The International Cooperative Study on the Timing of Aneurysm Surgery. Part 2: Surgical results

Predictors of in-hospital shunt-dependent hydrocephalus following rupture of cerebral aneurysms

The development of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus is a well-recognised complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and negatively impacts on outcomes among survivors. This study aimed to identify early predictors of shunt dependency in a large administrative dataset of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients. We reviewed the National Hospital Morbidity Database in Australia for the years 1998 to 2008 and investigated the incidence of ventricular shunt placement following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage admissions. Putative risk factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of outcome. The following variables were considered: poor admission neurological grade; aneurysm location; intracerebral haemorrhage; intraventricular haemorrhage; acute hydrocephalus requiring the insertion of an external ventricular drain; surgical clipping; endovascular coiling; meningitis; and prolonged period of external ventricular drainage. A total of 10807 patients hospitalised for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage were identified. Among them, 701 (6.5%) required a permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure during the same admission as the aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. On multivariate analysis, poor admission neurological grade, acute hydrocephalus, the presence of intraventricular haemorrhage, ruptured vertebral artery aneurysm, surgical clipping, endovascular coiling, meningitis, and a prolonged period of external ventricular drainage were significant predictors of shunt dependency. A patient with a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm was unlikely to develop shunt dependency (odds ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.46-0.73; p < 0.001).

Type of Admission is Associated with Outcome of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background

Admitting facility may significantly affect outcome for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. We assessed outcomes of patients admitted directly to a comprehensive stroke center with those initially admitted to a general hospital and subsequently transferred. The comprehensive stroke center included a neurocritical care ICU, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons and endovascular specialists.

Methods

We identified 107 consecutive spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage cases. Of these cases, 31 (29%) patients were admitted directly and 76 (71%) were transferred from general hospitals. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated differences in mortality, complications, discharge disposition, and in-hospital length of stay.

Results

Differences in baseline parameters (age, gender, admission Glasgow Coma Scale, Fisher grade, admission Hunt and Hess grade) were not statistically significant between direct-admit and transfer patients at our institution. Transferred patients developed vasospasm more frequently (58% vs. 32%; P < 0·05) and had a longer delay time to surgery (3·9-days vs. 2·4-days: P < 0·05). Multivariate analysis showed that the likelihood of vasospasm was significantly higher for transfer patients (OR 3·46, CI: 1·2–10·3, P = 0·03). In addition, longer in-hospital stays and higher odds of non-routine discharge were observed in transferred patients ( P < 0·01). No differences in outcome could be identified for surgical vs. endovascular treatment rates between direct-admit and transfer patients. An association, but no causative link, can be made between the effect of transfer and the outcomes of SAH patients due to the retrospective nature of our study.

Conclusions

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted directly to our comprehensive stroke center showed less complications compared to those transferred from general hospitals. This improvement was independent of time to treatment. Additional research in multiple centers using prospective analysis should be conducted to confirm that preferential direct transport to a comprehensive stroke center would likely yield considerable improvements in public health.

Early endovascular treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Rebleeding is one of its major complications, which occurs mainly within the first 24 h and worsens the clinical outcome in a very dramatic way. It may be prevented by aneurysm treatment: surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. We review the evidence of and recent advances in endovascular treatment and timing of the intervention. Data supporting the benefit of early (<72 h) and ultra-early (<24 h) treatment is based on observational studies. An earlier approach may be relevant for the prevention of rebleeding and improvement of clinical outcome, but several disadvantages should be considered, such as an increased rate of periprocedural complications. Hence, a well-designed randomized controlled trial deems necessary to be able to define the optimal time of treatment. The possibility of treatment concomitant with the initial angiography should also be taken into account in this trial. This fact might represent a benefit favoring coiling over clipping in the prevention of rebleeding, and thus avoiding the inevitable delay necessary for the preparation for surgery.

