Reconstruction of Chronic Proximal Hamstring Tear: A Novel Surgical Technique with Semitendinosus Tendon Allograft Assisted with Autologous Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF).

The reconstruction of a chronic proximal hamstring tear is a challenging pathology that posits difficulties to surgeons due to the distal retraction of the hamstring tendon stumps and the entrapment of the sciatic nerve within the scar formed around the torn hamstring tendon. We describe a novel surgical technique using a semitendinosus tendon allograft sutured in a "V inversion" manner, thereby avoiding an excess of tension and length of the new reconstructed hamstring tendons. In addition, and in order to speed up the healing process and avoid new sciatic entrapment, we assisted the surgery with liquid plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) injected intraosseously, intratendinously and within the suture areas, as well as wrapping the sciatic nerve with a PRGF membrane. In conclusion, this novel approach offers mechanical and biological advantages to tackle the large retraction of hamstring stumps and the entrapment of the sciatic nerve within the scar.

Neurosurgical emergency management during the lockdown period in health care regions in Spain with different COVID-19 impact: lessons learned to improve outcomes on the future waves.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has overloaded health care systems, testing the capacity and response in every European region. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of resources' reorganization on certain emergency pathology management. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the outbreak (in terms of reduction of neurosurgical emergencies) during lockdown in different regions of Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the impact of the outbreak in four different affected regions by descriptive statistics and univariate comparison with same period of two previous years. These regions differed in their incidence level (high/low) and in the time of excess mortality with respect to lockdown declaration. That allowed us to analyze their influence on the characteristics of neurosurgical emergencies registered for every region. RESULTS: 1185 patients from 18 neurosurgical centers were included. Neurosurgical emergencies that underwent surgery dropped 24.41% and 28.15% in 2020 when compared with 2019 and 2018, respectively. A higher reduction was reported for the most affected regions by COVID-19. Non-traumatic spine experienced the most significant decrease in number of cases. Life-threatening conditions did not suffer a reduction in any health care region. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected dramatically the neurosurgical emergency management. The most significant reduction in neurosurgical emergencies occurred on those regions that were hit unexpectedly by the pandemic, as resources were focused on fighting the virus. As a consequence, life-threating and non-life-threatening conditions' mortality raised. Results in regions who had time to prepare for the hit were congruent with an organized and sensible neurosurgical decision-making.

Variability of Clinical and Angiographic Results Based on the Treatment Preference (Endovascular or Surgical) of Centers Participating in the Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Database of the Working Group of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVES: Since the introduction of endovascular treatment for cerebral aneurysms, hospitals in which subarachnoid hemorrhage is treated show different availability and/or preferences towards both treatment modalities. The main aim is to evaluate the clinical and angiographic results according to the hospital's treatment preferences applied. METHODS: This study was conducted based on use of the subarachnoid hemorrhage database of the Vascular Pathology Group of the Spanish Neurosurgery Society. Centers were classified into 3 subtypes according to an index in the relationship between endovascular and surgical treatment as: endovascular preference, high endovascular preference, and elevated surgical preference. The clinical results and angiographic results were evaluated among the 3 treatment strategies. RESULTS: From November 2004 to December 2017, 4282 subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were selected for the study: 630 (14.7%) patients from centers with surgical preference, 2766 (64.6%) from centers with endovascular preference, and 886 (20.7%) from centers with high endovascular preference. The surgical preference group obtained the best angiographic results associated with a greater complete exclusion (odds ratio: 1.359; 95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.801; P = 0.033). The surgical preference subgroup obtained the best outcome at discharge (65.45%), followed by the high endovascular preference group (61.5%) and the endovascular preference group (57.8%) (odds ratio: 1.359; 95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.801; P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, there is significant variability in aneurysm exclusion treatment in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Surgical centers offer better results for both surgical and endovascular patients. A multidisciplinary approach and the maintenance of an elevated quality of surgical competence could be responsible for these results.

