Superficial Temporal Artery to Superior Cerebellar Artery STA (E-S*) s2 Bypass for Dolichoectatic Superior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm After Failed Flow Diversion: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Flow diversion is a unique interventional tool with evolving roles in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.1 Although flow diversion strategies can be highly effective in appropriately selected patients, their off-label use is controversial. As flow diversion indications have expanded, so has the incidence of treatment failure, resulting in an evolving subgroup of patients with atypical lesions that require complex salvage strategies, such as cerebrovascular bypass.2,3 We report a residual dolichoectatic superior cerebellar artery aneurysm in which flow diversion failed, which was treated through superficial temporal artery to superior cerebellar artery bypass.4,5 Being a single case report, institutional review board approval was not needed. Patient consent was obtained. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

Sex differences in patients with and without high-risk factors associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Controversy remains regarding the appropriate screening for intracranial aneurysms or for the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) for patients without known high-risk factors for rupture. This study aimed to assess how sex affects both aSAH presentation and outcomes for aSAH treatment. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients treated at a single institution for an aSAH during a 12-year period (August 1, 2007-July 31, 2019). An analysis of women with and without high-risk factors was performed, including a propensity adjustment for a poor neurologic outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score > 2) at follow-up. RESULTS: Data from 1014 patients were analyzed (69% [n = 703] women). Women were significantly older than men (mean ± SD, 56.6 ± 14.1 years vs 53.4 ± 14.2 years, p < 0.001). A significantly lower percentage of women than men had a history of tobacco use (36.6% [n = 257] vs 46% [n = 143], p = 0.005). A significantly higher percentage of women than men had no high-risk factors for aSAH (10% [n = 70] vs 5% [n = 16], p = 0.01). The percentage of women with an mRS score > 2 at the last follow-up was significantly lower among those without high-risk factors (34%, 24/70) versus those with high-risk factors (53%, 334/633) (p = 0.004). Subsequent propensity-adjusted analysis (adjusted for age, Hunt and Hess grade, and Fisher grade) found no statistically significant difference in the odds of a poor outcome for women with or without high-risk factors for aSAH (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.4-1.2, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of women versus men with aSAH had no known high-risk factors for rupture, supporting more aggressive screening and management of women with unruptured aneurysms.

Microsurgical Resection of Brainstem Cavernous Malformations in Older Adults: A Multicenter, 30-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microsurgical resection is the only curative intervention for symptomatic brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs), but the management of these lesions in older adults (≥65 years) is not well described. This study sought to address this gap by examining the safety and efficacy of BSCM resection in a cohort of older adults. METHODS: Records of patients who underwent BSCM resection over a 30-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients. RESULTS: Of 550 patients with BSCM who met inclusion criteria, 41 (7.5%) were older than 65 years. Midbrain (43.9% vs 26.1%) and medullary lesions (19.5% vs 13.6%) were more common in the older cohort than in the younger cohort (P = .01). Components of the Lawton BSCM grading system (ie, lesion size, crossing axial midpoint, developmental venous anomaly, and timing of hemorrhage) were not significantly different between cohorts (P ≥ .11). Mean (SD) Elixhauser comorbidity score was significantly higher in older patients (1.86 [1.06]) than in younger patients (0.66 [0.95]; P < .001). Older patients were significantly more likely than younger patients to have poor outcomes at final follow-up (28.9% vs 13.8%, P = .01; mean follow-up duration, 28.7 [39.1] months). However, regarding relative neurological outcome (preoperative modified Rankin Scale to final modified Rankin Scale), rate of worsening was not significantly different between older and younger patients (23.7% vs 14.9%, P = .15). CONCLUSION: BSCMs can be safely resected in older patients, and when each patient's unique health status and life expectancy are taken into account, these patients can have outcomes similar to younger patients.

hglobal-Index: A Novel Author-Level Measure of the Diffusion of Scientific Ideas Among High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an intuitive and useful method for measuring the global impact of a medical scholar's research ideas by examining cross-border citations (CBCs) of peer-reviewed neurosurgical publications. METHODS: Publication and citation data for a random sample of the top 50 most academically productive neurosurgeons were obtained from Scopus Application Programming Interface. We characterized an author-level global impact index analogous to the widely used h-index, the hglobal-index, defined as the number of published peer-reviewed manuscripts with at least the same number of CBCs. To uncover socioeconomic insights, we explored the hglobal-index for high-, middle-, and low-income countries. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) number of publications and CBCs were 144 (62-255) and 2704 (959-5325), respectively. The median (interquartile range) h-index and hglobal-index were 42 (23-61) and 32 (17-38), respectively. Compared with neurosurgeons in the random sample, the 3 global neurosurgeons had the highest hglobal-indices in low-income countries at 17, 13, and 9, despite below-average h-index scores of 33, 38, and 19, respectively. CONCLUSION: This intuitive update to the h-index uses CBCs to measure the global impact of scientific research. The hglobal-index may provide insight into global diffusion of medical ideas, which can be used for social science research, author self-assessment, and academic promotion.