Call-fleming syndrome (reversible cerebral artery vasoconstriction) and aneurysm associated with multiple recreational drug use

Drug abuse represents a significant health issue. Evidence suggests that recreational drug use has a direct effect on the cerebral vasculature and is of greater concern in those with undiagnosed aneurysms or vascular malformations. The authors report a case of thunderclap headache with a negative head CT and equivocal lumbar puncture after a drug-fueled weekend. The patient underwent diagnostic cerebral angiogram which demonstrated multisegmental, distal areas of focal narrowing of the middle, anterior, posterior, and posterior inferior cerebral artery and an incidental aneurysm. It is often difficult to determine the exact origin of symptoms; thus we were left with a bit of a chicken or the egg debate, trying to decipher which part came first. Either the aneurysm ruptured with associated concomitant vasospasm or it is a case of Call-Fleming syndrome (reversible cerebral artery vasoconstriction) with an incidental aneurysm. The authors proposed their management and rationale of this complex case.

Benefits of early aneurysm surgery: Southern Iran experience

Background:

Neurovascular surgery has been practiced in Shiraz, the main referral center of the Southern Iran, for over 30 years; however, the trend has accelerated tremendously in recent years following subspecialization of neurovascular surgery in Shiraz, Department of Neurosurgery. Over 100 patients are operated each year, and nearly all are addressed during the first 72 hours after presentation.

Methods:

In this paper, we focus on the description of techniques we apply for early clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in the anterior circulation. Improvements in outcome, mortality, and rebleeding rates are also discussed.

Results:

Mortality and rebleeding rates have declined significantly since the institution of new techniques.

Conclusion:

The establishment of early surgery for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms through the lateral supraorbital approach along with specific anesthetic protocol has resulted in significant improvement of morbidity, mortality, and rebleeding rates at our department.

Cerebral vasospasm pharmacological treatment: an update

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage- (aSAH-) associated vasospasm constitutes a clinicopathological entity, in which reversible vasculopathy, impaired autoregulatory function, and hypovolemia take place, and lead to the reduction of cerebral perfusion and finally ischemia. Cerebral vasospasm begins most often on the third day after the ictal event and reaches the maximum on the 5th-7th postictal days. Several therapeutic modalities have been employed for preventing or reversing cerebral vasospasm. Triple "H" therapy, balloon and chemical angioplasty with superselective intra-arterial injection of vasodilators, administration of substances like magnesium sulfate, statins, fasudil hydrochloride, erythropoietin, endothelin-1 antagonists, nitric oxide progenitors, and sildenafil, are some of the therapeutic protocols, which are currently employed for managing patients with aSAH. Intense pathophysiological mechanism research has led to the identification of various mediators of cerebral vasospasm, such as endothelium-derived, vascular smooth muscle-derived, proinflammatory mediators, cytokines and adhesion molecules, stress-induced gene activation, and platelet-derived growth factors. Oral, intravenous, or intra-arterial administration of antagonists of these mediators has been suggested for treating patients suffering a-SAH vasospam. In our current study, we attempt to summate all the available pharmacological treatment modalities for managing vasospasm.

Morphological and hemodynamic analysis of mirror posterior communicating artery aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemodynamic factors are commonly believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. In this study, we aimed to identify significant hemodynamic and morphological parameters that discriminate intracranial aneurysm rupture status using 3-dimensional-angiography and computational fluid dynamics technology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3D-DSA was performed in 8 patients with mirror posterior communicating artery aneurysms (Pcom-MANs). Each pair was divided into ruptured and unruptured groups. Five morphological and three hemodynamic parameters were evaluated for significance with respect to rupture.

RESULTS

The normalized mean wall shear stress (WSS) of the aneurysm sac in the ruptured group was significantly lower than that in the unruptured group (0.52±0.20 versus 0.81±0.21, P = .012). The percentage of the low WSS area in the ruptured group was higher than that in the unruptured group (4.11±4.66% versus 0.02±0.06%, P = .018). The AR was 1.04±0.21 in the ruptured group, which was significantly higher than 0.70±0.17 in the unruptured group (P = .012). By contrast, parameters that had no significant differences between the two groups were OSI (P = .674), aneurysm size (P = .327), size ratio (P = .779), vessel angle (P = 1.000) and aneurysm inclination angle (P = 1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Pcom-MANs may be a useful disease model to investigate possible causes of aneurysm rupture. The ruptured aneurysms manifested lower WSS, higher percentage of low WSS area, and higher AR, compared with the unruptured one. And hemodynamics is as important as morphology in discriminating aneurysm rupture status.

Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the setting of negative cranial computed tomography results: external validation of a clinical and imaging prediction rule

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Clinical variables can reliably exclude a diagnosis of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with negative cranial computed tomography (CT) results. We externally validated 2 decision rules with 100% reported sensitivity for a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, among patients undergoing lumbar puncture after a negative cranial CT result: (1) clinical rule: presence of any combination of age 40 years and older, neck pain or stiffness, loss of consciousness, or headache onset during exertion; and (2) imaging rule: cranial CT performed within 6 hours of headache onset.

METHODS

This was a matched case-control study of patients presenting to 21 emergency departments between 2000 and 2011. Patients with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage as determined by lumbar puncture after a negative cranial CT result were screened for inclusion. A matched control cohort was selected among patients with a diagnosis of headache after negative cranial CT and lumbar puncture results.

RESULTS

Fifty-five cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage meeting inclusion criteria were identified, 34 (62%) of which were attributed to cerebral aneurysms. External validation of the clinical rule demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.6% to 99.7%), a specificity of 22.7% (95% CI 16.6% to 29.8%), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.13 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.61) for a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. External validation of the imaging rule revealed that 11 of 55 subarachnoid hemorrhage cases (20%) had negative cranial CT results for tests performed within 6 hours of headache onset.

CONCLUSION

The clinical rule demonstrated useful Bayesian test characteristics when retrospectively validated against this patient cohort. The imaging rule, however, failed to identify 20% of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with a negative cranial CT result.

Timing of aneurysm treatment after subarachnoid hemorrhage: relationship with delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The ideal timing of coiling or clipping after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is unknown. Within the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial we assessed differences in incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia and clinical outcome between different timings of treatment.

METHODS

The treated 2106 patients randomized to coiling or clipping were divided into 4 categories: treatment <2 days, on days 3 to 4, on days 5 to 10, and >10 days after the hemorrhage. ORs with 95% CI were calculated with logistic regression analysis for delayed cerebral ischemia, poor outcome at 2 months, and 1 year for the different timing categories, with treatment <2 days as reference. Analyses were performed for all patients, and for coiled and clipped patients separately, and were adjusted for baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

Adjusted ORs of delayed cerebral ischemia for treatment on days 5 to 10 were 1.18 (95% CI, 0.91-1.53) for all patients, 1.68 (95% CI, 1.17-2.43) after coiling, and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.54-1.16) after clipping. ORs for poor outcome at 2 months were 1.16 (95% CI, 0.89-1.50) for treatment (clipping and coiling combined) at 3 to 4 days, 1.39 (95% CI, 1.08-1.80) for treatment at 5 to 10 days, and 1.84 (95% CI, 1.36-2.51) for treatment >10 days. ORs for coiled and clipped patients separately were in the same range. Results for outcome at 1 year were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the current practice for early aneurysm treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. The risk for poor outcome was highest when treatment was performed after day 10; postponing treatment in patients who are eligible for treatment between days 5 to 10 after subarachnoid hemorrhage is not recommended.

Acute postoperative neurological deterioration associated with surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysm: incidence, predictors, and outcomes

OBJECT

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) results in significant morbidity and mortality, even among patients who reach medical attention in good neurological condition. Many patients have neurological decline in the perioperative period, which contributes to long-term outcomes. The focus of this study is to characterize the incidence of, characteristics predictive of, and outcomes associated with acute postoperative neurological deterioration in patients undergoing surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysm.

