Embolization of the middle meningeal artery for the prevention of chronic subdural hematoma recurrence in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial-the EMPROTECT study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has been proposed as a treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The benefit of the procedure has yet to be demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. We aim to assess the efficacy of MMA embolization in reducing the risk of CSDH recurrence 6 months after burr-hole surgery compared with standard medical treatment in patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence. METHODS: The EMPROTECT trial is a multicenter open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 12 French centers. Adult patients (≥18 years) operated for CSDH recurrence or for a first episode with a predefined recurrence risk factor are randomized 1:1 to receive either MMA embolization within 7 days of the burr-hole surgery (experimental group) or standard medical care (control group). The number of patients to be included is 342. RESULTS: The primary outcome is the rate of CSDH recurrence at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include the rate of repeated surgery for a homolateral CSDH recurrence during the 6-month follow-up period, the rate of disability and dependency at 1 and 6 months, defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥4, mortality at 1 and 6 months, total cumulative duration of hospital stay during the 6-month follow-up period, directly or indirectly related to the CSDH and embolization procedure-related complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: The EMPROTECT trial is the first RCT evaluating the benefit of MMA embolization as a surgical adjunct for the prevention of CSDH recurrence. If positive, this trial will have a significant impact on patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04372147.

Surgical treatment of hemifacial spasms: how to predict failure and complications through a series of 200 patients.

Primary hemifacial spasm (pHFS) is a benign but disabling movement disorder caused by a neurovascular conflict involving the facial nerve. Surgical treatment by microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective therapeutic. Predictors of surgical failure and surgical complications are still lacking. The aim of this study is to identify such predictors through the retrospective analysis of a series of 200 consecutive patients. All patients who underwent MVD for pHFS from January 1991 to December 2017 were included. All patients had at least two years follow-up. In addition to the demographic data, the outcome and the complications were collected. The primary outcome analysis showed that 7.5% of patients had a recurrence. Multiple and AICA related neurovascular conflicts were statistically associated to a higher recurrence rate after MVD (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.02). Permanent facial palsy occurred in 2.5% of patients, hearing loss in 9.0% (2.0% of complete unilateral impairment) and dizziness in 2.5%. The risk of each of these peripheral neurological impairments was statistically increased by a long duration between the first pHFS symptom and the MVD (p < 0.001). In case of recurrence, a second MDV was offered. Long term follow-up showed that all patients had a complete resolution of the HFS. Post-operative complication rate was not significantly increased after a second MVD. Multiple and AICA related neurovascular conflicts are associated to a higher risk of surgical failure. When a pHFS recurrence occurs, a second surgical procedure is associated with excellent outcome without significant increase of post-operative complications and should therefore be recommended.

Rescue Epidural Saline Patch for Comatose Patients With Refractory Convexity Spontaneous Subacute Subdural Hematoma: Case Report.

Objectives: Convexity spontaneous subacute subdural hematoma (CSSSH) frequently relapse after one or more surgical drainages. This may be due to spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), for which the gold standard treatment is the epidural blood patch. In this study, we report 4 cases of refractory CSSSH treated with rescue epidural saline patch, although history and imaging studies showed no evidence of SIH. Methods: All 4 patients received a lumbar saline epidural rescue patch for consciousness impairment associated with refractory CSSSH, and one is particularly detailed. No patient had typical radiologic signs of SIH or, on the contrary, uncal herniation that could have indicated intracranial hypertension. Results: The Glasgow Coma Scale score improved significantly in the days after application of the epidural patch in 3 patients. All patients showed an improvement of the CT scan. Two patients underwent lumbar pressure measurement to confirm low values before the epidural injection, and for one, the intrathecal pressure profile during epidural patching is presented. Discussion: An epidural patch may be considered in managing CSSSH with no uncal herniation, even in the absence of signs of SIH on brain and spinal imaging. Whether it should be combined with surgical evacuation or used as first-line therapy remains to be determined.

Ethical Management of COVID-19 Pandemic at a Neurological Hospital: The Ethicovid Report.

