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Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (UIAs) pose a significant risk of morbidity in the general population and much more so among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Meanwhile, the proportion of these patients with UIAs is not established just as the course and characteristics of the aneurysms are not well known.To estimate the prevalence, incidence and characteristics of UIAs in SCD patients and compare same with the metrics and features in the general population.The Data repositories, Medline (PubMed), Embase and Web of science were systematically searched from January 1st, 1990, to July 31st, 2021. Publications that passed an inclusion test were reviewed for data on the incidence and prevalence of UIAs, aneurysm characteristics and outcomes in SCD patients extracted. Findings from the included studies were appraised, using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized studies score (MINORS). The results were descriptively analysed. Given the marked heterogeneity of retrieved data, results were reported as standardized values, including the mean weighted annual incidence rate.105 SCD patients with 186 UIAs were identified in 10 retrospective studies. Mean age ranged from 10.5 to 40.18 across studies with adult (18 years) predominance. The prevalence of UIAs in SCD was 4.1% (95%CI 3.6 and 4.6) incidence rate was 1290.3/100,000 patient-years (95% CI 1018.0-1562.6). Aneurysms tended to be small (60%), anterior (76.1%), multiple (45.7%), and managed conservatively (62%) with mostly good outcomes (95%). The average MINORS score was 9.4 ± 3.1 for non-comparative studies (n = 8) and 19.5 ± 0.7 for comparative studies (n = 2).UIAs have a definite relationship with SCD, with higher incidence figures relative to the general population. Aneurysmal characteristics although largely similar, tend to be smaller in SCD patients. The low methodological quality of reviewed studies informs the need for well-designed prospective randomized controlled studies to better understand the mechanics of this relationship.

Safe Trajectory planning for navigation guided biopsy (nBx) of motor eloquent tumours (METs) is important to minimise neurological morbidity. Preliminary clinical data suggest that visualisation of the corticospinal tract (CST) and its relation to the tumour may aid in planning a safe trajectory. In this article we assess the impact of tractography in nBx planning in a simulation-based exercise. This single centre cross-sectional study was performed in March 2021 including 10 patients with METs divided into 2 groups: (1) tractography enhanced group (T-nBx; n = 5; CST merged with volumetric MRI); (2) anatomy-based group (A-nBx; n = 5; volumetric MRI only). A biopsy target was chosen on each tumour. Volunteer neurosurgical trainees had to plan a suitable biopsy trajectory on a Stealth S8® workstation for all patients in a single session. A trajectory safety index (TSI) was devised for each trajectory. Data collection and analysis included a comparison of trajectory planning time, trajectory/lobe changes and TSI. A total of 190 trajectories were analysed based on participation from 19 trainees. Mean trajectory planning time for the entire cohort was 225.1 ± 21.97 s. T-nBx required shorter time for planning (p = 0.01). Mean trajectory changes and lobe changes made per biopsy were 3.28 ± 0.29 and 0.45 ± 0.08, respectively. T-nBx required fewer trajectory/lobe changes (p = 0.01). TSI was better in the presence of tractography than A-nBx (p = 0.04). Neurosurgical experience of trainees had no significant impact on the measured parameters despite adjusted analysis. Irrespective of the level of neurosurgical training, surgical planning of navigation guided biopsy for METs may be achieved in less time with a safer trajectory if tractography imaging is available.