Frontoethmoidal encephalocele. Report of a case / Encefalocele frontoetmoidal. A propósito de un caso

Encephaloceles are uncommon in western countries and most cases are located in the occipital bone. Frontal encephaloceles may involve the ethmoid bone, nasal bones and/or the orbits. Surgical repair is complex and usually requires a multidisciplinary approach. The goal of the surgery is to reconstruct the normal anatomy, to achieve a good cosmetic repair and to avoid a cerebrospinal fluid leak. We present a case of a patient with a large congenital frontoethmoidal encephalocele. Autologous calvarian bone grafts were used to repair of encephalocele defect and for the reconstruction of the frontonasal area. The defect closure and the cosmetic result were satisfactory, and the only complication detected was the infection of a previously performed ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A description of the technique and a review of the literature are presented

Los encefaloceles son infrecuentes en los países occidentales y su localización más frecuente es occipital. Los encefaloceles frontales pueden afectar hueso etmoidal, frontal y/o órbitas. La reparación quirúrgica es compleja y habitualmente precisa de un abordaje multidisciplinar. El objetivo de la cirugía es reconstruir la anatomía del paciente con un buen resultado estético, y evitar la fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Se presenta un caso de un gran encefalocele frontoetmoidal. El encefalocele fue reparado y la reconstrucción ósea se realizó con hueso autólogo de la capota craneal. El cierre y el resultado cosmético fueron buenos y la única complicación fue una infección posquirúrgica. Se describe la técnica y se revisa la literatura publicada al respecto

Bases de las técnicas de imagen aplicables al estudio de la espondiloartritis axial / Basic principles of imaging techniques applicable to the study of axial spondyloarthritis

Actualmente disponemos de distintas técnicas de imagen para la valoración tanto de la actividad como del daño estructural en las espondiloartritis (EspA). Todas ellas poseen una base técnica diferente, por la cual pueden ser óptimas dependiendo de lo que queramos valorar en un paciente con EspA. La radiografía simple presenta buena resolución espacial, es una técnica de bajo coste con disponibilidad y estandarización de realización y lectura, pero produce radiación ionizante y tiene poca sensibilidad a cambios leves en el hueso y prácticamente ninguna a las alteraciones de partes blandas sin calcificación. La ecografía es igualmente barata, no radia, permite una visualización en tiempo real, pero depende del explorador y no visualiza estructuras profundas a la cortical (médula ósea). La tomografía computarizada es rápida, presenta poca variabilidad intra-extraobservador, es muy sensible al cambio estructural de cortical-trabecular ósea, sin superposición de estructuras, pero produce radiación ionizante y no tiene sensibilidad al edema intramedular. La resonancia magnética es la técnica de imagen que mejor representación anatómica obtiene, por su excelente resolución de tejidos blandos, con independencia de su profundidad y localización, y, en especial, del interior del hueso, pero es más cara y tiene menor disponibilidad

Currently, several imaging techniques are available to assess both disease activity and structural damage in spondyloarthritis (SpA). All of them are based on different technical principles, depending on which features we wish to assess in patients with SpA. Plain-film radiography has good spatial resolution, is inexpensive and available, and its performance and interpretation have been standardised. However, it produces ionising radiation and has low sensitivity to slight bone changes and practically none to soft tissue alterations without calcification. Ultrasound is also inexpensive, does not produce radiation, and allows visualisation in real time, but is operator-dependent and does not allow visualization of structures deeper than cortical bone (bone marrow). Computed tomography is rapid, shows little intra-interobserver variability, and is highly sensitive to structural changes in cortical-trabecular bone, without superimposition of structures, but produces ionising radiation and is not sensitive to intramedullary oedema. Magnetic resonance is the imaging technique that achieves the best anatomical representation, due to its excellent resolution of soft tissue, independently of its depth and localisation, and especially within the bone, but it is more expensive and less readily available

Resección completa de neurocitoma extraventricular hipervascularizado tras embolización preoperatoria / Complete resection of hypervascularised extraventricular neurocytoma after preoperative embolisation

