Effectiveness of tuning an artificial intelligence algorithm for cerebral aneurysm diagnosis: a study of 10,000 consecutive cases.

Diagnostic image analysis for unruptured cerebral aneurysms using artificial intelligence has a very high sensitivity. However, further improvement is needed because of a relatively high number of false positives. This study aimed to confirm the clinical utility of tuning an artificial intelligence algorithm for cerebral aneurysm diagnosis. We extracted 10,000 magnetic resonance imaging scans of participants who underwent brain screening using the "Brain Dock" system. The sensitivity and false positives/case for aneurysm detection were compared before and after tuning the algorithm. The initial diagnosis included only cases for which feedback to the algorithm was provided. In the primary analysis, the sensitivity of aneurysm diagnosis decreased from 96.5 to 90% and the false positives/case improved from 2.06 to 0.99 after tuning the algorithm (P < 0.001). In the secondary analysis, the sensitivity of aneurysm diagnosis decreased from 98.8 to 94.6% and the false positives/case improved from 1.99 to 1.03 after tuning the algorithm (P < 0.001). The false positives/case reduced without a significant decrease in sensitivity. Using large clinical datasets, we demonstrated that by tuning the algorithm, we could significantly reduce false positives with a minimal decline in sensitivity.

The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index as a More Useful Associated Factor Than Chronological Age After Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm Surgery: A Nationwide Registry Study.

BACKGROUND: Although chronological age is associated with mortality and morbidity after surgery for unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs), there is little evidence regarding an association between the simplified 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) and postoperative outcomes based on age group. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the mFI-5 score with worse outcomes, mortality, and complications in patients after surgery for UCA by chronological age groups using a Japanese national database. METHODS: This study included 32 902 patients with UCAs enrolled in a Japanese national database between 2011 and 2015. Age group (younger than 65 years, 65-74 years, and 75 years or older), sex, UCA location, treatment, medications, Barthel Index (BI), medical history, mFI-5 score, and in-hospital mortality and complications were evaluated. We identified risk factors for worsening BI score, in-hospital mortality, and overall postoperative complications in each age group. RESULTS: In total, 14 465 patients were enrolled in this study. Multivariable analysis showed that elderly groups and patients with an mFI-5 score ≥2 items were associated with worsening BI scores (odds ratio 1.95; 95% CI 1.52-2.51) and in-hospital complications (odds ratio 1.79; CI 1.49-2.15), despite having no association with in-hospital mortality. Multivariable analysis by age groups showed that the mFI-5 score ≥2 items was associated with in-hospital complications in all age groups, unlike chronological age in patients younger than 74 years. CONCLUSION: The mFI-5 score was a more useful associated factor of in-hospital complications than chronological age in patients younger than 74 years undergoing surgery for UCA.

Perioperative Surgical Risks in Patients With Hemangioblastomas: A Retrospective Nationwide Review in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The perioperative risk of sporadic hemangioblastomas (HBs) and von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)-associated hemangioblastomas (VHL-associated HBs) remains unclear due to the rare prevalence of HB. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify risk factors for better surgical management of patients with HBs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of surgically treated HB patients registered in the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database of Japan, between 2010 and 2015, was performed. Age, sex, sporadic HBs or VHL-associated HBs, medical history, tumor location, hospital case load, postoperative complications, and Barthel index (BI) deterioration were assessed. We also evaluated the outcomes and factors of perioperative BI deterioration. RESULTS: In total, 676 patients with 609 intracranial lesions, 64 spinal lesions, and 3 with both types were eligible. Among them, 618 and 58 patients had sporadic HBs and VHL-associated HBs, respectively. The rates of perioperative BI deterioration were 12.5% and 12.2% for sporadic HBs and VHL-associated HBs, respectively. Perioperative mortality was 1.8% and 0% for sporadic HBs and VHL-associated HBs, respectively. Male sex, old age, high hospital case load, and medical history of diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with perioperative BI deterioration in all cases and sporadic HBs. Only medical history of diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor for perioperative BI deterioration in VHL-associated HBs. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in perioperative BI deterioration rates between sporadic HBs and VHL-associated HBs were found. However, different risk factors for perioperative BI deterioration were identified. Consideration of these risk factors is recommended in all patients undergoing surgery for HB.

