OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to evaluate whether there are disparities in academic rank and promotion between men and women neurosurgeons.METHODSThe profiles of faculty members from 50 academic neurosurgery programs were reviewed to identify years in practice, number of PubMed-indexed publications, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) attainment, and academic rank. The number of publications at each academic rank was compared between men and women after controlling for years in practice by using a negative binomial regression model. The relationship between gender and each academic rank was also determined after controlling for clustering at the institutional level, years in practice, and number of publications.RESULTSOf 841 faculty members identified, 761 (90%) were men (p = 0.0001). Women represented 12% of the assistant and associate professors but only 4% of the full professors. Men and women did not differ in terms of the percentage holding a PhD, years in practice, or number of publications at any academic rank. After controlling for years in practice and clustering at the facility level, the authors found that men were twice as likely as women to be named full professor (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.09–4.44, p = 0.03). However, when institution, years in practice, PhD attainment, h-index, and number of publications were considered, men and women were equally likely to attain full professorship (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.42–1.93).CONCLUSIONSData analysis of the top neurosurgery programs suggests that although there are fewer women than men holding positions in academic neurosurgery, faculty rank attainment does not seem to be influenced by gender.

SummaryThe arterial and venous concentrations diyer quantitatively and temporally after the administration of lignocaine via any route. Hence, arterial and venous levels were studied simultaneously following intravenous and tracheal injection in dogs, at 5, IS, 30, 60 seconak and at 5, IS, 30, 60, 120 minutes.Following intravenous injection, concentrations in the carotidartery were consistently higher for 60 seconds, the jugular vein levels were higher at 5 minutes and they were parallel thereafter.Following tracheal administration the highest arterial concentration war reached in I S minutes and the highest venous levels at 5 minutes. Key wordsAnaesthetics local; lignocaine Anaesthetic techniques; endotracheal, intravenous.The use of a tracheal spray containing 4% lignocaine is common in anaesthesia. This may prevent reflex activity such as tachycardia, hypertension and frequently cardiac dy~rhythmias.'-~ In addition, patients may then tolerate an endotracheal tube at a lighter plane of anae~thesia.',~ Some authors have suggested that local anaesthetic agents instilled into the trachea are absorbed as rapidly as after intravenous admini~tration.4.~ In these studies the levels of lignocaine have been reported as arterial concentration or as venous concentration. However, the arterial and venous concentrations differ both quantitatively and temporally after the administration of lignocaine by any r~u t e .~~~~ The authors decided therefore to compare both arterial and venous concentrations over a period of 120 minutes after intravenous and tracheal administration of 3 mg/kg of lignocaine HCI. MethodTwelve mongrel dogs were divided into two equal groups, A and B. The dogs in Group A were anaesthetised with pentobarbitone 30 mg/kg and their lungs ventilated to maintain normocarbia. Body temperature and pH were maintained between 36 and 38°C and between 7.32 and 7.40 respectively. Lignocaine HCl was given in a bolus dose of 3 mg/kg through an antecubital vein. Arterial and venous blood samples were drawn simultaneously at 5, 15, 30, 60 seconds and at 5,

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Background As expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches are gaining popularity, a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the intercavernous sinuses is pertinent to avoid bleeding complications. There have been few studies reporting the presence and dimensions of the anterior (AIS), posterior (PIS), and inferior (IIS) intercavernous sinuses. We performed a cadaveric study to better understand these structures. Methods Colored latex was injected into the arterial and venous trees of seventeen cadaveric heads. Dissections assessed the presence and dimensions of the anterior, posterior, and inferior intercavernous sinuses. In an additional 3 specimens, the sellar contents were subjected to histologic analysis. Results In thirteen specimens (59%), all three sinuses were identified. In 5 specimens (33%), only the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses could be identified, and in one specimen, only an anterior and inferior sinus were identified. An AIS was identified in all 20 (100%) specimens, PIS in 17 (85%), and an IIS in 13 (66)%. In two specimens (10%), the AIS covered the entire face of the sella. Dimensions of the AIS averaged 1.7 x 11.7 x 2.8 mm, PIS averaged 1.5 x 10.8 x 1.7 mm, and IIS averaged 8.7 x 11.8 x 1.0 mm when present. Conclusion All examined specimens demonstrated the presence of an anterior intercavernous sinus, and most had a posterior intercavernous sinus. The presence of an inferior intercavernous sinus was more variable. Preoperative awareness of these sinuses is helpful in planning transphenoidal surgery in order to minimize the risk of bleeding.

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