Acta Neurochirurgica最新文献

Background

Early reconstruction of the skull represents the gold standard after resection of bone infiltrating cranial tumors. Customized hydroxyapatite porous ceramics are an excellent option for covering skull bone defects. The authors illustrate the surgical technique and investigate the effectiveness of the "one-step" procedure in terms of aesthetic results and early degree of osteointegration.

Method

A prospective study was conducted, including all patients operated on for skull bone infiltrating lesions at our center between January 2020 and June 2022. Stereolithography was the technique used for shaping the epoxy-resin model, suitable for both designing the craniotomy and manufacturing the custom-made hydroxyapatite prosthesis. Clinical outcome, results of early (6-week) and late (3-month) osteointegration evaluated on CT and MRI, and level of patient satisfaction measured by the FACE-Q questionnaire were reported.

Results

Fourteen patients (13 adults and a 7-year-old boy) and a total of 15 implants were included. The average percentage of early osteointegration calculated at the edge of the prosthesis, was 72.2%, that increased to 82.6% after 3 months. Patient-reported outcomes indicated a high level of satisfaction across all patients.

Conclusions

“One-step” resection and reconstruction using customized hydroxyapatite porous implants for treatment of skull infiltrating tumors is a safe, simple and effective technique, in particular when the bone defect is large. Bone regeneration around and inside the prosthesis seems to start early after surgery.

Background

Surgery for giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) poses significant challenges, particularly when the tumor cannot be fully addressed using either the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) or the microscopic transcranial approach (MTCA) alone.

Method

We utilized two combined approaches for complex GPAs: 1) expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA) combined with microscopic pterional approach (MPA), and 2) EEEA combined with endoscopic transventricular approach (ETVA).

Conclusion

The combined approach is an effective surgical technique for complex GPAs. The EEEA-MPA approach is suitable for GPAs with superior and lateral extension, while the EEEA-ETVA approach is beneficial for tumors with lateral ventricular invasion.

Background

Adult cervical deformity (ACD) surgery is more frequently being performed in frail patients. Although surgical outcomes are largely successful, there remains significant risk of poor outcomes. The ideal length of fusion constructs in these patients remains debatable.

Methods

Patients undergoing cervical fusion for ACD with lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) at T4-or-above, with clinical and radiographic data from baseline (BL) to 2 years (2Y) were stratified by CD-modified frailty index into not frail (NF), frail (F) and severely frail (SF) categories. Deformity was classified by Kim et al. criteria. Means comparisons tests were used to assess differences between both groups. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze associations between frailty categories, lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) and outcomes.

Results

286 patients (Age: 57.3 ± 10.9 years, BMI: 28.9 ± 6.4 kg/m2, CCI: 0.84 ± 1.26). 47% of patients were female. 32.2% of patients were NF, 50.3% F and 17.5% SF. By deformity, 66% were focal kyphosis (FK), 12% were flatneck, and 22% were cervicothoracic. Only FK type differed between NF and F/SF patients (39.2 vs 73.6%, p = 0.005). At baseline (BL), differences in age, BMI, CCI and deformity were not significant. F/SF patients had longer LOS (p = 0.018) and higher rates of distal junctional kyphosis/failure (DJK/F) at 2 years. Controlling for baseline disability, F and SF patients were more likely to experience poor outcomes at 2 years with C7 compared with more distal LIVs. The risk for poorer outcomes was not significant when comparing LIVs within the upper thoracic spine. Similar trends were seen performing sub-analyses specifically comparing F vs SF patients.

Conclusions

Frail patients are at risk for poor outcomes following ACD surgery due to their comorbidities. These patients appear to be at even greater risk for poor outcomes with a lower instrumented vertebra proximal to T1.

Background

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) in the foramen magnum region (FMR) are rare entity of dAVFs. There is no established treatment for FMR-dAVFs owing to their rarity and anatomical complexity. Herein, we report cases of high-flow dAVFs located at the posteromedial part of the FMR that were successfully treated by surgical interruption.

Methods

We demonstrated the surgical procedures for the interruption of high-flow FMR-dAVF with representative images and videos. In both cases, endovascular transarterial embolization was performed prior to surgical interruption.