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was necessary to prepare for the possibility of triaging patients who could benefit from access to an intensive care unit (ICU). In our neuroscience institution, the challenge was to continue to manage usual neurological emergencies as well as the influx of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We report the experience of an ethical consulting unit to support care clinical decisions during the first wave of the pandemic (March 16 to April 30, 2020). Three objective evaluation criteria were defined: 2 of these criteria, patient's factors and general disease severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score II), were common to all patients, and the third was the specific severity of the disease (neurological for brain injury, respiratory for COVID-19). Given our scarce resources, we used a high probability of a 3-month modified Rankin Scale ≤3 as the criterion for further resuscitation and management. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients were admitted during the first pandemic wave; 111 with COVID-19 and 184 with neurological emergencies. The ethical unit's expertise was sought for 75 clinical situations in 56 patients (35 COVID-19 and 21 neurological). Decisions were as follows: 11% no limitation on care, 5% expectant care with reassessment (maximum therapy to assess possible progress pending decision), 67% partial limitation (no intensification of care or no transfer to ICU), and 17% limitation of curative care. At no time did a lack of availability of ICU beds require the ethical unit to advise against admission to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Our ethical consulting unit allowed for collegial ethical decision-making in line with international recommendations. This model could be easily transferred to other triage situations, provided it is adapted to the local context.

Preservation of frontal white matter tracts in ventricular surgery: favoring an anterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach vs a transcortical transfrontal transventricular approach.

Secondary to the creation of a surgical corridor and retraction, white matter tracts degenerate, causing long-term scarring with potential neurological consequences. Third and lateral ventricle tumors require surgery that may lead to cognitive impairment. Our objective is to compare the long-term consequences of a transcortical transfrontal approach and an interhemispheric transcallosal approach on corpus callosum and frontal white matter tracts degeneration. Surgical patients with ventricular tumor accessible through both approaches were included and clinico-radiological data were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was the callosotomy length at 3-month post-operative T1 MRI, corrected by the extension of the tumor and the use of neuronavigation. Secondary outcomes included perioperative criteria such as bleeding, use of retractors and duration, FLAIR hypersignal on 3-month MRI, and re-do surgeries. To assess white matter tract interruption, 3-month FLAIR hypersignal was superposed to a tractography atlas. Seventy patients were included, 57 (81%) in the transfrontal group and 13 (19%) in the interhemispheric group. There was no difference in the mean callosotomy length on 3-month MRI (12.3 mm ± 5.60 transfrontal vs 11.7 mm ± 3.92 interhemispheric, p = 0.79) on univariate and multivariate analyses. The callosotomy length was inferior by - 3.13 mm for tumors located exclusively in the third ventricle (p = 0.016), independent of the approach. Retractors were used more often in transfrontal approaches (60% vs 33%, p < 0.001). The extent of frontal FLAIR hypersignal was higher after transfrontal approach (14.1 mm vs 0.525 mm, p < 0.001), correlated to the use of retractors (p < 0.05). After the interhemispheric approach, no tract other than corpus callosum was interrupted, whereas, after the transfrontal approach, frontal arcuate fibers and projections from the thalamus were interrupted in all patients, the cingulum in 19 (33%), the superior fronto-occipital fasciculus in 15 (26%), and the superior longitudinal fasciculus in 2 (3%). Transfrontal and interhemispheric approaches to the third and lateral ventricles both lead to the same long-term damage to the corpus callosum, but the transfrontal approach interrupts several white matter tracts essential to cognitive tasks such as attention and planning, even in the non-dominant hemisphere. These results encourage all neurosurgeons to be familiar with both approaches and favor the interhemispheric approach when both can give access to the tumor with a comparable risk. Neuropsychological studies are necessary to correlate these anatomical findings to cognitive outcomes.

