Predictors of acute post-thrombectomy intracranial hemorrhage expansion in anterior circulation infarcts.

BACKGROUND: Post-mechanical thrombectomy (MT) intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a major source of morbidity in treated acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion. ICH expansion may further contribute to morbidity. We sought to identify factors associated with ICH expansion on imaging evaluation post-MT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing MT at a single comprehensive stroke center. Per protocol, patients underwent dual-energy head CT (DEHCT) post-MT followed by a 24-h interval non-contrast enhanced MRI. ICH expansion was defined as any increase in blood volume between the two studies if identified on the DEHCT. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors for ICH expansion. RESULTS: ICH was identified on DEHCT in 13% of patients (n = 35/262), with 20% (7/35) demonstrating expansion on interval MRI. The average increase in blood volume was 11.4 ml (SD 6.9). Univariate analysis identified anticoagulant usage (57% vs 14%, p = 0.03), petechial hemorrhage inside the infarct margins or intraparenchymal hematoma on DEHCT (ECASS-II HI2/PH1/PH2) (71% vs 14%, p < 0.01), basal ganglia hemorrhage (71% vs 21%, p = 0.02), and basal ganglia infarction (86% vs 32%, p = 0.03) as factors associated with ICH expansion. Multivariate regression demonstrated that anticoagulant usage (OR 20.3, 95% C.I. 2.43-446, p < 0.05) and ECASS II scores of HI2/PH1/PH2 (OR 11.7, 95% C.I. 1.24-264, p < 0.05) were significantly predictive of ICH expansion. CONCLUSION: Expansion of post-MT ICH on 24-h interval MRI relative to immediate post-thrombectomy DEHCT is significantly associated with baseline anticoagulant usage and petechial hemorrhage inside the infarct margins or presence of intraparenchymal hematoma (ECASS-II HI2/PH1/PH2).

Preresidency research output among US neurological surgery residents.

OBJECTIVE: Research productivity is often used to evaluate candidates for neurosurgery residency. Official annual reports describe the mean total number of research products of successful applicants for each match cycle; however, the average number of indexed publications, the highest-valued research product, is not reported separately from other research products. The primary objectives of this study were to describe the distribution of preresidency indexed publication quantity among successful neurosurgery applicants from 2017 to 2021 and determine whether any change in publication quantity across application cycles existed. Secondary objectives included determining the rate at which the average publication quantity is increasing across application cycles, whether this increase is driven by high-output applicants alone, and if a performance ceiling has been reached. METHODS: US doctor of medicine seniors applying to the senior author's institution between 2017 and 2021 and who successfully matched into any US neurosurgery program were included. Publication quantities were extracted using Scopus. Additional variables were extracted from residency applications. Mean (SD) and median (IQR) publication quantities were used to describe the distribution and compare across years. Applicants were ranked by descending publication count and divided into quartiles. Averages within each quartile were compared with respective quartiles across years. Averages of the top 10% most productive applicants were compared across years to determine if a performance ceiling existed. RESULTS: Overall, 93.2% of matched applicants were captured. The mean and median total numbers of publications for applicants who matched from 2017 to 2021 were 5.6 ± 8.3 and 3.0 (1.0, 7.0), respectively. The mean and median numbers of publications increased from 3.7 ± 5.3 and 2.0 (0.0, 5.0) in 2016-2017 to 8.1 ± 10.0 and 5.0 (2.0, 11.0) in 2020-2021 (p < 0.001). The distribution of publication quantity was right-skewed. Multivariable analysis determined the application year to be independently and positively correlated with publication quantity (ß 1.07 [95% CI 0.71-1.42], p < 0.001). All quartiles observed an increased average number of publications across years (p < 0.001). The mean and median numbers for the top 10% increased from 15.8 ± 8.7 and 13.0 (10.8, 15.5) in 2016-2017, respectively, to 31.3 ± 16.0 and 25.0 (21.0, 35.5) in 2020-2021 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Indexed publications account for a small portion of the total research products that successful neurosurgery candidates list on applications. A high number of publications is not necessary for candidates to match, with approximately 50% of all applicants who successfully matched having ≤ 5 publications and 25% having ≤ 2 publications. The average preresidency publication quantity has been increasing yearly among neurosurgery applicants. This increase was present across the applicant pool. Additionally, no performance ceiling was observed.