Conclusion

As this type of FMR-dAVF has high-risk clinical features, curative surgical treatment is highly desirable.

Background

Although most pilocytic astrocytomas grow slowly, their progression in critical sites such as the brainstem or hypothalamus may prove fatal much more rapidly. Cystic progression may be more problematic than solid tumor. Patients with progressive cystic PAs located in eloquent deep areas of the brain are the best candidates for stereotactic radiosurgery.

Objective

This retrospective case series aims to present the effective outcomes obtained from GKRS, targeting the mural nodules of symptomatic eloquently deep-seated cystic PAs in 9 consecutive patients treated at the IMC Gamma Knife Centre in Cairo, Egypt, between 2003 and 2021.

Patient and methods

The median follow-up period was 84 months (range 24–240 months). The median treated mural nodule volume was 1.25 cm³ (range 0.32–1.97 cm³), treated with a median peripheral prescription dose of 12 Gy and a median maximum dose of 24 Gy. The median cyst volume in treated patients was 7.64cm³(range 1.66–40.6cm³).

Results

At the last follow-up, 7 out of 9 patients (78%) achieved tumor control (marked reduction > 50% of the entire tumor volume in 6 patients and moderate tumor reduction < 50% in one patient) in addition to clinical improvement. The median time of confirmed tumor reduction was 18 months (range 12–32 months). Two patients reported progression of the treated tumor. The overall tumor control rates at 2, 5, and 7 years of follow-up were 88.9%, 78%, and 78%, respectively. Conclusion: The encouraging results of this series indicate that limiting the GKRS to the mural nodule of eloquently deep-seated cystic PAs may be a practical and effective pattern in the salvage of its treatment. Our data do not support radiation for extensive, large symptomatic cysts in deep-seated cystic PA or patients where microsurgical removal is feasible.

Introduction

Stereotactic brain biopsies are essential for obtaining tissue samples from brain lesions, crucial for comprehensive histological analysis and subsequent adjuvant therapies. While most biopsies target supratentorial lesions, those involving the posterior fossa are less frequent but pose significant technical and surgical challenges, necessitating careful patient management.

Methods

We present our experience with stereotactic biopsies of the posterior fossa using the Leksell Vantage frame (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) and the ZD Inomed frame (Inomed Medizintechnik GmbH, Emmendingen, Germany). For the ZD frame, we either mounted it upside down or employed a frontal approach, while for the Leksell Vantage frame, we utilized a reverse x-axis orientation. Planning was based on 3-T MRI scans and preoperative MRI merged with stereotactic CT for coordinate generation.

Results

From 2006 to 2023, we performed 25 stereotactic biopsies of the posterior fossa in our department—9 with the ZD Inomed frame and 16 with the Leksell Vantage frame. The cohort included 14 male and 11 female patients, with an average age of 60.6 years (range 36—80 years). The average surgery duration was shorter with the Leksell Vantage frame (32.6 min vs. 44.8 min, p = 0.05). The average length of the planned trajectory was 41.7 mm for the Leksell Vantage frame and 52.2 mm for the ZD Inomed frame. Postoperativ bleeding occurred in two cases—one managed conservatively, the other required surgical intervention. Additionally, two other cases presented new postoperative focal neurological deficit. The overall mortality rate was 34.8% and a 40-day postoperative mortality rate of 13.0%.

Conclusion

Our experience demonstrates that stereotactic biopsies of lesions in the posterior fossa can be effectively managed with different frame systems, though they present a higher degree of complexity. Notably, the Leksell Vantage frame was associated with a significantly shorter surgery duration. This technical note provides valuable insights and detailed technical guidance for neurosurgeons facing similar challenges.

Background

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae(sDAVF) represent the most common spinal vascular malformation. Therapeutic strategies include both surgical and endovascular approaches. Surgical interruption of the fistula is crucial to prevent the onset and progression of neurological symptoms. Despite a range of surgical techniques, little research has evaluated their relative efficacy. This review aims to summarize the available surgical techniques and identify open questions for future research.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted on PubMed, Ovid, and Web of Science databases to identify surgically treated cohorts of sDAVF. Five commonly reported surgical steps were analyzed: type of approach, temporary clipping, shunt disruption method, fistulous vein management, and epidural vessel management. In addition, open questions lacking consensus or evidence were identified for pre, intra and postoperative stages.

