Object-oriented hand dexterity and grasping abilities, from the animal quarters to the neurosurgical OR: a systematic review of the underlying neural correlates in non-human, human primate and recent findings in awake brain surgery.

Introduction: The sensorimotor integrations subserving object-oriented manipulative actions have been extensively investigated in non-human primates via direct approaches, as intracortical micro-stimulation (ICMS), cytoarchitectonic analysis and anatomical tracers. However, the understanding of the mechanisms underlying complex motor behaviors is yet to be fully integrated in brain mapping paradigms and the consistency of these findings with intraoperative data obtained during awake neurosurgical procedures for brain tumor removal is still largely unexplored. Accordingly, there is a paucity of systematic studies reviewing the cross-species analogies in neural activities during object-oriented hand motor tasks in primates and investigating the concordance with intraoperative findings during brain mapping. The current systematic review was designed to summarize the cortical and subcortical neural correlates of object-oriented fine hand actions, as revealed by fMRI and PET studies, in non-human and human primates and how those were translated into neurosurgical studies testing dexterous hand-movements during intraoperative brain mapping. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched. Original articles were included if they: (1) investigated cortical activation sites on fMRI and/or PET during grasping task; (2) included humans or non-human primates. A second query was designed on the databases above to collect studies reporting motor, hand manipulation and dexterity tasks for intraoperative brain mapping in patients undergoing awake brain surgery for any condition. Due to the heterogeneity in neurosurgical applications, a qualitative synthesis was deemed more appropriate. Results: We provided an updated overview of the current state of the art in translational neuroscience about the extended frontoparietal grasping-praxis network with a specific focus on the comparative functioning in non-human primates, healthy humans and how the latter knowledge has been implemented in the neurosurgical operating room during brain tumor resection. Discussion: The anatomical and functional correlates we reviewed confirmed the evolutionary continuum from monkeys to humans, allowing a cautious but practical adoption of such evidence in intraoperative brain mapping protocols. Integrating the previous results in the surgical practice helps preserve complex motor abilities, prevent long-term disability and poor quality of life and allow the maximal safe resection of intrinsic brain tumors.

Superior orbital fissure narrowing and tumor-associated pain in spheno-orbital meningiomas.

INTRODUCTION: Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) represent a distinct subtype of meningioma characterized by their unique multi-compartmental invasion pattern. Previous studies have investigated correlations between SOMs and visual manifestations. However, our comprehension of pain associated with SOMs remains limited. This study aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology underlying SOM-related pain through measurements of tumor volume and superior orbital fissure (SOF) narrowing. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical resection of a SOM between 2000 and 2022. Preoperative CT and/or MRI scans were analyzed, and the tumor volume of each segment was measured. Bony 3D reconstructions were used to measure the area of the SOF, and SOF narrowing was calculated. RESULTS: The study cohort included 66 patients diagnosed with SOMs, among which 25.8% (n = 17) presented with pain. Postoperatively, 14/17 (82.4%) of patients reported pain improvement. There was no significant correlation between the total volume or the volume of tumor within each compartment and the presence of pain on presentation (p > 0.05). The median SOF narrowing was significantly different between patients presenting with and without tumor-associated pain with median of 11 mm2 (IQR 2.8-22.3) and 2 mm2 (IQR 0-6), respectively (p = 0.005). Using logistic regression, a significant correlation between the degree of SOF narrowing and the presence of SOM-associated pain on presentation was identified, with an aOR of 1.2 (95% CI 1.12-1.3, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: While the exact cause of tumor-associated pain remains unclear, SOF narrowing seems to play a role in pain among SOM patients. Based on the radiological characteristics, SOF neurovascular decompression is recommended in SOM patients.

The vectorial technique: a novel neuronavigation-based tool to measure angles of exposure during skull base dissections.

