Spine Surgery in a Geriatric Population. Is it Really Different?

OBJECTIVES: Spinal degenerative disorders are a major cause of morbidity in the elderly resulting in high dependency. Most of them have a trend to be managed conservatively considering age, comorbidities, and apprehensions of surgical complications. Surgical intervention at early stage with appropriate indications can have better outcomes rather than conservative management in fit patients. The objective of the study is to evaluate the functional outcome in geriatric patients > 60 years who have undergone various spinal procedures for degenerative spine. METHODS: The study is retrospective, which includes all cases of spinal degenerative disease operated between 2014 and 2016. They were divided into geriatric (>60 years) and non-geriatric cohorts. These include all patients undergoing spinal decompression and/or instrumentation for degenerative disorders of the spine. Patients were interviewed for their functional outcomes in the follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 184 spine cases were operated upon by a single surgeon, out of which a total of 139 cases were operated for the spinal degenerative condition. Forty-eight patients underwent lumbar spinal fusion procedures, 67 underwent non-instrumented lumbar decompression, and 24 patients underwent cervical procedures. These were further divided into 65 geriatric cases and 74 non-geriatric cases. The outcome was assessed with improvement and functional outcomes for spinal disability. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that surgical intervention for spinal problems in geriatric patients is not different from the general population. The outcome is also satisfactory provided, the choice of surgical procedure as per its indication is appropriate. The usual preoperative evaluation for the geriatric age group is very important. The performance status before surgery and the comorbidities have a direct bearing on the outcome in these patients.

Purely endoscopic subtemporal keyhole anterior transpetrosal approach to access the petrous apex region: surgical techniques and early results.

OBJECTIVE: The anterior transpetrosal approach using a microscope to provide wider access to the petrous apex region has been described for radical resection of lesions of the middle and posterior skull base. The microscopic anterior transpetrosal approach (mATPA) requires a wide craniotomy and meticulous epidural procedures to minimize temporal lobe retraction. Recently, the clinical application of transcranial endoscopic keyhole approaches for minimally invasive surgery has been steadily expanding. In this study, the details of the purely endoscopic subtemporal keyhole ATPA (eATPA) for petrous apex lesions are described and its initial results are reported. METHODS: Between May 2022 and May 2023, the authors performed eATPA in 10 patients with petrous apex lesions, of which 6 were meningiomas, 3 were trigeminal schwannomas, and 1 was epidermoid cyst. The surgical procedure of the purely eATPA is as follows. After a small temporal craniotomy, the endoscopic procedure is started. The anterior rim of the petrous bone and Meckel's cave are exposed via an intradural subtemporal approach. The lesion is removed with additional drilling of Kawase's triangle, cutting the superior petrosal sinus, opening Meckel's cave, and cutting the tentorium. The authors also compared the outcomes of mATPA versus eATPA for consecutive cases of petrous apex lesions. RESULTS: Gross-total resection was achieved in 8 of the 10 patients. The average operative time was 4 hours 13 minutes. There were 3 cases of transient abducens nerve palsy and 1 case of trochlear nerve palsy in the postoperative period. No new-onset motor deficits or CSF leakage was noted in any of these patients. Only 1 patient exhibited postoperative asymptomatic temporal lobe edema. The Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores remained unchanged or improved for all patients postoperatively. Compared with mATPA, eATPA achieved a similar extent of resection and comparable postoperative KPS scores with a significantly shorter mean operative time, much smaller temporal craniotomy, and thus less mean blood loss during surgery with lower rates of new-onset temporal lobe edema in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: An eATPA allows a direct route to access Meckel's cave and posterior cranial fossa lesions similar to conventional mATPA, with shortening the operative time and reducing the risk of postoperative temporal lobe edema. This eATPA is considered one of the new surgical techniques that can be expected to develop in the future.

Quality of life after surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms from a developing country: differential independent impact of grading scales & baseline factors.

BACKGROUND: Detailed Quality of Life(QOL) burden among patients with ruptured aneurysms has not been thoroughly studied, especially from developing countries. This is to evaluate the independent impact of factors influencing QOL following clipping. METHODS: Patients who underwent clipping for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms were prospectively studied for demography, site of aneurysm, H&H, WFNS, and Fisher grades, with QOL, assessed as per WHOQOL-BREF(range 4-20 in 4 domains), and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 275 patients underwent prospective assessment of WHOQOL-BREF at 3 months after surgery, with a median age of 48. The sites of ruptured aneurysms were anterior cerebral(139), followed by middle cerebral(MCA)(82) and internal carotid(54) arteries. In univariate analyses, H&H grade had a significant rank order correlation with physical and psychological QOL domains, while WFNS grade had no significant correlation with QOL domains. Age showed a significant correlation with the social domain. The location of the ruptured aneurysm had a significant association as well, with MCA aneurysms having better scores in the environmental domain of QOL. Multivariate analysis using the generalized linear model confirmed the independent impact of these factors on QOL. Amongst all the factors studied, the age had the strongest independent impact, followed by H&H grade, location, and Fisher grade in the order of magnitude ofWald χ2. CONCLUSIONS: Following surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms, age has the most substantial independent impact on QOL, followed by H&H grade, while WFNS grade shows no significant correlation. MCA aneurysms have better QOL scores than the rest.

