Endovascular surgical neuro-oncology: advancing a new subspecialty.

Endovascular surgical neuro-oncology is a relatively new subspecialty which uses endovascular neuro-interventional techniques for the management of nervous system tumors and tumor-related vascular conditions. Although there are several endovascular procedures that are widely available as standard-of-care diagnostic and treatment adjuncts, there has been a renewed interest to explore endovascular approaches as a means for selective intra-arterial delivery of therapeutic agents to nervous system tumors, including methods for opening the blood brain and blood tumor barriers. In this review, we discuss the historical development of various forms of endovascular intra-arterial treatment for tumors over the past 40 years, summarize endovascular approaches that are currently being employed, and highlight current clinical trials.

Pediatric hemispherectomy outcome: Adaptive functioning, intelligence, and memory.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to characterize neuropsychological evaluation (NP) outcome following functional hemispherectomy in a large, representative cohort of pediatric patients. METHODS: We evaluated seizure and NP outcomes and medical variables for all post-hemispherectomy patients from Seattle Children's Hospital epilepsy surgery program between 1996 and 2020. Neuropsychological evaluation outcome tests used were not available on all patients due to the diversity of patient ages and competency that is typical of a representative pediatric cohort; all patients had at least an adaptive functioning or intelligence measure, and a subgroup had memory testing. RESULTS: A total of 71 hemispherectomy patients (37 right; 34 females) yielded 66 with both preoperative (PREOP) plus postoperative (POSTOP) NPs and 5 with POSTOP only. Median surgery age was 5.7 (IQR 2-9.9) years. Engel classification indicated excellent seizure outcomes: 59 (84%) Class I, 6 (8%) Class II, 5 (7%) Class III, and 1 (1%) Class IV. Medical variables - including seizure etiology, surgery age, side, presurgical seizure duration, unilateral or bilateral structural abnormalities, secondarily generalized motor seizures - were not associated with either Engel class or POSTOP NP scores, though considerable heterogeneity was evident. Median PREOP and POSTOP adaptive functioning (PREOP n = 45, POSTOP n = 48) and intelligence (PREOP n = 29, POSTOP n = 36) summary scores were exceptionally low and did not reveal group decline from PREOP to POSTOP. Fifty-five of 66 (85%) cases showed stability or improvement. Specifically, 5 (8%) improved; 50 (76%) showed stability; and 11 (16%) declined. Improve and decline groups showed clinically interesting, but not statistical, differences in seizure control and age. Median memory summary scores were low and also showed considerable heterogeneity. Overall median PREOP to POSTOP memory scores (PREOP n = 16, POSTOP n = 24) did not reveal declines, and verbal memory scores improved. Twenty six percent of intelligence and 33% of memory tests had verbal versus visual-spatial discrepancies; all but one favored verbal, regardless of hemispherectomy side. SIGNIFICANCE: This large, single institution study revealed excellent seizure outcome in 91% of all 71 patients plus stability and/or improvement of intelligence and adaptive functioning in 85% of 66 patients who had PREOP plus POSTOP NPs. Memory was similarly stable overall, and verbal memory improved. Medical variables did not predict group NP outcomes though heterogeneity argues for further research. This study is unique for cohort size, intelligence plus memory testing, and evidence of primacy of verbal over visual-spatial development, despite hemispherectomy side. This study reinforces the role of hemispherectomy in achieving good seizure outcome while preserving functioning.

