Survival following vertebral compression fractures in population over 65 years old.

BACKGROUND: Lower mortality has been demonstrated when vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are treated surgically (vertebral augmentation) vs. conservatively. AIMS: To analyze the overall survival in patients over 65 who suffer a VCF, to review the principal causes of death, and to detect which factors are associated with a greater risk of mortality. METHODS: Patients over 65 years old diagnosed with acute, non-pathologic thoracic or lumbar VCF, treated consecutively from January 2017 to December 2020, were retrospectively selected. Those patients with follow-ups under 2 years or who required arthrodesis were excluded. Overall survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in survival were tested through the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the association of covariates and time to death. RESULTS: A total of 492 cases were included. Overall mortality was 36.2%. Survival rate at 1-, 12-, 24-, 48-, and 60-month follow-up was 97.4%, 86.6%, 78.0%, 64.4%, and 59.4%, respectively. Infection was the leading cause of death. The independent factors associated with a higher mortality risk were age, male, oncologic history, non-traumatic mechanism, and comorbidity during hospitalization. No statistical difference was found when comparing the two survival curves by treatment (vertebral augmentation vs. conservative) over time. CONCLUSION: Overall mortality rate was 36.2% after a median follow-up of 50.5 months (95% CI 48.2; 54.2). Age, male sex, history of oncological disease, non-traumatic mechanism of the fracture, and any comorbidity during hospitalization were identified as variables independently associated with a higher risk of mortality following a VCF in the elderly.

Vertebral compression fractures: pain relief, progression and new fracture rate comparing vertebral augmentation with brace.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is the third most frequent fragility fracture in the world. Conservative treatment, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty are all recognized therapies. However, diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations must be more consistent when comparing clinical guidelines. This study aims to compare the efficacy of vertebral augmentation therapy and conservative management for treating VCFs, the risk of subsequent complications, and the length of hospital stay. METHOD: All patients over 50 years old with a diagnosis of thoracic or lumbar VCF without underlying oncological process, treated conservatively or surgically, and consecutively attended at our department from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively selected for analysis. Patients who missed follow-up or died during the first three months were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 573 cases were selected for analysis. Most patients were treated conservatively (85.3%). Both groups were homogenous regarding epidemiological and clinical features. The median time elapsed to achieve pain relief was significantly lower in the surgical cohort (4.5 vs. 10 weeks, p < 0.001), and the proportion of patients reporting pain at the first outpatient visit was also significantly lower with a vertebral augmentation procedure (p = 0.004). The new fracture rate and the adjacent level rate did not differ significantly when comparing both treatments, whereas the progression of the diagnosed fracture was more frequent in the conservative group (4.8% vs. 29.7%; p < 0.001). The median hospital stay was significantly lower in the conservative group (3 vs. 10 days; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment (vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty) of VCFs was associated with sooner pain relief without an increased risk of new or adjacent fractures. Moreover, the progression of treated fractures was significantly lower in the surgical cohort. The only unfavorable aspect was the more extended hospital stay compared with the conservative treatment group.

Oral extrusion of a vertebral body replacement device after chordoma tumor growth and radiation: case report and review.

BACKGROUND: Screw migration following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a very rare complication and it is often related to device failure. Even more exceptional is the extrusion of an intervertebral graft. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the second case of migration and extrusion through the oral cavity of a cervical vertebral body replacement device (expandable cylinder) in a patient that had undergone cervical corpectomy due to a vertebral chordoma. CONCLUSION: The antecedent of radiation therapy as well as progressive tumor re-growth may have favored the development of this complication. A literature review is added.

Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon: experimental models.

One of the most life-threatening complications after the obliteration of intracranial arteriovenous malformations is the development of oedema and/or multifocal haemorrhage. Two main theories have been postulated so far in order to explain this situation. On one hand, "normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon" is based on the loss of cerebral vessel autoregulation due to the chronic vasodilation of perinidal microcirculation. On the other hand, the "occlusive hyperaemia" deals with thrombotic and venous obstruction phenomena that may also generate such manifestations. The aim of this study is to resume the main concepts of the "normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon" theory as well as the related animal models described up to date, their advantages and disadvantages, and the main conclusions obtained as a result of the experimental research.

