Predictors of Remission of Acromegaly following Surgical Treatment in Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma.

Background and Objective Surgery is the treatment of choice for growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma. The remission of random GH depends on various factors. We aimed to evaluate the predictors related to remission of random GH following surgical treatment. Methods We collected the data retrospectively from the chart review from a single unit of neurosurgery. The diagnostic criteria for remission were a random GH < 1 ng/mL or nadir GH < 0.4 ng/mL after an oral glucose tolerance test. Results Data from a total of 110 (females 62 [56.4%]) patients were available for follow-up and were analyzed. The mean age was 36.5 years (14-69 years). Vision impairments were seen in 39 (35.5%) patients. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 34 months. The mean volume of the tumor was 7.2 mL (0.44-109.8 mL). Knosp grade 3 and 4 tumors were seen in 41.5% of cases. The mean preoperative random GH level was 68.9 ng/mL. Transsphenoidal surgery was done in 107 (97.3%) cases. The gross total resection could be done in 36 (32.7%) cases. At 3 months, 25 (26%) patients had a biochemical remission. In univariable analysis, lower Knosp grade, preoperative GH level < 40 ng/mL, gross total resection, and male gender were associated with remission at 3 months. In regression analysis, preoperative GH and male gender were related to remission at 3 months. Conclusion The preoperative GH level < 40 ng/mL is associated with higher chances of remission after surgery for GH-secreting pituitary adenoma.

Glioblastoma with Probable Intratumoral Adenocarcinoma Metastasis: A Rare Report with Review of Literature.

"Tumor-to-tumor metastasis," an uncommon phenomenon, refers to a primary tumor metastasis into another tumor, with the most frequent donor being lung carcinoma and common recipients being renal cell carcinoma and meningioma. Tumor-to-tumor metastasis occurring in gliomas is rare with less than 20 reports described so far, and that into a glioblastoma is even rarer. We report a 54-year man, diagnosed with glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, with metastasis of an adenocarcinoma into it. On histomorphology, the glial component was composed of astrocytic cells and showed increased mitosis, microvascular proliferation, and focal necrosis. This was intermingled with an adenocarcinomatous tumor with pleomorphic epithelial cells in glands, nests, and sheets. On immunohistochemistry, the adenocarcinomatous areas were positive for AE1/AE3 and TTF1 but negative for glial markers, ruling out adenoid glioblastoma. Further cytogenetic analysis showed EGFR amplification in the glial component but not in the adenocarcinoma component, ruling out glioblastoma with true epithelial metaplasia, and supporting the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma metastasis into glioblastoma. Glioblastomas may be susceptible to intratumoral metastasis due to the proliferating leaky vascular channels, however, the short survival of patients with glioblastoma may be responsible for the rarity of this occurrence. The documentation of these tumors is important as they may be important for clinical diagnosis and further treatment and prognosis.

Decompressive Craniectomy versus Craniotomy for Acute Subdural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic acute subdural hematomas frequently warrant surgical evacuation by means of a craniotomy (bone flap replaced) or decompressive craniectomy (bone flap not replaced). Craniectomy may prevent intracranial hypertension, but whether it is associated with better outcomes is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a trial in which patients undergoing surgery for traumatic acute subdural hematoma were randomly assigned to undergo craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy. An inclusion criterion was a bone flap with an anteroposterior diameter of 11 cm or more. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the GOSE rating at 6 months and quality of life as assessed by the EuroQol Group 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). RESULTS: A total of 228 patients were assigned to the craniotomy group and 222 to the decompressive craniectomy group. The median diameter of the bone flap was 13 cm (interquartile range, 12 to 14) in both groups. The common odds ratio for the differences across GOSE ratings at 12 months was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 1.18; P = 0.32). Results were similar at 6 months. At 12 months, death had occurred in 30.2% of the patients in the craniotomy group and in 32.2% of those in the craniectomy group; a vegetative state occurred in 2.3% and 2.8%, respectively, and a lower or upper good recovery occurred in 25.6% and 19.9%. EQ-5D-5L scores were similar in the two groups at 12 months. Additional cranial surgery within 2 weeks after randomization was performed in 14.6% of the craniotomy group and in 6.9% of the craniectomy group. Wound complications occurred in 3.9% of the craniotomy group and in 12.2% of the craniectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma who underwent craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy, disability and quality-of-life outcomes were similar with the two approaches. Additional surgery was performed in a higher proportion of the craniotomy group, but more wound complications occurred in the craniectomy group. (Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research; RESCUE-ASDH ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN87370545.).