Prognostic significance of subdural hygroma for post-traumatic hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy in the traumatic brain injury setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a potentially morbid sequela of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Subdural hygromas are commonly identified following decompressive craniectomy, but the clinical relevance and predictive relationship with PTH in this patient cohort is not completely understood. Survey of seven electronic databases from inception to June 2019 was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were screened against pre-specified criteria. Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) for PTH by the presence of subdural hygroma were extracted and pooled by meta-analysis of proportions with random effects modeling. We systematically identified nine pertinent studies describing outcomes of 1010 TBI patients managed by decompressive craniectomy. Of the overall cohort, there were 211 (21%) females and median age was 37.5 years (range 33-53). On presentation, median Glasgow Coma Scale was 7 (range, 5-8). In sum, PTH was reported in 228/840 (27%) cases, and subdural hygroma was reported in 449/1010 (44%) cases across all studies. Pooling multivariate-derived HRs indicated that subdural hygroma was a significant, independent predictor of PTH (HR, 7.1; 95% CI, 3.3-15.1). The certainty of this association was deemed low due to heterogeneity concerns. The presence of subdural hygroma is associated with increased risk of PTH after decompressive craniectomy among TBI patients based on the current literature and may mandate closer clinical surveillance when detected. Prospective studies, including those of intracranial hydrodynamics following decompressive craniectomy in the setting of TBI, will better validate the certainty of these findings.

Cellular allograft for multilevel stand-alone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common treatment for degenerative disease of the cervical spine. Given the high rate of pseudarthrosis in multilevel stand-alone ACDF, there is a need to explore the utility of novel grafting materials. In this study, the authors present a single-institution retrospective study of patients with multilevel degenerative spine disease who underwent multilevel stand-alone ACDF surgery with or without cellular allograft supplementation. METHODS: In a prospectively collected database, 28 patients who underwent multilevel ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft (ViviGen) and 25 patients who underwent multilevel ACDF with decellularized allograft between 2014 and 2020 were identified. The primary outcome was radiographic fusion determined by a 1-year follow-up CT scan. Secondary outcomes included change in Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores and change in visual analog scale scores for neck and arm pain. RESULTS: The study included 53 patients with a mean age of 53 ± 0.7 years who underwent multilevel stand-alone ACDF encompassing 2.6 ± 0.7 levels on average. Patient demographics were similar between the two cohorts. In the cellular allograft cohort, 2 patients experienced postoperative dysphagia that resolved by the 3-month follow-up. One patient developed cervical radiculopathy due to graft subsidence and required a posterior foraminotomy. At the 1-year CT, successful fusion was achieved in 92.9% (26/28) of patients who underwent ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft, compared with 84.0% (21/25) of patients who underwent ACDF without cellular allograft. The cellular allograft cohort experienced a significantly greater improvement in the mean postoperative NDI score (p < 0.05) compared with the other cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular allograft is a low-morbidity bone allograft option for ACDF. In this study, the authors determined favorable arthrodesis rates and functional outcomes in a complex patient cohort following multilevel stand-alone ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft.

Progress in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma: advocating for stereotactic biopsy in the standard of care.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a universally fatal pediatric brainstem tumor affecting approximately 300 children in the US annually. Median survival is less than 1 year, and radiation therapy has been the mainstay of treatment for decades. Recent advances in the biological understanding of the disease have identified the H3K27M mutation in nearly 80% of DIPGs, leading to the 2016 WHO classification of diffuse midline glioma H3K27M-mutant, a grade IV brainstem tumor. Developments in epigenetic targeting of transcriptional tendencies have yielded potential molecular targets for clinical trials. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy has also shown preclinical promise. Recent clinical studies, including prospective trials, have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of pediatric brainstem biopsy in the setting of DIPG and other brainstem tumors. Given developments in the ability to analyze DIPG tumor tissue to deepen biological understanding of this disease and develop new therapies for treatment, together with the increased safety of stereotactic brainstem biopsy, the authors present a case for offering biopsy to all children with suspected DIPG. They also present their standard operative techniques for image-guided, frameless stereotactic biopsy.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy for pediatric atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor: case report.

Herein, the authors describe the successful use of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for management of metastatic craniospinal disease for biopsy-proven atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor in a 16-month-old boy presenting to their care. Specifically, LITT was administered to lesions of the right insula and left caudate. The patient tolerated 2 stages of LITT to the aforementioned lesions without complication and with evidence of radiographic improvement of lesions at the 2- and 6-month follow-up appointments. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first such published report of LITT for management of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor.