Objective Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SIACs) are rare pathological lesions that can arise via outpouchings of the arachnoid layer in the spinal canal that can result in neurological deficits. We performed a systematic literature review regarding the current surgical techniques used in the management of SIACs and discussed the prevailing hypotheses surrounding the etiology of SIACs. Methods A systematic search of the literature was performed in December 2020 using EMBASE and MEDLINE for reports regarding the surgical management of SIACs. Data were collected regarding the demographics of the patients, classification system used, presence or absence of syrinxes, preoperative imaging modality, surgical approach and extent of resection, and postoperative outcomes and follow-up. Results Our search yielded 19 reports for inclusion in the present study. The 19 studies included a total of 414 cases, with an overall male/female ratio of 0.93:1. The most common site for the SIACs was the thoracic spinal cord at 77.5%. The symptoms were very similar across the 19 studies. Of the 19 studies, 15 had used resection to manage the SIACs, 10 had used fenestration or marsupialization, and 4 had used cystoarachnoid or cystoperitoneal shunts. Conclusions SIACs are rare and debilitating spinal pathological lesions, with the etiology of primary SIACs still not fully elucidated. Multiple surgical approaches have been effective, with the optimal operative strategy largely dependent on the individual patient and cyst factors on a case-by-case basis.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objectives Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is widely used in spinal neurosurgery, particularly for intramedullary tumours. However, its validity in intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumours is less clearly defined, this being the focus of this study. Methods We compared outcomes for patients that underwent resection of IDEM tumours with and without IONM between 2010 and 2020. Primary outcomes were postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores. Other factors assessed were use of intraoperative ultrasound, drain placement, postoperative complications, postoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, extent of resection, length of hospital stay, discharge location and recurrence. Results 163 patients were included, 71 patients in the IONM group and 92 in the non-IONM group. No significant differences were noted in baseline demographics. For preoperative ASIA D patients, 44.0% remained ASIA D and 49.9% improved to ASIA E in the IONM group, compared to 39.7% and 30.2% respectively in the non-IONM group. For preoperative ASIA E patients, 50.3% remained ASIA E and 44.0% deteriorated to ASIA D in the IONM group, compared to 30.2% and 39.7% respectively in the non-IONM group (all other patients deteriorated further). Length of inpatient stay was significantly shorter in the IONM group ( P = .043). There were no significant differences in extent of resection, postoperative complications, discharge location or tumour recurrence. Conclusions Research focusing on the use of IONM in IDEM tumour surgery remains scarce. Our study supports the use of IONM during surgical excision of IDEM tumours.

Background There is limited evidence to direct the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Models extrapolated from existing data have been proposed to guide treatment recommendations. The aim of this study is to assess whether a consensus-based treatment score (UIATS) or rupture rate estimation model (PHASES) can be used to benchmark UK multi-disciplinary team (MDT) practice. Methods Prospective data was collected on a consecutive series of all patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) presenting to a major UK neurovascular centre between 2012 and 2015. The agreement between the UIATS and PHASES scores, and their sensitivity and specificity in predicting the real-world MDT outcome were calculated and compared. Results A total of 366 patients (456 aneurysms) were included in the analysis. The agreement between UIATS and MDT recommendation was low (weighted kappa 0.26 [95% CI 0.19, 0.32]); sensitivity and specificity were also low at 36% and 52% respectively. Groups that the MDT allocated to treatment, equipoise or no treatment had significantly different PHASES scores (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the two scores when predicting patients for whom MDT outcome was to recommend aneurysm treatment, but the UIATS score was superior in predicting patients who received an MDT recommendation of ‘treatment-equipoise’, or ‘not-for-treatment’ (AUC of 0.73 compared to 0.59 for PHASES). Conclusions The models studied failed to agree with the consensus view of multi-disciplinary team in a major neurovascular centre. We conclude that decision support tools such as the UIATS and PHASES scores should not be blindly introduced in respective institutions without prior internal validation, as they may not represent the local reality.