Morphological Analysis of the Sylvian Fissure Stem to Guide a Safe Trans-sylvian Fissure Approach.

The sylvian fissure stem and its deep cisternal part (SDCP) consist mainly of the orbital gyrus (OG) and anterior medial portion of the temporal lobe. SDCP's adhesion has been found to make a trans-sylvian approach difficult due to the various patterns of adhesion. Thus, in this study, we aim to clarify the morphological features of the SDCP, and to guide a safe trans-sylvian approach. We retrospectively classified the morphology of the SDCP in 81 patients into 3 types (tight, moderate, loose type) according to the degree of adhesion of the arachnoid membrane and analyzed the morphological features of the OG and the temporal lobe using intraoperative video images. In addition, we have retrospectively measured each width of the SDCP's subarachnoid space at the three points (Point A, lateral superior portion; Point B, downward portion; Point C, medial inferior portion of SDCP) and analyzed their relationship to the degree of adhesion using the preoperative coronal three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) images of 44 patients. As per the results, SDCP's adhesions were determined to be significantly tighter in cases with large OG and young cases. The temporal lobe had four surfaces (posterior, middle, anterior, and medial) that adhered to the OG in various patterns. The tighter the adhesion between the OG and each of the three distal surfaces of the temporal lobe, the narrower the width of the subarachnoid space at each point (A, B, C). Understanding of the morphological features of the SDCP, and estimating its adhesion preoperatively are useful in developing a surgical strategy and obtaining correct intraoperative orientation in the trans-sylvian approach.

Recent Declining Trend of Incidence Rate of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Shimane, Japan: The Japan Incidence of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (JIS) Study.

The "Izumo Study" revealed the incidence rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, from 1980 to 1998. However, no study has been published regarding the incidence of SAH in Shimane Prefecture after 1998. Most studies reporting the incidence of SAH in Japan have been conducted before 2000, although a few have been reported after 2000. This study aimed to assess the estimated age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) of SAH in Shimane Prefecture after 1998, following the Izumo Study. A retrospective study was conducted to identify the estimated AAIR of SAH in Shimane Prefecture, using the age-adjusted SAH mortality rate for this population from 1999 to 2017 and assuming that the case-fatality rate of SAH decreased by 0.7% annually from 45% in 1999 to 32.4% in 2017. We used linear regression analysis for trend to the estimated AAIR of SAH. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted by various case-fatality rates of SAH using assuming case-fatality rate based on previous reports. The estimated AAIR of SAH in Shimane Prefecture declined from 33.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.7-37.9) per 100,000 person-years in 1999, by 26.5%, to 24.7 (95% CI: 21.4-28.5) in 2017 (p < 0.01, r = 0.58). Declining trend of incidence rate of SAH in Shimane Prefecture from 1999 to 2017 was confirmed in this study.

A nationwide registry study: The 5-factor modified frailty index of meningioma surgery in non-elderly and elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: The simplified 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) is a useful indicator of outcome for patients undergoing surgeries as frailty is considered an important risk factor in elderly patients. However, its usefulness has not been validated based on age groups. Therefore, we aimed to investigate risk factors, including the mFI-5, across age groups for complications and worse outcomes in meningioma surgery using data obtained from the nationwide database in Japan. METHODS: We extracted data from the nationwide registry database in Japan between 2010 and 2015. Age (< 65, 65-74, and ≥ 75 years), sex, Barthel Index (BI), mFI-5 scores, and complications were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for worsening BI scores and complications after surgery across all age groups. RESULTS: Among 8138 included patients, an mFI-5 score ≥ 2 items was a significant risk factor for worsening BI scores in patients aged < 65 years (odds ratio: 2.3; 95 % confidence interval: 1.5-3.4), but not in patients aged 65-74 years and those aged ≥ 75 years, contrary to chronological age. Similar results were noted for any complications in patients aged < 65 years (2.5; 1.8-3.6) and aged 65-74 years (1.5; 1.1-2.1), but not in patients aged ≥ 75 years. CONCLUSION: Although the mFI-5 scores could predict the risk of in-hospital worsening outcomes, mortality, and complications, it was more useful in non-elderly patients aged < 65 years rather than in elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years, contrary to chronological age. Further prospective studies should be performed in the future to clarify the utility of the mFI-5.

