Potential of machine learning to predict early ischemic events after carotid endarterectomy or stenting: a comparison with surgeon predictions.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) are recommended for high stroke-risk patients with carotid artery stenosis to reduce ischemic events. However, we often face difficulty in determining the best treatment strategy. We aimed to develop an accurate post-CEA/CAS outcome prediction model using machine learning that will serve as a basis for a new decision support tool for patient-specific treatment planning. Retrospectively collected data from 165 consecutive patients with carotid stenosis underwent CEA or CAS and were divided into training and test samples. The following five machine learning algorithms were tuned, and their predictive performance was evaluated by comparison with surgeon predictions: an artificial neural network, logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Seventeen clinical factors were introduced into the models. Outcome was defined as any ischemic stroke within 30 days after treatment including asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities. The XGBoost model performed the best in the evaluation; its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were 31.9%, 94.6%, 47.2%, and 86.2%, respectively. These statistical measures were comparable to those of surgeons. Internal carotid artery peak systolic velocity, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and procedure (CEA or CAS) were the most contributing factors according to the XGBoost algorithm. We were able to develop a post-procedural outcome prediction model comparable to surgeons in performance. The accurate outcome prediction model will make it possible to make a more appropriate patient-specific selection of CEA or CAS for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

[Sellar and Parasellar Inflammatory Lesions with Impaired Visual Function:Clinical Features and Endoscopic Surgical Outcomes of Six Cases].

Accurate diagnosis and treatment of sellar and parasellar inflammatory lesions is difficult. We report six patients with sellar and parasellar inflammatory lesions and impaired visual function, who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery. These patients included one with aspergillosis, one with hypertrophic pachymeningitis, one patient with abscess, and three with idiopathic granulomatous lesions. Following surgery and medication, visual function improved in patients with aspergillosis, hypertrophic pachymeningitis, and abscess. In patients with idiopathic granulomatous inflammation, visual function improved in one out of three patients. The treatment outcome for sellar and parasellar inflammatory lesions with impaired visual function depends on the surgery as well as on the reaction to postoperative medication. In the present study, the functional prognosis of patients with idiopathic granulomatous lesions was relatively poor when compared with that of patients with other inflammatory lesions.

[Multiple Spinal Intradural and Extradural Syphilis Granuloma Mimicking Lumbar Dumbbell Type Neurinoma:A Case Report].

Spinal intradural and extradural syphilis granuloma is extremely rare. Here, we report a patient with multiple spinal intradural and extradural syphilis granuloma mimicking dumbbell type neurinoma. The patient was a 68-year-old man, who presented with left femoral pain for a month. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed a homogeneous enhanced dumbbell-shaped lesion occupying the spinal canal at the level of lumbar 3/4 and developing through the intervertebral foramen. Although initial blood tests revealed that he contracted with the syphilis, we diagnosed dumbbell type neurinoma preoperatively. He underwent partial tumor removal. The tumor adhered tightly to the cauda equina in intraoperative finding. Histopathological diagnosis of the lesion was granulomatous inflammation with the lymphocytic infiltration. Postoperatively, results of the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination(TPHA)test and the rapid plasma regain(RPR)test of cerebrospinal fluid were reactive, so we confirmed syphilis granuloma. He was treated with penicillin G for two weeks from 25 days after surgery. A follow-up MRI of the lumbar spine 51 days after surgery showed a reduction in size of the lumbar spinal tumor compared to the initial findings. Thus, syphilis granuloma should be considered in differential diagnosis of a spinal dumbbell shaped lesion. Penicillin G may be effective for the treatment of syphilis granuloma.