Long-term quality of life after decompressive craniectomy.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy (DC) for any pathology that has caused life-threatening intracranial hypertension. Similarly, it aims to evaluate QoL perceived by caregivers or external informants. In addition to that, the last purpose is to determine which clinical or therapeutic factors could correlate with a better QoL. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was designed. All patients over 18 years old who underwent a supratentorial DC at our department due to intracranial hypertension of any etiology, from January 2015 to December 2021, were retrospectively selected. Patients with incomplete follow-up (under 1 year from the event or those who died) or who declined to participate in the study were excluded. QoL was assessed with SF-36 and CAVIDACE scales. The correlation between clinical and therapeutic variables and SF-36 subscales was studied with Spearman's correlation and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: A total of 55 consecutive patients were recruited: 22 patients had died, three were missed for follow-up, and 15 declined to participate, thus 15 subjects were finally included. The mean follow-up was 47 months (IQR 21.5-67.5). A significant reduction in the "role physical" and "role emotional" subscales of SF-36 was observed compared with the general population. According to caregivers, a significant reduction was assigned to the "physical wellbeing" and "rights" domains. The "physical functioning" score was poorer in women, older patients, those with dominant hemisphere disease, those who required tracheostomy, and those with poor outcomes in the modified Rankin scale. A strong correlation was found between the QoL index at the CAVIDACE scale and the SF-36 subscales "physical functioning" and "role physical". Conclusion: Most patients and caregivers reported acceptable QoL after DC due to a life-threatening disease. A significant reduction in SF- 36 subscales scores "role limitation due to physical problems" and "role limitation due to emotional problems" was referred by patients. According to caregivers' QoL perception, only 25% of the survey's participants showed low scores in the QoL index of the CAVIDACE scale. Only 26.7% of the patients showed mood disorders.

Sinking bone flap due to overdrainage of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A case report and review of the literature.

The widespread use of decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty has led to a better understanding of its complications. However, cases of a sunken bone flap have hardly ever been described. We present the eighth case reported up to date and perform a review of the literature of this sporadic complication. A 40-year-old Caucasian male suffered a traumatic brain injury that required a decompressive craniectomy. One month after initial trauma autologous cranioplasty was performed. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was also placed. Neurological status progressively improved but his therapist noted cognitive status decline 8 months later. Follow-up computed tomography showed a progressive sinking bone flap. The patient underwent bone flap removal and a custom-made calcium phosphate-based implant was inserted, leading to symptoms resolution. Bone resorption has been described as the main cause of sinking bone flap following cranioplasty. This entity may manifest with symptoms of overdrainage in patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunt devices.

Tunneled antibiotic-impregnated vs. bolt-connected, non-coated external ventricular drainage: a comparison of complications.

Background: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is a common emergency neurosurgical procedure, but it is not free of adverse events. The aim of this study is to compare the complication rate of two frequently used EVD types, namely, tunneled antibiotic-impregnated catheters (Bactiseal©) and bolt-connected non-coated devices (Camino©). Methods: All EVDs placed between 1 March 2015 and 31 December 2017 were registered. Procedures performed with any catheter different from Bactiseal© or Camino© EVD with incomplete follow-up and those EVDs placed due to infectious disease were excluded. Demographic and clinical variables, as well as the overall complication rate (infection, hemorrhage, obstruction, malposition of the catheter, and involuntary pull-out of the device) and the need for replacement of the EVD, were collected. Results: A total of 77 EVDs were finally considered for analysis (40 Bactiseal® and 37 Camino®). There was a statistically significant difference in diagnosis and also in the location of the procedure, as more bolt-connected EVD was placed outside the operating room (97.3 vs. 23.5%, p < 0.001) due to emergent pathologies such as vascular diseases and spontaneous hemorrhages. In the univariate analysis, a statistically significantly higher rate of catheter involuntary pull-out (29.7 vs. 7.5%, p = 0.012) and the need for EVD replacement (32.4 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.035) was found in the Camino cohort. However, those differences could not be confirmed with multivariable analysis, which showed no association between the type of catheter and any of the studied complications. Ventriculostomy duration was identified as a risk factor for infection (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). Conclusion: No significant differences were observed regarding infection, hemorrhage, obstruction, malposition, involuntary catheter pull-out, and the need for EVD replacement when comparing non-impregnated bolt-connected EVDs (Camino®) with tunneled antibiotic-impregnated catheters (Bactiseal®). The duration of EVD was associated with an increased risk of infection.

