Retrosigmoid versus middle fossa approach for hearing and facial nerve preservation in vestibular schwannoma surgery: A systematic review and comparative meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors arising from vestibular nerve's Schwann cells. Surgical resection via retrosigmoid (RS) or middle fossa (MF) is standard, but the optimal approach remains debated. This meta-analysis evaluated RS and MF approaches for VS management, emphasizing hearing preservation and Cranial nerve seven (CN VII) outcomes stratified by tumor size. METHODS: Systematic searches across PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase identified relevant studies. Hearing and CN VII outcomes were gauged using the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gardner Robertson, and House-Brackmann scores. RESULTS: Among 7228 patients, 56 % underwent RS and 44 % MF. For intracanalicular tumors, MF recorded 38 % hearing loss, compared to RS's 54 %. In small tumors (<1.5 cm), MF showed 41 % hearing loss, contrasting RS's lower 15 %. Medium-sized tumors (1.5 cm-2.9 cm) revealed 68 % hearing loss in MF and 55 % in RS. Large tumors (>3cm) were only reported in RS with a hearing loss rate of 62 %. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, while MF may be preferable for intracanalicular tumors, RS demonstrated superior hearing preservation for small to medium-sized tumors. This research underlines the significance of stratified outcomes by tumor size, guiding surgical decisions and enhancing patient outcomes.

Efficacy and Safety of Intraoperative Radiotherapy for High-Grade Gliomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive tumors of the central nervous system that cause significant morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in surgery and radiation therapy (RT), HGG still has a high incidence of recurrence and treatment failure. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to achieve local tumor control while sparing normal brain tissue from radiation-induced damage. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the use of IORT for HGG. Eligible studies were included based on specific criteria, and data were independently extracted. Outcomes of interest included complications, IORT failure, survival rates at 12 and 24 months, and mortality. RESULTS: Sixteen studies comprising 436 patients were included. The overall complication rate after IORT was 17%, with significant heterogeneity observed. The IORT failure rate was 77%, while the survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 74% and 24%, respectively. The mortality rate was 62%. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that IORT may be a promising adjuvant treatment for selected patients with HGG. Despite the high rate of complications and treatment failures, the survival outcomes were comparable or even superior to conventional methods. However, the limitations of the study, such as the lack of a control group and small sample sizes, warrant further investigation through prospective randomized controlled trials to better understand the specific patient populations that may benefit most from IORT. However, the limitations of the study, such as the lack of a control group and small sample sizes, warrant further investigation. Notably, the ongoing RP3 trial (NCT02685605) is currently underway, with the aim of providing a more comprehensive understanding of IORT. Moreover, future research should focus on managing complications associated with IORT to improve its safety and efficacy in treating HGG.

Assessing the safety and efficacy of EVOH Pre-Embolization in head and neck paraganglioma tumors: A comprehensive analysis of current literature.

BACKGROUND: Head and Neck Paragangliomas are characterized by having a rich blood supply. Presurgical embolization with Onyx as a neoadjuvant treatment is not a consensus regarding its efficacy and safety. Our study aimed to answer this matter through a single-arm meta-analysis. METHODS: We systematically reviewed 4 databases. Sixteen studies were described and suitable papers were selected for meta-analysis of estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), percentage of tumor devascularization, and complications associated with embolization. RESULTS: The study identified 198 patients with 203 tumors, aged between 8 and 70 years. Commonly reported symptoms included neck mass perception and cranial nerve impairment. Carotid Body Tumors were most prevalent (127, 62.5 %), followed by jugular (48, 23.6 %), or vagal (29, 14.2 %) tumors. Eight studies reported estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL) averaging 261.89 ml (95 %CI: 128.96 to 394.81 ml). In an analysis of 9 studies, 99 % (95 %CI: 96 to 100 %) achieved 70 % or more devascularization, and 79 % (95 %CI: 58 to 100 %) achieved 90 % or more devascularization. Complications from endovascular procedures were observed in 3 % (95 %CI: 0 to 8 %) of 96 patients across 10 studies, including 4 facial nerve deficits. Eighteen postoperative neurological deficits were reported across 15 articles. CONCLUSION: Despite acknowledged limitations, with refined indications, EVOH, especially Onyx embolization may significantly bolster patient safety, decreasing EBL and easing surgical resection. Further research with larger studies will refine criteria, optimize techniques, and improve patient care and treatment outcomes in the management of head and neck paragangliomas.