Multivariate models to predict pain recurrence and sensitive complications after percutaneous balloon compression in trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) is a popular treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia. However, the efficacy of PBC is widely considered to be associated with the occurrence of sensitive complications, although neither this correlation nor the underlying mechanisms have been established. The objectives of the present study were to identify factors predicting time to pain recurrence after PBC and identify factors predicting a severe sensitive complication. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study on patients who underwent PBC for the first time between 1985 and 2019 in two French hospitals. Data were retrieved from patients' medical records. Potential clinical and radiological predictors for time to pain recurrence and severe sensitive complication were evaluated using a Cox model and a logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included in the study, with a median follow-up of 3.0 years. Pain recurrence occurred in 77 patients, and the median time to pain recurrence was 2.0 years. In the multivariate analysis, six independent factors predicting pain recurrence were identified: 1) longer duration of presurgical symptoms; 2) localization of the pain along the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V3); 3) atypical pain; 4) diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; 5) use of a medical device not specifically adapted for trigeminal neuralgia surgery; and 6) duration of balloon compression > 60 seconds. Regarding the secondary objective, 26 patients presented a severe sensitive complication after PBC, which the authors defined as the development of a new sensitivity disorder of the cornea, deafferentation pain known as anesthesia dolorosa, and/or long-lasting hypoesthesia augmentation characterized by the new appearance or increase in size or intensity of an area of hypoesthesia in the face for at least 3 months. The only predictor associated with a severe sensitive complication in the multivariate analysis was compression duration > 60 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the risk of postoperative complications can be assessed at the patient level, the most important modifiable parameter being the time of compression by the balloon. Although this study shows the relevance of a personalized medicine approach, its clinical application remains to be validated.

Interhemispheric transcallosal approach: going further based on the vascular anatomy.

Preserving cortical frontal bridging veins draining into the superior sagittal sinus is a factor of good neurological outcome in anterior interhemispheric transcallosal approaches, classically performed to reach intraventricular tumors. Challenging the idea that veins are utterly variable, we propose a statistical analysis of 100 selective cerebral angiographies to determine where to place the craniotomy in order to expose the most probable vein-free area. The mean distance to the first pre-coronal vein was 6.66 cm (± 1.73, 1.80 to 13.00) and to the first post-coronal vein 0.94 cm (± 0.92, 0 to 3.00) (p < 0.001). The probability of absence of bridging veins was 92.0% at 4 cm anterior to the coronal suture versus 37.5% at 1 cm and 12.5% at 2 cm posteriorly. The length of the surgical corridor (distance between the first pre-coronal and post-coronal vein) was 7.60 cm (± 1.72, 3.00 to 14.10). Overall, the ideal centering point of the craniotomy was 2.86 cm (± 1.08, - 0.65 to 6.50) ahead of the coronal suture. The mean number of veins within 6 cm behind the coronal suture was 8.47 (± 2.11, from 3 to 15) versus 0.530 (± 0.82, from 0 to 3) ahead of the coronal suture (p < 0.001). These findings support a purely pre-coronal 5 cm craniotomy for interhemispheric approaches.

Microsurgical Transcranial Approach of 112 Paraoptic Meningiomas: A Single-Center Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of visual outcomes after optic nerve decompression are controversial. OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictors of poor visual outcomes after surgery of meningiomas responsible of a compressive optic neuropathy. METHODS: We focused on paraoptic meningiomas (POMs), which gathered tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) and anterior clinoid meningiomas (ACMs) responsible for visual impairment or threatening visual function, that underwent surgery at our institution between January 2009 and December 2015 and analyzed the clinical and radiological findings of our patients. RESULTS: Among 112 patients who underwent surgery for a POM, a preoperative visual deficit was present in 108 patients (96.4%). Six months after surgery, 79 patients (70.5%) had a visual improvement, 15 patients (13.4%) had an unchanged vision, and 18 patients (16.1%) had deteriorated vision. A preoperative visual deficit of 6 mo or more was a strong predictor of poor visual outcome after surgery (P = .034). Poor visual outcome after surgery was not significantly related to the size of the tumor (P = .057), the age of the patient (P = .94), or the tumor extension into the optic canal (P = .47). CONCLUSION: The duration of preoperative visual deficit was found to be a strong predictor of poor visual outcomes after surgery in POMs Other predictors of poor visual outcomes are still needed and are currently under evaluation in a prospective study at our institution.

