Basilar Impression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Features, Operative Strategies, and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Basilar impression (BI) is a rare yet debilitating abnormality of the craniovertebral junction, known to cause life-threatening medullary brainstem compression. Our study analyzes surgical approaches for BI and related outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to critically assess primary articles examining BI. RESULTS: We analyzed 87 patients from 65 articles, mostly female (55.17%) with a mean age of 46.31 ± 17.94 years, commonly presenting with motor (59.77%) and sensory deficits (55.17%). Commonly employed procedures included posterior occipitocervical fusion (24.14%), anterior decompression (20.69%), and combined anterior decompression with posterior fusion (21.84%). Patients who underwent anterior approaches were found to be older (55.38 ± 17.67 vs. 45.49 ± 18.78 years, P < 0.05) and had a longer duration from symptom onset to surgery (57.39 ± 64.33 vs. 26.02 ± 29.60 months, P < 0.05) compared to posterior approaches. Our analysis revealed a significant association between a longer duration from symptom onset to surgery and an increased likelihood of undergoing odontoidectomy and decompression (odds ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.03, P < 0.05). Furthermore, after adjusting for all other covariates, a history of rheumatoid arthritis and the use of a posterior approach were significantly associated with an elevated risk of postoperative complications (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment approach to complex craniovertebral junction disease should be tailored to the surgeon's experience and the nature of the compressive pathology.

Assessing the Relationship between Surgical Timing and Postoperative Seizure Outcomes in Cavernoma-Related Epilepsy: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis of 63 Patients with a Review of the Literature.

Background: Patients with supratentorial cavernous malformations (SCMs) commonly present with seizures. First-line treatments for cavernoma-related epilepsy (CRE) include conservative management (antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)) and surgery. We compared seizure outcomes of CRE patients after early (≤6 months) vs. delayed (>6 months) surgery. Methods: We compared outcomes of CRE patients with SCMs surgically treated at our large-volume cerebrovascular center (1 January 2010-31 July 2020). Patients with 1 sporadic SCM and ≥1-year follow-up were included. Primary outcomes were International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) class 1 seizure freedom and AED independence. Results: Of 63 CRE patients (26 women, 37 men; mean ± SD age, 36.1 ± 14.6 years), 48 (76%) vs. 15 (24%) underwent early (mean ± SD, 2.1 ± 1.7 months) vs. delayed (mean ± SD, 6.2 ± 7.1 years) surgery. Most (32 (67%)) with early surgery presented after 1 seizure; all with delayed surgery had ≥2 seizures. Seven (47%) with delayed surgery had drug-resistant epilepsy. At follow-up (mean ± SD, 5.4 ± 3.3 years), CRE patients with early surgery were more likely to have ILAE class 1 seizure freedom and AED independence than those with delayed surgery (92% (44/48) vs. 53% (8/15), p = 0.002; and 65% (31/48) vs. 33% (5/15), p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Early CRE surgery demonstrated better seizure outcomes than delayed surgery. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

