Multicenter external validation of prediction models for clinical outcomes after spinal fusion for lumbar degenerative disease.

BACKGROUND: Clinical prediction models (CPM), such as the SCOAP-CERTAIN tool, can be utilized to enhance decision-making for lumbar spinal fusion surgery by providing quantitative estimates of outcomes, aiding surgeons in assessing potential benefits and risks for each individual patient. External validation is crucial in CPM to assess generalizability beyond the initial dataset. This ensures performance in diverse populations, reliability and real-world applicability of the results. Therefore, we externally validated the tool for predictability of improvement in oswestry disability index (ODI), back and leg pain (BP, LP). METHODS: Prospective and retrospective data from multicenter registry was obtained. As outcome measure minimum clinically important change was chosen for ODI with ≥ 15-point and ≥ 2-point reduction for numeric rating scales (NRS) for BP and LP 12 months after lumbar fusion for degenerative disease. We externally validate this tool by calculating discrimination and calibration metrics such as intercept, slope, Brier Score, expected/observed ratio, Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL), AUC, sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: We included 1115 patients, average age 60.8 ± 12.5 years. For 12-month ODI, area-under-the-curve (AUC) was 0.70, the calibration intercept and slope were 1.01 and 0.84, respectively. For NRS BP, AUC was 0.72, with calibration intercept of 0.97 and slope of 0.87. For NRS LP, AUC was 0.70, with calibration intercept of 0.04 and slope of 0.72. Sensitivity ranged from 0.63 to 0.96, while specificity ranged from 0.15 to 0.68. Lack of fit was found for all three models based on HL testing. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing data from a multinational registry, we externally validate the SCOAP-CERTAIN prediction tool. The model demonstrated fair discrimination and calibration of predicted probabilities, necessitating caution in applying it in clinical practice. We suggest that future CPMs focus on predicting longer-term prognosis for this patient population, emphasizing the significance of robust calibration and thorough reporting.

Successful weaning versus permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: post hoc analysis of a Swiss multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Acute hydrocephalus is a frequent complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Among patients needing CSF diversion, some cannot be weaned. Little is known about the comparative neurological, neuropsychological, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients with successful and unsuccessful CSF weaning. The authors aimed to assess outcomes of patients by comparing those with successful and unsuccessful CSF weaning; the latter was defined as occurring in patients with permanent CSF diversion at 3 months post-aSAH. METHODS: The authors included prospectively recruited alert (i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15) patients with aSAH in this retrospective study from six Swiss neurovascular centers. Patients underwent serial neurological (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), neuropsychological (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), disability (modified Rankin Scale), and HRQOL (EuroQol-5D) examinations at < 72 hours, 14-28 days, and 3 months post-aSAH. RESULTS: Of 126 included patients, 54 (42.9%) developed acute hydrocephalus needing CSF diversion, of whom 37 (68.5%) could be successfully weaned and 17 (31.5%) required permanent CSF diversion. Patients with unsuccessful weaning were older (64.5 vs 50.8 years, p = 0.003) and had a higher rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (52.9% vs 24.3%, p = 0.04). Patients who succeed in restoration of physiological CSF dynamics improve on average by 2 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment between 48-72 hours and 14-28 days, whereas those in whom weaning fails worsen by 4 points (adjusted coefficient 6.80, 95% CI 1.57-12.04, p = 0.01). They show better neuropsychological recovery between 48-72 hours and 3 months, compared to patients in whom weaning fails (adjusted coefficient 7.60, 95% CI 3.09-12.11, p = 0.02). Patients who receive permanent CSF diversion (ventriculoperitoneal shunt) show significant neuropsychological improvement thereafter, catching up the delay in neuropsychological improvement between 14-28 days and 3 months post-aSAH. Neurological, disability, and HRQOL outcomes at 3 months were similar. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a temporary but clinically meaningful cognitive benefit in the first weeks after aSAH in successfully weaned patients. The resolution of this difference over time may be due to the positive effects of permanent CSF diversion and underlines its importance. Patients who do not show progressive neuropsychological improvement after weaning should be considered for repeat CT imaging to rule out chronic (untreated) hydrocephalus.

