Search

Background A major challenge in the management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is to identify criteria indicating a higher risk of future UIA rupture. We report a rare patient with documented short-term bleb growth of an UIA followed by a fatal aneurysm rupture supporting the high risk of rupture of short-term shape changes in UIAs. Case Description A 72-year-old man with an incidental unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm of 9 mm showed a bleb growth on the aneurysm sac at 6-week follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA). Aneurysm treatment was recommended by the interdisciplinary board (PHASES score: 9 points; rupture risk 4.3% in 5 years). The patient wanted to discuss the treatment plan with his family before making a final decision. Two days after the CTA showing bleb growth, he was admitted emergently with a severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons grade 5; Fisher 3). The aneurysm was occluded with coils. However, the patient died on day 14 after SAH due to delayed ischemic neurologic deficits and multiple organ failure. Conclusions This case illustrates the high rupture risk of an UIA presenting a documented growth of an aneurysm bleb over a short follow-up time. In retrospect, this patient might have benefited from emergent aneurysm occlusion. The interest of this report comes from the proof that aneurysmal bleb growth constitutes a high risk for short-term aneurysm rupture.

The decision whether to operate on patients with intracranial tumors is complex and influenced by patient-specific factors, including the preoperative functional status. This work assesses the risks for mortality and complications, and post-operative recovery in functionally dependent patients undergoing microsurgical resection of intracranial tumors. Observational two-center study, analyzing institutional registry data. Dependency was defined as admission Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) of ≤ 50. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were rate and type [Clavien-Dindo grade (CDG)] of complications, as well as postoperative change in KPS until the 3-month follow-up (M3). Of n = 1951 patients, n = 98 (5.0%) were dependent. Mortality rates were 2.0% for dependent and 0.4% for independent patients (p = 0.018). In univariable analysis, dependent patients were more likely than independent patients to die in hospital (OR 5.49, 95% CI 1.12–26.8, p = 0.035). In a multivariable model, the effect was slightly attenuated (OR 4.75, 95% CI 0.91–24.7, p = 0.064). Dependent patients tended to experience more postoperative complications. They were more likely to suffer from a severe complication (CDG 4 and 5; OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.49–8.46, p = 0.004). In 40.8 and 52.4% of cases, dependent patients regained functional independence at discharge and M3, respectively. In operated patients with intracranial tumors presenting functionally dependent at admission, the risk for in-hospital mortality and complications is elevated. However, if conducted successfully, surgery may lead to regain of independence in every second patient within 3 months.

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is rarely described in malignant mixed Müllerian tumors (MMMTs). Only four intracranial and two spinal cases have been published to date. Here we report two more cases with heterogeneous clinical, radiologic and pathologic features and summarize the available contemporary literature. One patient presented with aphasia due to an intra-axial contrast-enhanced left temporal lesion with marked perifocal edema. After surgical resection, histology showed collections of small uniform tumor cells embedded in a myxoid matrix and compartmentalized by connective tissue septations, consistent with an MMMT. The other patient presented with trigeminal/tongue hypesthesia and double vision accompanied by left radiculopathy and paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI revealed an extraaxial lesion at the petrous tip with mild perifocal edema and multiple small intradural contrast-enhancing lesions of the conus and cauda medullaris. Histologic examination of the intracranial lesion showed a mainly papillary architecture, also consistent with MMMTs. The spinal lesions were not excised, and both patients received adjuvant radiochemotherapy. The first patient died 3 months and the second patient 12 months after surgery. As illustrated by the heterogeneous clinicopathologic features of our two cases as well as the reviewed literature, CNS metastasis of MMMTs is diagnostically challenging, shows a variable outcome, and thus requires individualized treatment. In the present cases and CNS metastases reported to date, a higher histologic ratio of sarcomatous to epithelial components portends a worse outcome.