Introduction and objectivesThe novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had drastic effects on global healthcare with the UK amongst the countries most severely impacted. The aim of this study was to examine how COVID-19 challenged the neurosurgical delivery of care in a busy tertiary unit serving a socio-economically diverse population.MethodsA prospective single-centre cohort study including all patients referred to the acute neurosurgical service or the subspecialty multidisciplinary teams (MDT) as well as all emergency and elective admissions during COVID-19 (18th March 2020–15th May 2020) compared to pre-COVID-19 (18th of January 2020–17th March 2020). Data on demographics, diagnosis, operation, and treatment recommendation/outcome were collected and analysed.ResultsOverall, there was a reduction in neurosurgical emergency referrals by 33.6% and operations by 55.6% during the course of COVID-19. There was a significant increase in the proportion of emergency operations performed during COVID-19 (75.2% of total,n=155) when compared to pre-COVID-19 (n= 198, 43.7% of total,p< 0.00001). In contrast to other published series, the 30-day perioperative mortality remained low (2.0%) with the majority of post-operative COVID-19-infected patients (n= 13) having underlying medical co-morbidities and/or suffering from post-operative complications.ConclusionThe capacity to safely treat patients requiring urgent or emergency neurosurgical care was maintained at all times. Strategies adopted to enable this included proactively approaching the referrers to maintain lines of communications, incorporating modern technology to run clinics and MDTs, restructuring patient pathways/facilities, and initiating the delivery of NHS care within private sector hospitals. Through this multi-modal approach we were able to minimize service disruptions, the complications, and mortality.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumours (IMSCTs) are comparatively rare neoplasms. We present a single-centre clinical case series of adult patients with surgically managed IMSCTs.We performed a retrospective analysis of electronic patient records in the time period spanning July 2010 to July 2021. All adult patients that had undergone surgical management for IMSCTs were eligible for inclusion. Baseline and post-operative clinical and radiological characteristics, along with follow-up data, were assessed. We also performed a literature review with a focus on surgical outcomes for IMSCTs.Sixty-six patients matched our selection criteria, with a median age of 42 years (range 23-85). Thirty-four ependymomas, 17 haemangioblastomas, 12 astrocytomas, 2 lymphomas and 1 teratoma were included. Statistical analysis yielded several significant findings: IMSCTs spanning a greater number of vertebral levels are significantly associated with poor McCormick outcomes (p = 0.03), presence of gait disturbance before surgery is significantly associated with poor outcome for both post-operative McCormick and Nurick scores (p = 0.007), and radicular pain present pre-operatively is significantly associated with a good post-operative McCormick score (p = 0.045). Haemangioblastomas are significantly more likely to have a clear intra-operative dissection plane compared to ependymomas and astrocytomas (p = 0.009). However, astrocytomas have a significantly higher prevalence of good McCormick outcomes compared to ependymomas and haemangioblastomas (p = 0.03).Histological diagnosis, cranio-caudal extent of the tumour and the presence or absence of baseline deficits-such as gait impairment and radicular pain-are significant in determining neurological outcomes after surgery for IMSCTs.

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) can have devastating neurological sequelae if surgical treatment is delayed. However, out-of-hours surgery (weekdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am and all weekend operations) can potentially result in higher rates of intraoperative complications, resulting in worse outcomes. In the present study, we have described our outcomes for patients with CES during an 8-year period (December 2011 to October 2019) with the aim of assessing the risk of out-of-hours surgery.We performed a retrospective analysis of inpatient events and outcomes at 6 months of follow-up. Patient demographics, symptoms, and management data were extracted, and a risk factor analysis was performed using logistic regression. The outcome measures were the incidence of complications and symptom changes at follow-up. Symptom outcome changes between 2 time points were analyzed using repeated measures.A total of 278 patients were included in the present study. Surgery out-of-hours (P = 0.018) and prolonged operations (P = 0.018) were significant risk factors for intraoperative complications. Improved outcomes at 6 months of follow-up were found for lower back pain, sciatica, altered saddle sensation, and urinary sphincter disturbance, with no significant changes for the remaining symptoms. Out-of-hours surgeries did not significantly affect individual symptom outcomes.Our analysis has suggested that emergency decompressive surgery for patients with CES does not result in worsening of outcomes with out-of-hours surgery compared with in-hours. However, our findings also showed that no clear benefit exists to expediting surgery for those with severe presentations. Thus, decompressive surgery should be undertaken at the earliest possible time to safely do so.

PURPOSE Evaluation of the presentation and outcomes of different surgical treatment approaches for spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SIAC). METHODS Cases were identified from electronic records of two major neurosurgical centres in London over the last 10 years (October 2009-October 2019) that have been surgically treated in both institutions. Clinical findings, surgical technique, and recurrence by procedure were statistically analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 13.1 Software. RESULTS A total of 42 patients with SIAC were identified for this study with a mean age at the time of surgery of 53.6 years and a male:female ratio of 8:13. There were 31 patients with primary SIACs and 11 with secondary SIACs. The most common presenting symptom was paraesthesia (n = 27). The most common location of the cyst was in the thoracic region (n = 33). Syrinx was present in 26.2% of SIACs (n = 11). Resection was associated with significantly better postoperative pain compared to other surgical techniques (p = 0.01), significantly poorer postoperative urinary function (p = 0.029), and lower rates of sensory recovery in patients who presented preoperatively with sensory deficit (p = 0.041). No significant difference was seen in symptomatic outcomes between patients with primary and secondary SIACs. CONCLUSION Resection and drainage are both effective methods of managing SIACs. In this observational study, resection was associated with significantly reduced pain postoperatively when compared with drainage, however also with significantly less improvement in postoperative urinary function. Therefore, resection should be the gold standard management option for SIACs, with drainage as an option where resection is unsafe, and drainage should also be considered in patients presenting with urinary dysfunction.

