Chronic Subdural Hematoma Drainage under Local versus General Anesthesia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most frequently encountered neurosurgical conditions. Although the mainstay treatment of chronic subdural hematoma has been burr-hole drainage, no consensus yet exists on the optimal anesthetic strategy between general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA). This systematic review compares postoperative outcomes after CSDH evacuation under LA and GA. METHODS: A search was conducted in MEDLINE (1946 to November 2023), Embase (1974 to November 2023), and PubMed (up to November 2023). We followed the PRISMA guidelines to systematically screen studies. RESULTS: Our literature search identified 629 studies, out of which 12 were included. There were 1035 patients in the LA group and 699 patients in the GA group. Our meta-analysis found that the LA group had significantly shorter operative time (mean difference, -29.28 minutes; P < 0.0001), length of admission (mean difference, -1.58 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.40 to -0.76 days; P = 0.0002), and postoperative complications rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.59; P < 0.0001) compared with GA. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in revision rate (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.39-1.51; P = 0.45) and mortality (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.63-2.43; P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis, LA shows benefits in shorter operative time, shorter admission length, and fewer postoperative complications. This finding makes LA a less invasive alternative to GA, especially in elderly patients.

Pediatric intracranial tuberculoma: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Intracranial tuberculoma is a rare complication of extrapulmonary tuberculosis due to hematogenous spread to subpial and subependymal regions. Intracranial tuberculoma can occur with or without meningitis. OBSERVATIONS: A 3-year-old male who had recently emigrated from Sudan presented to the emergency department with right-sided seizures lasting 30 minutes, which were aborted with levetiracetam and midazolam. Head computed tomography revealed a multilobulated left supratentorial mass with solid and cystic components and measuring 8.0 × 4.8 × 6.5 cm. The patient had successful resection of the mass, which was positive for M. tuberculosis. He was started on rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, and fluoroquinolone and was discharged home in stable condition. LESSONS: A literature review on pediatric intracranial tuberculoma was performed, which included 48 studies (n = 49). The mean age was 8.8 ± 5.4 years with a slight female predilection (59%). Predominant solitary tuberculomas (63%) were preferentially managed with both resection and antituberculosis therapy (ATT), whereas multifocal tuberculomas were preferentially managed with ATT. Intracranial tuberculoma is a rare but treatable cause of space-occupying lesions in children. Clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion in patients from endemic regions and involve the infectious disease service early.

Cerebellar mutism after posterior fossa tumor resection in children: a multicenter international retrospective study to determine possible modifiable factors.

PURPOSE: A preliminary survey of pediatric neurosurgeons working at different centers around the world suggested differences in clinical practice resulting in variation in the risk of pediatric cerebellar mutism (CM) and cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) after posterior fossa (PF) tumor resection. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the incidence and severity of CM and CMS after midline PF tumor resection in children treated at these centers and (2) to identify potentially modifiable factors related to surgical management (rather than tumor biology) that correlate with the incidence of CM/CMS. METHODS: Attending pediatric neurosurgeons at British Columbia's Children's Hospital (BCCH) and neurosurgeons who completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at BCCH were invited to provide data from the center where they currently practiced. Children aged from birth to less than 18 years who underwent initial midline PF tumor resection within a contemporary, center-selected 2-year period were included. Data was obtained by retrospective chart and imaging review. Modifiable surgical factors that were assessed included pre-resection surgical hydrocephalus treatment, surgical positioning, ultrasonic aspirator use, intraoperative external ventricular drain (EVD) use, surgical access route to the tumor, and extent of resection. CM was defined as decreased or absent speech output postoperatively and CMS as CM plus new or worsened irritability. RESULTS: There were 263 patients from 11 centers in 6 countries (Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Indonesia, and the USA). Median age at surgery was 6 years (range < 1 to 17 years). The overall incidence of postoperative CM was 23.5% (range 14.7-47.6% for centers with data on ≥ 20 patients). The overall incidence of CMS was 6.5% (range 0-10.3% for centers contributing data on ≥ 20 patients). A multivariate logistic regression on the full data set showed no significant association between pre-resection surgical hydrocephalus treatment, prone position, ultrasonic aspirator use, EVD use, telovelar approach, complete or near total resection, or treating center and either postoperative CM or CMS. CONCLUSIONS: While there was variation in surgical management of midline PF tumors among centers participating in this study, the factors in management that were examined did not predict postoperative CM or CMS.

