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Background The current treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) include burr hole drainage, twist drill drainage, and craniotomy with or without postoperative catheter drainage. Although generally effective, these treatments have continued to be complicated by recurrence, especially in partially hemolyzed or septated hematomas. Recently, interest in the use of fibrinolytic agents as an adjunct to surgical treatment to address this limitation has been increasing. We conducted a systematic review, focusing on the efficacy and safety profile of fibrinolytic agents and compared the different fibrinolytic agents. Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for trials relevant to fibrinolytic administration in the treatment of CSDH. The findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. The data from 1702 subjects from 6 retrospective observational studies were qualitatively analyzed. In addition, we included 11 case series and reports for discussion. Results For 1449 patients, the use of urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator improved hematoma drainage and shortened the hospital stay (7.04 days), with an overall hematoma recurrence rate of 1.59%. The incidence of infection, seizure, and intracranial bleeding was 3.18%, 0.80%, and 0.41%, respectively, which compared favorably with previously reported findings for surgical drainage without the use of fibrinolytic agents. Conclusions The routine use of intrathecal urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator could be a new direction in the management of CSDH. Conclusive clinical evidence is lacking, however, and further prospective controlled studies are warranted to confirm the benefit and safety of this treatment strategy and to identify the optimal agent and dosing regimen.

Objective This study aimed to summarize the experience with the management of transorbital brain injury (TOBI) at our institution that may help inform surgical decision-making. Methods Four adults with TOBIs were admitted to our hospital and received surgical treatment. The patients’ clinical manifestations, physical findings, imaging data, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcome were prospectively collected and subject to retrospective analysis. Results All patients were male. In 2 patients, the entry point of the cranium was the superior orbital fissure, whereas in the other 2, the entry point was the orbital roof. Thorough physical examination and comprehensive diagnostic imaging were performed preoperatively in all patients for careful assessment of the foreign body and its surrounding important structures. In collaboration with our multidisciplinary trauma team, individualized surgeries were successfully designed and performed in the 4 patients to remove the foreign bodies along the path of their trajectories. Three patients had uneventful postoperative courses, whereas 1 patient died because of severe cerebral ischemia and refractory brain swelling after decompressive craniectomy. Conclusions A comprehensive understanding of the regional anatomy of the trajectory is the cornerstone for surgical management of TOBIs. Adequate preoperative imaging examinations are essential for the evaluation of surgical risks and for making a tailored management strategy. Early surgical exploration through multidisciplinary collaboration is highly recommended for achieving a favorable outcome.

Surgical spinal cord injury (SSCI) is often inevitable in patients with intramedullary lesions. Although regional hypothermia (RH) has been demonstrated neuroprotective, the value of priming RH in SSCI has never been studied. Herein, the authors investigated the impact of pre- and post-RH on neurologic recovery in a clinically relevant model.An SSCI model was established at T10. RH was conducted by focal 4RH perfusion successfully created an intramedullary hypothermia approximately at 24Priming RH before surgical incision could not be supported as it caused excessive cell death. In contrast, instant introduction of RH is beneficial in rescuing neurologic function.

Background Fall with head injury is a pervasive challenge, especially in the aging population. Contributing factors for mortality include the development of cerebral contusions and delayed traumatic intracerebral hematoma. Currently, there is no established specific treatment for these conditions. Object This study aimed to investigate the impact of independent factors on the mortality rate of traumatic brain injury with contusions or traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods Data were collected from consecutive patients admitted for cerebral contusions or traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage at an academic trauma center from 2010 to 2016. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. Independent factors for analysis included patient factors and treatment modalities. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent factors related to mortality. Secondary outcomes included thromboembolic complication rates associated with the use of tranexamic acid. Results In total, 651 consecutive patients were identified. For the patient factors, low Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, history of renal impairment, and use of warfarin were identified as independent factors associated with higher mortality from univariate and multivariate analyses. For the treatment modalities, univariate analysis identified tranexamic acid as an independent factor associated with lower mortality (P = 0.021). Thromboembolic events were comparable in patients with or without tranexamic acid. Conclusion Tranexamic acid was identified by univariate analysis as an independent factor associated with lower mortality in cerebral contusions or traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further prospective studies are needed to validate this finding.