Chondromyxoid fibroma of the lumbar spine: case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a benign tumour of the bone that typically occurs in long bone metaphysis. Spinal involvement is uncommon, but more frequent in the cervical and thoracic segments. Lumbar involvement is extremely rare. We report the ninth case of lumbar CMF and the first one involving the articular process of the vertebra. A review of the literature is also intended making special emphasis on the differential diagnosis with other benign spinal tumours of the bone. METHODS: A 21-year-old Caucasian male suffering from low back pain that increased with sports and interrupted sleep was diagnosed with a tumoural lesion in the right inferior articular process of L5. RESULTS: Complete surgical excision of the tumour was accomplished. Histological diagnosis confirmed a CMF. The patient remains asymptomatic at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Despite the low incidence of CMF in the lumbar spine, differential diagnosis must include this subtype of lesion among other benign tumours of the bone and cartilage. Histological diagnosis is essential in order to provide the patient with an accurate management of the pathology. Recurrence rate is to be considered even in the case of complete surgical excision. Radiotherapy administration is controversial due to suspicion of malignant transformation of the tumour.

Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon: what still remains unknown.

We report two cases of normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon after total brain arteriovenous malformation removal. Hereby, we demonstrate that not only autoregulation impairment in the ipsilateral hemisphere occurs but also contralateral remote vessels response does. Such findings may be observed at 2-4 weeks and may resolve after 1-3 months.

[Antibiotic-impregnated catheters. A useful tool against infection]. / Catéteres impregnados con antibiótico. Una herramienta útil frente a la infección.

Progress in the treatment of hydrocephalus and particularly of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion surgery has been continuous and significant from cranial bandaging, which was one of the initial hydrocephalus treatments in the 16th century, to last-generation CSF shunts. However, infection currently remains the most frequent and serious complication despite the efforts made to prevent it. One of these current prevention measures is the use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters. A retrospective cohort study including shunts and external ventricular drains was designed to assess their efficacy in our scenario. The results show that rifampicin- and clindamycin-impregnated catheters are a helpful tool against CSF shunt-derived infection.

Neurosurgical emergency management during the lockdown period in health care regions in Spain with different COVID-19 impact: lessons learned to improve outcomes on the future waves.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has overloaded health care systems, testing the capacity and response in every European region. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of resources' reorganization on certain emergency pathology management. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the outbreak (in terms of reduction of neurosurgical emergencies) during lockdown in different regions of Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the impact of the outbreak in four different affected regions by descriptive statistics and univariate comparison with same period of two previous years. These regions differed in their incidence level (high/low) and in the time of excess mortality with respect to lockdown declaration. That allowed us to analyze their influence on the characteristics of neurosurgical emergencies registered for every region. RESULTS: 1185 patients from 18 neurosurgical centers were included. Neurosurgical emergencies that underwent surgery dropped 24.41% and 28.15% in 2020 when compared with 2019 and 2018, respectively. A higher reduction was reported for the most affected regions by COVID-19. Non-traumatic spine experienced the most significant decrease in number of cases. Life-threatening conditions did not suffer a reduction in any health care region. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected dramatically the neurosurgical emergency management. The most significant reduction in neurosurgical emergencies occurred on those regions that were hit unexpectedly by the pandemic, as resources were focused on fighting the virus. As a consequence, life-threating and non-life-threatening conditions' mortality raised. Results in regions who had time to prepare for the hit were congruent with an organized and sensible neurosurgical decision-making.

Intracranial hypertension in two cases of craniometaphyseal dysplasia: differing surgical options.