Perihemorrhagic ischemia occurs in a volume-dependent manner as assessed by multimodal cerebral monitoring in a porcine model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the perihemorrhagic zone (PHZ) of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are variable. Different mechanisms contribute to secondary neuronal injury after ICH. This multimodal monitoring study investigated early changes in the PHZ of ICH. METHODS: Twenty-four swine were anesthetized, ventilated, and underwent monitoring of vital parameters. Next to an intracranial pressure-probe (ICP), microdialysis (MD), thermodiffusion cerebral blood flow (td-CBF), and oxygen probes (PbrO2) were placed into the gray white matter junction for 12 h of monitoring. ICH was induced using the autologous blood injection model. Pre-defined volumes were 0 ml (sham), 1.5 ml ipsilateral (1.5 ml), 3.0 ml ipsilateral (3.0 ml), and 3.0 ml contralateral (3.0 ml contra). RESULTS: ICP equally increased in all groups after ICH. In the 3.0 ml group tissue oxygenation decreased to ischemic values of 9 ± 7 mmHg early after 6 h of monitoring. This decrease was associated with a significant perfusion reduction from 36 ± 8 ml/100 g/min to 20 ± 10 ml/100 g/min. MD correlated with a threefold lactate/pyruvate ratio increase. Measurements in all other groups were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Multimodal monitoring demonstrates volume-dependent changes of tissue oxygenation, blood flow, and ischemic MD markers in the PHZ independent of increased ICP suggesting early moderate ischemia. No evidence was found for the existence of a perihemorrhagic ischemia in the small hematoma groups.

Varicella-zoster vasculitis presenting with cerebellar hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is known as one of the rare, but important, causes of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Most previously reported VZV-related hemorrhagic stroke and cerebral vasculitis are associated with anterior circulation because VZV spreads from trigeminal ganglia to the anterior circulation of Willis. The present study presents a patient with cerebellar hemorrhage, who was diagnosed with VZV encephalitis and vasculitis of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old man with stupor was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed right intracerebellar hemorrhage, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple high-intense signals throughout the brainstem and temporal lobe on fluid attenuation inversion recovery, suggestive of encephalitis. Cerebral angiography revealed stenosis of left posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis, including anti-VZV IgG antibody and VZV DNA polymerase chain reaction, the patient was diagnosed with VZV encephalitis, vasculitis, and cerebellar hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Both cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke due to VZV can occur in the vertebrobasilar system. VZV may enter the central nervous system not only from trigeminal ganglia but also from other pathways. We should be aware that a VZV infection could cause cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke in the vertebrobasilar system and in anterior circulation.

Treatment of Symptomatic Bilateral Cavernous Carotid Aneurysms: Long-term Results of 6 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are very rare. A treatment strategy for symptomatic bilateral CCAs has not been established because of their complex pathogenesis. Here we report our treatment strategy and long-term results for 6 cases of symptomatic bilateral CCAs. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2013, we treated 6 patients (2 men and 4 women; mean age at first treatment, 56.0 years) with symptomatic bilateral CCAs. RESULTS: All patients began to experience unilateral symptoms. Five of the 6 underwent high-flow bypass (HFB) with parent artery occlusion (PAO), and 1 received PAO only. Mean follow-up period after the first treatment was 61.3 months. All symptoms improved after the treatment. Five contralateral CCAs became enlarged during the follow-up period. Of these, 4 became symptomatic. One patient received superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass with PAO, 2 received HFB with PAO, and 1 refused treatment. Final modified Rankin Scale scores were 0 in 4 patients, 1 in 1 patient, and 2 in 1 patient. There was no mortality in this series. CONCLUSIONS: HFB with PAO is feasible as the first treatment for symptomatic bilateral CCAs. This treatment strategy steadies and simplifies future treatment of contralateral CCAs should they become symptomatic.

Decompressive craniectomy in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a single-center matched-pair analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients is still controversial. In this study we evaluated the effect of DC for aSAH patients. METHODS: A matched-pair analysis was performed to compare the outcomes of patients with DC to those of patients without DC. Among 295 consecutive aSAH patients, 56 required DC. Of the remaining group, 56 matched controls were found. The match was conducted on the basis of epidemiological and potential prognostic factors, such as age, gender, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade, Fisher group and occurrence of vasospasm. RESULTS: Fifty-four of 56 (96.4%) patients with DC were dependent or dead at 1 month, compared with 49 of 56 (87.5%) without DC. There was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.16). One-year outcomes were available for 108 patients (96.4%). Thirty-nine of 54 (72.2%) patients treated with DC were dependent or dead at 1 year, compared with 30 of 54 (55.6%) patients in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.11). This result was unaffected by age, sex and WFNS grade. Subgroup analyses whether DC was performed primarily or delayed, and whether DC was performed due to spasm, hematoma or vessel occlusion failed to detect any significant difference. CONCLUSION: There was no significant advantage for patients treated with DC, but more than 25% achieved a good long-term outcome. While the value of DC is deemed uncertain, it may be effective for a very specific subset of aSAH patients. Further comparative studies are needed to resolve this matter.

