attendees from more than 80 countries at the upcoming XIV World Congress of Neurological Surgery. This premier international neurosurgical meeting is taking place at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, August 30-September 4, 2009, but officially opens to the media on Monday, August 31.

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Neurosurgery is a global enterprise without technological or geographic borders. Among its membership ranks, the AANS has 1,166 International neurosurgeon members in 95 countries and a combined total of 434 Active neurosurgeon members in Canada and Mexico. Many of the groundbreaking neurosurgical innovations that have enabled U.S. neurosurgeons to greatly improve patient outcome originated outside the United States.

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The AANS and CNS announced their opposition to H.R. 3200, the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," currently under consideration by the House of Representatives. "America's neurosurgeons strongly support improving our nation's healthcare system by ensuring insurance coverage for all our citizens. Unfortunately, as it is currently constructed, this bill goes far beyond what is necessary to fix what is broken with our healthcare system," stated Troy M. Tippett, MD, President of the AANS.

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An intriguing article published in the July 2009 issue of JNS: Pediatrics not only analyzes the neurosurgical injuries associated with the dangerous "sport" known as car surfing, but delves into the cultural and regional trends behind this reckless activity. While car surfing carries a risk of injury to any region of the body, the most common site of injury is the head. National statistics from the three states with the highest car-surfing fatality rates "“ California, Florida, and Texas, have shown a steady rise in car-surfing fatalities since 2000.

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The 2010 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting will be the first paperless meeting in the 78-year-history of the AANS, and the first paperless scientific meeting of a North American medical association to be conducted via the Apple iPod touch. Slated for May 1-5, 2010 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the AANS is expected to host an estimated 7,000 attendees.

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For the last 10 years, postgraduate training in medicine has been under scrutiny, with studies citing concerns about resident fatigue and patient safety. Numerous adjustments were made by neurosurgical educators six years ago when the ACGME instituted the maximum 24-hour shift length and 80-hour resident work week. The Journal of Neurosurgery articles are the first to delve into this subject from the unique perspective of neurosurgery.

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The spinal column is the most common site for bone metastasis. Metastatic spinal tumors are the most common type of malignant lesions of the spine, accounting for an estimated 70 percent of all spinal tumors. Estimates indicate that 30 to 70 percent of patients with cancer will experience spread of cancer to their spine. Research analyzes the effectiveness of sterotactic body radiosurgery in patients with metastatic spinal tumors.

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It is estimated that 60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) are diagnosed each year, adding to the estimated one to 1.5 million Americans who currently have the disease. One early sign of PD is the loss of the sense of smell (dysosmia), which often occurs prior to any abnormal movements. The exact reason for this loss is still under investigation, although it may be due to the loss of the brain cells that are used to sense and/or process odors.

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The World Health Organization rates major depression as the top cause of disability worldwide, with an estimated 340 million people suffering from an episode of major depression every year. Sadly, statistics show that the suicide rate in people with major depression is as high as 15 percent. Research investigates the use of a new and less invasive form of stimulation in patients with medically refractive major depression.

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In 2007, an estimated 20,500 new cases of primary malignant brain and central nervous system tumors were diagnosed, of which 16,605 were estimated to be gliomas. Gliomas can present a challenge for surgical resection (removal) because they invade normal brain tissue that may be highly functional, so it is crucial to develop techniques for improved visualization of the tumor's margins. Research studies the correlation between local fluorescence and MRI-enhancement on patients undergoing brain tumor surgery.

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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN, also known as tic douloureaux) is the most common facial pain syndrome, characterized by episodic, intense, shock-like pain in one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Although TN surgery is successful in about 60 to 90 percent of cases, some patients are especially challenging and continue to have persistent or recurrent TN despite multiple operations. Research evaulates the efficacy of surgery in TN patients who have experienced prior failed operations.

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An estimated 3 percent of the world population, or about 197 million people suffer from some form of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Teenagers suffering from hyperhydrosis often experience social, emotional, and physical problems, exacerbating what is often an already vulnerable period of growth and maturity. Unfortunately, nonsurgical approaches are usually ineffective for severe forms of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. Research evaluates efficacy of a minimally invasive surgical procedure in teenagers with hyperhidrosis.

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Every year, 200,000 patients in the United States develop shingles, for which there is no cure. The pain from shingles can be excruciating, and the cause might not be immediately evident. While some patients have mild cases and recover fully, other patients suffer from post-herpetic neuralgia, a painful syndrome that often cannot be adequately treated with pain-relieving medications. Research investigates the efficacy of a surgical pump to deliver medication to patients with post-herpetic neuralgia.

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Dystonia is a very complex, highly variable neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Dystonia results from abnormal functioning of the basal ganglia, a deep part of the brain which helps control coordination of movement. Patients with generalized primary dystonia suffer from repetitive twisting movements or abnormal postures due to involuntary muscle contractions.

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Close to 1.5 million cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) occur in the United States every year. Approximately 5.3 million people live with a TBI-related disability and an additional 60,000 people die annually from TBI. Research analyzes the role of the amino acid glutamate in TBI patient outcome and its potential for future treatment.

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Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain and may increase pressure within the head. Venticuloperitoneal shunts remain the standard of care for the treatment of hydrocephalus, but can present complications for some older children. Research evaluates outcome in 105 children with ventriculopleural shunts placed at Children's Hospital Los Angeles over a 30-year period.

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Vestibular schwannomas (frequently called acoustic neuromas) are common skull-base brain tumors that account for 57 percent of all nerve sheath tumors and 5 percent of all primary brain tumors. Typically, patients notice unilateral (one-sided) or asymmetrical hearing loss, but sometimes these tumors are found incidentally in patients with normal hearing. Research analyzes facial nerve function and hearing preservation in thousands of patients who underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas.

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Malignant gliomas are generally fatal tumors that are highly resistant to treatment. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. These tumors tend to grow rapidly, spread to other tissue, and have a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy is not very effective because drugs are not able to penetrate the blood brain barrier, which prevents most drugs in the bloodstream from entering the brain. Research analyzes novel delivery of chemotherapy designed to maximize the amount of drug that infiltrates the tumor and minimize the side effects that occur in other parts of the body.

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In 2007, an estimated 20,500 new cases of primary malignant brain and central nervous system tumors were diagnosed and approximately 12,740 deaths were attributed to these tumors. High grade glioma is the most common malignancy, as well as the most devastating. Research investigates potential of targeted delivery of controlled-release nanoparticles.

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Degenerative changes in the neck are part of the normal process of aging and affect nearly everyone age 40 and older to some degree. But a serious condition called cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), typically affecting those age 50 and older, can lead to partial paralysis. Research shows that surgical intervention in patients with CSM leads to improved patient outcome.

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The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. The Scientific Program, which opens officially on Monday, May 4, includes 17 general scientific sessions, three plenary sessions, an International Symposium, 73 breakfast seminars, 189 oral abstract presentations, several hundred electronic poster presentations, and more than 800 exhibit booths representing about 200 companies.

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Troy M. Tippett, MD, FACS, will be named president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at the AANS Annual Meeting in San Diego, May 4-6, 2009. Dr. Tippett has been in private practice and a member of the Neurosurgical Group in Pensacola, Fla. since 1976, and medical director of this practice since 1988.