Facial nerve function and hearing after microsurgical removal of sporadic vestibular schwannomas in a population-based cohort.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor originating from the vestibulocochlear nerve. The optimal treatment strategy is debated, since surgery may result in iatrogenic facial nerve injury. We report the results of VS surgery in a population-based unselected cohort in a center with access to Cyber Knife (CK) radiosurgery. METHODS: We reviewed 117 consecutive operations and found 95 patients who had their primary operation due to vestibular schwannoma between 2001 and 2017. Facial nerve function was evaluated with the House-Brackmann (HB) scale and hearing with the EU classification. RESULTS: The population consisted of 37 males and 58 females with a median age of 54 years (range 19-79). One year after surgery 67% of patients had a good outcome (HB 1-2). The rate of good outcome was 90% if no facial nerve damage was observed during intraoperative monitoring, the size of the tumor was under 30 mm and no hydrocephalus was present. During the study period, the treatment strategy changed from total to near-total resection after the introduction of CK radiosurgery, which could be used as a second-line treatment in case of residual tumor regrowth. This resulted in an improvement of outcomes (0% HB 5-6) despite the larger tumor sizes (25 ± 14 mm vs. 31 ± 9 mm, p < 0.05). Hearing preservation rates did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Near-total resection and subsequent CK radiosurgery in case of residual tumor regrowth during follow-up seems to provide a good outcome of facial nerve function even in large VSs.

Copy number loss in SFMBT1 is common among Finnish and Norwegian patients with iNPH.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the copy number loss in SFMBT1 in a Caucasian population. METHODS: Five hundred sixty-seven Finnish and 377 Norwegian patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) were genotyped and compared with 508 Finnish elderly, neurologically healthy controls. The copy number loss in intron 2 of SFMBT1 was determined using quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The copy number loss in intron 2 of SFMBT1 was detected in 10% of Finnish (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, p = 0.0078) and in 21% of Norwegian (OR = 4.7, p < 0.0001) patients with iNPH compared with 5.4% in Finnish controls. No copy number gains in SFMBT1 were detected in patients with iNPH or healthy controls. The carrier status did not provide any prognostic value for the effect of shunt surgery in either population. Moreover, no difference was detected in the prevalence of hypertension or T2DM between SFMBT1 copy number loss carriers and noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest and the first multinational study reporting the increased prevalence of the copy number loss in intron 2 of SFMBT1 among patients with iNPH, providing further evidence of its role in iNPH. The pathogenic role still remains unclear, requiring further study.

Risk factors for laryngeal penetration-aspiration in patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Laryngeal penetration-aspiration, the entry of material into the airways, is considered the most severe subtype of dysphagia and is common among patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for penetration-aspiration in patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI). STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Thirty-seven patients with TCSCI were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The highest Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS; range 1-8) score of each patient was the primary outcome measure. The risk factors consisted of patient characteristics, demographics, and clinical signs observed during a clinical swallowing trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical swallowing trial and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed on all patients within 28 days post injury. For group comparisons, the patients were divided into two groups: (1) penetrator-aspirators (PAS score ≥3) and (2) non-penetrator-aspirators (PAS score ≤2). RESULTS: Of the 37 patients, 83.8% were male. The mean age at the time of the injury was 61.2 years. Most patients had an incomplete TCSCI (78.4%) caused by a fall (75.7%). In the VFSS, 51.4% of the patients were penetrator-aspirators, and 71.4% had silent aspiration. The risk factors for predicting penetration-aspiration were (1) necessity of bronchoscopies, (2) lower level of anterior cervical operation, (3) coughing, throat clearing, choking related to swallowing, and (4) changes in voice quality related to swallowing. Binary logistic regression identified coughing, throat clearing, choking, and changes in voice quality related to swallowing as independent risk factors for penetration-aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: The necessity of bronchoscopies, postinjury lower cervical spine anterior surgery, coughing, throat clearing, choking, and changes in voice quality related to swallowing was a markedrisk factor for aspiration and penetration following a cervical SCI. These factors and signs should be used to suspect injury-related pharyngeal dysfunction and to initiate preventive measures to avoid complications. The clinical swallowing evaluation is a relevant adjunct in the management of these patients and can improve the detection of penetration and aspiration.

