Development and initial experience of a novel classification system for patients with brain stem haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: There is no uniform classification standard for brain stem haemorrhage. On the basis of previous experience in the treatment of brainstem haemorrhage, this study explored and established a set of criteria for brainstem haemorrhage classification, risk-stratified such patients and guided the selection of treatment options so as to achieve accurate and standardized diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with brainstem haemorrhage from April 2019 to May 2022 were included. According to the amount and location of the brain stem bleeding, it was divided into the following types: small haemorrhage type (type 1), medium haemorrhage type (lateral type 2a, dorsal type 2b, ventral type 2c), and large haemorrhage type (type 3), and the preoperative condition and postoperative outcome within 3 months were evaluated. RESULTS: The included 30 patients with brainstem haemorrhage were aged 53.2 ±13.8 years old, and 80% were men. Among them, 5 patients were type 1 (16.7%), 2 patients type 2a (6.7%), 7 patients type 2b (23.3%), 5 patients type 2c (16.7%) and 11 patients type 3 (36.7%). The prognosis among these subtypes was significantly different ( p < 0.001). All type 1 patients were cured, with the highest mortality rate in type 2c patients (100%). Compared with type 2b (5.5 ±3.5 days) and type 2c (3.4 ±2.5 days), type 3 patients tend to die within fewer days (2.9 ±2.7 days). The difference in NIHSS scores was significant among surviving patients ( p < 0.001). Type 1 is the lowest at 1.8 ±2.2 points; type 3 is the highest at 35.0 ±3.5 points. CONCLUSIONS: Relying on the anatomical basis and treatment plan, we propose a different classification, which is conducive to quickly identifying the haemorrhage type and degree of disease, and putting forward an appropriate treatment plan, which is expected to improve the patient prognosis.

Imaging characteristics, misdiagnosis and microsurgical outcomes of patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: a retrospective study of 32 patients.

Background: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is an extremely rare spinal vascular malformation. As SDAVF exhibits no specific clinical manifestations nor diverse imaging results, it is easily misdiagnosed, resulting in delayed treatment and irreversible neurological damage. Most patients were initially misdiagnosed, but there were few reports on reducing misdiagnosis. Methods: A total of 32 consecutive patients, who presented to our institution (Shanghai Deji Hospital) with SDAVF between June 2013 and January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, follow-up, and clinical outcomes. The Aminoff-Logue scale (ALS) was used to assess clinical outcomes. Results: Of the 32 enrolled patients (3 females, mean age 59.1±3.8 years), 23 patients (71.9%) were misdiagnosed as acute myelitis (11 patients), intramedullary tumors (6 patients), lumbar disc herniation (4 patients), and other conditions (2 patients). All patients underwent surgical procedures under electrophysiological monitoring. Fistulas were found in all 32 patients and were successfully occluded. The mean follow-up period was 19.22±8.21 months (ranging from 2 weeks to 30 months). One year later, 20 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 14 showed no T2 edema, and the edema was relieved in 6 patients. A total of 10 patients underwent enhancement MRI and no enhancement signs were detected. Among the 27 patients with long-time follow-up, the fistula had no residual or recurrence, 21 patients showed decreased ALS scores (P<0.05). Six patients exhibited nonsignificant improvement. No aggravating patient was found. Prognosis differed significantly between patients with ALS <6 and those with ALS ≥6 (P<0.05). Conclusions: Spinal angiography should be performed with full intubation, and microcatheter angiography can reduce misdiagnosis. SDAVF must be differentiated from acute myelitis, intramedullary tumor, and other spinal vascular malformations. Microsurgical treatment is effective with a low recurrence rate.