Is Popularity of Fibrin Glue a Misrepresentation? A Comparative Study with Fibrin Glue and Suture Anastomosis in Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Analysing Functional, Histological, Electrophysiological Parameters.

Background: Fibrin glue as an adjunct in peripheral nerve injuries has gained recent popularity. Whether fibrosis and inflammatory processes which are the major hindrances in repair reduce with fibrin glue has more of theoretical support than experimental. Methodology: A prospective nerve repair study was conducted between two different species of rats as donor and recipient. Four comparison groups with 40 rats were outlined with or without fibrin glue in immediate post-injury period with fresh or cold preserved grafts were examined based on histological, macroscopic, functional, and electrophysiological criteria. Results: There was suture site granuloma along with neuroma formation and inflammatory reaction and severe epineural inflammation in allografts with immediate suturing (Group A), whereas suture site inflammation and epineural inflammation were negligible in cold preserved allografts with immediate suturing (Group B). Allografts with minimal suturing and glue (Group C) had less severe epineural inflammation with less severe suture site granuloma and neuroma formation as compared to first two groups. Continuity of nerve was partial in later group as compared to other two. In fibrin glue only group (Group D), suture site granuloma and neuroma were absent, with negligible epineural inflammation, but continuity nerve was partial to absent in most of the rats with some showing partial continuity. Functionally, microsuturing with or without glue demonstrated significant difference with better SLR and toe spread (p = 0.042) as compared with only glue. Electrophysiologically, NCV was maximum in Group A and least in Group D at 12 weeks. We report significant difference in CMAP and NCV between microsuturing group vs. only glue group (p < 0.05) and also between microsuturing with glue group vs. only glue group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There may be more data required with proper standardization for adept usage of fibrin glue. Though our results have shown partial success, it nonetheless highlights the lack of sufficient data for widespread glue usage.

Preoperative assessment of optic nerve sheath diameter and heart rate variability to predict intraoperative brain condition in patients with supratentorial tumors: a prospective observational study.

Brain relaxation is an important requirement in intracranial neurosurgical procedures and optimal brain relaxation improves the operating conditions. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a non-invasive bedside surrogate marker of intracranial pressure (ICP) status. Elevated ICP is often associated with marked autonomic dysfunction. There is no standard measure to predict intraoperative brain condition non-invasively, considering both anatomical displacement and physiological effects due to raised ICP and brain oedema. This study was aimed to determine the usefulness of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and ONSD preoperatively in predicting intraoperative brain relaxation in patients with supratentorial tumors undergoing surgery.This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care centre. 58 patients with supratentorial brain tumors undergoing elective surgery were studied. Preoperative clinical presentation, computed tomography (CT) findings, ONSD and HRV parameters were assessed in determining intraoperative brain condition. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and brain relaxation score after craniotomy were studied. There was significant difference in CT grade, ONSD and HRV parameters in patients between lax and tight brain. A receiver operating curve was constructed to determine the cut off to predict intraoperative brain bulge. A CT grade more than 2, ONSD of greater than 0.63 cms and ratio of low frequency to high ratio (LF/HF) of more than 1.8 were good predictors of brain bulge. The changes in ONSD and HRV parameters, with the CT findings can be used as surrogate markers of increased ICP to help predict intraoperative brain condition.

A comparative study between preoperative and postoperative conventional autonomic functions in congenital craniovertebral junction anomalies.

Background: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) is invariably affected by craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies. The usual presentation is sudden after trivial trauma. When symptomatic, most of this autonomic dysfunction is clearly elicited clinically with bedside tests. Nonetheless, ANS functionality in relatively less symptomatic or asymptomatic patients is not known as no studies exist. Methodology: We performed a longitudinal prospective study of 40 less symptomatic patients who underwent surgery with conventional autonomic function tests (AFT) in pre- and post-operative periods. Correlation of its association with such anomalies is studied. Results: All 40 had both pre- and post-operative clinical follow-up, pre-operative AFT, whereas only 22 patients had follow-up AFT. The mean age for the group was 32 years and male: female ratio was 2.3:1. Mean Nurick's grade was 1.8, whereas Barthel's index was 83.75%. Clinical improvement was seen in almost 98% at follow-up. Orthostatic test showed a significant association with Nurick's grade. Barthel's index was significantly associated with degree of compression. The mean follow-up was 17.4 months. Most conventional AFTs were significantly decreased in the preoperative period (P ≤ 0.01). Both parasympathetic and sympathetic tone improved on follow-up with better improvement later. Overall clinical involvement of ANS was seen in 22.5% whereas subclinical involvement in the form of AFT impairment was seen in 100%. Conclusion: There is a definite involvement of subclinical ANS in all patients of CVJ anomalies irrespective of their symptomatology. Knowing the extent of involvement in the preoperative period can help prognosticate, prioritize regarding surgery as well as correlate with the extent of improvement.