The angle of exposure (AnE) represents a metric that is particularly useful for analyzing circular bony structures during skull base dissections. The authors aimed to develop and validate a neuronavigation-based method to measure the AnE. A formula based on vectorial geometry and the coordinates of three points collected with a neuronavigation system was developed to measure the AnE. The method was validated using a plexiglass phantom head. To demonstrate its applicability, the authors measured the AnE in 6 cadaveric specimens after exposure of the hypoglossal canal using a far-medial approach (FMA) and a far-lateral transtubercular approach (FLTA) and in 6 different specimens after exposure of the jugular foramen using an FLTA and a retrosigmoid approach (RSA). The mean angles measured at 45°, 90°, and 180° using a goniometer during the validation test were 44.8° ± 1.1°, 90.8° ± 1.2°, and 179.7° ± 0.8° using the novel formula (p > 0.05). In the first illustrative application, the mean AnEs for the FMA and FLTA were 129° ± 0.9° and 243° ± 1.9°, respectively. In the second scenario, the mean AnEs were 192° ± 1.3° for the FTLA and 143° ± 2.1° for the RSA. The neuronavigation-based technique described is a highly accurate method to measure the AnE.

Surgery vs. Radiosurgery for Patients with Localized Metastatic Brain Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy and safety of surgery compared to radiosurgery (RS), combined or not with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), for localized metastatic brain disease. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The inclusion criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared surgery and RS for patients with up to 3 metastases (median diameter ≤ 4 cm). The primary outcomes were represented by overall survival (OS) and local brain progression-free survival (PFS), with the rate of complications as a secondary outcome. The pooled estimates were calculated using random forest models. The risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB2 revised tool and the certainty of the evidence was assessed according to the GRADE guidelines. Results: In total, 11,256 records were identified through database and register searches. After study selection, 3 RCTs and 353 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. Surgery and RS represented the main intervention arms in all the included RCTs. Conclusions: A low level of evidence suggests that RS alone and surgery followed by WBRT provide an equal rate of local brain PFS in patients with localized metastatic brain disease. There is a very low level of evidence that surgery and RS as main interventions offer equivalent OS in the population investigated. A reliable assessment of the complication rates among surgery and RS was not achievable. The lack of high-certainty evidence either for superiority or equivalence of these treatments emphasizes the need for further, more accurate, RCTs comparing surgery and RS as local treatment in patients with oligometastatic brain disease.

An updated overview of recent and ongoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) trials in patients with dementia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide. Several technologies have been developed to slow cognitive decline: deep brain stimulation (DBS) of network targets in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) have been recently investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the characteristics of the populations, protocols, and outcomes of patients with dementia enrolled in clinical trials investigating the feasibility and efficacy of DBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of all registered RCTs was performed on Clinicaltrials.gov and EudraCT, while a systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and APA PsycInfo to identify published trials. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 2122 records, and the clinical trial search 15 records. Overall, 17 studies were included. Two of 17 studies were open-label studies reporting no NCT/EUCT code and were analysed separately. Of 12 studies investigating the role of DBS in AD, we included 5 published RCTs, 2 unregistered open-label (OL) studies, 3 recruiting studies, and 2 unpublished trials with no evidence of completion. The overall risk of bias was assessed as moderate-high. Our review showed significant heterogeneity in the recruited populations regarding age, disease severity, informed consent availability, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. Notably, the standard mean of overall severe adverse events was moderately high (SAEs: 9.10 ± 7.10%). CONCLUSION: The population investigated is small and heterogeneous, published results from clinical trials are under-represented, severe adverse events not negligible, and cognitive outcomes uncertain. Overall, the validity of these studies requires confirmation based on forthcoming higher-quality clinical trials.

Predicting tumor consistency and extent of resection in non-functioning pituitary tumors.

