{"title":"Pediatric low-grade glial, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors: a retrospective study of 85 cases.","authors":"Meriem Boubekri, Nadia Cherradi","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07457-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07457-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Pediatric low-grade glial, glioneuronal, and neuronal tumors are the most prevalent solid tumors in children, accounting for more than one-third of all pediatric brain tumors. These tumors exhibit a wide range of clinicopathological characteristics. This study aimed to define the epidemiological and clinicopathological profile of these tumors based on the experience of the Pathology Department of the Specialties Hospital of Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 85 cases of low-grade glial, glioneuronal, and neuronal tumors in patients aged ≤ 18 years at the Pathology Department of the Specialties Hospital of Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat over a period of 10 years (2016-2025).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the patients was 10 years, and there was a slight male predominance. The most common clinical presentation was intracranial hypertension, observed in 59 cases (69%). Supratentorial locations were identified in 49 cases (57.6%). Neuroimaging using MRI identified both cystic and solid components in 61 cases. Histopathological examination identified pilocytic astrocytoma as the most common tumour entity (61/85 cases, 71.7%), followed by ganglioglioma (10/85 cases, 11.7%) and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (5/85 cases, 6%). Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma were each diagnosed in two cases (2.3%). Angiocentric glioma, polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young, central neurocytoma, extraventricular neurocytoma, and pilomyxoid astrocytoma were each identified in one case (1.2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pediatric low-grade glial, glioneuronal, and neuronal tumors are a heterogeneous group with distinct clinicopathological features. This study defines their profile at our institution and supports the need for larger multicenter studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148932440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul M Harary, Yusuke S Hori, Sze Kiat Tan, Kelly Mahaney, Susan M Hiniker, Iris C Gibbs, David J Park, Steven D Chang
{"title":"Recurrent C19MC-altered embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes: outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery.","authors":"Paul M Harary, Yusuke S Hori, Sze Kiat Tan, Kelly Mahaney, Susan M Hiniker, Iris C Gibbs, David J Park, Steven D Chang","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07447-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07447-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) are aggressive grade IV brain tumors primarily affecting children under age 3. Despite intensive multimodal therapy, prognosis remains poor, and salvage protocols for localized recurrence are not standardized. Traditional radiotherapy is frequently deferred in young children to protect neurocognitive function. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as focal treatment for recurrent ETMR.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively reviewed three pediatric patients with molecularly confirmed C19MC-altered ETMR, treated with mask-based SRS for localized recurrence. Data regarding molecular profiles, prior treatments, SRS dosimetry, and longitudinal clinical outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All patients underwent initial gross total resection and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy before experiencing localized recurrence. In case 1, a 3-year-old female received multiple SRS courses for serial recurrences and remains stable 22 months post-diagnosis. Case 2, a 4-year-old female, achieved local control at the primary recurrence site following SRS but developed diffuse spinal leptomeningeal spread 10 months later and succumbed to the disease 20.5 months post-diagnosis. In case 3, a 3-year-old female received SRS for a nodular recurrence and remains disease-free 16 years after initial diagnosis. Across all cases, SRS was well-tolerated without acute neurotoxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SRS demonstrates promise as a salvage strategy for localized ETMR recurrence. It may extend survival and, in select cases, facilitate long-term local control while minimizing neurocognitive burden typically associated with large-field re-irradiation. Notably, the efficacy of SRS cannot be separated from concurrent salvage therapies in this highly multimodal treatment context. Further investigation is needed to define the role of SRS within multimodal protocols for ETMR.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148915013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Critical appraisal of \"Should children with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt play rugby: a survey of UK and Ireland paediatric neurosurgeons\".","authors":"Tasbehullah Khan","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07454-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07454-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kishore Balasubramanian, Holden Husbands, Giancarlo Mignucci, Beste Gulsuna, Andrew Jea
