Aleksa Cenic
McMaster University
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Publication
Featured researches published by Aleksa Cenic.
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences | 2005
Aleksa Cenic; Mohit Bhandari; Kesava Reddy
OBJECTIVE To survey neurosurgical practices in the treatment of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma in the Canadian adult population. METHODS We developed and administered a questionnaire to Canadian Neurosurgeons with questions relating to the management of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma. Our sampling frame included all neurosurgery members of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society. RESULTS Of 158 questionnaires, 120 were returned (response rate = 76%). The respondents were neurosurgeons with primarily adult clinical practices (108/120). Surgeons preferred one and two burr-hole craniostomy to craniotomy or twist-drill craniostomy as the procedure of choice for initial treatment of subdural hematoma (35.5% vs 49.5% vs 4.7% vs 9.3%, respectively). Craniotomy and two burr-holes were preferred for recurrent subdural hematomas (43.3% and 35.1%, respectively). Surgeons preferred irrigation of the subdural cavity (79.6%), use of a subdural drain (80.6%), and no use of anti-convulsants or corticosteroids (82.1% and 86.6%, respectively). We identified a lack of consensus with keeping patients supine following surgery and post-operative antibiotic use. CONCLUSION Our survey has identified variations in practice patterns among Canadian Neurosurgeons with respect to treatment of subacute or chronic subdural hematoma (SDH). Our findings support the need for further prospective studies and clinical trials to resolve areas of discrepancies in clinical management and hence, standardize treatment regimens.
Spine | 2011
Faizal A. Haji; Aleksa Cenic; Louis Crevier; Naresh Murty; Kesava Reddy
Study Design. Retrospective Case Series. Objective. To determine if extradural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary spinal neoplasms can be safely resected through a minimally invasive corridor. Summary of Background Data. The use of minimally invasive approaches for resection of spinal neoplasms has been described for intradural schwannomas and ependymomas. We demonstrate that this approach can be extended to the resection of a variety of extradural, intradural and intramedullary spinal tumors. Methods. We undertook a retrospective review of all patients presenting with clinical and radiographic evidence of spinal neoplasm that subsequently underwent a minimally invasive approach for resection of the tumor using the METRx MAST QUADRANT Retractor System (Medtronics, Memphis, TN). Primary endpoints analyzed include completeness of resection, postoperative neurologic status, operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and operative complications. Results. Two cervical, seven thoracic and 13 lumbar neoplasms were identified in 20 patients operated on between September 2005 and May 2009. Mean intraoperative time was 210 minutes, blood loss 428 mL and average length of hospital stay was 3 days. Four patients required postoperative patient-controlled analgesia for pain control and an average of 5.8 doses of narcotic were given per patient. Two patients developed postoperative complications. Fifteen of 22 tumors (68%) were completely resected, with only one patient requiring repeat operation for residual tumor. All but one patient were improved from preoperative status at 6 months. Conclusion. Intramedullary, intradural and extradural spinal neoplasms can be resected through a minimally invasive approach without increased risk for adverse neurologic outcome. This technique may be an appropriate alternative to the open approach for well-circumscribed extramedullary lesions spanning one or two spinal levels. With increasing experience, reduced operative time, blood loss, complications, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, and spinal instability may be seen.