Distance to first symptoms measured by the 6-min walking test differentiates between treatment success and failure in patients with degenerative lumbar disorders.

PURPOSE: The smartphone-based 6-min walking test (6WT) is an established digital outcome measure in patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders (DLD). In addition to the 6WTs primary outcome measure, the 6-min walking distance (6WD), the patient's distance to first symptoms (DTFS) and time to first symptoms (TTFS) can be recorded. This is the first study to analyse the psychometric properties of the DTFS and TTFS. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients (55 ± 15.8 years) completed the 6WT pre- and 6 weeks (W6) postoperative. DTFS and TTFS were assessed for reliability and content validity using disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire patient satisfaction subscale was used as external criterion for treatment success. Internal and external responsiveness for both measures at W6 was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in DTFS and TTFS from baseline to W6 (p < 0.001). Both measures demonstrated a good test-retest reliability (ß = 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.90 and ß = 0.83, 95% CI 0.76-0.87, both p < 0.001). The DTFS exceeded the 6WD capability to differentiate between satisfied (82%) and unsatisfied patients (18%) with an AUC of 0.75 (95% CI 0.53-0.98) vs. 0.70 (95% CI 0.52-0.90). The TTFS did not demonstrate meaningful discriminative abilities. CONCLUSION: Change in DTFS can differentiate between satisfied and unsatisfied patients after spine surgery. Digital outcome measures on the 6WT metric provide spine surgeons and researchers with a mean to assess their patient's functional disability and response to surgical treatment in DLD.

FUSE-ML: development and external validation of a clinical prediction model for mid-term outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease.

BACKGROUND: Indications and outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease are notoriously heterogenous. Selected subsets of patients show remarkable benefit. However, their objective identification is often difficult. Decision-making may be improved with reliable prediction of long-term outcomes for each individual patient, improving patient selection and avoiding ineffective procedures. METHODS: Clinical prediction models for long-term functional impairment [Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI)], back pain, and leg pain after lumbar fusion for degenerative disease were developed. Achievement of the minimum clinically important difference at 12 months postoperatively was defined as a reduction from baseline of at least 15 points for ODI, 2.2 points for COMI, or 2 points for pain severity. RESULTS: Models were developed and integrated into a web-app ( https://neurosurgery.shinyapps.io/fuseml/ ) based on a multinational cohort [N = 817; 42.7% male; mean (SD) age: 61.19 (12.36) years]. At external validation [N = 298; 35.6% male; mean (SD) age: 59.73 (12.64) years], areas under the curves for functional impairment [0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-0.74], back pain (0.72, 95%CI: 0.64-0.79), and leg pain (0.64, 95%CI: 0.54-0.73) demonstrated moderate ability to identify patients who are likely to benefit from surgery. Models demonstrated fair calibration of the predicted probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease remain difficult to predict. Although assistive clinical prediction models can help in quantifying potential benefits of surgery and the externally validated FUSE-ML tool may aid in individualized risk-benefit estimation, truly impacting clinical practice in the era of "personalized medicine" necessitates more robust tools in this patient population.

Incidence and Outcome of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Swiss Study on Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (Swiss SOS).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess nationwide incidence and outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The Swiss SOS (Swiss Study on Subarachnoid Hemorrhage) was established in 2008 and offers the unique opportunity to provide this data from the point of care on a nationwide level. METHODS: All patients with confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014, within Switzerland were recorded in a prospective registry. Incidence rates were calculated based on time-matched population data. Admission parameters and outcomes at discharge and at 1 year were recorded. RESULTS: We recorded data of 1787 consecutive patients. The incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Switzerland was 3.7 per 100 000 persons/y. The number of female patients was 1170 (65.5%). With a follow-up rate of 91.3% at 1 year, 1042 patients (58.8%) led an independent life according to the modified Rankin Scale (0-2). About 1 in 10 patients survived in a dependent state (modified Rankin Scale, 3-5; n=185; 10.4%). Case fatality was 20.1% (n=356) at discharge and 22.1% (n=391) after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The current incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Switzerland is lower than expected and an indication of a global trend toward decreasing admissions for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03245866.

