Surgery versus endovascular treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: a multicenter experience and systematic literature review.

Surgery and endovascular therapy are the primary treatment options for spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF). Due to the absence of a consensus regarding which therapy yields a superior outcome, we conducted a comparative analysis of the surgical and endovascular treatment of SDAVF through a multicenter case series and a systematic literature review. Patients with SDAVF, surgically or endovascularly treated at four neurosurgical centers from January 2001 to December 2021, were included in this study. Level of SDAVF, primary treatment modality, baseline and post-procedural neurological status were collected. The primary outcomes were failure, complication rates, and a newly introduced parameter named as therapeutic delay. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA-P guidelines. The systematic review identified 511 papers, of which 18 were eligible for analysis, for a total of 814 patients, predominantly male (72%) with a median age of 61 and mainly thoracic SDAVFs (65%). The failure rate was significantly higher for endovascular therapy (20%) compared to surgery (4%) (p < 0.01). Neurological complications were generally rare, with similar rates among the two groups (endovascular 2.9%; surgery 2.6%). Endovascular treatment showed a statistically significantly higher rate of persistent neurological complications than surgical treatment (2.9% versus 0.2%; p < 0.01). Both treatments showed similar rates of clinical improvement based on Aminoff Logue scale score. The multicenter, retrospective study involved 131 patients. The thoracic region was the most frequent location (58%), followed by lumbar (37%). Paraparesis (45%) and back pain (41%) were the most common presenting symptoms, followed by bladder dysfunction (34%) and sensory disturbances (21%). The mean clinical follow-up was 21 months, with all patients followed for at least 12 months. No statistically significant differences were found in demographic and clinical data, lesion characteristics, or outcomes between the two treatment groups. Median pre-treatment Aminoff-Logue score was 2.6, decreasing to 1.4 post-treatment with both treatments. The mean therapeutic delay for surgery and endovascular treatment showed no statistically significant difference. Surgical treatment demonstrated significantly lower failure rates (5% vs. 46%, p < 0.01). In the surgical group, 2 transient neurological (1 epidural hematoma, 1 CSF leak) and 3 non-neurological (3 wound infections) complications were recorded; while 2 permanent neurological (spinal infarcts), and 5 non-neurological (inguinal hematomas) were reported in the endovascular group. According to the literature review and this multicenter clinical series, surgical treatment has a significantly lower failure rate than endovascular treatment. Although the two treatments have similar complication rates, endovascular treatment seems to have a higher rate of persistent neurological complications.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: postoperative patient perspective and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a potentially reversible disease. Surgical results have been well described in the literature, but only a few studies investigated the subjective outcome. This study aimed to investigate the patient's expectations about surgery, the perceived improvement after treatment, and its impact on the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A new dedicated survey was created to investigate subjectively different aspects of the treatment pathway of iNPH (diagnosis, symptoms, expectations from surgery, surgical operation, surgical results, and postoperative QoL), together with the SF-12 and EQ-5D as validated, standardized tools. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included. Forty-three percent of cases received the diagnosis after at least 1 year, with symptoms worsening in 73%, and frustration in 93%. Reaching a diagnosis was important for 100% of patients, with high expectations from surgery; 86% of them hoped to return to a normal life. Seventy-two percent of patients reported a significant postoperative improvement (walking 68%, mood 57%). Memory and incontinence did not improve in 64% of cases. Subjectively, QoL improved in 72% of cases. The SF-12 score is comparable to controls >75 years, but lower than the 65-75 years group. The EQ-5D index was 0.66 (lower than those of the 65-75 years group = 0.823, and >75 years group = 0.724). Pain and discomfort, instead, were lower compared to the healthy population (43% vs 56%). The idea of having an implanted device and of long-term follow-up is not worrying for 80% of patients; approximately two-thirds of them reported a regained control of their lives. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of early diagnosis and patients' perspective, alongside clinical evaluation, is highlighted. The self-reported evaluations on symptoms and QoL, along with the balance between postoperative worries and benefits, should be discussed preoperatively with patients and relatives, and included postoperatively to comprehensively assess the surgical outcome.