METHODS

The Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial (IHAST) was a multicenter randomized clinical trial that enrolled 1001 patients and assesssed the efficacy of hypothermia as neuroprotection during surgery to secure a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. All patients had a radiographically confirmed SAH, were classified as World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Grade I-III immediately prior to surgery, and underwent surgery to secure the ruptured aneurysm within 14 days of SAH. Neurological assessment with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was performed preoperatively, at 24 and 72 hours postoperatively, and at time of discharge. The primary outcome variable was a dichotomized scoring based on an IHAST version of the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) in which a score of 1 represents a good outcome and a score > 1 a poor outcome, as assessed at 90-days' follow-up. Data from IHAST were analyzed for occurrence of a postoperative neurological deterioration. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were assessed for associations with occurrence of postoperative neurological deterioration. Differences in baseline, intraoperative, and postoperative variables and in outcomes between patients with and without postoperative neurological deterioration were compared with Fisher exact tests. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare variables reported as means. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates associated with occurrence of postoperative deficit.

RESULTS

Acute postoperative neurological deterioration was observed in 42.6% of the patients. New focal motor deficit accounted for 65% of postoperative neurological deterioration, while 60% was accounted for using the NIHSS total score change and 51% by Glasgow Coma Scale score change. Factors significantly associated with occurrence of postoperative neurological deterioration included: age, Fisher grade on admission, occurrence of a procedure prior to aneurysm surgery (ventriculostomy), timing of surgery, systolic blood pressure during surgery, ST segment depression during surgery, history of abnormality in cardiac valve function, use of intentional hypotension during surgery, duration of anterior cerebral artery occlusion, intraoperative blood loss, and difficulty of aneurysm exposure. Of the 426 patients with postoperative neurological deterioration at 24 hours after surgery, only 46.2% had a good outcome (GOS score of 1) at 3 months, while 77.7% of those without postoperative neurological deterioration at 24 hours had a good outcome (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological injury incurred perioperatively or in the acute postoperative period accounts for a large percentage of poor outcomes in patients with good admission WFNS grades undergoing surgery for aneurysmal SAH. Avoiding surgical factors associated with postoperative neurological deterioration and directing investigative efforts at developing improved neuroprotection for use in aneurysm surgery may significantly improve long-term neurological outcomes in patients with SAH.

Management of patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage and associated symptomatic vasospasm on presentation

Rebleeding and symptomatic vasospasm (VS) are the major causes of subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients surviving a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although most patients present rapidly after the bleed, some may seek medical attention in a delayed fashion due to non-resolving or worsening headaches or new neurological deficits, requiring treatment during the period at risk for VS. Such patients may either present asymptomatic radiological VS on their diagnostic angiogram or present symptomatic VS confirmed on angiogram. A similar situation may occur in patients presenting within the first 48 hours after SAH with very early angiographic VS. Deciding on the optimal timing and modality of treatment in such patients with SAH and symptomatic VS on presentation is controversial. Only six observational studies that specifically assessed aneurysm treatment in the presence of symptomatic VS have been published to date. We reviewed the published literature on the management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in the presence of symptomatic VS and suggest avenues for future studies.

RCTs in determining treatment indications for intracranial aneurysms: What can we learn from history?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many important issues regarding the management of intracranial aneurysms remain controversial. We review the role played by randomized trials in the determination of the best management of intracranial aneurysms in the early era of surgical clipping.

METHODS

Landmark trials and cooperative studies are analyzed and results summarized in a narrative review.

RESULTS

The most convincing evidence in favour of surgical management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms came from early randomized trials conducted from the 1950s to 1970s. Large historical observational studies, performed between the 1970s and 2000, aiming to guide clinical practice, provided only statistical associations mixed with confounding variables. After the early RCTs, the next important gain in reliable knowledge occurred with completion of the ISAT trial, more than 25 years later.

CONCLUSION

The pioneering neurosurgeons of early trials can provide the inspiration necessary to make real progress in understanding the best clinical management of intracranial aneurysms.

