Rate Of Neurological Deficits Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of anesthetic agents in awake craniotomy using monitored anesthesia care protocol: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Awake craniotomy (AC) facilitates real-time brain mapping, maximizing tumor resection while preserving critical neurological functions. This study systematically reviews the efficacy of several anesthetic protocols under Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) during AC, focusing on clinical outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using data from observational studies and randomized trials involving AC under MAC. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The analysis employed mixed-effects models to assess both the overall rate of the outcomes and the impact of anesthetic agents on clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative neurological deficits. Of 468 studies initially identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria. The overall adverse event rate was 23.7%. The pooled proportion of patients with postoperative neurological deficits and intraoperative seizures was 10.45% and 8.8%, respectively. Remifentanil use was associated with a lower risk of neurological deficits in mixed effects meta-analysis (6.9% vs 16.5%), while intraoperative seizure rate was slightly lower with propofol use (7.1% vs. 11.8%). Midazolam use was also associated with lower agitation (5.5% vs. 10.9%). The rate of secondary adverse outcomes other than hypertension (10.2%) and tense brain (10%) were below 10% and comparable to the previous literature. The findings highlight the variability in anesthetic protocols used in MAC for AC. Despite limited evidence regarding safety concerns and potential confounders, Remifentanil, Propofol, and Midazolam appear to be superior to other agents evaluated in these procedures. However, further research is required to draw definitive conclusions.

Comparison of spinopelvic fixation and iliosacral screw fixation for posterior pelvic ring injuries.

There is no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal treatment method for posterior pelvic ring injuries. This study aims to compare the radiologic and clinical outcomes, as well as complications of spinopelvic fixation (SPF) and iliosacral screw fixation (ISF) in patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries. This retrospective study analyzed 54 patients (37 females, 17 males; mean age 38.9±18.7 years) with pelvic ring injuries classified as Tile type B and type C involving the posterior pelvic ring. These patients were treated with either SPF or ISF and followed for at least one year at two centers between 2016 and 2023. Of these, 28 patients comprised the SPF group, and 26 patients were in the ISF group. Comparisons were made regarding perioperative data (hemoglobin loss, blood product replacement, hospitalization duration, intensive care unit stay, surgery time, and fluoroscopy duration) and clinical outcomes (limb length discrepancy, Majeed score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) score). Radiological outcomes were assessed using Matta outcome grading. Complications were also investigated. Hemoglobin loss (median 2.2 vs. 1 g/dL; p=0.027) and surgery time (67±10.6 vs. 37.7±11.3 minutes; p<0.001) were higher in the SPF group, whereas fluoroscopy duration (median 2 vs. 51.5 seconds; p<0.001) was higher in the ISF group. Other perioperative parameters did not differ between the groups. At a minimum follow-up of one year, clinical scores (Majeed score, VAS, SF-36), limb length discrepancy, and Matta outcome grades were similar between the groups. The SPF group had higher total complication rates (46.4% vs. 19.2%; p=0.034) and infection rates (42.9% vs. 3.8%; p<0.001), while rates of neurological deficits, screw malposition, and other hospitalization complications (e.g., thromboembolic or cardiovascular events, pulmonary complications, sepsis) were not significantly different. Both spinopelvic fixation and iliosacral screw fixation techniques are similarly effective in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes, with both methods demonstrating a low rate of complications. However, SPF was associated with higher infection rates and greater hemoglobin loss, while ISF required increased fluoroscopy exposure.

Awake Craniotomy for Eloquent Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) pose a risk of neurologic deterioration, particularly when located in eloquent areas. While awake surgery is well-established for treating low-grade gliomas near eloquent areas, its efficacy for AVMs is less conclusively reported. This study conducted a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis following Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA guidelines. Literature searches were performed in Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science. Eligible studies included case reports, case series, retrospective or prospective cohorts, and randomized trials evaluating Awake Craniotomy (AC) for AVMs. Single proportion analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was utilized to pool the data. Case series and case reports were put together as a unique cohort. An analysis of 20 studies encompassing 287 patients was performed. The IPD cohort had 53 patients. The primary outcome pooled analysis indicated an 88% (CI 95% 81-95%; I2=63%) rate of total resection. Moreover, a rate of nearly 12% (CI 95% 5-19%; I2= 63%) of subtotal resection was observed. Furthermore, the analysis unveiled a 20% (95% CI, 13-28%; I2=58%) rate of postoperative neurological deficits, alongside a 6% (95% CI, 3-9%; I2=29%) rate of follow-up neurological deficits. The mean hospital stay was 4.13 (95% CI: 3.61-4.66; I2=73%) days. Awake craniotomy for eloquent AVMs showed promising results. A significant rate of postoperative neurological deficits was found, which was reduced at follow-up. A small mean length of hospitalization was also found. These results suggest that AC for AVMs should be considered in eloquent lesion cases.

