Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: The effect of a liberal transfusion strategy as compared with a restrictive strategy on outcomes in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury is unclear. METHODS: We randomly assigned adults with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and anemia to receive transfusion of red cells according to a liberal strategy (transfusions initiated at a hemoglobin level of ≤10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive strategy (transfusions initiated at ≤7 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was an unfavorable outcome as assessed by the score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at 6 months, which we categorized with the use of a sliding dichotomy that was based on the prognosis of each patient at baseline. Secondary outcomes included mortality, functional independence, quality of life, and depression at 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 742 patients underwent randomization, with 371 assigned to each group. The analysis of the primary outcome included 722 patients. The median hemoglobin level in the intensive care unit was 10.8 g per deciliter in the group assigned to the liberal strategy and 8.8 g per deciliter in the group assigned to the restrictive strategy. An unfavorable outcome occurred in 249 of 364 patients (68.4%) in the liberal-strategy group and in 263 of 358 (73.5%) in the restrictive-strategy group (adjusted absolute difference, restrictive strategy vs. liberal strategy, 5.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -2.9 to 13.7). Among survivors, a liberal strategy was associated with higher scores on some but not all the scales assessing functional independence and quality of life. No association was observed between the transfusion strategy and mortality or depression. Venous thromboembolic events occurred in 8.4% of the patients in each group, and acute respiratory distress syndrome occurred in 3.3% and 0.8% of patients in the liberal-strategy and restrictive-strategy groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury and anemia, a liberal transfusion strategy did not reduce the risk of an unfavorable neurologic outcome at 6 months. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; HEMOTION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03260478.).

Cost-Effective Cranioplasty Utilizing 3D Printed Molds: A Canadian Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Cranioplasty is a commonly performed neurosurgical procedure used to repair defects of the cranial vault. For large defects, 3D printing allows for the creation of patient-specific synthetic cranioplasties. Although these implants provide excellent cosmetic results for patients, costs are quite high. This makes their routine use challenging in the current Canadian healthcare environment. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with a novel, cost-effective method for cranioplasty using desktop 3D printers to manufacture patient-specific molds to aid in the shaping of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cranioplasty intraoperatively. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent cranioplasty utilizing 3D printed custom molds was conducted at a single center between 2018 and 2020. Either a two-piece self-align or open-air mold was utilized. Material cost, as well as demographic, clinical, and radiologic data, was reviewed. A five-point ordinance scale was used to evaluate patient satisfaction with cosmesis. RESULTS: Four patients had previous craniectomies with infected bone flaps, 2 patients had significant bony destruction from tumor invasion, and 1 patient had bone flap resorption. Three patients underwent an open-air mold technique with a Ti-mesh/PMMA-combined implant. The remaining 4 patients underwent two-piece mold with PMMA-only implant. All patients had 'Good' to 'Excellent' cosmetic outcome with one post-operative acute subdural hematoma and one post-operative infection. Two-piece mold resulted in improved cosmetic outcome and cost savings. CONCLUSIONS: 3D printing can be used in a cost-effective manner to deliver good cranioplasty cosmesis. Wider adoption of this technique can result in significant healthcare cost savings without compromising patient outcome.

Third Nerve Palsy Due to Intracranial Aneurysms and Recovery after Endovascular Coiling.

INTRODUCTION: The modality of treatment of third nerve palsy (TNP) associated with intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. While treatment varies with the location of the aneurysm, microsurgical clipping of PComm aneurysms has generally been the traditional choice, with endovascular coiling emerging as a reasonable alternative. METHODS: Patients with TNP due to an intracranial aneurysm who subsequently underwent treatment at a mid-sized Canadian neurosurgical center over a 15-year period (2003-2018) were examined. RESULTS: A total of 616 intracranial aneurysms in 538 patients were treated; the majority underwent endovascular coiling with only 24 patients treated with surgical clipping. Only 37 patients (6.9%) presented with either a partial or complete TNP and underwent endovascular embolization; of these, 17 presented with a SAH secondary to intracranial aneurysm rupture. Aneurysms associated with TNP included PComm (64.9%), terminal ICA (29.7%), proximal MCA (2.7%), and basilar tip (2.7%) aneurysms. In general, smaller aneurysms and earlier treatment were provided for patients for ruptured aneurysms with a shorter mean interval to TNP recovery. In the endovascularly treated cohort initially presenting with TNP, seven presented with a complete TNP and the remaining were partial TNPs. TNP resolved completely in 20 patients (55.1%) and partially in 10 patients (27.0%). Neither time to coiling nor SAH at presentation were significantly associated with the recovery status of TNP. CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil embolization is a viable treatment modality for patients presenting with an associated cranial nerve palsy.