Molecular basis and genetic predisposition to intracranial aneurysm.

Intracranial aneurysms, also called cerebral aneurysms, are dilatations in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm leads to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is fatal in about 50% of the cases. Intracranial aneurysms can be repaired surgically or endovascularly, or by combining these two treatment modalities. They are relatively common with an estimated prevalence of unruptured aneurysms of 2%-6% in the adult population, and are considered a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Known risk factors include smoking, hypertension, increasing age, and positive family history for intracranial aneurysms. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms is complex. Genome-wide approaches such as DNA linkage and genetic association studies, as well as microarray-based mRNA expression studies, provide unbiased approaches to identify genetic risk factors and dissecting the molecular pathobiology of intracranial aneurysms. The ultimate goal of these studies is to use the information in clinical practice to predict an individual's risk for developing an aneurysm or monitor its growth or rupture risk. Another important goal is to design new therapies based on the information on mechanisms of disease processes to prevent the development or halt the progression of intracranial aneurysms.

Hypertension predisposes to the formation of saccular intracranial aneurysms in 467 unruptured and 1053 ruptured patients in Eastern Finland.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension associates with subarachnoid hemorrhage from saccular intracranial aneurysm (sIA-SAH) when compared to matched controls or general population. Few series compare hypertension in unruptured sIA versus sIA-SAH, so its impact on the sIA disease remains uncertain. METHODS: Kuopio sIA Database ( www.uef.fi/ns ) contains all cases of unruptured and ruptured sIAs admitted to Kuopio University Hospital from its Eastern Finnish catchment population. We compared the age-adjusted incidence of drug-treated hypertension in 467 unruptured and 1053 ruptured sIA patients admitted to Kuopio University Hospital from 1995 to 2007, using the national registry of prescribed medicines. RESULTS: Antihypertensive medication was more frequent in the unruptured (73% versus 62%) with higher age-adjusted incidence. At sIA diagnosis, the sIA-SAH group had more often untreated hypertension (29% versus 23%). The size of unruptured sIAs increased with age at sIA diagnosis, independently of hypertension. Multiple sIAs, familial sIA, and sIA-SAH were not associated with hypertension in multivariate analysis. Results indicate that drug-treated hypertension associates with the formation of sIAs rather than their growth or rupture. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the carriers of unruptured sIAs when compared to those with ruptured sIA. Hypertension may associate with the sIA formation, and may predispose to the rupture of sIA if untreated.

Increased relative risk of lung cancer in 2,904 patients with saccular intracranial aneurysm disease in eastern Finland.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term incidence of cancer after the first diagnosis of saccular intracranial aneurysm (sIA) disease. METHODS: The Neurosurgery Department of the Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) solely serves a defined Eastern Finnish population. The Kuopio sIA database contains 2,904 consecutive sIA cases from 1980 to 2007, 618 unruptured (170 familial and 448 sporadic) and 2,286 ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) cases (308 familial and 1,978 sporadic). They were followed for the incidence of cancer (Finnish Cancer Registry) until death (n = 1,176) or until December 31, 2008, giving a total of 26,844 person-years. Their standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of different cancers were calculated as compared to the corresponding KUH population (year of follow-up, gender, age). RESULTS: Lung cancer after the first sIA diagnosis occurred in 30 of the 1,340 male patients [SIR = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-2.9], and in 10 of the 1,564 female patients (SIR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2-4.7). Poisson regression analysis identified male gender and increasing diameter of the ruptured sIA as independent risk factors for lung cancer, while familial sIA disease, age at aSAH, site of ruptured sIA, or the presence of associated unruptured sIAs had no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Carriers of the sIA disease have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Their long-term smoking habits after the sIA diagnosis should be elucidated for preventive purposes.

Genome-wide association study identifies a sequence variant within the DAB2IP gene conferring susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm.