Assessing the surgical outcome of the "chopsticks" technique in endoscopic transsphenoidal adenoma surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The "chopsticks" technique is a 3-instrument, 2-hand mononostril technique that has been recently introduced in endoscopic neurosurgery. It allows a dynamic surgical view controlled by one surgeon only while keeping bimanual dissection. Being a mononostril approach, it requires manipulation of the mucosa of one nasal cavity only. The rationale of the technique is to reduce nasal morbidity without compromising surgical results and complication rates. There are, however, no data available on its results in endoscopic surgery (transsphenoidal surgery [TSS]) for pituitary adenoma. METHODS: The authors performed a cohort analysis of prospectively collected data on 144 patients (156 operations) undergoing TSS using the chopsticks technique with 3T intraoperative MRI. All patients had at least 3 months of postoperative neurosurgical, endocrinological, and rhinological follow-up (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 [SNOT-20] and Sniffin' Sticks). The surgical technique is described, and the achieved gross-total resection (GTR) and extent of resection (EOR) together with patients' clinical outcomes and complications are descriptively reported. RESULTS: On 3-month postoperative MRI, GTR was achieved in 71.2% of patients with a mean EOR of 96.7%. GTR was the surgical goal in 122 of 156 cases and was achieved in 106 of 122 (86.9%), with a mean EOR of 98.7% (median 100%, range 49%-100%). There was no surgical mortality. At a median follow-up of 15 months (range 3-70 months), there was 1 permanent neurological deficit. As of the last available follow-up, 11.5% of patients had a new pituitary single-axis deficit, whereas 26.3% had improvement in endocrinological function. Three patients had new postoperative hyposmia. One patient had severe impairment of sinonasal function (SNOT-20 score > 40). The operation resulted in endocrine remission in 81.1% of patients with secreting adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the chopsticks technique confers resection and morbidity results that compare favorably with literature reports of TSS. This technique permits a single surgeon to perform effective endoscopic bimanual dissection through a single nostril, reducing manipulation of healthy tissue and thereby possibly minimizing surgical morbidity.

Longitudinal smartphone-based self-assessment of objective functional impairment in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease: initial experience.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide spread of smartphone usage enables new possibilities for longitudinal monitoring of objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). METHODS: Three patients, undergoing elective surgery for lumbar DDD, self-assessed OFI using a recently validated 6-min walking test (6WT) smartphone application. Results are presented as raw 6-min walking distance (6WD) as well as in reference to age- and sex-specific healthy population reference values using standardized z-scores (number of standard deviations). In parallel, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including numeric rating scale (NRS) leg-pain and Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) were obtained before (pre) and 6 weeks (6 W) as well as 3 months (3 M) after surgery. Descriptive analyses were used to compare PROMs with repeated 6WT measurements over time. The feasibility and benefits of the longitudinal OFI measurements using the 6WT app are discussed. RESULTS: One patient presented a favorable outcome, reflected by a clinically meaningful improvement in PROMs. Correspondingly, the 6WT distance gradually improved above the normal population values ((pre 399 m (z-score - 1.96) vs. 6 W 494 m (- 0.85) vs. 3 M 557 m (- 0.1)). One patient experienced initial improvement at 6 W, followed by a decline in 6WD at 3 M which promoted further interventions with subsequent recovery ((358 m (z-score - 3.29) vs 440 m (- 2.2) vs 431 m (- 2.32) vs 471 m (- 1.78)). The last patient showed a lack of improvement in PROMs as well as in OFI (360 m (z-score 0.0) vs 401 m (0.30) vs 345 m (- 0.11)) resulting in secondary surgery. CONCLUSION: The longitudinal assessment of OFI using the 6WT app was feasible and provided the physician with a detailed history of patients' postoperative walking capacity complementing commonly used PROMs.

