A Three-Dimensional Morphological Assessment for Evaluating Pre- and Postsurgery in Cervical Laminoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of medical treatments and the changes in radiologic imaging before and after treatment have consistently remained pivotal factors. This is particularly critical for surgical procedures, where precise evaluation of disparities pre and postsurgery or the accuracy of implantation is paramount. Based on three-dimensional morphological interests, we provide an automatic quantification evaluation method that delivers an evident base for assessing the outcomes of a widely employed surgical technique, cervical laminoplasty. METHODS: The sample study included patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy/ossification of the longitudinal ligament. We present a superimposition method that facilitates a unique and precise assessment between pre and postsurgery. The degree of expansion was evaluated by the canal volume increase and canal expansion rate after surgery. RESULTS: There were 31 patients with 112 vertebral segments measured. The target cervical's pre and postoperative canal areas were 122.63 ± 30.34 and 196.50 ± 37.10 mm2, respectively (P < 0.001). The average cervical canal expansion rate was 64.42%. The expansion effect of C5 cervical laminoplasty was the maximum (71.01%), and the canal volume of other segments expanded by approximately 60%. The functional outcomes demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The quantification evaluation method can be utilized for any morphology changes before and after laminoplasty, as it does not lead to errors or variations from different inspection machines or human factors. The automatic method delivers an evident base for assessing the outcomes of a widely employed surgical technique.

Risk factors for bone cement dislodgement following balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with bone cement dislodgement in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture following balloon kyphoplasty treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 203 patients who underwent kyphoplasty in 255 vertebral bodies between January 2017 and December 2021. The patients were categorized into two groups: the bone cement dislodgment group (n = 16) and the non-bone cement dislodgement group (n = 239). Various patient characteristics and radiologic parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis involved the assessment of the background homogeneity of the group by using independent sample t tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the impact of background variables on cement dislodgement. RESULTS: The results revealed that split-type fracture (χ2 = 31.706, p < 0.001), DISH (χ2 = 18.827, p = 0.011), pedicle fracture (χ2 = 22.246, p < 0.001), endplate deficit (χ2 = 14.023, p < 0.001), posterior wall injury (χ2 = 29.124, p < 0.001), and intervertebral vacuum cleft (χ2 = 21.469, p < 0.001) were the factors that significantly differed between the two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed posterior wall injury (OR = 12.983, p = 0.025) and intervertebral vacuum cleft (OR = 5.062, p = 0.024) to be independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: The incidence of bone cement dislodgement in our study was 6.3%. This study underscores the importance of using preoperative radiologic parameters to predict the risk of bone cement dislodgement following balloon kyphoplasty.

Combining Laminoplasty With Artificial Disc Replacement for the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy With Congenital Cervical Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a very common and devastating spinal disease. Congenital cervical stenosis (CCS) is the most common cause. We aimed to elucidate the security, effectivity, and feasibility of surgery combining laminoplasty with artificial disc replacement (ADR) to treat CSM patients with radiculopathy, especially for preserving the range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine. METHOD: Between August 2008 and April 2019, 39 patients with multiple CSM caused by CCS were enrolled in the present study. All patients received laminoplasty first and then ADR. We used a retrospective collection of data for evaluating the functional and radiologic outcomes, especially regarding preservation of ROM. RESULTS: Each patient underwent at least a 2-year postoperative follow-up. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score showed great improvements at 6 months. The ADR index-level ROM was preserved during follow-up. The subaxial Cobb angle could also be retained in the whole cervical spine, and the spinal canal diameter could be expanded by more than 52.6%. There were no severe complications or side effects, and no patients needed secondary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We aimed to treat multiple levels of CSM with adequate decompression without too many intervertebral disc replacements. We were able to expand the spinal canal directly for these patients with CCS and needed only 1- or 2-level ADR to treat them with associated radiculopathy. This combined surgical strategy was secure, effective, and was able to preserve the ROM of the cervical spine.

