Chronic Hydrocephalus Research Articles

An Acute Discovery of Fourth Ventricle Outflow Obstruction in Previously Idiopathic Chronic Hydrocephalus: A Case Report

An Acute Discovery of Fourth Ventricle Outflow Obstruction in Previously Idiopathic Chronic Hydrocephalus: A Case Report

Significant individual variation in cardiac-cycle-linked cerebrospinal fluid production following subarachnoid hemorrhage

BackgroundSpontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often results in altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and secondary hydrocephalus, yet the mechanisms behind these phenomena remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of SAH on individual CSF flow patterns and their association with secondary hydrocephalus.MethodsIn patients who had experienced SAH, changes in CSF flow were assessed using cardiac-gated phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) at the Sylvian aqueduct and cranio-cervical junction (CCJ). Within these regions of interest, volumetric CSF flow was determined for every pixel and net CSF flow volume and direction calculated. The presence of acute or chronic hydrocephalus was deemed from ventriculomegaly and need of CSF diversion. For comparison, we included healthy subjects and patients examined for different CSF diseases.ResultsTwenty-four SAH patients were enrolled, revealing a heterogeneous array of CSF flow alterations at the Sylvian aqueduct. The cardiac-cycle-linked CSF net flow in Sylvian aqueduct differed from the traditional figures of ventricular CSF production about 0.30–0.40 mL/min. In 15 out of 24 patients (62.5%), net CSF flow was retrograde from the fourth to the third and lateral ventricles, while it was upward at the cranio-cervical junction in 2 out of 2 patients (100%). The diverse CSF flow metrics did not distinguish between individuals with acute or chronic secondary hydrocephalus. In comparison, 4/4 healthy subjects showed antegrade net CSF flow in the Sylvian aqueduct and net upward CSF flow in CCJ. These net CSF flow measures also showed interindividual variability among other patients with CSF diseases.ConclusionsThere is considerable inter-individual variation in net CSF flow rates following SAH. Net CSF flow in the Sylvian aqueduct differs markedly from the traditional ventricular CSF production rates of 0.30–0.40 mL/min in SAH patients, but less so in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the cardiac-cycle-linked net CSF flow rates in Sylvian aqueduct and CCJ suggest an important role of extra-ventricular CSF production.

Unilateral Exophthalmos as the First Sign of Chronic Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Unilateral Exophthalmos as the First Sign of Chronic Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Cerebrospinal fluid markers of neuroinflammation and coagulation in severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective study

BackgroundEarly severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus are the primary cause of poor prognosis in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study investigated the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory cytokines and coagulation factors in the development of severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus in patients with SAH.MethodsPatients with SAH enrolled in this study were categorized into mild and severe cerebral edema groups based on the Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Early Brain Edema Score at admission. During long-term follow-up, patients were further classified into hydrocephalus and non-hydrocephalus groups. CSF samples were collected within 48 h post-SAH, and levels of inflammatory cytokines and coagulation factors were measured. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus. The correlation between inflammatory cytokines and coagulation factors was further investigated and validated in a mouse model of SAH.ResultsSeventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. Factors from the extrinsic coagulation pathway and inflammatory cytokines were associated with both severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus. Coagulation products thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) and fibrin, as well as inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-7, and IL-4, were independently associated with severe cerebral edema. Additionally, Factor VII, fibrin, IL-2, IL-5, IL-12, TNF-α, and CCL-4 were independently associated with chronic hydrocephalus. A positive correlation between extrinsic coagulation factors and inflammatory cytokines was observed. In the SAH mouse model, tissue plasminogen activator was shown to alleviate neuroinflammation and cerebral edema, potentially by restoring glymphatic-meningeal lymphatic function.ConclusionsElevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and extrinsic coagulation pathway factors in the CSF are associated with the development of early severe cerebral edema and chronic hydrocephalus following SAH. These factors are interrelated and may contribute to post-SAH glymphatic-meningeal lymphatic dysfunction.