Diagnostic reliability of the Berlin classification for complex MCA aneurysms-usability in a series of only giant aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The main challenge of bypass surgery of complex MCA aneurysms is not the selection of the bypass type but the initial decision-making of how to exclude the affected vessel segment from circulation. To this end, we have previously proposed a classification for complex MCA aneurysms based on the preoperative angiography. The current study aimed to validate this new classification and assess its diagnostic reliability using the giant aneurysm registry as an independent data set. METHODS: We reviewed the pretreatment neuroimaging of 51 patients with giant (> 2.5 cm) MCA aneurysms from 18 centers, prospectively entered into the international giant aneurysm registry. We classified the aneurysms according to our previously proposed Berlin classification for complex MCA aneurysms. To test for interrater diagnostic reliability, the data set was reviewed by four independent observers. RESULTS: We were able to classify all 51 aneurysms according to the Berlin classification for complex MCA aneurysms. Eight percent of the aneurysm were classified as type 1a, 14% as type 1b, 14% as type 2a, 24% as type 2b, 33% as type 2c, and 8% as type 3. The interrater reliability was moderate with Fleiss's Kappa of 0.419. CONCLUSION: The recently published Berlin classification for complex MCA aneurysms showed diagnostic reliability, independent of the observer when applied to the MCA aneurysms of the international giant aneurysm registry.

Objective functional assessment using the "Timed Up and Go" test in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVEPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are standard of care for the assessment of functional impairment. Subjective outcome measures are increasingly complemented by objective ones, such as the "Timed Up and Go" (TUG) test. Currently, only a few studies report pre- and postoperative TUG test assessments in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).METHODSA prospective two-center database was reviewed to identify patients with LSS who underwent lumbar decompression with or without fusion. The subjective functional status was estimated using PROMs for pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), disability (Roland-Morris Disability Index [RMDI] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Summary [SF-12 PCS] and the EQ-5D) preoperatively, as well as on postoperative day 3 (D3) and week 6 (W6). Objective functional impairment (OFI) was measured using age- and sex-standardized TUG test results.RESULTSSixty-four patients (n = 32 [50%] male, mean age 66.8 ± 11.7 years) were included. Preoperatively, they reported a mean VAS back pain score of 4.1 ± 2.7, VAS leg pain score of 5.4 ± 2.7, RMDI of 10.4 ± 5.3, ODI of 41.9 ± 16.2, SF-12 PCS score of 32.7 ± 8.3, and an EQ-5D index of 0.517 ± 0.226. The preoperative rates of severe, moderate, and mild OFI were 4.7% (n = 3), 12.5% (n = 8), and 7.8% (n = 5), respectively, and the mean OFI T-score was 116.3 ± 23.7. At W6, 60 (93.8%) of 64 patients had a TUG test result within the normal population range (no OFI); 3 patients (4.7%) had mild and 1 patient (1.6%) severe OFI. The mean W6 OFI T-score was significantly decreased (103.1 ± 13.6; p < 0.001). Correspondingly, the PROMs showed a decrease in subjective VAS back pain (1.6 ± 1.7, p < 0.001) and leg pain (1.0 ± 1.8, p < 0.001) scores, disability (RMDI 5.3 ± 4.7, p < 0.001; ODI 21.3 ± 16.1, p < 0.001), and increase in HRQoL (SF-12 PCS 40.1 ± 8.3, p < 0.001; EQ-5D 0.737 ± 0.192, p < 0.001) at W6. The W6 responder status (clinically meaningful improvement) ranged between 81.3% (VAS leg pain) and 29.7% (EQ-5D index) of patients.CONCLUSIONSThe TUG test is a quick and easily applicable tool that reliably measures OFI in patients with LSS. Objective tests incorporating longer walking time should be considered if OFI is suspected but fails to be proven by the TUG test, taking into account that neurogenic claudication may not clinically manifest during the brief TUG examination. Objective tests do not replace the subjective PROM-based assessment, but add valuable information to a comprehensive patient evaluation.