Paralysie du troisième nerf en raison d'un anévrisme intracrânien et rétablissement après la pose d'une bobine endovasculaire. INTRODUCTION: Les modalités de traitement de la paralysie du troisième nerf (PTN) associée aux anévrismes intracrâniens demeurent controversées. Bien que les traitements varient selon l'emplacement de l'anévrisme, le clippage (ou clipping) microchirurgical des anévrismes affectant les artères communicantes postérieures (ACP) est généralement apparu comme le choix le plus courant, la pose d'une bobine endovasculaire (endovascular coiling) ayant aussi émergé comme une option raisonnable. MÉTHODES: Nous nous sommes penchés sur les cas de patients atteints de PTN en raison d'un anévrisme intracrânien qui ont ensuite bénéficié d'un traitement dans un centre neurochirurgical canadien de taille moyenne, et ce, sur une période de 15 ans (2003 à 2018). RÉSULTATS: Au total, 616 anévrismes intracrâniens ayant affecté 538 patients ont été traités. La majorité d'entre eux ont bénéficié de la pose d'une bobine endovasculaire alors que seulement 24 patients ont été traités par clippage microchirurgical. Fait à noter, seuls 37 patients (6,9 %) ont donné à voir une PTN partielle ou totale et ont bénéficié d'une embolisation endovasculaire. De ce nombre, 17 ont donné à voir une hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne (HSA) consécutive à une rupture d'anévrisme intracrânien. Les anévrismes associés à la PTN ont inclus les ACP (64,9 %), l'artère carotide interne terminale (29,7%), l'artère cérébrale moyenne proximale (2,7 %) et la pointe (tip) de l'artère basilaire (2,7 %). En général, un traitement plus précoce a été proposé aux patients victimes de plus petites ruptures d'anévrisme associées à des délais moyens de rétablissement plus courts à la suite d'une PTN. Dans la cohorte de patients ayant donné à voir des signes de PTN et ayant bénéficié d'un traitement endovasculaire, 7 d'entre eux étaient atteints d'une PTN complète alors que les autres étaient atteints d'une PTN partielle. Les signes de PTN ont fini par disparaître complètement chez 20 patients (55,1 %) et partiellement chez 10 autres (27,0 %). Ni les délais dans la pose d'une bobine endovasculaire ni des signes de HSA au moment de consulter n'ont été notablement associés au processus de rétablissement à la suite d'une PTN. CONCLUSION: En somme, il ressort que l'embolisation endovasculaire au moyen de bobines est une modalité de traitement viable pour les patients présentant une paralysie des nerfs crâniens.

The expanded endoscopic endonasal approach for suprasellar meningiomas: long-term outcomes in a single-center series of 27 patients.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has become increasingly employed in the treatment of suprasellar meningiomas. These tumors often cause visual symptoms due to compression of the anterior visual pathway. We aimed to examine long-term visual outcomes after EEA for optic nerve decompression and resection of suprasellar meningioma at our center, and to identify preoperative factors predictive of postoperative visual improvement. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on 27 patients who underwent the EEA for resection of meningiomas extending into the suprasellar cistern and decompression of anterior visual pathway between January 1, 2005, and March 1, 2019. RESULTS: We treated 8 male and 19 female patients, with a mean follow-up of 7.6 years. The mean age of our patients at initial presentation was 60.1 years. Eighteen patients (66.7%) presented with visual acuity deficits, and 12 (44.4%) patients presented with visual field deficits. Postoperatively, 11 patients had improved visual acuity, 6 had stable visual acuity, and 1 patient had slow and progressive decline of visual acuity; 5 patients had improved visual field, 6 had stable visual field, and 1 patient had slow and progressive decline in visual field. Patients less likely to have postoperative improvement of visual acuity were those with longer than 6-month duration of visual symptoms (P = 0.024*) as well as patients with the presence of a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) (P = 0.023*). CONCLUSION: The EEA can achieve good visual outcomes in patients harboring suprasellar meningiomas. Symptom duration of less than 6 months and lack of a RAPD were positive predictors of postoperative visual acuity.