Fetal Repair of Open Neural Tube Defects: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues.

Open neural tube defects or myelomeningoceles are a common congenital condition caused by failure of closure of the neural tube early in gestation, leading to a number of neurologic sequelae including paralysis, hindbrain herniation, hydrocephalus and neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction. Traditionally, the condition was treated by closure of the defect postnatally but a recently completed randomized controlled trial of prenatal versus postnatal closure demonstrated improved neurologic outcomes in the prenatal closure group. Fetal surgery, or more precisely maternal-fetal surgery, raises a number of ethical issues that we address including who the patient is, informed consent, surgical innovation and equipoise as well maternal assumption of risk. As the procedure becomes more widely adopted into practice, we suggest close monitoring of new fetal surgery centers, in order to ensure that the positive results of the trial are maintained without increased risk to both the mother and fetus.

Choosing Wisely Canada: Pediatric Neurosurgery Recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: Choosing Wisely Canada is an evidence-based, patient-focused, physician-led campaign to improve the delivery of medical care in Canada. The goal of this study was to produce Canadian recommendations for physicians treating patients with selected paediatric neurosurgery issues. METHODS: Paediatric neurosurgeons practicing in Canada were invited to participate. Suggestions were obtained using an anonymous questionnaire, and then ranked anonymously by the participating surgeons. Suggestions that received consensus from participants were discussed at the 2016 annual Canadian Pediatric Neurosurgery Study Group meeting. Suggestions that were not evidence based, or that would not have a substantive population impact were eliminated. All remaining suggestions were anonymously ranked by the group and the top five recommendations were submitted to Choosing Wisely Canada. RESULTS: The final five recommendations include: 1) don't order a computed tomography scan to investigate macrocephaly (order an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scan); 2) don't image a midline dimple related to the coccyx in an asymptomatic infant or child; 3) don't use computed tomography scans for routine imaging of children with hydrocephalus. Fast sequence nonsedated magnetic resonance imaging scans or ultrasounds provide adequate information to assess patients without exposing them to radiation or an anesthetic; 4) don't recommend helmets for mild to severe positional flattening; 5) don't do routine surveillance imaging for incidentally discovered Chiari I malformation. CONCLUSIONS: Five Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations were produced to support care of patients with paediatric neurosurgical issues. While these recommendations will apply to the majority of children with the involved conditions, occasionally, deviation from these recommendations may be clinically indicated.

Bobble-head doll syndrome: report of 2 cases and a review of the literature, with video documentation of the clinical phenomenon.

Bobble-head doll syndrome (BHDS) is a rare pediatric movement disorder presenting with involuntary 2- to 3-Hz head movements. Common signs and symptoms also found on presentation include macrocephaly, ataxia, developmental delay, optic disc pallor or atrophy, hyperreflexia, tremor, obesity, endocrinopathy, visual disturbance or impairment, headache, and vomiting, among others. The syndrome is associated with suprasellar cysts, third ventricular cysts, or aqueductal obstruction, along with a few other less common conditions. The cause of involuntary head motions is not understood. Treatment is surgical. The authors present 2 cases of BHDS. The first is a 14-year-old boy with BHDS associated with aqueductal obstruction and triventricular hydrocephalus secondary to a tectal tumor. He was successfully treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy, and all symptoms resolved immediately in the recovery room. This case is unusual in its late age of symptom onset, the primacy of lateral ("no-no") involuntary head rotations, and the associated tectal tumor. The second case is a 7.5-year-old girl with BHDS associated with a suprasellar cyst. She was successfully treated with an endoscopic fenestration but preexisting endocrinopathy persisted, and the patient was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 12 years. This second case is more typical of BHDS. A comprehensive and up-to-date review of the literature of BHDS and video documentation of the phenomenon are presented.