Standardized assessment of outcome and complications in chronic subdural hematoma: results from a large case series.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are commonly deemed to have a benign prognosis. However, detailed and standardized data describing outcome and complications in a large prospective patient cohort is lacking. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in our institutional patient registry on consecutive patients undergoing surgery for cSDH from 2013 to 2017. Complications were assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo grading system (CDG). The outcome was measured with respect to two endpoints: occurrence of a complication with CDG 3-5 and lack of improvement in Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 435 operations, 166 (38.3%) presented a complication until 3 months postoperative (CDG 1, 23 (5.3%); CDG 2, 62 (14.3%); CDG 3a, 7 (1.6%); CDG 3b, 64 (14.7%); CDG 4a, 2 (0.5%); and CDG 5, 8 (1.8%)). Higher CDG correlated with a lower KPS (rs = - 0.27, p < 0.001). A lack of improvement in KPS was associated with a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) > 1 and the iso- or hypodense appearance of the cSDH. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a reliable estimate of the rate of medical and surgical complications in cSDH surgery. Complications that required a surgical intervention turned out to be rare. Recording complications in a standardized and prospective fashion can therefore serve as a basis for assessing patient outcome and quality control within the department.

The Zurich Pituitary Score predicts utility of intraoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging in transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery.

BACKGROUND: It is currently unclear if there are subsets of patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) in which intraoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging (3T-iMRI) is particularly advantageous. We aimed to investigate whether a radiological grading scale predicts the utility of 3T-iMRI in pituitary adenoma (PA) TSS. METHODS: From a prospective registry, patients who underwent endoscopic TSS for PA using 3T-iMRI were identified. Adenomas were graded using the Zurich Pituitary Score (ZPS). We assessed improvement after 3T-iMRI in terms of gross total resection (GTR), residual volume (RV), and extent of resection (EOR). RESULTS: Among 95 patients, rates of conversion to GTR after 3T-iMRI decreased steadily from 33% for grade I to 0% for grade IV adenomas, with a statistically significant conversion rate only for grade I (p = 0.008) and grade II (p < 0.001). All grade I adenomas were completely resected after 3T-iMRI. Median RV change was statistically significant for grades I to III, but not for grade IV (p = 0.625). EOR improvement ranged from a median change of 0.0% (IQR 0.0-4.5%) for grade I to 4.4% (IQR 0.0-9.0%) for grade IV, with a significant improvement only for grades I to III (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, this study shows that clinical utility of 3T-iMRI is highest in the more "simple" adenomas (ZPS grades I-II) than for the more "complex" ones (ZPS grade III-IV). Grade I adenomas are amenable to GTR if 3T-iMRI is implemented. In grade III adenomas, EOR and RV can be improved to clinically relevant levels. Conversely, in grade IV adenomas, 3T-iMRI may be of limited use.

Clinical implications and radiographic characteristics of the relation between giant intracranial aneurysms of the posterior circulation and the brainstem.