PURPOSE: To (1) identify a radiological parameter to predict non-functioning pituitary tumor (NFPT) consistency, (2) examine the relationship between NFPT consistency and extent of resection (EOR), (3) investigate if tumor consistency predictors can anticipate EOR. METHODS: The ratio (T2SIR) between the T2 min signal intensity (SI) of the tumor and the T2 mean SI of the CSF was the main radiological parameter, being determined through a radiomic-voxel analysis and calculated using the following formula: T2SIR = [(T2 tumor mean SI - SD)/T2 CSF SI]. The tumor consistency was pathologically estimated as collagen percentage (CP). EOR of NFPTs was evaluated by exploiting a volumetric technique and its relationship with the following explanatory variables was explored: CP, Knosp-grade, tumor volume, inter-carotid distance, sphenoidal sinus morphology, Hardy-grade, suprasellar tumor extension. RESULTS: A statistically significant inverse correlation between T2SIR and CP was demonstrated (p = 0.0001), with high diagnostic power of T2SIR in predicting NFPT consistency (ROC curve analysis' AUC = 0.88; p = 0.0001). The following predictors of EOR were identified in the univariate analysis: CP (p = 0.007), preoperative volume (p = 0.045), Knosp grade (p = 0.0001), tumor suprasellar extension (p = 0.044). The multivariate analysis demonstrated two variables as unique predictors of EOR: CP (p = 0.002) and Knosp grade (p = 0.001). The T2SIR was a significant predictor of EOR both in the univariate (p = 0.01) and multivariate model (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This study offers the potential to improve NFPT preoperative surgical planning and patient counseling by employing the T2SIR as a preoperative predictor of tumor consistency and EOR. Meanwhile, tumor consistency and Knosp grade were found to play an important role in predicting EOR.

A supervised machine-learning algorithm predicts intraoperative CSF leak in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery (E-TNS) for pituitary adenomas (PAs), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage remains a life-threatening complication predisposing to major morbidity and mortality. In the current study we developed a supervised ML model able to predict the risk of intraoperative CSF leakage by comparing different machine learning (ML) methods and explaining the functioning and the rationale of the best performing algorithm. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 238 patients treated via E-TNS for PAs was selected. A customized pipeline of several ML models was programmed and trained; the best five models were tested on a hold-out test and the best classifier was then prospectively validated on a cohort of 35 recently treated patients. RESULTS: Intraoperative CSF leak occurred in 54 (22,6%) of 238 patients. The most important risk's predictors were: non secreting status, older age, x-, y- and z-axes diameters, ostedural invasiveness, volume, ICD and R-ratio. The random forest (RF) classifier outperformed other models, with an AUC of 0.84, high sensitivity (86%) and specificity (88%). Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 88% and 80% respectively. F1 score was 0.84. Prospective validation confirmed outstanding performance metrics: AUC (0.81), sensitivity (83%), specificity (79%), negative predictive value (95%) and F1 score (0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The RF classifier showed the best performance across all models selected. RF models might predict surgical outcomes in heterogeneous multimorbid and fragile populations outperforming classical statistical analyses and other ML models (SVM, ANN etc.), improving patient management and reducing preventable morbidity and additional costs.

Vertebral Body Infarction after Transarterial Preoperative Embolization of a Vertebral Hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral hemangioma resection can be a real challenge for spine surgeons, given the high potential of massive intraoperative bleeding. For this reason, preoperative transarterial embolization of this tumor is supported by the available literature. Here, we discuss our difficulties in interpreting an unusual clinical and radiologic picture related to the endovascular procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 45-year-old man was referred to our department due to chronic back pain and progressive lower extremity weakness. Radiologic assessment was obtained by means of spinal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed an aggressive vertebral hemangioma in T7, compressing the spinal cord. The patient underwent a combined therapeutic approach consisting of preoperative transarterial embolization followed by tumor resection, spinal cord decompression, and posterior thoracic arthrodesis. The patient was dismissed with neither strength nor sensory deficits. Two weeks later, he returned to our department with fever. A new MRI demonstrated multiple areas of altered signal in almost all vertebral bodies from T6 down to the sacrum. After a deep diagnostic process, including new MRI and infectious disease evaluations, the definitive diagnosis of multiple vertebral bone infarction was suggested. CONCLUSION: Vertebral infarctions are an extremely rare complication of spinal endovascular procedures. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple postembolization vertebral infarctions, without spinal cord involvement. This peculiarity was explained by the presence of direct anastomoses between a posterior intercostal artery and the underlying vertebral bodies.