Subclassification of Koos grade 4 vestibular schwannoma: insights into tumor morphology for predicting postoperative facial nerve function.

OBJECTIVE: Koos grade 4 vestibular schwannoma (KG4VS) is a large tumor that causes brainstem displacement and is generally considered a candidate for surgery. Few studies have examined the relationship between morphological differences in KG4VS other than tumor size and postoperative facial nerve function. The authors have developed a landmark-based subclassification of KG4VS that provides insights into the morphology of this tumor and can predict the risk of facial nerve injury during microsurgery. The aims of this study were to morphologically verify the validity of this subclassification and to clarify the relationship of the position of the center of the vestibular schwannoma within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern on preoperative MR images to postoperative facial nerve function in patients who underwent microsurgical resection of a vestibular schwannoma. METHODS: In this paper, the authors classified KG4VSs into two subtypes according to the position of the center of the KG4VS within the CPA cistern relative to the perpendicular bisector of the porus acusticus internus, which was the landmark for the subclassification. KG4VSs with ventral centers to the landmark were classified as type 4V, and those with dorsal centers as type 4D. The clinical impact of this subclassification on short- and long-term postoperative facial nerve function was analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, the authors retrospectively reviewed patients with vestibular schwannoma who were treated surgically via a retrosigmoid approach between January 2010 and March 2020. Of the 107 patients with KG4VS who met the inclusion criteria, 45 (42.1%) were classified as having type 4V (KG4VSs with centers ventral to the perpendicular bisector of the porous acusticus internus) and 62 (57.9%) as having type 4D (those with centers dorsal to the perpendicular bisector). Ventral extension to the perpendicular bisector of the porus acusticus internus was significantly greater in the type 4V group than in the type 4D group (p < 0.001), although there was no significant difference in the maximal ventrodorsal diameter. The rate of preservation of favorable facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grades I and II) was significantly lower in the type 4V group than in the type 4D group in terms of both short-term (46.7% vs 85.5%, p < 0.001) and long-term (82.9% vs 96.7%, p = 0.001) outcomes. Type 4V had a significantly negative impact on short-term (OR 7.67, 95% CI 2.90-20.3; p < 0.001) and long-term (OR 6.05, 95% CI 1.04-35.0; p = 0.045) facial nerve function after surgery when age, tumor size, and presence of a fundal fluid cap were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have delineated two different morphological subtypes of KG4VS. This subclassification could predict short- and long-term facial nerve function after microsurgical resection of KG4VS via the retrosigmoid approach. The risk of postoperative facial palsy when attempting total resection is greater for type 4V than for type 4D. This classification into types 4V and 4D could help to predict the risk of facial nerve injury and generate more individualized surgical strategies for KG4VSs with better facial nerve outcomes.

Delayed facial palsy after resection of vestibular schwannoma: does it influence long-term facial nerve functional outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: Delayed facial palsy (DFP) is a common and unique complication after resection of vestibular schwannoma (VS). Few studies have focused on the clinical question of whether patients with DFP can be expected to have the same long-term prognosis in terms of facial nerve function as those without DFP based on their facial nerve function immediately postoperatively. This study aimed to clarify the clinical impact of DFP on the long-term functional status of the facial nerve after VS resection. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed patients with sporadic VS who were treated surgically via a retrosigmoid approach between January 2002 and March 2020. DFP was defined as de novo deterioration of facial nerve function by a House-Brackmann (HB) grade ≥ I more than 72 hours postoperatively. The incidence of DFP after VS resection and its impact on long-term facial nerve function were analyzed. RESULTS: DFP developed in 38 (14.3%) of 266 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median latency until DFP onset postoperatively was 8.5 days. When facial nerve function was normal immediately postoperatively, the rate of preservation of favorable facial nerve function (HB grade I or II) at 24 months postoperatively was 100% for all patients regardless of whether they developed DFP. In contrast, when facial nerve dysfunction was present immediately postoperatively, the rate of preservation of favorable facial nerve function at 24 months postoperatively was significantly lower in patients with DFP than in those without DFP (77.8% vs 100% in patients with HB grade II immediately postoperatively, p = 0.001; 50.0% vs 90.3% in those with HB grade III immediately postoperatively, p = 0.042). DFP development had a significantly negative impact on the long-term functional status of the facial nerve postoperatively when age, tumor size, and HB grade immediately postoperatively were taken into account (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.20; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DFP can be a minor complication when normal facial nerve function is observed immediately after surgery. However, when facial nerve dysfunction is present immediately after surgery, even if mild, the long-term prognosis for facial nerve function is significantly worse in patients with DFP than in those without DFP.