Risk Variants Associated With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Genome-Wide Association Study in the FinnGen Cohort.

Large-scale genome-wide studies of chronic hydrocephalus have been lacking. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). We used a case-control study design implementing FinnGen data containing 473,691 Finns with genotypes and nationwide health records. Patients with NPH were selected based on ICD-10 G91.2 diagnosis. To select patients with idiopathic NPH (iNPH) for sensitivity analysis, we excluded patients with a potentially known etiology of the condition using an algorithm on their disease history. The controls were the remaining non-hydrocephalic participants. For a replication analysis, the NPH cohort from UK Biobank (UKBB) was used. We included 1,522 patients with NPH (mean age 72.2 years, 53% women) and 451,091 controls (mean age 60.5 years, 44% women). In the GWAS comparing patients with NPH with the controls, we identified 6 gene regions significantly (p < 5.0e-8) associated with NPH that replicated in a meta-analysis with UKBB (NPH n = 173). The top loci near the following genes were rs7962263, SLCO1A2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.65-0.78, p = 1.0e-14); rs798495, AMZ1/GNA12 (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.20-1.39, p = 2.9e-12); rs10828247, MLLT10 (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.83, p = 1.5e-11); rs561699566 and rs371919113, CDCA2 (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.82, p = 1.5e-11); rs56023709, C16orf95 (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.16-1.33, p = 3.0e-9); and rs62434144, PLEKHG1 (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.14-1.32, p = 1.4e-8). In the sensitivity analysis comparing only patients with iNPH (n = 1,055) with the controls (n = 451,091), 4 top loci near the following genes remained significant: rs7962263, SLCO1A2 (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.63-0.78, p = 2.1e-11); rs10828247, MLLT10 (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.82, p = 4.6e-10); rs798511, AMZ1/GNA12 (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.39, p = 1.7e-8); and rs56023709, C16orf95 (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.39, p = 1.7e-8). We identified 6 loci significantly associated with NPH in the thus far largest GWAS in chronic hydrocephalus. The genes near the top loci have previously been associated with blood-brain barrier and blood-CSF barrier function and with increased lateral brain ventricle volume. The effect sizes and allele frequencies remained similar in NPH and iNPH cohorts, indicating the identified loci are risk determinants for iNPH and likely not explained by associations with other etiologies. However, the exact role of these loci is still unknown, warranting further studies.

Machine Learning–Based Prediction of Chronic Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BackgroundChronic posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus often arises following spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Timely identification of patients predisposed to develop chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus may significantly enhance clinical outcomes. MethodsWe performed an analysis of 510 SAH-patients treated at our institution between 2013 and 2018. Clinical and radiological variables, including age, sex, Hunt & Hess grade, Fisher-Score, external ventricular drainage placement, central nervous system infection, aneurysm characteristics, and treatment modalities, were evaluated. Supervised machine learning models, trained and compared using Python and scikit-learn, were employed to predict chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. Model performance was rigorously assessed through repeated cross-validation. To facilitate transparency and collaboration, we publicly released the dataset and code on GitHub (https://github.com/RISCSoftware/shuntclf) and developed an interactive web application (https://huggingface.co/spaces/risc42/shuntclf). ResultsAmong the evaluated machine learning models, logistic regression exhibited superior performance, with an AUC-ROC of 0.819 and an AUC-PR of 0.482, along with the highest F1 score of 0.473. Although the balanced accuracy scores of the models were generally proximate, ranging from 0.735 to 0.764, logistic regression consistently outperform others in key metrics such as AUC-ROC and AUC-PR. Conversely, female gender and absence of aneurysm within the anterior communicating artery were associated with reduced shunt requirement likelihood. ConclusionMachine learning models, including logistic regression, demonstrate strong predictive capability for early chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus following spontaneous SAH, which may potentially contribute to more timely shunt placement interventions. This predictive capability is supported by our web interface, which simplifies the application of these models, aiding clinicians in efficiently determining the need for shunt placement.

