To be thorough or tailored: influence of the arachnoid dissection range on the surgical outcomes of microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

BACKGROUND: As one of the most fundamental elements in exposure and decompression, the dissection of arachnoid has been rarely correlated with the surgical results in studies on Microvascular decompression (MVD) procedures for Hemifacial spasm (HFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients' records of the HFS cases treated with MVD from January 2016 to December 2021 in our center was retrospectively reviewed. The video of the procedures was inspected thoroughly to evaluate the range of dissection of arachnoid. Four areas were defined in order to facilitate the evaluation of the dissection range. The correlation between the arachnoid dissection and the surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The arachnoid structures between the nineth cranial nerve and the seventh, eighth cranial nerves were dissected in all cases, other areas were entered based on different consideration. The rate of neurological complications of the extended dissection pattern group was higher than that of the standard pattern group (P < 0.05). The procedures in which the arachnoid structure above the vestibulocochlear nerve was dissected, led to more neurological complications (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thorough dissection as an initial aim for all cases was not recommended in MVD for HFS, arachnoid dissection should be tailored to achieving safety and effectiveness during the procedure.

Analysis of Diffusion-Weighted and T2-Weighted Imaging in the Prediction of Distinct Granulation Patterns of Somatotroph Adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: The heterogeneity of the somatotroph adenomas, especially for sparsely granulated (SG) and densely granulated (DG) subtypes, has attracted great attention in identifying their imaging biomarker. The purpose of the current study was to compare the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for preoperatively distinguishing the granulation patterns of somatotroph adenomas. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of somatotroph adenomas from October 2018 to March 2023 were included in this study. Coronal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted MRI sequence data were collected from 3.0T MRI and compared between SG and DG groups. The immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the electron microscopy pathologic subtypes and Ki67 expression levels of somatotroph adenomas postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients in the SG group had significantly higher signal intensity (SI) ratio of DWI (rDWI) (P < 0.001), lower SI ratio of apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) (P < 0.001), and higher SI ratio of T2-weighted imaging (P = 0.011). The combined diagnosis index of rDWI and rADC had the highest diagnostic efficiency in predicting SG adenomas (sensitivity, 93.3%; specificity, 88.2%; P < 0.001). The rDWI and rADC values had positive and negative correlations with the Ki67 index and tumor maximum diameter, respectively. Lower rADC×103 was an independent predictor for SG adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that compared with previously used T2-weighted imaging, the DWI sequence, especially the combined diagnosis index of rDWI and rADC, could more efficiently distinguish the granulation patterns of somatotroph adenomas preoperatively.

Comparison of Transradial Access and Transfemoral Access for Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography in the Elderly Population.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of transradial access (TRA) compared with conventional transfemoral access (TFA) for diagnostic cerebral angiography in elderly patients (≥65 years of age). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients receiving cerebral angiography via TRA or TFA between October 2020 and December 2021 at 3 institutions. Basic patient characteristics, angiographic data, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction were collected for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 357 enrolled elderly patients, 175 were performed through TRA and 182 were performed through TFA. There was no significant difference in mean fluoroscopy time (8.6 ± 3.8 minutes vs. 9.1 ± 3.1 minutes; P = 0.103) and radiation exposure (47.7 ± 10.8 Gy-cm2 vs. 49.8 ± 11.3 Gy-cm2; P = 0.068) between the TRA and TFA groups. However, the TRA group had a shorter procedural time (54.7 ± 6.2 minutes vs. 61.1 ± 5.6 minutes; P < 0.001) and less contrast agent (83.2 ± 28.1 mL vs. 100.1 ± 26.2 mL; P < 0.001) than the TFA group. In terms of safety, the incidence of minor vascular access complications in the TRA group was lower than that in the TFA group (1.7% vs. 8.8%; P = 0.003). The incidence of serious complications and neurologic complications in the TRA group was also lower, although the difference was not statistically significant. Overall patient satisfaction was higher in the TRA group than that in the TFA group. CONCLUSIONS: TRA was an efficient and safe alternative to conventional TFA in elderly patients who underwent diagnostic cerebral angiography and who underwent TRA were more satisfied. Findings supported the radial-first strategy for cerebral angiography in elderly populations.