Modafinil Therapy and Mental Status Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Comprehensive Stroke Center Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of consciousness impair early recovery after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent, is efficacious for treating fatigue in stroke survivors, but data pertaining to its use in the acute setting are scarce. This study sought to assess the effects of modafinil use on mental status after aSAH. METHODS: Modafinil timing and dosage, neurological examination, intubation status, and physical and occupational therapy participation were documented. Repeated-measures paired tests were used for a before-after analysis of modafinil recipients. Propensity score matching (1:1 nearest neighbor) for modafinil and no-modafinil cohorts was used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Modafinil (100-200 mg/day) was administered to 21% (88/422) of aSAH patients for a median (IQR) duration of 10.5 (4-16) days and initiated 14 (7-17) days after aSAH. Improvement in mentation (alertness, orientation, or Glasgow Coma Scale score) was documented in 87.5% (77/88) of modafinil recipients within 72 hours and 86.4% (76/88) at discharge. Of 37 intubated patients, 10 (27%) were extubated within 72 hours after modafinil initiation. Physical and occupational therapy teams noted increased alertness or participation in 47 of 56 modafinil patients (83.9%). After propensity score matching for baseline covariates, the modafinil cohort had a greater mean (SD) change in Glasgow Coma Scale score than the no-modafinil cohort at discharge (2.2 [4.0] vs. -0.2 [6.32], P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A temporal relationship with improvement in mental status was noted for most patients administered modafinil after aSAH. These findings, a favorable adverse-effect profile, and implications for goals-of-care decisions favor a low threshold for modafinil initiation in aSAH patients in the acute-care setting.

A Review of Preoperative Embolization Effectiveness in Patients With Arteriovenous Malformations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains controversial. This study sought to analyze the cost-effectiveness of preoperative embolization of AVMs. METHODS: Patients who underwent AVM resection at a single institute (January 1, 2015-December 31, 2020) were analyzed. Patients with preoperative embolization (embolization cohort) were compared with those without preoperative embolization (nonembolization cohort). Cost-effectiveness score (CE) was the primary outcome of interest and was determined by dividing the total 1-year cost by effectiveness, which was derived from a validated preoperative to last follow-up change in the modified Rankin Scale utility score. A lower CE signifies a more cost-effective treatment strategy. RESULTS: Of 188 patients, 88 (47%) underwent preoperative embolization. The mean (SD) total cost was higher in the embolization group than in the nonembolization group ($117 594 [$102 295] vs $84 348 [$82 326]; P < .001). The mean (SD) CE was higher in the embolization cohort ($336 476 [$1 303 842]) than in the nonembolization cohort ($100 237 [$246 255]; P < .001). Among patients with Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade I and II AVMs, the mean (SD) CE was higher in the embolization (n = 40) than in the nonembolization (n = 72) cohort ($164 950 [$348 286] vs $69 021 [$114 938]; P = .004). Among patients with SM grade III AVMs, the mean (SD) CE was lower in the embolization (n = 33) than in the nonembolization (n = 25) cohort ($151 577 [$219 130] vs $189 195 [$446 335]; P = .006). The mean (SD) CE was not significantly different between cohorts among patients with higher-grade AVMs (embolization cohort [n = 3] vs nonembolization cohort [n = 15]: $503 639 [$776 492] vs $2 048 419 [$4 794 758]; P = .49). The mean CE for embolized SM grade III aneurysms was nonsignificant in the ruptured group; however, for the unruptured group, CE was significantly higher in the embolization cohort (n = 26; $160 871 [$240 535]) relative to the nonembolization cohort (n = 15; $108 152 [$166 446]) ( P = .006). CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolization was cost-effective for patients with SM grade III AVMs but not for patients with lower-grade AVMs.

Early Treatment of Ruptured Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Analysis of Neurological Outcomes and Health Care Costs.

BACKGROUND: The timing of surgical resection is controversial when managing ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and varies considerably among centers. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze clinical outcomes and hospital costs associated with delayed treatment in a ruptured cerebral AVM patient cohort. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical treatment for a ruptured cerebral AVM (January 1, 2015-December 31, 2020) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent emergent treatment of a ruptured AVM because of acute herniation were excluded, as were those treated >180 days after rupture. Patients were stratified by the timing of surgical intervention relative to AVM rupture into early (postbleed days 1-20) and delayed (postbleed days 21-180) treatment cohorts. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were identified. The early treatment cohort comprised 75 (86%) patients. The mean (SD) length of time between AVM rupture and surgical resection was 5 (5) days in the early cohort and 73 (60) days in the delayed cohort ( P < .001). The cohorts did not differ with respect to patient demographics, AVM size, Spetzler-Martin grade, frequency of preoperative embolization, or severity of clinical presentation ( P ≥ .15). Follow-up neurological status was equivalent between the cohorts ( P = .65). The associated mean health care costs were higher in the delayed treatment cohort ($241 597 [$99 363]) than in the early treatment cohort ($133 989 [$110 947]) ( P = .02). After adjustment for length of stay, each day of delayed treatment increased cost by a mean of $2465 (95% CI = $967-$3964, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Early treatment of ruptured AVMs was associated with significantly lower health care costs than delayed treatment, but surgical and neurological outcomes were equivalent.