Neuro-oncology | 2015
Saleh A. Almenawer; Jetan H. Badhiwala; Waleed Alhazzani; Jeffrey N. Greenspoon; Forough Farrokhyar; Blake Yarascavitch; Almunder Algird; Edward Kachur; Aleksa Cenic; Waseem Sharieff; Paula Klurfan; Thorsteinn Gunnarsson; Olufemi Ajani; Kesava Reddy; Sheila K. Singh; Naresh Murty
BACKGROUND Optimal extent of surgical resection (EOR) of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) remains uncertain in the elderly given the unclear benefits and potentially higher rates of mortality and morbidity associated with more extensive degrees of resection. METHODS We undertook a meta-analysis according to a predefined protocol and systematically searched literature databases for reports about HGG EOR. Elderly patients (≥60 y) undergoing biopsy, subtotal resection (STR), and gross total resection (GTR) were compared for the outcome measures of overall survival (OS), postoperative karnofsky performance status (KPS), progression-free survival (PFS), mortality, and morbidity. Treatment effects as pooled estimates, mean differences (MDs), or risk ratios (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using random effects modeling. RESULTS A total of 12 607 participants from 34 studies met eligibility criteria, including our current cohort of 211 patients. When comparing overall resection (of any extent) with biopsy, in favor of the resection group were OS (MD 3.88 mo, 95% CI: 2.14-5.62, P < .001), postoperative KPS (MD 10.4, 95% CI: 6.58-14.22, P < .001), PFS (MD 2.44 mo, 95% CI: 1.45-3.43, P < .001), mortality (RR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.61, P = .002), and morbidity (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.46-1.46, P = .514) . GTR was significantly superior to STR in terms of OS (MD 3.77 mo, 95% CI: 2.26-5.29, P < .001), postoperative KPS (MD 4.91, 95% CI: 0.91-8.92, P = .016), and PFS (MD 2.21 mo, 95% CI: 1.13-3.3, P < .001) with no difference in mortality (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.05-5.71, P = .600) or morbidity (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.18-1.49, P = .223). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest an upward improvement in survival time, functional recovery, and tumor recurrence rate associated with increasing extents of safe resection. These benefits did not result in higher rates of mortality or morbidity if considered in conjunction with known established safety measures when managing elderly patients harboring HGGs.
Spine | 2017
Joshua Rempel; Jason W. Busse; Brian Drew; Kesava Reddy; Aleksa Cenic; Edward Kachur; Naresh Murty; Henry Candelaria; Ainsley Moore; John J. Riva
Study Design. A questionnaire survey. Objective. The aim of this study was to explore patient attitudes toward screening to assess suitability for low back surgery by nonphysician health care providers. Summary of Background Data. Canadian spine surgeons have shown support for nonphysician screening to assess and triage patients with low back pain and low back related leg pain. However, patients’ attitudes toward this proposed model are largely unknown. Methods. We administered a 19-item cross-sectional survey to adults with low back and/or low back related leg pain who were referred for elective surgical assessment at one of five spine surgeons’ clinics in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The survey inquired about demographics, expectations regarding wait time for surgical consultation, as well as willingness to pay, travel, and be screened by nonphysician health care providers. Results. Eighty low back patients completed our survey, for a response rate of 86.0% (80 of 93). Most respondents (72.5%; 58 of 80) expected to be seen by a surgeon within 3 months of referral, and 88.8% (71 of 80) indicated willingness to undergo screening with a nonphysician health care provider to establish whether they were potentially a surgical candidate. Half of respondents (40 of 80) were willing to travel >50 km for assessment by a nonphysician health care provider, and 46.2% were willing to pay out-of-pocket (25.6% were unsure). However, most respondents (70.0%; 56 of 80) would still want to see a surgeon if they were ruled out as a surgical candidate, and written comments from respondents revealed concern regarding agreement between surgeons’ and nonphysicians’ determination of surgical candidates. Conclusion. Patients referred for surgical consultation for low back or low back related leg pain are largely willing to accept screening by nonphysician health care providers. Future research should explore the concordance of screening results between surgeon and nonphysician health care providers. Level of Evidence: 3
British Journal of Neurosurgery | 2009
Neilank K. Jha; Shanil Ebrahim; Aria Fallah; Aleksa Cenic; Rocco de Villiers
We report a case of a 22-year-old man presenting with a fourth ventricular tumour and associated chronic obstructive hydrocephalus likely leading to thinning of the cranium. Intraoperatively, he developed an epidural hematoma secondary to a fracture of the temporal bone by application of the three-point skull fixator. This is the second reported adult case of an iatrogenic epidural hematoma secondary to pin-site complications. We advocate the careful placement of the pins and suggest the tightening force be catered individually especially in pediatric patients or patients with chronic hydrocephalus.