The role of intraoperative micro-Doppler ultrasound in verifying proper clip placement in intracranial aneurysm surgery

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage constitutes a clinical entity associated with high mortality and morbidity. It is widely accepted that improper clip placement may have as a result of incomplete aneurysm occlusion and/or partial or complete obstruction of an adjacent vessel. Various modalities, including intraoperative or postoperative digital subtracting angiography, near-infrared indocyanine green angiography, micro-Doppler ultrasonography (MDU), and neurophysiological studies, have been utilized for verifying proper clip placement. The aim of our study was to review the role of MDU during aneurysmal surgery.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using any possible combination of the following terms: "aneurysm," "brain," "cerebral," "clip," "clipping," "clip malpositioning," "clip repositioning," "clip suboptimal positioning," "Doppler," "intracranial," "microsurgery," "micro-Doppler," "residual neck," "ultrasonography," "ultrasound," and "vessel occlusion". Additionally, reference lists from the retrieved articles were reviewed for identifying any additional articles. Case reports and miniseries were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 19 series employing intraoperative MDU during aneurysmal microsurgery were retrieved. All studies demonstrated that MDU accuracy is extremely high. The highest reported false-positive rate of MDU was 2 %, while the false-negative rate was reported as high as 1.6 %. It has been demonstrated that the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, specific anatomic locations, and large size may predispose to improper clip placement. Intraoperative MDU's technical limitations and weaknesses are adequately identified, in order to minimize the possibility of any misinterpretations.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative MDU constitutes a safe, accurate, and low cost imaging modality for evaluating blood flow and for verifying proper clip placement during microsurgical clipping.

Active bleeding in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage observed by multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Acute SAH is reportedly associated with rebleeding from aneurysms, and recent advances in imaging technology allow us to visualize active bleeding in SAH cases. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the incidence and characteristics of active bleeding in patients with spontaneous SAH by using multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively surveyed a series of patients with SAH who underwent CTP with 18-phase dynamic enhancement and confirmed the presence of extravasated contrast medium in the source image. We compared clinical features between 2 groups of patients with and without extravasation.

RESULTS

Active bleeding was observed with increasing enhancement in 25.5% (13/51) of patients. All patients with extravasation were in Claassen grade 3 or 4 and WFNS grades 3, 4, or 5. The other group without extravasation included patients in all grades. A significant difference was observed in Claassen grade, WFNS grade, and increase of hematomas in follow-up CT (P < .05, for each) between the 2 groups. All CTP results of patients with extravasation were obtained within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms of SAH (P < .05). There was no significant difference in mortality at 14 days between the 2 groups (P = .128).

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of active bleeding (25.5%) was detected by multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT in patients with acute SAH. These results indicate that an awareness of active bleeding in patients with SAH has the potential to affect the treatment strategy.

Predictors of postoperative mortality in ruptured aneurysms of internal carotid artery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An analysis of predictors of mortality in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm is an important aspect in the assessment of outcome. The aim of the study was to analyse factors determining mortality risk after the surgical treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study comprised 242 patients operated on between 1997 and 2006 in the Neurosurgery Department of the Medical University Hospital in Gdansk, Poland. Multivariate logistic regression, ROC curves (for model assessment as a mortality classifier) and population attributable risk for contribution of individual factor mortality explanation were used to assess factors related to in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

14.9% of patients died postoperatively. In univariate analysis, increased risk of death was related to the Glasgow Coma Scale score, WFNS score, Hunt-Hess and Fisher grade, preoperative neurological deficit, delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI), trapping and bypass operative method. Multivariate analysis revealed two independent predictors of in-hospital mortality: DCI and Hunt-Hess grade. 91% of mortality risk was attributed to grade 4 or 5 in Hunt-Hess scale and DCI. The dominant predictor of survival was the Hunt-Hess scale. Increase by one grade in the Hunt-Hess scale resulted in two-fold increase of in-hospital mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative mortality after ICA aneurysm rupture is determined by clinical status at admission and the occurrence of DCI.

The effect of intraventricular thrombolysis in combination with low-frequency head motion after severe subarachnoid hemorrhage: interim analysis of safety, clot clearance rate and delayed cerebral ischemia

OBJECTIVE

The current clinical prospective randomized phase II study was initiated in order to analyze the effect of enhanced washout by discontinuous intraventricular thrombolysis in combination with low-frequency head-motion therapy on side effects, clot clearance rate, cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcome after severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Data from 40 adult patients with aneurysmal SAH were included in this interim analysis. Patients randomized to the study group achieved additional intraventricular application of rt-PA (Actilyse(®)) bolus 5 mg every 12 h and lateral rotational therapy (RotoRest(®)). Clot clearance rate was evaluated based on computed tomography (CT). Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and early clinical outcome of patients were determined.