Adiponectin and traumatic brain injury.

Adiponectin, a circulating adipose-derived hormone regulating inflammation and energy metabolism, has beneficial actions on cardiovascular disorders. Recent studies have suggested that adiponectin might be a potential molecular target for ischemic stroke therapy; however, little is known about the effects of adiponectin on traumatic brain injury. The present study examined the immunoactivity of adiponectin.Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lateral fluid percussion injury using the Dragonfly device. Immuno-histochemical studies showed that the adiponectin expression was increased in the cerebral cortex at 24 h after injury and in the hippocampus at 72 h after injury. Our findings suggest that adiponectin might participate in the pathophysiological process occurring after traumatic brain injury.

Adiponectin receptor 1 expression is associated with carotid plaque stability.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is a hormone secreted exclusively by adipose tissue, and is important in the regulation of tissue inflammation and insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin exerts its effects through two cell-surface receptors: Adiponectin receptor 1 (ADR1) and ADR2. However, the relationship between ADR1/2 expression and progression of atherosclerosis or plaque vulnerability remains unclear. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between ADR1/2 expression and plaque characteristics in patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for treatment of carotid artery stenosis were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for ADR1 and ADR2 was performed in the specimens of carotid plaque. The relationships between ADR1/2 expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Plaque was stable in 7 patients and vulnerable in 36 patients. ADR1 expression was considered weak in 29 patients and strong in 14 patients. The formation of vulnerable plaques was significantly correlated with weak ADR1 expression (P < 0.003). ADR2 expression was considered weak in 14 patients and strong in 29 patients. Rates of formation of vulnerable plaque did not differ between patients with weak and strong ADR2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Based on previous and the present results, ADR1 may be strongly related to the stabilization of established atherosclerotic plaques via inactivating macrophages. Enhancement of ADR1 expression could serve as a therapeutic target for the prevention of the formation of vulnerable plaque.

Intrasellar Chordoma Mimicking Pituitary Macroadenoma with Hyperprolactinemia and Hypopituitarism: Clinical Images with a Surgical Video.

A purely intrasellar chordoma is rare among skull base chordomas and is recognized as originating from ectopic embryological notochord located in the sella turcica. In view of its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, clinicians may misdiagnose intrasellar chordoma as pituitary adenoma based on preoperative radiographic images. In this report, we present an intrasellar chordoma that clinically mimicked pituitary macroadenoma with hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism and was successfully resected by endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. This case demonstrated radiographic features that chordoma should be suspected in sellar lesions. The enlarged sellar with thinned remodeled bone without clival destruction was firstly reminiscent of pituitary adenoma, whereas the very high signal on T2-weighted images and heterogeneous enhancement characteristically suggested chordoma. This rare diagnosis must be considered in the preoperative evaluation of sellar lesions because it can affect how the neurosurgeon prepares for surgery and the surgical goals.

Presence of a fundal fluid cap on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging may predict long-term facial nerve function after resection of vestibular schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach.

OBJECTIVE: Preservation of neurological function is a priority when performing a resection of a vestibular schwannoma (VS). Few studies have examined the radiographic value of a fundal fluid cap-i.e., cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral end of a VS within the internal auditory canal-for prediction of postoperative neurological function. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the presence of a fundal fluid cap on preoperative magnetic resonance images has a clinical impact on facial nerve function after resection of VSs. METHODS: The presence of a fundal fluid cap and its prognostic impact on long-term postoperative facial nerve function were analyzed. RESULTS: A fundal fluid cap was present in 102 of 143 patients who underwent resection of sporadic VSs via the retrosigmoid approach. Facial nerve function was acceptable (House-Brackmann grade I-II) immediately after surgery in 82 (80.4%) patients with a fundal fluid cap and in 26 (63.4%) of those without this sign. The preservation rate of facial nerve function increased in a time-dependent manner after surgery in patients with a fundal fluid cap but plateaued by 3 months postoperatively in those without a fundal fluid cap; the difference was statistically significant at 12 months (96.1% vs 82.9%, p = 0.013) and 24 months (97.1% vs 82.9%, p = 0.006) after surgery. The presence of a fundal fluid cap had a significantly positive effect on long-term facial nerve function at 24 months after surgery when tumor size and intraoperative neuromonitoring response were taken into account (OR 5.55, 95% CI 1.12-27.5, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Neuromonitoring-guided microsurgery for total resection of VSs is more likely to be successful in terms of preservation of facial nerve function if a fundal fluid cap is present. This preoperative radiographic sign could be helpful when counseling patients and deciding the treatment strategy.

