Tracheostomy decannulation outcomes in 131 consecutive neurosurgical patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study was a retrospective study to investigate factors related to difficult tracheostomy decannulation, and to evaluate outcomes of tracheostomized neurosurgical patients. METHODS: All consecutive tracheostomized neurosurgical patients in the Prince of Wales Hospital between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped into easy decannulation and difficult decannulation groups using 3 months as cut-off time. Risk factors were analysed and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one patients were included. In univariate analyses, male gender, GCS less than or equal to 8 on admission, the presence of vocal cord palsy at 3 months, and pneumonia within 1-month post-tracheostomy were associated with difficult decannulation. In multivariable logistic regression for difficult decannulation, GCS on admission, the presence of vocal cord palsy at 3 months, and the presence of pneumonia within 1-month post-tracheostomy remained statistically significant. The easy decannulation group had a shorter length of in-patient stay, higher survival rate, and more favourable neurological outcome (GOS 4-5) than the difficult decannulation group at both 6 months and 1 year. The majority of easy decannulation group patients (54%) were discharged to home, while the majority of the difficult decannulation group (42%) of patients were discharged to the infirmary. CONCLUSION: GCS less than or equal to 8 on admission, the presence of vocal cord palsy, and the presence of pneumonia were associated with difficult tracheostomy decannulation in neurosurgical patients. Difficult decannulation is associated with a longer length of in-patient stay and poor neurological outcomes.

Development of a Delayed Cerebral Infarction Load Scoring System (DCI Score).

Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is related to unfavorable outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There lacks a clear understanding how the DCI load affects cognitive function after SAH. We conducted a literature review on the clinical classification systems on brain hemorrhages and cerebral infarction and devised a Delayed Cerebral Infarction Load Scoring System (DCI Score). DCI Score significantly correlated with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (-0.334, p = 0.032), Color Trail Test (-0.310, p = 0.032), Hong Kong List Learning Test (-0.318, p = 0.036), Verbal Digit Span Forward (-0.382, p = 0.017), and Visual Digit Span Backward (-0.425, p = 0.012). In conclusion, higher DCI load impacted significantly on memory and executive function. DCI Score is a useful system for clinical quantification of DCI load and clinical research.

Cognitive Outcomes of Patients with Traumatic Bifrontal Contusions.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of cognitive dysfunction in patients with traumatic bifrontal contusions and their association with functional outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients with bifrontal contusions in a regional neurosurgical center in Hong Kong over a 2-year period. Functional outcome was assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and cognitive outcomes were assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: We recruited 34 patients with traumatic bifrontal contusions over a 2-year period. Nine (26%) patients had craniotomy for evacuation of left or right frontal contusions. Functional outcome using mRS was significantly correlated with cognitive outcomes using MMSE or MoCA. The effect of cognitive outcome using MMSE or MoCA persisted after adjustments of age, sex, admission Glasgow Coma Scale, and surgery. In patients who completed the comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, cognitive impairment in at least one of the neuropsychological tests was noted in 73% of them. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive dysfunction had a significant impact on functional outcome, and treatment strategy should be developed to minimize them.

Primary cranial vault lymphoma.

A 49-year-old woman presented to our institution with a progressive frontal scalp swelling for one year. Incisional biopsy was performed and histological examination showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The case details and management were discussed.

The use of atorvastatin for chronic subdural haematoma: a retrospective cohort comparison study.