Pediatric functional hemispherectomy: operative techniques and complication avoidance.

Functional hemispherectomy/hemispherotomy is a disconnection procedure for severe medically refractory epilepsy where the seizure foci diffusely localize to one hemisphere. It is an improvement on anatomical hemispherectomy and was first performed by Rasmussen in 1974. Less invasive surgical approaches and refinements have been made to improve seizure freedom and minimize surgical morbidity and complications. Key anatomical structures that are disconnected include the 1) internal capsule and corona radiata, 2) mesial temporal structures, 3) insula, 4) corpus callosum, 5) parietooccipital connection, and 6) frontobasal connection. A stepwise approach is indicated to ensure adequate disconnection and prevent seizure persistence or recurrence. In young pediatric patients, careful patient selection and modern surgical techniques have resulted in > 80% seizure freedom and very good functional outcome. In this report, the authors summarize the history of hemispherectomy and its development and present a graphical guide for this anatomically challenging procedure. The use of the osteoplastic flap to improve outcome and the management of hydrocephalus are discussed.

Lung-protective ventilation for the surgical patient: international expert panel-based consensus recommendations.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) occur frequently and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that reduction of PPCs can be accomplished by using lung-protective ventilation strategies intraoperatively, but a consensus on perioperative management has not been established. We sought to determine recommendations for lung protection for the surgical patient at an international consensus development conference. Seven experts produced 24 questions concerning preoperative assessment and intraoperative mechanical ventilation for patients at risk of developing PPCs. Six researchers assessed the literature using questions as a framework for their review. The modified Delphi method was utilised by a team of experts to produce recommendations and statements from study questions. An expert consensus was reached for 22 recommendations and four statements. The following are the highlights: (i) a dedicated score should be used for preoperative pulmonary risk evaluation; and (ii) an individualised mechanical ventilation may improve the mechanics of breathing and respiratory function, and prevent PPCs. The ventilator should initially be set to a tidal volume of 6-8 ml kg-1 predicted body weight and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5 cm H2O. PEEP should be individualised thereafter. When recruitment manoeuvres are performed, the lowest effective pressure and shortest effective time or fewest number of breaths should be used.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in neurological surgery and neurocritical care.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography is an inexpensive, noninvasive means of measuring blood flow within the arteries of the brain. In this review, the authors outline the technology underlying TCD ultrasonography and describe its uses in patients with neurosurgical diseases. One of the most common uses of TCD ultrasonography is monitoring for vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this setting, elevated blood flow velocities serve as a proxy for vasospasm and can herald the onset of ischemia. TCD ultrasonography is also useful in the evaluation and management of occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Monitoring for microembolic signals enables stratification of stroke risk due to carotid stenosis and can also be used to clarify stroke etiology. TCD ultrasonography can identify patients with exhausted cerebrovascular reserve, and after extracranial-intracranial bypass procedures it can be used to assess adequacy of flow through the graft. Finally, assessment of cerebral autoregulation can be performed using TCD ultrasonography, providing data important to the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury. As the clinical applications of TCD ultrasonography have expanded over time, so has their importance in the management of neurosurgical patients. Familiarity with this diagnostic tool is crucial for the modern neurological surgeon.

Magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in cerebrovascular diseases

Cerebrovascular diseases manifest as abnormalities of and disruption to the intracranial vasculature and its capacity to carry blood to the brain. However, the pathogenesis of many cerebrovascular diseases begins in the vessel wall. Traditional luminal and perfusion imaging techniques do not provide adequate information regarding the differentiation, onset, or progression of disease. Intracranial high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging (VWI) has emerged as an invaluable technique for understanding and evaluating cerebrovascular diseases. The location and pattern of contrast enhancement in intracranial VWI provides new insight into the inflammatory etiology of cerebrovascular diseases and has potential to permit earlier diagnosis and treatment. In this report, technical considerations of VWI are discussed and current applications of VWI in vascular malformations, blunt cerebrovascular injury/dissection, and steno-occlusive cerebrovascular vasculopathies are reviewed.