Anticonvulsive and Neuroprotective Effects of Eupafolin in Rats Are Associated with the Inhibition of Glutamate Overexcitation and Upregulation of the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Several plant compounds have been found to possess neuroactive properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of eupafolin, a major active component extracted from Salvia plebeia, a herb used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. To this end, we assessed the anticonvulsant effects of eupafolin in rats intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with kainic acid (KA) to elucidate this mechanism. Treatment with eupafolin (i.p.) for 30 min before KA administration significantly reduced behavioral and electrographic seizures induced by KA, similar to carbamazepine (i.p.), a widely used antiepileptic drug. Eupafolin treatment also significantly decreased KA seizure-induced neuronal cell death and glutamate elevation in the hippocampus. In addition, eupafolin notably reversed KA seizure-induced alterations in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit GluR2, glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67, GABAergic enzyme), and Wnt signaling-related proteins, including porcupine, Wnt1, phosphorylated-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, ß-catenin, and Bcl-2 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the increased level of Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk-1, a Wnt signaling antagonist) and the decreased level of Disheveled1 (Dvl-1, a Wnt signaling activator) in the hippocampus of KA-treated rats were reversed by eupafolin. This study provides evidence of the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties of eupafolin and of the involvement of regulation of glutamate overexcitation and Wnt signaling in the mechanisms of these properties. These findings support the benefits of eupafolin in treating epilepsy.

Association between cranial asymmetry severity and chronic subdural hematoma laterality.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between cranial asymmetry severity and chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) laterality. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 120 patients with surgically treated unilateral CSDH from January 2009 to December 2018. Preoperative computed tomography images were used to determine occipital vault angles, bilateral cranium areas, and cranial index of symmetry (CIS) ratios. RESULTS: The male sex (70%) was the predominant factor promoting CSDH pathogenesis. In the overall study population (mean age, 71.3 years; left-sided CSDH, 58/120 [48%] patients; right-sided CSDH due to right-sided flat cranium, 38 patients; left-sided CSDH due to right-sided flat cranium, 37 patients). Flat cranial asymmetry was nonsignificantly associated with CSDH laterality (p-value=.689). However, most CSDH patients (86.7% of 120 patients) presented dominant-sided nonoverlapping areas on the left side. Thirteen (81.3%) patients presenting right-dominant nonoverlapping areas had right-sided CSDH, and 55 (52.9%) patients had left-dominant nonoverlapping area had left-sided CSDH (p-value=0.01). The CIS ratio was significantly higher in patients with right-dominant nonoverlapping areas than in those with left-dominant nonoverlapping areas (97.2% vs 95.9%, p-value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Left-sided hematoma predominance is not associated with a flat cranium and laterality of unilateral CSDH. Moreover, more asymmetric crania with lower CIS ratios may predict left-sided CSDHs, whereas the right-sided CSDHs may be more common in symmetric crania with higher CIS ratios. The CSDH laterality is potentially attributable to cranial asymmetry severity.

Transfemoral Approach for Intraoperative Angiography in the Prone or Three-quarter Prone Position : A Revisited Protocol for Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation and Fistula Surgery.

PURPOSE: Among the different arterial accesses, the femoral access is the main approach for intraoperative angiography (IOA) performed in a prone position. Without a standardized protocol, however, the application of prone IOAs in intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery remains limited by its procedural complexity. This study describes the detailed protocol for prone IOA through a transfemoral approach and highlights several refinements in preparing this procedure. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the intracranial or high cervical AVM/AVF surgical cases in which both resection and IOA were performed in the prone or three-quarter prone position. Extended femoral sheath approaches and radiolucent head clamps were used in all cases. An aneurysm clip, serving as a localization landmark in IOA, was routinely placed within the surgical field. The IOA imaging, clinical impact of IOA, and complications related to the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: A total of six AVM and three AVF cases, operated on in the prone (n = 7) or three-quarter prone (n = 2) positions, were included. Multiple vessel injections were required in 66.7% of cases, and IOA was successfully performed in every intended vessel. All IOA images were adequate for interpretation, except for two cases in which the non-radiolucent component of the head clamp obscured the region of interest in the lateral views. Incomplete occlusion was identified in two patients, and the aneurysm clip provided precise guidance in localizing the residual nidus. Final IOA confirmed complete lesion removal in all cases, and there were no IOA-related complications. CONCLUSION: Three key steps in setting-up a prone IOA procedure for intracranial AVM/AVF surgery are proposed: (1) utilize an extended femoral sheath approach, (2) establish a localization landmark with an aneurysm clip and (3) avoid possible image interference from the non-radiolucent component of the head clamp.