Reduced GLP-1R availability in the caudate nucleus with Alzheimer's disease.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reduce glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounting evidence indicates that the potential of GLP-1R agonists, mimicking a 30 amino acid ligand, GLP-1, extends to the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism that underlies regulation of GLP-1R availability in the brain with AD remains poorly understood. Here, using whole transcriptome RNA-Seq of the human postmortem caudate nucleus with AD and chronic hydrocephalus (CH) in the elderly, we found that GLP-1R and select mRNAs expressed in glucose dysmetabolism and dyslipidemia were significantly altered. Furthermore, we detected human RNA indicating a deficiency in doublecortin (DCX) levels and the presence of ferroptosis in the caudate nucleus impacted by AD. Using the genome data viewer, we assessed mutability of GLP-1R and 39 other genes by two factors associated with high mutation rates in chromosomes of four species. Surprisingly, we identified that nucleotide sizes of GLP-1R transcript exceptionally differed in all four species of humans, chimpanzees, rats, and mice by up to 6-fold. Taken together, the protein network database analysis suggests that reduced GLP-1R in the aged human brain is associated with glucose dysmetabolism, ferroptosis, and reduced DCX+ neurons, that may contribute to AD.

Aqueductal CSF stroke volume is associated with the burden of perivascular space enlargement in chronic adult hydrocephalus

The inflow of CSF into perivascular spaces (PVS) in the brain is crucial for clearing waste molecules. Inefficiency in PVS flow leads to neurodegeneration. Failure of PVS flushing is associated with CSF flow impairment in the intracranial hydrodynamic condition of CSF hypo-pulsatility. However, enlarged PVS (ePVS), a finding indicative of PVS flow dysfunction, is also present in patients with derangement of CSF dynamics characterized by CSF hyper-pulsatility, which increases CSF flow. Intriguingly, two opposite intracranial hydrodynamic conditions would lead to the same result of impairing the PVS flushing. To investigate this issue, we assessed the subsistence of a dysfunctional interplay between CSF and PVS flows and, if the case, the mechanisms preventing a hyper-pulsatile brain from providing an effective PVS flushing. We analyzed the association between phase contrast MRI aqueductal CSF stroke volume (aqSV), a proxy of CSF pulsatility, and the burden of ePVS in chronic adult hydrocephalus, a disease involving a broad spectrum of intracranial hydrodynamics disturbances. In the 147 (85 males, 62 females) patients, the age at diagnosis ranged between 28 and 88 years (median 73 years). Ninety-seven patients had tri-ventriculomegaly and 50 tetra-ventriculomegaly. According to the extent of ePVS, 113 patients had a high ePVS burden, while 34 had a low ePVS burden. aqSV, which ranged between 0 and 562 μL (median 86 μL), was increased with respect to healthy subjects. Patients presenting with less ePVS burden had higher aqSV (p < 0.002, corrected for the multiple comparisons) than those with higher ePVS burden. The present study confirmed the association between CSF dynamics and PVS flow disturbances and demonstrated this association in intracranial hyper-pulsatility. Further studies should investigate the association between PVS flow failure and CSF hypo- and hyper-pulsatility as responsible/co-responsible for glymphatic failure in other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in diseases in which CSF disturbances can be corrected, as in chronic adult hydrocephalus.