Usefulness of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Intradural Spinal Tumor Surgeries.

Objective: Due to the absence of studies supporting the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in intradural spinal tumors, this study evaluates the clinical outcome after these surgeries in relation to the use of the advanced intraoperative neurophysiological techniques. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of two cohort groups in relation to the presence or absence of IONM during the intervention and the subsequent evaluation of the clinical and functional results in the short and medium terms. Ninety-six patients with extra- or intramedullary intradural spinal tumors operated on by the neurosurgery team of our center completed the current study. Results: We observed improvements in the Prolo, Brice and McKissock and McCormick scales scores in the monitored patients. These results examine the usefulness of IONM to preserve neurological functions and, therefore, its impact on quality of life. The rate of neurological deficits in the unmonitored patients was 14.5%, whereas it was 8.3% of the patients whose treatment included IONM. Conclusions: It is important to emphasize the importance of implementing IONM for early recognition of possible neurological damage, the improvement of postoperative functional outcomes, and for decreasing the rate of neurological complications. Significance: This study provides reliable results on the importance of IONM in intradural spinal tumor surgeries.

Transosseous lacerations in the ankylosed cervical spine

Transosseous lacerations represent aparticular type of discoligamentous injury of the cervical spine and occur in ankylosing diseases of the spine, with ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) being the primary entities. The altered biomechanics of the spine due to the underlying disease pose special challenges in the diagnostics and treatment. Even low-energy trauma can cause severe injuries of the cervical spine, which are often difficult to accurately diagnose due to the difficult assessability of the conventional projection radiography used in the primary diagnostics. In addition to a correct diagnosis a differentiated treatment concept is crucial as treatment courses can be complicated by pre-existing comorbidities, which are present in the majority of cases. Due to ahigh rate of secondary neurological deficits without adequate stabilization, surgical stabilization is generally recommended. Unlike the treatment of "classical" discoligamentous injuries in the mobile cervical spine, long segment dorsal instrumented spondylodesis is the standard of care for these cases, whereby ventral stabilization is also of value, either as astand-alone or possibly additive procedure. The intraoperative site, which deviates from that of anormal patient, can present an additional challenge.

PREDICTORS OF POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH SURGICALLY TREATED FOURTH VENTRICLE TUMOR

Background Tumors of fourth ventricle are frequently treated pathologies in pediatric neurosurgery. Data regarding predictors for permanent neurological deficits, long-term functional outcomes, cerebellar mutism (CM), the extent of resection (EOR), and oncological outcomes are scarce. We attempt to contribute to this topic with analysis of our institutional cohort. Methods A retrospective single-center study of patients aged ? 19 years who underwent primary surgical resection of fourth ventricular tumor over a 15-year period (2006–2021). Predictors analyzed included: age, gender, surgical approach, anatomical pattern, tumor grade, EOR, tumor volume, and others as appropriate. Results 106 patients were included (64 males, mean age 7.3 years). Rate of permanent neurological deficit was 24.2%; lateral tumor extension (p = 0.036) and tumor volume greater than 38 cm3 (p = 0.020) were significant predictors. Presence of deficit was the only significant predictor of reduced (less than 90) Lansky score (p = 0.005). CM occurred in 20.8% of patients and was influenced by medulloblastoma histology (p = 0.011), lateral tumor extension (p = 0.017), and male gender (p = 0.021). No significant difference between transvermian and telovelar approach in development of CM was detected (p = 0.478). No significant predictor was found for EOR. EOR was not found to be significant predictor of overall survival for both low-grade and high-grade tumors, however, gross total resection (GTR) was protective against tumor recurrence compared to near-total or subtotal resection (p &lt; 0.001). Survival was found to be better in older patients (? 7.0 years, p = 0.019). Conclusion The overall rate of postoperative complications remains high due to the eloquent localization. Older patients (&gt;7 years) have been found to have better outcomes and prognosis. Achieving GTR whenever feasible and safe has been shown to be critical for tumor recurrence. CM was more common in patients with medulloblastoma, and in patients with tumors extending through the foramen of Luschka. The telovelar approach uses a safe and anatomically sparing corridor, however, it has not been associated with a lower incidence of CM and neurological sequelae in our series, showing that each case should be assessed on an individual basis.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy for first-line treatment of insular glioma.