Hypertension and Advanced Age Increase the Risk of Cognitive Impairment after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Registry-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: As the global population ages, the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasing. Whereas mild TBI can impair the cognitive function of older adults, the cause and background of mild TBI-induced cognitive impairment remain unclear, and the evaluation of risk factors for cognitive impairment after mild TBI remains open for consideration, especially in the aging population. This study aimed to evaluate the risks associated with cognitive impairment following mild TBI. METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2018, a total of 2209 patients with TBI required hospitalization in Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital. Mild TBI was defined as a Japan Coma Scale ≤10 at admission. Patients' cognitive function was measured with the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale-Revised or Mini-Mental State Examination at least twice during the patients' hospital stays. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each considered risk factor was calculated with multivariable logistic regression analysis after univariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 1674 patients with mild TBI, 172 patients underwent cognitive function examinations, of whom 145 (84.3%) were found to have cognitive impairment at discharge. Significant risk factors for cognitive impairment included age (P = 0.008) and hypertension (P = 0.013) in univariate analysis; and age (OR, 1.04: 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) and hypertension (OR, 5.81: 95% CI, 1.22-27.68) by multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with hypertension displayed a significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment after even mild TBI. These patients warrant careful management after even mild TBI.

Effect of region-wide use of prehospital stroke triage scale on management of patients with acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital stroke triage scales help with the decision to transport patients with suspected stroke to suitable hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the region-wide use of the Japan Urgent Stroke Triage (JUST) score, which can predict several types of stroke: large vessel occlusion (LVO), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and cerebral infarction other than LVO (CI). METHODS: We implemented the JUST score and conducted a retrospective and prospective multicenter cohort study at 13 centers in Hiroshima from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2020. We investigated the success rate of the first request to the hospital, on-scene time, and transport time to hospital. We evaluated the door-to-puncture time, puncture-to-reperfusion time, and 90-day outcome among patients with final diagnoses of LVO. RESULTS: The cohort included 5141 patients (2735 before and 2406 after JUST score implementation). Before JUST score implementation, 1269 strokes (46.4%) occurred, including 140 LVO (5.1%), 394 ICH (14.4%), 120 SAH (4.4%), and 615 CI (22.5%). The JUST score was used in 1484 (61.7%) of the 2406 patients after implementation, which included 1267 (52.7%) cases of stroke (186 LVO (7.7%), 405 ICH (16.8%), 109 SAH (4.5%), and 567 CI (23.6%)). Success rate of the first request to the hospital significantly increased after JUST score implementation (76.3% vs 79.7%, p=0.004). JUST score implementation significantly shortened the door-to-puncture time (84 vs 73 min, p=0.03), but the prognosis remained unaltered among patients with acute LVO. CONCLUSIONS: Use of prehospital stroke triage scales improved prehospital management and preparation time of intervention among patients with acute stroke.