Modeling cerebrospinal fluid dynamics across the entire intracranial space through integration of four-dimensional flow and intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging

BackgroundBidirectional reciprocal motion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was quantified using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI. To estimate various CSF motions in the entire intracranial region, we attempted to integrate the flow parameters calculated using the two MRI sequences. To elucidate how CSF dynamics deteriorate in Hakim’s disease, an age-dependent chronic hydrocephalus, flow parameters were estimated from the two MRI sequences to assess CSF motion in the entire intracranial region.MethodsThis study included 127 healthy volunteers aged ≥ 20 years and 44 patients with Hakim’s disease. On 4D flow MRI for measuring CSF motion, velocity encoding was set at 5 cm/s. For the IVIM MRI analysis, the diffusion-weighted sequence was set at six b-values (i.e., 0, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 s/mm2), and the biexponential IVIM fitting method was adapted. The relationships between the fraction of incoherent perfusion (f) on IVIM MRI and 4D flow MRI parameters including velocity amplitude (VA), absolute maximum velocity, stroke volume, net flow volume, and reverse flow rate were comprehensively evaluated in seven locations in the ventricles and subarachnoid spaces. Furthermore, we developed a new parameter for fluid oscillation, the Fluid Oscillation Index (FOI), by integrating these two measurements. In addition, we investigated the relationship between the measurements and indices specific to Hakim’s disease and the FOIs in the entire intracranial space.ResultsThe VA on 4D flow MRI was significantly associated with the mean f-values on IVIM MRI. Therefore, we estimated VA that could not be directly measured on 4D flow MRI from the mean f-values on IVIM MRI in the intracranial CSF space, using the following formula; e0.2(f−85) + 0.25. To quantify fluid oscillation using one integrated parameter with weighting, FOI was calculated as VA × 10 + f × 0.02. In addition, the FOIs at the left foramen of Luschka had the strongest correlations with the Evans index (Pearson’s correlation coefficient: 0.78). The other indices related with Hakim’s disease were significantly associated with the FOIs at the cerebral aqueduct and bilateral foramina of Luschka. FOI at the cerebral aqueduct was also elevated in healthy controls aged ≥ 60 years.ConclusionsWe estimated pulsatile CSF movements in the entire intracranial CSF space in healthy individuals and patients with Hakim’s disease using FOI integrating VA from 4D flow MRI and f-values from IVIM MRI. FOI is useful for quantifying the CSF oscillation.

A Novel Classification for Chronic Hydrocephalus in Adults

A Novel Classification for Chronic Hydrocephalus in Adults

Therapeutic potential of stem cells in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Aneurysm rupture can result in subarachnoid hemorrhage, a condition with potentially severe consequences, such as disability and death. In the acute stage, early brain injury manifests as intracranial pressure elevation, global cerebral ischemia, acute hydrocephalus, and direct blood-brain contact due to aneurysm rupture. This may subsequently cause delayed cerebral infarction, often with cerebral vasospasm, significantly affecting patient outcomes. Chronic complications such as brain volume loss and chronic hydrocephalus can further impact outcomes. Investigating the mechanisms of subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain injury is paramount for identifying effective treatments. Stem cell therapy, with its multipotent differentiation capacity and anti-inflammatory effects, has emerged as a promising approach for treating previously deemed incurable conditions. This review focuses on the potential application of stem cells in subarachnoid hemorrhage pathology and explores their role in neurogenesis and as a therapeutic intervention in preclinical and clinical subarachnoid hemorrhage studies.

A predictive model in patients with chronic hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study.