Preliminary Validation of FoRCaSco: A New Grading System for Cerebral and Cerebellar Cavernomas.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical indications for cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) remain significantly center- and surgeon-dependent; available grading systems are potentially limited, as they do not include epileptologic and radiologic data. Several experienced authors proposed a new grading system for CCM and the first group of patients capable of providing its statistical validation was analyzed. METHODS: A retrospective series of 289 CCMs diagnosed between 2008 and 2021 was collected in a shared anonymous database among 9 centers. The new grading system ranges from -1 to 10. For each patient with cortical and cerebellar cavernous malformations the grading system was applied, and a retrospective outcome analysis was performed. We proposed a score of 4 as a cutoff for surgical indication. RESULTS: Operated patients with a score ≥4 were grouped with non-operated patients with a score <4, as they constituted the group that received correct treatment according to the new grading system. Patients with a score ≥4, who underwent surgery and had an improved outcome, were compared to patients with a score ≥4 who were not operated (P = 0.04), and to patients with a score <4 who underwent surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary statistical analysis demonstrated that this new grading would be applicable in surgical reality. The cutoff score of 4 correctly separated the patients who could benefit from surgical intervention from those who would not. The outcome analysis showed that the treated patients in whom the grading system has been correctly applied have a better outcome than those in whom the grading system has not been applied.

Post Surgical Management of WHO Grade II Meningiomas: Our Experience, the Role of Gamma Knife and a Literature Review.

Purpose: Grade II meningiomas are rarer than Grade I, and when operated on, bear a higher risk of local recurrence, with a 5-year progression free survival (PFS) ranging from 59 to 90%. Radiotherapy (RT) or radiosurgery, such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) can reduce the risk of relapse in patients with residual disease, even if their role, particularly after gross total resection (GTR), is still under debate. Main goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of different post-surgical management of grade II meningiomas, grouped by degree of surgical removal (Simpson Grade); next in order we wanted to define the role of GKRS for the treatment of residual disease or relapse. Methods: from November 2016 to November 2020 all patients harboring grade II meningiomas, were divided into three groups, based on post-surgical management: (1) wait and see, (2) conventional adjuvant radiotherapy and (3) stereotactic GKRS radiosurgery. Relapse rate and PFS were registered at the time of last follow up and results were classified as stable, recurrence next to or distant from the surgical cavity. In the second part of the study we collected data of all patients who underwent GKRS in our Centers from November 2017 to November 2020. Results: A total of 37 patients were recruited, including seven patients with multiple meningiomas. Out of 47 meningiomas, 33 (70.2%) were followed with a wait and see strategy, six (12.7%) were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, and 8 patients (17.0%) with adjuvant GKRS. Follow up data were available for 43 (91.4%) meningiomas. Within the wait and see group, recurrence rates differed based on Simpson grades, lower recurrence rates being observed in three Simpson I cases (30%) compared to twelve relapses (60%) in patients with Simpson grade II/III. Finally, out of the 24 meningiomas undergoing GKRS (8 residual and 16 recurrence), 21 remained stable at follow up. Conclusions: Gross total resection (GTR) Simpson II and III have a significantly worse outcome as compared to Simpson I. The absence of adjuvant treatment leads to significant worsening of the disease progression curve. Adjuvant radiotherapy, especially GKRS, provides good local control of the disease and should be considered as an adjuvant treatment in all cases where Simpson I resection is not possible.

The gender impact in the era of COVID-19: an Italian neurosurgical perspective.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to understand the impact of SARS-COVID-19 disease on neurosurgeons and our profession; specifically, to trace the role of women, in particular young neurosurgeons, in addressing this health emergency. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated the impact of SARS-COVID-19 disease on Italian neurosurgeons stratified by gender [44 (49.9%) males and 49 (52,1%) females] enrolled through a questionnaire-based online survey. RESULTS: Ninety-three Italian neurosurgeons were included in this study. The percentage of female participants was 52,1%(49) and 53%(50) were younger than 40 years. Men were significantly more affected than women by complications (14 versus 3), while there was no gender difference in the Covid infection rate. Furthermore the social impact of the Pandemia was the same between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis did not show significant differences between the two genders in the susceptibility, and mortality from COVID-19. The possible and immediate implementation of anti-COVID-19 measures and devices, associated with a lower risk of transmission in the treatment of neurosurgical pathologies, has likely, moderated and disregarded the socio-psychological "gender gap" of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blood-tissue analysis of TP53 polymorphisms and survival of patients with glioma.