The intersection of race and social determinants of health on clinical outcome of glioblastoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tumor treating fields significantly increase the overall survival (OS) of glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Yet, cost and healthcare disparities might limit access. Multiple studies have attributed more than 80% of the GBM disease burden to White patients. The aim of this study was to explore the intersections of race and social determinants of health (SDoH) with healthcare access and outcomes of GBM patients in a large metropolitan area. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, the tumor registry at the authors' institution (2011-2019) was queried to identify a GBM cohort according to the updated WHO criteria. Data were supplemented by electronic health records to include demographics, outcome, National Cancer Institute Comorbidity Index (NCI-CI), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) socioeconomic status (SES) index. RESULTS: A total of 276 unique patients met the study inclusion criteria; 46% of the cohort was female, and 45% was non-White. This racial proportion differs from previous reports indicating that 80% of patients with GBM are White. The proportion of non-White patients in this study was similar to that of the general US population and significantly lower than that of New York City (p < 0.05). Non-White patients predominantly composed the lowest AHRQ SES index quartile, while White patients constituted the highest quartile (p < 0.001). White patients were older at diagnosis compared with non-White patients (63 vs 58 years, p = 0.001). Older age (p = 0.03), higher NCI-CI (p = 0.0006), and lack of insurance (p = 0.03) reduced the odds of a home discharge. Private insurance (p = 0.005), younger age (p = 0.02), and the highest ("wealthiest") AHRQ SES index quartile (p = 0.02) predicted a lower hospital length of stay (LOS). Patients who underwent gross-total resection had greater OS than those who received a subtotal resection or biopsy, independent of race and SDoH (1.68 vs 1.4 years, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report on race and SDoH of a cohort using the latest WHO criteria for GBM classification. In contrast to previous literature, the study cohort exhibits a higher proportion of non-White patients with GBM, similar to the representation of non-White individuals in the general US population. This study corroborates the impact of SDoH and not race on LOS and discharge location. Initiatives to identify and address these barriers are crucial for enhancing the care of all GBM patients.

Microsurgical versus endovascular treatment of ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas: systematic review and meta-analysis with a single-center case series.

OBJECTIVE: Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are often associated with cortical venous drainage (CVD) and a higher incidence of hemorrhage compared with DAVFs in other locations. They may be treated with open surgical disconnection or with endovascular treatment (EVT). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors compare the outcomes of ethmoidal DAVFs treated with open microsurgery versus EVT and report four additional cases of ethmoidal DAVFs treated with open microsurgery in their institution. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022 to identify relevant articles published between 1990 and 2021 using the PRISMA guidelines. References were reviewed and screened by two authors independently, and disagreements were resolved through consensus. Exclusion criteria included non-English-language studies, those with an incorrect study design, those reporting DAVFs in a nonethmoidal location, and studies whose outcomes were not stratified based on DAVF location. Inclusion criteria were any studies reporting on ethmoidal DAVFs treated by either microsurgery or EVT. A risk of bias assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The authors performed a pooled proportional meta-analysis to compare patient outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included for analysis. Of 224 patients, 142 were treated with surgery, while 103 were treated with EVT. Seventy percent (148/210) of the patients were symptomatic at presentation, with hemorrhage being the most common presentation (48%). CVD was present in 98% of patients and venous ectasia in 61%. The rates of complete DAVF obliteration with surgery and EVT were 89% and 70%, respectively (95% CI -30% to -10%, p < 0.03). Twenty percent (21/103) of endovascularly treated fistulas required subsequent surgery. Procedure-related complications occurred in 10% of the surgical cases, compared with 13% of the EVT cases. The authors' case series included 4 patients with ethmoidal DAVFs treated surgically with complete obliteration, without any postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The complete obliteration rates of ethmoidal DAVF appear to be higher and more definitive with microsurgical intervention than with EVT. While complication rates between the two procedures seem similar, patients treated with EVT may require further interventions for definitive treatment. The limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, the quality of studies included, and the continued evolving technologies of EVT. Future studies should focus on the association between venous drainage pattern and the proclivity toward venous ectasia or rate of hemorrhage at presentation.

Adult neuro-oncology trials in the United States over 5 decades: Analysis of trials completion rate to guide the path forward.