We performed a genome-wide association study on 1,292 individuals with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and 30,503 controls from Iceland and The Netherlands, with a follow-up of top markers in up to 3,267 individuals with AAAs and 7,451 controls. The A allele of rs7025486 on 9q33 was found to associate with AAA, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.21 and P = 4.6 x 10(-10). In tests for association with other vascular diseases, we found that rs7025486[A] is associated with early onset myocardial infarction (OR = 1.18, P = 3.1 x 10(-5)), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 1.14, P = 3.9 x 10(-5)) and pulmonary embolism (OR = 1.20, P = 0.00030), but not with intracranial aneurysm or ischemic stroke. No association was observed between rs7025486[A] and common risk factors for arterial and venous diseases-that is, smoking, lipid levels, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Rs7025486 is located within DAB2IP, which encodes an inhibitor of cell growth and survival.

How often does an incomplete circle of Willis predispose to cerebral ischemia during closure of carotid artery? Postmortem and clinical imaging studies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of anatomical variations in the circle of Willis predisposing to cerebral ischemia during intraoperative closure of a carotid artery. MATERIALS: Anatomy of the cerebral arteries of 92 deceased was assessed by angiography and permanent silicone casts. Cerebral ischemia during closure of a carotid artery with patent contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) was considered possible in cases of simultaneous nonfunctioning anterior communicating artery (diameter <0.5 mm) and ipsilateral posterior communicating artery (PComA) (diameter <0.5 mm or fetal type posterior cerebral artery). In cases of contralateral ICA occlusion, cerebral ischemia was considered possible if ipsilateral PComA was nonfunctioning. RESULTS: Cerebral ischemia during closure of the right or left carotid artery with patent contralateral ICA was estimated to be possible in 16 (17.4%) and 13 (14.1%) cases. In cases of occluded contralateral ICA, the corresponding numbers were 55 (59.8%) and 49 (53.3%). A review of magnetic resonance and catheter angiographies also identified other variants of the circle of Willis with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete circle of Willis predisposes approximately one-sixth of individuals to cerebral ischemia during transient closure of carotid artery but the risk is more than threefold in case of contralateral ICA occlusion.

Differences in aneurysm and patient characteristics between cohorts of Finnish and Dutch patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: time trends between 1986 and 2005.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The high incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in Finland may be related to genetic or environmental factors, which may also influence patient and aneurysm characteristics. We compared these characteristics in 2 cohorts in Finland (Kuopio) and the Netherlands (Utrecht). METHODS: For aSAH patients in Kuopio (n=1786) and Utrecht (n=1788), we compared sex, age at onset, and the sites and number of aneurysms from 1986 to 2005. Five-year time trends were assessed with chi(2) tests (sex distribution and the sites and number of aneurysms) and with 1-way ANOVA (age). RESULTS: The proportion of men in Kuopio (46.1%; 95% CI, 43.8% to 48.4%) was higher than in Utrecht (33.6%, 95% CI, 31.4% to 35.8%) and declined in Kuopio from 50.9% (95% CI, 46.3% to 55.5%) in 1986-1990 to 42.8% (95% CI, 38.0% to 47.6%) in 2001-2005. Mean+/-SD age at onset was 52.4+/-13.3 years in Kuopio and 53.3+/-14.3 years in Utrecht. Both increased similarly over time. The most common aneurysm site in the Kuopio cohort was the middle cerebral artery (33.1%; 95% CI, 30.9% to 35.3%) and in the Utrecht cohort was the anterior communicating artery (38.0%; 95% CI, 35.5% to 40.5%). Multiple aneurysms were more frequent in Kuopio (27.8%; 95% CI, 25.1% to 29.2%) than in Utrecht (14.8%; 95% CI, 13.0% to 16.6%). Sites and proportions of multiple aneurysms did not change during 1986-2005. CONCLUSIONS: The cohorts of aSAH patients differed with respect to age at onset and the number and sites of aneurysms. The decline in the proportion of men in Kuopio coincided with increased smoking and alcohol use in women and decreased smoking in men. The differences in aneurysm characteristics remained stable, which suggests that these factors are less influenced by environmental factors.

Distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: treatment and outcome analysis of 501 patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the combined experience of two Finnish neurosurgical centers in the treatment of 501 consecutive patients with distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms. Our aim was to compare treatment outcomes of these lesions with intracranial aneurysms in general and to identify factors predicting the outcome. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical and radiological data of all 501 patients and focused on the 427 patients treated between 1980 and 2005, the era of microsurgery and computed tomographic imaging. No patients were lost to follow-up. We compared treatment and outcome of ruptured DACA aneurysms (n = 277) with all consecutive ruptured aneurysms from the Kuopio Cerebral Aneurysm Database (n = 2243) and used multivariate analysis to identify factors predicting 1-year outcome. RESULTS: DACA aneurysms accounted for 6% of all intracranial aneurysms. They were smaller (median, 6 versus 8 mm), more frequently associated with multiple aneurysms (35 versus 18%), and presented more often with intracerebral hematomas (53 versus 26%) than ruptured aneurysms in general. Their microsurgical treatment showed the same complication rates (treatment morbidity, 15%; treatment mortality, 0.4%) as for other ruptured aneurysms. At 1 year after subarachnoid hemorrhage, they had similar favorable outcome (Glasgow Coma Scale score >or=4) as other ruptured aneurysms (74 versus 69%), but their mortality rate was lower (13 versus 24%). Factors predicting unfavorable outcome for ruptured DACA aneurysms were advanced age, Hunt and Hess grade greater than or equal to III, rebleeding before treatment, intracerebral hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, and severe preoperative hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: Despite their specific features, with modern treatment methods, ruptured DACA aneurysms have the same favorable outcome and lower mortality at 1 year as ruptured aneurysms in general.

Headache induced by an arachnoid cyst of the sphenoid sinus: a rare diagnosis problem?

We describe a diagnostic problem in a young adult with a long history of frequently occurring headache episodes. The cause for these episodes was traced to a rare condition, extensive arachnoid cyst of sphenoid sinus. Extensive lesions of the sphenoid sinus are relatively rare and can cause non-specific symptoms. Thus they can represent a major pre-operative diagnosis dilemma even with access to advanced imaging techniques.

Endangered cerebral blood supply after closure of left subclavian artery: postmortem and clinical imaging studies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess hemodynamic consequences of increasingly common coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) during endovascular stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic disease without surgical revascularization. We considered that critical arteries to examine are the right vertebral artery and posterior communicating arteries (PComA) because their simultaneous insufficiency would drastically endanger posterior cerebral circulation. The existence and the diameters of these arteries were studied in a postmortem anatomic study with review of clinical craniocervical computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) angiographies. METHODS: The anatomic material was collected as a part of forensic medicine autopsies. The anatomy of the cerebral arteries of 92 deceased was assessed by angiography and permanent silicone casts. RESULTS: In five individuals (5.4%) the risk for acute neurological complication after "unprotected" closure of the LSA was estimated to be "substantial" because the diameter of the right vertebral artery above the posterior inferior cerebellar artery was less than 2 mm and was associated with incomplete PComA and in three additional cases (3.3%) with only hypoplastic right vertebral artery, as "possible." Review of a clinical teaching file of MR and CT angiographies with anatomic variations and abnormalities of the circle of Willis identified, also, other variants with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: When the LSA is closed, insufficient posterior cerebral circulation due to anatomic reasons occurs relatively infrequently, but in order to avoid the debilitating complications in these cases, careful imaging of the right vertebral artery up to the basilar artery is mandatory, and if proven hypoplastic, imaging of PComAs is necessary.

Microneurosurgical management of distal middle cerebral artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Distal middle cerebral artery aneurysms originate from branches of MCA distal to its main bifurcation or the peripheral branches. Distal middle cerebral artery aneurysms are the least frequently seen among the middle cerebral artery aneurysms. The purpose of this article is to review the practical anatomy, preoperative planning, and avoidance of complications in the microsurgical dissection and clipping of MdistAs. METHODS: This review, and the whole series on intracranial aneurysms, are mainly based on the personal microneurosurgical experience of the senior author (JH) in 2 Finnish centers (Helsinki and Kuopio), which serve without patient selection the catchment area in Southern and Eastern Finland. RESULTS: These 2 centers have treated more than 10000 aneurysm patients since 1951. In the Kuopio Cerebral Aneurysm Database of 3005 patients with 4253 aneurysms, 69 patients carrying altogether 78 MdistAs formed 5% of all MCA aneurysms. Among the 18 patients with ruptured MdistAs (23%), an ICH occurred in 9 (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Distal middle cerebral artery aneurysms are rare. The microneurosurgical treatment of MdistAs is challenging. They are often difficult to localize during the operation, and lack of collateral circulation makes their occlusion more demanding. High rate of ICH and high tendency of rebleeding urge acute or emergency surgery in most of ruptured cases. Microneurosurgical clipping is the most effective treatment of MdistAs.