Introduction Normal skull base structures are destroyed either by the skull base pathology itself or during surgery that results in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Skull base repair is usually performed transnasally by using a nasal septal flap. But when NSF is not available and failed repeated transnasal repair, a cranionasal repair with frontal pericranial flap (PF) can be attempted to achieve the highest successful chance. We performed a dual layer/split PF repair of a skull base defect using cranionasal approach and here we describe the technique. Case Description A 74-year-old man suffered from CSF leak and ventriculitis after multiple transnasal surgeries for pituitary macroadenoma despite multiple repairs with intranasal vascularized flaps. We performed repair by cranionasal approach and using frontal PF. The frontal PF was divided into left and right halves. The left half went intradural, through the chiasmatic window to reach the sella and cover the tubercular and sellar defect from above. The right half went through the nasion into the nose to cover the defect from below. So the defect was covered by two vascularized flap from a single frontal PF. The repair was successful with no CSF leak and infection successfully treated by antibiotics. Conclusion We introduced the cranionasal dual layer/split PF technique to repair anterior skull base and successfully stopped the CSF leak in a patient after multiple EEA surgeries. This technique should only be considered in specific difficult situation where usual repair by EEA is impossible.

Objectives To compare surgical outcome both radiologically and clinically after interventions for patients with Moyamoya disease. Methods This retrospective observational study included 25 patients who were treated surgically for Moyamoya disease in the past 14 years. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by subgroups stratified by age, disease presentation, and surgical intervention. Serial postoperative brain computed tomography perfusion records were analyzed with respect to the cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CVRC) of the middle cerebral artery territory. Changes in both the intervention ( n = 23) and nonintervtion ( n = 9) cerebral hemispheres were compared. Results All children treated by synangiosis ( n = 9), all adults receiving synangiosis ( n = 5), and 88.9% of adults undergoing bypass ( n = 9) had no neurologic deterioration, with a duration of at least 50.6 months, 85.7 months, and 27.7 months, respectively. Radiologically, CVRC improved more markedly after bypass surgery than synangiosis, particularly 12–24 months postoperatively (51.1% vs. −2.86%). The hemispheres that did not undergo intervention showed similar improvement in cerebral blood flow over time compared with the hemispheres that did undergo intervention, after surgery was performed. Conclusions Bypass surgery improved CVRC greater than synangiosis, which may correlate with decreased future stroke risks. The decision for bypass is to be balanced with a greater risk of postoperative neurologic deterioration in adults after this procedure. The hemisphere that did not undergo intervention also appeared to benefit from surgery performed on the contralateral brain.

Background Neurogenic bladder refers to dysfunction of the urinary bladder secondary to diseases of the nervous system that result in problems with urine storage, micturition, or both. The most common causes are multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Patients commonly present with recurrent UTIs, obstructive uropathies, and urinary retention. Without proper treatment, neurogenic bladder may result in nephropathy and renal failure, both of which have a significant negative impact on the health and life expectancy of patients. Restoration of lost neural function using artificial stimulators is a feasible therapeutic strategy. This article reviews the pathophysiology of neurogenic bladder and the 2 most commonly employed sacral nerve stimulation methods—the Brindley procedure and sacral neuromodulation.