Indication and eligibility of glioma patients for awake surgery: A scoping review by a multidisciplinary perspective.

Background: Awake surgery (AS) permits intraoperative mapping of cognitive and motor functions, allowing neurosurgeons to tailor the resection according to patient functional boundaries thus preserving long-term patient integrity and maximizing extent of resection. Given the increased risks of the awake scenario, the growing importance of AS in surgical practice favored the debate about patient selection concerning both indication and eligibility criteria. Nonetheless, a systematic investigation is lacking in the literature. Objective: To provide a scoping review of the literature concerning indication and eligibility criteria for AS in patients with gliomas to answer the questions:1) "What are the functions mostly tested during AS protocols?" and 2) "When and why should a patient be excluded from AS?". Materials and methods: Pertinent studies were retrieved from PubMed, PsycArticles and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), published until April 2021 according to the PRISMA Statement Extension for Scoping Reviews. The retrieved abstracts were checked for the following features being clearly stated: 1) the population described as being composed of glioma(LGG or HGG) patients; 2) the paper had to declare which cognitive or sensorimotor function was tested, or 2bis)the decisional process of inclusion/exclusion for AS had to be described from at least one of the following perspectives: neurosurgical, neurophysiological, anesthesiologic and psychological/neuropsychological. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight studies stated the functions being tested on 8004 patients. Language is the main indication for AS, even if tasks and stimulation techniques changed over the years. It is followed by monitoring of sensorimotor and visuospatial pathways. This review demonstrated an increasing interest in addressing other superior cognitive functions, such as executive functions and emotions. Forty-five studies on 2645 glioma patients stated the inclusion/exclusion criteria for AS eligibility. Inability to cooperate due to psychological disorder(i.e. anxiety),severe language deficits and other medical conditions(i.e.cardiovascular diseases, obesity, etc.)are widely reported as exclusion criteria for AS. However, a very few papers gave scale exact cut-off. Likewise, age and tumor histology are not standardized parameters for patient selection. Conclusion: Given the broad spectrum of functions that might be safely and effectively monitored via AS, neurosurgeons and their teams should tailor intraoperative testing on patient needs and background as well as on tumor location and features. Whenever the aforementioned exclusion criteria are not fulfilled, AS should be strongly considered for glioma patients.

Interpretable Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Purpose Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenomas can be complicated by the occurrence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (IOL). IOL significantly affects the course of surgery predisposing to the development of postoperative CSF leakage, a major source of morbidity and mortality in the postoperative period. The authors trained and internally validated the Random Forest (RF) prediction model to preoperatively identify patients at high risk for IOL. A locally interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) algorithm is employed to elucidate the main drivers behind each machine learning (ML) model prediction. Methods The data of 210 patients who underwent TSS were collected; first, risk factors for IOL were identified via conventional statistical methods (multivariable logistic regression). Then, the authors trained, optimized, and audited a RF prediction model. Results IOL reported in 45 patients (21.5%). The recursive feature selection algorithm identified the following variables as the most significant determinants of IOL: Knosp's grade, sellar Hardy's grade, suprasellar Hardy's grade, tumor diameter (on X, Y, and Z axes), intercarotid distance, and secreting status (nonfunctioning and growth hormone [GH] secreting). Leveraging the predictive values of these variables, the RF prediction model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78; 0.86), significantly outperforming the multivariable logistic regression model (AUC = 0.63). Conclusion A RF model that reliably identifies patients at risk for IOL was successfully trained and internally validated. ML-based prediction models can predict events that were previously judged nearly unpredictable; their deployment in clinical practice may result in improved patient care and reduced postoperative morbidity and healthcare costs.

Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Children with Primary Brain Tumours: A Systematic Review.