OBJECTIVEMost intracranial aneurysms are now treated by endovascular rather than by microsurgical procedures. There is evidence to demonstrate superior outcomes for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) treated by endovascular techniques. However, some cases continue to require microsurgery. The authors have examined the relationship between the number of aneurysms treated by microsurgery and outcome for patients undergoing treatment for aSAH at neurosurgical centers in England.METHODSThe Neurosurgical National Audit Programme (NNAP) database was used to identify aSAH cases and to provide associated 30-day mortality rates for each of the 24 neurosurgical centers in England. Data were compared for association by regression analysis using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and any associations were tested for statistical significance using the one-way ANOVA test. The NNAP data were validated utilizing a second, independent registry: the British Neurovascular Group’s (BNVG) National Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Database.RESULTSIncreasing numbers of microsurgical cases in a center are associated with lower 30-day mortality rates for all patients treated for aSAH, irrespective of treatment modality (Pearson r = 0.42, p = 0.04), and for patients treated for aSAH by endovascular procedures (Pearson r = 0.42, p = 0.04). The correlations are stronger if all (elective and acute) microsurgical cases are compared with outcome. The BNVG data validated the NNAP data set for patients with aSAH.CONCLUSIONSThere is a statistically significant association between local microsurgical activity and center outcomes for patients with aSAH, even for patients treated endovascularly. The authors postulate that the number of microsurgical cases performed may be a surrogate indicator of closer neurosurgical involvement in the overall management of neurovascular patients and of optimal case selection.

There is limited evidence to direct the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Models extrapolated from existing data have been proposed to guide treatment recommendations. The aim of this study is to assess whether a consensus-based treatment score (UIATS) or rupture rate estimation model (PHASES) can be used to benchmark UK multi-disciplinary team (MDT) practice.Prospective data was collected on a consecutive series of all patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) presenting to a major UK neurovascular centre between 2012 and 2015. The agreement between the UIATS and PHASES scores, and their sensitivity and specificity in predicting the real-world MDT outcome were calculated and compared.A total of 366 patients (456 aneurysms) were included in the analysis. The agreement between UIATS and MDT recommendation was low (weighted kappa 0.26 [95% CI 0.19, 0.32]); sensitivity and specificity were also low at 36% and 52% respectively. Groups that the MDT allocated to treatment, equipoise or no treatment had significantly different PHASES scores (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the two scores when predicting patients for whom MDT outcome was to recommend aneurysm treatment, but the UIATS score was superior in predicting patients who received an MDT recommendation of 'treatment-equipoise', or 'not-for-treatment' (AUC of 0.73 compared to 0.59 for PHASES).The models studied failed to agree with the consensus view of multi-disciplinary team in a major neurovascular centre. We conclude that decision support tools such as the UIATS and PHASES scores should not be blindly introduced in respective institutions without prior internal validation, as they may not represent the local reality.

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a drastic effect on global healthcare with the UK amongst the countries most severely impacted. The aim of this study was to examine how COVID-19 challenged the neurosurgical delivery of care in a busy tertiary unit serving a socio-economically diverse population. We also describe the strategies we adopted to meet these challenges. Methods: A prospective single centre cohort study including all patients referred to the acute neurosurgical service or the subspecialty multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) as well as all emergency and elective admissions during COVID-19 (18th March 2020-15th May 2020) compared to pre-COVID-19 (18th of January 2020-17th March 2020). Data on demographics, diagnosis, operation, and treatment recommendation/outcome were collected and analysed. Findings: Overall, there was a reduction in neurosurgical emergency referrals by 33·6% and operations by 55·6% during the course of COVID-19. There was a significant increase in the proportion of emergency operations performed during COVID-19 (75·2% of total, n=155) when compared to pre-COVID-19 (n=198, 43·7% of total, p

Treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with stereotactic radiosurgery is rarely complicated by severe adverse radiation effects (ARE). The treatment of these sequelae is varied and often ineffectual. We present three cases of brain AVMs treated with SRS, all complicated by severe AREs. All three cases failed to respond to what is currently considered the standard treatment – corticosteroids – and indeed one patient died as a result of the side effects of their extended use. Two cases were successfully treated with surgical excision of the necrotic lesion resulting in immediate clinical improvement. Having considered the experience described in this paper and reviewed the published literature to date we suggest that surgical treatment of AREs should be considered early in the management of this condition should steroid therapy not result in early improvement.