Traumatic penetrating head injury by crossbow projectiles: A case report and literature review.

Background: Low-energy penetrating head injuries caused by arrows are relatively uncommon. The objective of this report is to describe a case presentation and management of self-inflicted intracranial injury using a crossbow and to provide a relevant literature review. Case Report: A 31-year-old man with a previous psychiatric history sustained a self-inflicted injury using a crossbow that he bought from a department store. The patient arrived neurologically intact at the hospital, fully awake and oriented. He was not able to verbalize due to immobilization of the jaw as well as fixation of his tongue to his hard palate secondary to the position of the arrow. The trajectory of the object showed an entry point at the floor of the oral cavity and an exit through the calvarium just off the midline. The oral and nasal cavity, along with the palate and, the skull base of the anterior cranial fossa, and the left frontal lobe, were all breached. No vascular injury was identified clinically or in imaging. The arrow was surgically removed in the operating room after establishing an elective surgical airway. The floor of the mouth, tongue, and palate was repaired next. A planned delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was performed. The patient made a substantial recovery and was discharged home in good functional status. A systematic literature search was done using Medline for cases with intracranial injuries related to crossbows to review and appraise the available literature. Conclusion: A thorough assessment in a multidisciplinary trauma center and the availability of a subspecialty care team, including neurosurgery and otolaryngology, are paramount in such cases. The vascular imaging should be done before and after any planned surgical intervention. Emergent and elective surgical airway management should be considered and made available throughout the stabilization and care of the acute injury. Surgical management should be planned to remove the object with adequate exposure to facilitate visualization, removal, and the possible need for further intervention, including anticipating aerodigestive and vascular injuries on removal. Finally, access to weapons and the relation to psychiatric illness should not be overlooked, as many reported cases are self-harming in nature.

Comparison of Two Drainage Systems on Chronic Subdural Hematoma Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common type of intracranial hemorrhage, especially among the elderly, with a recurrence rate as high as 33%. Little is known about the best type of drainage system and its relationship with recurrence. In this study, we compare the use of two drainage systems on the recurrence rate of CSDH. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 172 CSDH patients treated with bedside twist drill craniostomy (TDC) and subdural drain insertion. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 123) received a pediatric size nasogastric tube [NGT]), whereas group B (n = 49) had a drain commonly used for external ventricular drainage (EVD). Various demographic and radiologic data were collected. Our main outcome was recurrence, defined as symptomatic re-accumulation of hematoma on the previously operated side within 3 months. RESULTS: In all, 212 cases of CSDH were treated in 172 patients. The majority of patients were male (78%) and had a history of previous head trauma (73%). Seventeen cases had recurrence, 11 in group A and 6 in group B. The use of antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents was associated with recurrence (p = 0.038 and 0.05, respectively). There was no difference between both groups in terms of recurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49-4.08; p = 0.573). CONCLUSION: CSDH is a common disease with a high rate of recurrence. Although using a drain postoperatively has shown to reduce the incidence of recurrence, little is known about the best type of drain to use. Our analysis showed no difference in the recurrence rate between using the pediatric size NGT and the EVD catheter post-TDC.