BACKGROUND: The role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TP53 in the pathogenesis of glioma is still debated. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of several TP53 SNPs in the risk of glioma and their possible role as prognostic biomarkers of overall and progression-free survival. METHODS: We examined 12 SNPs in TP53 from peripheral blood and neoplastic tissue of patients with a diagnosis of glioma who underwent surgery from 2012 to 2015. Direct genomic sequencing of TP53 was performed to detect the presence of polymorphisms. We compared data with a matched cancer-free control group and the NCBI SNPs database. Overall and progression-free survival were analyzed in patients with glioblastoma subjected to gross total resection and concomitant radio-chemotherapy. RESULTS: No association was observed with glioma susceptibility and overall survival. Two new SNPs were detected: c.97-46 G>A (intron 3) and c.783-31 A>G (intron 7). The number of SNPs observed was higher (21.4%) in blood than in tumoral samples. We observed a significant reduction in progression-free survival in patients with at least one exonic SNP. CONCLUSIONS: We can hypothesize an involvement of TP53 SNPs in response mechanisms to adjuvant treatment that may affect progression-free survival. Moreover, our blood-tissue combined study revealed a significant difference in SNPs between blood and tumoral samples, probably due to glioma heterogeneity and genomic instability.

P-Tau as prognostic marker in long term follow up for patients with shunted iNPH.

Objective: Diagnosis of idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) relies solely on clinical and radiological criteria while, unlike other neurological diseases, the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid markers is not used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the overlapping of neurodegenerative diseases affects the long-term shunt efficacy and this occurrence should be detected before surgery. Therefore, we performed this study in order to assess the correlation between pre-surgical levels of CSF Beta Amyloid protein, Total Tau protein and Phospho-Tau protein with long-term clinical outcome. Methods: Between March 2012 and May 2016 we prospective evaluated all patients with iNPH according to guidelines criteria and we analysed CSF concentration of these proteins before and during surgery. Two years after surgery we evaluated iNPH score for all patients, grouping them in shunt responders and non-responders. Results: A total of 117 patients were included: Tap Test non-responders were 58 and at two years we had 35 shunt responders and 15 shunt non-responders. We found a significative difference between shunt-responders and shunt non-responders for pre surgical T-Tau (p: 0.02) and for P-Tau (p: 0.01). All the proteins were significantly associated with clinical outcome after surgery with different cut-off values; in particular, having a 'low' value of T-Tau, P-Tau and Aß1-42 resulted in favourable outcome after surgery. Conclusions: Low level of P-Tau is a useful CSF biochemical prognostic factor for good clinical outcome at least two years after shunt; meanwhile a lower Aß1-42 might suggest that the pathophysiology of iNPH could have something in common with other neurodegenerative diseases of the elderly.

SARS-CoV-2 can induce brain and spine demyelinating lesions.

SARS-CoV-2 can attack the central nervous system in the early stages of infection. Headache, anosmia, and dysgeusia are common symptoms. Disturbance of consciousness and seizures can occur as complications in case of severe COVID-19. We described the case of a COVID-19 patient admitted for interstitial pneumonia and seizures. MRI showed newly diagnosed demyelinating lesions. High-dose steroid treatment allowed neurological and respiratory recovery. We speculated a delayed immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2. The virus may lead to a SIRS-like immune disorder or play a role of infective trigger. Prompt invasive treatment should be adopted to avoid hypoxic neurotoxicity and prevent CNS injuries.

Three-Dimensional High-Definition Ventriculoscope: Single-Center Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D), high-definition (HD) endoscopy has been recently introduced in neurosurgery, and its value has been discussed extensively in endonasal skull base surgery. Because there has been no reported clinical series on the use of a recent 3D-HD ventriculoscope, the aim of this study was to describe our initial experience with this novel device. METHODS: Patients consecutively operated on from June 2016 to June 2018 with a 3D-HD ventriculoscope were prospectively collected. The system is a 6-mm, 0-degree optic with a 105-degree field of view, with a central working channel of 2.2-mm diameter and 2 side channels of 1.3-mm diameter. Patients' demographic data, preoperative symptoms, and neurologic status; neuroradiologic data; type of surgery; operative time; intraoperative and postoperative complications, and follow-up data were prospectively recorded and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (age range: 3-84 years) underwent 25 procedures including endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy, biopsy, and cyst fenestration. The technical goal of surgery was obtained in all patients. There were no intraoperative complications, expect for 1 intraoperative epileptic seizure. Postoperative complications included asymptomatic subdural collections in 2 patients, infection, and delayed endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy closure in 1 patient each. Relative limits of the system are its size and the availability of only a 0-degree optic. Image quality appeared satisfactory in all procedures. The lack of a dedicated introducer was resolved, exploiting a vascular "peel-away" system. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-HD technology seems to provide potential advantages in ventricular surgery. This initial experience is promising but must be confirmed by larger series.

