Intermediate surgical outcome in patients suffering poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: It is known that patients suffering poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have a dismal prognosis. The importance of early intervention is well established in the pertinent literature. Our aim was to assess the functional outcome and overall survival of these patients undergoing surgical clipping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the current retrospective study we included all consecutive poor-grade patients after spontaneous SAH who presented at our institution over an eight-year period. All participants suffering SAH underwent brain CT angiography (CTA) to identify the source of hemorrhage. We assessed the severity of hemorrhage according to the Fisher grade classification scale. All patients were surgically treated. The functional outcome was evaluated six months after the onset with the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Finally, we performed logistic and Cox regression analyses to identify potential prognostic risk factors. RESULTS: Our study included twenty-three patients with a mean age of 53 years. Five (22%) patients presented with Hunt and Hess grade IV, and eighteen (78%) with grade V. The mean follow-up was 15.8 months, while the overall mortality rate was 48%. The six-month functional outcome was favorable in 6 (26%) patients. The vast majority of our patients died between the 15th and the 60th post-ictal days. We did not identify any statistically significant prognostic factors related to the patient's outcome and/or survival. CONCLUSIONS: Poor-grade aSAH patients may have a favorable outcome with proper surgical management. Large-scale studies are necessary for accurately outlining the prognosis of this entity, and identifying parameters that could be predictive of outcome.

A meta-analysis on potential modifiers of LITT efficacy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Seizure-freedom seems to fade with time.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) has not been clearly established yet. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the efficacy of LITT for TLE (Q1). We also examined the effect of the patient's age (Q2), the total ablation volume (TAV) (Q3), the strength of the MRI unit (Q4), the type of the utilized stereotactic platform (Q5), and the follow up period (Q6) on the patient's outcome. METHODS: Fixed- and random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to assess the proportion estimate for each parameter individually. Kaplan-Meier survival-analysis was performed on the available individual patient time-to-first seizure data. RESULTS: Sixteen studies with 575 patients fulfilled our eligibility criteria. The efficacy of LITT was 0.547 (95%CI: 0.506-0.588). Our statistical analysis had robust results after stratification according to the study population (Q2; p = 0.3418), and the type of the utilized stereotactic platform (Q5; p = 0.286), whereas the role of the TAV (Q3; p = 0.058) and strength of the magnetic field (Q4; p = 0.062) in seizure control remained unclear. The median seizure-free period (Q6) was 0.643 (0.569-0.726) and 0.467 (0.385-0.566) for the one- and the two-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: LITT seems to offer a viable alternative to resective surgery, with a moderate efficacy and enduring results. Higher ablation volumes may be associated with improved seizure control, although our current study provided no statistically significant data. More high-quality studies are required to highlight the role of LITT in epilepsy surgery, particularly in the pediatric population.

Printing in a Pandemic: 3D printing solutions for healthcare during COVID-19. A Protocol for a PRISMA systematic review.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented global socioeconomic impact. Responses to pandemics include strategies to accumulate vast stockpiles of vital medical equipment. In such times of desperation, 3D-printing could be a life-saving alternative. Methods: We undertook a PRISMA systematic review of 3D printing solutions in response to COVID-19 utilising the PICO methodology. The objectives were to identify the uses of 3D printing during the COVID-19 pandemic, determine the extent of preclinical testing, comparison to commercial alternatives, presence of regulatory approvals and replicability regarding the description of the printing parameters and the availability of the print file. Results: Literature searches of MEDLINE (OVID interface)/ PubMed identified 601 studies. Of these, 10 studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Reported uses of 3D printing included personal protective equipment (PPE), nasopharyngeal swabs and adjunctive anaesthetic equipment. Few studies undertook formal safety and efficacy testing before clinical use with only one study comparing to the commercial equivalent. Six articles made their model print files available for wider use. Conclusion: We describe a protocol for a systematic review of 3D-printed healthcare solutions in response to COVID-19. This remains a viable method of producing vital healthcare equipment when supply chains are exhausted. We hope that this will serve as a summary of innovative 3D-printed solutions during the peak of the pandemic and also highlight concerns and omissions regarding safety and efficacy testing that should be addressed urgently in preparation for a subsequent resurgences and future pandemics.