Comprehensive comparison of carotid endarterectomy primary closure and patch angioplasty: A single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an effective intervention for the treatment of high-grade carotid stenosis. Technical preferences exist in the operative steps including the use patch for arteriotomy closure. The goals of this study are to compare the rate of postoperative complications and the rate of recurrent stenosis between patients undergoing primary versus patch closure during CEA. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent CEA at single institution. Vascular surgeons mainly performed patch closure technique while neurosurgeons used primary closure. Patients' baseline characteristics as well as intraprocedural data, periprocedural complications, and postprocedural follow-up outcomes were captured. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirteen charts were included for review with mean age of 70.5 years (SD = 10.4) and males representing 64.2% of the cohort. About 49% of patients underwent primary closure while 364 (51%) patients underwent patch closure. Severe stenosis was more prevalent in patients receiving patch closure (94.5% vs. 89.4%; P = 0.013). The incidence of overall complications did not differ between the two procedures (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence intervals = 0.82-1.85; P = 0.353) with the most common complications being neck hematoma, strokes, and TIA. Doppler ultrasound imaging at 6 months postoperative follow-up showed evidence of recurrent stenosis in 15.7% of the primary closure patients compared to 16% in patch closure cohort. CONCLUSION: Both primary closure and patch closure techniques seem to have similar risk profiles and are equally robust techniques to utilize for CEA procedures.

Reoperation in adult patients with recurrent glioblastoma: A matched cohort analysis.

Background: Despite maximal safe cytoreductive surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapies, glioblastoma (GBM) inevitably recurs and leads to deterioration of neurological status and eventual death. There is no consensus regarding the benefit of repeat resection for enhancing survival or quality of life in patients with recurrent GBM. We aimed to examine if reoperation for GBM recurrence incurs a survival benefit as well as examine its complication profile. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective chart review on all adult patients who underwent resection of supratentorial GBM between January 1, 2008 and December 1, 2013 at our center. Patients with repeat resection were manually matched for age, sex, tumor location, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) with patients who underwent single resection to compare overall survival (OS), and postoperative morbidity. Results: Of 237 patients operated with GBM, 204 underwent single resection and 33 were selected for repeat surgical resections. In a matched analysis there was no difference in the OS between groups (17.8 ± 17.6 months vs 17 ± 13.5 months, P = .221). In addition, repeat surgical resection had a higher rate of postoperative neurological complications compared to the initial surgery. Conclusions: When compared with matched patients who underwent a single surgical resection, patients undergoing repeat surgical resection did not show significant increase in OS and may have incurred more neurological complications related to the repeat resection. Further studies are required to assess which patients would benefit from repeat surgical resection and optimize timing of the repeat resection in selected patients.

Case Report: Endovascular Treatment of a Giant Distal PICA Aneurysm in Association With a Cerebellar AVM: A Report on Treatment Considerations and a Literature Review.

Background: Distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are uncommon intracranial vascular lesions. The coincidence of these aneurysms and Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is even more rare. Since 1956, a total of 57 cases of distal PICA aneurysms associated with AVM have been reported with clear and adequate description. None of these reports describe a giant prenidal aneurysm at this particular location. The paucity of natural history data as well as lack of consensus about treatment strategies in such cases present a significant challenge that requires an individualized management approach. Case Description: A 68-year-old male presented with recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting precipitated by physical exertion and change of head position. An MRI of the brain demonstrated a giant partially thrombosed right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm with mass effect on the floor of the fourth ventricle. A conventional cerebral angiogram revealed a giant (3.1 x 3.1 x 2.8cm) distal right PICA pre-nidal aneurysm with two smaller distal PICA aneurysms. An AVM (Spetzler-Martin Grade 1) supplied by the right PICA as well as the right superior cerebellar artery (SCA) was also identified on cerebral angiography (not seen on an MRI). Endovascular coil embolization with parent vessel sacrifice was performed to occlude the giant aneurysm. Due to the asymptomatic nature, low risk of rupture, and the patient's age, AVM treatment was deferred. Conclusion: This paper presents the first case of a giant PICA aneurysm associated with cerebellar AVM. For PICA aneurysm-AVM complexes, meticulous evaluation of the morphology, associated anatomy, and comparative risk analysis for both lesions are key for treatment planning. Distal PICA aneurysms can be treated safely with parent vessel occlusion, particularly in the case of prenidal aneurysms.

