A contemporary analysis of surgical ligation versus endovascular embolization in patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: a propensity score-matched and mixed-effects model study.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare vascular lesions that can be asymptomatic or can lead to devastating hemorrhage based on the dAVF's aggressiveness. Several approaches can be taken to treat dAVFs, such as endovascular embolization and surgical ligation. However, very few studies have evaluated the influence of surgery compared to endovascular approaches on patient outcomes. This study was performed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent treatment for intracranial dAVF in which either endovascular embolization or microsurgical ligation was used. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was reviewed for all patients who underwent treatment for dAVFs (n = 18,152) between 2016 and 2019. Patients who received only surgical ligation or endovascular embolization (i.e., not both) were included. Variables regarding demographics, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization were queried. Primary outcome measures were nonroutine discharge, 1-year readmission, top quartile length of stay (LOS), and top quartile of inpatient all-payer cost. Propensity score matching was performed to evaluate the influence of either surgery or embolization on patient outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created for each outcome measure. The area under the curve (AUC) of each ROC was used to estimate mixed-effects model performance. RESULTS: Following propensity score matching, 127 and 113 patients made up the surgical ligation and endovascular embolization cohort, respectively. There were no differences found in age (p = 0.16), sex (p = 0.57), or average Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (p = 0.32). Patients receiving surgical ligation had lower odds of readmission (OR 0.37, p = 0.028) and greater odds of nonroutine discharge (OR 2.21, p = 0.03) compared to patients who underwent endovascular embolization. The authors found no differences in the top quartile of LOS (p = 0.84), top quartile of cost (p = 0.38), or mortality (p > 0.99) between cohorts. ROC curves revealed that the mixed-effects models inclusive of approach outperformed models agnostic to approach with respect to nonroutine discharge (AUC with approach, 0.871; AUC without approach, 0.850; p = 0.018) and readmission (AUC with approach, 0.686; AUC without approach, 0.651; p = 0.019), but no differences were observed regarding top quartile of LOS (p = 0.17) and top quartile of cost (p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical approach may influence perioperative outcomes in patients treated for intracranial dAVF-most significantly discharge disposition and 1-year readmission. Future longitudinal prospective studies with more clinical detail will be required to fully capture the predictive utility of surgical approach in patients treated for intracranial dAVF, particularly for various dAVF subtypes.

Liquid biopsy in the setting of leptomeningeal metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The blood-brain barrier can prevent circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) derived from the central nervous system from entering the blood making it challenging to evaluate molecular features of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM). Accordingly, we sought to systematically compare the diagnostic power or significance of ctDNA derived from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to plasma ctDNA in patients with LM. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed under the PRISMA guideline. We used PubMed, EMBASE, and the EuroPMC to search the literature using combinations of the following terms: circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA, circulating tumor cell, brain metastasis, leptomeningeal metastasis, outcome(s), and prognosis. We included all available English language studies that compared the diagnostic significance of CSF derived and serum ctDNA. All eligible studies level of bias was assessed using the New Castle Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: Our meta-analysis from 6 included studies (n = 226) that confirmed the diagnostic power of liquid biopsies in detecting genomic alteration is better when taking a CSF-derived samples than from the plasma (RR 1.46 [0.93; 2.29]; I2 = 92%; p-value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CSF ctDNA is better at describing molecular landscape for LM; such an understanding may ultimately help inform patient treatment and responses to therapy.

Perioperative Complications Following Spine Surgery in Adult Patients with Achondroplasia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the common types of complications and their risk factors during spine surgery in patients with achondroplasia. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of medical records of adult achondroplasia patients who underwent spine surgery at our institution between 2007 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were achondroplasia and age >16 years. Surgical encounters were evaluated for durotomy, postoperative neurologic deficit, wound compromise, medical complications, and return to the operating room. Statistical analysis included evaluation of relationships across complications and fisher exact test applied to bivariate/categorical variables and t-test/ANOVA for continuous variables. Multivariable analysis using logistic regression was performed to account for patient characteristics. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with achondroplasia underwent 95 surgeries. Forty-nine percent of the surgeries involved a complication. These included durotomy (33.7%), neurologic deficit (11.6%), wound compromise (6.3%), and other medical complications (6.3%). Thirteen percent of surgeries required return to the operating room. The greatest number of complications occurred in thoracolumbar region (60.0%) compared to cervicothoracic (18.2%) and craniocervical junction (33.3%). Chronologically later surgical encounters had decreased complications and durotomies only occurred in thoracolumbar surgeries (45.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with achondroplasia undergoing surgery chronologically later in this set of consecutive patients were at a decreased risk for complications. Thoracolumbar surgeries were at the greatest risk for durotomies. Male sex was a risk factor for durotomy, while age was a risk factor for neurologic deficit. The potential for adverse surgical events should be considered when evaluating patients with achondroplasia for spine surgery. .