Our aim was to develop a nomogram that integrates clinical and radiological data obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans, enabling the prediction of chronic hydrocephalus in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). A total of 318 patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at the Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University between January 2020 and December 2022 were enrolled in our study. We collected clinical characteristics from the hospital's medical record system. To identify risk factors associated with chronic hydrocephalus, we conducted both univariate and LASSO regression models on these clinical characteristics and radiological features, accompanied with penalty parameter adjustments conducted through tenfold cross-validation. All features were then incorporated into multivariate logistic regression analyses. Based on these findings, we developed a clinical-radiological nomogram. To evaluate its discrimination performance, we conducted Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and calculated the Area Under the Curve (AUC). Additionally, we employed calibration curves, and utilized Brier scores as an indicator of concordance. Additionally, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) was performed to determine the clinical utility of our models by estimating net benefits at various threshold probabilities for both training and testing groups. The study included 181 patients, with a determined chronic hydrocephalus prevalence of 17.7%. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified 11 potential risk factors, while LASSO regression identified 7 significant risk factors associated with chronic hydrocephalus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed three independent predictors for chronic hydrocephalus following aSAH: Periventricular white matter changes, External lumbar drainage, and Modified Fisher Grade. A nomogram incorporating these factors accurately predicted the risk of chronic hydrocephalus in both the training and testing cohorts. The AUC values were calculated as 0.810 and 0.811 for each cohort respectively, indicating good discriminative ability of the nomogram model. Calibration curves along with Hosmer-Lemeshow tests demonstrated excellent agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes in both cohorts. Furthermore, Brier scores (0.127 for the training and 0.09 for testing groups) further validated the predictive performance of our nomogram model. The DCA confirmed that this nomogram provides superior net benefit across various risk thresholds when predicting chronic hydrocephalus. The decision curve demonstrated that when an individual's threshold probability ranged from 5 to 62%, this model is more effective in predicting the occurrence of chronic hydrocephalus after aSAH. A clinical-radiological nomogram was developed to combine clinical characteristics and radiological features from CT scans, aiming to enhance the accuracy of predicting chronic hydrocephalus in patients with aSAH. This innovative nomogram shows promising potential in assisting clinicians to create personalized and optimal treatment plans by providing precise predictions of chronic hydrocephalus among aSAH patients.

Return to work after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) often recover without severe physical or cognitive deficits. However, strikingly low levels of engagement in productive employment have also been reported in aSAH patients with good or excellent outcomes. Knowledge about return to work (RTW) after aSAH and predictors of no RTW remain limited and controversial. The study aimed to delineate the return to maximum work capacity up to 5 years after the ictus in a larger number of consecutive aSAH patients from the entire aSAH severity spectrum and to identify demographic and medical predictors of no RTW. Data were acquired from a prospective institutional database. We included all 500 aSAH survivors aged > 18 years who were treated between January 2012 and March 2018. In addition to gathering data on work status and the type of work at ictus, we retrieved demographical data and assessed aSAH severity based on the quantification of subarachnoid, intraventricular, and intraparenchymal blood (ICH), as well as the World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grade. We registered the mode of aneurysm repair (endovascular or surgical) and recorded complications such as vasospasm, newly acquired cerebral infarctions, and chronic hydrocephalus. Furthermore, work status and the grade of fatigue at follow-up were registered. RTW was assessed among 299 patients who were employed at ictus. Among them, 63.2% were women, and their age was 51.3 ± 9.4 (20-71) years. Return to gainful employment was 51.2%, with complete RTW accounting for 32.4%. The independent predictors of no RTW at ictus were age, the WFNS grade 3, and active smoking. The strongest independent predictor was the presence of clinically significant fatigue, which increased the risk of not returning to work by 5-fold. The chance to return to gainful employment significantly increased with the individual's years of education prior to their hemorrhage. The mode of aneurysm repair was not relevant with regard to RTW. Patients in the WFNS grades 1-2 more often returned to work than those in the WFNS grades 3-5, but our results indicate that neurological motor deficits are linked closer to no RTW than aSAH severity per se. Fatigue needs to be addressed as an important element on the path to return to work integration.

Standardized Criteria to Initiate External Ventricular Drain (EVD) Weaning in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit to Increase the Safety of EVD Discontinuation and Reduce the Need for a Shunt.

