Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery最新文献

Objective

To elucidate the role of cervical sagittal alignment in the pathophysiology of cervical myofascial pain syndrome(MFPS) and its impact on pain levels and disability status among patients.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study included participants aged 18–64 years experiencing neck pain for more than 3 months and diagnosed with MFPS. Cervical sagittal parameters (C0–2 cervical lordosis(CL) angle, C2–7 CL angle, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), T1 slope, T1 slope minus CL mismatch(T1S-CL), and cervical tilt) were measured using Surgimap software by an expert physiatrist. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale(NRS), and neck disability was evaluated using the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire(NBQ).

Results

Out of 200 initially assessed participants with cervical MFPS, 133 were included after excluding ineligible individuals. The mean age of the participants was 35.3±8.2 years. Participants categorized by pain severity (moderate vs. severe) showed no significant differences in cervical range of motion, C0–2 angle, cSVA, T1 slope and T1S-CL. However, significant differences were observed in C2–7 angle (p=0.008), cervical tilt (p=0.006), and NBQ scores (p<0.001) between the two pain severity groups. Grouping based on T1S-CL compliance showed no significant differences in pain and disability effects. Correlation analysis revealed weak negative correlations between pain levels and C2–7 Cobb angle (p=0.009, r=0.226) as well as cervical tilt (p=0.005, r=0.243). No correlations were found between cervical sagittal parameters and NBQ scores.

Conclusions

Decreased C2–7 CL angle and cervical tilt angle are associated with increased pain levels; however, cervical sagittal alignment was not found to be associated with disability.

Objective

Query the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to delineate epidemiologic frequency, care patterns, and survival outcomes of pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs).

Methods

IMSCTs included ependymoma, astrocytoma, and hemangioblastoma. We examined data from the NCDB spanning 2004–2018, focusing on IMSCT in children aged 0–21 years. Our analysis included logistic and Poisson regression, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

This study included 1066 patients aged 0–21 years. 59.4 % of patients were male, while 83.1 % were white. The most common tumor histology was ependymoma (57.5 %), followed by astrocytoma (36.1 %) and hemangioblastoma (6.4 %). 24.9 % of patients received radiotherapy, with radiotherapy utilization being highest among patients aged 6–10 years. Chemotherapy utilization was highest in patients aged 0–5 years. 87.2 % of patients underwent surgical resection, with higher rates in patients aged 16–21 years. Overall survival did not differ significantly between resected and non-resected patients (p = 0.315). Patients in rural areas had worse OS than those in metro areas (HR = 4.42, p = 0.048). Patients with astrocytoma had worse OS compared to other histologies (HR = 2.21, p = 0.003). Astrocytoma patients were over twice as likely to have prolonged LOS compared to ependymoma patients (OR = 2.204, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In summary, our analysis utilizing the NCDB database provides a comprehensive overview of demographics, care patterns, and outcomes for the largest cohort of pediatric IMSCTs to date. These insights underscore the complexity of managing IMSCTs and emphasize the need for tailored approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Background

Adjuvant therapy is an important tool in the arsenal of brain tumor management and can improve patients' outcomes significantly but low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often face challenges in provision. Therefore, our study aims to highlight barriers and strategies to adjuvant therapy of brain tumors in low-resource settings.

Method

A comprehensive search of literature was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Scopus, from inception to October 20, 2022. The review included studies on adjuvant therapy for brain tumors in LMICs and identified themes using the National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) domains.

Results

32 studies were included in the review. The most reported barriers to adjuvant care were limited access to healthcare (14 %), limited access to chemotherapy and radiation equipment (25 %), and traditional or alternative medications (11 %). Strategies for improvement include improving the availability of specialized radiation oncology training (8 %) and improving access to neuro-diagnostics and neurotherapeutics (12 %). In addition, efforts to subsidize treatment (4 %) and provide financial coverage through the Ministry of Health (4 %) can help to address the high cost of care and improve access to funding for chemotherapy. Finally, establishing documentation systems and registries (16 %), implementing standardized national treatment guidelines (8 %) can help to improve overall care for brain tumor patients in LMICs.