The Journal of Spine Surgery | 2017
Abdulrahman Albakr; Miranda Schell; Brian Drew; Aleksa Cenic
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) has been described as a rare vascular bone lesion with histological features between hemangioma and high-grade angiosarcoma. Spinal EHE is a quite rare disease with few case reports and series reported in the literature. The tumor cells are positive for vimentin, CD31and CD34, factor VIII related antigen, ERG, and FLI1. Radiological features are not specific; it may appear as an osteolytic lesion. It can present as a multifocal disease in 40% of cases. No clear correlation with age and sex; however, it is slightly more common in males. Focal neck or back pain is the most common presenting symptom. The natural history of spinal EHE is unpredictable, and currently, there is no standard of care for treatment. Treatment options include preoperative embolization, and surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A 34-year-old previously healthy male presented with mid-thoracic back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine revealed a decrease in vertebral body height at T5 with an enhancing mass. He underwent T5 balloon kyphoplasty and needle vertebral body biopsy. Results of the biopsy samples were non-diagnostic. Approximately 3 months after surgery, the patient presented with unsteady gait. A subsequent MRI revealed progression of the T5 compression fracture with cord compression. The patient subsequently underwent T4-T6 bilateral posterior decompression for epidural tumor and T3-T7 posterior instrumentation with pedicle screws. Pathology of the lesion revealed EHE. The patient was started on local radiation therapy (RT). On follow-up, 3 months after the second surgery, the thoracic spinal pain had improved dramatically. Our review highlights the diagnosis, clinical presentation, and treatment of spinal EHE. Complete resection is associated with good outcome. Radiotherapy has been used in partially resected lesions. However, the role of radiotherapy as primary treatment is not yet defined. Further studies should develop a treatment algorithm for this rare tumour.
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences | 2016
Dragos Catana; Boleslaw Lach; Aleksa Cenic
Intracranial myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare hematological malignancy predating or complicating the course of myeloid leukemia. It can mimic the clinical and radiologic presentation of other pathological lesions of the central nervous system. We describe a 37 year old male with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who developed subdural MS “en plaque” that mimicked an acute subdural hematoma at presentation. Only four instances of this clinical and radiologic pitfall have ever been reported.
British Journal of Neurosurgery | 2015
Abdullah Alobaid; Michael Bennardo; Aleksa Cenic; Boleslaw Lach
Abstract Hemangiomas are customarily described as low-grade vascular tumors most often located in the head and neck, but on rare occasions occurring in the intradural space of the spine. The different subtypes of hemangiomas can be distinguished histologically as capillary, cavernous, or mixed types. We describe a rare case of a mixed capillary–cavernous extramedullary intradural hemangioma of the thoracic spinal cord, mimicking meningioma radiologically.
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences | 2007
Aleksa Cenic; Niv Sne; Michael Lisi; Allan Okrainac; Kesava Reddy
Prevalence of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is 1-3% in the adult population. When conservative therapy (e.g., physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories, epidural injections, etc.) fails, open microsurgical discectomy is regarded as the treatment of choice.With this procedure, the incidence of injury to visceral bowel is reported to be 3.8 per 10,000 cases. With the recent advent of tubular retractor systems, an increasing number of surgeons are using this minimally invasive procedure to replace traditional open microsurgical discectomy. The advantages include a smaller skin incision and a muscle splitting rather than muscle incising technique. As a result post-operative pain, blood loss and length of hospital stay may decrease significantly. Multiple studies have compared the two surgical techniques with regards to their clinical outcomes. The results of these studies reveal equal if not superior clinical outcomes with the minimally invasive technique. Despite the success of the minimally invasive microdiscectomy, none of the studies reported any intraoperative complications using this novel technique.
Journal of surgical case reports | 2017
Patrick Thornley; Stephan Oreskovich; John Provias; Jamie Silva; Kesava Reddy; Aleksa Cenic
Abstract We describe a case of multiple cerebral amyloid angiopathy-associated intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) occurring at multi-focal lobar sites of the brain. A review and discussion of the current literature on the importance of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotyping in prediction of ICH outcome and recurrence follows.