Benefit of spinal cord stimulation for patients with central poststroke pain: a retrospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been considered an ineffective procedure for patients with central poststroke pain (CPSP). However, recent case series that included small numbers of patients reported the possible efficacy of SCS as a treatment of CPSP. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to examine the outcomes of using SCS to treat patients with CPSP and to explore factors related to outcomes. METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of patients with CPSP who underwent SCS to collect data regarding their background, surgical information, and outcomes of SCS at trial stimulation and last follow-up after long-term implantation in six study centers. Outcomes were evaluated with a pain score for intensity (range 0-10) and the Patient Global Impression of Changes (PGIC) scale. Factors associated with outcomes were explored with univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The authors collected data from a total of 166 patients (mean age 63.4 years; mean pain score at baseline 8.2). Of these patients, 163 underwent trial stimulation. The mean pain score decreased by 42.0%, 104 (64%) patients had ≥ 30% decrease in pain score, and 96 (59%) reported much or very much improved condition on the PGIC scale at trial stimulation. Moreover, 106 (64%) patients underwent long-term implantation of SCS devices. The mean decrease in pain score was 41.4%, 63 (59%) patients continued to show ≥ 30% decrease in pain score at last follow-up, and 60 (56%) reported much or very much improved condition on the PGIC scale at last follow-up (median [range] follow-up period 24 [24-63] months). Eleven device-related complications and 10 permanent explantations were observed. Univariable and multivariable analyses suggested that young age, less sensory disturbance, implantation of cervical leads, treatment of upper-limb pain, and extensive treated regions were associated with satisfactory outcomes at last follow-up after long-term implantation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that SCS may modestly benefit patients with CPSP. SCS has therapeutic potential for patients with intractable CPSP owing to the lower invasiveness of the SCS procedure and refractory nature of CPSP. Nevertheless, trial stimulation is necessary because of the high initial failure rate.

Utility of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging for giant cell tumor of bone after denosumab treatment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an intermediate but locally aggressive neoplasm. Current treatment of high-risk GCTB involves administration of denosumab, which inhibits bone destruction and promotes osteosclerosis. However, denosumab monotherapy is not a curative treatment for GCTB and surgical treatment remains required. Denosumab treatment complicates surgery, and the recurrence rate of GCTB is high (20%-30%). PURPOSE: To examine the utility of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) for detection and reduction of residual tumor after denosumab treatment and to investigate the utility of iMRI, which is not yet widely used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled five patients who received denosumab for a median period of eight months (range 6-12 months). Surgery was performed when the degree of osteosclerosis around the articular surface was deemed appropriate. We performed iMRI using a modified operation table to identify residual tumor after initial curettage and evaluated the rate of detection of residual tumor by iMRI, intraoperative and postoperative complications, exposure time of iMRI, and operation time. RESULTS: Suspected residual tumor tissue was identified in all five cases and was confirmed by histopathology after additional curettage. The rate of detection of residual tumor by iMRI was 100%. Residual tumor was located in sites which were difficult to remove due to osteosclerosis. The iMRI was performed safely and without trouble. During the median follow-up period of 10 months (range 6-24 months), no adverse events or recurrences occurred. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative MRI could contribute to the reduction of residual tumor tissue and it may prevent recurrence of GCTB after denosumab therapy.

The Japan Neurosurgical Database: Statistics Update 2018 and 2019.

Each year, the Japan Neurosurgical Society (JNS) reports up-to-date statistics from the Japan Neurosurgical Database regarding case volume, patient demographics, and in-hospital outcomes of the overall cohort and neurosurgical subgroup according to the major classifications of main diagnosis. We hereby report patient demographics, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, purpose of admission, number of medical management, direct surgery, endovascular treatment, and radiosurgery of the patients based on the major classifications and/or main diagnosis registered in 2018 and 2019 in the overall cohort (523283 and 571143 patients, respectively) and neurosurgical subgroup (177184 and 191595 patients, respectively). The patient demographics, disease severity, proportion of purpose of admission (e.g., operation, 33.9-33.5%) and emergent admission (68.4-67.8%), and in-hospital mortality (e.g., cerebrovascular diseases, 6.3-6.5%; brain tumor, 3.1-3%; and neurotrauma, 4.3%) in the overall cohort were comparable between 2018 and 2019. In total, 207783 and 225217 neurosurgical procedures were performed in the neurosurgical subgroup in 2018 and 2019, respectively, of which endovascular treatment comprised 19.1% and 20.3%, respectively. Neurosurgical management of chronic subdural hematoma (19.4-18.9%) and cerebral aneurysm (15.4-14.8%) was most common. Notably, the proportion of management of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, including recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion and endovascular acute reperfusion therapy, increased from 7.5% in 2018 to 8.8% in 2019. The JNS statistical update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, neurosurgeons, healthcare administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on neurosurgical practice.