Conclusion

A multimodal approach of strategies targeting workforce, infrastructure, service delivery, financing, and information management is needed to improve adjuvant care for brain tumors. International collaboration and partnerships can also play a key role in addressing barriers and improving care in LMICs.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) occurring within the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is an uncommon vascular anomaly. A 56-year-old man presented with cervical pain and gait disturbances. Computed tomography revealed a hematoma in the epidural space at the cervical spinal level. Subsequent cerebral angiography revealed an epidural shunt at the CCJ, leading to a diagnosis of epidural AVF (EDAVF). Transvenous embolization, performed under general anesthesia, successfully resolved the shunt. Transarterial embolization of CCJ-EDAVFs carries a substantial risk of ischemic complications. Conversely, transvenous embolization poses a lower risk of ischemic complications and has potential as a beneficial treatment option for CCJ-EDAVFs. Herein, we present a unique case of CCJ-EDAVF that was successfully treated with transvenous embolization

Objective

The Comprehensive Coordination Scale (CCS) is a valid, reliable scale for evaluating motor coordination, described as the ability to produce context-dependent movements of multiple body parts in both spatial and temporal domains in patients with chronic stroke. The aim of this study was to develop a Turkish version of the CCS that can be used to evaluate coordination in Parkinson's disease patients and to test its validity and reliability.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with Parkinson’s disease (18 females, 16 males) with a mean age of 67.55± 10.93 years were included. The 9-Hole Peg Test (9 HPT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and Modified Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) were administered to the patients.

Results

In the correlation analysis for convergent validity, the CCS-TR showed a moderate negative correlation with both the 9 HPT and the TUG test (r=-0.684 and −0.641, respectively). There were also moderate positive correlations observed between the CCS-TR and the FRT and BBS (r=0.607 and 0.657, respectively). The total CCS-TR had excellent intrarater reliability (ICC=0.99; 95 % CI: 0.98–0.99) and interrater reliability (ICC=0.90; 95 % CI: 0.81–0.95). The CCS-TR subscales had excellent intrarater reliability (ICC: range 0.98 from 0.99). For intrarater agreement, the ICC was 0.99, and for interrater agreement, the ICC was 0.90 (excellent agreement).

Conclusion

The results of the present study indicate that the Turkish version of the CCS is a reliable and valid coordination scale that can be used in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect and safety of the postauricular infratemporal fossa approach (ITFA) in resecting jugular foramen lesions.

Methods

All 25 patients undergoing microsurgery via postauricular ITFA from March 2015 to May 2023 in the Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University were included. The clinical and radiological data were retrospectively analyzed. Regular follow-up was carried out.

Results

The mean age of all patients was 50.5±8.9 years, and 14 of them were female and 11 were male. Among the cases, lower cranial nerve schwannoma accounted for 60 % (15/25) of all tumors, jugular foramen paraganglioma accounted for 20 % (5/25), and the remaining 20 % included meningioma, chondrosarcoma, plasmacytoma, and salivary gland tumors. Total tumor resection was performed in 18 cases, subtotal tumor resection in 7 cases and partial resection in 1 case. Seven patients underwent gamma knife radiotherapy after surgery. Transient lower cranial nerve dysfunction occurred in 8 patients, and permanent lower cranial nerve dysfunction occurred in 2 patients after surgery. One patient developed facial paralysis, and one patient presented hearing loss.

Conclusions

The postauricular ITFA achieved a relatively high total tumor resection rate and a lower incidence of neurological functional disorders. It is an alternative and suitable surgical approach for resecting jugular foramen lesions. Maximizing the preservation of neurological function is preferred, especially when radical resection cannot be achieved. Stereotactic radiotherapy could be used for residual tumors.

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has an increasing global prevalence and has previously been associated with increased complications and morbidity after spine surgery. Understanding the isolated effect of CKD on short-term patient outcomes is critical for optimizing perioperative risk management and healthcare utilization.

Objective

The aim of this study is to utilize coarsened exact matching (CEM) to analyze the isolated effect of CKD on short-term patient outcomes in single-level posterior lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 4680 consecutive patients undergoing single-level, posterior-only lumbar fusion was performed. Univariate logistic regression comparing the odds of outcomes in patients with CKD (n=40) to patients without medical comorbidities (n=2329) was performed. CEM was then employed to match patients with CKD to those without any comorbidities 1:1 on ten patient characteristics known to affect neurosurgical outcomes. Primary outcomes included intraoperative complications, length of stay, discharge disposition, and 30-day Emergency Department (ED) visits, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality.

Results

In a univariate logistic regression, CKD was associated with increased risk of 30-day ED visits (OR=3.53, p=0.003) but not complication, discharge disposition, or 30-day readmissions or reoperations. Between otherwise exactly matched patients (n=72), CKD similarly remained associated with an increased risk of 30-day ED visits (OR=7.00, p=0.034) and not with other outcomes.

Conclusion

Between otherwise exactly matched patients undergoing single-level posterior lumbar fusion, CKD was related to increased risk of 30-day ED utilization but not other markers indicative of inferior surgical outcomes. Further study must investigate the reasons for increased ED visitation and implement risk-mitigation strategies for these patients.