RESULTS

No severe side effects due to the combined therapy were documented. The clot clearance rate was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group regarding the cranial and basal CT slices (p = 0.003 cranial slices and p = 0.037 basal slices). Delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) were increased in the control group (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that a combination of intraventricular thrombolysis and lateral rotational therapy is not associated with a higher complication rate. Furthermore, the therapy leads to a significant acceleration of the clot clearance rate.

Antifibrinolytic therapy in the management of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage revisited. A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To reassess the use of antifibrinolytics (AF) in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the setting of present-day treatment strategies.

METHOD

The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. They reviewed the PubMed database and conducted a manual review of article bibliographies.

RESULTS

Using a pre-specified search strategy, 17 relevant studies involving a total of 2,872 patients with SAH at baseline, from which data of 1,380 patients having received AF, were included in a meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios of the impact of AF on functional outcomes, rebleeding, and cerebral infarction were calculated. Short-term use of AF (72 h or less) associated with medical prevention of ischemic deficit seems to yield better results on functional outcome than long-term use of AF, especially if not associated with a medical prevention of ischemic deficit. The risk of cerebral infarction is not increased by the short-term use of AF and the risk of rebleeding is decreased independently of the length of AF use.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of AF should be reconsidered in the setting of modern-era treatment strategies, as the short-term use associated with medical prevention of ischemic deficit decreases the rate of rebleeding and does not increase the risk of cerebral infarction, thus potentially yielding better protection against poor functional outcome.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: mean blood flow velocity ratio of the ipsilateral and contralateral middle cerebral arteries

BACKGROUND

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is widely accepted to monitor cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, its predictive value remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the predictive reliability of an increase in the mean blood flow velocity (mBFV) ratio of the ipsilateral to contralateral middle cerebral arteries (I/C mBFV) compared with the conventional absolute flow velocity.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the clinical and radiologic data of consecutive patients with SAH admitted from July 2003 to August 2009 who underwent TCD ultrasonography. The highest mBFV value in bilateral middle cerebral arteries was recorded, while delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) was defined as neurological deficits or computed tomographic evidence of cerebral infarction caused by vasospasm. The ipsilateral side was defined as the side with higher mBFV value when evaluating the I/C mBFV. We thus elucidated the reliability of this rate in comparison with the conventional method for predicting DCI with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-two patients were retrospectively analyzed with specific data from 1262 TCD studies. The ROC curve showed that the overall predictive value for DCI had an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.96) when the I/C mBFV was used vs 0.80 (0.71-0.88) when the absolute flow velocity was used. The threshold value that best discriminated between patients with and without DCI was I/C mBFV of 1.5.

CONCLUSION

In patients with SAH, the I/C mBFV demonstrated a more significant correlation to vasospasm than the absolute mean flow velocity.

Effect of rebleeding on the course and incidence of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Rebleeding of an aneurysm is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Whereas numerous studies have demonstrated the risk factors associated with rebleeding, few data on complications of rebleeding, including its effect on the development of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), are available.

METHODS

A nested case-control study was performed on patients with rebleeding and control subjects matched for modified Fisher scale, Hunt-Hess grade, age, and sex previously entered into a prospective database. Rebleeding was defined as new hemorrhage apparent on repeat CT with or without new symptoms. Incidence and time course of DCI and hospital complications were compared. A secondary analysis of DCI and hospital complications was also performed on subjects surviving to postbleed day 7.

RESULTS

We identified 120 patients with rebleeding and 359 control subjects from 1996 to 2011. The rebleeding rate was 8.6%. In both the primary and secondary analyses, there was no difference in the incidence of DCI or its time course (29% vs. 27%, p = 0.6; 7 ± 5 vs. 7 ± 6 days, p = 0.9 for primary analysis; 39% vs. 31%, p = 0.1, 7 ± 5 vs. 7 ± 6 days, p = 0.6 for the secondary analysis). In a multivariate logistic regression model, rebleeding was associated with the complications of hyponatremia, respiratory failure, and hydrocephalus. Patients with rebleeding had higher rates of mortality, brain death, and poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Rebleeding after SAH is associated with multiple medical and neurologic complications, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality, but is not associated with change of incidence or timing of DCI.