BACKGROUND: Giant intracranial aneurysms of the posterior circulation (GPCirA) are rare entities compressing the brainstem and adjacent structures. Previous evidence has shown that the amount of brainstem shift away from the cranial base is not associated with neurological deficits. This raises the question whether other factors may be associated with neurological deficits. METHODS: All data were extracted from the Giant Intracranial Aneurysm Registry, an international multicenter prospective study on giant intracranial aneurysms. We grouped GPCirA according to the mass effect on the brainstem (lateral versus medial). Brainstem compression was evaluated with two indices: (a) brainstem compression ratio (BCR) or diameter of the compressed brainstem to the assumed normal diameter of the brainstem and (b) aneurysm to brainstem ratio (ABR) or diameter of the aneurysm to the diameter of the compressed brainstem. We examined associations between neurological deficits and GPCirA characteristics using binary regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight GPCirA were included. Twenty GPCirA showed medial (71.4%) and 8 lateral compression of the brainstem (28.6%). Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups for patient age, aneurysm diameter, aneurysm volume, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), motor deficit (MD), or cranial nerve deficits (CND). Mean BCR was 53.0 in the medial and 54.0 in the lateral group (p = 0.92). The mean ABR was 2.9 in the medial and 2.3 in the lateral group (p = 0.96). In the entire cohort, neither BCR nor ABR nor GPCirA volumes were associated with the occurrence of CND or MD. In contrast, disability (mRS) was significantly associated with ABR (OR 1.94 (95% CI 1.01-3.70; p = 0.045) and GPCirA volumes (OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.01-1.44); p = 0.035), but not with BCR. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients with GPCirA, neither the degree of lateral projection nor the amount of brainstem compression predicted neurological deficits. Disability was associated only with aneurysm volume. When designing treatment strategies for GPCirA, aneurysm laterality or the amount of brainstem compression should be viewed as less relevant while the high risk of rupture of such giant lesions should be emphasized. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The registry is listed at clinicaltrials.gov under the registration no. NCT02066493.

Correction to: Ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms: epidemiology, patterns of care, and outcomes from the Swiss SOS national registry.

The name of Roy Thomas Daniel was incorrectly captured in the original manuscript.

Ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms: epidemiology, patterns of care, and outcomes from the Swiss SOS national registry.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms remains challenging despite progresses in the endovascular and neurosurgical techniques. OBJECTIVE: To provide epidemiological characterization of subjects presenting with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms in Switzerland and thereby assessing the treatment patterns and neurological outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the Swiss SOS registry for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients were divided in 3 groups (upper, lower, and middle third) according to aneurysm location. Clinical, radiological, and treatment-related variables were identified and their impact on the neurological outcome was determined. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2014, we included 264 patients with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms. Endovascular occlusion was the most common treatment in all 3 groups (72% in the upper third, 68% in the middle third, and 58.8% in the lower third). Surgical treatment was performed in 11.3%. Favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 3) was found in 56% at discharge and 65.7% at 1 year. No significant difference in the neurological outcome were found among the three groups, in terms of mRS at discharge (p = 0.20) and at 1 year (p = 0.18). High WFNS grade, high Fisher grade at presentation, and rebleeding before aneurysm occlusion (p = 0.001) were all correlated with the risk of unfavorable neurological outcome (or death) at discharge and at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, endovascular occlusion was the principal treatment, with a favorable outcome for two-thirds of patients at discharge and at long term. These results are similar to high volume neurovascular centers worldwide, reflecting the importance of centralized care at specialized neurovascular centers.