Una mujer de 13 años de edad presenta clínica de cefalea de 15 días de evolución y solo edema de papila bilateral en la exploración. El estudio inicial de tomografía computarizada y RM mostró una gran masa multiquística frontal izquierda con calcificación rodeada de edema periférico, sangrado intralesional subagudo y múltiples importantes vasos asociados. Se interviene en otro centro, encontrando cavidad con hematoma subagudo que se evacua con múltiples vasos y venas arteriolizadas. Ante la sospecha de malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) a pesar de los hallazgos de la neuroimagen realizada previamente, se deriva a nuestro centro para seguir tratamiento. Realizamos arteriografía, angio-RM y RM con secuencias avanzadas que muestran masa intraaxial hipervascularizada que se emboliza previo a la interviene quirúrgica definitiva con resultado anatomopatológico de neurocitoma extraventricular (NEV). Los NEV son lesiones extremadamente raras que no se han descrito previamente en la literatura como lesiones hipervascularizadas que en nuestro caso requirió la realización de angiografía y embolización previa para su correcto diagnóstico y adecuado manejo

A 13-year-old female arrived at the Emergency Department with a two-week history of headache, and bilateral papilloedema on examination. The initial study with CT and MRI showed a large multicystic left frontal mass with calcification surrounded by peripheral oedema, subacute intralesional bleeding and association of multiple large vessels. She was initially operated on in another centre where a subacute haematoma was found, evacuating to multiple vessels and arteriolised veins. Despite the earlier neuroimaging findings, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was suspected, so she was referred to our centre for further treatment. We performed angiography, MR angiography and MRI with advanced sequences, diagnosing a highly vascularised intra-axial tumour which was embolised. The patient was then definitively operated on, with the resulting finding of extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN). EVN are extremely rare lesions, not previously described in the literature as hypervascularised lesions, which in our case required prior angiography and embolisation for proper diagnosis and adequate management

Frontoethmoidal encephalocele. Report of a case.

Encephaloceles are uncommon in western countries and most cases are located in the occipital bone. Frontal encephaloceles may involve the ethmoid bone, nasal bones and/or the orbits. Surgical repair is complex and usually requires a multidisciplinary approach. The goal of the surgery is to reconstruct the normal anatomy, to achieve a good cosmetic repair and to avoid a cerebrospinal fluid leak. We present a case of a patient with a large congenital frontoethmoidal encephalocele. Autologous calvarian bone grafts were used to repair of encephalocele defect and for the reconstruction of the frontonasal area. The defect closure and the cosmetic result were satisfactory, and the only complication detected was the infection of a previously performed ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A description of the technique and a review of the literature are presented.

Complete resection of hypervascularised extraventricular neurocytoma after preoperative embolisation. / Resección completa de neurocitoma extraventricular hipervascularizado tras embolización preoperatoria.

A 13-year-old female arrived at the Emergency Department with a two-week history of headache, and bilateral papilloedema on examination. The initial study with CT and MRI showed a large multicystic left frontal mass with calcification surrounded by peripheral oedema, subacute intralesional bleeding and association of multiple large vessels. She was initially operated on in another centre where a subacute haematoma was found, evacuating to multiple vessels and arteriolised veins. Despite the earlier neuroimaging findings, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was suspected, so she was referred to our centre for further treatment. We performed angiography, MR angiography and MRI with advanced sequences, diagnosing a highly vascularised intra-axial tumour which was embolised. The patient was then definitively operated on, with the resulting finding of extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN). EVN are extremely rare lesions, not previously described in the literature as hypervascularised lesions, which in our case required prior angiography and embolisation for proper diagnosis and adequate management.

Resultados clínicos y de costes del tratamiento endovascular frente al quirúrgico en aneurismas incidentales / Clinical results and costs of endovascular treatment in comparison with surgery in non ruptured aneurysms

Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados clínicos y angiográficos, así como los costes del tratamiento quirúrgico frente al endovascular, en el tratamiento de los aneurismas incidentales. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una serie consecutiva de 89 pacientes de un solo centro tratados endovascularmente (EV) y quirúrgicamente (SC). Se realiza estudio descriptivo de aspectos demográficos (edad, sexo) y de las características de los aneurismas así como se evalúan resultados clínicos (GOS a 6 meses), angiográficos (grado de oclusión) y de costes económicos tanto globalmente como de cada uno de los grupos. Resultados: Ochenta y nueve pacientes tratados entre 2010 y 2015. Un 74% de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento endovascular y un 26% quirúrgico. No hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a edad o sexo entre los grupos EV y SC. Un 89% de los pacientes presentaron GOS a los 6 meses favorable (4-5), sin diferencias entre ambos grupos. La oclusión completa del aneurisma fue mayor en el grupo SC (96% versus 55%), así como la estabilidad del tratamiento (24% de retratamientos en el grupo EV versus 0% en el grupo SC). Los retratamientos son más frecuentes en aneurismas de circulación anterior (27%) y de mayor tamaño (un 38,5% de los mayores de 10 mm). El gasto en el grupo SC viene derivado fundamentalmente de la estancia hospitalaria en tanto que en grupo EV tiene más importancia el coste de los materiales de embolización. Las estancias medias son notablemente superiores en el grupo SC pero el coste medio del primer ingreso es un 14% superior en el grupo EV debido al precio de los materiales de embolización. El gasto total es notablemente superior en el grupo EV (un 61%) debido a los gastos derivados del seguimiento y de los retratamientos. Conclusiones: Los resultados clínicos de ambos tipo de tratamiento son comparables. El grado de oclusión aneurismática del grupo SC es superior al del EV, así como la estabilidad del tratamiento, precisando menos retratamientos. A pesar de que el tratamiento quirúrgico genera estancias más largas, los costes del grupo EV son notablemente superiores a los del grupo SC debido al precio de los materiales de embolización, el seguimiento que precisan y la tasa de retratamientos. Una adecuada selección de los casos candidatos a coiling o pinzamiento podría mejorar los resultados angiográficos, reducir la tasa de retratamientos y ahorrar costes

Objective: to evaluate the results and costs of surgical treatment against endovascular in non ruptured aneurysms. Material and methods: retrospective study of a consecutive series non ruptured aneurysms from a single-center treated endovascularly (EV) and surgically (SC). A descriptive study of demographic (age, sex) charqacteristics of the patients and the radiological aspects of the aneurysms have been carried out. Clinical results (GOS at 6 months), angiographic data (occlusion classification) and economic costs have been evaluated in both globally, and in each of the groups. Results: 89 patients treated between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Most of them were treated endovascularly (74%). There were no statiscally significant differences between EV and SC groups. 89% of the patients presented favourable GOS (4-5) at six months, being this percentage similar in both groups. Complete occlusion was much higher in SC group (96%) than in EV (55%). Retreatment rate was 24% in EV group and 0% in SC group. The retreatments were more frequent in anterior circulation aneurysms and bigger aneurysms (> 10 mm). The expenses in the SC group come mainly from hospital stay, meanwhile in the EV group is due to embolisation materials. The average length of stay (ALOS) are higher in SC group but costs of first admission are higher in EV group (14% more). When the costs of retreatments and follow up are included the costs of endovascular treatment is much higher than the surgical (61% more expensive). Conclusions: results of both types of treatment are comparable. The grade of aneurysmal occlusion of the SC group was higher than the EV, as well as the stability of the treatment, requiring fewer retreatments. Althoug the ALOS in SC group were longer, the costs of the EV group were significantly higher than the SC group due to the costs of embolisation materials, follow up that they need and the rate of retreatment. Adequate selection of candidates for endovascular coiling could improve angiographic outcomes, reduce retraction rates, and save costs