Dissection of the Sylvian Fissure in the Trans-sylvian Approach Based on the Morphological Classification of the Superficial Middle Cerebral Vein.

The superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) is one of the main factors that can impede a wide opening of the sylvian fissure. To reveal the most efficient SMCV dissection for a wide operative field while preserving the veins in the trans-sylvian approach, we retrospectively investigated the SMCVs through intraoperative video images. We characterized the SMCV as composed of the frontosylvian trunk (FST; receiving frontosylvian veins [FSVs] or parietosylvian veins [PSVs]), the temporosylvian trunk (TST; receiving temporosylvian veins [TSVs]), and the superficial middle cerebral common trunk (SMCCT; receiving both FSV/PSV and TSV), and classified the SMCVs of the 116 patients into 5 types based on the morphological classification of the SMCV. Type A SMCV (60.4%) with the SMCCT anastomosed to the frontal side had few bridging veins (BVs) between the SMCCT and the temporal side during dissection. Type B (7.8%) had the SMCCT with no anastomoses to the frontal side. In Type C (17.2%) consisting of the FST and TST and Type D (12.9%) with a merging of the vein of Trolard and Labbé posteriorly and the SMCVs dividing into the FST and the TST again proximally, there were few BVs between the FST and the TST during dissection. Finally, in Type E (1.7%) showing an undeveloped SMCV, there were no BVs between the frontal and the temporal lobes. Postoperative venous infarction occurred in 2.6%. Morphological classification of the SMCV can inform appropriate dissection line to create a wide operative field while preserving the veins in the trans-sylvian approach.

Visualisation of the non-linear correlation between age and poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To visualise the non-linear correlation between age and poor outcome at discharge in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) while adjusting for covariates, and to address the heterogeneity of this correlation depending on disease severity by a registry-based design. METHODS: We extracted data from the Japanese Stroke Databank registry for patients with SAH treated via surgical clipping or endovascular coiling within 3 days of SAH onset between 2000 and 2017. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale Score ≥3 at discharge. Variable importance was calculated using machine learning (random forest) model. Correlations between age and poor outcome while adjusting for covariates were determined using generalised additive models in which spline-transformed age was fit to each neurological grade of World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) and treatment. RESULTS: In total, 4149 patients were included in the analysis. WFNS grade and age had the largest and second largest variable importance in predicting the outcome. The non-linear correlation between age and poor outcome was visualised after adjusting for other covariates. For grades I-III, the risk slope for unit age was relatively smaller at younger ages and larger at older ages; for grade IV, the slope was steep even in younger ages; while for grade V, it was relatively smooth, but with high risk even at younger ages. CONCLUSIONS: The clear visualisation of the non-linear correlation between age and poor outcome in this study can aid clinical decision making and help inform patients with aneurysmal SAH and their families better.

Morphological Classification of the Medial Frontal Cortex Based on Cadaver Dissections: A Guide for Interhemispheric Approach.

The medial frontal cortex (MFC) is a part of the medial surface of the frontal lobe situated in the rostral portion of the corpus callosum (CC). In a surgical interhemispheric approach (IHA), the MFC covers the anterior communicating artery (Aco) complex until the final stage of dissection. To clarify the anatomical relationship between the MFC and the Aco complex, and to facilitate orientation in IHA, we analyzed the morphological features of the MFC in number, size, and pattern of gyri from the medial surface of the hemisphere in the subcallosal portion using 53 adult cadaveric hemispheres. The mean width of the MFC excluding cingulate gyrus (MFCexcg) was 20.6 ± as mm in the subcallosal portion. MFCexcg consisting of 2, 3, 4, or 5 gyri were observed in 7.5%, 56.6%, 32.1%, or 3.8% of the hemispheres, respectively. Bilateral MFCexcg consisting of >2 gyri were observed in approximately 85% of the hemispheres. Therefore, in many cases, the dissection performed at 2 cm upward from the base of the straight gyrus (SG) or 3-4 gyri of the MFC is sufficient to safely reach the upper portion of the cistern of lamina terminalis located distal to the Aco complex in IHA. The MFC is a good landmark for intraoperative orientation in IHA.