Female gender and exogenous progesterone exposition as risk factors for spheno-orbital meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: The great heterogeneity of meningiomas is challenging and we need to distinguish relevant subgroups. Spheno-orbital osteomeningiomas (SOOM) constitute a clinically specific entity, with slow-growing benign osteo-meningiomatous tumors, which recur after surgery in one fourth of cases. Neurosurgical daily practice, supported by the literature, shows that the vast majority of patients with SOOM are women, and we explored whether their epidemiological and hormonal profiles suggest a progesterone influence. METHODS: We retrospectively documented all radiologically and histologically confirmed cases of SOOM operated in 2005-2019 in our institution. We completed the clinical and hormone history by systematic telephone interviews. RESULTS: In the literature, SOOM occur significantly more often in women than other meningiomas (749/847, 86.4% versus 73.8%, p = 0.002). Among 175 cases, we included 124 patients, 93.5% were women, younger than men (51 ± 5 versus 63 ± 8, p = 0.02). Women' meningiomas showed more progesterone receptors (96.4% versus 50%, p < 0.001). Exogenous hormonal intake, reliable in 82 cases, concerned 83.3% (64/78) of women, with frequent progesterone intake: 13 oestroprogestogenic treatment only, with old-generation progesterone analogs, 41 progesterone analogs (cyproterone acetate, nomegestrol acetate, chlormadinone, promegestone, etonogestrel, levonogestrel), 7 substitutive hormonal therapy for menopause, 3 others. Duration of treatment was 2-40 years, median 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: SOOM develop preferentially in women in their fifties, who often received progesterone analogs, and show progesterone receptors. Progesterone analogs are incriminated in skull base meningiomas, and this is the first report on the prevalence of exogenous hormone therapy specifically in SOOM. Whether SOOM reduce after treatment discontinuation, in particular the osteoma part, needs to be explored. Anti-progesterone treatments may represent an avenue for future research in soom.

Visual Field Defect Before and After Endovascular Treatment of Occipital Arteriovenous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Occipital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) carry a high risk of postoperative morbidity because of their anatomic relation to the visual cortex and optic radiations. Data regarding endovascular management of these lesions are scant. OBJECTIVE: To report our single-center experience with occipital AVMs, most of which were treated endovascularly, with a special interest for postoperative visual impairment. METHODS: From a prospective database, we assessed the clinical and radiological data of all patients with an occipital AVM managed between 1997 and 2018. The extension of the nidus to the primary visual cortex was assessed and correlated to the pre- and postintervention visual symptomatology. Modified Rankin Scale and visual fields (VFs) were assessed pre- and post-treatment and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients (47 males [56.6%]) with an occipital AVM were included in the study. Mean age at presentation was 33.5 ± 15.0 yr (min-max = 7-76). A total of 34 patients (41%) presented with hemorrhage related to the AVM. A total of 57 patients (68.7%) underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) alone, 20 (24.1%) underwent embolization and surgery, 3 (3.6%) underwent embolization and radiosurgery, and 3 (3.6%) were conservatively managed. A complete obliteration of the AVM was achieved in 53 patients (66.3%). A post-treatment worsening of the VF was found in 24 of the treated patients (30%), 3 patients (9%) for ruptured AVMs, and in 21 patients (46%) for unruptured AVMs. Morbidity rate was 3.7% and mortality rate was 2.5%. CONCLUSION: EVT of occipital AVM carries a non-negligible rate of complications, especially regarding visual functions.

Reliability of Bony Landmarks to Predict Intradural Location of Paraclinoid Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: When dealing with paraclinoid carotid aneurysms, the distinction between intradural and extradural location is a major component for decision-making as only intradural aneurysms carry a risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to test the accuracy and reliability of computed tomography (CT) bony landmarks for the distinction between intradural and extradural paraclinoid aneurysms. METHODS: All patients referred to this institution for a single paraclinoid aneurysm were retrospectively identified. The study included only the patients who presented with diffuse SAH, thus proving the intradural location of the aneurysm. The preoperative images were assessed by two physicians in order to locate the aneurysms using the tuberculum sellae (TS) and the optic strut (OS) landmarks. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were included in the study. There were 4 cases (27%) of disagreement with the OS bony landmark and no cases of disagreement with the TS landmark. No aneurysm was consensually considered as extradural by both readers with both bony landmarks; however, five aneurysms (33%) were considered to be extradural by at least one of the physicians with at least one of the two bony landmarks. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed several disagreements when using the OS landmark. More importantly, several aneurysms were considered as extradural with at least one of these two CT bony landmarks, even though they were all associated with an SAH. More reliable and accurate landmarks are warranted.