Trends in incidence and long-term outcomes of myelomeningocele in British Columbia.

PURPOSE: Myelomeningocele is typically a disabling condition that results in neurologic, orthopedic, and urologic morbidity. The aim of this study was to examine the trends over time in both incidence and outcomes of myelomeningocele (MMC) in British Columbia (BC). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all children with MMC followed in the British Columbia Children's Hospital (BCCH) Spinal Cord Clinic between 1971 and 2016. The incidence of new MMC cases and the long-term outcomes of MMC were compared between two 10-year cohorts. The first cohort comprised children born with MMC between 1971 and 1981, and the second cohort comprised children born with MMC between 1996 and 2006. RESULTS: A total of 309 children with MMC were followed in the BCCH Spinal Cord Clinic between 1971 and 2016. There were 101 and 46 children with MMC in the two-time cohorts, respectively. Between the earlier and later cohorts, there was a significant difference in the following: MMC incidence [2.5/10,000 births vs 1.1/10,000 births, respectively (p = 0.0002)], mortality [18 vs 0% (p = 0.0009)], and the proportion of cases repaired in under 48 h [56 vs 98% (p < 0.0001)]. For surviving children, the proportion of children attending special classes was significantly different between the earlier and later cohorts [16 vs 46%, respectively (p = 0.0002)], whereas all other outcome measures, including the proportion with hydrocephalus, kyphoscoliosis, Chiari II surgery, bowel and bladder continence, recreation participation, obesity, and ambulation, were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: In BC, the incidence of new cases of MMC has decreased between 1971 and 2016, while the probability of survival for these patients has increased. Despite earlier and more universal post-natal repair, long-term outcomes have not improved significantly over time. Future research should focus on developing ways of reducing disability and improving quality of life for MMC patients and their families.

Motor Cortex Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Cross-over Trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic motor cortex stimulation (MCS) has been used to treat medically refractory neuropathic pain over the past 20 years. We investigated this procedure using a prospective multicentre randomized blinded crossover trial. METHODS: Twelve subjects with three different neuropathic pain syndromes had placement of MCS systems after which they were randomized to receive low ("subtherapeutic") or high ("therapeutic") stimulation for 12 weeks, followed by a crossover to the other treatment group for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the pain visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Beck Depression Inventory-II, medication log, work status, global impression of change, and SF-36 quality of life scale. RESULTS: The trial was halted early due to lack of efficacy. One subject withdrew early due to protocol violation and five subjects withdrew early due to transient adverse events. Six subjects with upper extremity pain completed the study. There was no significant change in VAS with low or high stimulation and no significant improvement in any of the outcome measures from low to high stimulation. SF-36 role physical and mental health scores were worse with high compared to low stimulation (p=0.024, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We failed to show that MCS is an effective treatment for refractory upper extremity neuropathic pain and suggest that previous studies may have been skewed by placebo effects, or ours by nocebo. We suggest that a healthy degree of skepticism is warranted when considering this invasive therapy for upper extremity pain syndromes.

Temporal trends of intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity in Nova Scotia from 1993 to 2012.