Impact of Intraoperative 3-Dimensional Volume-Rendering Rotational Angiography on Clip Repositioning Rates in Aneurysmal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography (RA), a gold standard imaging tool for the evaluation of cerebral aneurysms after clipping, can currently be performed intraoperatively in a hybrid operating room (OR). However, its role in intraoperative aneurysmal surgery is unclear. We aimed to study the value of intraoperative 2-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (2D-DSA) and 3D-RA for the evaluation of aneurysms after clipping, in terms of clip repositioning. METHODS: We included patients with cerebral aneurysms who were treated with microsurgical clipping in a hybrid OR. After aneurysmal clipping and indocyanine green video angiography assessment, intraoperative 2D-DSA and 3D-RA with volume-rendering (VR) images of the clipped aneurysm were obtained. The incidence rate of clip repositioning was determined, and aneurysm-related factors associated with suboptimal clipping that required clip revision after intraoperative angiography evaluation were analyzed. RESULTS: Between September 2016 and August 2017, 24 consecutive patients with 35 aneurysms were treated with microsurgical clipping. A clip repositioning rate of 17.1% was revealed after intraoperative 3D-VR imaging and initial indocyanine green-video angiography. 3D-VR was able to demonstrate all aneurysmal remnants, whereas 2D-DSA helped confirm flow stagnation in compromised vessels. Challenging aneurysms of size >7 mm (P = 0.043) and neck width >4 mm (P = 0.012) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of suboptimal aneurysmal clipping. CONCLUSIONS: A hybrid OR, with angiography facilities for high-resolution 2D-DSA and 3D-VR images, allows neurosurgeons to perform high-quality surgery. The routine use of intraoperative 3D-RA may not be necessary; however, it is invaluable for treating challenging aneurysms.

Stress stimuli induce cancer-stemness gene expression via Sp1 activation leading to therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma.

It has been suggested that stress stimuli from the microenvironment maintain a subset of tumor cells with stem-like properties, including drug resistance. Here, we investigate whether Sp1, a stress-responsive factor, regulates stemness gene expression and if its inhibition sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy. Hydrogen peroxide- and serum deprivation-induced stresses were performed in glioblastoma (GBM) cells and patient-derived cells, and the effect of the Sp1 inhibitor mithramycin A (MA) on these stress-induced stem cells and temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant cells was evaluated. Sp1 and stemness genes were not commonly overexpressed in clinical GBM samples. However, their expression was highly induced by stress stimuli. Using MA, we demonstrated Sp1 as a critical stemness-related transcriptional factor protecting GBM cells against stress- and TMZ-induced death. Thus, Sp1 inhibition may prevent recurrence of malignant cells persisting after primary therapy.

Accurate Localization of Aneurysm Neck Margins in Clipping of a Carotid Cave Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Dual-Volume 3-Dimensional Volume-Rendering Rotational Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Full visualization of the aneurysm neck is usually impossible in a classical pterional craniotomy when a paraclinoid aneurysm is located on the opposite side of the internal carotid artery. Optic nerve (ON) retraction is required for better aneurysmal exposure, but ON injuries may occur. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION: In a case of a 70-year-old female harboring a carotid cave aneurysm, we introduced a new method to delineate better the margins of the aneurysm neck by using intraoperative 3-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography (RA) with dual-volume reconstruction. After complete exposure of the aneurysm, we placed a straight clip adjacent to the aneurysm for localization purposes and performed 3D-RA to locate the distal end of the aneurysm neck relative to the localization clip. With a better anatomic understanding of the neck position, we were able to reduce ON retraction and position the clip across the aneurysm neck more precisely. CONCLUSIONS: With the advantage of a hybrid operating room, we introduced a novel technique to define the margins of the obscured aneurysm neck more clearly by obtaining a 3D-RA dual-volume reconstruction image to locate the aneurysm neck relative to a localization clip. This technique facilitates the clipping procedure and also reduces the risk related to ON retraction during surgical exposure of a paraclinoid aneurysm.