Initiating an epilepsy surgery program with limited resources in Indonesia.

To share the experiences of organizing the epilepsy surgery program in Indonesia. This study was divided into two periods based on the presurgical evaluation method: the first period (1999-2004), when interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used mainly for confirmation, and the second period (2005-2017), when long-term non-invasive and invasive video-EEG was involved in the evaluation. Long-term outcomes were recorded up to December 2019 based on the Engel scale. All 65 surgical recruits in the first period possessed temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), while 524 patients were treated in the second period. In the first period, 76.8%, 16.1%, and 7.1% of patients with TLE achieved Classes I, II, and III, respectively, and in the second period, 89.4%, 5.5%, and 4.9% achieved Classes I, II, and III, respectively, alongside Class IV, at 0.3%. The overall median survival times for patients with focal impaired awareness seizures (FIAS), focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures were 9, 11 and 11 years (95% CI: 8.170-9.830, 10.170-11.830, and 7.265-14.735), respectively, with p = 0.04. The utilization of stringent and selective criteria to reserve surgeries is important for a successful epilepsy program with limited resources.

In-Hospital Complications After Surgery in Elderly Patients with Asymptomatic or Minor Symptom Meningioma: A Nationwide Registry Study.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic or minor symptom meningiomas (AMSMs) in the elderly are incidental findings, with no consensus reached on the optimal management strategy. In the present study, we aimed to determine the surgical risk factors for elderly patients with AMSMs using a nationwide registry database in Japan. METHODS: We identified patients with surgically treated AMSMs using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from 2010 to 2015 and reviewed the medical records for age (<65 years; pre-elderly, 65-74 years; and elderly, ≥75 years), sex, Barthel index (BI) score, medical history, tumor location, and complications. An AMSM was defined by a BI score of 100 points at admission. The risk factors for all stroke complications, BI deterioration at discharge, and in-hospital mortality were determined using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: From a total of 10,535 patients with meningioma, 6628 were included. Advanced age was a significant risk factor (odds ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.80-4.46) for BI deterioration but not for all-stroke complications or in-hospital mortality. Midline and posterior fossa tumors, diabetes mellitus, and chronic heart disease were significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: For elderly patients with surgically treated AMSMs, advanced age was a prominent risk factor for functional decline at discharge. Our study identified several factors that should be evaluated before proceeding with surgery for AMSMs in elderly and pre-elderly patients. These findings could, not only improve decision-making among clinicians treating patients with AMSMs, but also help in predicting the results of surgery for elderly patients with AMSMs.

Development and Validation of Scoring Indication of Surgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage from the Post Hoc Analysis of Japan Stroke Data Bank.

There are no scoring methods for optimal treatment of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We developed a scoring model to predict clinical outcomes according to aSAH risk factors using data from the Japan Stroke Data Bank (JSDB). Of 5344 patients initially registered in the JSDB, 3547 met the inclusion criteria. Patients had been diagnosed with aSAH and treated with surgical clipping or endovascular coiling between 1998 and 2013. We performed multivariate logistic regression for poor outcomes at discharge, indicated by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score >2, and in-hospital mortality for both treatment methods. Based on each risk factor, we developed a scoring model assessing its validity using another dataset of our institution. In the surgical clipping group, scoring criteria for aSAH were age >72 years, history of more than once stroke, World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grades II-V, aneurysmal size >15 mm, and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) aneurysm location. In the endovascular coiling group, scoring criteria were age >80 years, history of stroke, WFNS grades III-V, computed tomography (CT) Fisher group 4, and aneurysmal location in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The rates of poor outcome of mRS score >2 in an isolated dataset using these scoring criteria were significantly correlated with our model's scores, so this scoring model was validated. This scoring model can help in the more objective treatment selection in patients with aSAH.