Occipital Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Direct Bypass: A Salvage Revascularization Technique for Ischemic Moyamoya Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The main treatment for moyamoya disease (MMD) is revascularization surgery. Most bypasses use the superficial temporal artery (STA) as the donor vessel. However, even if the STA-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass is functioning, the affected hemisphere can continue to be symptomatically malperfused. We sought to assess the efficacy of salvage direct revascularization surgery using the occipital artery (OA) as a donor vessel in patients with ischemic MMD who experience continued cerebral malperfusion despite previous successful STA-MCA bypass. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cerebrovascular databases of 2 surgeons and described patients in whom the OA was used as the donor vessel for direct revascularization. RESULTS: Seven patients were included (5 women). Previous STA-MCA bypasses were direct (n = 2), indirect (n = 3), or combined/multiple (n = 2). The mean (SD) interval between STA-MCA and OA-MCA procedures was 29.2 (13.1) months. Despite an intact STA-MCA bypass in all 7 cases, all 7 patients had recurrent symptoms and demonstrated residual impaired cerebral perfusion. All 7 patients underwent successful OA-MCA direct revascularization. Follow-up perfusion imaging was obtained for 6 of 7 patients. All 6 of these patients demonstrated improved cerebral blood flow to the revascularized hemispheres. All 7 patients demonstrated clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ischemic MMD who have continued symptoms and cerebral malperfusion despite previous successful STA-MCA bypass present a challenging clinical scenario. Our series highlights the potential utility of the OA-MCA direct bypass as a salvage therapy for these patients.

Outcomes in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Receiving Sulfonylureas: A Propensity-Adjusted Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability, disrupted tight junctions, and increased cerebral edema. Sulfonylureas are associated with reduced tight-junction disturbance and edema and improved functional outcome in aSAH animal models, but human data are scant. We analyzed neurological outcomes in aSAH patients prescribed sulfonylureas for diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Patients treated for aSAH at a single institution (August 1, 2007-July 31, 2019) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with diabetes were grouped by presence or absence of sulfonylurea therapy at hospital admission. The primary outcome was favorable neurologic status at last follow-up (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2). Variables with an unadjusted P-value of <0.20 were included in a propensity-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of favorable outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1013 aSAH patients analyzed, 129 (13%) had diabetes at admission, and 16 of these (12%) were receiving sulfonylureas. Fewer diabetic than nondiabetic patients had favorable outcomes (40% [52/129] vs. 51% [453/884], P = 0.03). Among diabetic patients, sulfonylurea use (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.05-15.9, P = 0.046), Charlson Comorbidity Index <4 (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.24-12.1, P = 0.02), and absence of delayed cerebral infarction (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.20-15.5, P = 0.03) were associated with favorable outcomes in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes was strongly associated with unfavorable neurologic outcomes. An unfavorable outcome in this cohort was mitigated by sulfonylureas, supporting some preclinical evidence of a possible neuroprotective role for these medications in aSAH. These results warrant further study on dose, timing, and duration of administration in humans.

Propensity-adjusted analysis of ultra-early aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treatment and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Optimal definitive treatment timing for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains controversial. We compared outcomes for aSAH patients with ultra-early treatment versus later treatment at a single large center. METHOD: Patients who received definitive open surgical or endovascular treatment for aSAH between January 1, 2014, and July 31, 2019, were included. Ultra-early treatment was defined as occurring within 24 h from aneurysm rupture. The primary outcome was poor neurologic outcome (modified Rankin Scale score > 2). Propensity adjustment was performed for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, aneurysm treatment type, aneurysm type, size, and anterior location. RESULTS: Of the 1013 patients (mean [SD] age, 56 [14] years; 702 [69%] women, 311 [31%] men) included, 94 (9%) had ultra-early treatment. Compared with the non-ultra-early cohort, the ultra-early treatment cohort had a significantly lower percentage of saccular aneurysms (53 of 94 [56%] vs 746 of 919 [81%], P <0 .001), greater frequency of open surgical treatment (72 of 94 [77%] vs 523 of 919 [57%], P <0 .001), and greater percentage of men (38 of 94 [40%] vs 273 of 919 [30%], P = .04). After adjustment, ultra-early treatment was not associated with neurologic outcome in those with at least 180-day follow-up (OR = 0.86), the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (OR = 0.87), or length of stay (exp(ß), 0.13) (P ≥ 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, single-center cohort of aSAH patients, ultra-early treatment was not associated with better neurologic outcome, fewer cases of delayed cerebral ischemia, or shorter length of stay.