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition. Burr-hole for drainage is an effective treatment. However, recurrence can be up to 8-33% and is associated with morbidities and mortalities. The underlying pathogenesis was postulated to be localised inflammation and pathological aberrant vessels formation. Atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is a type of lipid-lowering medication. In animal studies and a preliminary clinical trial, Atorvastatin was shown to be effective in the treatment of CSDH. It was found to inhibit inflammation and promote vascular maturation at the neomembrane of CSDH. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Atorvastatin in CSDH. During the study period from January to December 2014, Atorvastatin was used in 12 CSDH patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 13-15 or Markwalder's Grading Scale (MGS) Grade 0-2. They were retrospectively compared with GCS- and MGS-matched controls who had not used statin. Improvement with haematoma resolution at 3 months was 75% (9/12) for the Atorvastatin group, versus 42% (5/12) for the Control group (p = 0.0977). The risk of deterioration requiring burr-hole drainage was 16.7% (2/12) in the Atorvastatin group, versus 58.3% (7/12) in the Control group (p = 0.0447). The Odds Ratio (OR) of deterioration requiring burr-hole drainage with Atorvastatin was 0.143 (95%CI: 0.021-0.958), which favours the use of Atorvastatin in CSDH (p = 0.0451). The Number needed to treat (NNT) was 2.4 (p = 0.0447; 95%CI: 1.31-14.93). In conclusion, this retrospective cohort comparison study has shown that CSDH with Atorvastatin had a lower rate of deterioration and burr-hole drainage.

Intra-arterial revascularization therapy for basilar artery occlusion-a systematic review and analysis.

Acute basilar artery occlusion has been managed aggressively with various modalities due to its potentially debilitating outcome. While intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy with stentriever has established clear evidence for anterior circulation stroke with large vessel occlusion as an adjunct to intravenous thrombolysis or the sole modality in intravenous thrombolysis ineligible patients, similar high-level evidence was not available for intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy of posterior circulation stroke with acute basilar artery occlusion. We hence perform a systematic review of current literature to compare intra-arterial pharmacological thrombolysis (IA-P) and intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy (IA-MT) for acute basilar artery occlusion. Forty-one studies published between 1996 and 2015 were compared and studied by odds ratio analysis using Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio estimation, and time trend analysis using meta-regression. Patients in the IA-MT group were older, presented with more severe stroke, and more likely received treatment more than 12 h since onset of stroke. At 3 months, survival and clinical outcome were superior in the IA-MT group than the IA-P group, associated with higher recanalization rate. There were no difference between proportion of dependent survivors, and rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage across groups. Intra-arterial thrombolysis with mechanical devices led to improved survival, better short-term clinical outcome and higher recanalization rate than intra-arterial pharmacological thrombolysis.

Early Cognitive Domain Deficits in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Correlate with Functional Status.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive deficits commonly occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), although a few studies systemically evaluate its early impact. We hypothesized that early cognitive domain deficits in patients with aSAH correlate with functional status. METHODS: We carried out a prospective observational study in Hong Kong, for which patients with aSAH, aged 21-75 years, who had been admitted within 96 h of ictus were recruited. The cognitive assessment used was the domain-specific neuropsychological assessment battery at 2-4 weeks (n = 74) after ictus. Functional status was measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Lawton Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov of the US National Institutes of Health (NCT01038193). RESULTS: Unfavorable outcome (mRS 3-5) was associated with visuospatial memory domain deficit and language domain deficit. Dependent IADL (score <15) was associated with language domain deficit. INTERPRETATION: Visuospatial memory and language are important determinants of early functional status. Whether early targeted rehabilitation can improve functional status should be assessed in a future study.

Early Cerebral Infarction after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious disease with high case fatality and morbidity. Early cerebral infarction has been suggested as a risk factor for poor outcome. We aimed to assess the pattern of early and delayed cerebral infarction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We prospectively enrolled consecutive aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients presenting to an academic neurosurgical referral center (Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong) in Hong Kong. Cerebral infarction occurred in 24 (48 %) patients, in which 14 (28 %) had early cerebral infarction and 14 (28 %) had delayed cerebral infarction. Early anterior cerebral infarction occurred in a similar proportion of anterior and posterior circulation aneurysms (24 % vs. 21 %), whereas posterior circulation aneurysm patients had a higher proportion of early posterior cerebral infarction compared with anterior circulation aneurysm patients (18 % vs. 2 %). In conclusion, early cerebral infarction was common and different from delayed cerebral infarction.