Microneurosurgical management of middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Of the MCA aneurysms, those located at the main bifurcation of the MCA (MbifA) are by far the most frequent. The purpose of this article is to review the practical anatomy, preoperative planning, and avoidance of complications in the microsurgical dissection and clipping of MbifAs. METHODS: This review, and the whole series on intracranial aneurysms, is mainly based on the personal microneurosurgical experience of the senior author (JH) in 2 Finnish centers (Helsinki and Kuopio), which serve without patient selection the catchment area in southern and eastern Finland. RESULTS: These 2 centers have treated more than 10,000 patients with intracranial aneurysm's since 1951. In the Kuopio Cerebral Aneurysm Data Base of 3005 patients with 4253 aneurysms, MbifAs formed 30% of all ruptured aneurysms, 36% of all unruptured aneurysms, 35% of all giant aneurysms, and 89% of all MCA aneurysms. Importantly, in 45%, rupture of MbifA caused an ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms are often broad necked and may involve one or both branches of the bifurcation (M2s). The anatomical and hemodynamic features of MbifAs make them usually more favorable for microneurosurgical treatment. In population-based services, MbifAs are frequent targets of elective surgery (unruptured), acute surgery (ruptured), and emergency surgery (large ICH), even advanced approaches (giant). The challenge is to clip the neck adequately, without neck remnants, while preserving the bifurcational flow.

No long-term excess mortality in 280 patients with ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term excess mortality after the rupture of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms compared with that of a matched general Finnish population in an unselected, population-based series. METHODS: We identified 280 consecutive patients (119 men, 161 women) treated for ruptured DACA aneurysms (clipped, 262; coiled, 10; no intervention, 8) at two neurosurgical centers serving solely the southern and eastern parts of Finland from 1976 to 2003. All patients were followed from subarachnoid hemorrhage until death or the end of 2004. No patients were lost to follow-up. Long-term excess mortality was estimated using the annual relative survival ratio compared with the general Finnish population matched by age, sex, and calendar time. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 9.6 years (range, 0.1-29 yr). The 3-year cumulative relative survival ratio was 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.88), implying 16% excess mortality in the patient group during the first 3 years after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The annual relative survival ratio attained 1.0 at the fourth year of follow-up, indicating no excess mortality thereafter. There were four episodes of recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage and only one from a treated DACA aneurysm, with a 10-year cumulative risk of 1.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-3.0). Cardiovascular disease and cancer were the leading causes of death after 10 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: After surviving 3 years after the rupture of a DACA aneurysm, the patients' long-term survival became similar to that of the matched general population. Rebleeding of treated DACA aneurysm was rare.

Principles of microneurosurgery for safe and fast surgery.

Since their introduction by Prof. Yasargil in the 1960s, Microneurosurgical techniques have been the essentials of neurosurgical practice. Principles of Microneurosurgery are mainly based upon handling the lesions of different characteristics that can be localized in any part of the nervous system. Whereas the aim is to treat these lesions with efficacy and precision, the performance should be non-traumatic and minimally invasive. Delicate movements of instruments under the magnification of an operating microscope require a good knowledge of Microneurosurgical anatomy and experience. Professional teamwork is the essential part of Microneurosurgical operations. Fascinating approaches are not practical unless combined with appropriate positioning and optimal conduction of Neuroanesthesia. Although the neurosurgical operations are highly dependent on technological advancements, their use should be adjusted according to personal preferences and financial resources. To keep the operations simple and fast, and appreciate normal anatomy, only a limited array of instruments is preferable for use. The basic principles of Microneurosurgery discussed in this chapter are based on the Helsinki and Kuopio Neurosurgery practices in Finland, as well as the Senior Author's (J.H.) experience in approximately 10,000 microsurgery operations. The question to be addressed is: How does one perform operations safer and faster while preserving the normal anatomy?