Ruptured PICA aneurysms: presentation and treatment outcomes compared to other posterior circulation aneurysms. A Swiss SOS study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are relatively uncommon and evidence is sparse about patients presenting with ruptured PICA aneurysms. We performed an analysis of the Swiss SOS national registry to describe clinical presentation, treatment pattern, and neurological outcome of patients with ruptured PICA aneurysms compared with other ruptured posterior circulation (PC) aneurysms. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of anonymized data from the Swiss SOS registry (Swiss Study on Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; 2009-2014). Patients with ruptured PC aneurysms were subdivided into a PICA and non-PICA group. Clinical, radiological, and treatment-related variables were identified, and their impact on the neurological outcome was determined in terms of modified Rankin score at discharge and at 1 year of follow-up for the two groups. RESULTS: Data from 1864 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were reviewed. There were 264 patients with a ruptured PC aneurysm. Seventy-four PICA aneurysms represented 28% of the series; clinical and radiological characteristics at admission were comparable between the PICA and non-PICA group. Surgical treatment was accomplished in 28% of patients in the PICA group and in the 4.8% of patients in the non-PICA group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of complications after treatment. Hydrocephalus requiring definitive shunt was needed in 21.6% of PICA patients (p = 0.6); cranial nerve deficit was present in average a quarter of the patients in both PICA and non-PICA group with no statistical difference (p = 0.3). A more favorable outcome (66.2%) was reported in the PICA group at discharge (p < 0.05) but this difference faded over time with a similar neurological outcome at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.09) between both PICA and non-PICA group. The Kaplan-Meyer estimation showed no significant difference in the mortality rate between both groups (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, patients with ruptured PICA aneurysms had a favorable neurological outcome in more than two thirds of cases, similar to patients with other ruptured PC aneurysms. Surgical treatment remains a valid option in a third of cases with ruptured PICA aneurysms.

Correction to: Ruptured PICA aneurysms: presentation and treatment outcomes compared to other posterior circulation aneurysms. A Swiss SOS study.

Incorrect authorgroup and authorname.

Predictors of In-Hospital Death After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Analysis of a Nationwide Database (Swiss SOS [Swiss Study on Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage]).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and to estimate their impact. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospective data from a nationwide multicenter registry on all aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage cases admitted to a tertiary neurosurgical department in Switzerland (Swiss SOS [Swiss Study on Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage]; 2009-2015). Both clinical and radiological independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified, and their effect size was determined by calculating adjusted odds ratios (aORs) using multivariate logistic regression. Survival was displayed using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Data of n=1866 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients in the Swiss SOS database were available. In-hospital mortality was 20% (n=373). In n=197 patients (10.6%), active treatment was discontinued after hospital admission (no aneurysm occlusion attempted), and this cohort was excluded from analysis of the main statistical model. In the remaining n=1669 patients, the rate of in-hospital mortality was 13.9% (n=232). Strong independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were rebleeding (aOR, 7.69; 95% confidence interval, 3.00-19.71; P<0.001), cerebral infarction attributable to delayed cerebral ischemia (aOR, 3.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.94-6.89; P<0.001), intraventricular hemorrhage (aOR, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-5.09; P=0.003), and new infarction post-treatment (aOR, 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-4.62; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Several-and among them modifiable-factors seem to be associated with in-hospital mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Our data suggest that strategies aiming to reduce the risk of rebleeding are most promising in patients where active treatment is initially pursued. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03245866.

Factors associated with clinical and radiological status on admission in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Grading scales yield objective measure of the severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and serve as to guide treatment decisions and for prognostication. The purpose of this cohort study was to determine what factors govern a patient's disease-specific admission scores in a representative Central European cohort. The Swiss Study of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage includes anonymized data from all tertiary referral centers serving subarachnoid hemorrhage patients in Switzerland. The 2009-2014 dataset was used to evaluate the impact of patient and aneurysm characteristics on the patients' status at admission using descriptive and multivariate regression analysis. The primary/co-primary endpoints were the GCS and the WFNS grade. The secondary endpoints were the Fisher grade, the presence of a thick cisternal or ventricular clot, the presence of a new focal neurological deficit or cranial nerve palsy, and the patient's intubation status. In our cohort of 1787 consecutive patients, increasing patient age by 10 years and low pre-ictal functional status (mRS 3-5) were inversely correlated with "high" GCS score (GCS ≥ 13) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.97 and OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.31-1.46), "low" WFNS grade (grade VI-V) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04-1.20 and OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.66-3.27), and high Fisher grade (grade III-IV) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00-1.17 and OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.55-4.32). Other independent predictors for the patients' clinical and radiological condition at admission were the ruptured aneurysms' location and its size. In sum, chronological age and pre-ictal functional status, as well as the ruptured aneurysm's location and size, determine the patients' clinical and radiological condition at admission to the tertiary referral hospital.