Location, Infarct Load, and 3-Month Outcomes of Delayed Cerebral Infarction After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a serious disease with high case fatality and morbidity. Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is an important surrogate marker. How location and infarct load affected outcomes was unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of load and location of DCI on outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage at 3 months. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting to an academic neurosurgical unit in Hong Kong during a 3-year period. DCI was defined by new hypoattenuation on computed tomography at 4 to 6 weeks, which was not present in the postaneurysm-treatment computed tomography at 24 to 48 hours. DCI was assessed for location according to cerebral artery territories and load semiquantitatively. Cognitive and functional outcome assessments were carried out 3 months after ictus. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage consented for this study. DCI occurred in 56 (44%) patients and was associated with poorer cognitive and functional outcomes (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, modified Rankin Scale, and Lawton Instrumental Activity of Daily Living) at 3 months. In patients with DCI, the presence of perforator zone infarct was associated with poorer cognitive and functional outcomes, and cortical middle cerebral artery infarct was associated with poorer modified Rankin Scale. After adjustment for age, admission World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade and mode of aneurysm treatment, both middle cerebral artery cortical infarct load and perforator infarct load were independently associated with poor cognitive outcomes (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination) and modified Rankin Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Middle cerebral artery cortical and perforator zone infarct loads are potential surrogate marker to assess the severity of delayed cerebral ischemia.

Cognitive impairment in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral infarction: prevalence and pattern.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits commonly occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and clinical understanding is important for treatment and rehabilitation. Delayed cerebral infarction was shown to be related to poor outcome. Data on delayed cerebral infarction-related cognitive impairment were lacking. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence and pattern of delayed cerebral infarction-associated cognitive impairment. METHODS: We carried out a prospective observational and diagnostic accuracy study in Hong Kong in patients aged 21-75 years with aSAH who had been admitted within 96 h of ictus. The domain-specific neuropsychological assessment battery at 1 year after ictus was used for cognitive assessments. A cognitive domain deficit was defined as a cognitive domain z score less than -1.65 (below the fifth percentile). Cognitive impairment was defined by two or more cognitive domain deficits. The current study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NCT01038193). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty aSAH patients were recruited. Patients with delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) have cognitive impairment more frequently (22 % vs 11 %; odds ratio: 2.2, 0.6 to 7.8, p = 0.192). Cognitive domain deficits commonly affected in aSAH patients with delayed cerebral infarction were verbal memory, language, and visuospatial memory and skill domains, and were relatively uncommon in aSAH patients without delayed cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION: In patients with aSAH, delayed cerebral infarction was associated with a specific pattern of cognitive domain deficits. The pathophysiology should be further investigated.

Cognitive domain deficits in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage at 1 year.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive domain deficits can occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) though few studies systemically evaluate its impact on 1-year outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the pattern and functional outcome impact of cognitive domain deficits in aSAH patients at 1 year. METHODS: We carried out a prospective observational study in Hong Kong, during which, 168 aSAH patients (aged 21-75 years and had been admitted within 96 h of ictus) were recruited over a 26-month period. The cognitive function was assessed by a domain-specific neuropsychological assessment battery at 1 year after ictus. The current study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov of the US National Institutes of Health (NCT01038193). RESULTS: Prevalence of individual domain deficits varied between 7% to 15%, and 13% had two or more domain deficits. After adjusting for abbreviated National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and Geriatric Depressive Scale scores, unfavourable outcome (Modified Rankin Scale 3-5) and dependent instrumental activity of daily living (Lawton Instrumental Activity of Daily Living<15) were significantly associated with two or more domain deficits and number of cognitive domain deficits at 1 year. Two or more domain deficits was independently associated with age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2; p<0.001) and delayed cerebral infarction (OR, 6.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 33.5; p=0.036), after adjustment for years of school education. INTERPRETATION: In patients with aSAH, cognitive domain deficits worsened functional outcomes at 1 year. Delayed cerebral infarction was an independent risk factor for two or more domain deficits at 1 year.