Background: Clinical trials are important to close the gap between therapeutic unmet needs and scientific advances in neuro-oncology. This study analyzes the landscape of neuro-oncology trials to identify completion rates and guide strategies for the path forward. Methods: US-registered adult neuro-oncology clinical trials were extracted from www.clinicaltrials.gov (1966-2019), including funding source, trial type, scope, phase, and subjects' demographics. Completed trials defined as those that had completed participants' examinations or intervention administration for the purpose of the final collection of data for the primary outcome were dichotomized against those that failed to reach completion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to detect differences across factors comparing the last 2 decades (2000-2009, 2010-2019). Results: Our search yielded 4522 trials, of which 1257 are eligible for this study. In 25 US states, neuro-oncology trial availability is <0.85/100,000 population. Comparing the past 2 decades, trial completion rate decreased from 88% to 64% (P < .001) and National Institutes of Health funding decreased from 47% to 24% (P < .001). Inclusion of subjects >65-year-old and women increased, while inclusion of Hispanic subjects decreased (P < .001). The top 2 reasons for lack of completion included accrual and operational difficulties. A larger proportion of women, non-Hispanic subjects, and older adults were enrolled in completed trials than in those that failed completion. Conclusions: Our study is the first report on the neuro-oncology clinical trial landscape in the United States and supports the development of strategies to further improve access to these trials. Additionally, attention is needed to identify and modify other factors contributing to lack of completion.

National Trends in Orthopaedic Pain Management from 2016 to 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Effective pain management is vital in orthopaedic care, impacting postoperative recovery and patient well-being. This study aimed to discern national and regional pain prescription trends among orthopaedic surgeons through Medicare claims data, using geospatial analysis to ascertain opioid and nonopioid usage patterns across the United States. METHODS: Physician-level Medicare prescription databases from 2016 to 2020 were filtered to orthopaedic surgeons, and medications were categorized into opioids, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and NSAIDs. Patient demographics were extracted from a Medicare provider demographic data set, while county-level socioeconomic metrics were obtained primarily from the American Community Survey. Geospatial analysis was conducted using Geoda software, using Moran I statistic for cluster analysis of pain medication metrics. Statistical trends were analyzed using linear regression, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression, focusing on prescribing rates and hotspot/coldspot identification. RESULTS: Analysis encompassed 16,505 orthopaedic surgeons, documenting more than 396 million days of pain medication prescriptions: 57.42% NSAIDs, 28.57% opioids, 9.84% anticonvulsants, and 4.17% muscle relaxants. Annually, opioid prescriptions declined by 4.43% ( P < 0.01), while NSAIDs rose by 3.29% ( P < 0.01). Opioid prescriptions dropped by 210.73 days yearly per surgeon ( P < 0.005), whereas NSAIDs increased by 148.86 days ( P < 0.005). Opioid prescriptions were most prevalent in the West Coast and Northern Midwest regions, and NSAID prescriptions were most prevalent in the Northeast and South regions. Regression pinpointed spine as the highest and hand as the lowest predictor for pain prescriptions. DISCUSSION: On average, orthopaedic surgeons markedly decreased both the percentage of patients receiving opioids and the duration of prescription. Simultaneously, the fraction of patients receiving NSAIDs dramatically increased, without change in the average duration of prescription. Opioid hotspots were located in the West Coast, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, the Northern Midwest, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Future directions could include similar examinations using non-Medicare databases.

Influence of Body Mass Index on Surgical and Patient Outcomes for Cervical Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected registry. OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on postsurgical cervical spine surgery outcomes and identify a potential substratification of obesity with worse outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The impact of BMI on cervical spine surgery is unknown, with controversial outcomes for patients high and low BMI. METHODS: The cervical spine Quality Outcomes Database was queried for a total of 10,381 patients who underwent single-stage cervical spine surgery. Patients were substratified into 6 groups based on BMI. Surgical outcomes, complications, hospitalization outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes for each cohort, including modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score, Numeric Rating Scale arm pain, Numeric Rating Scale neck pain, Neck Disability Index, and EuroQol Health Survey, were assessed. Univariate analysis was performed for 3- and 12-month follow-up after surgical intervention. RESULTS: Obese patients (class I, II, and III) requiring spine surgery were statistically younger than nonobese patients and had higher rates of diabetes compared with normal BMI patients. The surgical length was found to be longer for overweight and all classes of obese patients ( P < 0.01). Class III obese patients had higher odds of postoperative complications. Patients with class II and III obesity had lower odds of achieving optimal modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score at 3 months [OR = 0.8 (0.67-0.94), P < 0.01, OR = 0.68 (0.56-0.82), P < 0.001, respectively] and 12 months [OR = 0.82 (0.68-0.98), P = 0.03, OR = 0.79 (0.64-0.98), P = 0.03, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigates the relationship between substratified BMI and postoperative outcomes of cervical spine surgery. Class II and III obese patients have substantially greater risk factors and poor outcomes postoperatively. In addition, low BMI also presents unique challenges for patients. Further research is needed for comprehensive analysis on outcomes of cervical spine surgery after correcting BMI.