Has Outcome of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Changed With Improvements in Neurosurgical Services?

Background and Purpose- Though reports suggest decreasing fatality rates of subarachnoid hemorrhage with time, trends in outcome are not reported much especially from developing countries. This study was to analyze changes in outcome across 2 decades and elucidate probable factors. Methods- Prospective databases during 1996 to 2015 were reviewed for neurological outcome at 3 months in relation to demographics, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, and definitive treatment; and compared between 2 decades, contrasted by establishment of intensive care unit with continuous monitoring and other advancements. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results- Of the total 2039 patients, 1035 were managed in the former and 1004 in the recent decades. Compared with the former decade, there is delayed age at presentation (46 versus 49 years, P<0.001), poorer Fisher grades (81% versus 87%, P<0.001), and more patients with Hunt and Hess grade 2 (24% versus 39%, P<0.001) in the recent decade. While all patients in databases of the former decade had undergone clipping, 6% in the recent decade underwent coiling. 11% in the recent decade could not undergo definitive treatment. Despite this, there was significantly higher overall favorable outcome (50% versus 60%; odds ratio, 1.5; P<0.001) in recent decade. Favorable outcome of surgical clipping per se improved significantly from 50% to 67% (odds ratio 2.0; P<0.001). Though the improvement was across subgroups, it was more marked among Hunt and Hess grade 3 and Fisher grades 3 and 4. In multivariate analyses, both overall outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.1; P<0.001) and surgical outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.2; P<0.001) were significantly better in recent decade, independent of known prognostic factors. Conclusions- This is probably the first report to show independent improvement in outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage with betterment in neurosurgical services from developing country. Dedicated intensive care unit care and focused management protocols could be the likely causes for improvement. Resource-constrained institutions may target patients in Hunt and Hess grade 3 and Fisher grades 3 and 4 for optimal intensive care unit utilization.

Sympathetic Plexus Schwannoma of Carotid Canal: 2 Cases with Surgical Technique and Review of Literature.

Carotid sympathetic plexus schwannomas are rare, and only 3 cases have been reported to the best of our knowledge. We report the fourth and fifth cases and define its origin on the basis of the exact division of the plexus from which the tumor arises. The surgical approach and technique in each variety and the postoperative outcome are also described. The relationship of partial Horner syndrome with the sympathetic plexus schwannoma of the internal carotid artery is discussed in detail.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T variant and hyperhomocysteinemia in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients from India.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism (C677T, A1298C) has been implicated in increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. The present study was designed to investigate the association between MTHFR polymorphism and increased Hcy levels in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients. A total of 150 subjects from North India were included in the study, comprising of 100 SAH patients and 50 healthy controls. Plasma Hcy levels was determined and MTHFR polymorphism (C677T, A1298C) was screened by High resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Plasma Hcy levels were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in SAH patients than in healthy controls. No significant difference in the genotype and allele frequency of MTHFR A1298C was observed. However, frequency of MTHFR C677T genotype, CT (53% vs. 20%; p < 0.001) and TT (15% vs. 2%; p < 0.05) was significantly higher in SAH group as compared to healthy controls. The frequency of T allele (41.5% vs. 12%; p < 0.001) was also found to be higher in SAH patients in comparison to healthy controls. Furthermore, Hcy levels were higher in SAH patients with TT genotype than in patients having CT genotype, whereas CC genotype had lower Hcy levels. The study suggests that higher frequency of MTHFR C677T allele may contribute to etiopathology of SAH through increase in Hcy levels.

Safe maximal resection of primary cavernous sinus meningiomas via a minimal anterior and posterior combined transpetrosal approach.

OBJECTIVE Meningiomas arising from the cavernous sinus (CS) continue to be a significant technical challenge, and resection continues to carry a relatively higher risk of neurological morbidity in patients with these lesions because of the tumor's proximity to neurovascular structures. The authors report the surgical outcomes of 9 patients with primary CS meningiomas (CSMs) that were surgically treated using a minimal anterior and posterior combined (MAPC) transpetrosal approach, and they emphasize the usefulness of the approach. METHODS This retrospective study included 9 patients who underwent surgery for CSM treatment between 2015 and 2016 via the MAPC transpetrosal approach. Two patients were men and 7 were women, with a mean age of 58.5 years (39-72 years). Five patients (55.5%) had undergone previous treatment. The surgical technique consisted of a temporo-occipito-suboccipital craniotomy and exposure of the posterolateral part of the CS via the presigmoidal MAPC approach. After opening Meckel's cave and identifying the 3rd-5th cranial nerves in the prepontine cistern, Parkinson's triangle and supratrochlear triangles were opened. Finally, the tumor occupying the posterolateral part of the CS was removed. RESULTS All lesions were safely and maximally removed, with preservation of external ocular movements and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale scores. The mean extent of resection was 77.0% (range 58.7%-95.4%). Six patients underwent adjuvant therapy in the form of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) during the follow-up period; none of these patients experienced recurrence. CONCLUSION The authors conclude that the MAPC transpetrosal approach could be superior to other approaches for CSMs, as it provides direct visual access to the posterolateral portion of the CS. In their experience, this approach is an alternative and better option for safe maximal resection of CSMs.