Clinical, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, radiological features and, prognostic significance of delayed cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the profiles and prognostic values of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and delayed cerebral infarction. METHODS: IMASH (Intravenous Magnesium Sulphate for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage) was registered at http://www.strokecenter.org/trials , and http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00124150). Data of 327 patients were retrieved for logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-one (22%) patients developed DCI, and 35 (11%) patients developed delayed cerebral infarction. Only 18 (25%) patients with DCI and 7/35 (20%) patients with delayed cerebral infarction had mean middle cerebral artery velocities (transcranial Doppler ultrasound) over 120 cm/s. Regarding the prognostic significance of the components of DCI, delayed cerebral infarction predicted unfavorable outcome in terms of Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (OR 3.1, 95% [CI] 1.3-7.8), poor outcome in terms of modified Rankin Scale (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, 95% confidence interval CI 1.2-7.7), and dependent activity of daily living in terms of Barthel Index (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.2) at 6 months, after adjustments for other prognostic factors. On the other hand, clinical deterioration predicted inpatient mortality (OR 8.8, 95% CI 1.6-48.8) after adjustments for other prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed cerebral ischemia and delayed cerebral infarction carried different prognostic values in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Magnesium sulphate for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: why, how, and current controversy.

The neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulphate infusion has been confirmed in experimental models. Pilot clinical trials using magnesium sulphate in patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have reported a trend toward a reduction in clinical deterioration due to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and an improvement in clinical outcomes. However, our recent multicenter trials and systemic review failed to confirm benefit in neurological outcome. In post hoc analysis, data also did not support that a higher dose of magnesium sulphate infusion might improve clinical outcome. We here review the current literature, highlight these discrepancies, and explore alternatives.

Validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for traumatic brain injury patients with intracranial haemorrhage.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: In recent years, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been developed to assess patients with ischemic stroke. However, it has not been validated for use on traumatic brain injury patients with intracranial haemorrhage (tICH). The aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MoCA (MoCA) in such patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 40 controls and 48 tICH patients recruited in Hong Kong. Concurrent validity was assessed by a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Criterion validity was assessed by the differentiation of tICH patients from controls. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: In tICH patients, cognitive z-scores (ß = 0.579; p < 0.001) and MMSE (ß = 0.366, p = 0.012) significantly correlated with performance in the MoCA after adjustment for age, gender and total score for the Geriatric Depressive Scale. For the differentiation of tICH patients from controls, analysis of receiver operating characteristics curves in the MoCA revealed an optimal balance of sensitivity and specificity at 25/26 with an area under the curve of 0.704 (p = 0.001). MoCA is applicable to and significantly correlated with excellent neurological outcomes in tICH patients. CONCLUSIONS: MoCA is a useful and psychometrically valid tool for the assessment of gross cognitive function in tICH patients.

Intracranial aneurysm size responsible for spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: It has been theorised that the relationship between smaller body size and smaller ruptured intracranial aneurysms in Asians indirectly supports the treatment of small, unruptured intracranial aneurysms. There has also been uncertainty regarding whether the progress that has been made in neuroimaging allows for better detection of smaller ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms. Therefore, we conducted this systemic review of ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm sizes according to region and time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Computerised MEDLINE and PubMed searches of the literature for population-based studies of ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms were carried out from 1 January 1980 to 1 March 2011. Statistical analyses were generated using SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and Comprehensive MetaAnalysis 2.0 for Windows (Biostat, Englewood, NJ). The results of the meta-analyses are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Six eligible population- or hospital-based studies were analysed. The percentage of ruptured intracranial aneurysms measuring less than 5 mm was 28.4% (95% CI: 18.1% to 41.6%, I(2) = 98%). The percentage of ruptured intracranial aneurysms measuring less than 10 mm was 76.7% (95% CI: 69.2% to 82.9%, I2 = 89%). A higher proportion of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms of less than 5 mm was found in Asia compared to other regions. Similarly, a higher proportion of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms of less than 10 mm was found in Asia compared to other regions. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that ruptured intracranial aneurysms are smaller in Asians and should be confirmed in future prospective international multi-centre registries to assess ethnicity. Whether these findings support treating smaller unruptured intracranial aneurysms in Asians should be investigated.