OBJECT Intraventicular hemorrhage (IVH) and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are common in premature newborns. The epidemiology of these conditions has been described, but selection bias remains a significant concern in many studies. The goal of this study was to review temporal trends in the incidence of IVH, PHH, and shunt surgery in a population-based cohort of very preterm infants with no selection bias. METHODS All very preterm infants (gestational age ≥ 20 and ≤ 30 weeks) born from 1993 onward to residents of Nova Scotia were evaluated by the IWK Health Centre's Perinatal Follow-Up Program, and were entered in a database. Infants born to residents of Nova Scotia from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2012, were included in this study. The incidences of IVH, PHH, and shunt surgery were calculated, basic demographic information was described, and chi-square test for trends over time was determined. RESULTS Of 1334 successfully resuscitated very preterm infants who survived to their initial screening ultrasound, 407 (31%) had an IVH, and 149 (11%) had an IVH Grade 3 or 4. No patients with IVH Grade 1 or 2 developed PHH. The percentage of very preterm infants with IVH Grade 3 or 4 has significantly increased over time (p = 0.013), as have the incidence of PHH and shunt surgery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively) in infants with Grade 3 or 4 IVH. The proportion of patients with PHH receiving a shunt has not changed over time (p = 0.813). CONCLUSIONS The increasing incidence of high-grade IVH-and PHH and shunt surgery in infants with high-grade IVH-over time is worrisome. This study identifies a number of associated factors, but further research to identify preventable and treatable causal factors is warranted.

Outcomes of intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in a population-based cohort of very preterm infants born to residents of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 2010.

OBJECT Intraventicular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common complication of preterm birth, and the prognosis of IVH is incompletely characterized. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of IVH in a population-based cohort with minimal selection bias. METHODS All very preterm (≥ 30 completed weeks) patients born in the province of Nova Scotia were included in a comprehensive database. This database was screened for infants born to residents of Nova Scotia from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2010. Among very preterm infants successfully resuscitated at birth, the numbers of infants who died, were disabled, developed cerebral palsy, developed hydrocephalus, were blind, were deaf, or had cognitive/language scores assessed were analyzed by IVH grade. The relative risk of each outcome was calculated (relative to the risk for infants without IVH). RESULTS Grades 2, 3, and 4 IVH were significantly associated with an increased overall mortality, primarily in the neonatal period, and the risk increased with increasing grade of IVH. Grade 4 IVH was significantly associated with an increased risk of disability (RR 2.00, p < 0.001), and the disability appeared to be primarily due to cerebral palsy (RR 6.07, p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (difference in mean MDI scores between Grade 4 IVH and no IVH: -19.7, p < 0.001). No infants with Grade 1 or 2 IVH developed hydrocephalus, and hydrocephalus and CSF shunting were not associated with poorer outcomes when controlling for IVH grade. CONCLUSIONS Grades 1 and 2 IVH have much better outcomes than Grades 3 or 4, including a 0% risk of hydrocephalus in the Grade 1 and 2 IVH cohort. Given the low risk of selection bias, the results of this study may be helpful in discussing prognosis with families of very preterm infants diagnosed with IVH.

Male-predominant plasma transfusion strategy for preventing transfusion-related acute lung injury: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To assess 1) the effectiveness of male-predominant plasma transfusion strategy for preventing transfusion-related acute lung injury and related mortality; and 2) whether this effect varies across different patient subgroups. DESIGN: Systematic Review and meta-analysis: Data were identified by querying MEDLINE and EMBASE (including proceedings of major conferences on blood transfusions), searching the Internet for hemovigilance reports, reviewing reference lists of eligible articles and contacting experts in the field. Eligible were all studies reporting transfusion-related acute lung injury incidence, all-cause mortality (primary outcomes), hospital length of stay, time to extubation, PaO2/FIO2-ratio or blood pressure changes (secondary outcomes) in recipients of plasma transfusions containing relatively more plasma from individuals at low risk of carrying leukocyte-antibodies ("male plasma") than those receiving comparator plasma ("control plasma"). No limits were placed on study design, population or language. The only exclusion criteria were non-human subjects and lack of control group. Prespecified study quality indicators (including risk of bias assessment) and potential effect modifiers were tested using Cochran's Q Test. Final analyses using random-effects models and I2 to assess heterogeneity were performed in the subset of studies judged to provide the best evidence and separately for significantly different subgroups using STATA 12.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX). SETTING: As per primary studies. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS: As per primary studies. INTERVENTIONS: As per primary studies (generally: exposure to plasma containing relatively more male plasma than comparator plasma). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From a total of 850 retrieved records, we identified 45 eligible studies. For transfusion-related acute lung injury incidence, final analysis was restricted to 13 cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial in which transfusion-related acute lung injury cases only involved plasma transfusions. Risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury and mortality in plasma recipients exposed to men when compared with control plasma were 0.27 (95% CI, 0.20-0.38; p < 0.001; I = 0%; n = 14; 286 events) and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80-1.00; p = 0.04; I = 79%; n = 7; 5, 710 events), respectively. No other significant interactions were found. Secondary outcomes showed similar results but were less reported and the studies were more heterogeneous. Sensitivity analyses did not alter the results. There was no evidence of publication bias. DISCUSSION: More than 800 million people in 17 countries are subject to male-predominant plasma transfusion policy and at least three more countries are planning or considering adoption of this strategy. On the basis of most observational data, judged to be of high quality, male-predominant plasma transfusion strategy reduces plasma-related transfusion-related acute lung injury incidence and possibly mortality. There was no evidence that the effect differs across patient subgroups, but power to detect such differences was low.