Clinical results and costs of endovascular treatment in comparison with surgery in non ruptured aneurysms. / Resultados clínicos y de costes del tratamiento endovascular frente al quirúrgico en aneurismas incidentales.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the results and costs of surgical treatment against endovascular in non ruptured aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective study of a consecutive series non ruptured aneurysms from a single-center treated endovascularly (EV) and surgically (SC). A descriptive study of demographic (age, sex) charqacteristics of the patients and the radiological aspects of the aneurysms have been carried out. Clinical results (GOS at 6 months), angiographic data (occlusion classification) and economic costs have been evaluated in both globally, and in each of the groups. RESULTS: 89 patients treated between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Most of them were treated endovascularly (74%). There were no statiscally significant differences between EV and SC groups. 89% of the patients presented favourable GOS (4-5) at six months, being this percentage similar in both groups. Complete occlusion was much higher in SC group (96%) than in EV (55%). Retreatment rate was 24% in EV group and 0% in SC group. The retreatments were more frequent in anterior circulation aneurysms and bigger aneurysms (> 10 mm). The expenses in the SC group come mainly from hospital stay, meanwhile in the EV group is due to embolisation materials. The average length of stay (ALOS) are higher in SC group but costs of first admission are higher in EV group (14% more). When the costs of retreatments and follow up are included the costs of endovascular treatment is much higher than the surgical (61% more expensive). CONCLUSIONS: results of both types of treatment are comparable. The grade of aneurysmal occlusion of the SC group was higher than the EV, as well as the stability of the treatment, requiring fewer retreatments. Althoug the ALOS in SC group were longer, the costs of the EV group were significantly higher than the SC group due to the costs of embolisation materials, follow up that they need and the rate of retreatment. Adequate selection of candidates for endovascular coiling could improve angiographic outcomes, reduce retraction rates, and save costs.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in osteoid osteoma: Tips and tricks in special scenarios.

OBJECTIVES: To define specific characteristics of osteoid osteomas treated with radiofrequency ablation, that may benefit from special technical recommendations. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all radiofrequency ablations performed by our group from January 2001 to March 2015. A descriptive study was conducted. We compared our results with the available literature to determine the most frequent special scenarios. RESULTS: 207 radiofrequency ablations were performed in 200 patients. We defined the following scenarios: osteoid osteomas located in the spine, close to neurovacular structures, osteoid osteomas in small bones (hands and feet), intra-articular, deeply located or superficial and lesions with extensive periosteal reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The scenarios defined required special considerations and technical variations. Implementing the different tips and tricks shown in the article, the most complex osteoid osteomas could be successfully ablated.

Osteoblastomatosis: an unusual diagnosis and treatment.

Osteoblastomatosis (OBLT), also referred to as multifocal osteoblastoma (OB), is an unusual and recently described entity consisting of multifocal tumors histologically consistent with osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma (OO) but radiologically mimicking a vascular bone lesion. OBLT treatment is based on aggressive procedures, such as amputation, en bloc resection, and chemotherapy. Only one previously reported case was successfully treated following a multimodal approach consisting of curettage, cryotherapy, intravenous bisphosphonates, and radiofrequency ablation. We present a case of OBLT that may have been cured by CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.

Variabilidad en el manejo de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en España: análisis de la base de datos multicéntrica del Grupo de Trabajo de Patología Vascular de la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía / Variability in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in Spain: Analysis of the prospective multicenter database from the Working Group on Neurovascular Diseases of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery

Introducción: En la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática, la exclusión endovascular o quirúrgica del aneurisma responsable del sangrado de la circulación cerebral es mandatoria para prevenir el resangrado. En España no existen datos sobre la frecuencia de utilización de ambas técnicas, el momento en el que se realiza el tratamiento, la existencia de variabilidad entre los diferentes centros que tratan estos pacientes o los factores que condicionan la elección de una u otra modalidad terapéutica. Objetivos:1) Describir la variabilidad en el uso del tratamiento endovascular o la cirugía en el tratamiento de estos pacientes entre los centros participantes. 2) Establecer qué factores se relacionan con la elección del tipo de tratamiento y el resultado final. Material y métodos: De la totalidad de los pacientes en la base de datos, se seleccionaron los 2150 casos con HSA aneurismática confirmada provenientes de los 10 centros que incluyeron enfermos de forma regular durante el periodo 2004-2012 con un índice de cumplimentación de las variables de estudio superior al 95%. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo con respecto al tipo de tratamiento utilizado y un estudio multivariable de regresión logística para establecer los factores relacionados con la elección del tipo de tratamiento y con la evolución final. Resultados: La ratio de tratamiento endovascular/tratamiento quirúrgico fue de 1,32. Se observó una elevada variabilidad con respecto al uso del tratamiento endovascular entre centros (32-80%). Un 17% de los aneurismas no recibieron tratamiento siendo este porcentaje mayor en aquellos centros con menor uso del tratamiento endovascular. Los centros con menor volumen de tratamiento trataban los aneurismas más tardíamente. La edad y el mal grado al ingreso fueron factores que favorecieron el uso del tratamiento endovascular mientras que la localización a nivel de la cerebral media y las características morfológicas poco favorables de tratamiento quirúrgico. La elección del tipo de tratamiento o el volumen de pacientes tratados no influyeron en la evolución final. Conclusiones: Hay una elevada variabilidad intercentros en la elección del tipo de tratamiento de estos pacientes en España. El tratamiento endovascular permite que un mayor número de pacientes sean tratados. La adherencia a las guías de tratamiento es moderado

