2018
Three neuromodulation therapies, all using implanted device and electrodes, have been approved to treat adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, namely, the vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy. in 1995, deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) in 2018 (2010 in Europe), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) in 2014.
The 2018 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for the early management of acute ischemic stroke recommended the use of retrievable stents for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion that can be treated within 6 h from the onset. For cases of the carotid artery with ipsilateral middle cerebral artery tandem embolization, the operation is more complicated and challenging 1).
In 2018, the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Program (HTA 18/49) called for a study aiming to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of RFD in people with LBP. It is imperative that any such study delivers an optimal and consistent RFD technique.
March
Neurospine (ISO abbreviated journal name, Neurospine), the official journal of ASIA SPINE, the Neurospinal Society of Japan, Taiwan Neurosurgical Spine Society, and the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society, is an international peer reviewed open-access journal which published quarterly (last day of March, June, September, and December). It was first published in March 31, 2004 with Volume 1 and Number 1 with the name “Korean Journal of Spine,” and renamed as “Neurospine” in March issue, 2018.
April
Emeritus Professor Jonathan Clemence Peter passed away in Wynberg, Cape Town, on April 02, 2018, after an illness confronted with quiet courage and dignity. A beloved father, husband, neurosurgeon, leader, teacher, mentor and friend, he is remembered with deep respect and affection throughout the world of pediatric neurosurgery 2).
December
Mazor Robotics was an Israeli medical device company and manufacturer of a robotic guidance system for spine surgery that was acquired by Medtronic in December 2018.