Remote supratentorial intraparenchymal bleed after posterior fossa surgery: A rare occurrence.

Background: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage at the operative site is one of the major complications of brain surgery. It is unusual to occur at a site remote from the operative site, but when it happens, it may cause significant morbidity and mortality. Case Description: We report the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with complaints of paresthesias over the left side of his face and decreased hearing from the left ear for two years. His radiology was suggestive of a large left cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst. The patient underwent left retro mastoid suboccipital craniotomy and near-total excision of the epidermoid cyst. The immediate postoperative non-contrast computed tomography scan of the brain was suggestive of no hematoma at the operated site but a remote left parafalcine frontoparietal intraparenchymal bleed, which was managed conservatively. At two months follow-up, he had no neuro deficits, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was suggestive of near-total excision of the epidermoid cyst with resolving left parafalcine frontoparietal bleed. Conclusion: We report this case due to the unique case observation of an intracranial bleed at a remote site rather than at the operated site.

Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Patients: An Experience From a Tertiary Care Center in Northeast India.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the healthcare system worldwide. Cancer patients and oncologists faced challenges equally in the context of the pandemic. The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, encompassing infection source, care type, treatment delays, and infection outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This single-center retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2022 at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, India. It examined COVID-19 cases in cancer patients with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. Data collection included demographics, clinical details, COVID-19 specifics, treatment delays, and infection outcomes. RESULT: In our study of 9,854 oncology patients' visits, 26 (0.26%) tested COVID-19 positive by RT-PCR, aged three to 70 years with a male-female ratio of 1:1.67. Twenty-three percent had comorbidities, mainly hypertension. Gastrointestinal cancers (30.8%) and hepatobiliary origin (15.5%) were common. Most patients (69.2%) had stage IV cancer, and 34.6% aimed for curative treatment. The majority of the patients (76.9%) were community-acquired, and the rest (23.1%) contracted during hospital stay. Fever (34.5%) and asymptomatic infection (30.8%) were common presentations. Six (23.1%) comorbid patients required ICU care. Median treatment delay was three weeks, with one COVID-19-related death (3.8%) and six cancer-related deaths. On follow-up, 19.2% had stable disease, 7.7% partial response, 7.7% recurrence, and 23.1% had progression. CONCLUSION: Amid the pandemic, cancer patients safely received treatment. Mild cases were managed at home. Poor outcome was found in comorbid, severe COVID-19 cancer patients. However, the impact of treatment delays on long-term oncological outcomes needs further study.

Challenges and Outcomes of COVID-19 Positive Neurosurgical Patients: An Institutional Experience With Emphasis on Modifications of Neurosurgical Practice.

INTRODUCTION: There has been a drastic reduction in the number of neurosurgeries performed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a multitude of challenges prompting restructuring of neurosurgical services. The present study describes the challenges and outcomes of non-elective neurosurgical procedures done on COVID-19 positive patients along with the modifications in neurosurgical practice during the pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective study was done in the Department of Neurosurgery over a period of one year and three months. Demographic and clinical details including outcomes of the COVID-19 positive patients, who had undergone non-elective neurosurgical interventions, were collected. RESULTS: Ten patients (3.8%) were COVID-19 positive out of 262 neurosurgical interventions done. The age of the patients ranged from 5 days to 78 years with five males and five females. Out of the 10 patients, five were neurotrauma cases including one patient of head injury with craniovertebral junction injury. The patient with craniovertebral junction injury underwent foramen magnum decompression with C1 lateral mass-C2 pedicle screw on the right and C0-C2 pedicle screw and rod fixation on the left. The rest of the neurotrauma cases underwent craniotomy or burr-hole craniostomy followed by evacuation. Only one patient (10%) had postoperative 30-day mortality. The rest nine patients (90%) survived the post-operative 30-day mortality. The various modifications incorporated in the neurosurgical practice included categorizing the emergency room into various zones, a separate operating theatre for COVID-19 patients, limiting the number of operating members as well as minor modifications in the operating procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative surgical outcome is favorable in COVID-19 positive patients with modifications of the existing neurosurgical practices.

Added value of 3D-DRIVE and SWI Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequences in Intraventricular Neurocysticercosis (IVNCC): An Institutional Experience from Northeast India.