Updates in the Management of Cerebral Infarctions and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Secondary to Intracranial Arterial Dissection: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial arterial dissection (IAD) is a rare cerebrovascular disease that is likely underdiagnosed because of the inherent difficulty of visualizing the subtle radiographic signs of the pathologic small intracranial arteries. No widespread consensus exists on the treatment of IAD, and thus it is often managed empirically because of the absence of major randomized controlled trials. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the management and treatment options for IAD. METHODS: We performed a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines using the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed) and Cochrane Library. Included studies were limited to human patients with dissections in intracranial vessels only. RESULTS: A total of 82 studies were included in this systematic review. The most common complications of IAD were cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and thus, patients with IAD can be subdivided into those presenting with either ischemia or hemorrhage, respectively. Those with ischemia were predominantly managed with antiplatelet therapy, whereas patients presenting with hemorrhage often were amenable to treatment with endovascular techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Given these findings, clinicians should prescribe antiplatelet therapy for patients with IAD presenting with ischemia and consider endovascular treatment for those presenting with hemorrhage. However, further investigation is required given the heterogeneity of methods and reporting outcomes in the investigated studies.

Post-Traumatic Pituitary Tumor Apoplexy After Closed Head Injury: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Head trauma is a rare inciting factor of pituitary apoplexy (PA); however, there is a clear temporal relationship between trauma and apoplexy, and this is the first reported case of PA after an assault. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a rare case of a 63-year-old man who developed PA after sustaining a closed head injury from assault with a metal pole. The patient had a known pituitary tumor for which he had previously declined surgical resection. On initial computed tomography scan, there was no traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage. There was sellar expansion but no obvious sellar hemorrhage. Within 48 hours of admission, the patient was presumed septic after developing altered mental status, fevers, hypotension, and tachycardia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with and without gadolinium revealed a poorly enhancing, necrotic, and hemorrhagic pituitary mass, consistent with pituitary tumor apoplexy. After administration of intravenous glucocorticoids, the patient underwent emergent endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary tumor apoplexy. Postoperatively, the patient had neurologic improvement with stable vision. CONCLUSIONS: Early and accurate diagnosis is important to allow for timely neurosurgical intervention. Symptoms of fever, hypotension, and tachycardia in a patient with a known sellar mass should raise the suspicion of hypocortisolemia from pituitary tumor apoplexy.

Novel minimally invasive multi-modality monitoring modalities in neurocritical care.

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) following brain injury contributes to poor outcomes for patients, primarily by reducing the caliber of cerebral vasculature, and thereby reducing cerebral blood flow. Careful monitoring of ICP is critical in these patients in order to determine prognosis, implement treatment when ICP becomes elevated, and to judge responsiveness to treatment. Currently, the gold standard for monitoring is invasive pressure transducers, usually an intraventricular monitor, which presents significant risk of infection and hemorrhage. These risks made discovering non-invasive methods for monitoring ICP and cerebral perfusion a priority for researchers. Herein we sought to review recent publications on novel minimally invasive multi-modality monitoring techniques that provide surrogate data on ICP, cerebral oxygenation, metabolism and blood flow. While limitations in various forms preclude them from supplanting the use of invasive monitors, these modalities represent useful screening tools within our armamentarium that may be invaluable when the risks of invasive monitoring outweigh the associated benefits.