Patients with Invasive Tumors and eNOS Gene Polymorphisms with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Tend to Have Poorer Prognosis.

Context Endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS) gene polymorphisms are found to predict predisposition to aneurysmal rupture and development of vasospasm in a patient of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). eNOS gene polymorphisms are also found to predict invasiveness of malignant cells. Studies are not available in literature to describe the effect of eNOS gene polymorphisms and correlation between aneurysm and carcinoma. This study aims to investigate whether positive cancer history influences clinical outcome following SAH and eNOS gene polymorphisms. Materials and Methods The eNOS gene polymorphisms were analyzed in seven consecutive patients (mean age, 52.28 ± 20 years) with a diagnosis of invasive systemic tumors from 2011 to 2017. The eNOS 4a/4b eNOS -786T> eNOS 894G > T polymorphisms of the eNOS gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results Seven patients of aneurysmal SAH in association with malignancies were studied for eNOS polymorphisms expression and outcome. Three patients had carcinoma cervix: one patient of carcinoma breast and one each of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, spindle cell carcinoma of left kidney, and untreated patient of atypical pituitary (adenoma). A genotype study of eNOS gene polymorphisms in these patients shows common polymorphisms are involved in the determination of disease progression in malignancies and aneurysmal SAH. Conclusion Patients who expressed 4ab, eNOS -786T > TT/CC/TC, eNOS 894G > T GG/GT polymorphisms did better than patients who expressed only 4bb, though both were associated with poor prognosis.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Large Vestibular Schwannoma More Than 10 cm 3 : A Single-Center Indian Study.

Introduction Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is an effective treatment for benign vestibular schwannomas (VSs). The established cutoffs have recently been challenged, as recent literature expanded the horizon of GKRS to larger tumors. Even though microsurgery remains the primary option for large VS, GKRS can provide reasonable tumor control and is more likely to avoid cranial neuropathies associated with open surgery. Methods We analyzed patients with VS with volume exceeding 10 cm 3 who underwent GKRS at our center from January 2006 to December 2016. Clinicoradiological and radiosurgical data were collected from medical records for statistical analysis. Follow-up was performed every 6 months with a clinical assessment along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and audiometric evaluation in patients with serviceable hearing. Results The study included 34 patients (18 males and 16 females) with an average age of 45.5 years. The mean tumor volume was 10.9 cm 3 (standard deviation [SD], ± 0.83), with a median tumor dose of 12 Gy (interquartile range, 11.5-12) and a mean follow-up of 34.7 months (SD, ± 23.8). Tumor response was graded as regression in 50%, stable in 44.1%, and increase or GKRS failure in 2 cases (5.8%). Treatment failure was noted in five cases (14.7%), requiring microsurgical excision and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt post-GKRS. The tumor control rate for the cohort is 85.3%, with a facial preservation rate of 96% (24/25) and hearing loss in all (5/5), while three patients developed new-onset hypoesthesia. We noted that gait ataxia and involvement of cranial nerve V or VII at initial presentation were associated with GKRS failure in univariate analysis. Conclusion Microsurgery should remain the first-choice treatment option for large VSs. GKRS is a viable alternative with good tumor control and improved or stabilized cranial neuropathies with a low complication rate.

Prediction of Surgical Outcome for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults.