Introduction: In aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, endovascular or surgical exclusion of the aneurysm responsible for the bleeding is mandatory to prevent re-bleeding. In Spain there is no data regarding the frequency of usage of the two techniques, the moment treatment is performed, the existence of variability among the different centres treating these patients or the factors that determine the election of the therapeutic modality. Objectives: 1) To describe the variability in the use of endovascular treatment or surgery in the treatment of these patients among the participating centres. 2) To establish which factors are related to the election of treatment and outcome. Materials and methods: Of all the patients included in the database, we selected 2,150 cases suffering confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage from 10 centres that included patients regularly during the period between 2004 and 2012 with a data completeness index over 95%. A descriptive analysis on mode of aneurysm treatment was performed. A multivariate analysis of the factors related to treatment modality of the aneurysm and outcome was performed using logistic regression. Results: The ratio endovascular/surgical treatment was 1.32. There was high variability among centres regarding the frequency of endovascular treatment (32-80%). No treatment was given to 17% of the aneurysms, with this percentage being higher in the centres with lower rates of endovascular treatment. Lower volume centres treated aneurysms later. Age and poor clinical grade were factors related to the election of endovascular treatment, while middle cerebral artery location and unfavourable morphological criteria were factors of surgical treatment. The choice of treatment, guideline adherence and centre patient volume were not related to outcome. Conclusions: There is high variability in the election of treatment modality among centres in Spain. Endovascular treatment allows more patients to have their aneurysm treated. Guideline adherence is moderate

Síndrome de twiddler en paciente con trastorno obsesivo compulsivo tratado mediante estimulación cerebral profunda / Twiddler’s syndrome in a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder treated with deep brain stimulation

El síndrome de twiddler es una extraña complicación relacionada con los dispositivos implantables de estimulación eléctrica. Descrito por primera vez en un paciente portador de marcapasos, es una complicación conocida en el ámbito de la cardiología, aunque no lo es tanto en el mundo de la neurocirugía, donde se ha descrito en relación con dispositivos de estimulación cerebral profunda. Se caracteriza por la manipulación, ya sea consciente, ya inconsciente, del generador de tales dispositivos, lo que origina el giro de este sobre sí mismo, lo que ocasiona el trenzado del cableado de estos sistemas, pudiendo provocar su rotura o bien el desplazamiento de los electrodos intracraneales. Describimos un caso de síndrome de twiddler en un paciente tratado mediante estimulación cerebral profunda para el trastorno obsesivo compulsivo que, tras una buena respuesta inicial, presenta un deterioro clínico, apreciándose en las radiografías de control del sistema el giro del cableado y el desplazamiento de los electrodos intracraneales

Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication associated with implantable electrical stimulation devices. First described in a patient with a pacemaker, it is a known complication in the field of cardiology. However, it is not so recognised in the world of neurosurgery, in which it has been described in relation to deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Characterised by manipulating either consciously or unconsciously the generator of such devices, which causes it to rotate on itself, the syndrome causes the coiling of the wiring of these systems and can lead to their rupture or the displacement of intracranial electrodes. We describe a case of twiddler's syndrome in a patient treated with DBS for obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which clinical deterioration presented after a good initial response. Control radiographs revealed rotation of the wiring system and displacement of the intracranial electrodes

[Variability in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in Spain: Analysis of the prospective multicenter database from the Working Group on Neurovascular Diseases of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery]. / Variabilidad en el manejo de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en España: análisis de la base de datos multicéntrica del Grupo de Trabajo de Patología Vascular de la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía.