Adult bilateral idiopathic occlusion of foramina of Monro: is foraminoplasty really safe and effective?

Idiopathic bilateral occlusion of foramina of Monro is an extremely rare condition in adults and only few cases are reported. Currently, foraminoplasty is indicated as first-line treatment. We reported the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with headache, instability and urinary incontinence. The imaging demonstrated bilateral occlusion of foramina of Monro and consequent biventricular hydrocephalus. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt allowed to treat the hydrocephalus, but it was necessary to remove it for the appearance of peritonitis from salpingitis. Since the initial symptomatology reappeared, according to the literature, we performed an endoscopic foraminoplasty with septostomy. The patient immediately developed short-term memory impairment and subsequently we observed the hydrocephalus recurrence. The positioning of a ventriculo-atrial shunt allowed to improve the symptoms, but the memory remained impaired. In case of bilateral true stenosis of foramina of Monro, foraminoplasty may lead to severe memory impairment. Therefore, cerebrospinal fluid shunting should be considered as an effective and safer treatment.

Computerized gait analysis with inertial sensor in the management of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Gait disturbance (GD) is usually the first and most prominent symptom observed in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). The reversibility of symptoms is related to early diagnosis and treatment. Nowadays early recognition of patients is challenging because GD in the elderly is frequently neglected, leading to late diagnosis and increased disability. In addition, GD is generally assessed by clinical evaluation since computerized gait analysis methods are rarely available. In the present study, we demonstrate the clinical application of an inertial sensor system for gait analysis in iNPH. AIM: The primary aim was to test the sensor performance in quantifying impairment in gait parameters in iNPH. The secondary aim was to detect a range of improvement after CSF subtraction test, which could be considered as predictive of favorable shunt response. DESIGN: We performed a case-control prospective study from March 2012 to May 2014. SETTING: Inpatients at the Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Brescia. POPULATION: We enrolled 79 patients with clinical and radiological findings of iNPH and 300 healthy adults over 70 years old without GD as a control group. METHODS: We performed gait analysis, CSF Tap Test (TT), and shunt surgery in all patients with a diagnosis of iNPH according to the International Guidelines. According to clinical outcomes, we divided patients in responsive (group A) and non-responsive (group B). We then compared pre-operative gait analysis of group A with the control group, and calculated the percentage of improvement after TT between group A and group B. RESULTS: Shunt surgery was performed in 52 patients. After 3 months, 35 patients (group A: 67.3%) showed a positive response to shunt. We quantified the impaired gait parameters in iNPH and assessed the differences with controls. Improvement of speed, stride length and double support time after TT was predictive of positive shunt response. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed inertial sensor system is a reliable and easy-to-use system for early detection of iNPH and may be used in any clinical setting. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Identification of a GD pattern for iNPH, especially in rehabilitation, may be useful for recognizing patients who are candidates for surgery, thus avoiding permanent disability.

Acute functional reactivation of the language network during awake intraoperative brain mapping.

Acute brain plasticity during resection of central lesions has been recently described. In the cases reported, perilesional latent networks, useful to preserve the neurological functions, were detected in asymptomatic patients. In this paper, we presented a case of acute functional reactivation (AFR) of the language network in a symptomatic patient. Tumor resection allowed to acutely restore the neurological deficit. Intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) and functional neuroimaging showed new epicentres of activation of the language network after tumor excision. DCS in awake surgery is mandatory to reveal AFR needful to improve the extent of resection preserving the quality of life.

Cerebral Wegener's granuloma: surgery mandatory for diagnosis and treatment.

The involvement of the central nervous system in case of Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is infrequent and usually leads to cranial nerve abnormalities, cerebrovascular events, and seizures. Meningeal involvement is quite rare and usually is due to the spreading from adjacent disease in the skull base. We described the case of a remote intraparenchymal Wegener's granuloma in a 55-year-old man presenting with seizures and a history of severe generalized WG. The radiological findings were not useful for the diagnosis, and the pharmacological treatment was ineffective. The importance of a surgery in case of localized WG has been emphasized, in order to confirm the diagnosis and to avoid additional medicaments, like antiepileptic drugs, potentially harmful in immunosuppressed patients.