LncRNA Gm44206 Promotes Microglial Pyroptosis Through NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Axis and Aggravate Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Inhibition of the inflammatory response triggered by microglial pyroptosis inflammatory activation may be one of the effective ways to alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, the specific mechanism of which remains unclear. In this study, BV-2 microglia with or without oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) or long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Gm44206 knockdown were used as cell models to conduct an in vitro study. Detection of lactate dehydrogenase release and pyroptosis-related protein levels was performed using a corresponding kit and western blotting, respectively. Proliferation of microglia was evaluated by CCK8 assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied for measuring levels of proinflammatory cytokines. This study verified the involvement of microglial pyroptosis as well as upregulation of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA Gm44206 could alleviate OGD/R-induced microglial pyroptosis and cell proliferation inhibition through the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, thus decreasing the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In conclusion, this study established a correlation between microglial pyroptosis and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and identified lncRNA Gm44206 as a potential regulator of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD axis-mediated microglial pyroptosis, which could be considered a promising therapeutic target.

Endoscopic resection of thalamic lesions via supracerebellar infratentorial approach: a case series and technical note.

The deep location of the thalamus and the complex neural circuits in the surrounding area make surgery extremely challenging. Feasibility and advisability of using a supracerebellar infratentorial approach (SCITA) for endoscopic resection of thalamic lesions remains to be further evaluated. Fifteen patients who underwent endoscopic resection of thalamic via SCITA from 2014 to 2021 were retrospectively collected. We analyzed preoperative tumor-related variables and surgical procedures in detail, as well as postoperative outcomes. Lesions mainly located in the posterior and/or medial part of the thalamus, and some of them expanded downward, or backward. The mean size of them was 30 × 24 mm. Five of the nine patients with preoperative hydrocephalus underwent cerebrospinal fluid shunts to relieve increased intracranial pressure. Among the 15 patients, 4 were glioblastoma, 3 were pilocytic astrocytoma, and the rest included 1 case of anaplastic astrocytoma, melanoma, polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young, rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor, inflammatory lesion, diffuse midline glioma, and cavernous hemangioma. The majority of patients (10/15) achieved gross total resection, which has become more pronounced since paramedian SCITA was used in place of the midline approach in 2020 (6/8). Three patients had unresolved or new onset of clinical symptoms after surgery, resulting in a decreased KPS score at discharge. Neuro-endoscopic techniques can ameliorate many of the shortcomings of the SCITA. With the accumulation of experience and technological progress, more deficiencies of this approach may be improved, enabling safe and effective resection of posterior and/or medial part thalamic lesions.

Purely Endoscopic Keyhole Approach for Resection of a Frontal Falx Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Technical Note.

OBJECTIVE: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in the falx cerebri are rare. This study presents a case of DAVF in the frontal falx cerebri that was successfully resected using a purely endoscopic keyhole microsurgical technique. METHODS: A 69-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with an acute onset seizure. His condition was diagnosed as a DAVF in the frontal falx cerebri with multiple fistula points. A purely endoscopic resection was performed under neuronavigation. Postoperative angiography and clinical follow-up were performed after 10 days and 3 months, respectively. RESULTS: The DAVF was satisfactorily observed and resected using a purely endoscopic keyhole microsurgical technique, with no deterioration of neural functions or major vessel ruptures. Postoperative angiogram revealed complete obliteration of the DAVF and no recurrent epilepsy during the clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Supported by sufficient preoperative evaluation and meticulous manipulation,a purely endoscopic minimally invasive resection is feasible and safe for DAVF, with the advantages of close observation and panoramic view.

[The destructive role of soluble Robo4 secreted by the M1-polarized-microglia during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in blood-brain barrier integrity].

This project was aimed to investigate the role and the underlying mechanism of microglia polarization on blood-brain barrier (BBB) during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. After construction of the mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, upregulated IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood and increased IL-6 and iNOS in ischemia tissues were confirmed. The supernatant expression of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as IL-6, iNOS and CD86 mRNA, was significantly increased in the of Bv-2 cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in vitro. For further understanding the expression pattern of RNAs, the next-generation RNA sequencing was performed and upregulation of Robo4 (roundabout guidance receptor 4) was found both in M1-polarized and OGD/R treated Bv-2 cells, which was also confirmed by RT-qPCR. Extracellular soluble Robo4 (sRobo4) protein also increased in the supernatant of M1-polarized and OGD/R treated Bv-2 cells. Treating bEND3 cells with the Robo4 recombinant protein, M1-polarized Bv-2 cell supernatant or OGD/R Bv-2 cell supernatant decreased trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), suggesting the injury of BBB. In addition, Robo4 was also highly expressed in the serum of patients who experienced acute ischemia stroke and mechanical thrombectomy operation. All the results suggest that increased secretion of Robo4 by M1-polarized-microglia during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion is most likely one of the causes of BBB injury, and Robo4 may be one of the therapeutic targets for BBB functional protection.