Risk profile of patients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using early perfusion computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether perfusion computed tomography (CT) is useful for identifying patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with reversible etiologies and whether early obliteration in patients with poor-grade aneurysmal SAH leads to favorable outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with new-onset aneurysmal SAH in World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade IV or V neurologic condition who had perfusion CT performed at admission were eligible for the study. The study retrospectively enrolled 38 patients seen between January 2007 and July 2009. The decision to perform an early obliteration was made by the family after a discussion with the neurosurgeons, neurointensivists, and interventional radiologists. The functional outcomes were correlated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 months, and quantitative perfusion CT data were collected.

RESULTS

This study included 10 (26%) grade IV and 28 (74%) grade V patients. Favorable outcomes occurred in 19 (50%) patients, and 11 (29%) patients died. After a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the parameters, older age (odds ratio 1.104, P = 0.0317), bilateral prolonged mean transient time (MTT) at the thalami (odds ratio 4.155, P = 0.0362), and early obliteration (odds ratio 0.098, P = 0.003) were predictive of poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Early bilateral prolonged MTT at the thalami and old age are associated with a poor outcome. Early obliteration benefits a significant portion of SAH patients.

Multiple intraoperative monitoring-assisted microneurosurgical treatment for anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm

This study investigated the efficacy of multiple intraoperative monitoring techniques including indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP) in the clinical outcome of microneurosurgical treatment for anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm. Fifty-two anterior circulation cerebral aneurysms (Hunt and Hess [H&H] grades 0, 1 or 2) from 45 Chinese in-patients were completely clipped. In one patient, ICGA directed neurosurgeons to readjust aneurysmal clips in order to eliminate a residual aneurysm and restore patency of a branching artery. SSEP/MEP directed neurosurgeons to implement intervention measures in 12 patients for recovery of SSEP/MEP changes, and SSEP/MEP changes partially/totally recovered in 11 of these 12 patients (91.6%). Postoperative motor deficits were observed in three patients, two of which were Glasgow Outcome Scale level 3 (4.4%). In conclusion, for patients with anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm (H&H grade < 3), multiple intraoperative monitoring was beneficial for finding residual aneurysms, detecting ischaemic events in the perforating arteries and reducing severe postoperative motor deficiency.

A Simplified Method for Administration of Intra-Arterial Nicardipine for Vasospasm With Cervical Catheter Infusion

BACKGROUND:

Cerebral vasospasm is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nicardipine has previously been used to treat vasospasm through superselective intracranial microcatheter injections.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate a simple method of treatment of vasospasm with slow infusion of nicardipine from a cervical catheter.

METHODS:

Twenty-seven patients with symptomatic vasospasm were treated over 4 years with cervical catheter infusions. Nicardipine was infused at 20 mg/h for 30 to 60 minutes. Angioplasty was used in severe cases at the operator's discretion. Outcome at discharge and follow-up was evaluated with Glasgow Outcome Scale.

RESULTS:

Twenty-seven patients (17 women, 12 men) received intra-arterial therapy for vasospasm. Vasospasm treatment was done at a mean post-hemorrhage date of 7.2 days (range, 4-15 days). They underwent 48 sessions of treatment (mean, 1.8 per patient) in 72 separate arterial territories. Twelve patients underwent multiple treatments. The mean dose used per session was 19.2 mg (range, 5-50 mg). Four patients underwent angioplasty for severe vasospasm. Twenty-two patients (81.5%) had clinical improvement after the infusion. Angiographic improvement was seen in 86.1% of the vessels analyzed, which had moderate or severe spasm before infusion. Overall, 17 patients (62.9%) had good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 4 and 5) at discharge, 11 had poor outcome, and 1 patient died. Follow-up was available in 19 patients, and 18 were doing well (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 4 and 5).

CONCLUSION:

Intra-arterial nicardipine is an effective and safe treatment for cerebral vasospasm. In most patients, infusion can be performed from the cervical catheter, with microcatheter infusion and angioplasty reserved for the more severe and resistant cases.