Background: Prompt diagnosis and early treatment institution are important in intraventricular neurocysticercosis (IVNCC) as compared to the parenchymal or racemose form because it is associated with a poorer patient prognosis. Intraventricular neurocysticercosis is often missed on CT scan or conventional cranial magnetic resonance imaging because of similar density or signal intensity of cysticercus lesion with cerebrospinal fluid.Thestudy aims to evaluate the added value of 3D-DRIVE and SWI MRI sequences in isolated intraventricular cysticercosis with acute neurological presentation. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study was carried out on diagnosed 10 patients with isolated intraventricular neurocysticercosis (IVNCC) presented to a tertiary care hospital with an acute onset of symptoms or acute neurological deficit between June 2019 to May 2021. Relevant neurological examination, CSF analysis, a serological test of neurocysticercosis and MRI scan of the brain were performed. Result: Tenpatients of isolated intraventricular neurocysticercosis (3 males and 7 females) having 3 pediatric and 7 adults were included in this study sample.The common neurological complications of the isolated intraventricular neurocysticercosis in this study are observed as obstructive hydrocephalus in 8(80%) patients and ependymitis in 7(70%) patients. IVNCC with distinctly visualized scolex (visibility score 2) identified in 2(20%) patients in T2WI, 8 (80%) patients in 3D-DRIVE and 3(30%) patients in SWI sequences. The cyst wall of IVNCC was distinctly visualized (visibility score 2) in 1(10%) patient in T2WI, 8(80%) patients in 3D-DRIVE and 6(60%) patients in SWI sequence. Conclusion: Heavily T2-weighted steady-state and SWI sequences should be added to routine MRI sequences that helps to identify IVNCC and should be used in patients with unexplained hydrocephalus, especially in endemic regions of Neurocysticercosis.

Endovascular Parent Artery Occlusion for Intracranial Aneurysms is a Viable, Cost-Effective Alternative: An Institutional Experience from Northeast India.

Purpose: Endovascular parent artery occlusion (PAO) may be an alternative approach for complex intracranial aneurysm with potentially life-threatening complications. Moreover, the long-term follow-up of the PAO for an intracranial aneurysm is reported sparingly, limited to the case series. It is therefore important to carry out more research on long-term follow-up of the implication of PAO of intracranial aneurysm. The aim of the study was to analyses our experience of PAO for intracranial aneurysms with emphasis on long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: The data of patients treated with PAO for intracranial aneurysms were reviewed. The outcome was evaluated based on aneurysmal occlusion on immediate angiography, follow-up magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and complications. The modified Rankin score (mRS) was used to evaluate the functional outcome during the last follow-up. The mean, range, and standard deviation were reported for other variables - the patient's age, number, and percentage. Results: Endovascular treatment was performed in 178 patients including PAO in 18 patients. Of these 18 (eighteen) patients, there were 13 dissecting aneurysms, 4 mycotic aneurysms, and one traumatic aneurysm.10 (ten) patients underwent PAO for proximal intracranial artery aneurysm and 8 (eight) patients for distal cerebral aneurysms. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 16patients (88.89%) and retrograde filling of the aneurysm was seen in 2 (11.11%) patients. One patient had intraprocedural coil migration resulting in a major infarct with an mRS of 2. Another patient (5.56%) had recanalization of the aneurysm and presented with rupture and intracranial hemorrhage with an mRS score of 4. The mRS of the other 16 patients (88.89%) was zero. Conclusions: Endovascular PAO for cerebral aneurysms was highly feasible and achieved complete occlusion. The morbidity and mortality rates were at the long-term follow-up also acceptable with negligible complications.

Traumatic Cerrebral Fungus: Experience From an Institution in North East India.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain fungus is manifestation of neglected head injury. Although rare it is not uncommon. The patients are usually intact with good Glasgow coma (GCS) score inspite of complex injuries and exposed brain parenchyma but morbidity and mortality is very high with time if no proper and timely management is offered. There is very less study on traumatic brain fungus with no defined management protocols. So an attempt was made to explain in details the surgical strategies and other management techniques in patients with traumatic brain fungus. AIMS: To study and evaluate the pattern of causation, clinical presentations, modalities of management of traumatic brain fungus and outcome after treatment. METHODS: All patients with fungus cerebri, admitted to our centre from January 2012 to December 2015 were studied prospectively. All the patients were examined clinically and triaged urgently for surgery. CT head was done in all patients to look for any brain parenchymal injury. All patients were managed surgically. Outcome was assessed as per the Glassgow Outcome Score. RESULTS: Total 10 patients were included in the study. 8 were men and 2 women. The patients' ages ranged from 3-48 years (mean 31.6 years). The interval between initial injury and protrusion ranged from 3 days to 6 days (mean 4.1 days). Mean GCS at the time of presentation was 13.2.60% of the patients (n = 6) sustained moderate head injury. (GCS-9-13). Size of the fungus ranged from 5cm×3cm to 8cm×10cm. CONCLUSION: Early and proper local wound treatment prevents fungus formation. Pre-emptive antibiotics, AEDs and cerebral decongestants are recommended. Loose water-tight duroplasty prevents CSF leak. But mortality and morbidity can be reduced significantly if brain fungus is managed properly by applying basic surgical principles and antibiotic protocols combined with newer surgical modalities.