Beyond the observation of all or nothing: The clinical significance of the pre-decompression instability of abnormal muscle response in Microvascular decompression for Hemifacial spasm.

BACKGROUND: In microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery, abnormal muscle response (AMR) monitoring was utilized to confirm sufficient decompression. However, the AMR seems to contain more information that could improve surgical results. METHOD: Patients' records of HFS treated with MVD under AMR monitoring, from January 2018 to December 2019 in our centre, were retrospectively reviewed. MVD procedures were performed via a suboccipital retrosigmoid approach, and AMR monitoring was performed. Pre-Decompression Instability (PDI) of AMR before the final decompression, including amplitude inconsistency and waveform chaos, was inspected and notified to the surgeon. RESULT: 165 cases were found with full follow-up data. In these cases, PDI was recognized in 144 cases. And in the remaining 21 cases, the AMR disappeared abruptly or continued to exist to the end of the MVD surgery. When PDI appeared, the rate of electrophysiological relief was significantly higher (91.7 % vs 66.7 %, P = 0.001). In cases with PDI appearance during MVD procedure, the rate of neurological dysfunction was lower (13.2 % vs 38.1 %, P = 0.004). The relief rate the PDI group tended to be higher without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The appearance and observation of pre-decompression instability of AMR monitoring made a positive impact on the surgical outcomes of MVD surgeries. The advent of PDI indicates that the key step of the procedure has arrived. The timely notification of the PDI advent improved the surgical outcomes of MVD surgery by increasing the electrophysiological relief rate, reducing the incidence of neurological dysfunction, and possible elevation of the relief rate. Therefore, continuous intra-operative communication between the surgeon and electrophysiological monitoring staff should be encouraged.

A nomogram for predicting the risk of femoral pseudoaneurysm after neurointerventional procedures.

Background: Because femoral pseudoaneurysm (FPA) is a dangerous complication of interventional procedures with a risk of life-threatening bleeding, our aim was to develop a predictive nomogram for FPA after neurointervention, and to suggest the best method for early identification of FPA. Methods: We searched the PubMed database for literature addressing FPA after interventional procedures to analyze the risk factors, and we also reviewed the clinical data of patients from the Department of Neurosurgery who underwent neurointerventional procedures. Selected parameters were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was constructed using the independent risk factors by a multivariate regression model, and was validated by bootstrap resampling method, as well as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve analysis (DCA) and calibration curve. The influence on the detection rate of FPA with Doppler ultrasound was also analyzed with Fisher's exact test. Results: According to existing studies, female sex, diabetes and hypertension are major risk factors of FPA. Among 1,098 clinical patients, hypertension (P=0.044), higher body mass index (BMI) (P=0.020), larger sheath size (P=0.049), puncture site hematoma (P=0.011) and closure failure (P=0.003) were identified as independent risk factors. The nomogram including these factors showed robust discrimination [C-index, 0.916; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.810-1.022] with an area under the curve of 0.916. DCA indicated clinical utility, and the calibration curves showed an acceptable consistency. A significant improvement in the detection rate occurred when Doppler ultrasound was utilized (P=0.031). Conclusions: The presented nomogram showed favorable predictive accuracy for FPA after neurointervention. We recommend ultrasound examination for patients at high risk of FPA evaluated by the nomogram.

Comparison of self-expandable stents and balloon-mounted stents in the treatment of symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery atherosclerotic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of self-expandable stents (SES) and balloon-mounted stents (BMS) in the treatment of severe symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery atherosclerotic stenosis (SIVAAS). METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of 76 consecutive cases who were stented for SIVAAS in our centers in ten years were reviewed retrospectively. The cases were divided into SES group and BMS group as per the type of stents. Conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis, the relationship between stenosis and the origin of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), whether the stenosis was located at the dural-entry zone of the vertebral artery (VA), the interventional access, periprocedural complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: 77 stenotic lesions in 76 cases were included. Totally 51 SES and 26 BMS were implanted successfully. There was no significant difference in periprocedural complications (1 vs. 2, P = 0.544), incidence of restenosis (13.2% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.628) and long-term death or stroke (4 vs. 7, P = 0.33) between the two groups. The degree of residual stenosis in SES group was higher than in BMS group (10 (0%-40%) vs. 0 (0%-15%); P = 0). More BMS were selected in lesions located at the dural-entry zone of VA (45.1% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.02). There were more BMS implanted when lesions located proximal to origin of PICA (SES vs. BMS = 23.5% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.003) or when lesions with straighter access (SES vs. BMS = 29.4% vs. 69.2%, P = 0.001). More SES implanted when lesions located distal to PICA (SES vs. BMS = 43.1% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.015) or when lesions with moderate tortuous access (SES vs. BMS = 60.8% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.002). For stenotic lesions with moderate tortuous interventional access, SES group cases had longer survival time without stroke or death (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Both SES and BMS showed high safety and efficacy for the treatment of SIVAAS. SES was more recommended for the stenotic lesions with tortuous interventional access. BMS was more recommended for the lesions located at the dural-entry zone of VA or proximal to PICA origin.