{"title":"Same-day discharge after pediatric neurosurgical procedures: a single-institution experience.","authors":"Kishore Balasubramanian, Holden Husbands, Giancarlo Mignucci, Beste Gulsuna, Andrew Jea","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07450-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07450-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Same-day discharge (SDD) after neurosurgical procedures in children remains underexplored. To our knowledge, this represents one of the first modern North American single-institution series to include SDD after major pediatric spinal instrumentation and procedures performed on children of elevated anesthetic risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review of all neurosurgical procedures performed at an academic, tertiary referral center was conducted. Patients were identified as those who underwent surgery and were discharged on the same calendar day (length of stay [LOS] = 0 days). Patient demographics, procedural details, operative times, ASA classification, intraoperative complications, postoperative outcomes, and symptom status at follow-up were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 976 neurosurgical encounters, 87 (8.9%) had a 0-day LOS, of which 75 were in patients younger than 18 years. Sixteen encounters in 16 unique pediatric patients met all inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Median age at surgery was 14.7 years (interquartile range [IQR] 7.1-16.1; range 0.1-17.4), with equal distribution by sex (8 males, 8 females). Procedures were classified as major in 14 encounters (87.5%) and minor in 2 (12.5%). Median operative time was 103 min (IQR 65-111; range 43-188). There were no intraoperative complications (0%), no surgical site infections (0%), no 7-day reoperations (0%), and no operative failures at first follow-up imaging (0%). No patient was readmitted within 30 days (0%), and 2 (12.5%) returned to the emergency department within 30 days, both managed without admission. At follow-up, symptoms were stable or improved in 14 of 16 encounters (87.5%). Fifteen patients were discharged on the operative calendar day; 1 was observed overnight and discharged the following morning.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this small, heterogeneous retrospective series, a diverse range of pediatric neurosurgical procedures, including major spinal and intracranial operations, were managed with SDD without serious complications. These preliminary observations are hypothesis-generating; careful patient selection remains paramount, and larger prospective studies are needed before broader adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148901597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An expert-based assessment of the quality, reliability, understandability, and readability of ChatGPT responses on cerebral palsy.","authors":"Doğan Porsnok, Sefa Unes","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07444-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07444-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In recent years, artificial intelligence-based language models have emerged as a means of rapid access to health-related information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, understandability, and readability of ChatGPT's responses to frequently asked questions by families of children with cerebral palsy (CP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Responses generated by the free version of ChatGPT to the ten most frequently asked questions posed by families of children with CP were obtained. These responses were evaluated across four dimensions: quality, reliability, understandability, and readability. Content quality was evaluated using the DISCERN instrument. Reliability was assessed by 20 physiotherapists holding MSc or PhD degrees using a 5-point Likert scale. Understandability and actionability were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P), while readability was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median DISCERN score was 45, reflecting average content quality. The median Likert scale score across all questions was 4 out of 5, indicating reliable responses. No significant differences were observed between PhD and MSc expert raters in their Likert scale ratings. The median PEMAT-P was 69.23; however, only 40% of answers exceeded the threshold for understandability, and none met actionability threshold. All responses were written at a level exceeding high school, indicating limited readability for the general public.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ChatGPT has the potential to provide accurate information to families of children with CP; however, improvements in understandability, actionability, and readability are needed to better support families. Further development is required in order to support decision-making and care processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148892724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Authors' Response to \"Comments on 'Hydrocephalus in Pediatric Posterior Fossa Tumors: Predictors and Outcomes From a Single Center in Latin America'\".","authors":"Cleiton Formentin","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07446-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07446-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148890173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Silas Haahr Nielsen, Jon Foss-Skiftesvik, Torstein Ragnar Meling, Astrid Marie Sehested, Christina Engel Høi-Hansen, Michael Thude Callesen, Gorm von Oettingen, Adam Espe Hansen, Jane Skjøth-Rasmussen, Rune Rasmussen