Utility of deep neural networks in predicting gross-total resection after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVEGross-total resection (GTR) is often the primary surgical goal in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma. Existing classifications are effective at predicting GTR but are often hampered by limited discriminatory ability in moderate cases and by poor interrater agreement. Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, has recently established itself as highly effective in forecasting medical outcomes. In this pilot study, the authors aimed to evaluate the utility of using deep learning to predict GTR after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma.METHODSData from a prospective registry were used. The authors trained a deep neural network to predict GTR from 16 preoperatively available radiological and procedural variables. Class imbalance adjustment, cross-validation, and random dropout were applied to prevent overfitting and ensure robustness of the predictive model. The authors subsequently compared the deep learning model to a conventional logistic regression model and to the Knosp classification as a gold standard.RESULTSOverall, 140 patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery were included. GTR was achieved in 95 patients (68%), with a mean extent of resection of 96.8% ± 10.6%. Intraoperative high-field MRI was used in 116 (83%) procedures. The deep learning model achieved excellent area under the curve (AUC; 0.96), accuracy (91%), sensitivity (94%), and specificity (89%). This represents an improvement in comparison with the Knosp classification (AUC: 0.87, accuracy: 81%, sensitivity: 92%, specificity: 70%) and a statistically significant improvement in comparison with logistic regression (AUC: 0.86, accuracy: 82%, sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 83%) (all p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSIn this pilot study, the authors demonstrated the utility of applying deep learning to preoperatively predict the likelihood of GTR with excellent performance. Further training and validation in a prospective multicentric cohort will enable the development of an easy-to-use interface for use in clinical practice.

Cerebral venous thrombosis requiring invasive treatment for elevated intracranial pressure in women with combined hormonal contraceptive intake: risk factors, anatomical distribution, and clinical presentation.

OBJECTIVE Women taking combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are generally considered to be at low risk for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). When it does occur, however, intensive care and neurosurgical management may, in rare cases, be needed for the control of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). The use of nonsurgical strategies such as barbiturate coma and induced hypothermia has never been reported in this context. The objective of this study is to determine predictive factors for invasive or surgical ICP treatment and the potential complications of nonsurgical strategies in this population. METHODS The authors conducted a 2-center, retrospective chart review of 168 cases of CVT in women between 2000 and 2012. Eligible patients were classified as having had a mild or a severe clinical course, the latter category including all patients who underwent invasive or surgical ICP treatment and all who had an unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 3 or Glasgow Outcome Scale score ≤ 3). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous parameters and Fisher's exact test for categorical parameters, and odds ratios were calculated with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Of the 168 patients, 57 (age range 16-49 years) were determined to be eligible for the study. Six patients (10.5%) required invasive or surgical ICP treatment. Three patients (5.3%) developed refractory ICP > 30 mm Hg despite early surgical decompression; 2 of them (3.5%) were treated with barbiturate coma and induced hypothermia, with documented infectious, thromboembolic, and hemorrhagic complications. Coma on admission, thrombosis of the deep venous system with consecutive hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage, and hemorrhagic venous infarction were associated with a higher frequency of surgical intervention. Coma, quadriparesis on admission, and hydrocephalus were more commonly seen among women with unfavorable outcomes. Thrombosis of the transverse sinus was less common in patients with an unfavorable outcome, with similar distribution in patients needing invasive or surgical ICP treatment. CONCLUSIONS The need for invasive or surgical ICP treatment in women taking CHCs who have CVT is partly predictable on the basis of the clinical and radiological findings on admission. The use of nonsurgical treatments for refractory ICP, such as barbiturate coma and induced hypothermia, is associated with systemic infectious and hematological complications and may worsen morbidity in this patient population. The significance of these factors should be studied in larger multicenter cohorts.