Abnormal heart-rate response during cardiopulmonary exercise testing identifies cardiac dysfunction in symptomatic patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic non-obstructive coronary artery disease is a growing clinical dilemma for which contemporary testing is proving to be of limited clinical utility. New methods are needed to identify cardiac dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a prospective observational cohort study conducted from December 2013 to August 2015 in two outpatient cardiology clinics (symptomatic cohort) and 24 outpatient practices throughout the US (healthy cohort) with centralized methodology and monitoring to compare heart-rate responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Participants were 208 consecutive patients (median age, 61; range, 32-86years) with exercise intolerance and without prior heart or lung disease in whom coronary anatomy was defined and 116 healthy subjects (median age, 45; range, 26-66years). Compared to stress ECG, the novel change in heart-rate as a function of work-rate parameter (ΔHR-WR Slope) demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity to detect under-treated atherosclerosis with similar specificity. In men, area under the ROC curve increased from 60% to 94% for non-obstructive CAD and from 64% to 80% for obstructive CAD. In women, AUC increased from 64% to 85% for non-obstructive CAD and from 66% to 90% for obstructive CAD. ΔHR-WR Slope correctly reclassified abnormal studies in the non-obstructive CAD group from 22% to 81%; in the obstructive CAD group from 18% to 84% and in the revascularization group from 35% to 78%. CONCLUSION: Abnormal heart-rate response during CPET is more effective than stress ECG for identifying under-treated atherosclerosis and may be of utility to identify cardiac dysfunction in symptomatic patients with normal routine cardiac testing.

History and evolution of neurosurgery in Assam.

Assam is a land of rich traditions and culture and advanced medical facilities that are comparable with facilities throughout the world. In this article, the history of development of Neurosciences in Assam is traced.

Comparison of a two-lead, computerized, resting ECG signal analysis device, the MultiFunction-CardioGram or MCG (a.k.a. 3DMP), to quantitative coronary angiography for the detection of relevant coronary artery stenosis (>70%) - a meta-analysis of all published trials performed and analyzed in the US.

BACKGROUND: Accurate, non-invasive diagnosis of, and screening for, coronary artery disease (CAD) and restenosis after coronary revascularization has been a challenge due to either low sensitivity/specificity or relevant morbidity associated with current diagnostic modalities. METHODS: To assess sensitivity and specificity of a new computerized, multiphase, resting electrocardiogram analysis device (MultiFunction-CardioGram(sm) or MCG a.k.a. 3DMP) for the detection of relevant coronary stenosis (>70%), a meta-analysis of three published prospective trials performed in the US on patient data collected using the US manufactured device and analyzed using the US-based software and New York data analysis center from patients in the US, Germany, and Asia was completed. A total of 1076 patients from the three trials (US - 136; Germany - 751; Asia - 189) (average age 62 +/- 11.5, 65 for women, 60 for men) scheduled for coronary angiography, were included in the analysis. Patients enrolled in the trials may or may not have had prior angiography and/or coronary intervention. Angiographic results in all studies were classified for hemodynamically relevant stenosis (> 70%) by two US based angiographers independently. RESULTS: Hemodynamically relevant stenosis was diagnosed in 467 patients (43.4%). The device, after performing a frequency-domain, computational analysis of the resting ECG leads and computer-database comparison, calculated a coronary ischemia "severity" score from 0 to 20 for each patient. The severity score was significantly higher for patients with relevant coronary stenosis (5.4 +/- 1.8 vs. 1.7 +/- 2.1). The study device (using a cut-off score for relevant stenosis of 4.0) correctly classified 941 of the 1076 patients with or without relevant stenosis (sensitivity-91.2%; specificity-84.6%; NPV 0.942, PPV 0.777). Adjusted positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were 81.9% and 92.6%, respectively (ROC AUC = 0.881 [95% CI: 0.860-0.903]). Subgroup analysis showed no significant influence of sex, age, race/nationality, previous revascularization procedures, resting ECG morphology, or participating center on the device's diagnostic performance. CONCLUSIONS: The new computerized, multiphase, resting ECG analysis device (MultiFunction-CardioGram(sm)) has been shown in this meta-analysis to safely and accurately identify patients with relevant coronary stenosis (>70%) with high sensitivity and specificity and high negative predictive value. Its potential use in the evaluation of symptomatic patients suspected to suffer from coronary disease/ischemia is discussed.