Disparities in Access to Robotic Knee Arthroplasty: A Geospatial Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of robotic knee arthroplasty (RKA) continues to increase across the United States. The aim of this geospatial analysis was to elucidate if RKA is distributed uniformly across the United States or if disparities exist in patient access. METHODS: Publicly available provider-finding functions for 5 major manufacturers of RKA systems were used to obtain the practice locations of surgeons performing RKA along with their associated RKA system manufacturer. The average travel distance for each county to the nearest RKA surgeon was calculated and Moran's index clustering analysis was used to find hotspots and coldspots of RKA access. A logistic regression model was used to identify the predictive odds ratios between robotic hotspots and coldspots with county-level sociodemographic variables. Of the 34,216 currently practicing orthopedic surgeons in 2022, 2,571 have access to robotic assistance for knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: Hotspots of increased travel time were predominantly in West South Central and West North Central census regions. Hotspots were significantly more rural and consisted of predominantly White populations, with lower median income and health insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study align with existing literature, demonstrating absolute geographic access disparities for rural and economically disadvantaged populations. Additionally, relative access disparities persist for minority populations and individuals with high comorbidity burdens residing in urban areas.

Long-term assessment of the functional independence measure in sports-related spinal cord injury.

CONTEXT: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) secondary to traumatic sports-related etiology potentially face loss of independence. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) assesses the amount of assistance patients require and has shown sensitivity to changes in patient functional status post injury. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to (1) examine long-term outcomes following sports-related SCI (SRSCI) using FIM scoring at the time of injury, one year, and five years post-injury, and (2) determine predictors of independence at one and five-year follow-up considering surgical and non-surgical management. Few studies have investigated the cohort analyzed in this study. METHODS: The 1973-2016 National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Database was used to develop a SRSCI cohort. The primary outcome of interest captured functional independence using a multivariate logistic regression, defined by FIM individual scores greater than or equal to six, evaluated at one and five years. RESULTS: A total of 491 patients were analyzed, 60 (12%) were female, 452 (92%) underwent surgery. The cohort demographics were stratified by patients with and without spine surgery and evaluated for functional independence in FIM subcategories. Increased time spent in inpatient rehabilitation and FIM score at post-operative discharge were associated with greater likelihood of functional ability at both one and five-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that SRSCI patients are a unique subset of SCI patients for whom factors repeatedly associated with independence at one year follow-up were dissimilar to those associated with independence at five-year follow-up. Larger prospective studies should be conducted to establish guidelines for this unique subcategory of SCI patients.

Geospatial Evaluation of Disparities in Access to Cervical Spine Fusion in Metropolitan Areas Across the United States.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study with epidemiologic analysis of public Medicare data. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to use geospatial analysis to identify disparities in access to cervical spine fusions in metropolitan Medicare populations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical spine fusion is among the most common elective procedures performed by spine surgeons and is the most common surgical intervention for degenerative cervical spine disease. Although some studies have examined demographic and socioeconomic trends in cervical spine fusion, few have attempted to identify where disparities exist and quantify them at a community level. METHODS: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services physician billing and Medicare demographic data sets from 2013 to 2020 were filtered to contain only cervical spine fusion procedures and then combined with US Census socioeconomic data. The Moran Index geospatial clustering algorithm was used to identify statistically significant hotspot and coldspots of cervical spine fusions per 100,000 Medicare members at a county level. Univariate and multivariate analysis was subsequently conducted to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors that are associated with access to care. RESULTS: A total of 285,405 cervical spine fusions were analyzed. Hotspots of cervical spine fusion were located in the South, while coldspots were throughout the Northern Midwest, the Northeast, South Florida, and West Coast. The percent of Medicare patients that were Black was the largest negative predictor of cervical spine fusions per 100,000 Medicare members ( ß =-0.13, 95% CI: -0.16, -0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to access can have significant impacts on health outcomes, and these impacts can be disproportionately felt by marginalized groups. Accounting for socioeconomic disadvantage and geography, this analysis found the Black race to be a significant negative predictor of access to cervical spine fusions. Future studies are needed to further explore potential socioeconomic barriers that exist in access to specialized surgical care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective.

