Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery最新文献

Background: Anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms are common and complex. This study investigated the effect of A1 artery variations (hypoplasia/aplasia) on treatment outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 104 patients with ACoA aneurysms treated either microsurgically or endovascularly.

Results: Ruptured aneurysms were present in 58.7% of patients. A1 variations occurred in 45.2% of cases, more frequently in unruptured aneurysms (69.8%, p<0.01). The neck width of ruptured aneurysms was significantly smaller than that of unruptured ones. Variations reduced the risk of rupture (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.06-0.41; p=0.001). Microsurgery was the primary treatment (74%), and the rate of A1 variations was significantly lower in these cases (p<0.05). Second interventions were required in 11.5% of patients, with no significant association to variation or treatment type. Vasospasm occurred in 41% of the ruptured aneurysm cases. Functional outcomes (mRS) were better in patients with A1 variations (p<0.05). Mortality was 11.5% and unrelated to A1 variation. A higher bottleneck ratio increased mortality risk, whereas a higher height/width ratio decreased it.

Conclusion: A1 variations were more common in unruptured ACoA aneurysms. They did not significantly influence retreatment or mortality. These findings may guide management strategies as the detection of unruptured aneurysms increases.

Approximately 14% of cavernous malformations (CMs) occur in the medulla oblongata, where their proximity to vital neural structures makes surgical intervention challenging. Anatomical variations, such as an arcuate foramen (AF), a bony canal that encases the vertebral artery (VA), may further complicate surgery by obstructing the surgical view during exposure of the anterolateral surface of the medulla and by restricting VA mobilization, which may be necessary in some cases. We present a case of a medullary CM coexisting with an AF, which required tailored surgical strategies for safe and effective resection. To our knowledge, this is the first report to document this combined pathology, accompanied by a surgical video.A 25-year-old male presented with right-sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large hemorrhagic medullary CM. The patient underwent a left far-lateral transcondylar approach for resection of the CM.The AF was encountered intraoperatively and had to be unroofed to achieve an adequate surgical trajectory. Gross total resection was achieved, and the patient made an excellent recovery without postoperative neurological deficit.The far-lateral approach provides excellent access for resection of anterior medullary CMs. This case highlights the importance of detailed preoperative planning, intraoperative strategy, and real-time navigation, particularly when anatomical variations such as the AF are present. Although the AF may hinder exposure and require tailored adjustments, it does not inherently complicate the entire procedure unless VA mobilization results in vascular injury.

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) tend to compress the optic apparatus and an ideal surgical route, whether transcranial or endonasal, is still debated. Another issue is if the minimally invasive supraorbital (SO) approach offers the same results compared with the more invasive craniotomies. Aiming to guide approach selection, preoperative grading systems have been described.All cases of TSMs treated from 2013 to 2018 by extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) or SO approach have been reviewed and classified according to three preoperative grading systems: McDermott scale, Optic Nerve Laterality Score, and Yaşargil criteria.A total of 15 patients with TSMs were treated with the EEA (n = 6) or the SO (n = 9) approach. Globally, gross total resection was obtained in 87% (n = 13) of cases and was higher with the SO (100%, n = 9) compared with the EEA (67%, n = 4). Visual function improved in all but one patient (n = 14). Compared with the EEA group, patients treated by the SO approach had larger tumors (32.3 mm vs. 24.5 mm), a higher rate of optic canal invasion (4/9 vs. 0/6), and arterial encasement (6/9 vs. 1/5). Patients with McDermott total points of 1 to 2 (7/15) were treated mainly by the EEA; all patients with McDermott total score of ≥3 (8/15) were treated by the SO approach. All patients with optic canal invasion (4/15) and lateral extension of the tumor (ONL score = 1-3) were treated by the SO approach.The SO and EEA are two minimally invasive approaches safe and effective for treating TSMs. For tumors with lateral extension (optic nerve laterality [ONL] score = 1-3), larger diameter (>30-35 mm), vascular encasement, or optic canal involvement (McDermott total point = 2-3), the SO craniotomy is preferred. For small and median tumors with no optic canal invasion or vascular encasement (McDermott total point = 1-2), the EEA represents a valid option.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a common condition affecting the elderly. Numerous investigations highlight that its period-prevalence could be underestimated, as well as the economic burden of the missed treatments. The objective of the present investigation is to determine if a cohort of radiologically suspected iNPH patients presents the clinical landmarks of this condition, and to estimate the economic burden of these potentially missed diagnoses.We recorded age, sex, reason to access emergency rooms of our community hospitals, values of Evans' Index, callosal Angle, presence of disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus and obvious ventricular enlargement. We telephoned the patients who presented at least two radiological signs of iNPH and administered the idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus grading scale (iNPHGS), to assess the severity of signs and symptoms linked to iNPH, to understand if a strong radiological suspect had a clinical correlation.Among the 308 brain computed tomography scans of a week, a total of 21 agreed to be enrolled in the present investigation. When administering iNPHGS questionnaire to radiologically suspected iNPH, 17/21 patients (80.1%) scored ≥1 in at least two of the three iNPHGS subscales. The scores of the three subscales were strongly associated to each other. The estimated monthly and yearly health-related costs may be EUR 4'799'440 and 57.59 million of Euros, respectively.There is an association between the radiological features of iNPH and the scores of iNPHGS. The period-prevalence could be 5.51%, implying high health care costs, with significant societal impact, and reduced quality of life in patients suffering from undiagnosed iNPH.