Background Conus medullaris arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare spinal vascular malformations presenting most frequently with features of myelopathy (Foix-Alajounine syndrome), radiculopathy, bowel/bladder dysfunction, or acute spinal hemorrhage (Coup de poignard of Michon) causing profound neurological deficit. Here we present the case of a young patient with progressive dysphagia and intractable hiccups as a rare first presentation symptom of later verified conus medullaris AVM. Case Description A 21-year-old male patient presented with acute onset of dysphagia and persistent hiccups. His magnetic resonance imaging of the spine demonstrated a lesion at the T11 and T12 levels with an associated holocord syrinx and syringobulbia to the level of the medulla. The patient underwent a decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and C1 (atlas) laminectomy with wide myelotomy of the medulla followed by T11 and T12 laminectomy and AVM reduction. Two days after partial AVM occlusion the patient developed transient worsening of his symptoms. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging showed recurrence of dilatation of the central canal. A syringo-subarachnoid shunt was sited at the level of the previous myelotomy of the medulla, after which his neurological symptoms resolved completely. Conclusions This is the first case report in the English literature to date of a conus AVM presenting with intractable hiccups. These are extremely rare sporadic vascular malformations, and although their natural history is poorly understood, symptomatic patients generally deteriorate, culminating in severe disability. Management requires a multimodality approach including combined endovascular and microsurgical treatment. The patient in our case made a full recovery confirmed at 2-year follow-up.

Background Supratentorial Metastatic Melanomas are common and increasingly treated with immunotherapy. While improving the outcome, the immunotherapy potentially increases the risks of the intracranial surgical procedures, particularly bleeding. However, scarce reports address this complications. Case Description A 52-year old male with a history of right upper limb excised skin lesion resected with wide local excision 6 months prior to admission, who presented with a three weeks history of progressive headaches, vomiting, odd behaviours, forgetfulness, and left lower sided weakness. Brain imaging showed a right frontal lesion with evidence of haemorrhage within it with midline shift and mass effect. He underwent craniotomy and resection of the lesion with no post-operative complication, resolution of left sided hemiparesis and post-operative imaging documenting complete resection and no post-operative complications. The histopathology confirmed metastatic melanoma and he received adjuvant immunotherapy (Nivolumab), however he represented 4 weeks post operatively with sudden onset headache with vomiting with no neurological deficit, brain imaging showed a delayed hematoma in the surgical site. Conclusions This case report highlights the risk of post-operative bleeding with the immunotherapy and paves the way for further studies with regards to the safety of immunotherapy after intracranial procedures

INTRODUCTION: In patients presenting with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to pineal region lesions, a combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and tumour biopsy is an increasingly common procedure. Performing it through a monoportal approach with a rigid scope is especially challenging given the anatomy of the third ventricle. Here we report our experience of the monoportal endoscopic combined approach made possible by splitting the choroid fissure (CF) and massa intermedia (MI). METHODS: A 13-year-old male was referred to our unit having presented with a 2-day history of headache, blurred vision, diplopia and vomiting. An MRI revealed a pineal region lesion causing obstructive hydrocephalus. RESULTS: An ETV was performed. Access to the pineal region was then gained by splitting of the CF and subsequent division of a small MI. A biopsy was taken and limited debulking performed (tumour was large and hard making complete resection difficult). Histopathology confirmed an immature teratoma. Post-operatively the patient made an excellent recovery. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic transchoroidal approach with splitting of the MI allows management of hydrocephalus and access to pineal tumours for biopsy/debulking via a single burr hole and using a solid scope. In the future complete resection of pineal lesions via this approach may become commonplace with improved instrumentation and equipment.