The State of Machine Learning in Outcomes Prediction of Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this analysis is to assess the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms in the prediction of postoperative outcomes, including complications, recurrence, and death in transsphenoidal surgery. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed all papers that used at least one ML algorithm to predict outcomes after transsphenoidal surgery. We searched Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for studies published prior to May 12, 2021. We identified 13 studies enrolling 5,048 patients. We extracted the general characteristics of each study; the sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC) of the ML models developed as well as the features identified as important by the ML models. We identified 12 studies with 5,048 patients that included ML algorithms for adenomas, three with 1807 patients specifically for acromegaly, and five with 2105 patients specifically for Cushing's disease. Nearly all were single-institution studies. The studies used a heterogeneous mix of ML algorithms and features to build predictive models. All papers reported an AUC greater than 0.7, which indicates clinical utility. ML algorithms have the potential to predict postoperative outcomes of transsphenoidal surgery and can improve patient care. Ensemble algorithms and neural networks were often top performers when compared with other ML algorithms. Biochemical and preoperative features were most likely to be selected as important by ML models. Inexplicability remains a challenge, but algorithms such as local interpretable model-agnostic explanation or Shapley value can increase explainability of ML algorithms. Our analysis shows that ML algorithms have the potential to greatly assist surgeons in clinical decision making.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Diagnosis and the Prognostication of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Despite the high incidence and burden of stroke, biological biomarkers are not used routinely in clinical practice to diagnose, determine progression, or prognosticate outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Because of its direct interface with neural tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a potentially valuable source for biomarker development. This systematic review was conducted using three databases. All trials investigating clinical and preclinical models for CSF biomarkers for AIS diagnosis, prognostication, and severity grading were included, yielding 22 human trials and five animal studies for analysis. In total, 21 biomarkers and other multiomic proteomic markers were identified. S100B, inflammatory markers (including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6), and free fatty acids were the most frequently studied biomarkers. The review showed that CSF is an effective medium for biomarker acquisition for AIS. Although CSF is not routinely clinically obtained, a potential benefit of CSF studies is identifying valuable biomarkers from the pathophysiologic microenvironment that ultimately inform optimization of targeted low-abundance assays from peripheral biofluid samples (e.g., plasma). Several important catabolic and anabolic markers can serve as effective measures of diagnosis, etiology identification, prognostication, and severity grading. Trials with large cohorts studying the efficacy of biomarkers in altering clinical management are still needed.

Middle meningeal artery embolization associated with reduced chronic subdural hematoma volume and midline shift in the acute postoperative period.