Objective To assess clinical and radiographic risk factors for intraoperative aneurysm rupture (ioAR) during surgical clipping after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and to analyze its influence on patient outcome. Methods Patient selection was based on a retrospective analysis of our prospective subarachnoid hemorrhage patient database including consecutive patients between January 2008 and August 2012 with aSAH undergoing microsurgical clipping. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, preoperative radiologic aneurysm characteristics, as well as timing of surgery and preoperative severity grades (Hunt and Hess [HH], Fisher, World Federation of Neurological Societies [WFNS]), were collected from hospital charts and surgery videos and compared between patients with and without ioAR. Results Of 100 patients (38 men, 62 women) with a median age of 57.4 years (range: 23–85 years), ioAR occurred in 34 cases (34%). Univariate analyses showed that severity grades were significantly higher in the ioAR group (Fisher p = 0.012; HH p = 0.002; WFNS p = 0.023). IoAR was significantly associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (23% versus 47%; p = 0.013) and the spot sign as an indicator of active bleeding within the ICH (0% vs 44%; p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that HH was the only significant predictor of ioAR (p = 0.03; odds ratio: 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–5.0). With a mean follow-up of 17.6 months ( ± 16.6), Glasgow Outcome Scale score, mortality rate (12% versus 15%; p = 0.82), delayed cerebral ischemia (36% versus 38%; p = 0.51), and shunt dependency (32% versus 44%; p = 0.23) were comparable between the non-ioAR and ioAR group. Conclusions Initial clinical status and spot sign were associated with ioAR during microsurgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms. However, there was no difference regarding clinical outcome and complications of the two groups.

Simultaneous rupture of more than one intracranial aneurysm is a rare event and difficult to diagnose. In this case report, we present the case of a patient with a simultaneous rupture of two middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms with two separately localized aneurysm-associated intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). Initially, the patient presented with headache and neck stiffness as well as progressive decrease of consciousness. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage with a frontal and temporal space-occupying ICH. CT angiography demonstrated two MCA aneurysms located in adjacency to the ICHs, one located at the M1 segment and the other in the bifurcation of the left MCA. Rupture of both aneurysms was confirmed during surgery, and both aneurysms were clipped microsurgically without complications. Although rupture of one aneurysm in patients with multiple aneurysms is the most common event, this case indicates that simultaneous rupture should be kept in mind in patients with multiple aneurysms. In patients with multiple aneurysms, the identification of the ruptured aneurysm(s) is necessary to avoid leaving a ruptured aneurysm untreated.

Background An accurate and rapid anatomical localization of implanted subdural electrodes is essential in the invasive diagnostic process for epilepsy surgery. Objective To demonstrate our experience with a three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality simulation software (Dextroscope ® , Bracco Imaging, Milano, Italy) in the postoperative localization of subdural electrodes. Methods Postoperative thin-slice computed tomography (CT) scans were coregistered to preoperative 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images in the Dextroscope environment in 10 patients. Single-electrode contacts were segmented and their positions in relation to specific brain anatomic structures were obtained by 3D reconstruction within the Dextroscope environment. The spatial accuracy was tested by comparing the positions of the electrode contacts as visible in the 3D reconstruction with intraoperative photographs. Image processing time was also recorded. Results The 3D stereoscopic reconstruction provided an accurate representation of the implanted electrodes with highly detailed visualization of the underlying anatomy. The mean absolute difference between 3D reconstruction and intraoperative photographs was 2.4 mm ± 2.2 mm. The processing time to obtain the 3D reconstructions did not exceed 15 minutes. Conclusions The results indicate that the 3D virtual reality simulation software used in our series is a useful tool for rapid and precise localization of subdural electrodes implanted for invasive electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.

To demonstrate the utility of a new concept of intraoperative use of high frequency ultrasound (hfioUS) in maximizing the extent of resection (EOR) of intracerebral high-grade tumors.22 Patients harboring an intracerebral high-grade tumor were retrospectively included in this study (14 primary tumors, 8 metastasis). 14 of them had a perilesional edema equal or greater to lesion volume, 3 had previously received radiotherapy. Following macroscopic tumor debulking, the small (11 × 31 mm) L15 - 7io (Philips, Bothell, USA) high-frequency probe (7 - 15 MHz) was introduced into the resection cavity and its walls were meticulously scanned to search for tumor remnants. Postoperative MR scan was evaluated by a board-certified independent neuroradiologist, who assessed the EOR.Gross total resection was achieved in 21 patients (95.5 %). One patient had a small tumor remnant (6 × 4 × 3 mm) of a very large (80 × 60 × 74 mm) anaplastic astrocytoma, detected in the postoperative MR scan. A permanent postoperative hemiparesis was diagnosed in one patient with a metastasis in the motor area, while the other patients recovered without permanent neurological deficits from the surgery.The hfioUS probe allowed in this study a precise detection of the tumor and a detailed discrimination between normal, pathological and edematous tissue in all 22 cases.ZIEL:: Darstellung eines neuen intraoperativen Konzepts basierend auf Hochfrequenz-Ultraschall (hfioUS) zur Maximierung der Resektion hochgradiger intrazerebraler Tumoren.22 Patienten mit hochgradigen intrazerebralen Tumoren (14 primäre Tumoren, 8 Metastasen) wurden retrospektive in diese Studie eingeschlossen. 14 dieser Patienten zeigten ein perifokales Ödem gleich oder größer als das Läsionsvolumen, 3 Patienten erhielten präoperativ bereits Radiotherapie. Nach der makroskopischen Tumorentfernung wurde die hfioUS-Messsonde L15 – 7io (Philips, Bothell, USA) mit einer Größe von 11 × 31 mm in die Tumorhöhle eingeführt und die Wände dieser nach Tumorresten untersucht. Postoperative MRTs wurden von einem unabhängigen Neuroradiologen bezüglich Resektionsgrad ausgewertet.Eine makroskopische Totalresektion wurde bei 21 Patienten (95.5 %) erreicht. Ein Patient mit einem großen anaplastischen Astrozytom (80 × 60 × 74 mm) zeigte einen kleinen Resttumor (6 × 4 × 3 mm) im postoperativen MRT. Eine permanente postoperative Hemiparese zeigte sich bei einem Patient mit einer Metastase im motorischen Areal, die restlichen Patienten erholten sich postoperative ohne permanentes neurologisches Defizit von der Operation.In dieser Studie erlaubte die hfioUS-Messsonde bei allen 22 Fällen eine präzise Darstellung des Tumors und eine detaillierte Unterscheidung zwischen regelrechtem, pathologischem und ödematösem Hirnparenchym.