Introduction Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) with external ventricular drains (EVD) candevelop chronic hydrocephalus (HCP), requiring permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion via an external shunt. Two different strategies have been used to assess for dependence on EVD: 1) prompt closure, and 2) gradual weaning.Gradual weaning of EVDs is performed by increasing drainage resistance to outflow over days.However, when to start one strategy or the other is up to the physician. No uniform guidelines exist raising a question: Are standardized criteria necessary to initiate the EVD weaning process for SAH patients to increase the safety of EVD discontinuation and reduce the need for a shunt? This study shares criteria used to initiate EVD weaning that displayed increased safety of EVD discontinuation for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring EVD, particularly with regards to length of hospital stay (LOS), hospital-acquired infection rates, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt/endoscopic third ventriculostomy (VPS/ETV) placement. Methods One hundred and fifty-one SAHpatients from January 2016 to January 2019 were analyzed. 60 aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and 18 non-aneurysmal nontraumatic SAH (naSAH) patients required EVD placement.A gradual EVD weaning protocol was initiated if patients met the following criteria: 1. The reason for EVD placement has resolved or is resolving, 2. The quantity of CSF output is <250mL over 24 hours, 3. Quality of CSF is nonbloody, 4. Intracranial Pressure (ICP) must be within normal limits, and 5. The patient must be neurologically stable. It was acceptable to initiate the weaning process when the patient had mild cerebral vasospasm, but not moderate to severe cerebral vasospasm. EVD weaning was performed by increasing the drain (chamber) height by 5 millimeters of mercury every 24 hours if the criteria were met. Charts were reviewed for LOS, infection rates, and rate of VPS/ETV. Gender, age, race, wean failure incidence, Hunt-Hess scores, modified Fisher scores, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone/cerebral salt wasting (SIADH/CSW) rates were obtained. Results The average LOS for aSAH patients with EVD was 20.35 days. The incidence of VPS/ETV was 11%. A chi-square analysis revealed that aSAH patients had higher rates of VPS/ETV placement (p<0.001) and EVD wean failures (p<0.001) than naSAH patients. aSAH patients had a lower incidence of VPS/ETV placement of 11% compared to 21% nationally. Conclusions Standardized criteria to initiate EVD weaning provided a reduction in VPS/ETV placement among aSAH patients compared to national averages and provided a uniform approach to EVD management. Comparable infection rates and LOS for SAH patients requiring EVDs compared to national averages were found.

Early prediction of ventricular peritoneal shunt dependency in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients by recurrent neural network-based machine learning using routine intensive care unit data

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) can lead to complications such as acute hydrocephalic congestion. Treatment of this acute condition often includes establishing an external ventricular drainage (EVD). However, chronic hydrocephalus develops in some patients, who then require placement of a permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The aim of this study was to employ recurrent neural network (RNN)-based machine learning techniques to identify patients who require VP shunt placement at an early stage. This retrospective single-centre study included all patients who were diagnosed with aSAH and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) between November 2010 and May 2020 (n = 602). More than 120 parameters were analysed, including routine neurocritical care data, vital signs and blood gas analyses. Various machine learning techniques, including RNNs and gradient boosting machines, were evaluated for their ability to predict VP shunt dependency. VP-shunt dependency could be predicted using an RNN after just one day of ICU stay, with an AUC-ROC of 0.77 (CI: 0.75–0.79). The accuracy of the prediction improved after four days of observation (Day 4: AUC-ROC 0.81, CI: 0.79–0.84). At that point, the accuracy of the prediction was 76% (CI: 75.98–83.09%), with a sensitivity of 85% (CI: 83–88%) and a specificity of 74% (CI: 71–78%). RNN-based machine learning has the potential to predict VP shunt dependency on Day 4 after ictus in aSAH patients using routine data collected in the ICU. The use of machine learning may allow early identification of patients with specific therapeutic needs and accelerate the execution of required procedures.

Lumboperitoneal shunt and ventriculoperitoneal shunt for chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a comparison.

Chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) results in poor neurological outcomes and cognitive deficits. Currently, the main treatments for chronic hydrocephalus include ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS); however, the optimal treatment for chronic hydrocephalus after aSAH remains controversial. The records of 82 patients were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into VPS and LPS groups based on surgical methods. The efficacy, shunt successful rate and complications were compared. The assessments of treatment efficacy included the Evans index score (EIS), Keifer's hydrocephalus score (KHS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and functional independence measure (FIM). Patients were followed up for three months to observe the postoperative curative effects and complications. The rate of shunt obstruction was significantly higher in the LPS group than that in the VPS group (p < 0.05), and the shunt successful rate was significantly higher in the VPS group than that in the LPS group (p < 0.05). The total rate of complications was 24.4% for LPS and 39% for VPS. The improvements in EIS, KHS, MMSE, and FIM within each group after the shunt were significantly different compared to those before shunt (p < 0.05). Compared to those in the LPS group, the improvements in EIS, KHS, MMSE, and FIM were significantly different in the VPS group after shunt (p < 0.05). Compared with LPS, VPS in the treatment for chronic hydrocephalus after aSAH had greater therapeutic efficacy, as indicated by improved radiological outcomes, improved shunt successful rate, improved clinical outcomes, and improved quality of life. Therefore, we believe that VPS is the preferred treatment option for chronic hydrocephalus after aSAH, while LPS should only be used as an alternative to VPS.

Cytotoxic Lesions of the Corpus Callosum Associated with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage May Influence Shunt-Dependent Chronic Hydrocephalus

BackgroundCytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) are occasionally associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The effects of aSAH on clinical outcomes in such cases are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of CLOCCs associated with aSAH to ascertain the predictors of shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus (SDCH) after aSAH. MethodsWe retrospectively investigated cases of aSAH treated by coil embolization. Patients were divided into those with and without CLOCCs. Between-group differences were evaluated, including clinical outcomes and the characteristics of both the patients and the aneurysms. Patients were divided into those with and without SDCH to identify predictive factors of SDCH after aSAH focusing on CLOCCs. ResultsThis single-center study included 196 patients with aSAH. All patients received coil embolization between April 2013 and March 2020. CLOCCs were detected in 38 (19.4%) patients. In the group with CLOCCs, male sex, poor severity grade at onset, acute hydrocephalus, SDCH (all P < 0.01), and Fisher group 3 or 4 (P = 0.04) were significantly more common than in the group without CLOCCs. Diabetes and CLOCCs were significant predictors of SDCH after aSAH in multivariate analysis (diabetes: P < 0.01, odds ratio [OR]: 6.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61–28.09; CLOCCs: P < 0.01, OR: 6.86, 95% CI: 2.87–16.38). ConclusionsCLOCCs and SDCH were common in patients with poor-grade aSAH, and CLOCCs were independent predictors of SDCH after aSAH. Meticulous follow-up is necessary to detect SDCH after aSAH, especially in patients with poor-grade aSAH and CLOCCs.

Efficacy and safety of bedside percutaneous three-millimeter twist-drill trephination under local anesthesia-a retrospective study of 1000 patients.

Percutaneous 3-mm twist-drill trephination (TDT) under local anesthesia as a bedside operative technique is an alternative to the conventional open surgical trephination in the operating theatre. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of this minimal invasive procedure. This retrospective study comprises 1000 patients who were treated with TDT under local anesthesia at bedside due to chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and hydrocephalus (HYD) as a result of subarachnoid hemorrhage or non-hemorrhagic causes, increased intracranial pressure (IIP) in traumatic brain injury or non-traumatic brain edema, and other pathologies (OP) requiring drainage. Medical records, clinical outcome, and results of pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) were analyzed. Indications for TDT were cSDH (n = 275; 27.5%), ICH (n = 291; 29.1%), HYD (n = 316; 31.6%), IIP (n = 112; 11.2%), and OP (n = 6; 0.6%). Overall, primary catheter placement was sufficient in 93.8% of trephinations. Complication rate was 14.1% and mainly related to primary catheter malposition (6.2%), infections (5.2%), and secondary hemorrhage (2.7%); the majority of which were clinically inapparent puncture channel bleedings not requiring surgical intervention. The revision rate was 13%. Bedside TDT under local anesthesia has proven to be an effective and safe alternative to the conventional burr-hole operative technique as usually performed under general anesthesia in the operation theatre, and may be particularly useful in emergency cases as well as in elderly and multimorbid patients.

