Feasibility of stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy for cisternal lavage therapy in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) confers considerable morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Available prevention strategies are insufficient. Cisternal blood clearance by stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy (STX-VCS) and cisternal lavage therapy is a novel concept for DCI prevention. Here, we assess the general feasibility, pitfalls and imaging requirements of STX-VCS after aSAH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 73 aSAH patients admitted between 2008 and 2015 with appropriate imaging for simulation of stereotactic procedures were included. Surgical feasibility of a transventricular trajectory to the basal cisterns was assessed. RESULTS: Transventricular catheter access to the basal cisterns was feasible in 94% of cases. In 6% vascular obstacles precluded a transventricular approach and access to the basal cisterns could be simulated via a transparenchymal trajectory. CT-artifacts that interfered with stereotactic planning were observed in 58% after coiling and 5% after clipping. In these cases stereotactic planning was enabled by MRI. Logistic regression of aneurysm size and distance-to-target allowed for precise prediction whether MRI was required for stereotactic planning of STX-VCS after coiling. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic catheter access to the basal cisterns after aSAH appears to be generally feasible. Coil artifacts compromising CT-based planning can be precisely anticipated and planning enabled by MRI.

Stereotactic Catheter Ventriculocisternostomy for Clearance of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is a major source of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We report a novel intervention-stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy (STX-VCS) and fibrinolytic/spasmolytic lavage therapy-for DCI prevention. Outcomes of 20 consecutive patients are compared with 60 matched controls. METHODS: On the basis of individual treatment decisions, STX-VCS was performed in 20 high-risk aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted to our department between September 2015 and October 2016. Three controls matched for age, sex, aneurysm treatment method, and admission Hunt and Hess grade were assigned to each case treated by STX-VCS. DCI was the primary outcome. Mortality and mRS at rehabilitation discharge were secondary outcome parameters. The association between STX-VCS and DCI, mortality, and mRS was assessed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Stereotactic procedures were performed without surgical complications. Continuous cisternal lavage was feasible in 17 of 20 patients (85%). One adverse event because of cisternal lavage was without sequelae. DCI occurred in 25 of 60 (42%) controls and 3 of 20 (15%) patients with STX-VCS (odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.64). Mortality occurred in 20 of 60 (33%) controls and 1 of 20 (5%) patients with STX-VCS, respectively (odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 - 0.66). Favorable outcome (mRS≤3) at rehabilitation discharge was observed in 12 of 20 patients with STX-VCS (60%) versus 21 of 60 (35%) matched controls (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: STX-VCS was feasible and safe in patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Initial results indicate that DCI and mortality can be reduced, and neurological outcome may be improved with this method.

Residual Tumor Volume as Best Outcome Predictor in Low Grade Glioma - A Nine-Years Near-Randomized Survey of Surgery vs. Biopsy.

Diffuse low grade gliomas (DLGG) are continuously progressive primary brain neoplasms that lead to neurological deficits and death. Treatment strategies are controversial. Randomized trials establishing the prognostic value of surgery do not exist. Here, we report the results of a nine-year near-randomized patient distribution between resection and biopsy. Until 2012, the Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery at the University Medical Center Freiburg were organized as separate administrative units both coordinating DLGG patient treatment independently. All consecutive adult patients with a new diagnosis of DLGG by either stereotactic biopsy or resection were included. Pre- and post-operative tumor volumetry was performed. 126 patients, 87 men (69%), 39 women (31%), median age 41 years, were included. 77 (61%) were initially managed by biopsy, 49 (39%) by resection. A significant survival benefit was found for patients with an initial management by resection (5-year OS 82% vs. 54%). The survival benefit of patients with initial resection was reserved to patients with a residual tumor volume of less than 15 cm(3). Maximum safe resection is the first therapy of choice in DLGG patients if a near-complete tumor removal can be achieved. Accurate prediction of the extent-of-resection is required for selection of surgical candidates.

Surgical Ventricular Entry is a Key Risk Factor for Leptomeningeal Metastasis of High Grade Gliomas.

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of high grade gliomas (HGG) can lead to devastating disease courses. Understanding of risk factors for LM is important to identify patients at risk. We reviewed patient records and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all patients with a first diagnosis of HGG who underwent surgery in our institution between 2008 and 2012. To assess the influence of potential risk factors for LM and the impact of LM on survival multivariate statistics were performed. 239 patients with a diagnosis of HGG and at least 6 months of MRI and clinical follow-up were included. LM occurred in 27 (11%) patients and was symptomatic in 17 (65%). A strong correlation of surgical entry to the ventricle and LM was found (HR: 8.1). Ventricular entry was documented in 137 patients (57%) and LM ensued in 25 (18%) of these. Only two (2%) of 102 patients without ventricular entry developed LM. Median overall survival of patients after diagnosis of LM (239 days) was significantly shorter compared to patients without LM (626 days). LM is a frequent complication in the course of disease of HGG and is associated with poor survival. Surgical entry to the ventricle is a key risk factor for LM.