Background: Late neurocognitive sequelae are common among long-term brain tumour survivors, resulting in significantly worse quality of life. Cognitive rehabilitation through specific APP/software for PC/tablets represents an innovative intervention spreading in recent years. In this study, we aim to review the current evidence and trends regarding these innovative approaches. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed. Inclusion criteria were: (i) Studies recruiting patients diagnosed with any brain tumour before 21 years of age; (ii) studies assessing the role of digital interventions on cognitive outcomes. Case reports, case series, reviews, letters, conference proceedings, abstracts, and editorials were excluded. Results: Overall, nine studies were included; 152 patients (67.8% males) with brain tumours underwent a digital intervention. The mean age at diagnosis and the intervention enrolment ranged from 4.9 to 9.4 years and 11.1 to 13.3 years, respectively. The computer-based software interventions employed were: Cogmed, Captain's Log, Fast ForWord, and Nintendo Wii. Most of these studies assessed the effects of cognitive training on working memory, attention, and performance in daily living activities. Conclusions: The studies suggest that this type of intervention improves cognitive functions, such as working memory, attention, and processing speed. However, some studies revealed only transient positive effects with a significant number of dropouts during follow-up. Trials with greater sample sizes are warranted. Motivating families and children to complete cognitive interventions could significantly improve cognitive outcomes and quality of life.

A Frailty-Adjusted Stratification Score to Predict Surgical Risk, Post-Operative, Long-Term Functional Outcome, and Quality of Life after Surgery in Intracranial Meningiomas.

Object: To investigate those parameters affecting early and follow-up functional outcomes in patients undergoing resection of meningiomas and to design a dedicated predictive score, the Milan Bio(metric)-Surgical Score (MBSS) is hereby presented. Methods: Patients undergoing transcranial surgery for intracranial meningiomas were included. The most significant parameters in the regression analyses were implemented in a patient stratification score and were validated by testing its classification consistency with a clinical−radiological grading scale (CRGS), Milan complexity scale (MCS), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. Results: The ASA score, Frailty index, skull base and posterior cranial fossa locations, a diameter of >25 mm, and the absence of a brain−tumour interface were predictive of early post-operative deterioration and were collected in MBSS Part A (AUC: 0.965; 95%C.I. 0.890−1.022), while the frailty index, posterior cranial fossa location, a diameter of >25 mm, a edema/tumour volume index of >2, dural sinus invasion, DWI hyperintensity, and the absence of a brain−tumour interface were predictive of a long-term unfavourable outcome and were collected in MBSS Part B (AUC: 0.877; 95%C.I. 0.811−0.942). The score was consistent with CRGS, MCS, and CCI. Conclusion: Patients' multi-domain evaluation and the implementation of frailty indexes might help predict the perioperative complexity of cases; the functional, clinical, and neurological early outcomes; survival; and overall QoL after surgery.

Percutaneous Cement-Augmented Screws Short Fixation for the Treatment of Severe Osteoporotic Vertebral Burst Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic reliability of posterior percutaneous cement-augmented screws short fixation (PASF) in patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures (OVBFs). METHODS: Single-level OVBFs with an anterior vertebral body height reduction ≥60% were included. A Frailty Index was used for preoperative frailty assessment. Back pain and related disability were assessed through the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (ODI), administered at injury time, preoperatively, postoperatively, at 12 months and at last patient follow-up evaluation. The main radiologic outcomes were represented by Cobb angle (CA) and anterior vertebral body compression percentage, measured at injury time, preoperative, postoperatively and at 12-month examination. In addition, the incidence of cement leakages and hardware failures was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients were frail (76%) or semi-frail (24%). Significant vertebral body height restoration and segmental kyphosis improvement after PASF were documented (anterior vertebral body compression percentage, -40 [-43 to -37] vs. -67 [-70 to -65], P = 0.0001; CA, 10 [8-12] vs. 24 [23-26], P = 0.0001). The mean VAS and ODI scores documented optimal and long-enduring pain relief and related disability reduction after PASF (VAS score, 2 [2-3] vs. 8 [7-8], P = 0.0001; ODI, 22 [17-26] vs. 64 [60-69], P = 0.0001). Only 1 cement leakage (3%), asymptomatic, occurred. After a mean follow-up of 33 months, no early/late hardware failures were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiologic results of this study suggest that PASF could be a safe and effective treatment option for severe OVBFs when conservative treatments have failed.