Incomplete circle of Willis and right axillary artery perfusion.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our anatomic study was to assess whether the commonly used method of perfusion through the right axillary artery is sufficient in providing uniform distribution of blood to both hemispheres of the brain in patients undergoing surgery of the aortic arch. We considered that critical arteries to examine are anterior and left posterior communicating arteries of the circle of Willis because the absence or insufficiency of either one would drastically endanger perfusion to the left hemisphere of the brain. The existence and the diameters of these arteries were studied. METHODS: The material was collected as a part of normal forensic medicine autopsies. The anatomy of the cerebral arteries of 87 deceased individuals was assessed by angiography and permanent silicone casts. A new classification was created for this study. According to a recent observation in the literature we defined the minimum threshold of arterial diameter that allows cross flow to be 0.5 mm. We also repeated analyses using 1 mm as a threshold, which has also been recommended. RESULTS: In our material 22% of the anterior communicating arteries and 46% of the left posterior communicating arteries were missing. In this anatomic population the perfusion to the left hemisphere might have been insufficient in 14% of the patients at a threshold of 0.5 mm and in 17% at a threshold of 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: When the right axillary artery is used for perfusion, the circulation to the contralateral hemisphere seems to be good for most patients undergoing operations of the aortic arch, but additional means of brain protection are still needed.

Cervical spine surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: longterm mortality and its determinants.

OBJECTIVE: Atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) is a frequent manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The instability of the craniocervical junction caused by AAS is a potentially fatal condition and may require surgical treatment. Systemic manifestations associated with RA may increase the risk of perioperative complications. We evaluated the longterm mortality and its determinants in RA patients with AAS after cervical spine surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of consecutive patients treated at Kuopio University Hospital between 1994 and 1998. Preoperative risk factors, neurological impairment using the Ranawat classification, perioperative course, functional outcome, and survival status were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period 86 rheumatoid patients with AAS underwent cervical spine surgery. The mean followup time was 7.5 years (range 5.0-9.8). During the followup, 32 patients (37%) died. The mean survival time after surgery was 7.2 years (95% CI 6.7-8.0). Seven patients experienced postoperative complications. Age, AAS other than horizontal, and occurrence of complications were independent predictors of mortality. In two-thirds of the patients there was relief or decrease of pain, and the functional capacity improved. Neurological deficits subsided in 53% of cases. CONCLUSION: Patients with RA should be actively studied for AAS or other cervical instability, even when cervical symptoms are minor. Attention should be paid to perioperative management of these patients. Surgical treatment may not decrease the mortality of patients with RA, but it may result in more symptom-free life-years.

Resource use after subarachnoid hemorrhage: comparison between endovascular and surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare resource use after endovascular treatment and surgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were actively treated in Kuopio University Hospital. The baseline patients' characteristics were obtained from the institution's aneurysm registry. Variables indicating resource use in the intensive care unit (ICU) were obtained from the ICU patient data management system. The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System was used to measure the intensity of treatment in the ICU. All care days in the ICU and in the hospital and all Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System points that were accumulated during the 12-month follow-up period were calculated. Outcomes were assessed according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 68 patients who underwent endovascular treatment and 103 patients who had surgery. The median lengths of stay in the ICU (1.7 versus 1.8 d) and the hospital (14.0 versus 15.0 d), as well as the accumulated Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System points (56 versus 55), among patients who underwent endovascular or surgical treatment were similar (P = NS for all). The modality of treatment did not influence the number of ICU or hospital patient days or the intensity of ICU treatment, regardless of the patient's preoperative clinical status. CONCLUSION: The modality of treatment of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage does not seem to affect resource use. Endovascular and surgical treatment are likely to require a similar amount of ICU resources in the year after initial treatment.