Contralateral Minimum Anterior and Posterior Combined Petrosal Approach for Retrochiasmatic Craniopharyngiomas: An Alternative Technique.

Retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas (RC) are a challenge for the neurosurgeon to treat surgically, restrained by their location in the interpeduncular fossa, surrounded by vital neurovascular structures, narrow corridor and poor visibility. Many approaches are possible and elucidated in the literature, which the surgeon chooses, based on multiple factors, such as the size of tumor, calcification, laterality, preoperative neurological deficits and the endocrine function status, recurrence, postradiotherapy status, or significant superior and/or posterior extension. 1 2 We describe a contralateral minimum anterior and posterior (CL-MAPC) petrosal approach for a case of recurrent RC, in a 37-year-old female patient operated before using a pterional approach, now presented with left homonymous hemianopia and panhypopituitarism ( Fig. 1 ). We preferred a contralateral approach to protect the ipsilateral optic tract (OT) from retraction injury, which formed an obstacle to the tumor from ipsilateral side. Apart from various benefits described by the author previously for RC, using MAPC petrosal approach, the CL-MAPC offers a safe corridor, protecting the ipsilateral OT, visualization of tumor origin usually posterior to chiasm, wider corridor if PCoM could be sacrificed, as it was done in this case, and pituitary stalk identification, with a probability of its functional preservation, unlike a necessity of pituitary transposition in EEA, though the endocrine outcome is poor after a radical resection irrespective of the approach chosen. 1 3 4 There was complete excision of the tumor with preservation of visual function postoperatively. We recommend the use of CL-MAPC as an alternative to EEA in some specific indications when the tumor is large, calcified, obscuring OT on the ipsilateral side and with significant lateral extension, which may be limiting factors in EEA ( Fig. 2 ). The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/gWCJmh4_evs .

Prospective study of the correlation between admission plasma homocysteine levels and neurological outcome following subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case for the reverse epidemiology paradox?

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine (tHcy) has been known over the last few decades for its putative impact on vascular diseases, but has not been evaluated much in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study was carried out to assess its prognostic impact on the neurological outcome following SAH. METHODS: Admission plasma tHcy was evaluated in 90 SAH patients and prospectively studied in relation to various factors and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: tHcy was significantly higher following SAH compared to matched controls [median (IQR): 25.7 (17.3-35.9) vs. 14.0 (9.8-17.6) µmol/l, p < 0.001]. It was significantly higher in younger patients. However, systemic disease, WFNS and Fisher grades did not have a significant impact on its levels. tHcy was significantly lower among patients who died [median (IQR): 16.0 (14.4-20.6) vs. 29.7 (21.8-40.2) µmol/l, p < 0.001] and those with unfavorable outcome (GOS 1-3) [median (IQR): 21.6 (14.5-28.2) vs. 30.3 (20.4-40.7) µmol/l, p = 0.004] compared to others, with a significant continuous positive correlation between tHcy and GOS (p = 0.002). The beneficial association of tHcy with outcome was homogeneous with no significant subgroup difference. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression adjusting for the effects of age, systemic disease, WFNS grade, Fisher grade, site of aneurysm, clipping or coiling revealed higher tHcy to have a significant independent association with both survival (p = 0.01) and favorable outcome (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Higher homocysteine levels following SAH appear to have a significant association with both survival and favorable neurological outcome, independent of other known prognostic factors, apparently exemplifying "reverse epidemiology paradox" in which a conventional risk factor seems to impart a survival advantage.

Primary myoepithelioma of the dorsal spine: a case report and review of literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of the relevant literature. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of primary spinal myoepithelioma and discuss its clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics. We report a long-term follow-up of 5 years. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Myoepithelial neoplasms, represent a diverse morphological and biological spectrum of tumors, composed of epithelial and myoepithelial elements. Primary myoepithelioma of the bone is extremely rare and very few cases of spinal myoepitheliomas have been reported till date. METHODS: A 50-year male, presenting with complaints of paraparesis and difficulty in walking, was diagnosed to have an expansile lytic lesion involving the D10 vertebral body with paraspinal extension. The patient underwent D10 laminectomy and gross total resection of the tumor. Patient's power improved postoperatively, and he returned to his full functional status. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up of 5 years reveals 2 recurrences, despite gross total resection at the initial surgery followed by radiotherapy. Histopathology, at the third surgery, documents the transformation of myoepithelioma into myoepithelial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Primary myoepithelioma of spine is very rare. Gross total resection with wide resection margins in the paraspinal region should be used to tackle this rare entity as the role of adjuvant therapy is doubtful. Long-term follow-up is a must.