Narrative review of roles of astrocytes in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background and Objective: Astrocytes play an important role in healthy brain function, including the development and maintenance of blood-brain barrier (BBB), structural support, brain homeostasis, neurovascular coupling and secretion of neuroprotective factors. Reactive astrocytes participate in various pathophysiology after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) including neuroinflammation, glutamate toxicity, brain edema, vasospasm, BBB disruption, cortical spreading depolarization (SD). Methods: We searched PubMed up to 31 May, 2022 and evaluated the articles for screening and inclusion for subsequent systemic review. We found 198 articles with the searched terms. After exclusion based on the selection criteria, we selected 30 articles to start the systemic review. Key Content and Findings: We summarized the response of astrocytes induced by SAH. Astrocytes are critical for brain edema formation, BBB reconstruction and neuroprotection in the acute stage of SAH. Astrocytes clear extracellular glutamate by increasing the uptake of glutamate and Na+/K+ ATPase activity after SAH. Neurotrophic factors released by astrocytes contribute to neurological recovery after SAH. Meanwhile, Astrocytes also form glial scars which hinder axon regeneration, produce proinflammatory cytokines, free radicals, and neurotoxic molecules. Conclusions: Preclinical studies showed that therapeutic targeting the astrocytes response could have a beneficial effect in ameliorating neuronal injury and cognitive impairment after SAH. Clinical trials and preclinical animal studies are still urgently needed in order to determine where astrocytes stand in various pathway of brain damage and repair after SAH and, above all, to develop therapeutic approaches which benefit patient outcomes.

Intracranial aneurysms: midterm outcome of pipeline embolization device--a prospective study in 143 patients with 178 aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the midterm clinical and angiographic outcomes after pipeline embolization device (PED) placement for treatment of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized multicenter study was approved by the review boards of all involved centers; informed consent was obtained. Patients (143 patients, 178 aneurysms) with unruptured saccular or fusiform aneurysms or recurrent aneurysms after previous treatment were included and observed angiographically for up to 18 months and clinically for up to 3 years. Study endpoints included complete aneurysm occlusion; neurologic complications within 30 days and up to 3 years; clinical outcome of cranial nerve palsy after PED placement; angiographic evidence of occlusion or stenosis of parent artery and that of occlusion of covered side branches at 6, 12, and 18 months; and clinical and computed tomographic evidence of perforator infarction. RESULTS: There were five (3.5%) cases of periprocedural death or major stroke (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] > 3) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3%, 8.4%), including two posttreatment delayed ruptures, two intracerebral hemorrhages, and one thromboembolism. Five (3.5%) patients had minor neurologic complications within 30 days (mRS = 1) (95% CI: 1.3%, 8.4%), including transient ischemic attack (n = 2), small cerebral infarction (n = 2), and cranial nerve palsy (n = 1). Beyond 30 days, there was one fatal intracerebral hemorrhage and one transient ischemic attack. Ten of 13 patients (95% CI: 46%, 93.8%) completely recovered from symptoms of cranial nerve palsy within a median of 3.5 months. Angiographic results at 18 months revealed a complete aneurysm occlusion rate of 84% (49 of 58; 95% CI: 72.1%, 92.2%), with no cases of parent artery occlusion, parent artery stenosis (<50%) in three patients, and occlusion of a covered side branch in two cases (posterior communicating arteries). Perforator infarction did not occur. CONCLUSION: PED placement is a reasonably safe and effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms. The treatment is promising for aneurysms of unfavorable morphologic features, such as wide neck, large size, fusiform morphology, incorporation of side branches, and posttreatment recanalization, and should be considered a first choice for treating unruptured aneurysms and recurrent aneurysms after previous treatments. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12120422/-/DC1.