Insular gliomas pose a significant surgical challenge due to the complex surrounding functional and vascular anatomy. The authors report their experience using a novel framework for the treatment of insular gliomas with laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and provide representative case examples emphasizing indications, rationale, and technical pearls. A prospectively gathered institutional database was used to identify patients with newly diagnosed insular gliomas who underwent LITT between 2015 and 2023. The proposed framework of insular glioma management is guided by tumor size and extent of extra-insular tumor involvement. Patients with tumors localized to the insula (insula-only) were treated with single-session or staged LITT. Patients with insular tumors with frontotemporal involvement (insular+) were treated with insular LITT and standard frontotemporal resection of extra-insular tumor. Clinical and volumetric lesional characteristics were analyzed, with particular emphasis on extent of cytoreductive treatment and safety. Of the 261 patients treated at the authors' institution with LITT between 2015 and 2023, 33 LITT procedures were identified involving 22 unique patients with treatment-naive insular gliomas. Of the 22 patients, 12 had insular-only tumors and were treated with LITT alone, while 10 patients had insular+ lesions and were treated with LITT and resection. The median tumor volume for insular-only tumors was 13.4 cm3 (IQR 10.6, 26.3 cm3), with a median extent of treatment of 100% (IQR 92.1%, 100%). Insular+ lesions were significantly larger, with a median volume of 81.2 cm3 (IQR 51.9, 97 cm3) and median extent of treatment of 96.6% (IQR 93.7%, 100%). All patients with insular-only tumors were discharged the day after ablation, while insular+ patients had significantly longer hospital stays, with 50% staying more than 3 days. Overall, 8% of insular-only patients had permanent neurological deficits compared with 33% of insular+ patients. Two patients' tumors progressed during follow-up: one patient with WHO grade 4 astrocytoma and the other with diffuse glioma not otherwise specified. Patients with grade 4 tumors had the highest rate of permanent neurological deficit (43%) and a larger decline in postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status score (p = 0.046). The authors present their experience using a novel insular glioma treatment paradigm that incorporates LITT into the broader framework of insular glioma surgery. Their findings suggest that insular LITT is feasible and may allow for high rates of cytoreduction while potentially ameliorating the risks of conventional insular glioma surgery.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy in neurosurgery: a single-surgeon experience of 313 patients.

Real-time MRI-guided focused laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment choice for challenging intracranial lesions that are either resistant to conventional therapies or located in deep or critical areas of the brain. However, existing studies on LITT within surgical neuro-oncology are relatively small and have limited follow-up periods. The authors aimed to present a comprehensive analysis of their experiences with LITT in surgical neuro-oncology, with the intent to provide a clearer understanding of the safety and efficacy of this procedure. This study was an exploratory cohort analysis encompassing all patients who underwent LITT for brain tumors at a single center between 2013 and 2023. The primary focus was extent of ablation (EOA), time to recurrence (TTR), and overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes, including the rate of complications, were also evaluated. Comparative analyses were conducted based on lesion subtypes, and factors predicting outcomes were identified. Three hundred thirteen patients underwent LITT procedures. During a mean follow-up of 10.4 months, 66.8% of patients remained alive and 26.2% of the ablated lesions recurred. The mean age of the cohort was 60.4 ± 13.3 years (58.5% female). The lesion subtypes that were treated comprised metastases (30%), glioblastoma (GBM; 41.6%), low-grade glioma (9.1%), radiation necrosis (11.4%), and meningioma (2.2%). The permanent neurological deficit rate was 14% (n = 44), with 25 (8%) of them new-onset deficits and 19 deficits (6.1%) that were present preoperatively and did not resolve after LITT. The mean TTR and OS were 12.2 and 38.1 months, respectively. TTR and OS varied significantly by lesion subtype (p < 0.001, log-rank analysis). A high-grade lesion was identified as the single factor linked to tumor recurrence. Age, high-grade lesion, preoperative lesion volume, and readmission within 30 days were identified as factors significantly associated with OS in the multivariable Cox regression analysis. EOA > 100% predicted longer OS in metastases and GBM by log-rank analysis. LITT stands as a secure and feasible ablative treatment choice for intracranial lesions, potentially suitable for specific patient cases otherwise not amenable to surgical intervention. These findings further corroborate the safety of the procedure and its favorable outcomes, underscoring its potential significance in clinical practice.