Background The impact of transnasal endoscopic approaches to the central skull is still increasing. Its use in small children (i.e., under the age of 5 years) is of questionable value. Patients and Methods The present study is a description of a series of five children under the age of 5 years with lesions of the central skull base. Results Three out of five required a combined external and transnasal endoscopic approach. The transnasal access to the central skull base allowed reducing tissue damage and potentially may reduce growth deceleration. Discussion Based on our experience on this small series we suggest that a transnasal endoscopic approach to the anterior and central skull base can be applied even in small children. To successfully operate on such delicate pathologies, a well-working interdisciplinary cooperation is mandatory.

Background and Study Object A leak-proof dura closure after elective surgery for intradural spinal lesions is important to achieve an uncomplicated postoperative course. Because many different closure techniques and dura substitutes exist, we tried to identify the superior material and technique to avoid cerebrospinal fluid leaks (CSFLs).Patients and Methods Between 2004 and 2009, 91 patients underwent surgical treatment of intradural spinal pathologies with primary dura closure with or without the use of dura substitutes at our institution. Pre- and postoperative images and the clinical course were analyzed retrospectively with respect to the occurrence of CSFL.Results In 34% of the 91 patients, radiological signs of CSFL were observed. A total of 12 patients (13%) were symptomatic for CSFL and required a single puncture, lumbar drain, or surgical revision. No significant relation between CSFL and patient characteristics, underlying diagnosis, localization, or extension was noted. In contrast, the incidence of CSFL was significantly increased if more than one substitute for dura closure was used. The results showed that 41.7% of these patients showed radiological signs of CSFL as compared with 10.4% of patients in which only a single material was used.Conclusion In our study, none of the applied products appeared to be superior to the others. Surgery with the combined use of multiple dura closure substitutes was associated with the enhanced incidence of postoperative CSFL. However, our findings concerning the various dura sealants could not be used to compare those different materials, due to the great variety of combinations of dura sealants and the retrospective analysis of the data.

With recent developments in computer technology and the improvement of neuroimaging, modern optical neuro-navigation systems are increasingly being used in neurosurgery. In this study, we present our experience with 51 operations using a frameless optical navigation system in a variety of single burr-hole procedures. The procedures include neuroendoscopic surgery, frameless stereotactic biopsy, cyst aspiration and catheter placement. Both the VectorVision and the VectorVision(2) neuro-navigation systems (BrainLab AG, Munich, Germany) were used. The reliability and accuracy of the neuro-navigation system, postoperative complications and the clinical usefulness of image-guidance were analyzed. The navigation system worked properly in all 51 neurosurgical cases. Exact planning of the approach and determination of the ideal trajectory were possible in all cases. The mean registration error of the system, given as a computer-calculated value, was 2.1 mm (0.4-3.1 mm). Postoperative clinical evaluations and imaging were performed on every patient in order to confirm the success of the surgical procedure. All patients recovered well and without any postoperative complications. We conclude that image guidance in single burr-hole procedures provides a high degree of accuracy in lesion targeting, permits good anatomical orientation and minimizes brain trauma. The navigation system has proven to be a helpful tool since it increases the safety of single burr-hole procedures.