Safety and Efficacy of Monoclonal Antibodies for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published and Unpublished Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently among the most investigated targets for potential disease-modifying therapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to identify all registered trials investigating mAbs in MCI due to AD or AD at any stage, retrieve available published and unpublished data from all registered trials, and analyze data on safety and efficacy outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of all registered trials on ClinicalTrials.gov and EUCT was performed. Available results were searched on both platforms and on PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and The Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Overall, 101 studies were identified on 27 mAbs. Results were available for 50 trials investigating 12 mAbs. For 18 trials, data were available from both published and unpublished sources, for 21 trials only from published sources, and for 11 trials only from unpublished sources. Meta-analyses of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) events showed overall risk ratios of 10.65 for ARIA-E and of 1.75 for ARIA-H. The meta-analysis of PET-SUVR showed an overall significant effect of mAbs in reducing amyloid (SMD -0.88), but when considering clinical efficacy, data on CDR-SB showed that treated patients had a statistically significant but clinically non-relevant lower worsening (MD -0.15). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the risk-benefit profile of mAbs remains unclear. Research should focus on clarifying the effect of amyloid on cognitive decline, providing data on treatment response rate, and accounting for minimal clinically important difference. Research on mAbs should also investigate the possible long-term impact of ARIA events, including potential factors predicting their onset.

A Deep Learning Model for Preoperative Differentiation of Glioblastoma, Brain Metastasis and Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A Pilot Study.

Background: Neuroimaging differentiation of glioblastoma, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and solitary brain metastasis (BM) remains challenging in specific cases showing similar appearances or atypical features. Overall, advanced MRI protocols have high diagnostic reliability, but their limited worldwide availability, coupled with the overlapping of specific neuroimaging features among tumor subgroups, represent significant drawbacks and entail disparities in the planning and management of these oncological patients. Objective: To evaluate the classification performance metrics of a deep learning algorithm trained on T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced (T1Gd) MRI scans of glioblastomas, atypical PCNSLs and BMs. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 121 patients (glioblastoma: n=47; PCNSL: n=37; BM: n=37) who had undergone preoperative T1Gd-MRI and histopathological confirmation. Each lesion was segmented, and all ROIs were exported in a DICOM dataset. The patient cohort was then split in a training and hold-out test sets following a 70/30 ratio. A Resnet101 model, a deep neural network (DNN), was trained on the training set and validated on the hold-out test set to differentiate glioblastomas, PCNSLs and BMs on T1Gd-MRI scans. Results: The DNN achieved optimal classification performance in distinguishing PCNSLs (AUC: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.95 - 1.00) and glioblastomas (AUC: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.81 - 0.97) and moderate ability in differentiating BMs (AUC: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.70 - 0.95). This performance may allow clinicians to correctly identify patients eligible for lesion biopsy or surgical resection. Conclusion: We trained and internally validated a deep learning model able to reliably differentiate ambiguous cases of PCNSLs, glioblastoma and BMs by means of T1Gd-MRI. The proposed predictive model may provide a low-cost, easily-accessible and high-speed decision-making support for eligibility to diagnostic brain biopsy or maximal tumor resection in atypical cases.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced intraoperative neurosurgical workflow: current knowledge and future perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) augment decision-making processes and productivity by supporting surgeons over a range of clinical activities: from diagnosis and preoperative planning to intraoperative surgical assistance. We reviewed the literature to identify current AI platforms applied to neurosurgical perioperative and intraoperative settings and describe their role in multiple subspecialties. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to December 31st, 2020. Original articles were included if they: presented AI platforms implemented in perioperative, intraoperative settings and reported ML models' performance metrics. Due to the heterogeneity in neurosurgical applications, a qualitative synthesis was deemed appropriate. The risk of bias and applicability of predicted outcomes were assessed using the PROBAST tool. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Forty-one articles were included. All studies evaluated a supervised learning algorithm. A total of 10 ML models were described; the most frequent were neural networks (N.=15) and tree-based models (N.=13). Overall, the risk of bias was medium-high, but applicability was considered positive for all studies. Articles were grouped into four categories according to the subspecialty of interest: neuro-oncology, spine, functional and other. For each category, different prediction tasks were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In this review, we summarize the state-of-art applications of AI for the intraoperative augmentation of neurosurgical workflows across multiple subspecialties. ML models may boost surgical team performances by reducing human errors and providing patient-tailored surgical plans, but further and higher-quality studies need to be conducted.