Carotid artery stenting for symptomatic carotid near occlusions: Feasibility, safety and outcome analysis.

Extracranial internal carotid stenosis (EICS) is a well-established cause of stroke. Carotid near-occlusion (CNO), either distally collapsed or not, is a rare sub-type of EICS with conflicting data regarding the necessity for treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of carotid artery stenting (CAS) for patients with symptomatic CNOs. Institutional review board (I06-420-23) approval was obtained for this retrospective study. Consecutive data from January 2019 to January 2023 was obtained. Sixty-five patients underwent 66 procedures for symptomatic CNOs. Diagnosis of CNOs were made with DSA images. Treatment decisions were made by a multidisciplinary team. Patient data including age, gender, clinical presentation, affected side, complications (initial/ follow-up), and pre and post mRS scores were recorded and analyzed. There were 22 female and 43 male patients with symptomatic CNOs (mean age: 71.52 ± 9.32 years). The mean time from symptom-to-treatment was 3.91 weeks ± 3.74 weeks (ranging from 0 to 20 weeks). There were eight events recorded in the 30 days period after CAS; five (7.7%) were cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (one causing haemorrhage) and three (4.5%) ischemic complications. Permanent neurologic deficit rate was 6% and 61 patients (94%) mRS scores were unchanged during last follow-up. Mean follow-up period was 22.94 ± 16.67 months (ranging from 0.5 to 60 months). Our study demonstrated that in the complex population of patients with symptomatic CNOs, CAS is a feasible option with acceptable rate of permanent neurologic deficits. Further studies are needed to assess its safety and long-term efficacy.

Analysis of risk factors for long-term mortality in patients with stage II and III tuberculous meningitis

ObjectiveTo investigate risk factors associated with long-term mortality in patients with stage II and III tuberculous meningitis (TBM).MethodsThis retrospective analysis examined patients who were first diagnosed with stage II and III TBM at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1, 2018 and October 1, 2019. Patients were followed via telephone and categorized into survival and mortality groups based on 4-year outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors for long-term mortality in stage II and III TBM.ResultsIn total, 178 patients were included, comprising 108 (60.7%) males and 36 (20.2%) non-survivors. Mean age was 36 ± 17 years. Compared to survivors, non-survivors demonstrated significantly higher age, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, rates of headache, neurological deficits, cognitive dysfunction, impaired consciousness, hydrocephalus, and basal meningeal inflammation. This group also exhibited significantly lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, blood potassium, albumin, and cerebrospinal fluid chloride. Multivariate analysis revealed age (OR 1.042; 95% CI 1.015–1.070; P = 0.002), GCS score (OR 0.693; 95% CI 0.589–0.814; P < 0.001), neurological deficits (OR 5.204; 95% CI 2.056–13.174; P < 0.001), and hydrocephalus (OR 2.680; 95% CI 1.081–6.643; P = 0.033) as independent mortality risk factors. The ROC curve area under age was 0.613 (95% CI 0.506–0.720; P = 0.036) and 0.721 (95% CI 0.615–0.826; P < 0.001) under GCS score.ConclusionAdvanced age, reduced GCS scores, neurological deficits, and hydrocephalus were identified as independent risk factors for mortality in stage II and III TBM patients.

Long-term risk of hemorrhage and mortality after treatment of high-grade intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas

BackgroundDespite recent multi-institutional efforts, long-term data on clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of...