BACKGROUND: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for endovascular treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is growing in popularity. cSDH volume and midline shift were analyzed in the immediate postoperative window after MMA embolization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cSDHs managed via MMA embolization from January 1, 2018 to March 30, 2021 was performed at a large quaternary center. Pre- and postoperative cSDH volume and midline shift were quantified with CT. Postoperative CT was obtained 12 to 36 hours after embolization. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant reduction. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic and linear regression for percent improvement from baseline volume. RESULTS: In total, 80 patients underwent MMA embolization for 98 cSDHs during the study period. The mean (SD) initial cSDH volume was 66.54 (34.67) mL, and the mean midline shift was 3.79 (2.85) mm. There were significant reductions in mean cSDH volume (12.1 mL, 95% CI 9.32 to 14.27 mL, P<0.001) and midline shift (0.80 mm, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.36 mm, P<0.001). In the immediate postoperative period, 22% (14/65) of patients had a>30% reduction in cSDH volume. A multivariate analysis of 36 patients found that preoperative antiplatelet and anticoagulation use was significantly associated with an expansion in volume (OR 0.028, 95% CI 0.000 to 0.405, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: MMA embolization is safe and effective for the management of cSDH and is associated with significant reductions in hematoma volume and midline shift in the immediate postoperative period.

Efficacy of a prolonged stability melphalan formulation for intra-arterial treatment of retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Melphalan, which is poorly soluble at room temperature, is widely used for the treatment of retinoblastoma by selective ophthalmic artery infusion. Evomela, a propylene glycol-free formulation of melphalan with improved solubility and stability, has recently been used as an alternative.To compare the safety and efficacy of Evomela with standard-formulation melphalan (SFM) in the treatment of retinoblastoma by selective ophthalmic artery infusion. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study of patients with retinoblastoma undergoing selective ophthalmic artery infusion with SFM or Evomela at a single institution. Cycle-specific percent tumor regression (CSPTR) was estimated by comparing photos obtained during pretreatment examination under anesthesia (EUA) with those obtained during post-treatment EUA 3-4 weeks later. CSPTR, ocular salvage rates, complication rates, operation times (unadjusted and adjusted for difficulty of ophthalmic artery catheterization), and intraprocedural dose expiration rates were compared between Evomela- and SFM-treated groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven operations (melphalan: 45; Evomela: 52) for 23 patients with 27 retinoblastomas were studied. The ocular salvage rate was 79% in the SFM-treated group and 69% in the Evomela-treated group. Multivariate regression controlling for tumor grade, patient age, and treatment history revealed no significant differences in ocular salvage rate, CSPTR, complication rates, or operation times. Although the dose expiration rate was higher for the SFM-treated group, the difference was not statistically significant. Notably, there were no ocular or cerebral ischemic complications. CONCLUSION: Evomela has non-inferior safety and efficacy relative to SFM when used for the treatment of retinoblastoma by selective ophthalmic artery infusion.

A comprehensive assessment of self-reported symptoms among patients harboring an unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

Background: Approximately 3.2%-6% of the general population harbor an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). Ruptured aneurysms represent a significant healthcare burden, and preventing rupture relies on early detection and treatment. Most patients with UIAs are asymptomatic, and many of the symptoms associated with UIAs are nonspecific, which makes diagnosis challenging. This study explored symptoms associated with UIAs, the rate of resolution of such symptoms after microsurgical treatment, and the likely pathophysiology. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with UIAs who underwent microsurgical treatment from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, at a single quaternary center were identified. Analyses included the prevalence of nonspecific symptoms upon clinical presentation and postoperative follow-up; comparisons of symptomatology by aneurysmal location; and comparisons of patient demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, and poor neurologic outcome at postoperative follow-up stratified by symptomatic versus asymptomatic presentation. Results: The analysis included 454 patients; 350 (77%) were symptomatic. The most common presenting symptom among all 454 patients was headache (n = 211 [46%]), followed by vertigo (n = 94 [21%]), cognitive disturbance (n = 68[15%]), and visual disturbance (n = 64 [14%]). Among 328 patients assessed for postoperative symptoms, 258 (79%) experienced symptom resolution or improvement. Conclusion: This cohort demonstrates that the clinical presentation of patients with UIAs can be associated with vague and nonspecific symptoms. Early detection is crucial to prevent aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is imperative that physicians not rule out aneurysms in the setting of nonspecific neurologic symptoms.

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SCI - Proposal for Combined Approach.