Invasive Crooke cell adenoma in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Crooke cell adenoma (CCA) is an aggressive corticotroph subtype of pituitary adenoma often with cyclically elevated blood adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which preoperative diagnosis is challenging especially in the context of a functionally silent invasive tumor and a history of high-stage malignancy such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we report the first case of invasive CCA in a patient with DLBCL. A 71 year-old previously healthy man was recently diagnosed with DLBCL that was treated with CHOP-R chemotherapy. Within one week of completing his first cycle of chemotherapy, he had a frontal headache that progressed to right-sided proptosis. Cranial MRI showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass with invasion into the sellar and suprasellar compartment, compression of the optic chiasm, as well as extension into the clivus, bilateral cavernous sinuses, and the prepontine cistern. He underwent a partial resection for the pituitary tumor debulking. Pathological examination revealed CCA with invasion into the adjacent tissue. The patient had no history of Cushing disease or syndrome, but his blood ACTH was found to be elevated on the operation day. Our present case and literature review suggest that comorbidity of CCA or ACTH-producing adenoma and B-cell lymphoma deserves awareness in our clinical practice, as these two diseases and/or their therapies may interact substantially. CAA should be considered in the major differential diagnosis for an invasive sellar tumor, even without blood ACTH elevation and/or with a history of malignant lymphoma.

Visual Outcomes After Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Orbital Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been increasing in popularity as an alternative to traditional transcranial and transorbital approaches in the treatment of orbital pathological entities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the outcomes of patients who had undergone EEA resection of orbital lesions at our center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients who had undergone the EEA for resection of orbital lesions and orbital apex decompression from January 1, 2006 to December 1, 2019. For all the patients, the demographic data, presenting symptoms, symptom duration, imaging data, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected and reviewed. RESULTS: Nine patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of orbital lesions and orbital apex decompression at our center, including 6 male patients and 3 female patients. The mean age was 49.4 years, and the mean follow-up period was 3.8 years (range, 1-13.5 years). The orbital pathological lesions that were treated included nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hemangioma, fibrous dysplasia, IgG4 pseudotumor, inverted papilloma, angioleiomyoma, adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine paraganglioma metastasis. All the patients presented with exophthalmos of the affected orbit. Of the 9 patients, 5 presented with decreased visual acuity on examination. Postoperatively, 1 of these 5 patients had improved to baseline visual acuity, 3 had stable vision, and 1 had brief improvement before experiencing progressive visual decline 1 month postoperatively. Two patients presented with diplopia, and both improved postoperatively. Three patients experienced new, transient, and self-limiting postoperative diplopia. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with orbital lesions causing compressive optic neuropathy, the endoscopic endonasal approach can be used as an alternative strategy in appropriately selected patients.

External validation demonstrated the Ottawa SAH prediction models can identify pSAH using health administrative data.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to externally validate three primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) identification models. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We evaluated three models that identify pSAH using recursive partitioning (A), logistic regression (B), and a prevalence-adjusted logistic regression(C), respectively. Blinded chart review and/or linkage to existing registries determined pSAH status. We included all patients aged ≥18 in four participating center registries or whose discharge abstracts contained ≥1 administrative codes of interest between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. RESULTS: A total of 3,262 of 193,190 admissions underwent chart review (n = 2,493) or registry linkage (n = 769). A total of 657 had pSAH confirmed (20·1% sample, 0·34% admissions). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were as follows: i) model A: 98·3% (97·0-99·2), 53·5% (51·5-55·4), and 34·8% (32·6-37·0); ii) model B (score ≥6): 98·0% (96·6-98·9), 47·4% (45·5-49·4), and 32·0% (30·0-34·1); and iii) model C (score ≥2): 95·7% (93·9-97·2), 85·5% (84·0-86·8), and 62·3 (59·3-65·3), respectively. Model C scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 had probabilities of 0·5% (0·2-1·5), 1·5% (1·0-2·2), 24·8% (21·0-29·0), 90·0% (86·8-92·0), and 97·8% (88·7-99·6), without significant difference between centers (P = 0·86). The PPV of the International Classification of Diseases code (I60) was 63·0% (95% confidence interval: 60·0-66·0). CONCLUSIONS: All three models were highly sensitive for pSAH. Model C could be used to adjust for misclassification bias.