Introduction

Recently, four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by anterior large vessel occlusion (LVO) and a large ischemic core at baseline (LIC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the features influencing the clinical outcome and the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy in this subgroup.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective aggregate cohort study of patients with AIS-LVO and a LIC, assessed with quantitative core volume measures, treated with MT between 2012 and 2019. The data were queried through four registries, including patients with core volumes ≥50cc. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to determine factors independently associated with clinical outcomes in patients with successful recanalization (modified-Thrombolysis-in-Cerebral-Infarction-score, mTICI=2b-3) and unsuccessful recanalization group (mTICI=0–2a). The primary endpoint was a favorable functional outcome at day-90, defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0–3, accounting for the inherent severity of AIS with baseline LIC. Secondary outcomes included functional independence (mRS 0–2) at day-90, mortality, and symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage (sICH).

Results

A total of 460 patients were included (mean age 66±14.2 years; 39.6 % females). The mean baseline NIHSS was 20±5.2, and the core volume was 103.2±54.6 ml. Overall, 39.8 % (183/460) of patients achieved a favorable outcome at day-90 (mRS 0–3). Successful recanalization was significantly associated with a more frequent favorable outcome (aOR, 4.79; 95 %CI, 2.73–8.38; P<0.01) and functional independence (P<0.01). This benefit remained significant in older patients and in patients with cores above 100cc. At 90 days, 147/460 patients (32 %) were deceased, with successful recanalization significantly associated with less frequent mortality (OR, 0.34; 95 %CI, 0.22–0.53; P<0.01). The rate of sICH was 17.4 % and did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions

In this large, pooled-cohort study of AIS-LVO patients with infarct cores over 50cc at baseline, we demonstrated that successful recanalization was associated with a better functional outcome, lower mortality, and similar rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage for a wide spectrum of patients.

Purpose

The quick establishment of adequate vascular access is essential for the technical success of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Focusing on shifts in aortic arch geometry and aging-related changes, we propose an imaging parameter for predicting access difficulty using chest CT.

Methods

Patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion who underwent MT from April 2020 to September 2021 were included in this retrospective multicenter observational study. The distance from the sternum to the ascending aorta (S-AAD) was defined as the surrogate marker of access difficulty. Access was defined as difficult when the time from femoral sheath placement to guiding catheter induction (guiding time: GT) ≥ 30 minutes, and the patients were dichotomized into groups with short GT (sGT: GT < 30 min) and long GT (lGT: GT ≥ 30 min).

Results

One hundred fifteen patients were included. There were 12 patients (10.4 %) in lGT group. The median (IQR) S-AAD was 11.9 mm (6.3, 18.3 mm) in sGT group and 6.6 mm (4.0, 10.3 mm) in lGT group, and a significant difference in S-AAD was observed (P = 0.026). In multivariate analyses, dyslipidemia and S-AAD < 5 mm were significantly associated with difficult access (OR, 5.938 [95 % CI, 1.468, 24.022], P = 0.012 for dyslipidemia; OR, 5.147 [95 % CI, 1.267, 20.917], P = 0.022 for S-AAD < 5 mm).

Conclusion

S-AAD is a simple and reliable imaging parameter to predict access difficulty. This parameter may be helpful in selecting the appropriate devices and access routes in preinterventional practice.

Objective

The aim of this study is to identify risk factors contributing to central nervous system (CNS) invasion and to validate the suitability of the Central Nervous System International Prognostic Index (CNS-IPI) for individuals afflicted with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods

Based on the presence or absence of CNS invasion, 365 patients were stratified into two groups: the CNS group and the non-CNS group. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis, and the differences in survival curves were compared. The dependent variable in this study was the presence or absence of CNS invasion, while the independent variables included age, stage, extranodal involvement, renal/adrenal involvement, and others. Statistical methods included the chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test for intergroup comparison and binary logistic regression for multi-factor analysis. The related risk factors were modeled using the Cox proportional hazards model. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to generate survival curves, and the log-rank test was used to compare the differences between survival curves. The optimal cutoff value of beta-2 (β2)-microglobulin was determined through the utilization of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. All P values were bidirectional, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Both SPSS 23.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA) and RStudio (R software version 4.0.2, R Project for Statistical Computing) software were used for data processing

Results

The five factors of the CNS-IPI were related to the prognosis of patients with CNS invasion. Bone involvement, albumin < 40 g/L, and P53 protein (+) were the risk factors for CNS invasion in patients with DLBCL. However, prognostic factors such as double strike, testicular involvement, breast involvement, uterine involvement, and bone marrow involvement did not apply to these patients. It was also discovered that elderly patients with DLBCL with reduced albumin levels were more susceptible to CNS invasion. Furthermore, extranodal involvement at multiple sites and elevated beta-2 (β2) microglobulin were independent prognostic factors

Conclusion

Patients older than 60 years with DLBCL and decreased albumin are at increased risk for CNS invasion. In addition to the five factors in the CNS-IPI, bone involvement, albumin levels < 40 g/L, and P53 protein expression are risk factors affecting the prognosis of CNS invasion in patients with DLBCL.