Safety and Efficacy of Flow Diverter Treatment for Blood Blister-Like Aneurysm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the safety and efficacy of flow diverter (FD) treatment for blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) through a systematic review and literature analyzing perioperative and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of the current literature for studies with >2 patients related to FD treatment of BBAs published. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: complete occlusion, technical success, aneurysm recurrence, rebleeding, perioperative mortality, perioperative stroke, procedure-related morbidity and mortality, long-term neurological morbidity and mortality, and overall good neurologic outcome. RESULTS: We included 15 noncomparative studies with a total of 165 target BBAs. Complete occlusion rates were 72% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.85). Recurrence occurred in 13% (95% CI, 0.04-0.29) and rebleeding in 3% (95% CI, -0.02 to 0.07) of patients. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 26% (95% CI, 0.19-0.33) and 3% (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.07), respectively. The rate of long-term good outcomes was 83% (95% CI, 0.77-0.89). Subgroup analysis indicated that a single FD strategy for BBA seemed to have a higher rate of good outcomes compared with an overlapped FD strategy (89.9% vs. 61.9%; odds ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.25-14.98, P = 0.02). Complete occlusion rate and procedure-related morbidity rate did not see any significant difference between these 2 strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that in selected cases, FD can be safe and effective. A single FD strategy may result in a higher rate of good outcomes compared with an overlapped FD strategy. Ultimately, treatment of BBA should be considered on a case-by-case basis to maximize patient benefits and limit the risk of perioperative complications.

Endovascular Treatment of Middle Cerebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysms: A 7-Year Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery dissecting aneurysms (MCADAs). METHODS: Between July 2009 and April 2016, 14 patients with MCADAs received endovascular treatment. MCADAs were identified by their unique radiographic features on cerebral angiography. Baseline characteristics, angiographic features, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: All 14 MCADAs (including 6 ruptured and 8 unruptured) were successfully treated with the endovascular approach. Stent-assisted coiling was used in 12 cases, coil alone in 1 case, and parent vessel occlusion in 1 case. Angiographic follow-up data were available for all patients at 6 months after treatment. Of 14 MCADAs, 10 were completely occluded, and 4 were improved (near occlusion). All parent arteries and covered perforators remained patent in the non-parent vessel occlusion group. No ischemic strokes or other complications were observed at 1-year clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that endovascular treatment of MCADAs appears to be safe and effective. The choice of treatment method needs to be individualized. Larger studies are required to evaluate these promising results.

Rupture Risk of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations During Pregnancy and Puerperium: A Single-Center Experience and Pooled Data Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Whether rupture risk of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is higher during pregnancy and puerperium remains controversial. This study aimed to compare risk of rupture in pregnant and nonpregnant female patients with AVM in a singer-center series and assess current evidence regarding rupture risk of AVM during pregnancy and puerperium by pooled data analysis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed female patients with AVM in our center from January 2006 to August 2017. Hemorrhage events and patient-years were calculated during exposure period and nonexposure period, which was defined as either the interval from birth until AVM obliteration or last follow-up after subtracting the exposure period. Poisson rate ratio analysis was used to compare hemorrhage rate between the 2 periods. Pooled data analysis was performed by up-to-date literature review via PubMed and EMBASE databases. RESULTS: In 264 female patients with AVM, overall annual hemorrhage rate for 222 total hemorrhages during an average of 7484 patient-years was 2.97%. Eight hemorrhages occurred in exposure periods, 214 hemorrhages occurred in nonexposure periods, and 155 hemorrhages occurred in nonexposure periods of reproductive-age patients, translating to annual hemorrhage rates of 5.40% in exposure periods, 2.92% in nonexposure periods, and 3.82% in nonexposure periods of reproductive-age patients. Pooled data analysis showed a higher annual hemorrhage rate in exposure periods than in nonexposure periods (5.59% vs. 2.52%; 95% confidence interval 1.52-6.70, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an increase in annual rate of cerebral AVM hemorrhage during pregnancy and puerperium. Female reproductive-age patients with cerebral AVM may have higher risks of AVM rupture. Further evaluation by well-designed prospective or randomized cohort studies is needed.