Detecting non-germinomatous germ cell tumor component by arterial spin labeling perfusion-weighted MR imaging in central nervous system germ cell tumor.

PURPOSE: Differentiating between germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT) is important because sensitivity to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is quite different between these two subgroups. In this study, we evaluated whether the arterial spin labeling (ASL) based perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) could provide additional information for the differential diagnosis between germinoma and NGGCT. METHOD: Between 2011 and 2018, 20 patients with central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumor (GCT) who underwent preoperative MR imaging including ASL-PWI were enrolled in this study. Relative tumor blood flow (rTBF) was evaluated on ASL-PWI by manually placing regions of interest at gadolinium enhanced part of the tumors and normal subcortical white matter. Presence of intratumoral T1 hyperintense foci and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were also evaluated. The final diagnosis was made by the combination of tumor markers and the histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 20 patients of CNS-GCT, 11 were diagnosed as germinoma and 9 were diagnosed as NGGCT. In the germinoma subgroup, the rTBF ranged from 0.90 to 1.71 (mean 1.21, median 1.09), while it ranged from 1.14 to 5.75 (mean 3.91, median 3.31) in NGGCT subgroup. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that calculating rTBF is useful for differentiating between germinoma and NGGCT (area under the curve (AUC) 0.929, P = 0.0012) compared to intratumoral T1 hyperintense foci (AUC 0.788, P = 0.0304) and ADC (AUC 0.919, P = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: High rTBF obtained by ASL-PWI implied the presence of NGGCT component. This information might help in deciding the chemotherapy/radiotherapy intensity.

Spinal Osseous Epidural Arteriovenous Fistula with Intradural Reflux: A Case Report.

The authors report a rare case of spinal osseous epidural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with intradural reflux. A 71-year-old lady with a past history of a T12 compression fracture and neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with progressive paraparesis. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the thoracolumbar spine showed edema of the spinal cord and flow voids. Catheter angiography revealed segmental arteries from T11 to L1 feeding an AVF in the epidural space. The AVF drained not only into the epidural venous plexus but also into the perimedullary veins. Of note, there was an intraosseous drainage route that involved the basivertebral vein of T12. Under the diagnosis of spinal osseous epidural AVF with intradural reflux, surgical interruption of the intradural arterialized draining vein was performed. Spinal osseous epidural AVF with intradural reflux is rare with only four cases reported in the past. We believe that spinal osseous epidural AVF should be recognized as a variant of spinal epidural AVF.

The right hemisphere is important for driving-related cognitive function after stroke.

Considering quality of life (QOL) after stroke, car driving is one of the most important abilities for returning to the community. In this study, directed attention and sustained attention, which are thought to be crucial for driving, were examined. Identification of specific brain structure abnormalities associated with post-stroke cognitive dysfunction related to driving ability would help in determining fitness for car driving after stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 57 post-stroke patients (51 men; mean age, 63 ± 11 years) who were assessed for attention deficit using a standardized test (the Clinical Assessment for Attention, CAT), which includes a Continuous Performance Test (CPT)-simple version (CPT-SRT), the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT), and a driving simulator (handle task for dividing attention, and simple and selective reaction times for sustained attention). A statistical non-parametric map (SnPM) that displayed the association between lesion location and cognitive function for car driving was created. From the SnPM analysis, the overlay plots were localized to the right hemisphere during handling the hit task for bilateral sides (left hemisphere damage related to right-side neglect and right hemisphere damage related to left-side neglect) and during simple and selective reaction times (false recognition was related to damage of both hemispheres). A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the importance of both hemispheres, especially the right hemisphere, for cognitive function and car driving ability. The present study demonstrated that the right hemisphere has a crucial role for maintaining directed attention and sustained attention, which maintain car driving ability, improving QOL for stroke survivors.