Levetiracetam versus phenytoin: a comparison of efficacy of seizure prophylaxis and adverse event risk following acute or subacute subdural hematoma diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Although both levetiracetam and phenytoin are used for seizure prophylaxis in subdural hematomas (SDHs), there is little data on their comparative efficacies. We compared the efficacy and risk of using levetiracetam versus phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis following acute or subacute SDH diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical data registry at a tertiary care hospital was searched for all cases of acute or subacute SDHs that were admitted to hospital in 2002, 2003, or 2011. Risk of clinical and/or electrographic seizures, and risk of adverse drug events were compared between the two exposure arms. RESULTS: 124 subjects in the phenytoin arm and 164 subjects in the levetiracetam arm were included. There was no significant difference in clinical and/or electrographic seizure risk, though there was a decreased risk of adverse events in the levetiracetam arm (p < 0.001). In subjects with midline shift >0 mm, levetiracetam was associated with an increased risk of electrographic seizures during hospitalization (p = 0.028) and a decreased risk of adverse drug effects (p = 0.001), compared with phenytoin use. CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam generally appears to have a similar efficacy to phenytoin in preventing clinical and/or electrographic seizures following acute/subacute SDH diagnosis, though patients with midline shift >0 mm may have associated with a higher risk of electrographic seizures on levetiracetam compared with patients on phenytoin. Levetiracetam is associated with a lower risk of adverse drug effects. A prospective, randomized study would more definitively determine any difference in efficacy and risk between phenytoin and levetiracetam.

Surgical activity of first-year Canadian neurosurgical residents.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical activity is probably the most important component of surgical training. During the first year of surgical residency, there is an early opportunity for the development of surgical skills, before disparities between the skill sets of residents increase in future years. It is likely that surgical skill is related to operative volumes. There are no published guidelines that quantify the number of surgical cases required to achieve surgical competency. The aim of this study was to describe the current trends in surgical activity in a recent cohort of first-year Canadian neurosurgical trainees. METHODS: This study utilized retrospective database review and survey methodology to describe the current state of surgical training for first-year neurosurgical trainees. A committee of five residents designed this survey in an effort to capture factors that may influence the operative activity of trainees. RESULTS: Nine out of a cohort of 20 first-year Canadian neurosurgical trainees that began training in July of 2008 participated in the study. The median number of cases completed by a resident during the initial three month neurosurgical rotation was 66, within which the trainee was identified as the primary surgeon in 12 cases. Intracranial hemorrhage and cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures were the most common operations to have the trainee as primary surgeon. CONCLUSION: Based on this pilot study, it appears that the operative activity of Canadian first-year residents is at least equivalent to the residents of other studied training systems with respect to volume and diversity of surgical activity.