Results

63 of 115 analyzed cohorts described surgical techniques. The most commonly used approach was single-level laminectomy (52.4%). Temporary clipping was used in 11.1% of cases, while 15.9% of studies reported excision of intradural arterialized veins. There was wide variation in the methods used to close the fistula, with the most frequent being coagulation alone (27.5%). The management of epidural vessels was reported in 11.1% of studies. Sixteen major open questions were identified with a wide variety of technical nuances.

Discussion

Surgical treatment of sDAVF is not a standardized procedure but rather encompasses significantly different techniques. The lack of controlled trials leaves many questions unanswered, including optimal surgical strategies and the role of adjunct imaging and monitoring techniques. Further research is required to address these gaps and refine treatment protocols.

Purpose  

Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) represents an opportunity to non-invasively investigate cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Studies in recent years have explored the diagnostic and prognostic value of PC-MRI derived parameters. This review aims to identify all PC-MRI studies of iNPH published since 2010, synthesise a review based on collated results, and analyse specific flow parameters identified in the selected studies.

Methods

Our protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO [CRD42020180826]. We systematically searched four databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane library to identify all eligible studies. Quality assessment was performed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale [19]. Systematic review was conducted according to Prisma guidelines. A random-effects model was used to perform meta-analysis on the available flow parameters.

Results

Eighteen records were identified for inclusion. Five studies were eligible for meta-analysis, representing 107 iNPH patients and 82 controls. CSF flow parameters available for analysis were stroke volume and peak velocity. Both were significantly higher than controls (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0045 respectively) according to our random-effects analysis, consistent with a model of hyper-dynamic CSF in iNPH. Our systematic review revealed average stroke volumes in iNPH ranging from 43uL to over 200uL. Peak velocity values ranged from 5.9 cm/s to 12.8 cm/s.

Conclusion

Significant increases in stroke volume and peak velocity values in iNPH patients suggest a place for PC-MRI as supplementary evidence in the diagnostic work-up of iNPH. Although shunting reduces aqueductal stroke volume and peak velocity, the ability of pre-shunt values to reliably predict treatment response remains complicated. We suggest that it may be more appropriate to consider a range of values that reflect varying probabilities of shunt success. We recommend that future studies should prioritise standardising PC-MRI protocols, and before then PC-MRI findings should be considered supportive rather than determinative.

Purpose

Aseptic bone flap necrosis (ABFN) is a common complication of autologous cranioplasty that often requires reoperation. This study aimed to create a risk score for ABFN using relevant demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers.

Methods

We included all patients who underwent autologous cranioplasty after decompressive surgery between 2007 and 2019. We collected laboratory data, initial clinical diagnoses, and demographic parameters before autologous bone flap reimplantation. The significant predictors of ABFN identified in the final multivariate analysis were used to develop a risk score.

Results

Of the 412 patients who underwent craniectomy, 58 (14%, 32 females: 55.2%) developed ABFN. The following independent predictors of ABFN were included in the risk score (0–7 points): craniectomy due to trauma or hemorrhagic stroke (2 points), younger age (< 40 years, 2 points), cranioplasty timing (> 95 days post-craniectomy, 1 point), glutamate-pyruvate transferase < 18 U/L (1 point), and serum creatinine level < 0.815 mg/dL (1 point). The ABFN rates in patients with scores of 0–2, 3–4, and 5–7 points were 4.2%, 16.1%, and 34.6%, respectively. The risk score demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy for predicting ABFN, with an area under the curve of 0.739.

Conclusion

The proposed risk score may help in early identification of individuals prone to ABFN. These data suggest that future studies should investigate the significance of metabolic syndromes related to ABFN occurrence. Understanding the potential impact of metabolic factors on ABFN can enhance risk assessment and targeted preventive measures for patients undergoing cranioplasty procedures.