Functional and oncological outcomes after right hemisphere glioma resection in awake versus asleep patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The right hemisphere has been underestimated by being considered as the non-dominant hemisphere. However, it is involved in many functions, including movement, language, cognition, and emotion. Therefore, because lesions on this side are usually not resected under awake mapping, there is a risk of unfavorable neurological outcomes. The goal of this study is to compare the functional and oncological outcomes of awake surgery (AwS) versus surgery under general anesthesia (GA) in supratentorial right-sided gliomas. A systematic review of the literature according to PRISMA guidelines was performed up to March 2023. Four databases were screened. Primary outcome to assess was return to work (RTW). Secondary outcomes included the rate of postoperative neurological deficit, postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score and the extent of resection (EOR). A total of 32 articles were included with 543 patients who underwent right hemisphere tumor resection under awake surgery and 294 under general anesthesia. There were no significant differences between groups regarding age, gender, handedness, perioperative KPS, tumor location or preoperative seizures. Preoperative and long-term postoperative neurological deficits were statistically lower after AwS (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively), even though no difference was found regarding early postoperative course (p = 0.32). A subsequent analysis regarding type of postoperative impairment was performed. Severe postoperative language deficits were not different (p = 0.74), but there were fewer long-term mild motor and high-order cognitive deficits (p < 0.05) in AwS group. A higher rate of RTW (p < 0.05) was documented after AwS. The EOR was similar in both groups. Glioma resection of the right hemisphere under awake mapping is a safer procedure with a better preservation of high-order cognitive functions and a higher rate of RTW than resection under general anesthesia, despite similar EOR.

160 Gamme Knife Radio Surgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: As radiosurgical devices are becoming more commonly used and applied to treat cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs), there is a growing concern about whether the outcomes of radiosurgery might differ between children, adolescents, and adults due to the distinct characteristics of cAVMs in these age groups. METHODS: Search: A search for RCT, not RCT, prospective and retrospective cohort studies in PUBMED; SCOPUS; Central Cochrane Registry ofControlled Trials (The Cochrane Library); MEDLINE; EMBASE (Ovid); CINAHL. The search strategy include subject headings (MeSH) and text words connected with Booleans term. Population: Children (younger than 18 years old) with Cerebral Arterio-venous Malformation (AVMs). Intervention: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS). Outcomes: Primary Outcome: Mortality to end of Follow-up and Surgery successfull determined by the percentage of obliterated AVMs. Secondary Outcome: New Neurological deterioration and Post-Radiosurgery intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: 21 studies with 2142 children who had Gamma knife surgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations were found for this systematic review. For children with cerebral AVMs treat with GKS, the death rate was 0.725% (95% CI 0.411%-1.126%; I2 = 0%) while the success rate of gamma knife radiosurgery was 71.74% (95% CI 65.716%-77.211%; I2 = 88.13). The rate of complications, such as the rate of new neurological deficits, was 2.57% (1.43% to 3.89%; I2 = 66.78%), and the postoperative intracranial bleeding rate was 2.463% (1.348% to 3.9%; I2 = 70.14%). CONCLUSIONS: Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a safe and effective treatment option for cerebral arteriovenous malformations, with high surgical success rates, low mortality, and low complication rates. However, further high-quality case-control studies are needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy and safety.

Comparison of Early Postoperative Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings After Resection of Gliomas and Meningiomas

Glioma and meningioma require vastly different surgical approaches, even if only involving a simple craniotomy procedure. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is useful for the postoperative evaluation of ischemic damage. The present study evaluated the expected but unproven differences in DWI findings. A total of 41 patients with meningiomas and 63 with gliomas met the inclusion criteria for adult cases with superficial lesions treated through simple supratentorial craniotomy. Postoperative DWI findings of DWI-positive rate, DWI-positive area type, and relationship with neurological deficits were evaluated. The DWI-positive rate (P=0.01) and the proportion of rim-type lesions (P<0.01) were significantly more common in gliomas. Patients with meningiomas and DWI-positive areas presented with higher rates of new neurological deficits (P<0.01), and patients with meningiomas on the left side were more likely to develop new neurological deficits (P=0.02). Patients with gliomas tended to develop new deficits with larger DWI-positive area volumes (P=0.04). Postoperative early DWI-positive rate and rim-type lesions are more common after glioma resection than meningioma resection. Larger volumes of DWI-positive areas may be associated with postoperative neurological symptoms in gliomas. DWI-positive finding is less common after meningioma than glioma resection but more likely to be associated with new neurological symptoms. These differences are important for adequate postoperative DWI evaluation of common supratentorial brain tumors.

Transradial versus transfemoral access for diagnostic cerebral angiography: frequency of acute MRI findings in 500 consecutive patients at a single center

BackgroundThe frequency of clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintense lesions and their correlation with the transradial artery (TRA) approach is unclear.ObjectiveTo assess the frequency of abnormal diffusion restriction...

Frozen elephant trunk versus conventional proximal repair of acute aortic dissection type I.