Background Iatrogenic cerebral venous sinus injury and occlusion may occur during resection of parasagittal meningioma and lateral skull base surgery. The former involves the superior sagittal sinus, and direct surgical repair is associated with good results. Outcome of direct repair of transverse–sigmoid sinus injury is less clear. We present a patient with iatrogenic sigmoid sinus injury in whom direct repair was complicated by subsequent thrombosis that was successfully salvaged by combined endovascular mechanical and chemical thrombolysis. Case Description A 60-year-old man with left tentorial atypical meningioma had disease recurrence after 3 excisions. Angiography revealed that the straight sinus and torcular and bilateral transverse sinuses were occluded. He underwent a fourth craniotomy with inadvertent occlusion of the transverse–sigmoid sinus junction. Direct surgical repair was done but was complicated by thrombosis. Mechanical endovenous thrombectomy was done followed by continuous urokinase infusion for 1 week. Digital subtraction angiography performed 7 days after endovascular treatment showed improved venous drainage through the left transverse–sigmoid sinus junction. The patient was ambulatory and fully independent, with no new neurologic deficit. Conclusions This case emphasizes the need to preserve every vein, especially when major venous sinuses have been obliterated. Detailed study of high-quality preoperative digital subtraction angiography is extremely important. Venous injury should be repaired immediately whenever possible. Postrepair venous sinus thrombosis may be effectively salvaged by endovascular thrombectomy for rapid recannulation, with or without combined use of continuous in situ thrombolytic therapy.

Background Antiplatelet resumption in patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) while on antiplatelet therapy (antiplatelet-related ICH) represents an important medical dilemma. We aimed to study the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of antiplatelet-related ICH survivors, and the risk of recurrent ICH with antiplatelet resumption. Methods This was an observational study of 109 antiplatelet-related ICH survivors. The clinical end points were recurrent ICH, ischemic vascular events, and vascular death (fatal ICH or ischemic vascular events). Predictors of recurrent ICH and vascular death were derived using a multivariable Cox regression model. Results The median duration of follow-up was 3.5 years (interquartile range, 1.6–5.8 years). Ischemic vascular events were more common than recurrent ICHs (6.8 per 100 patient-years vs. 2.6 per 100 patient-years; P = 0.028). Antiplatelet use was not associated with an elevated risk of recurrent ICH (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27–4.62). A mean follow-up systolic blood pressure of >140 mmHg increased the risk of both recurrent ICH (HR, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.01–18.11) and vascular death (HR, 11.14; 95% CI, 2.72–45.62). Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) was an independent predictor for recurrent ICH (HR, 24.34; 95% CI, 2.80–211.47). Conclusions Antiplatelet resumption after antiplatelet-related ICH did not appear to carry a clinically significant risk of recurrent ICH, whereas inadequate blood pressure control and CAA contributed to a more robust risk. Antiplatelet resumption should be considered, especially in survivors with adequate blood pressure control and without CAA.

Background High-flow extracranial–intracranial (EC-IC) bypass followed by sacrifice of the native internal carotid artery (ICA) is a recognized treatment option for giant ICA aneurysm and skull base tumor involving the ICA. Distal clipping at the supraclinoid portion of the ICA is technically straightforward, but it can potentially compromise ophthalmic artery (OA) perfusion. Because of the extensive EC-IC anastomoses with the OA, visual symptoms are fortunately uncommon. We report a patient who developed complete blindness after distal trapping of the supraclinoid ICA; it was reversed after emergency clip removal. Case Description Our patient is a 47-year-old man with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma in close proximity to the left petrosal ICA. The first stage of the procedure involved an EC-IC bypass using radial artery graft, followed by a second stage with combined craniofacial excision. Trapping of the native ICA was achieved using a permanent aneurysm clip placed at the supraclinoid ICA distal to the origin of the OA. He complained of a new onset of complete left eye visual loss approximately 6 hours after the distal aneurysm clip was applied. He was immediately sent to the operating theatre for the removal of the supraclinoid aneurysm clip. On the next day, his vision improved and left pupil became reactive again. Discussion OA flow following ICA trapping is complicated and precarious. Delayed onset of visual loss is possible. Prompt action by direct exploration and clip removal is needed and can be effective in reversing blindness.