Hydrocephalus is a common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) that can adversely affect prognosis. This study investigates the association between semiautomatic measurement of cerebral hemorrhage volumes in aSAH patients and the onset of shunt-dependent acute hydrocephalus (SDAHC) within the first 72 hours. Furthermore, the study seeks to establish a bleeding volume threshold indicative of SDAHC.A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on a cohort of aSAH patients admitted to a specialized referral hospital between 2016 and 2021. Volumes of SAH, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), and total hemorrhage (TH) were computed from brain computed tomography scans utilizing Advantage Workstation Server analytical software. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate analyses were employed to determine the association between hemorrhage volumes and SDAHC.The study included 170 patients, of whom 111 (65.3%) were women, with a mean age of 58.5 years (standard deviation: 14.6). Fifty-five patients (32.4%) presented SDAHC. IVH volumes had an area under the ROC curve of 0.757 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.674-0.839; p < 0.001). An IVH volume > 2.7 cm³ showed a sensitivity of 70.9% and a specificity of 77.2% for predicting SDAHC, whereas TH volumes > 29.5 cm³ demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.1% and a specificity of 61.4%. Multivariate analysis revealed that IVH volumes > 2.7 cm³ (odds ratio [OR]: 5.373; 95% CI: 2.477-11.657), TH volumes > 29.5 cm³ (OR: 2.232; 95% CI: 1.008-4.942), and a bicaudate index ≥ 0.2 were significantly associated with SDAHC, adjusting for confounders.In aSAH patients, semiautomatic measurement of hemorrhage volumes using specialized software is independently associated with SDAHC. This method could facilitate early prediction and timely intervention.

Spine surgeries are one of the most widely performed operations in orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery. However, one of the most common complications of spine surgeries is surgical site infection (SSI), which is associated with various postoperative morbidities. The use of antibiotics-impregnated bone cement (AIBC) is common in orthopaedic surgeries. Therefore, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of AIBC use in spine surgeries.Data were gathered from PubMed, Europe PMC, and ScienceDirect using keywords associated with AIBC and spine surgeries. We included all publications associated with AIBC and spine surgeries. Studies without full papers, non-English publications, review articles, and animal or cadaveric studies were excluded. The quality of each included studies were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal for case reports, case series, and quasi-experimental studies.Fifteen studies of 322 patients using AIBC in spine surgery were included. Ten of 15 studies reported 100% infection-free events with AIBC administration with or without given systemic antibiotics. Two studies did not report 100% infection-free events due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and technical causes. Three studies reported the use of AIBC without disclosing outcomes. Various types of bacteria ranging from methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus to MRSA have been discovered, with polymethylmethacrylate and vancomycin being the most frequently used AIBCs.AIBC can be used to prevent postoperative infections due to its high effectiveness, easy administration, and no side effects. Further studies are needed to determine the most appropriate antibiotics, dose, and type of cement.

Training neurosurgery specialists is a challenging and demanding process. This national survey study was conducted to evaluate the infrastructure of neurosurgery residency programs and training clinics in Turkey and to assess how these factors impact specialist practice.A national survey consisting of 32 questions was distributed to neurosurgeons who had been practicing as specialists for at least two years. The survey was divided into four sections: demographic information, residency training process, hospital where they currently work as specialists, and microsurgical experience. Statistical analyses, including chi-square and logistic regression, were conducted to examine factors influencing surgical performance in specialist practice.Regression analyses indicated that performing skin-to-skin surgeries during residency significantly and most effectively increased the likelihood of performing these procedures as a specialist. Additionally, working in anatomy laboratories, attending hands-on cadaver courses, and increased years of practice were all positively associated with surgical performance. It was also found that participants who graduated within the last 5 years were statistically significantly less likely to have attended hands-on courses or visited another clinic for observerships/fellowships compared with those who graduated more than 5 years ago.Findings suggest that neurosurgical training in Turkey is affected by disparities in clinical infrastructure and hands-on experience. Standardizing residency experiences and ensuring access to necessary equipment and training resources could enhance neurosurgical competency and consistency in specialist practice.