Dural-Based Marginal Zone Lymphoma in a Patient with Sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Primary dural-based lymphoma is a rare disease entity. It has been hypothesized that patients with sarcoidosis are at increased risk of developing lymphoma, an association known as "sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome," although dural disease has not yet been reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here we report the first case of dural-based lymphoma in a 60-year-old man with a history of sarcoidosis, in keeping with sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome. His dural-based tumor was surgically resected. Pathology examination revealed a marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. Subsequent neural and systemic staging confirmed a localized lymphoma. The patient received local radiotherapy to control leptomeningeal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Given the association between sarcoidosis and lymphoma, we suggest lymphoma to be considered as one of the top differentials for a dural-based mass lesion in patients with sarcoidosis.

Postoperative Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Use and Nasal Saline Rinses After Endonasal Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Practice Pattern Survey.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic skull base surgery continues to evolve in its indications, techniques, instrumentation, and postoperative care. As surgery of the skull base will often violate dura, intraoperative and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is not uncommon and represents a potential conduit for air and bacterial contamination. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy undergoing skull base surgery represent a challenging group. However, there appears to be a paucity of consensus regarding the postoperative management of this patient population. The objective of this study is to examine practice patterns and expert opinion on the use of postoperative CPAP and nasal saline in patients with OSA. METHODS: A 14-item survey was generated by consensus among expert authors and distributed online to members of the North American Skull Base society and other international skull base community members. Data were analyzed for median, mean, and standard deviation variables. Subgroup analysis was completed between surgeons from different geographical locations and operative experience. SPSS22 was utilized for all complex statistical analysis and figures. RESULTS: Seventy-one responses were collected from skull base surgeons. In patients with OSA, respondents would resume patients' CPAP therapy after a mean of 10.1 days (median, 7; standard deviation [SD], 10.2), without a CSF leak. In the presence of a small CSF leak, the mean duration would increase to 14.3 days (median, 14; SD, 9.8) and to 20.7 days (median, 21; SD, 11.8) in the presence of a larger leak. A surgeon's choice to attribute the relationship between delaying the start of nasal saline and CPAP after the endoscopic skull base surgery with progressively more challenging skull base repair was found to be statistically significant ( P < .001). CONCLUSION: Saline and CPAP therapies are initiated after the endoscopic skull base surgical repairs by surgeons at an increasing temporal delay in relation to the degree and complexity of the skull base defect repaired.

Neuroprotective effects of guanosine on stroke models in vitro and in vivo.

Deprivation of oxygen and glucose for 5h induces apoptosis in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell cultures. After combined glucose and oxygen deprivation (CGOD) addition of guanosine (100 microM), a non-adenine-based purine nucleoside, significantly reduced the proportion of cells undergoing apoptosis. To determine whether guanosine was also neuroprotective in vivo, we undertook middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) on male Wistar rats and administered guanosine (8mg/kg), intraperitoneally, or saline (vehicle control) daily for 7 days. Guanosine prolonged rat survival and decreased both neurological deficits and tissue damage resulting from MCAo. These data are the first to demonstrate that guanosine protects neurons from the effects of CGOD even when administered 5h after the stimulus, and is neuroprotective in experimental stroke in rats.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: Outcome Analysis of an Anterior Entry Point.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a safe and effective treatment for hydrocephalus. An entry point located 4 cm anterior to the coronal suture, 3 cm anterior to Kocher point, and approximately 9 cm from the pupil at the midpupillary line has been used successfully for the last 20 years in our center. We aimed to evaluate this alternative anterior entry point routinely used for ETV, with or without concurrent endoscopic biopsy. METHODS: Patients undergoing this proposed entry point were examined to evaluate its safety and efficacy. Factors such as patients' age, sex, hydrocephalus etiology, tumor location and pathology, and complication rate were examined through regression analyses to evaluate their impact on tumor biopsy and ETV success rates, and the need for subsequent ventricular shunting. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included in the study. ETV was successful in 125 (95.4%) patients. Of these, 26 (19.8%) patients required a biopsy, which was successful in 21 (80.8%) cases. A complication was observed in 10 (7.6%) patients, with a trend toward complications occurring after ETV failure. There was no association between ETV success rate and patients' age (P = 0.5) or sex (P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The anterior entry point is a safe and effective method for ETV, especially when considering concurrent ventricular tumor biopsy. This entry point may be considered as a more minimally invasive procedure when using rigid endoscopy and may also eliminate the need for a flexible scope.