The objective of this review is to provide a structured approach to the main white matter commissures, their anatomic and radiological definition and disease implications. The Pubmed database and The JAMA Network were used for the literature review and the following terms were searched using Sort by: Best Match and Sort by: Most Recent: telencephalic commissure, forebrain commissure anatomy, fornix anatomy, commissure of fornix, posterior commissure, corpus callosum, commissural agenesis, Probst bundle, corpus callosum disorders review, corpus callosum diseases review, Marchiafava–Bignami, Alzheimer’s disease and Forel commissure; 36 papers were selected, one excluded due to the language barrier. The interhemispheric communication in the brain is achieved via the brain commissures, bundles of white matter linking the two cerebral hemispheres. Anterior white commissure (AWC)—related with olfactory and non-visual communication, hippocampal commissure—main efferent pathway of the hippocampus, connecting the hippocampal formation to structures beyond the temporal lobe, crucial in declarative memory formation and consolidation—and the corpus callosum (CC)—from the anterior commissure to the hippocampal commissure—are the main telencephalic commissures. Supramammilary commissure, posterior commissure, supraoptic commissure and habenular commissure are diencephalic commissures—unknown function, probably related to involuntary eye movements. Commissural agenesis (AWC is absent or impossible to recognize), Alzheimer’s Disease (hippocampal commissure may contribute for disease dissemination) and agenesis of corpus callosum are some of the disturbances that involve the telenchephalic commissures. A comprehensive understanding of the clinic–anatomic correlation is pivotal to understand the pathology and therefore improve our diagnostic accuracy and treatment options, in the background of all patient management.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia or Massons's tumours are benign vascular lesions which are rarely seen intracranially. The vascular characteristics of these lesions are also unknown. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 24 year old male patient with a 3 year history of headache and dizziness. Neuroradiological imaging showed a slow-growing lesion consistent with a low-grade glioma. Intra-operative appearance was of a vascular lesion which was slow-filling as demonstrated with indocyanine green video angiography. Histological analysis following resection revealed intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's tumour). CONCLUSION: Masson's tumours are slow-filling vascular lesions. The pre-operative diagnosis of this lesion is difficult as it can mimic a neoplastic lesion. Conservative as well as surgical treatment options should therefore be carefully considered. Patients with subtotal resection must undergo long-term follow-up surveillance imaging as recurrence is a possibility.

In the UK, approximately 1000 new patients are diagnosed with a pituitary tumour every year. Although a predominantly benign condition, if untreated it may lead to visual compromise, endocrine effects of hypersecretion or hypopituitarism. These complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This article provides an overview of the presentation and management of pituitary tumours.

Study Design. Multicenter retrospective study. Objective. To examine whether posttraumatic cervical spinal canal compromise and spinal cord compression are responsive to changes in motor and sensory functions. Summary of Background Data. The maximum canal compromise (MCC) and maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) were developed to quantitatively assess canal stenosis and spinal cord compression using computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the setting of acute spine trauma. Methods. We included 100 consecutive patients with acute spine trauma. Patients were classified into three groups as follows: patients with acute spine trauma without spinal cord injury (group 1), patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (group 2), and patients with complete spinal cord injury (group 3). We studied three quantitative imaging parameters given as follows: MCC using CT-based measurements, MCC using T1-MRI based measurements, and MSCC using T2-MRI based measurements. Results. There were 78 male patients and 22 female patients with ages from 17 to 82 years (mean age = 45 years). In group 1, there were no significant differences regarding the mean MRI-MCC and MSCC among the spine levels. Although most spine levels were statistically comparable regarding the CT-MCC in patients of group 1, the C7 level significantly differed from the C3 level. Comparisons among all three patient groups showed significant differences regarding the mean MRI-MCC and MSCC, but no significant differences were observed in the mean CT-MCC between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 1 and 3. Data analyses using operating characteristics of each radiologic parameter indicated that only the MRI parameters had consistently optimal cutoff points to distinguish between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 2 and 3. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the MRI-based measurements of canal compromise and spinal cord compression are responsive to changes in motor and sensory functions. However, the MCC using CT-based measurements provides inconsistent results that can result in misdiagnosis in the clinical setting.