The extent of surgery and the role of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) for surgical repair of acute aortic dissection type I are still subjects of debate. The aim of the study is to evaluate the short- and long-term results of acute surgical repair of aortic dissection type I using the FET compared to standard proximal aortic repair. Between October 2009 and December 2016, 172 patients underwent emergent surgery for acute type I aortic dissection at our center. Of these, n = 72 received a FET procedure, while the other 100 patients received a conventional proximal aortic repair. Results were compared between the two surgery groups. The primary endpoints included 30-day rates of mortality and neurologic deficit and follow-up rates of mortality and aortic-related reintervention. Demographic data were comparable between the groups, except for a higher proportion of men in the FET group (76.4% vs. 60.0%, p = 0.03). The median age was 62 years [IQR (20), p = 0.17], and the median log EuroSCORE was 38.6% [IQR (31.4), p = 0.21]. The mean follow-up time was 68.3 ± 33.8 months. Neither early (FET group 15.3% vs. proximal group 23.0%, p = 0.25) nor late (FET group 26.2% vs. proximal group 23.0%, p = 0.69) mortality showed significant differences between the groups. There were fewer strokes in the FET patients (FET group 2.8% vs. proximal group 11.0%, p = 0.04), and the rates of spinal cord injury were similar between the groups (FET group 4.2% vs. proximal group 2.0%, p = 0.41). Aortic-related reintervention rates did not differ between the groups (FET group 12.1% vs. proximal group 9.8%, p = 0.77). Emergent FET repair for acute aortic dissection type I is safe and feasible when performed by experienced surgeons. The benefits of the FET procedure in the long term remain unclear. Prolonged follow-up data are needed.

A comparative perspective on brucellar, pyogenic, and tuberculous spondylodiscitis.

Non-specific features of spondylodiscitis lead to a delay and challenge in the diagnosis/differential diagnosis/treatment processes, and thus, serious complications may arise. This study aims to compare brucellar, pyogenic, and tuberculous types of spondylodiscitis, considering their demographic, clinical, and laboratory differences. This may provide more rapid management and good outcomes. A total of 131 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis were included in the study. The patients were divided into brucellar (n=63), pyogenic (n=53), and tuberculous (n=15) types of spondylodiscitis and compared for demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging features. Tuberculous spondylodiscitis had higher scores for weight loss, painless palpation, thoracic spine involvement, and psoas abscess formation than other spondylodiscitis. Also, tuberculous spondylodiscitis had higher rates of neurologic deficit and lower rates of lumbar involvement than brucellar spondylodiscitis. Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is more likely to occur in patients who have a history of spine surgery compared to other forms of spondylodiscitis. Also, pyogenic spondylodiscitis had higher rates of fever, erythema, paraspinal abscess, white blood cell (WBC), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than brucellar spondylodiscitis. On the other hand, brucellar spondylodiscitis had higher rates of rural living and sweating than pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Weight loss, painless palpation, involved thoracic spine, psoas abscess, and neurologic deficit are symptoms favoring tuberculous spondylodiscitis. History of spine surgery, high fever, skin erythema, and paraspinal abscess are findings in favor of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Rural living, sweating, and involved lumbar spine are symptoms that indicate brucellar spondylodiscitis. These symptoms can be used to distinguish the types of spondylodiscitis.

Defining benchmark outcomes for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: A global multicenter analysis of 1119 cases.

Benchmarking has been proposed to reflect surgical quality and represents the highest standard reference values for desirable results. We sought to determine benchmark outcomes in patients after surgery for drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). This retrospective multicenter study included patients who underwent MTLE surgery at 19 expert centers on five continents. Benchmarks were defined for 15 endpoints covering surgery and epilepsy outcome at discharge, 1 year after surgery, and the last available follow-up. Patients were risk-stratified by applying outcome-relevant comorbidities, and benchmarks were calculated for low-risk ("benchmark") cases. Respective measures were derived from the median value at each center, and the 75th percentile was considered the benchmark cutoff. A total of 1119 patients with a mean age (range) of 36.7 (1-74) years and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1 were included. Most patients (59.2%) underwent anterior temporal lobe resection with amygdalohippocampectomy. The overall rate of complications or neurological deficits was 14.4%, with no in-hospital death. After risk stratification, 377 (33.7%) benchmark cases of 1119 patients were identified, representing 13.6%-72.9% of cases per center and leaving 742 patients in the high-risk cohort. Benchmark cutoffs for any complication, clinically apparent stroke, and reoperation rate at discharge were ≤24.6%, ≤.5%, and ≤3.9%, respectively. A favorable seizure outcome (defined as International League Against Epilepsy class I and II) was reached in 83.6% at 1 year and 79.0% at the last follow-up in benchmark cases, leading to benchmark cutoffs of ≥75.2% (1-year follow-up) and ≥69.5% (mean follow-up of 39.0 months). This study presents internationally applicable benchmark outcomes for the efficacy and safety of MTLE surgery. It may allow for comparison between centers, patient registries, and novel surgical and interventional techniques.