Blocked angiogenesis in Galectin-3 null mice does not alter cellular and behavioral recovery after middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke.

Angiogenesis is thought to decrease stroke size and improve behavioral outcomes and therefore several clinical trials are seeking to augment it. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) expression increases after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and has been proposed to limit damage 3days after stroke. We carried out mild MCAO that damages the striatum but spares the cerebral cortex and SVZ. Gal-3 gene deletion prevented vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upregulation after MCAO. This inhibited post-MCAO increases in endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis in the striatum allowing us to uniquely address the function of angiogenesis in this model of stroke. Apoptosis and infarct size were unchanged in Gal-3(-/-) mice 7 and 14 days after MCAO, suggesting that angiogenesis does not affect lesion size. Microglial and astrocyte activation/proliferation after MCAO was similar in wild type and Gal-3(-/-) mice. In addition, openfield activity, motor hemiparesis, proprioception, reflex, tremors and grooming behaviors were essentially identical between WT and Gal-3(-/-) mice at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after MCAO, suggesting that penumbral angiogenesis has limited impact on behavioral recovery. In addition to angiogenesis, increased adult subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis is thought to provide neuroprotection after stroke in animal models. SVZ neurogenesis and migration to lesion were overall unaffected by the loss of Gal-3, suggesting no compensation for the lack of angiogenesis in Gal-3(-/-) mice. Because angiogenesis and neurogenesis are usually coordinately regulated, identifying their individual effects on stroke has hitherto been difficult. These results show that Gal-3 is necessary for angiogenesis in stroke in a VEGF-dependant manner, but suggest that angiogenesis may be dispensable for post-stroke endogenous repair, therefore drawing into question the clinical utility of augmenting angiogenesis.

Ependymal ciliary dysfunction and reactive astrocytosis in a reorganized subventricular zone after stroke.

Subventricular zone (SVZ) astrocytes and ependymal cells are both derived from radial glia and may have similar gliotic reactions after stroke. Diminishing SVZ neurogenesis worsens outcomes in mice, yet the effects of stroke on SVZ astrocytes and ependymal cells are poorly understood. We used mouse experimental stroke to determine if SVZ astrocytes and ependymal cells assume similar phenotypes and if stroke impacts their functions. Using lateral ventricular wall whole mount preparations, we show that stroke caused SVZ reactive astrocytosis, disrupting the neuroblast migratory scaffold. Also, SVZ vascular density and neural proliferation increased but apoptosis did not. In contrast to other reports, ependymal denudation and cell division was never observed. Remarkably, however, ependymal cells assumed features of reactive astrocytes post stroke, robustly expressing de novo glial fibrillary acidic protein, enlargening and extending long processes. Unexpectedly, stroke disrupted motile cilia planar cell polarity in ependymal cells. This suggested ciliary function was affected and indeed ventricular surface flow was slower and more turbulent post stroke. Together, these results demonstrate that in response to stroke there is significant SVZ reorganization with implications for both pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies.

