Renuka Chintapalli

All Publications

• Living for the Moment - How Important Is It in the End of Life? The American journal of hospice & palliative care Chintapalli, R. 2024: 10499091241292812

  Abstract

  This essay investigates the role of present-moment living in end-of-life care, drawing on reflections from a personal patient encounter in a palliative care setting, Mrs. B, a 63-year-old patient with terminal squamous cell lung cancer, whose experience underscores the impact of living with a sense of fulfillment and joy despite a life-limiting diagnosis. Mrs. B's approach to her illness-marked by an optimistic acceptance of mortality and a focus on daily joys-challenges traditional palliative care paradigms that emphasize somberness and future-oriented care. Through detailed narrative and reflective analysis, the essay highlights how Mrs. B's resilience and spiritual beliefs contributed to her ability to maintain a positive outlook in the face of terminal illness. This case study illustrates the potential for joy and present-moment living to coexist with palliative care practices, offering a nuanced perspective on patient care. The discussion extends to the implications for healthcare professionals, advocating for a more adaptable and empathetic approach that aligns with individual patient values and preferences. This reflection calls for a shift in palliative care practices towards recognizing and supporting the diverse ways patients navigate their end-of-life experiences.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/10499091241292812

  View details for PubMedID 39396903

• Adhesive surface electrodes versus needle-based neuromonitoring in lumbar spinal surgery. Surgical neurology international Chintapalli, R., Pangal, D., Cavagnaro, M. J., Guinle, M. I., Johnstone, T., Ratliff, J. 2024; 15: 220

  Abstract

  The relative safety and more widespread utility of an adhesive surface electrode-based neuromonitoring (ABM) system may reduce the time and cost of traditional needle-based neuromonitoring (NBM).This retrospective cohort review included one- and two-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures (2019-2023). The primary variables studied included were time (in minutes) from patient entry into the operating room (OR) to incision, time from patient entry into the OR to closure, and time from incision to closure. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to compare the outcomes between the ABM (31 patients) and NBM (51 patients) modalities.We found no significant differences in the time from patient entry into the OR to incision (ABM: 71.8, NBM: 70.3, P = 0.70), time from patient entry into the OR to closure (ABM: 284.2, NBM: 301.7, P = 0.27), or time from incision to closure (ABM: 212.4, NBM: 231.4, P = 0.17) between the two groups. Further, no patients from either group required reoperation for mal-positioned instrumentation, and none sustained a new postoperative neurological deficit. The ABM approach did, however, allow for a reduction in neurophysiologist-workforce and neuromonitoring costs.The introduction of the ABM system did not lower surgical time but did demonstrate similar efficacy and clinical outcomes, with reduced clinical invasiveness, neurophysiologist-associated workforce, and overall neuromonitoring cost compared to NBM.

  View details for DOI 10.25259/SNI_394_2024

  View details for PubMedID 38974557

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11225542

• Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: a case report and literature review JOURNAL OF SURGICAL CASE REPORTS Chintapalli, R. 2024; 2024 (5): rjae332

  Abstract

  Primary intracranial melanocytoma is an uncommon benign pigmented tumor arising from leptomeningeal melanocytes. Neuroimaging characteristics of central nervous system melanocytoma are distinct from similarly presenting intracranial neoplasms and can aid in diagnosis prior to histopathological examination. In rare cases, there may be more than one lesion present. We report a case of a 19-year-old woman presenting with progressively worsening headaches, nausea, emesis, and generalized weakness of 2 months. Imaging revealed tumors in the parietal and ipsilateral medial temporal lobe. The patient underwent gross total resection of the parietal lesion which histopathological assessment revealed to be primary intracranial meningeal melanocytoma. This case highlights the utility of specific imaging criteria such as diffusely increased T1 signal without enhancement in the initial diagnostic evaluation of intracranial melanocytoma. We also describe the clinical characteristics, management strategy, and histopathological features of a rare case of a patient with multiple primary intracranial melanocytoma lesions.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/jscr/rjae332

  View details for Web of Science ID 001226030900003

  View details for PubMedID 38764735

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11102787

• Long-term clinical outcomes of Spitz-type lesions in adults: A single institution retrospective cohort review JEADV CLINICAL PRACTICE Chintapalli, R., Chintapalli, P., Patel, A. 2024; 3 (1): 86-99

  View details for DOI 10.1002/jvc2.279

  View details for Web of Science ID 001216241300055