Evidence of spreading depolarizations in a porcine cortical intracerebral hemorrhage model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether cortical spreading depolarizations (CSD) occur in the early stage after cortical intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Ten anesthetized male swine were examined over 19 h. Two cerebral probes were inserted around the ICH (microdialysis and thermodiffusion cerebral blood flow), ICP was monitored contralaterally and up to two electrocorticographic grid electrodes were positioned over the hemisphere after hemicraniectomy and dural opening. A right frontal autologous, arterial ICH (3.0 mL) was induced in all the animals studied. RESULTS: Using a modified injection technique an 80% success rate in ICH formation could be achieved. Eight animals with cortical ICH could be analyzed finally. After induction of ICH, ICP increased non-significantly. Overall, six out of eight animals had CSDs, of either single type or clusters. In one animal a CSD occurred as early as 2 h after ICH; in all other animals the first CSD did not occur before 5 h after onset. CONCLUSION: CSD's occur in cortical experimental ICH. As ICP remained stable owing to the hemicraniectomy we cannot argue in favor of ICP-related triggering of CSD. Modifications of the experimental setup avoiding hemicraniectomy may better describe the pathophysiology of CSD related to ICH in future studies.

Pressure reactivity index correlates with metabolic dysfunction in a porcine model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: We correlated oxygen, flow, and pressure indices of cerebrovascular reactivity (CR) with extracellular cerebral metabolite concentrations in a porcine model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Continuous advanced multimodal monitoring including microdialysis, cerebral blood flow and P(br)O(2) probes were placed 1 cm in front of the coronal suture in the grey/white matter junction. Following a period of 1 h of monitoring, an autologous arterial ICH with defined volumes (3 mL) was induced. Pressure-, oxygen-, and flow-related autoregulation indices (PRx, ORx, and FRx) were simultaneously calculated and correlated hourly with extracellular cerebral metabolites, including glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and glutamate. RESULTS: Seventeen swine were monitored on average 12 continuous hours per animal. FRx correlated highly with ORx (0.96, P = <0.001), but values of both FRx and ORx > 0.2 did not correlate with any microdialysis metabolite. Values of PRx > 0.2 correlated highly (0.65, P < 0.001) with the lactate/pyruvate ratio, values of PRx > 0.3 correlated with glutamate (0.67, P < 0.05), the lactate/pyruvate ratio (0.60, P < 0.01), and P(br)O(2) (-0.65, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence for impaired CR in a porcine model of ICH. The findings suggest that, among other parameters of CR, positive PRx coefficients have the highest significance and could be associated with microdialysis alterations during hypoxic events.

Symptom-Based Opioid-Free Treatment for Persistent Postoperative Headache After Vestibular Schwannoma Resection via the Retrosigmoid Approach.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative headache (POH) is a disturbing symptom following vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. However, there are currently no treatment guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of symptom-based opioid-free treatments for persistent POH following VS resection. METHODS: Of 137 patients in whom sporadic VS was resected via the retrosigmoid approach, 74 had persistent POH beyond 3 postoperative months. Their symptoms were classified as tension-type headache, migraine, neuralgia, or other and were treated. We retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcomes during 2 postoperative years. RESULTS: Patients with persistent POH were significantly younger (P = 0.003) and had significantly smaller tumors (P = 0.001) and greater extent of resection (P = 0.04) than patients without POH. The most common simple symptom was tension-type headache in 56 patients, followed by migraine in 6 patients and neuralgia in 5 patients. All 7 patients with complex symptoms had a mixture of tension-type headache and migraine. Complete disappearance of POH was achieved in 40 (54%) patients, and a medication-free condition was achieved in 51 (69%). No patients had residual severe POH that could not be controlled with medication. Achievement of a medication-free outcome that included complete disappearance of persistent POH was significantly more common in patients with preserved facial nerve function (P = 0.008) and patients with simple symptoms (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A symptom-based approach is appropriate for understanding and managing persistent POH after VS resection with excellent pain control. Preserved facial nerve function and simple symptoms are significant prognostic factors for a medication-free outcome.