Cost-Effectiveness of a Direct-Aspiration First-Pass Technique versus Stent Retriever in Mechanical Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: A direct-aspiration first-pass technique (ADAPT) in mechanical thrombectomy has been described in recent studies as an efficacious strategy compared with using a stent retriever (SR). We sought to evaluate for cost differences of ADAPT technique versus SR as an initial approach. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with mechanical thrombectomy at our institution between 2022 and 2023. Patients were grouped into ADAPT with/without SR as a rescue strategy and SR as an initial approach with allowance of concomitant aspiration. Direct cost data (consumables) were obtained. Baseline demographics, stroke metrics, procedure outcomes and cost, and last follow-up outcomes in modified Rankin Scale were compared between 2 groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included. Thirty-seven (66.1%) underwent ADAPT, with 11 (29.7%) eventually requiring an SR. Mean age was 64.8 years. The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13.2 in the ADAPT group and 14.0 in the SR group (P = 0.68), with a similar proportion of tissue plasminogen activator (P = 0.53), site of occlusion (P = 0.66), and tandem occlusion (P = 0.69) between the groups. Recanalization was achieved in 94.6% of all patients, with an average of 1.9 passes, 89.3% being TICI 2B or above, with no differences between the 2 groups. Significantly lower cost (P < 0.01) was observed in ADAPT ($14,243.4) compared with SR ($19,003.6). Average follow-up duration was 180.2 days, with mortality of 23.2%. At last follow-up, 55.4% remained functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score <3) with no difference (P = 0.56) between the ADAPT (59.5%) and SR (47.4%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were comparable between the ADAPT and SR groups. ADAPT reduced procedural consumables cost by approximately $5000 (25%), even if stent retrievers were allowed to be used for rescue. Establishing ADPAT as initial approach may bring significant direct cost savings while obtaining similar outcomes.

Impact of duration of dual anti-platelet therapy on risk of complications after stent-assisted coiling of unruptured aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of intracranial aneurysms is unclear. Longer-term therapy may reduce thrombotic complications but increase the risk of bleeding complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data at 12 institutions was conducted on patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent SAC between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, and were followed ≥6 months postprocedure. The type and duration of DAPT, stent(s) used, outcome, length of follow-up, complication rates, and incidence of significant in-stent stenosis (ISS) were collected. RESULTS: Of 556 patients reviewed, 450 met all inclusion criteria. Nine patients treated with DAPT <29 days after SAC and 11 treated for 43-89 days were excluded from the final analysis as none completed their prescribed duration of treatment. Eighty patients received short-term DAPT. There were no significant differences in the rate of thrombotic complications during predefined periods of risk in the short, medium, or long-term treatment groups (1/80, 1.3%; 2/188, 1.1%; and 0/162, 0%, respectively). Similarly, no differences were found in the rate of hemorrhagic complications during period of risk in any group (0/80, 0%; 3/188, 1.6%; and 1/162, 0.6%, respectively). Longer duration DAPT did not reduce ISS risk in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing DAPT >42 days after SAC did not reduce the risk of thrombotic complications or in-stent stenosis, although the risk of additional hemorrhagic complications remained low. It may be reasonable to discontinue DAPT after 42 days following non-flow diverting SAC of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Galectin-3 maintains cell motility from the subventricular zone to the olfactory bulb.

The adult brain subventricular zone (SVZ) produces neuroblasts that migrate through the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB) in a specialized niche. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) regulates proliferation and migration in cancer and is expressed by activated macrophages after brain injury. The function of Gal-3 in the normal brain is unknown, but we serendipitously found that it was expressed by ependymal cells and SVZ astrocytes in uninjured mice. Ependymal cilia establish chemotactic gradients and astrocytes form glial tubes, which combine to aid neuroblast migration. Whole-mount preparations and electron microscopy revealed that both ependymal cilia and SVZ astrocytes were disrupted in Gal3(-/-) mice. Interestingly, far fewer new BrdU(+) neurons were found in the OB of Gal3(-/-) mice, than in wild-type mice 2 weeks after labeling. However, SVZ proliferation and cell death, as well as OB differentiation rates were unaltered. This suggested that decreased migration in vivo was sufficient to decrease the number of new OB neurons. Two-photon time-lapse microscopy in forebrain slices confirmed decreased migration; cells were slower and more exploratory in Gal3(-/-) mice. Gal-3 blocking antibodies decreased migration and dissociated neuroblast cell-cell contacts, whereas recombinant Gal-3 increased migration from explants. Finally, we showed that expression of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was increased in Gal3(-/-) mice. These results suggest that Gal-3 is important in SVZ neuroblast migration, possibly through an EGFR-based mechanism, and reveals a role for this lectin in the uninjured brain.