Object Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal dysfunction in the elderly. Operative management is beneficial for most patients with moderate/severe myelopathy. This study examines the potential confounding effects of age, sex, duration of symptoms, and comorbidities on the functional outcomes and postoperative complications in patients who underwent cervical decompressive surgery. Methods We included consecutive patients who underwent surgery from December 2005 to October 2007. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Nurick grading system and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Berg Balance scales. Comorbidity indices included the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the number of ICD-9 codes. Results There were 57 men and 24 women with a mean age of 57 years (range 32–88 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 25.2 months (range 1–120 months). There was a significant functional recovery from baseline to 6 months after surgery (p < 0.01). Postoperative complications occurred in 18.5% of cases. Although the occurrence of complications was not significantly associated with sex (p = 0.188), number of ICD-9 codes (p = 0.113), duration of symptoms (p = 0.309), surgical approach (p = 0.248), or number of spine levels treated (p = 0.454), logistic regression analysis showed that patients who developed complications were significantly older than patients who had no complications (p = 0.018). Only older age (p < 0.002) and greater number of ICD-9 codes (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with poorer functional recovery after surgical treatment. However, none of the studied factors were significantly associated with clinically relevant functional recovery after surgical treatment for CSM (p > 0.05). Conclusions Our results indicate that surgery for CSM is associated with significant functional recovery, which appears to reach a plateau at 6 months after surgery. Age is a potential predictor of complications after decompressive surgery for CSM. Whereas older patients with a greater number of preexisting medical comorbidities had less favorable functional outcomes after surgery for CSM in the multivariate regression analysis, none of the studied factors were associated with clinically relevant functional recovery after surgery in the logistic regression analysis. Therefore, age-matched protocols based on preexisting medical comorbidities may reduce the risk for postoperative complications and improve functional outcomes after surgical treatment for CSM.

BACKGROUND: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA, Gliolan) is widely used in adults for facilitating the resection of high-grade gliomas. However, its safety and efficacy in the paediatric population remains to be established. We present the UK’s first case series of 10 patients, undergoing 11 operations with 5-ALA. METHODS: 10 consecutive patients (aged 1.6-15 years) underwent pre-operative administration of 20mg/kg of 5-ALA. The tumours were visualised intra-operatively under violet-blue light and the presence and usefulness of fluorescence was assessed. RESULTS: Strong fluorescence was observed in two WHO grade III ependymomas and a GBM (IV). Moderate fluorescence was seen in one pilocytic astrocytoma (I) and a pilomxyoid astrocytoma (II). Weak fluorescence was observed in a diffuse astrocytoma (II). The tumours types which showed no fluorescence included: a pilocytic astrocytoma, a glioneuronal tumour (II) and an anaplastic medulloblastoma (IV). No significant adverse drug reactions were recorded in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our case series adds to the evidence base supporting the safety of 5-ALA in the paediatric population. However, the diverse range of responses to 5-ALA in these tumours highlights the need for further trials into its usefulness in specific tumour types.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal dysfunction in the elderly. Operative management is beneficial for most patients with moderate/severe myelopathy. This study examines the potential confounding effects of age, sex, duration of symptoms, and comorbidities on the functional outcomes and postoperative complications in patients who underwent cervical decompressive surgery.We included consecutive patients who underwent surgery from December 2005 to October 2007. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Nurick grading system and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Berg Balance scales. Comorbidity indices included the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the number of ICD-9 codes.There were 57 men and 24 women with a mean age of 57 years (range 32-88 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 25.2 months (range 1-120 months). There was a significant functional recovery from baseline to 6 months after surgery (p0.01). Postoperative complications occurred in 18.5% of cases. Although the occurrence of complications was not significantly associated with sex (p = 0.188), number of ICD-9 codes (p = 0.113), duration of symptoms (p = 0.309), surgical approach (p = 0.248), or number of spine levels treated (p = 0.454), logistic regression analysis showed that patients who developed complications were significantly older than patients who had no complications (p = 0.018). Only older age (p0.002) and greater number of ICD-9 codes (p0.01) were significantly associated with poorer functional recovery after surgical treatment. However, none of the studied factors were significantly associated with clinically relevant functional recovery after surgical treatment for CSM (p0.05).Our results indicate that surgery for CSM is associated with significant functional recovery, which appears to reach a plateau at 6 months after surgery. Age is a potential predictor of complications after decompressive surgery for CSM. Whereas older patients with a greater number of preexisting medical comorbidities had less favorable functional outcomes after surgery for CSM in the multivariate regression analysis, none of the studied factors were associated with clinically relevant functional recovery after surgery in the logistic regression analysis. Therefore, age-matched protocols based on preexisting medical comorbidities may reduce the risk for postoperative complications and improve functional outcomes after surgical treatment for CSM.