{"title":"Laser interstitial thermal therapy in pediatric neurosurgery: a prospective nationwide study on indications, safety, and early outcomes.","authors":"Silas Haahr Nielsen, Jon Foss-Skiftesvik, Torstein Ragnar Meling, Astrid Marie Sehested, Christina Engel Høi-Hansen, Michael Thude Callesen, Gorm von Oettingen, Adam Espe Hansen, Jane Skjøth-Rasmussen, Rune Rasmussen","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07438-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07438-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate indications, safety, and early outcomes of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in a nationwide prospective pediatric cohort and to assess the feasibility of same-session stereotactic biopsy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All consecutive pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent LITT at the Danish National Referral Center between June 2021 and October 2025 were prospectively enrolled. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and surgical variables were recorded. Safety outcomes included complications, neurological deficits, length of stay, and 30-day readmission. Seizure outcomes were assessed by Engel classification and tumor response on follow-up MRI.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 27 children (mean age 11.6 ± 4.3 years) underwent LITT, including 18 treated for drug-resistant epilepsy and 9 for tumor indications. Same-session stereotactic biopsy was performed in 10 patients without biopsy-related complications or interference with ablation. Transient neurological deficits were observed in 5 patients and persistent deficits in 3. Hospital stay was 1-2 days in 23 patients, and no 30-day readmissions occurred. Seizure freedom (Engel class I) was achieved in 67% and 50% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. In tumor patients, clinical and MRI follow-up were available in all 9 patients, with one radiographic recurrence during follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this nationwide prospective cohort of 27 consecutively treated children, LITT demonstrated a favorable safety profile across epilepsy and tumor indications. Same-session stereotactic biopsy was feasible and safe, supporting LITT as a minimally invasive option in carefully selected pediatric patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13538174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148883399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Inês Almeida E Sousa, Sarah Mae Estrella, Abdullah Azhar, Divyaa Nair, Elmustafa Osman, Manas Rupakheti, Mariia Pochynok, Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal
{"title":"The clinical utility of routine preoperative blood testing in paediatric neurosurgery: a retrospective clinical study of preoperative practices.","authors":"Inês Almeida E Sousa, Sarah Mae Estrella, Abdullah Azhar, Divyaa Nair, Elmustafa Osman, Manas Rupakheti, Mariia Pochynok, Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07439-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07439-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Routine preoperative blood testing in healthy children is common, but evidence suggests it has minimal impact on perioperative management. This retrospective study evaluated testing practices, testing duplications, costs and clinical utility in elective paediatric neurosurgery procedures in a paediatric tertiary centre.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All elective paediatric neurosurgical procedures in children from January 2022 to June 2025 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, procedure type and prior and preoperative blood testing within 30 days of the operation, test results, sample quality, clinical impact and direct costs. Descriptive statistics were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>226 procedures for a total of 198 patients were analysed. The mean age was 10.5 and the majority of patients were male (58%). In total, 202 preoperative blood tests (89%) were performed. Abnormal results occurred in 120 cases (59%), but none altered surgical or anaesthetic management. Prior testing within six months was available for 77 children and 67 underwent repeat testing despite previously normal results. Additionally, 24 children had no preoperative blood tests. The estimated cost saving for this study was £578 for 3 years, and adopting a selective testing strategy could save over £1000.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Routine preoperative blood testing in healthy children has minimal impact on perioperative management, often duplicates prior tests and may cause patient discomfort. A selective, risk- and procedure-based testing strategy, particularly for high-risk groups such as intracranial tumours, can enhance patient experience and reduce costs without compromising safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148877207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kenichi Nishiyama, Tomoru Miwa, Yuto Shirakawa, Hideaki Ono