Acute Extra-Arachnoid Subdural Hematomas in Patients 50 Years and Older: When Subdurals Act Like Epidurals.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with subdural hematoma (SDH) with acute extra-arachnoid lesions and without concomitant subarachnoid blood or contusions may present in similarly grave neurological condition compared with the general population of patients with SDH. However, these patients often make an impressive neurological recovery. This study compared neurological outcomes in patients with extra-arachnoid SDH with all other SDH patients. METHODS: We compared a prospective series of extra-arachnoid SDH patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage or other concomitant intracranial injury with a Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI control group with SDH only. We performed inverse probability weighting for key characteristics and ordinal regression with and without controlling for midline shift comparing neurological outcomes (Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score) at 2 weeks. We used the Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head Injury prognostic model to predict mortality based on age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupil reactivity, and major extracranial injury. RESULTS: Mean midline shift was significantly different between extra-arachnoid SDH and control groups (7.2 mm vs. 2.7 mm, P < 0.001). After weighting for group allocation and controlling for midline shift, extra-arachnoid SDH patients had 5.68 greater odds (P < 0.001) of a better 2-week Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score than control patients. Mortality in the extra-arachnoid SDH group was less than predicted by the Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head Injury prognostic model (10% vs. 21% predicted). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with extra-arachnoid SDH have significantly better 2-week neurological outcomes and lower mortality than predicted by the Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head Injury model. Neurosurgeons should consider surgery for this patient subset even in cases of poor neurological examination, older age, and large hematoma with high degree of midline shift.

Clinical outcomes of pediatric hemispherectomy following unsuccessful subhemispheric resection for refractory epilepsy: a case review study.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy surgery remains one of the most underutilized procedures in epilepsy despite its proven superiority to other available therapies. This underutilization is greater in patients in whom initial surgery fails. This case series examined the clinical characteristics, reasons for initial surgery failure, and outcomes in a cohort of patients who underwent hemispherectomy following unsuccessful smaller resections for intractable epilepsy (subhemispheric group [SHG]) and compared them to those of a cohort of patients who underwent hemispherectomy as the first surgery (hemispheric group [HG]). The objective of this paper was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients in whom a small, subhemispheric resection failed, who went on to become seizure free after undergoing a hemispherectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent hemispherectomy at Seattle Children's Hospital between 1996 and 2020 were identified. Inclusion criteria for SHG were as follows: 1) patients ≤ 18 years of age at the time of hemispheric surgery; 2) initial subhemispheric epilepsy surgery that did not produce seizure freedom; 3) hemispherectomy or hemispherotomy after the subhemispheric surgery; and 4) follow-up for at least 12 months after hemispheric surgery. Data collected included the following: patient demographics; seizure etiology; comorbidities; prior neurosurgeries; neurophysiological studies; imaging studies; and surgical details-plus surgical, seizure, and functional outcomes. Seizure etiology was classified as follows: 1) developmental, 2) acquired, or 3) progressive. The authors compared SHG to HG in terms of demographics, seizure etiology, and seizure and neuropsychological outcomes. RESULTS: There were 14 patients in the SHG and 51 patients in the HG. All patients in the SHG had Engel class IV scores after their initial resective surgery. Overall, 86% (n = 12) of the patients in the SHG had good posthemispherectomy seizure outcomes (Engel class I or II). All patients in the SHG who had progressive etiology (n = 3) had favorable seizure outcomes, with eventual hemispherectomy (1 each with Engel classes I, II, and III). Engel classifications posthemispherectomy between the groups were similar. There were no statistical differences in postsurgical Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Adaptive Behavior Composite scores or postsurgical full-scale IQ scores between groups when accounting for presurgical scores. CONCLUSIONS: Hemispherectomy as a repeat surgery after unsuccessful subhemispheric epilepsy surgery has a favorable seizure outcome, with stable or improved intelligence and adaptive functioning. Findings in these patients are similar to those in patients who had hemispherectomy as their first surgery. This can be explained by the relatively small number of patients in the SHG and the higher likelihood of hemispheric surgeries to resect or disconnect the entire epileptogenic lesion compared to smaller resections.