Chronic subdural hematoma: Differences between unilateral and bilateral occurrence.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurological diseases. However, bilateral CSDH is more infrequent than unilateral CSDH, and the clinical and radiological characteristics are not well-defined. We aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological differences between bilateral and unilateral CSDH. A retrospective study was performed on 75 surgically-treated CSDH patients from January 2011 to December 2015. These patients were divided into unilateral and bilateral CSDH groups. The clinical features, radiological findings, surgical outcome, occurrence of postoperative intracranial bleeding, and recurrence were analyzed. 30.7% of patients had bilateral CSDH. The mean age was 79years and 68.8years for the bilateral and unilateral CSDH patients, respectively (p=0.001). The presence of a history of alcohol abuse was 8.7% and 32.7% in the bilateral and unilateral CSDH patients, respectively (p=0.028). The patients with bilateral CSDH were more likely to present with nausea or vomiting (p=0.048). A lesser degree of midline shift on computed tomographic (CT) scan was also observed in the bilateral group (p=0.001). Most patients had a favorable postoperative outcome, even with bilateral CSDH. In this study, we found that the patients with bilateral CSDH were older, had a lower prevalence of a history of alcohol abuse, presented more commonly with nausea or vomiting, and had a lesser degree of midline shift on CT. Burr-hole craniostomy with a closed-drainage system is a feasible and effective surgical technique for the treatment of unilateral or bilateral CSDH.

Regression of moyamoya-associated weak spots on the distal anterior choroidal artery following surgical revascularization.

A 20-year-old female with moyamoya disease presented with acute intraventricular hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography demonstrated that the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) was responsible for the bleeding, but the precise point of rupture was unpredictable, because multiple angiographic weak spots were found on the artery. As direct targeting of the rupture point was unfeasible, we performed encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis to decrease the hemodynamic overload on the AChA. This revascularization procedure alone successfully induced the regression of all weak points. In this report, we demonstrated that, when direct targeting of weak points was not feasible, a revascularization procedure was an acceptable alternative.

Intradural disc herniation at L5 level mimicking an intradural spinal tumor.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation is a rare complication of disc disease. The reason for the tearing of the dura matter by a herniated disc is not clearly known. Intradural disc herniations usually occur at the disc levels and are often seen at L4-L5 level but have also been reported at other intervertebral disc levels. However, intradural disc herniation at mid-vertebral levels is rare in the literature and mimics an intradural extramedullary spinal tumor lesion in radiological evaluation. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium is useful in the diagnosis of this condition, preoperative correct diagnosis is usually difficult and the definitive diagnosis must be made during surgery. We describe here a 50-year-old female patient who presented with pain in the lower back for 6 months and a sudden exacerbation of the pain that spread to the left leg as well as numbness in both legs for 2 weeks. MRI demonstrated an intradural mass at the level of L5. Laminectomy was performed, and subsequently durotomy was also performed. An intradural disc fragment was found and completely removed. The patient recovered fully in 3 months. Intradural lumbar disc herniation must be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions in the spinal canal.

Chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cyst in young adults: a case report.

Intracranial arachnoid cysts are believed to be congenital; they can become symptomatic in pediatric patients. Chronic subdural hematomas tend to occur in elderly patients with a history of mild head injury a few months prior to the onset of symptoms. However, these two distinct clinical entities sporadically occur together in relatively young patients. We report a 29-year-old man who presented with headache and dizziness of 2 months' duration. Brain computed tomography revealed a huge chronic subdural hematoma over the left frontoparietal lobe, with an incidental finding of an arachnoid cyst over the left sylvian fissure. In light of a literature review, we discuss arachnoid cysts as a possible risk factor for subdural hematoma, especially in young adults.