Meta-analysis: Bilateral and Unilateral Cerebral Perfusion in Type A Dissection.

This meta-analysis compared the outcomes of bilateral cerebral perfusion (BCP) and unilateral cerebral perfusion (UCP) in aortic surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. A systematic literature search identified 12 studies involving 4,547 patients. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to analyze perioperative characteristics, short-term mortality rates, and postoperative neurological complications. No significant differences were found between the BCP and UCP groups in terms of cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, lowest body temperature, and lower body circulatory arrest time. Short-term mortality rates (OR [95% CI] = 0.87 [0.64-1.19], p = 0.40) and permanent neurological deficits (OR [95% CI] = 1.01 [0.69-1.47], p = 0.96) were comparable between the groups. However, subgroup analysis of studies exclusively involving total arch replacement showed a lower short-term mortality rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.42 [0.28-0.63], p < 0.01) and permanent neurological deficits (OR [95% CI] = 0.53 [0.30-0.92], p = 0.03) in the BCP group. The BCP group also had a lower rate of temporary neurological deficits (OR [95% CI] = 0.70 [0.53-0.93], p = 0.01), particularly in studies exclusively involving total arch replacement (OR [95% CI] = 0.58 [0.40-0.85], p < 0.01). This meta-analysis suggests that BCP and UCP yield comparable outcomes. However, BCP may be associated with lower short-term mortality rates and reduced incidence of neurological complications, particularly in cases requiring total arch replacement. BCP should be considered as a preferred cerebral perfusion in specific patient populations.

Safety and Efficacy of Low-Profile Braided Stents versus Flow Diverters in the Reconstructive Technique in the Treatment of Patients with Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia Aneurysms: A Cohort of 47 Patients with Long-Term Follow-Up.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysm is a rare type of cerebrovascular disorder with a poor natural history, and endovascular treatment is widely accepted. Whether a high-profile braided stent (flow diverter) could promote occlusion of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysm without increasing the complications rather than a low-profile braided stent remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to present a single-center experience of the safety and efficacy of a low-profile braided stent versus a flow diverter in treating patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms. The retrospective review was conducted on a total of 432 consecutive patients diagnosed with posterior circulation aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment in our center from August 2013 to December 2021. Among these patients, 47 individuals with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms who were treated with low-profile braided stents or flow diverters were included. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms involving only the vertebral artery were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the low-profile braided stent group and the flow diverter group based on the device used. Safety and efficacy outcomes were subsequently analyzed. There were 25 total patients enrolled in low-profile braided stent group and 22 patients in flow diverter group. The safety of low-profile braided stents and flow diverters in the treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms was evaluated by clinical outcome, a new neurologic deficit due to procedural complications, and neurologic death. The rates of good clinical outcome were similar between the 2 groups (low-profile braided stent, 56%, versus flow diverter, 59.1%; P = .831), and the rates of neurologic death were also similar (low-profile braided stent, 12%, versus flow diverter, 9.1%; P = .747). Higher rates of new neurologic deficits due to procedural complications were observed in the flow diverter group, but the difference was not significant (low-profile braided stent, 24%, versus flow diverter, 40.9%; P = .215). The efficacy was evaluated by angiographic occlusion of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms and progression of mass effect resulting from these aneurysms. Significantly higher rates of complete occlusion of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms were shown in the flow diverter group (41.2%; P = .028) than in the low-profile braided stent group (10%). Both low-profile braided stents and flow diverters have similar high risks in reconstructive techniques in the treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms, while a flow diverter is more effective in promoting complete occlusion of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysm than a low-profile braided stent. A flow diverter may be a better alternative for carefully selected patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia aneurysms.