Racial disparities in functional outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy in a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients experience increased prevalence of stroke risk factors and stroke incidence compared with non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients. However, little is known about >90-day post-stroke functional outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy. OBJECTIVE: To describe patient characteristics, evaluate stroke risk factors, and analyze the adjusted impact of race on long-term functional outcomes to better identify and limit sources of disparity in post-stroke care. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 326 patients with ischemic stroke who underwent thrombectomy at two centers between 2019 and 2022. Race was self-reported as NHB, NHW, or non-Hispanic Other. Stroke risk factors, insurance status, procedural parameters, and post-stroke functional outcomes were collected. Good outcomes were defined as modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 and/or discharge disposition to home/self-care. To assess the impact of race on outcomes at 3-, 6-, and 12-months' follow-up, we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients self-identified as NHB (42%), NHW (53%), or Other (5%). 177 (54.3%) patients were female; the median (IQR) age was 67.5 (59-77) years. The median (IQR) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 15 (10-20). On univariate analysis, NHB patients were more likely to have poor short- and long-term functional outcomes, which persisted on multivariate analysis as significant at 3 and 6 months but not at 12 months (3 months: OR=2.115, P=0.04; 6 months: OR=2.423, P=0.048; 12 months: OR=2.187, P=0.15). NHB patients were also more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation or hospice/death than NHW patients after adjusting for confounders (OR=1.940, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: NHB patients undergoing thrombectomy for ischemic stroke experience worse 3- and 6-month functional outcomes than NHW patients after adjusting for confounders. Interestingly, this disparity was not detected at 12 months. Future research should focus on identifying social determinants in the short-term post-stroke recovery period to improve parity in stroke care.

Endovascular Thrombectomy versus Endovascular Thrombectomy Preceded by Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials comparing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) versus EVT preceded by intravenous thrombolysis (EVT + IVT) for acute ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion remain controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis seek to compare these 2 modalities. METHODS: Online Protocol is available at PROSPERO (york.ac.uk) (registration# CRD42022357506). MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase were searched. The primary outcome was 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤2. Secondary outcomes were 90-day mRS ≤1, 90-day mean mRS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 1-3 and 3-7 days, 90-day Barthel Index, 90-day EQ-5D-5L (EuroQoL Group 5-Dimension 5-Level), the volume of infarction (mL), successful reperfusion, complete reperfusion, recanalization, 90-day mortality, any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH, embolization in new territory, new infarction, puncture site complications, vessel dissection, and contrast extravasation. The certainty in the evidence was determined by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials yielding 2332 patients were included, of which 1163 and 1169 underwent EVT and EVT + IVT, respectively. The relative risk (RR) of 90-day mRS ≤2 was similar between the groups (RR = 0.96[0.88, 1.04]; P = 0.28). EVT was non-inferior to EVT + IVT because the lower bond of 95% confidence interval of the risk difference (RD = -0.02 [-0.06, 0.02]; P = 0.36) exceeded the -0.1 non-inferiority margin. The certainty in the evidence was high. The RR of successful reperfusion (RR = 0.96 [0.93, 0.99]; P = 0.006), any ICH (RR = 0.87 [0.77, 0.98]; P = 0.02), and puncture site complications (RR = 0.47 [0.25, 0.88]; P = 0.02) were lower with EVT. For EVT + IVT, the number needed to treat for successful reperfusion was 25, and the number needed to harm for any ICH was 20. The 2 groups were similar in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: EVT is non-inferior to EVT + IVT. In centers capable of both EVT and IVT, if timely EVT is feasible, it is reasonable to skip bridging IVT and keep rescue thrombolysis at the discretion of the interventionist for patients presenting within 4.5 hours of anterior ischemic stroke.