CLR (C-Reactive Protein to Lymphocyte Ratio) Served as a Promising Predictive Biomarker for Cerebral Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH): A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating disease. Even after state-of-the-art treatment patients suffer from complications, including cerebral vasospasm (CVS), delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), and chronic hydrocephalus (CH) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aim of our study is to identify the predictive value of the C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR) for neurological functional outcome and complications after aSAH. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 166 aSAH patients who met the inclusion criteria enrolled in our study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the independent risk factors. The predictive value of different models was compared by calculating the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: On-admission levels of CLR in patients with poor outcomes (6 months mRS 3-6), CVS, DCI, and CH were significantly higher than those in patients with good outcomes (6 months mRS 0-2), non-CVS, non-DCI, and non-CH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that admission CLR was independently associated with CVS (OR [95% CI] 2.116 [1.507-2.971]; p < 0.001), and DCI (OR [95% CI] 1.594 [1.220-2.084]; p = 0.001). In ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of CLR for poor outcomes (6 months mRS 3-6), CVS, DCI, and CH prediction were (AUC [95% CI] 0.639 [0.555-0.724]; p = 0.002), (AUC [95% CI] 0.834 [0.767-0.901]; p < 0.001), (AUC [95% CI] 0.679 [0.581-0.777]; p < 0.001), and (AUC [95% CI] 0.628 [0.543-0.713]; p = 0.005) revealing that admission CLR had a favorable predictive value for CVS after aSAH. The sensitivity and specificity of admission CLR for CVS prediction were 77.1% and 75.4%. On-admission CLR of 0.757 mg × 10-6 was identified as the best cutoff threshold to discriminate between CVS and non-CVS (CVS: CLR < 0.757 mg × 10-6 11/100 [11.0%] vs. CLR ≥ 0.757 mg × 10-6 37/66 [56.1%]; p < 0.001). Conclusions: High levels of on-admission CLR serve as an independent risk factor for CVS and DCI after aSAH. Admission CLR is an easy-to-quantify laboratory parameter that efficiently predicts the CVS after aSAH, which can provide some guidance for clinicians to evaluate for possible progression and treatment strategies in patients with aSAH.

Impact of Shunt Placement on CSF Dynamics.

CSF dynamics are disturbed in chronic hydrocephalus (NPH). We hypothesise that these alterations reflect a disturbance of intracranial compliance. The aim of our study is to investigate the variations in intracranial hydrodynamics in NPH after ventricular shunt surgery. We included 14 patients with definite NPH. All patients improved after ventriculoperitoneal shunting. The patients underwent an analysis of intracranial haemodynamics by phase-contrast MRI (pcMRI) preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and at 1 year postoperatively. We analysed the dynamics of intraventricular CSF at the level of the aqueduct of Sylvius (SVAQU) and CSF at the level of the high cervical subarachnoid spaces (SVCERV). We calculated the ratio between SVAQU and SVCERV, called CSFRATIO, which reflects the participation of intraventricular pulsatility in overall intracranial CSF pulsatility. SVAQU significantly (p = 0.003) decreased from 240 ± 114 μL/cc to 214 ± 157 μL/cc 6 months after shunt placement. Six months after shunt placement, SVCERV significantly (p = 0.007) decreased from 627 ± 229 μL/cc to 557 ± 234 μL/cc. Twelve months after shunt placement, SVCERV continued to significantly (p = 0.001) decrease to 496 ± 234 μL/cc. CSFRATIO was not changed by surgery. CSF dynamics are altered by shunt placement and might be a useful marker of the shunt's effectiveness-especially if pressure values start to rise again. The detection of changes in CSF dynamics would require a reference postoperative pcMRI measurement for each patient.