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a very rare bone disorder characterized by abnormally developed metaphyses in long bones and sclerosis of the craniofacial bones. In this paper, the authors report 2 cases of children diagnosed with CMD and chronic intracranial hypertension with deletion in exon 9 of the human ANK gene (ANKH). After intracranial monitoring, a different treatment was chosen for each patient. One of the patients was treated using CSF shunting because ventriculomegaly in the absence of a Chiari malformation was also observed on cerebral MR imaging. The other patient underwent cranial expansion and decompressive craniotomy of the posterior fossa, because ventriculomegaly was excluded after cerebral MR imaging and cervical MR imaging showed a Chiari malformation Type I. The origin of intracranial hypertension in CMD is multifactorial. Previous intracranial pressure monitoring and a thorough understanding of neuroimaging studies are essential to achieve an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

[Schwannoma of the brachial plexus resembling a breast adenocarcinoma metastasis]. / Neurinoma del plexo braquial simulando metastasis de adenocarcinoma de mama.

Schwanomas originating from the brachial plexus, although rare, may be mistaken for another type of tumour. A 40 year-old woman, who had been treated years earlier for a breast adenocarcinoma, showed in the 5-year follow-up magnetic resonance examination a localized lesion in the right brachial plexus. The presumptive radiological diagnosis was a metastasis from the primary adenocarcinoma. Following surgical access via the right axilla, a well-circumscribed mass in the brachial plexus was detected. Under intraoperative electrophysiological guidance, the lesion was observed to depend on the ulnar nerve and its complete resection was possible without compromising nerve function. Histological findings indicated a schwannoma thus ruling out the presence of metastasis. The postoperative development was uneventful and six years after surgery, the patient is to date tumour-free. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a brachial plexus schwannoma arising from the ulnar branch. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring is essential for a good surgical outcome.

Protective effect of rifampicin and clindamycin impregnated devices against Staphylococcus spp. infection after cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a major complication of cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures. The present report assesses the efficacy of such catheters in both shunts and external ventricular drains (EVDs) against infection and particularly against Staphylococcus spp. infection. METHODS: All shunt and EVD procedures performed by means of antibiotic-impregnated catheters (AICs) and non-AICs during the period of study were registered. In cases of shunt procedures, a minimal follow-up of 90 days was considered, as well as de novo insertion and catheter revisions. Single valve revisions were not included. In cases of EVD procedures, those catheters removed before the fifth post-insertion day were not included. A total of 119 cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures performed with AICs were studied in comparison with 112 procedures performed by means of non-AICs. RESULTS: Antibiotic-impregnated catheters were associated with a significant decrease in both overall and staphylococcal infection (p = 0.030 and p = 0.045, respectively). The number needed to treat for AICs was 8 to prevent one infection and 14 to prevent one staphylococcal infection. When comparing with shunts, the use of EVDs was associated with a 37-fold increased likelihood of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-impregnated catheters are a safe and helpful tool to reduce CSF shunting device-related infections.

Neuroprotective effect of indomethacin in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

Loss of cerebral autoregulation in normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon has been reported in other Central Nervous System diseases such as neonatal intraventricular haemorrhage. Several studies have demonstrated that low-dose indomethacin prevents this latter condition. A previous rat model was used to resemble NPPB phenomenon. Study animals were distributed in 4 groups that received 3 doses of indomethacin at different concentrations prior to fistula occlusion 60 days after its creation. Control animals received saline solution. Intracranial pressure (ICP) increased in all groups following fistula creation, whereas mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) decreased as a manifestation of cerebral hypoperfusion and intracranial hypertension. The administration of indomethacin was associated with raised MAP and CPP, as well as decreased ICP. Sodium fluorescein extravasation was slight in study animals when comparing with control ones. Histological analysis evidenced diffuse ischaemic changes with signs of neuronal apoptosis in all brain layers in control animals. These findings were only focal and slight in study animals. The results suggest the usefulness of indomethacin to revert, at least partially, the haemodynamic effects of NPPB phenomenon in this experimental model, as well as to reduce BBB disruption and histological ischemia observed in absence of indomethacin.