Anatomical Engineering and 3D Printing for Surgery and Medical Devices: International Review and Future Exponential Innovations.

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has recently gained importance in the medical industry, especially in surgical specialties. It uses different techniques and materials based on patients' needs, which allows bioprofessionals to design and develop unique pieces using medical imaging provided by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, the Department of Biology and Medicine and the Department of Physics and Engineering, at the Bioastronautics and Space Mechatronics Research Group, have managed and supervised an international cooperation study, in order to present a general review of the innovative surgical applications, focused on anatomical systems, such as the nervous and craniofacial system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, genitourinary system, and musculoskeletal system. Finally, the integration with augmented, mixed, virtual reality is analyzed to show the advantages of personalized treatments, taking into account the improvements for preoperative, intraoperative planning, and medical training. Also, this article explores the creation of devices and tools for space surgery to get better outcomes under changing gravity conditions.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis Surgery for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease.

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) is a promising treatment for cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disorders, with proven efficacy in moyamoya disease and a growing interest in potential application for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease, given the early results of intermediate development trials showing reduced rates of recurrence stroke and improved clinical outcomes compared with those patients treated with intense medical management (IMM) alone. Although clinical outcomes are the fundamental goal when considering patient care paradigms, a cost-effective analysis is key to obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the impact EDAS may provide to patients with atherosclerotic disease on a larger scale. Here, we evaluate the EDAS + IMM cost-effectiveness over time in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease compared with IMM alone.

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis Operative Technique and Intraoperative Anesthesia Management: Treatment From Both Sides of the Curtain.

BACKGROUND: Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) is a form of indirect revascularization for cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disorders. EDAS has gained growing interest as a technique applicable to pediatric and adult populations for several types of ischemic cerebral steno-occlusive conditions. OBJECTIVE: To present a team-oriented, multidisciplinary update of the EDAS technique for application in challenging adult cases of cerebrovascular stenosis/occlusion, successfully implemented in more than 200 cases. METHODS: We describe and demonstrate step-by-step a multidisciplinary-modified EDAS technique, adapted to maintain uninterrupted intensive medical management of patients' stroke risk factors and anesthesia protocols to maintain strict hemodynamic control. RESULTS: A total of 216 EDAS surgeries were performed in 164 adult patients, including 65 surgeries for patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease and 151 operations in 99 patients with moyamoya disease. Five patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease had recurrent strokes (3%), and there was one perioperative death. The mean clinical follow-up was 32.9 mo with a standard deviation of 31.1. There was one deviation from the surgical protocol. There were deviations from the anesthesia protocol in 3 patients (0.01%), which were promptly corrected and did not have any clinical impact on the patients' condition. CONCLUSION: The EDAS protocol described here implements a team-oriented, multidisciplinary adaptation of the EDAS technique. This adaptation resides mainly in 3 points: (1) uninterrupted administration of intensive medical management, (2) strict hemodynamic control during anesthesia, and (3) meticulous standardized surgical technique.