Increased risk of bone fracture due to bone mineral density (BMD) loss is a serious consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Traditionally, pharmaceutical approaches, such as bisphosphonates, have been prescribed to prevent bone loss. However, there is controversy in the literature regarding efficacy of these medications to mitigate the drastic bone loss following SCI. Individuals with SCI are particularly at risk of osteoporosis because of the lack of ambulation and weight bearing activities. In the past two decades, functional electric stimulation (FES) has allowed for another approach to treat bone loss. FES approaches are expanding into various modalities such as cycling and rowing exercises and show promising outcomes with minimal consequences. In addition, these non-pharmacological treatments can elevate overall physical and mental health. This article provides an overview of efficacy of different treatment options for BMD loss for SCI and advocates for a combined approach be pursued in standard of care.

Differentiating radiation necrosis from tumor recurrence: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis comparing imaging modalities.

PURPSOSE: Cerebral radiation necrosis (RN) is often a delayed phenomenon occurring several months to years after the completion of radiation treatment. Differentiating RN from tumor recurrence presents a diagnostic challenge on standard MRI. To date, no evidence-based guidelines exist regarding imaging modalities best suited for this purpose. We aim to review the current literature and perform a diagnostic meta-analysis comparing various imaging modalities that have been studied to differentiate tumor recurrence and RN. METHODS: A systematic search adherent to PRISMA guidelines was performed using Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Embase. Pooled sensitivities and specificities were determined using a random-effects or fixed-effects proportional meta-analysis based on heterogeneity. Using diagnostic odds ratios, a diagnostic frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was performed, and studies were ranked using P-score hierarchical ranking. RESULTS: The analysis included 127 studies with a total of 220 imaging datasets, including the following imaging modalities: MRI (n = 10), MR Spectroscopy (MRS) (n = 28), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (n = 7), dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (n = 36), MR arterial spin labeling (n = 5), diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 13), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (n = 2), PET (n = 89), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (n = 30). MRS had the highest pooled sensitivity (90.7%). DTI had the highest pooled specificity (90.5%). Our hierarchical ranking ranked SPECT and MRS as most preferable, and MRI was ranked as least preferable. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest SPECT and MRS carry greater utility than standard MRI in distinguishing RN from tumor recurrence.

Efficacy of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of patient-level data.

OBJECTIVE: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been approved as a therapy for movement disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Recently, DBS has been studied in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), which is a debilitating and life-threatening psychiatric disorder. Several stimulation locations have been tested without a clear indication of the best region. In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, the authors used patient-level data to identify stimulation targets with the greatest evidence for efficacy in increasing body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A systematic search was performed on or before August 4, 2022, using PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid, and Scopus. Articles were included if patient-level data were presented, patients were diagnosed with AN and treated with DBS, and 6 months or more of postoperative follow-up data were reported. Quality and risk of bias were assessed with the NIH assessment tools. Patient data were collected and stratified by stimulation location. A network meta-analysis was performed. This review was written in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. RESULTS: Eleven studies consisting of 36 patients were included. The mean age and BMI at the time of surgery were 38.07 (SD 11.64) years and 12.58 (SD 1.4) kg/m2, respectively. After 6 months of DBS, a significant difference in percentage change in BMI was found between the nucleus accumbens and subcallosal cingulate cortex (SCC) (SMD 0.78; 95% CI 0.10, 1.45) and between the SCC and ventral anterior limb of the internal capsule (SMD -1.51; 95% CI -2.39, -0.62). Similarly, at 9-12 months, a significant difference in percentage change in BMI was found between the SCC and ventral anterior limb of the internal capsule (SMD -1.18; 95% CI -2.21, -0.15). With hierarchical ranking, this study identified SCC as the most supported stimulation location for BMI change at 6 and 9-12 months (P-scores 0.9449 and 0.9771, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Several DBS targets have been tested for AN, and this study identified the SCC as the most supported region for BMI change. However, further studies with blinded on/off periods are necessary to confirm this finding.