Enhancing meningioma resection: a comprehensive study on the safety and effectiveness of Onyx™ presurgical embolization.

Presurgical embolization (PE) has emerged as an interesting strategy to help turn brain tumor resection more amenable. This study aims to systematically review the safety and effectiveness of Onyx™ PE in meningioma resection. We followed Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA for systematic review and meta-analysis, querying PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Major complications were defined as other artery occlusion, visual deficits due to PE, or non temporary nerve damage, while minor included transitory conditions and others without clinical implications. A total of 186 patients were included, in which 120 were WHO grade I (80%), II (16%), and III (4%). Patient baseline characteristics and complications were distributed in groups without or with individual patient data analysis. Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis (IPDMA) was performed on the last category, comprising 51 meningiomas that underwent Onyx™ PE. Among available data, 70%, 17%, and 13% were WHO grade I, II, and III, respectively. Considering all studies, tumor characteristics regarding grade underscored a certain homogeneity. Complications occurred at a rate of 9% (95% CI, 4 to 14%; I2 = 35%), with the rate of major complications significantly lower at only 1% (95% CI, 0 to 3%; I2 = 32%), whereas of minor complications was 7% (95% CI, 3 to 10%; I2 = 0%). Mean surgery blood loss was 668.7 (95% CI, 534.9 to 835.8; I2 = 0%) in IPDMA. Onyx™ PE is promising for safer surgical meningioma resection, despite limitations. Further studies are required to validate efficacy, enhance patient selection, and refine techniques.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of fusion rate enhancements and bone graft options for spine surgery.

Our study aimed to evaluate differences in outcomes of patients submitted to spinal fusion using different grafts measuring the effectiveness of spinal fusion rates, pseudarthrosis rates, and adverse events. Applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, this systematic review and meta-analysis identified 64 eligible articles. The main inclusion criteria were adult patients that were submitted to spinal fusion, autologous iliac crest (AIC), allograft (ALG), alloplastic (ALP; hydroxyapatite, rhBMP-2, rhBMP-7, or the association between them), and local bone (LB), whether in addition to metallic implants or not, was applied. We made a comparison among those groups to evaluate the presence of differences in outcomes, such as fusion rate, hospital stay, follow-up extension (6, 12, 24, and 48 months), pseudarthrosis rate, and adverse events. Sixty-four studies were identified. LB presented significantly higher proportions of fusion rates (95.3% CI 89.7-98.7) compared to the AIC (88.6% CI 84.8-91.9), ALG (87.8% CI 80.8-93.4), and ALP (85.8% CI 75.7-93.5) study groups. Pseudarthrosis presented at a significantly lower pooled proportion of ALG studies (4.8% CI 0.1-15.7) compared to AIC (8.6% CI 4.2-14.2), ALP (7.1% CI 0.9-18.2), and LB (10.3% CI 1.8-24.5). ALP and AIC studies described significantly more cases of adverse events (80 events/404 patients and 860 events/2001 patients, respectively) compared to LB (20 events/311 patients) and ALG (73 events/459 patients). Most studies presented high risk-of-bias scores. Based on fusion rates and adverse events proportions, LB showed a superior trend among the graft cases we analyzed. However, our review revealed highly heterogeneous data and a need for more rigorous studies to better address and assist surgeons' choices of the best spinal grafts.

Postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio variation is associated with chronic subdural hematoma recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical pathologies. The recurrence of chronic subdural haematomas is an important concern, considering that elderly patients are the most affected and reoperations in these patients may represent a risk of neurological and clinical complications. In accordance with the inflammatory theory regarding CSDH and its recurrence, we aimed to evaluate the role of an inflammatory marker, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as a risk factor and prognostic variable for CSDH recurrence. METHODS: We performed a cohort study of adult patients operated for post-traumatic CSDH traumatic CSDH between January 2015 and December 2019 in our neurotrauma unit, whose data was retrospectively retrieved. We excluded patients with previous inflammatory or infectious diseases as well as use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were obtained 24 h preoperatively and 48-72 h postoperatively. The primary endpoint was symptomatic recurrence of CSDH up to 1 year after the surgery. An independent sample was used to validate the findings. RESULTS: The testing sample comprised 160 patients (59.4% male, mean age 69.3 ± 14.3 years, recurrence rate 22.5%). Postoperative neutrophil count and NLR were higher in those who recurred, as well as the neutrophils (median 1.15 vs 0.96, p = 0.022) and NLR (median 1.29 vs 0.79, p = 0.001) postoperative-to-preoperative ratios. Preoperative laboratory parameters or other baseline variables were not associated with recurrence. Postoperative NLR ratio (each additional unit, OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.37-4.67, p = 0.003) was independently associated with recurrence. The best cut-off for the postoperative NLR ratio was 0.995 (AUC-ROC 0.67, sensitivity 63.9%, specificity 76.6%). Postoperative NLR ratio ≥ 1 (i.e. a post-operative NLR that does not decrease compared to the preoperative value) was associated with recurrence (OR 4.59, 95% CI 2.00-10.53, p < 0.001). The validation sample analysis (66 patients) yielded similar results (AUC-ROC 0.728, 95% CI 0.594-0.862, p = 0.002) and similar cut-off (≥ 1.05, sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 66.7%). CONCLUSION: NLR ratio can be a useful parameter for the prediction of post-traumatic CSDH recurrence. This hypothesis was validated in an independent sample and the accuracy was moderate.

Cranial autologous bone flap resorption after a cranioplasty: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Craniectomies and cranioplasty are common neurosurgical procedures performed after brain trauma, ischemia, tumor resection, or infection. Post-cranioplasty autologous bone flap resorption may occur in patients after delayed cranial reconstruction. The occurrence is usually low when bone flaps are stored in subcutaneous abdominal tissue. We report a unique case of post-cranioplasty cranial bone flap. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a total autologous bone flap resorption in a 28-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse. He was found unconscious in his bedroom with a head trauma of unknown mechanism. After an emergency room assessment, he was diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma and underwent to emergency surgical drainage and a craniectomy. Three months later, a cranioplasty was performed and he exhibited exceptional outcomes. During a follow-up assessment, 7 months post-cranioplasty, total bone flap resorption was observed on computerized tomography image. CONCLUSION: This case described an abnormal accelerated resorption of an autologous bone flap cranioplasty inserted after 3 months. Thus, to avoid bone flap resorption, an as early as possibly strategy may prevent this. Still, the exact mechanisms underlying bone resorption are poorly understood.

Cortical mapping with navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation in low-grade glioma surgery.

UNLABELLED: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising method for both investigation and therapeutic treatment of psychiatric and neurologic disorders and, more recently, for brain mapping. This study describes the application of navigated TMS for motor cortex mapping in patients with a brain tumor located close to the precentral gyrus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, six patients with low-grade gliomas in or near the precentral gyrus underwent TMS, and their motor responses were correlated to locations in the cortex around the lesion, generating a functional map overlaid on three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. To determine the accuracy of this new method, we compared TMS mapping with the gold standard mapping with direct cortical electrical stimulation in surgery. The same navigation system and TMS-generated map were used during the surgical resection procedure. RESULTS: The motor cortex could be clearly mapped using both methods. The locations corresponding to the hand and forearm, found during intraoperative mapping, showed a close spatial relationship to the homotopic areas identified by TMS mapping. The mean distance between TMS and direct cortical electrical stimulation (DES) was 4.16 ± 1.02 mm (range: 2.56-5.27 mm). CONCLUSION: Preoperative mapping of the motor cortex with navigated TMS prior to brain tumor resection is a useful presurgical planning tool with good accuracy.

Cerebral hemodynamics: concepts of clinical importance.

Cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism are frequently impaired in a wide range of neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury and stroke, with several pathophysiological mechanisms of injury. The resultant uncoupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism can trigger secondary brain lesions, particularly in early phases, consequently worsening the patient's outcome. Cerebral blood flow regulation is influenced by blood gas content, blood viscosity, body temperature, cardiac output, altitude, cerebrovascular autoregulation, and neurovascular coupling, mediated by chemical agents such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), eicosanoid products, oxygen-derived free radicals, endothelins, K+, H+, and adenosine. A better understanding of these factors is valuable for the management of neurocritical care patients. The assessment of both cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in the acute phase of neurocritical care conditions may contribute to a more effective planning of therapeutic strategies for reducing secondary brain lesions. In this review, the authors have discussed concepts of cerebral hemodynamics, considering aspects of clinical importance.

Cerebral hemodynamics: concepts of clinical importance / Hemodinâmica encefálica: conceitos de importância clínica

Cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism are frequently impaired in a wide range of neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury and stroke, with several pathophysiological mechanisms of injury. The resultant uncoupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism can trigger secondary brain lesions, particularly in early phases, consequently worsening the patient's outcome. Cerebral blood flow regulation is influenced by blood gas content, blood viscosity, body temperature, cardiac output, altitude, cerebrovascular autoregulation, and neurovascular coupling, mediated by chemical agents such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), eicosanoid products, oxygen-derived free radicals, endothelins, K+, H+, and adenosine. A better understanding of these factors is valuable for the management of neurocritical care patients. The assessment of both cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in the acute phase of neurocritical care conditions may contribute to a more effective planning of therapeutic strategies for reducing secondary brain lesions. In this review, the authors have discussed concepts of cerebral hemodynamics, considering aspects of clinical importance.

Alterações hemodinâmicas e metabólicas do encéfalo ocorrem frequentemente em diversas doenças neurológicas, principalmente em condições de traumatismo cranioencefálico e acidente vascular encefálico, com vários mecanismos patofisiológicos lesionais. O desacoplamento resultante do fluxo sanguíneo e do metabolismo encefálico pode resultar em lesões encefálicas secundárias, principalmente nas primeiras fases, e, consequentemente, no agravamento do desfecho neurológico dos pacientes. Diversos fatores influenciam o fluxo sanguíneo encefálico, entre eles, a concentração sanguínea de gases, viscosidade sanguínea, temperatura corpórea, débito cardíaco, altitude, autorregulação cerebrovascular e acoplamento neurovascular, que é mediado por óxido nítrico (ON), monóxido de carbono (CO), eicosanoides, radicais livres derivados do oxigênio, endotelinas, potássio, íons hidrogênio e adenosinas. Melhor compreensão destes fatores é fundamental para o manejo clínico dos pacientes neurológicos críticos. A avaliação hemodinâmica e metabólica do encéfalo nas lesões encefálicas agudas pode contribuir para o planejamento de estratégias de redução das lesões encefálicas secundárias. Nesta revisão, os autores discutiram princípios da hemodinâmica encefálica, considerando os aspectos de importância clínica.

The prognosis of the traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective report of 121 patients.

Recent investigations have shown the significance of subarachnoid bleeding on computed tomography scans first taken after admission for head injuries. In our study, we describe a prospective follow-up of 121 patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH). From January 2004 to January 2007 we collected data prospectively from 121 patients admitted with diagnosis of tSAH to our trauma intensive care unit, on the basis of admission with a computed tomography scan. The classification of tSAH was performed using the Fisher scale with modification, and the follow-up was performed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). The minimum period for a follow-up was established 6 months after the injury. Traffic accident was the main cause of head injuries (72% in total; 48% involving cars and 24% involving motorcycles), followed by falls (23%) and aggression (5%). Twenty-eight percent of patients sustained major multiple injuries, with spinal injury as the main associated trauma. The outcome was favorable (GOS score 4 or 5) in 54 patients (45%) and unfavorable (GOS score 1, 2, or 3) in 67 patients (55%). The mortality rate was proportionally greater in patients who had cisternal clots >1 mm (P < 0.001), assessed by the Fisher scale with modification. When functional recovery was evaluated using the GOS, the recovery rate and the daily life activities were lower in patients with intraventricular bleeding (P = 0.001). Our results showed that patients with severe tSAH had the worst prognosis.