The impact of hormonal dynamics and serum sodium fluctuations on symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic vasospasm (SVS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and serum sodium frequently decreases before SVS. Serum sodium changes might be regulated by sodium metabolism-related hormones. This multi-institutional prospective cohort study therefore investigated the measurement of sodium metabolism-related hormones to elucidate the pathophysiology of serum sodium changes in SAH. METHODS: SAH patients were treated with clipping or coiling from September 2017 to August 2020 at five hospitals. The laboratory data of 133 SAH patients were collected over 14 days and correlations between changes in serum sodium, sodium metabolism-related hormones (plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum cortisol, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP)), and SVS were determined. Serum sodium concentrations were measured every day and serum sodium levels >135 mEq/L were maintained until day 14. RESULTS: Of the 133 patients, 18 developed SVS within 14 days of subarachnoid hemorrhage onset (SVS group) and 115 did not suffer from SVS (non-SVS group). Circulating AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher on day 1 in the SVS group compared with the non-SVS group. Fluctuations in serum sodium in the SVS group were significantly higher than those in the non-SVS group. There were antiparallel fluctuations in serum sodium and potassium from days 2 to 14. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of ACTH/cortisol and AVP on day 1 may be predictive markers for the occurrence of SVS. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum sodium fluctuations were associated with SVS occurrence. Serum sodium fluctuations were associated with stress-related hormonal dynamics. (249 words).

Glutamic Acid and Total Creatine as Predictive Markers for Epilepsy in Glioblastoma by Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Before Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy in glioblastoma patients significantly reduces their quality of life; however, little is known about the association between predicting epilepsy and metabolites in tumors. In this study, we used 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify metabolite concentrations in patients with varying epilepsy histories. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with glioblastoma underwent pretreatment 3.0-T MRI/1H-MRS scanning. Single-voxel (1.5 cm3) MRS, in an enhanced lesion, was acquired using a double-echo point-resolved spectroscopic sequence with chemical-shift selective water suppression. MRS data were quantified with linear combination model (LC-Model) software. We compared the MRS data between groups with and without epilepsy during the postoperative course (EP). RESULTS: The ratios of glutamate (Glu) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) to total creatine (Glu/tCr and Glx/tCr) in the tumor were associated with epilepsy history. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a Glu/tCr value of 1.81 was 70% sensitive and 90% specific for the prediction of EP (area under curve: 0.82). In the analysis excluding patients with preoperative epilepsy, a Glu/tCr value of 1.81 was 75% sensitive and 88% specific for the prediction (area under curve: 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral metabolite concentrations measured using pretreatment 3.0-T MRI/1H-MRS changed characteristically in the group with EP. Our study suggests that the Glu/tCr ratio in tumors has adequate reliability in predicting EP. Pretreatment MRS is a minimally invasive and simple procedure that can provide useful information on glioblastoma patients.

Anatomical variation of the internal carotid artery and its implication to the endoscopic endonasal translacerum approach.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal trans-lacerum approach (EETLA) is useful in handling skull base tumors around inferior petrous apex (IPA); however, its surgical corridor is exclusively a triangular space (supra-eustachian triangle [SET]), between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and eustachian tube. METHODS: We investigated correlation between SET size and extent of resection around the IPA (lateral extent of resection [EOR]) through a retrospective analysis of 15 surgeries using EETLA. RESULTS: Of 15 cases (9 chordomas, 4 chondrosarcomas, and 2 meningiomas), 20 sides of IPA were affected by the tumor. When being restricted to sides with severe lateral tumor extension beyond the midpoint of petrous ICA (10 sides), the SET size was significantly broader in the group with lateral EOR of ≥90% (p value = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The SET size was a powerful index of tumor resectability in EETLA, especially in cases with severe tumor extension. The individual anatomical variations should be considered when determining EETLA application.