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis Averts Stroke in Atherosclerotic Patients With Border-Zone Infarct: Post Hoc Analysis From a Performance Criterion Phase II Trial.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the leading causes of stroke worldwide. Patients with ICAD who initially present with ischemia in border-zone areas and undergo intensive medical management (IMM) have the highest recurrence rates (37% at 1 yr) because of association with hemodynamic failure and poor collaterals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of encephaloduroarteriosynagiosis (EDAS) on stroke recurrence in patients with ICAD and border-zone stroke (BDZS) at presentation. METHODS: A phase II clinical trial of EDAS revascularization for symptomatic ICAD failing medical management (EDAS Revascularization for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis Steno-occlusive [ERSIAS]) was recently concluded. We analyze the outcomes of the subgroup of patients with BDZS at presentation treated with EDAS vs the previously reported Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) IMM subgroup with BDZS at presentation. RESULTS: Of 52 patients included in the ERSIAS trial, 35 presented with strokes at baseline, and 28 had a BDZ pattern, including 15 (54%) with exclusive BDZS and 13 (46%) with mixed patterns (BDZ plus other distribution). Three of the 28 (10.7%) had recurrent strokes up to a median follow-up of 24 months. The rate of recurrent stroke in ICAD patients with BDZS at presentation after EDAS was significantly lower than the rate reported in the SAMMPRIS IMM subgroup with BDZS at presentation (10.7% vs 37% P = .004, 95% CI = 0.037-0.27). CONCLUSION: ICAD patients with BDZS at presentation have lower rates of recurrent stroke after EDAS surgery than those reported with medical management in the SAMMPRIS trial. These results support further investigation of EDAS in a randomized clinical trial.

Evaluation of tortuous vertebral arteries before cervical spine surgery: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine surgery sometimes necessitates complex ventral/dorsal approaches or osteotomies that place the vertebral artery (VA) at risk of inadvertent injury. Tortuosity of the VA poses increased risk of vessel injury during anterior decompression or placement of posterior instrumentation. OBSERVATIONS: In this report, the authors describe a patient with degenerative cervical spondylotic myelopathy and focal kyphotic deformity requiring corrective surgery via a combined ventral/dorsal approach. Computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography (CTA) of the spine identified a left medially enlarged C4 transverse foramen and tortuous VA V2 segment forming a potentially dangerous medial loop into the vertebral body, respectively. The patient's presentation and management are described. LESSONS: The course of the VA is variable, and a tortuous VA with significant medial or lateral displacement may be dangerous during ventral and dorsal approaches to the cervical spine. CTA of the cervical spine is warranted in cases in which atlantoaxial fixation is needed or suspicious transverse foramen morphology is identified to understand the course of the VA and identify anatomical variations that would put the VA at risk during cervical spine surgery.

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) revascularization for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic steno-occlusive (ERSIAS) Phase-II objective performance criterion trial.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the most challenging stroke etiologies, with frequent recurrences despite optimized medical management. Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) is an indirect revascularization method that produces extra-cranial collaterals to intracranial vessels. We present the results of a phase-II trial of EDAS in intracranial atherosclerotic disease patients. AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of EDAS in intracranial atherosclerotic disease patients. METHODS: ERSIAS was a prospective objective-performance-criterion trial of EDAS plus intensive medical management (IMM) in intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients failing medical treatment. Primary endpoint was any stroke/death within 30-days post-surgery or stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery beyond 30 days. The primary analysis compared event rates through one year with an objective-performance-criterion based on a 10% reduction from the 20% rate in the intensive medical management arm of the stenting versus aggressive medical management for preventing recurrent stroke in intracranial stenosis trial (SAMMPRIS) in patients with poor collaterals. Event rates through two years were compared with propensity-score-matched (PSM) medically treated patients from SAMMPRIS and the carotid occlusion surgery study (COSS). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 24.5 months, 5 (9.6%) of 52 patients had a primary endpoint event. The primary endpoint rate at one year met the threshold for nonfutility and advancement to phase III (<10%). In the sensitivity analysis, primary endpoint event rate at two years was lower than in PSM controls, 9.6% versus 21.2% (p < 0.07). Overall, 86% of EDAS-plus-intensive medical management patients were functionally independent at last follow-up and 89% demonstrated neovascularization. There were two (3.8%) surgical complications and no intracranial hemorrhages. CONCLUSION: ERSIAS phase II provides evidence of safety and strong signals of efficacy of EDAS-plus-intensive medical management, supporting advancement to a seamless phase-IIb/III trial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.NCT01819597.