Retained radial catheters associated with variant radial anatomy in neurointerventional procedures.

BACKGROUND: Transradial artery access (TRA) for neurointerventional procedures is gaining widespread acceptance. However, complications that were previously rare may arise as TRA procedures increase. Here we report a series of retained catheter cases with a literature review. METHODS: All patients who underwent a neurointerventional procedure during a 23-month period at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed for a retained catheter in TRA cases. In cases of retained catheters, imaging was reviewed for anatomical variances in the radial artery, and clinical and demographic case details were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1386 nondiagnostic neurointerventional procedures were performed during the study period, 631 (46%) initially via TRA. The 631 TRA cases were performed for aneurysm embolization (n=221, 35%), mechanical thrombectomy (n=116, 18%), carotid stent/angioplasty (n=40, 6%), arteriovenous malformation embolization (n=38, 6%), and other reasons (n=216, 34%). Thirty-nine (6%) TRA procedures crossed over to femoral access, most commonly because the artery of interest could not be catheterized (26/39, 67%). A retained catheter was identified in five cases (1%), and one (0.2%) patient had an entrapped catheter that was recovered. All six patients with a retained or entrapped catheter had aberrant radial anatomy. CONCLUSION: Retained catheters for neurointerventional procedures performed via TRA are rare. However, this complication may be associated with variant radial anatomy. With the increased use of TRA for neurointerventional procedures, awareness of anatomical abnormalities that may lead to a retained catheter is necessary. We propose a simple protocol to avoid catheter entrapment, including in emergent situations such as TRA for stroke thrombectomy.

Assessing the volume-outcome relationship of carotid artery stenting in nationwide administrative data: a challenge of patient population bias.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between surgical treatment volume and improved quality metrics. This study evaluated nationwide results in carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedural readmission rates, costs, and length of stay based on hospital treatment volume. METHODS: We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database for carotid stenosis from 2010 to 2015. Patients receiving CAS were matched based on demographics, illness severity, and relevant comorbidities. Patients were matched 1:1 between low- and high-volume centers using a non-parametric preprocessing matching program to adjust for parametric causal inferences. Nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was performed using logit distance. RESULTS: Low- and high-volume centers admitted a mean (SD) of 4.68 (3.79) and 25.10 (16.86) patients undergoing CAS per hospital, respectively. Comorbidities were significantly different and initially could not be adequately matched. Because of significant differences in baseline patient population characteristics after attempted matching between low- and high-volume centers, we used propensity adjustment with multivariate analysis. Using this alternative approach, no significant differences were observed between low- and high-volume centers for the presence of any complication, postoperative stroke, postoperative myocardial infarction, and readmission at 30 days. CONCLUSION: In 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching with a high number of patients, our analysis did not result in well-matched cohorts for the effect of case volume on outcomes. Comparing analytical techniques for various outcomes highlights that outcome disparities may not be related to quality differences based on hospital size, but rather variability in patient populations between low- and high-volume institutions.

Incidence and Prediction of Chronic Depression Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Single-Center 17-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence and risk factors for chronic depression after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are described. METHODS: Patients with aSAH treated at a single institution (January 1, 2003-December 31, 2019) and a modified Rankin Scale score ≤3 at follow-up who were evaluated for chronic depression were analyzed. Chronic depression was defined using a depression screening questionnaire as ≥5 positive answers for symptoms lasting >2 weeks. A predictive model was designed for the primary outcome of depression. RESULTS: Among 1419 patients with aSAH, 460 patients were analyzed; 130 (28%) had major depressive disorder. Mean follow-up was >6 years. Higher depression rates were associated with tobacco smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, P < 0.001), illicit drug use (OR = 2.35, P = 0.007), alcohol use disorder (1.92, P = 0.04), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR=2.68, P = 0.03), and vasospasm requiring angioplasty (OR=2.09, P = 0.048). The predictive model included tobacco smoking, illicit drug use, liver disease, COPD, diabetes, nonsaccular aneurysm type, anterior communicating artery or anterior cerebral artery aneurysm location, refractory spasm requiring angioplasty, and a modified Rankin Scale score at discharge of >1 (P ≤ 0.03). The model performed with appropriate goodness of fit and an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.70 for depression. Individual independent predictors of depression were tobacco smoking, COPD, diabetes, and nonsaccular aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of patients had symptoms of depression on follow-up. The proposed predictive model for depression may be a useful clinical tool to identify patients at high risk for developing depression who warrant early screening and evaluation.