Novel management strategies for medically-refractory vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an important cause of further morbidity and mortality after an already devastating condition. Though traditionally attributed to vasospasm of large capacitance arteries and the resulting down-stream disruption of cerebral blood flow, the pathogenesis of DCI has proven to be more complex with early brain injury, blood-brain barrier disruption, microthrombosis, cortical spreading depolarizations, and the failure of cerebral autoregulation as newly elucidated factors. Vasospasm is a known consequence of SAH. The standard of care includes close monitoring for neurological deterioration, most often with serial clinical examinations, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, and vascular imaging (crucial for early detection of DCI and allows for prompt intervention). Nimodipine continues to remain an important pharmacological strategy to improve functional outcomes in patients with SAH at risk for developing vasospasm. The paradigm for first line therapy in patients with vasospasm of induced hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution has recently been challenged. Current American Heart Association guidelines recommend targeting euvolemia and judicious use of the pharmacologically induced hypertension component. Symptomatic vasospasm patients who do not improve with this first line therapy require rescue intervention with mechanical or chemical angioplasty and optimization of cardiac output and hemoglobin levels. This can be escalated in a step-wise fashion to include adjunct treatments such as intrathecal administration of vasodilators and sympatholytic or thrombolytic therapies. This review provides a general overview of the treatment modalities for DCI with a focus on novel management strategies that show promising results for treating vasospasm to prevent DCI.

The Role of Fast Imaging Employing Steady-State Acquisition (FIESTA) Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Assessment of Delayed Enhancement of Fat Graft Packing on Postoperative Imaging After Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and efficacy of fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) imaging in distinguishing fat graft enhancement from residual or recurrent tumor after vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of 33 patients who underwent VS resection via the retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach with fat graft reconstruction was performed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was collected at different time points: preoperative, immediate postoperative (24-48 hours), delayed postoperative (3-6 months after surgery), and yearly postoperative. The image sets contained T1, T2, fat-suppressed T1-weighted with gadolinium, and FIESTA. The radiographs were analyzed for tumor recurrence by the primary neurosurgeon and an independent blinded neuroradiologist. If fat-suppressed T1-weighted images demonstrated postoperative enhancement in the resection bed, a comparison was made with FIESTA imaging. RESULTS: At 3-6 months postoperatively and at 1 year and beyond, 28 (84.8%) and 33 (100%) of patients, respectively, displayed delayed enhancement of the fat graft on postgadolinium fat-suppressed T1-weighted MRI. The enhancement seen on postgadolinium, fat-suppressed, T1-weighted MRI consistently correlated with the characteristic fat graft signal on FIESTA imaging and not tumor recurrence. FIESTA imaging was able to distinguish residual tumor from enhancing fat graft compared with postgadolinium, fat-suppressed, T1-weighted MRI (P < 0.0001) due to distinctive signaling patterns. CONCLUSIONS: FIESTA is an effective tool in discerning fat graft enhancement from residual or recurrent tumor on delayed postoperative imaging after VS resection. Fat graft used in reconstruction consistently enhances on delayed postoperative postgadolinium, fat-suppressed, T1-weighted imaging, which correlates with the fat graft signal seen on FIESTA images.

Potential Uses of Isolated Toxin Peptides in Neuropathic Pain Relief: A Literature Review.

Neuropathic pain is a subset of chronic pain that is caused by neurons that are damaged or firing aberrantly in the peripheral or central nervous systems. The treatment guidelines for neuropathic pain include antidepressants, calcium channel α2 delta ligands, topical therapy, and opioids as a second-line option. Pharmacotherapy has not been effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain except in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with carbamazepine. The inability to properly treat neuropathic pain causes frustration in both the patients and their treating physicians. Venoms, which are classically believed to be causes of pain and death, have peptide components that have been implicated in pain relief. Although some venoms are efficacious and have shown benefits in patients, their side-effect profile precludes their more widespread use. This review identifies and explores the use of venoms in neuropathic pain relief. This treatment can open doors to potential therapeutic targets. We believe that further research into the mechanisms of action of these receptors as well as their functions in nature will provide alternative therapies as well as a window into how they affect neuropathic pain.

Limitations of the endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach.

The endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach (EETA) has become a useful strategy in the treatment of various anterior skull base pathologies, including meningoencephaloceles, olfactory groove meningiomas, schwannomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, and other sinonasal malignancies. However, not all pathologies are optimally treated through this approach due to tumor size, extent of the lesion, vascular involvement, and the presence of intact olfaction. One must be prepared to use a transcranial approach if the EETA is not favorable. In some patients, a combined approach (transcranial-EETA) may be needed in appropriate cases. Therefore, patient selection is paramount for achieving a successful result with avoidance of complications. For certain tumors, the limitations of the EETA may result in lower rates of gross-total resection, higher rates of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, postoperative impairment of olfaction, and higher complication rates. In this paper, we discuss the limitations of the EETA when considering approach selection to treat anterior skull base lesions.