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) has been recently reported to be the most responsive assessment tool for lumbar spinal stenosis among the ZCQ, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, the visual analog scale, the 8-Item Short Form Health Survey, and the EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 level. There has been no study comparing surgical outcomes of additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for adjacent segment disease (ASD) after previous PLIF with those of primary PLIF.We compared the clinical outcomes of additional PLIF for unstable ASD after previous PLIF with those of primary PLIF assessed with the ZCQ to examine whether surgical outcomes of additional PLIF for ASD following previous PLIF are inferior to those of primary PLIF.Thirteen consecutive patients undergoing additional single-level PLIF for unstable ASD after previous PLIF (A group) and 61 consecutive patients undergoing primary single-level PLIF (P group) were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the ZCQ before PLIF surgery and at 2 years postoperatively. Achievement rates of the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of each domain (symptom severity [SS] and physical function [PF]) on the ZCQ were evaluated in each group.In the A group, the mean SS and PF before additional PLIF were 3.615 and 3.1, respectively, which significantly improved to 2.231 and 2.0, respectively, at 2 years after surgery. In the P group, the mean SS and PF before primary PLIF were 3.438 and 2.5, respectively, which also significantly improved to 2.194 and 1.6, respectively, at 2 years postoperatively. PF before additional PLIF in the A group was significantly inferior to that in the P group, but SS both before and after PLIF and PF at 2 years postoperatively showed no significant differences between the two groups. The achievement rates of the MCID of SS and PF were 92.3 and 76.9%, respectively, in the A group and 59.0 and 59.0%, respectively, in the P group. The MCID achievement rates of SS was significantly higher in the A group than in the P group.Assessed with the ZCQ at 2 years after surgery, the clinical outcomes of additional single-level PLIF for unstable ASD after previous PLIF were equivalent to those of primary single-level PLIF.

A realistic phantom created from a three-dimensional (3D)-reconstructed digital patient model would enable researchers to investigate the morphological aspects of the pathological spine, thereby resolving the issue of scarce cadaveric specimens. We designed a patient-specific, human-like, reliable, and cost-effective prototype of the examined pathological spine through open-source editing software analysis, a desktop 3D printer, and alginate material. We aimed to validate that the major surgical steps and anatomy replicated the real surgery as it would be conducted in actual patients.We cover the fundamental principles and procedures involved in 3D printing, from spine imaging to phantom manufacturing. Three representative simulation cases were included in the study. All phantoms were sequentially evaluated by surgeons for fidelity. Following each surgery, participants were given a survey that included 20 questions regarding the fidelity of the training phantom.We validated this simulation model by analyzing neurosurgeons' performance on the phantom trainer. Based on a 20-item survey to test content validity and reliability, there was little variation among participants' ratings, and the feedback was consistently positive. The gross appearance of the phantom was analogous to the cadaveric specimen and the phantoms demonstrated an excellent ability to imitate the intraoperative condition. The plastic material expenditure ranged from 170 to 470 g, and the alginate expenditure was 450 g. The total cost of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) varied from $5.1 to $17.6 ($0.03 per gram of ABS), whereas the total cost of alginate was $14.3. The average cost of our phantoms was approximately $25.7, and the 3D printer used in this study costs approximately $200.The basic properties of this phantom were similar to cadaveric tissue during manipulation. We believe our phantoms have the potential to improve skills and minimize risk for patients when integrated into trainee education.

Numerous studies have been conducted regarding vertebral restoration, development of kyphotic deformity, and pain control following balloon kyphoplasty. However, there is no consensus regarding the ideal time to perform kyphoplasty. Herein, we aimed to compare the results of treatment of different vertebral levels following early or late kyphoplasty.Between 2017 and 2022, 283 patients with single-level osteoporotic vertebral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Patients in whom visual analog scale (VAS) values were recorded, and osteoporosis tests performed were included in the study. Traumatic single-level fractures in patients with osteoporosis who were aged > 60 years were included. Patients with a history of malignancy, previous spinal surgery, or neurological deficits were excluded. A total of 100 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 50 patients underwent kyphoplasty within 3 days of sustaining the fracture (Group 1), and 50 patients underwent kyphoplasty more than 3 days after sustaining the fracture (Group 2). Groups A, B, and C included fractures at the T7-T11 levels, T12-L1 levels (thoracolumbar junction), and L2-L5 levels, respectively. These groups were compared among themselves. Bilateral balloon kyphoplasty was performed under sedation in the prone position. Preoperative and postoperative VAS scores, anterior vertebral heights, and kyphotic angles (KAs) were measured and recorded. The vertebral segments that underwent early and late kyphoplasty were also compared among themselves.In all the patients who underwent early or late kyphoplasty, there was a significant decrease in the KA and a significant increase in vertebral heights during the early postoperative period (p < 0.001). There was no significant change in the vertebral heights and KA between the early and late postoperative periods (p = 0.780). Early kyphoplasty demonstrated better pain control with a greater improvement in VAS score (p < 0.001) than late kyphoplasty.Kyphoplasty plays an important role in reducing pain and ensuring early mobilization in older patients. In our study, the improvements in both symptoms and radiological features are concrete evidence in favor of performing early kyphoplasty.