Background: Increasing patient age is strongly associated with a rising incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a higher mortality and morbidity rates. Objective: This study aimed to identify the predictors of mortality after craniotomy for TBI in elderly patients. Material and Methods: Data of all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent craniotomy for acute TBI, over a period from January 2015 to October 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. The standard clinical and imaging variables for TBI were recorded. The medical comorbidities, indication for surgery, and intraoperative complications were also recorded. The outcome of interest was survival at 6 months after surgery. Results and Conclusions: A total of 206 patients were available for analysis. The age of patients ranged from 65 to 80 years. The most frequent surgical procedure performed was craniotomy and evacuation of supratentorial subdural hematoma with or without evacuation of the traumatic parenchymal lesion. The in-hospital mortality was 46 out of 206 (22.3%), and 6 months mortality was 116 out of 206 (56.3%). Among the survivors at 6 months, good recovery was seen in 70.5%, moderate disability in 19.8%, and severe disability in 8.6% patients. Only 1.2% patients survived in a vegetative state at 6 months. The odds of death are nearly three times more for patients with dilated and nonreactive pupillary reaction. The odds of death are less by 72% for a unit increase in motor score. In older adults, the main determinants of survival after surgery for TBI are pupillary reaction and motor score.

A new comprehensive grading for giant pituitary adenomas: SLAP grading.

AimGiant pituitary adenomas are difficult to resect due to multicompartmental extension. We developed a new grading system for giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) considering possible extension in superior, lateral, anterior, and posterior (SLAP) directions. We also related the degree of resection to the SLAP grading.MethodsA review of case files and radiological images of patients with the GPAs defined as pituitary adenomas with a size of more than 4 cm in any dimension was done. The extent of the tumour was noted and scored as per the SLAP system. The maximum total score is 10 and represents a large tumour with maximum extensions in all directions. The subtotal resection (STR) was defined as a residual tumour volume of more than 10%. The association between individual and total score on the degree of resection was determined.ResultsA total of 103 cases of GPAs were analyzed. All patients had a suprasellar (S) extension. The lateral (L) extension was seen in 97.3% of cases. The anterior (A) extension was seen in 28 (27.2%) cases. The posterior (P) extension was seen in 45 (43.7%). Forty-eight (46.6%) had a total score of 5 or more. The STR was achieved in 64 (62.2%) cases. On regression analysis, a total score of ≥5 was associated with odds of 5.02 (1.69-14.93), p-value 0.004 for STR.ConclusionThe SLAP grading is a comprehensive grading system that can be applied easily to the GPAs and gives a complete picture of the extension of the tumour.

Vertebral artery dissection in acute cervical spine trauma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study mechanism, risk factors, and prognosis of patients with vertebral artery dissection (VAD) from acute cervical spine trauma (CST). Methods: A total of 149 consecutive patients were chosen from 2014 to 2019 from our institute data base, and their records were retrospectively studied. Morphology of fracture and subluxation were studied in detail with respect to the presence or absence of VAD. Results: Patients were divided in subsets of axial spine injury and subaxial spine injury. Subgroup and group analysis was performed and computerized tomography angiogram, MR angiogram and T1/T2 axial scans were studied to identify VAD, an incidence of 14.1% was found. Patients having infarcts in posterior circulation were also identified. Conclusion: There is a significant contribution of biomechanics of CST and evolution of VAD. This is an important consideration to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, a diagnostic algorithm which can be applied in any hospital setup is the need of the hour.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on cerebral oxygen saturation in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) can ameliorate cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia and improve neurological outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) during the critical phase after aSAH can help detect ischemia and assess the effect of RIPC intervention. We investigated the effect of RIPC on rScO2 in patients with aSAH. Our study was a single-center, prospective, parallel-group, randomized pilot trial. After approval by institutional ethics committee, consenting patients (n = 25) with aSAH presenting within 72 h of ictus and scheduled for surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysm were randomized 1:1 to true RIPC (inflation of upper extremity blood pressure cuff thrice to 30 mmHg above systolic blood pressure for 5 min) or sham RIPC (inflation of blood pressure cuff thrice to 30 mmHg for 5 min). In this secondary analysis, our outcome measures assessed by a blinded observer were incidence of cerebral oxygen desaturation (COD) during 7-10 days after ictus and Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE) at discharge. The incidence of COD (decrease in rScO2 > 20% from baseline) was lower in the RIPC group (15.4% versus 33.3%); p = 0.378. The absence of ipsilateral COD resulted in a higher mean GOSE (estimate 1.15, p = 0.015). The RIPC group had a higher mean GOSE compared to sham group (estimate 0.8, p = 0.027). This pilot trial demonstrated that RIPC has the potential to prevent COD in patients with aSAH. Larger trials with cerebral oxygenation as the primary outcome are needed to confirm our findings.