Complications after Anterior Temporal Lobectomy for Medically Intractable Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of surgery in the management of patients with longstanding temporal lobe epilepsy has been established. Anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) is the most frequently implemented procedure. However, there is an obvious need to assess its perioperative safety. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the postoperative mortality (Q1) and morbidity (Q2) associated with ATL for medically intractable epilepsy. In addition, we tried to identify the most frequent complications after ATL and assess their relative frequency (Q3) in children and adults. METHODS: Fixed- and random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to assess the proportion estimate for each outcome individually. RESULTS: The postoperative mortality and cumulative morbidity were estimated to be as high as 0.01 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.02) and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.24), respectively. Psychiatric disorders were the most common postoperative complications after ATL, with an estimated frequency as high as 0.07 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.10), followed by visual field defects (0.06; 0.03, 0.11), and cognitive disorders (0.05; 0.02, 0.10). Less frequent complications included hemiparesis and language disorders (0.03; 0.01, 0.06), infections (0.03; 0.02, 0.04), hemorrhage (0.02; 0.01, 0.05), cranial nerve deficits (0.03; 0.02, 0.05), extra-axial fluid collections (0.02; 0.01, 0.03), and medical complications (0.02; 0.01, 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Even though the mortality after ATL is minimal, the overall morbidity cannot be ignored. Psychiatric disturbances, visual field defects, and cognitive disorders are the most common postoperative complications, and should be considered during the preoperative planning and consultation.

Correlation of Clinical and Radiological Outcome After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With a Polyetheretherketone Cage.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage is considered as the gold standard for patients with cervical disc disease. However, there are limited in vivo data on the impact of ACDF on the cervical kinematics and its association with patient-reported clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of altered cervical sagittal alignment (cervical lordosis) and sagittal range of motion (ROM) on patients' self-reported pain and functional disability, after ACDF with a PEEK cage. METHODS: We prospectively studied 74 patients, who underwent single-, or consecutive two-level ACDF with a PEEK interbody cage. The clinical outcomes were assessed by using the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) and the neck disability index (NDI). Radiological outcomes included cervical lordosis and C2-C7 sagittal ROM. The outcome measures were collected preoperatively, at the day of patients' hospital discharge, and also at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction of the NRS and NDI scores postoperatively at each time point (P < 0.005). Cervical lordosis and also ROM significantly reduced until the last follow-up (P < 0.005). There was significant positive correlation between NRS and NDI preoperatively, as well as at 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.005). In regard to the ROM and the NDI scores, there was no correlation preoperatively (P = 0.199) or postoperatively (6 months, P = 0.322; 12 months, P = 0.476). Additionally, there was no preoperative (P = 0.134) or postoperative (6 months, P = 0.772; 12 months, P = 0.335) correlation between the NDI scores and cervical lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, reduction of cervical lordosis and sagittal ROM did not appear to significantly influence on patients' self-reported disability. Such findings further highlight the greater role of pain level over the mechanical limitations of ACDF with a PEEK cage on patients' own perceived recovery.

Collagen type-I A2 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms: a meta-analysis of genetic association studies.

BACKGROUND: The development, evolution and rupture of intracranial aneurysms are in part related to genetic factors. The role of collagen type-I a2 genetic polymorphisms has not been clarified yet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was realized by means of a genotype model-fitting process (allele contrast, recessive, dominant, additive and co-dominant), and a model-free approach using the generalized odds ratio. The latter was assessed in association to the degree of dominance (h-index). RESULTS: No statistically significant association was documented between EX28 G>C collagen type-I a2 variant and intracranial aneurysms (generalized odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 0.57, 2.63). Significant associations between INT46 T>G collagen type I a2 variant and intracranial aneurysms were documented in three models, the dominant [0.52 (0.38, 069)], the co-dominant [0.50 (0.32, 0.78)] and the allele contrast models [0.63 (0.49, 0.82)]. The generalized odds ratio was estimated to be as high as 1.94 (1.23, 3.06). The degree of dominance (h-index = -1.54) indicated that the TG genotype was characterized by lower risk of developing intracranial aneurysms compared to the TT genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The available literature data demonstrated that there is no association of collagen type-(2a) and intracranial aneurysms, through EX28 G>C (rs42524) polymorphism according to the model-fitting process and the model-free approach. Regarding the INT46 T>G (rs2621215) polymorphisms, the latter models indicated that there could be a protective effect of the G-allele against the development of intracranial aneurysms. However, the majority of studies are from East Asia, therefore the results are applicable primarily to that patient population.

Multimodality treatment of intradural extramedullary Ewing's sarcomas. A systematic review.