Mechanical thrombectomy - is time still brain? The DAWN of a new era.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review the history of treatments for acute ischemic stroke, examine developments in endovascular therapy, and discuss the future of the management of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A selective review of recent clinical trials for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke was conducted. RESULTS: We reviewed completed trials of the management of acute ischemic stroke including intravenous thrombolytics, intraarterial thrombolytics, and thrombectomy. We also assessed the future direction of research by reviewing ongoing clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: The advancement of endovascular treatment for stroke has led to improved morbidity and mortality for patients. Future challenges include delivering these treatments to stroke centers worldwide.

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence: Diagnosis and management.

The authors provide an update on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and various approaches to the treatment of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). SSCD is a rare condition where the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal thins or dehisces causing characteristic clinical findings. Since this was first reported in 1998 by Minor and colleagues, there has been much advancement made in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Signs and symptoms include a wide variation of both vestibular and auditory manifestations. Diagnosis made solely on clinical signs is difficult due to how varied the presentations can be and the overlap with other otologic pathologies. High-resolution CT temporal scans have been the standard in confirming superior semicircular canal dehiscence, however, MRI FIESTA scans have recently been used to image SSCD. Additionally, audiometry and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing are useful screening tools. Currently, the middle fossa approach is the most common and standard surgical approach to repair SSCD. The transmastoid, endoscopic and transcanal or endaural approaches have also been recently utilized. Presently, there is no consensus as to the best approach, material or technique for repair of SSCD. As we learn more, newer and less invasive approaches and techniques are being used to treat SSCD. We present a comprehensive review of SSCD, including clinical symptoms and presentation, histopathology, diagnosis, treatment strategies and outcomes of intervention.

Potential for Intrathecal Baclofen in Treatment of Essential Tremor.

INTRODUCTION: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder of adults, affecting an estimated 7 million Americans. Symptoms of ET range from slightly noticeable to debilitating, with 1 cohort study finding 15% of patients were forced into early retirement. Additionally, depression has also been correlated with the severity of disability of ET. Treatment options include propranolol and primidone. Current treatment options are not very effective, with more than half (56.3%) of patients discontinuing medications because of no changes in symptoms. METHODS: Unfortunately, there is a relative void and controversy in the literature explaining ET pathophysiology; however, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) hypothesis is the strongest. We conducted a PubMed search on 30 September 2015 with no time constraints using the search terms "essential tremor" and "baclofen," which resulted in a total of 5 articles. RESULTS: Neurohistopathologic studies have demonstrated decreased GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in the cerebellar cortex of ET patients. GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is proposed to have an inhibitory effect on pacemaker output activity of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway, with lower receptors resulting in decreased inhibition of baseline tremors. Tariq et al showed delayed onset and intensity of tremor with oral administration of R-baclofen in a mouse model of ET. CONCLUSION: With a better side-effect profile and success in a physiologically related condition, we propose more clinical trials and research be carried out on intrathecal baclofen as a potential treatment option, especially drug refractory ET, so as to increase the quality of life of this patient population.

Differential responses of individuals with late-stage dementia to two novel environments: a multimedia room and an interior garden.

The purpose of this study was to determine the responses of individuals with advanced dementia to two novel sensory environments in a nursing home facility. The first was a multisensory Snoezelen room; the second was a temporary Japanese garden. Subjects viewed each environment twice a week for 15 minutes during the study. Stress was measured using heart rate and informant-based behavioral changes. By these criteria, the garden-viewing group showed positive behavioral changes while the responses of the subjects in the Snoezelen group were more negative. The response of the subjects' pulse rate was most dramatic. During the 15 minutes in the garden, the average rate (all subjects/all visits) was significantly less than in their residential room. In the Snoezelen room, we detected little or no change. The impact of the garden could also be seen in the negative behavioral signs elicited upon returning the subjects to the garden room after the installation had been replaced with plants and furniture arranged with no formal design. We propose that exposure to a small interior Japanese garden could be an effective intervention for individuals suffering from late stage Alzheimer's disease.