Pilocytic astrocytoma with spontaneous malignant transformation with intracranial and skeletal dissemination: case report and review of the literature.

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a benign low-grade tumor with a favorable prognosis. We present a 47-year-old- lady with a posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytoma who underwent surgical decompression. She developed multiple early local recurrences Along with malignant transformation of the cranial lesion she developed skeletal dissemination within a very short time frame. There were no features or family history of neurofibromatosis 1. She did not receive radiotherapy or chemotherapy prior to the recurrences.

Altered MicroRNA Expression in Intracranial Aneurysmal Tissues: Possible Role in TGF-ß Signaling Pathway.

The molecular mechanisms behind the rupture of intracranial aneurysms remain obscure. MiRNAs are key regulators of a wide array of biological processes altering protein synthesis by binding to target mRNAs. However, variations in miRNA levels in ruptured aneurysmal wall have not been completely examined. We hypothesized that altered miRNA signature in aneurysmal tissues could potentially provide insight into aneurysm pathophysiology. Using a high-throughput miRNA microarray screening approach, we compared the miRNA expression pattern in aneurysm tissues obtained during surgery from patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) with control tissues (GEO accession number GSE161870). We found that the expression of 70 miRNAs was altered. Expressions of the top 10 miRNA were validated, by qRT-PCR and results were correlated with clinical characteristics of aSAH patients. The level of 10 miRNAs (miR-24-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-193a-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-365a-3p/365b-3p, and miR-497-5p) was significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Expression of miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p and miR-199a-5p was significantly decreased in patients with poor prognosis and vasospasm. The target genes of few miRNAs were enriched in Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. We found significant negative correlation between the miRNA and mRNA expression (TGF-ß1, TGF-ß2, SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2), SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4), MAPK1 and MAPK3) in aneurysm tissues. We suggest that miR-26b, miR-199a, miR-497and miR-365, could target multiple genes in TGF-ß and MAPK signaling cascades to influence inflammatory processes, extracellular matrix and vascular smooth muscle cell degradation and apoptosis, and ultimately cause vessel wall degradation and rupture.

Six-year longitudinal prospective comparative study between preoperative and postoperative heart rate variability indices in congenital craniovertebral junction anomalies.

Background: Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies involve mosaic interaction of multifaceted neurovascular and bony elements. Most of them present late in the course of illness usually as acute presentations following trivial trauma. Knowing subclinical autonomic dysfunction in such anomalies when managed medically can not only indicate progression but also provide en route to early intervention for better outcomes, especially in relatively asymptomatic patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a 6-year longitudinal prospective study including 40 consecutive patients of CVJ anomalies with clinical, radiological, and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and found their correlation in preoperative and follow-up period. Results: Twenty-eight patients were male and the rest were female. The mean age was 32 years with the least age being 8 years and maximum age being 75 years old. Mean Nurick's grade and Barthel's index were 1.8 and 83.75, respectively. 38% had severe-to-moderate compression. The mean follow-up was 17.4 months. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic oscillator HRV indices were significantly affected in the preoperative period (P ≤ 0.001) with no association with Nurick's grade or degree of compression although there was association with grade of Barthel's index. Poincare plots showed "fan," "complex," or "torpedo" patterns in 36 patients. Forty patients had both preoperative and follow-up clinical grade whereas 22 patients HRV tests in the above periods. None of the HRV indices showed significant improvement at follow-up. Nonetheless both sympathetic and parasympathetic did improve at follow-up with sympathetic tone registering better scores. Poincare plots showed improvement toward "comet" patterns in all patients. Conclusion: HRV indices not only help in prognosticating but may also help in predicting outcomes.

When the Bone Flap Expands Like Bellows of Accordion: Feasibility Study Using Novel Technique of Expansile (Hinge) Craniotomy for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a rescue operation performed for reduction of intracranial pressure due to progressive brain swelling, mandating the need for cranioplasty. OBJECTIVE: To describe expansile craniotomy (EC) as a noninferior technique that may be effectively utilized in situations requiring standard DC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A decision to perform DC or EC was taken by consecutively allocation to either of the procedures. The bone flap was divided into three pieces, which were tied loosely to each other and to the skull using silk threads. The primary outcome included functional assessment using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at 1 year. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Total 67 patients were included in the analyses, of which, 31 underwent EC and 36 underwent DC. Both the cohorts were matched in terms of baseline determinants for age, Glasgow coma scale, and Rotterdam score at admission. There was no significant difference in GOS scores and the extent of volume expansion obtained by EC as compared to DC. Complication rates though less in EC group did not differ significantly between the groups. EC appears to be the safe and effective alternative to DC in the management of brain swelling due to TBI with a potential to obviate the need of cranioplasty.