INTRODUCTION: In aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, endovascular or surgical exclusion of the aneurysm responsible for the bleeding is mandatory to prevent re-bleeding. In Spain there is no data regarding the frequency of usage of the two techniques, the moment treatment is performed, the existence of variability among the different centres treating these patients or the factors that determine the election of the therapeutic modality. OBJECTIVES: 1) To describe the variability in the use of endovascular treatment or surgery in the treatment of these patients among the participating centres. 2) To establish which factors are related to the election of treatment and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of all the patients included in the database, we selected 2,150 cases suffering confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage from 10 centres that included patients regularly during the period between 2004 and 2012 with a data completeness index over 95%. A descriptive analysis on mode of aneurysm treatment was performed. A multivariate analysis of the factors related to treatment modality of the aneurysm and outcome was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The ratio endovascular/surgical treatment was 1.32. There was high variability among centres regarding the frequency of endovascular treatment (32-80%). No treatment was given to 17% of the aneurysms, with this percentage being higher in the centres with lower rates of endovascular treatment. Lower volume centres treated aneurysms later. Age and poor clinical grade were factors related to the election of endovascular treatment, while middle cerebral artery location and unfavourable morphological criteria were factors of surgical treatment. The choice of treatment, guideline adherence and centre patient volume were not related to outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There is high variability in the election of treatment modality among centres in Spain. Endovascular treatment allows more patients to have their aneurysm treated. Guideline adherence is moderate.

[Twiddler's syndrome in a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder treated with deep brain stimulation]. / Síndrome de twiddler en paciente con trastorno obsesivo compulsivo tratado mediante estimulación cerebral profunda.

Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication associated with implantable electrical stimulation devices. First described in a patient with a pacemaker, it is a known complication in the field of cardiology. However, it is not so recognised in the world of neurosurgery, in which it has been described in relation to deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Characterised by manipulating either consciously or unconsciously the generator of such devices, which causes it to rotate on itself, the syndrome causes the coiling of the wiring of these systems and can lead to their rupture or the displacement of intracranial electrodes. We describe a case of twiddler's syndrome in a patient treated with DBS for obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which clinical deterioration presented after a good initial response. Control radiographs revealed rotation of the wiring system and displacement of the intracranial electrodes.

Microsurgery for previously coiled aneurysms: experience with 81 patients.

BACKGROUND: Residual and recurrent intracranial aneurysms after endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils may necessitate a microsurgical occlusion. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the microsurgical technique and describe how the location, morphology, and appearance of the coiled aneurysm affect the technique. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 81 patients with 82 previously coiled aneurysms treated microsurgically at 2 Finnish neurosurgical university hospitals in Helsinki and Kuopio between July 1995 and August 2009. Seven videos were selected to demonstrate the microsurgical strategy in various locations. RESULTS: Fifty-eight aneurysms (71%) were located at anterior circulation and 24 (29%) at posterior circulation. Fifteen patients were operated on within the first month (early surgery) after coiling, whereas 66 were treated later (late surgery). Complete or partial removal of coils during surgery may facilitate clipping, but is significantly (P < .001) more difficult to accomplish in late surgery. Removal of coils may also increase the chance of poor outcome. Chance of poor outcome also increased with intraoperative aneurysm rupture, size of the aneurysm, and posterior circulation location. Good clinical outcome (same or better clinical condition 3 months after surgery) was achieved in 71 patients (88%). After microsurgery, 4 patients were severely disabled and 6 patients died, 3 of them because of poor clinical condition. CONCLUSION: Complete microsurgical occlusion of the residual aneurysm is possible. However, in large or giant aneurysms direct microsurgery is a challenging high-risk procedure, and we recommend that these patients be referred to a dedicated neurovascular center to minimize surgical complications. Even in experienced hands, use of different bypass procedures may be the best option for demanding growing lesions, especially those in the posterior circulation.