Nasopharynx access by minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery: anatomical study.

This study was made to assess the possibilities and limits of minimally invasive transoral approach to the nasopharynx using the Da Vinci surgical robot. It was conducted on eleven corpses, without need for palatine split; using surgical robots Da Vinci models S HD and Si HD. We have defined "anatomical key landmarks" on all sides of the nasopharynx, to confirm our hypothesis. All of the nasopharynx could be visualized and transorally reached by the robot with a validation of all the key landmarks. The advantages and shortcomings of this technique were discussed, as well as the ability to use those results on human subjects. This study allowed us to show the possibility to access the nasopharynx by minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery. This new technique opens a new field for surgery of the skull base or the nasopharynx.

Intraoperative Functional Ultrasound Imaging of Human Brain Activity.

The functional mapping of brain activity is essential to perform optimal glioma surgery and to minimize the risk of postoperative deficits. We introduce a new, portable neuroimaging modality of the human brain based on functional ultrasound (fUS) for deep functional cortical mapping. Using plane-wave transmissions at an ultrafast frame rate (1 kHz), fUS is performed during surgery to measure transient changes in cerebral blood volume with a high spatiotemporal resolution (250 µm, 1 ms). fUS identifies, maps and differentiates regions of brain activation during task-evoked cortical responses within the depth of a sulcus in both awake and anaesthetized patients.

Anterior spinal and bulbar artery supply to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery revealed by a ruptured aneurysm: case report.

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is a vessel located between the intra- and extracranial circulation. The artery is characterized by a complex embryological development and numerous anatomical variants. The authors present a case of the PICA supplied by both a hypertrophic anterior spinal artery and a hypoplastic bulbar artery. This unusual arrangement somehow completes the list of previously published variants, and the spontaneous rupture of a related aneurysm confirmed the fragility of this network. The authors discuss anatomical and treatment considerations.

Transoral robotic surgery for sellar tumors: first clinical study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to confirm the feasibility of an innovative transoral robotic surgery (TORS), using the da Vinci Surgical System, for patients with sellar tumors. This technique was designed to offer a new minimally invasive approach, without soft-palate splitting, that avoids the rhinological side effects of classic endonasal approaches. METHODS The authors performed a prospective study of TORS in patients with symptomatic sellar tumors. Specific anatomical features were required for inclusion in the study and were determined on the basis of preoperative open-mouth CT scans of the brain. The main outcome measure was sellar accessibility using the robot. Resection quality, mean operative time, postoperative changes in patients' vision, side effects, and complications were additionally reported. RESULTS Between February and May 2016, 4 patients (all female, mean age 49.5 years) underwent TORS for resection of sellar tumors as participants in this study. All patients presented with symptomatic visual deficits confirmed as bitemporal hemianopsia. All tumors had a suprasellar portion and a cystic part. In all 4 cases, the operation was performed via TORS, without the need for a second surgery. Sella turcica accessibility was satisfactory in all cases. In 3 cases, tumor resection was complete. The mean operative time was 2 hours 43 minutes. Three patients had a significant visual improvement at Day 1. No rhinological side effects or complications in patients occurred. No pathological examination was performed regarding the fluid component of the tumors. There was 1 postoperative delayed CSF leak and 1 case of transient diabetes insipidus. Side effects specific to TORS included minor sore throat, transient hypernasal speech, and 1 case of delayed otitis media. The mean length of hospital stay and mean follow up were 8.25 days and 82 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report of the surgical treatment of sellar tumors by means of a minimally invasive TORS. This approach using the da Vinci Surgical System seems feasible and constitutes an innovative neurosurgical technique that may avoid the adverse side effects and technical disadvantages of the classic transsphenoidal route. Moreover, TORS allows an inferosuperior approach to the sella turcica, which is a key point, as the tumor is approached in the direction of its growth.