Background Patients who survive intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are at high risk of recurrence. The Hypertension, Abnormal Renal/Liver Function, Stroke, Bleeding History or Predisposition, Labile INR, Elderly (Age >65 years), Drugs/Alcohol Concomitantly (HAS-BLED) score has recently been developed to assess bleeding risk. Methods This observational study was aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of the HAS-BLED score in predicting recurrent ICH. Consecutive patients (434) with a first spontaneous ICH who were not prescribed antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy (59.8 ± 15.3 years; men, 62.3%) were recruited. Results Most patients (71.6%) had a HAS-BLED score of >1. After a follow-up of 52.7 months, there were 42 ICH recurrences (2.25 per 100 patient-years). The risk of ICH recurrence increased with HAS-BLED score. Specifically, the risk of ICH recurrence with HAS-BLED score of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 1.37, 2.38, 3.39, and 2.90 per 100 patient-years, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of HAS-BLED was 79.1% and 29.2%, respectively, with C-statistic of 0.54 (0.50–0.59). Conclusion This study provided data on the risk of ICH recurrence stratified using the HAS-BLED score in patients after an ICH.

Background Natural killer cell lymphoma is an uncommon hematologic malignancy, and central nervous system metastasis is rare. The classic magnetic resonance imaging appearance of lymphoma in the brain is T1 hypointense with strong homogeneous gadolinium enhancement, variable T2 signal, and restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted images. Gadolinium enhancement is an important feature to differentiate lymphoma from infarction. Case Description We present the case of a middle-aged man who presented with recurrent natural killer cell lymphoma that metastasized to the cerebellum. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging did not show a contrast-enhancing lesion; imaging features were more suggestive of cerebral infarction. The patient subsequently died, and postmortem examination confirmed natural killer cell lymphoma metastasis to the cerebellum. Conclusions Lymphoma can mimic cerebral infarction on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. An imaging appearance of cerebral infarction in a patient with a history of lymphoma should raise suspicions of lymphoma metastasis.

Background Primary central nervous system (CNS) natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoma is rare with only 7 cases reported previously. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) are frequently used for disease diagnosis and monitoring. Choline (CHO) PET is gaining popularity for identifying CNS lesions because of its high disease to background radioactivity ratio compared with FDG. Normally, CNS lymphoma shows high choline uptake on CHO-PET and a high choline peak on MRS. We present an unusual case of primary CNS NK-cell lymphoma with high choline uptake but absence of a high choline peak on MRS. Case Description A 39-year-old woman presented with subacute onset of cognitive deterioration. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a gadolinium-enhancing lesion in the left temporal lobe. MRS showed suppressed N -acetyl-aspartate and the absence of a high choline peak. CHO-PET confirmed that it was the only hypermetabolic lesion in the body with moderate uptake of choline. The differential diagnoses included encephalitis and neoplasm. She was initially treated for the former but did not respond to steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis. A surgical biopsy later confirmed NK-cell lymphoma. She was then treated as primary CNS NK-cell lymphoma with intravenous and intrathecal chemotherapy. Conclusions We presented a unique case of primary CNS NK-cell lymphoma with atypical imaging findings characterized by moderately increased uptake of choline without a corresponding high choline peak on MRS. Although CHO-PET was suggestive of malignancy, surgical biopsy was required to confirm the diagnosis.

Background Hypertrophic pachymeningitis has been described as a manifestation of a number of conditions, like infection and neoplasms such as dural carcinomatosis or lymphomas. IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis is a new entity identified during the past decade and most reports described pachymeningeal involvement only. Case Description We present a 58-year-old woman with isolated IgG4 hypertrophic pachymeningitis at the falx cerebrii that exhibited cerebral parenchymal invasion. She initially presented with left lower limb weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed a contrast enhancing lesion located at the falx and that eroded into the right frontal lobe. Subsequent excisional biopsy confirmed the lesion with brain parenchyma invasion. The pathologic diagnosis was IgG4-related disease. She had no evidence of extracranial involvement. Conclusions Overall, this is an uncommon condition that may exhibit parenchymal invasion. Surgical biopsy would serve to establish a definitive diagnosis, and prompt comprehensive management of what is essentially a systemic and treatable condition.