Evaluation of cognitive impairment by the Montreal cognitive assessment in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: prevalence, risk factors and correlations with 3 month outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) with cognitive impairment is important for patient management (medical treatment, cognitive rehabilitation and social arrangements). The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) is currently recommended over the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) by the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorder, in the chronic post-stroke setting. We hypothesised that the MoCA has a better correlation with functional outcome at 3 months than the MMSE. METHODS: We carried out a prospective observational study in Hong Kong over a 2 year period, recruiting patients aged 21-75 years with aSAH admitted within 96 h of ictus. The assessments included the modified Rankin Scale, Lawton Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), Short Form-36, MoCA and MMSE at 3 months after ictus. Analyses were carried out to compare MoCA with MMSE. RESULTS: 90 patients completed the 3 month assessments. Cognitive impairment (MoCA <26) was determined in 73% of patients at 3 months. Delayed cerebral infarction explained the 31-38% variance in cognitive outcomes (MMSE and MoCA) at 3 months. MoCA demonstrated good discrimination of favourable neurological and IADL outcomes similar to the MMSE in receiver operating characteristics curve analyses. CONCLUSIONS: MoCA defined cognitive impairment was common at 3 months after aSAH and MoCA correlated with functional outcomes similar, but not superior, to the MMSE. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov of the US National Institutes of Health (NCT01038193).

Long-term cognitive dysfunction in patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Cognition had recently been suggested as a supplement to traditional measures of neurological outcome. However, no data were available in the literature on long-term cognitive outcomes in patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH). OBJECTIVE: We explored the long-term cognitive profiles of patients with tSAH who had returned to the community, and the risk factors associated with this event. METHODS: Patients with tSAH were contacted to obtain their consent to participate in the study of cognitive profiles and outcome. Forty-seven (42%) of 111 eligible patients completed all the assessments. RESULTS: Time from ictus to assessment ranged from 3 to 5 years. No difference in patient characteristics was observed between those who participated and those who did not. In patients with tSAH who had returned to the community, domain deficits and cognitive impairment were correlated with the extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOS-E), and were predicted by age and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) on admission. The accuracies of classifications were 79% and 81%, respectively. The number of domain deficits was also correlated with GOS-E, and was predicted by age, GCS on admission, and the extent of tSAH, with a total R (2) value of 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term cognitive dysfunction is common after tSAH. In addition to GCS on admission and follow-up GOS-E, the extent of tSAH is an independent risk factor for the number of cognitive domain deficits that occur.

Rethinking the initial changes in subarachnoid haemorrhage: Focusing on real-time metabolism during early brain injury.

Over the last two decades, neurological researchers have uncovered many pathophysiological mechanisms associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), with early brain injury and delayed cerebral ischaemia both contributing to morbidity and mortality. The current dilemma in SAH management inspired us to rethink the nature of the insult in SAH: sudden bleeding into the subarachnoid space and hypoxia due to disturbed cerebral circulation and increased intracranial pressure, generating exogenous stimuli and subsequent pathophysiological processes. Exogenous stimuli are defined as factors which the brain tissue is not normally exposed to when in the healthy state. Intersections of these initial pathogenic factors lead to secondary brain injury with related metabolic changes after SAH. Herein, we summarized the current understanding of efforts to monitor and analyse SAH-related metabolic changes to identify those precise pathophysiological processes and potential therapeutic strategies; in particular, we highlight the restoration of normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation and the normalization of brain-blood interface physiology to alleviate early brain injury and delayed neurological deterioration after SAH.