The reliability and quality of online patient education videos for vestibular schwannoma.

BACKGROUND: A recent trend of looking for health-related conditions on the Internet has been described, with up 70% of searchers stating that online sources have affected their medical decision-making. Patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS) use online sources, including videos, to seek information about treatment alternatives and outcomes and surgeons experience. Our study investigates the reliability and quality of VS-related online videos. METHODS: In April 2020, a search was launched on YouTube for the key terms 'vestibular schwannoma,' 'acoustic neuroma,' 'eighth cranial nerve schwannoma,' and 'eighth cranial nerve neuroma.' Results were screened for possible inclusion. Three authors independently used the DISCERN instrument to evaluate the reliability and quality of the included videos. Factors possibly influencing popularity were investigated. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 6416 videos. 38 videos were included in the final analysis. The average DISCERN score was 2.76, indicating overall poor quality and reliability of information. Only 5% scored 4.0 or more (unbiased videos that offer evidence-supported information); 31% scored between 3.0 and 3.99, and 63% scored 2.99 or less. Videos describing symptoms or the patient's clinical presentation were slightly more popular than videos without these characteristics. Surgical videos (videos containing clips of surgical procedures) were significantly more popular than non-surgical videos (p = .024) despite being of similarly poor quality (DISCERN score 2.85 vs. 2.74, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Available patient educational videos for VS are of mixed quality and reliability: the authors describe the strengths and pitfalls of existing YouTube videos. Considering that VS is a pathology with multiple available management modalities, and that patients' decision-making is affected by the information available on the Internet, it is of great importance that good-quality informative material be released by medical, academic, or educational institutions.

Does COVID-19 Affect Survival and Functional Outcome in Emergency and Urgent Neurosurgical Procedures? A Single-Center Prospective Experience During the Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess organizational and technical difficulties of neurosurgical procedures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and their possible impact on survival and functional outcome and to evaluate virological exposure risk of medical personnel. METHODS: Data for all urgent surgical procedures performed in the COVID-19 operating room were prospectively collected. Preoperative and postoperative variables included demographics, pathology, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and neurological status at admission, type and duration of surgical procedures, length of stay, postoperative KPS and functional outcome comparison, and destination at discharge. We defined 5 classes of pathologies (traumatic, oncological, vascular, infection, hydrocephalus) and 4 surgical categories (burr hole, craniotomy, cerebrospinal fluid shunting, spine surgery). Postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection was checked in all the operators. RESULTS: We identified 11 traumatic cases (44%), 4 infections (16%), 6 vascular events (24%), 2 hydrocephalus conditions (8%), and 2 oncological cases (8%). Surgical procedures included 11 burr holes (44%), 7 craniotomies (28%), 6 cerebrospinal fluid shunts (24%), and 1 spine surgery (4%). Mean patient age was 57.8 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was coma (44 cases). Mean KPS score at admission was 20 ± 10, mean surgery duration was 85 ± 63 minutes, and mean length of stay was 27 ± 12 days. Mean KPS score at discharge was 35 ± 25. Outcome comparison showed improvement in 16 patients. Four patients died. Mean follow-up was 6 ± 3 months. None of the operators developed postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized protocols are mandatory to guarantee a high standard of care for emergency and urgent surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal protective equipment affects maneuverability, dexterity, and duration of interventions without affecting survival and functional outcome.