Experimental rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-reperfusion mimicking normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) phenomenon is a major life-threatening complication that restricts the treatment of complex intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The aim of the study it to develop a rat model mimicking NPPB phenomenon that enables the evaluation of any therapy to prevent such complication. METHODS: Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to either a study or a control group. Study animals underwent an end-to-side left external jugular vein-common carotid artery anastomosis and ligation of bilateral external carotid arteries. Control animals only underwent ligation of bilateral external carotid arteries. All animals were sacrificed sixty days after the procedure. Hemodynamic parameters [mean arterial pressure (MAP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)], blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability (measured by fluorescein staining) and histological features were then compared between both groups. RESULTS: A significant decrease in MAP and CPP was confirmed in the study group. An increase in ICP was also observed. A significant decrease in MAP and CPP was also present in the study group when comparing preoperative values with those recorded on days 0 (postoperative), 7 and 60. Fluorescein staining findings were consistent with signs of BBB disruption in study animals. Histological analysis demonstrated an increased number of pyknotic neurons in the ipsilateral hemisphere of rat brains included in the study group. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that this model mimics a vascular steal state with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion comparable to patients with AVMs behavior and disruption of the BBB after fistula closure comparable to NPPB phenomenon disorders.

Intraventricular haemorrhage caused by the rupture of a dural arteriovenous malformation of the middle cranial fossa.

Dural arteriovenous malformations of the middle cranial fossa are very rare. Venous drainage flows either through superficial leptomeningeal veins or through the sphenoparietal, sphenopetrous and/or sphenobasilar sinuses. They often have an aggressive course and therefore poor outcome. It is essential to analyse and understand the angioarchitecture of the dural arteriovenous malformations in order to select and plan the correct treatments. We describe an exceptional case of intraventricular haemorrhage caused by the rupture of a dural arteriovenous malformation of the middle cranial fossa. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such characteristics described in the literature.

Intraventricular cryptococcoma mimicking a neoplastic lesion in an immunocompetent patient with hydrocephalus: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of cryptococcosis as one of the most common fungal infections of the central nervous system, stressing the consideration of a cryptococcoma within the list of differential diagnosis of intraventricular masses in immunocompetent hosts. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of an immunocompetent 41-year-old female from Philippines with an intraventricular cryptococcoma due to Cryptococcus neoformans, mimicking an intraventricular primary brain tumor, who had hydrocephalus. She was approached as having a neoplastic lesion and underwent surgical resection plus third ventriculostomy through endoscopy. Later in her evolution, we realized the infectious nature of the lesion, and antifungal systemic therapy was initiated. In the end, she needed the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to maintain a good neurologic status. Despite all our efforts, she had a fatal outcome due to various complications. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first intraventricular cryptococcoma due to C. neoformans, as far as we know, to be reported in English, German, or Spanish literature. Our report stresses the importance to consider this kind of infection in immunocompetent patients, to raise the level of suspicion of this diagnosis, and to know the complications and management options.

Penetrating brain injury by drill bit.

Non-missile low velocity penetrating brain injuries are unusual among civilian population. They show specific characteristics different from missile wounds. In this paper we describe a rare case of self-inflicted penetrating head trauma by electric drill. We document neuroimaging studies and review the management concerning this pathology. To our knowledge, this is the first case of intracranial retained drill bit with such radiological findings reported in the literature. An 80-year-old male with no previous psychiatric disorder presented at our hospital after suffering an accident while working with an electric drill. Physical examination revealed right lower extremity plegia and three penetrating scalp wounds to the left parasagittal region. Skull X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated an intracranial metallic foreign body located in the left parietal lobe and an intraparenchymal hematoma with no mass effect close to the foreign body. The patient was taken to the operating room to remove the drill bit fragment. Antibiotic and antiseizure prophylaxis were administered. Postoperative computed tomography confirmed no residual metallic fragments and functional recovery was excellent. After psychiatric assessment, suicide attempt was confirmed and antidepressive therapy was then started. On follow-up, no complication was documented. It is essential to exclude penetrating brain trauma whenever a scalp wound is noticed in order to provide proper treatment and prevention care. The permanent neurological deficit in low velocity injuries is related to the degree and location of the primary injury. It also depends on an early diagnosis and treatment and the absence of delayed complications.