Complex Chiari Malformation: Proposal of a New Set of Diagnostic Criteria and Outcomes After fusion Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The proposal of C1-C2 fusion as a better treatment option compared with foramen magnum decompression (FMD) for the treatment of Chiari 1 malformations has led to controversy. Although FMD is a time-tested treatment option, a group of patients exists who will benefit from C1-C2 fusion. We have proposed an objective system for defining complex Chiari malformations and studied the outcomes of fusion with decompression versus decompression alone for these patients. METHODS: A total of 26 patients with complex Chiari malformations were identified using our criteria (any 4 of 7 clinicoradiological parameters). Of the 26 patients, 13 had undergone C1-C2 fusion with FMD and 13 had undergone FMD alone. They had also undergone pre- and postoperative clinicoradiological evaluations, and the outcomes were assessed using the Chicago Chiari outcome score. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients in the fusion group, 12 (92.3%) showed improvement compared with only 6 of 13 patients (46.2%) in the nonfusion group using the Chicago Chiari outcome score, a statistically significant difference (P = 0.036, χ2 test). The mean hospital length of stay was longer for the fusion group (6.15 ± 1.46 days) than for the nonfusion group (4.38 ± 2.22 days; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We have proposed a novel set of criteria for defining complex Chiari malformations. Fusion with decompression provided better outcomes than decompression alone.

Tetrad of Split Cord Malformation I with Neuroenteric Cyst, Dermoid Cyst, and Thickened Filum Terminale in a 2-Year-Old Child: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Split cord malformations (SCMs) are developmental anomalies that are associated with a number of congenital defects. However, a combination of SCM I with a neuroenteric cyst (NEC) is extremely rare, and only 11 cases have been described in the literature. To the best of authors' knowledge, the combination of the above two with dermoid cyst and thickened filum terminale has never been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of the above combination in a 2-year-old child who underwent microsurgical excision of all 4 pathologies and complete recovery. CONCLUSION: NEC and dermoid should be considered in the differential diagnosis when imaging reveals cystic pathology along with SCM. Expeditious surgical repair resulted in an outstanding functional outcome at 1-year follow-up.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on cerebral vasospasm, biomarkers of cerebral ischemia, and functional outcomes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ERVAS): A randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasospasm can complicate aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), contributing to cerebral ischemia. We explored the role of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in reducing cerebral vasospasm and ischemia and improving outcomes after aSAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm undergoing surgical clipping and meeting the trial criteria were randomized to true RIPC (n = 13) (inflating upper extremity blood pressure cuff thrice to 30 mmHg above systolic pressure for 5 min) or sham RIPC (n = 12) (inflating blood pressure cuff thrice to 30 mmHg for 5 min) after ethical approval. A blinded observer assessed outcome measures-cerebral vasospasm and biomarkers of cerebral ischemia. We also evaluated the feasibility and safety of RIPC in aSAH and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE). RESULTS: Angiographic vasospasm was seen in 9/13 (69%) patients; 1/4 patients (25%) in true RIPC group, and 8/9 patients (89%) in sham RIPC group (P = 0.05). Vasospasm on transcranial Doppler study was diagnosed in 5/25 (20%) patients and 1/13 patients (7.7%) in true RIPC and 4/12 patients (33.3%) in sham RIPC group, (P = 0.16). There was no difference in S100B and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels over various time-points within groups (P = 0.32 and 0.49 for S100B, P = 0.66 and 0.17 for NSE in true and sham groups, respectively) and between groups (P = 0.56 for S100B and P = 0.31 for NSE). Higher GOSE scores were observed with true RIPC (P = 0.009) unlike sham RIPC (P = 0.847) over 6-month follow-up with significant between group difference (P = 0.003). No side effects were seen with RIPC. CONCLUSIONS: RIPC is feasible and safe in patients with aSAH and results in a lower incidence of vasospasm and better functional outcome.