{"title":"Real-time visualization of endoscope-brain interactions using a transparent ventricular model.","authors":"Kenichi Nishiyama, Tomoru Miwa, Yuto Shirakawa, Hideaki Ono","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07452-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07452-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Safe intraventricular neuroendoscopy requires refined instrument control within narrow and often distorted working corridors. A significant proportion of surgical complications-such as forniceal injury and vascular compromise-arises from mechanical interactions between the endoscope shaft/sheath and intraventricular structures that remain invisible to the surgeon during the procedure. No existing high-fidelity simulator allows for the real-time, external visualization of these \"blind\" movements. We developed a novel, high-clarity transparent ventricular model to clarify these interactions and provide a robust platform for surgical training and preclinical device validation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A transparent ventricular model was fabricated using high-clarity urethane and elastomer materials, engineered to approximate the viscoelastic properties and Young's modulus of human cerebral white matter. Critical anatomical landmarks, including the fornix, septal and thalamostriate veins, venous angle, choroid plexus, and mammillary bodies, were delineated using embedded, color-coded PVC films. The model was housed in a water-filled acrylic chamber to match refractive indices and ensure optical clarity. We simulated standard neuroendoscopic procedures-including endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), septostomy, choroid plexus coagulation (CPC), and tumor biopsy-using both rigid and flexible endoscopes via frontal and parietal trajectories. Instrument-tissue interactions were recorded simultaneously via endoscopic and multiple external camera angles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The model successfully facilitated the continuous, real-time visualization of structural displacements that are inherently invisible in vivo. During ETV simulation, advancement through the foramen of Monro revealed significant compression and lateral displacement of the forniceal columns, even when the endoscopic view suggested a centralized trajectory. Rigid endoscopes demonstrated a larger \"mechanical footprint,\" transmitting higher shear forces to the parenchyma during sweeping maneuvers. Conversely, flexible scopes allowed for more delicate navigation in the temporal and occipital horns, though tip flexion was observed to cause localized displacement of the interthalamic adhesion. Specific \"blind\" risks, such as the stretching of the thalamostriate veins during sheath withdrawal, were clearly identified.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This transparent model reveals complex mechanical interactions that are crucial for surgical safety but obscured during conventional surgery. By providing a feedback loop for \"off-camera\" instrument movements, the system serves as an invaluable tool for neurosurgical education, trajectory refinement, and the preclinical evaluation of the next-generation endoscopic instruments.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148877215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is the bulbocavernosus reflex reliable under dexmedetomidine administration in children? -An analysis during tethered cord surgery.","authors":"Michika Ryu, Hiroshi Kokubun, Takako Hara, Tomoko Tochiki, Goichiro Tamura, Yuji Kitamura, Tadashi Miyagawa","doi":"10.1007/s00381-026-07428-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00381-026-07428-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is increasingly utilized in pediatric anesthesia; however, its impact on the bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to elucidate the suppressive effects of DEX on the BCR and to establish a safe therapeutic window for its administration during pediatric spinal untethering surgery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective two-stage investigation was conducted, enrolling 66 children. Cohort 1 (exploratory, n = 46) aimed to identify independent risk factors for BCR attenuation under standard anesthesia where DEX was initiated before dural opening. Multivariate analysis was performed to distinguish DEX effects from other variables. Cohort 2 (pharmacodynamic, n = 20) was designed to validate findings and define the safety threshold; DEX was administered after dural closure to isolate pharmacological effects from surgical manipulation. We analyzed the correlation between predicted plasma DEX concentrations (Potts model) and BCR amplitude using logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cohort 1 identified DEX administration as the sole independent risk factor associated with BCR amplitude decline (p = 0.01), whereas others showed no significant impact. Cohort 2 confirmed a specific concentration-dependent suppression. A statistically significant amplitude reduction was observed starting 12 min after initiation. Logistic regression identified a critical inflection point at 0.67 ng/mL in predicted plasma concentration, around which BCR reliability was significantly compromised (p = 0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>DEX suppresses BCR monitoring in a concentration-dependent manner during pediatric spinal untethering surgery. A predicted plasma concentration of approximately 0.67 ng/mL may represent a critical threshold for reliable BCR monitoring, although prospective validation using direct blood sampling is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":520587,"journal":{"name":"Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148852333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}