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive bone and soft tissue sarcoma that usually affects adolescents and young adults. ES occasionally presents as an intradural-extramedullary lesion of the spine. Our aim was to study the role of the multimodality treatment on the survival (overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and metastasis-free survival) of patients with intradural-extramedullary Ewing's sarcoma. Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Reviews were searched up to January 2017, using as mesh terms "intradural extramedullary", "Ewing's sarcoma", AND "treatment". The multidisciplinary treatment was recorded in binary variables under the headings of "surgery", "chemotherapy" and "radiotherapy". We also recorded three time-to-event variables, including death, recurrence, and metastasis. We performed survival analysis for all potential combinations. Twenty articles with twenty-three patients were eligible for the current review. The survival curves of GTR did not differ from the equivalent of STR regarding survival (p=0.098), recurrence-free survival (p=0.318), and metastasis-free survival (p=0.089). Patients who received chemotherapy enjoyed longer survival regarding overall survival (p<0.05), recurrence-free survival (p<0.05), and metastasis-free survival (p<0.05), when compared to those who did not receive chemotherapy. Their overall survival of patients who had radiotherapy was marginally superior to those who did not receive (p=0.0653). However, their recurrence-free survival (p<0.05), and metastasis-free survival (p<0.05) were significantly improved in comparison to the latter. In conclusion, the multimodality treatment is mandatory for the management of patients with intradural extramedullary Ewing's sarcomas, with surgery assisting in the diagnosis and decompression the neural elements. However, it is chemotherapy that improves survival, recurrence-free survival, and metastasis-free survival. Radiotherapy is reserved as an adjuvant therapy in the local control, especially in cases with subtotal tumour resection.

Anterior cervical spine surgery-associated complications in a retrospective case-control study.

Anterior cervical spine procedures have been associated with satisfactory outcomes. However, the occurrence of troublesome complications, although uncommon, needs to be taken into consideration. The purpose of our study was to assess the actual incidence of anterior cervical spine procedure-associated complications and identify any predisposing factors. A total of 114 patients undergoing anterior cervical procedures over a 6-year period were included in our retrospective, case-control study. The diagnosis was cervical radiculopathy, and/or myelopathy due to degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis, or traumatic cervical spine injury. All our participants underwent surgical treatment, and complications were recorded. The most commonly performed procedure (79%) was anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Fourteen patients (12.3%) underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and interbody fusion, seven (6.1%) ACDF with plating, two (1.7%) odontoid screw fixation, and one anterior removal of osteophytes for severe Forestier's disease. Mean follow-up time was 42.5 months (range, 6-78 months). The overall complication rate was 13.2%. Specifically, we encountered adjacent intervertebral disc degeneration in 2.7% of our cases, dysphagia in 1.7%, postoperative soft tissue swelling and hematoma in 1.7%, and dural penetration in 1.7%. Additionally, esophageal perforation was observed in 0.9%, aggravation of preexisting myelopathy in 0.9%, symptomatic recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 0.9%, mechanical failure in 0.9%, and superficial wound infection in 0.9%. In the vast majority anterior cervical spine surgery-associated complications are minor, requiring no further intervention. Awareness, early recognition, and appropriate management, are of paramount importance for improving the patients' overall functional outcome.

The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance angiography for blunt vertebral artery injury detection in trauma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The role of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the evaluation of patients with blunt vertebral artery has not been fully established. Our aim is to define the diagnostic accuracy of MRA in comparison to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the detection of blunt vertebral artery injury in trauma patients. A computer-assisted literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, Highwire, Web of Science, and LILACS was conducted, in order to identify studies reporting on the sensitivity and specificity of MRA in comparison to DSA for the detection of blunt vertebral artery injury in trauma patients. The Database search retrieved 91 studies. Five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Two authors assessed the risk of bias and applicability concerns using QUADAS-2. Two-by-two contingency tables were constructed on a per-vessel level. Heterogeneity was tested by the statistical significance of Cochran's Q, and was quantified by the Higgins's I2 metric. The pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity for blunt vertebral artery injury detection with MRA in comparison to DSA were calculated based on the bivariate model. The meta-analysis was supplemented by subgroup and sensitivity analysis, as well as analysis for publication bias. There was significant clinical heterogeneity in the targeted population, inclusion criteria, and MRA related parameters. The reporting bias and applicability concerns were moderate and low, respectively. In the overall analysis, the sensitivity ranged from 25% to 85%, while the specificity varied from 65% to 99%, across studies. According to the bivariate model, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of MRA in the evaluation of patients with blunt vertebral artery was as high as 55% (95% CI 32.1%-76.7%), and 91% (95% CI 66.3%-98.2%), respectively. Subgroup analysis in terms of MRA sequence sensitivity of phase, the contrasted MRA (75% [95% CI 43%-92%]) seemed to be superior to the TOF MRA (46% [95%CI 20%-74%]). The addition of contrast enhancement did not seem to improve the diagnostic yield of MRA. The Egger's test did not identify any significant publication bias (p=0.2). An important limitation of the current meta-analysis is the small number of eligible studies, as well as the lack of studies on newer, high-field MR scanners. We concluded that MRA has a moderate diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of blunt vertebral artery injuries. Further studies on high-field magnetic resonance scanners are recommended.