Attributing hypodensities on CT to angiographic vasospasm is not sensitive and unreliable

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The presence of low-density areas on CT is used in clinical decision-making regarding treatment of angiographic vasospasm as well as in research as a surrogate marker for severity of angiographic vasospasm. We assess the interobserver variability in attributing hypodensities on CT to angiographic vasospasm-related delayed ischemic neurological deficit.

METHODS

Three experienced reviewers, 2 neurosurgeons, and a neuroradiologist independently reviewed CT scans of 413 patients enrolled in the Clazosentan to Overcome Neurological iSChemia and Infarction OccUrring after Subarachnoid hemorrhage (CONSCIOUS-1) trial, who universally underwent catheter angiography to determine severity of angiographic vasospasm. Interobserver variability was calculated using the κ statistic and the χ(2) test was used to determine associations between dichotomized outcomes.

RESULTS

There was considerable interobserver variability in attributing CT hypodensities to vasospasm-related delayed ischemic neurological deficit (κ=0.51-0.78; 95% CI, 0.35-0.90). Patients with hypodensities attributed to delayed ischemic neurological deficit were significantly more likely to have severe angiographic vasospasm (P=0.001), but a substantial proportion of these patients (19%) also had mild or no spasm. CT hypodensities had a sensitivity and specificity of 41% and 93%, respectively, in identifying patients with severe angiographic vasospasm, even with expert consensus that these represent angiographic vasospasm-related delayed ischemic neurological deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

We find considerable interobserver variability in attributing CT hypodensities to angiographic vasospasm and propose that they may not be a robust marker of severity of angiographic vasospasm, even with unanimous expert agreement that they are a result of vasospasm-related delayed ischemic neurological deficit.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00111085.

ε-Aminocaproic Acid in Angiographically Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients Is Safe: A Retrospective Review of 83 Consecutive Patients

Background:

ε-Aminocaproic acid (EACA) has been used to reduce the rate of cerebral aneurysm rerupture before definitive treatment. In centers administering EACA to patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), patients eventually diagnosed with angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (ANSAH) may also initially receive EACA, perhaps placing them at increased risk for ischemic complications.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of short-term EACA on outcomes and secondary measures in patients with ANSAH.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of 454 consecutive SAH patients over a 2-year period under a current protocol for EACA use. Patients were excluded if a source for the SAH was discovered, yielding a total of 83 ANSAH patients. The patients were assigned to groups that did or did not receive EACA. The primary end points of the study were ischemic complications, pulmonary emboli, vasospasm, ventriculoperitoneal shunting rates, and outcomes.

Results:

Statistical analysis yielded no significant difference between the 2 arms with respect to any of the end points: vasospasm (P = .65), deep vein thrombosis (P = .51), pulmonary embolism (P = 1.0), stroke (P = 1.0), myocardial infarction (P = 1.0), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (P = .57). There was no statistically significant outcome difference using the modified Rankin Scale (P = .30).

Conclusion:

Short-term (&lt;72 hour) application of EACA does not result in an increase in adverse events in patients with ANSAH.

Pediatric stroke

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric stroke, while increasingly recognized among practitioners as a clinically significant, albeit infrequent entity, remains challenging from the viewpoint of clinicians and researchers.

DISCUSSION

Advances in neuroimaging have revealed a higher prevalence of pediatric stroke while also provided a safer method for evaluating the child's nervous system and vasculature. An understanding of pathogenic mechanisms for pediatric stroke requires a division of ages (perinatal and childhood) and a separation of mechanism (ischemic and hemorrhagic). This article presents a review of the current literature with the recommended divisions of age and mechanism.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines for treatment, though limited, are also discussed.

Language, memory, and verbal fluency changes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: results of a preoperative investigation

OBJECTIVE

To detect changes in speech, verbal fluency, and memory in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by ruptured aneurysms and to analyze the results before surgical or embolization procedure.

METHODS

During the period May 2007 to November 2009, 193 patients with anterior aneurysmal SAH admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital da Restauração, Recife, Brazil, were tested for speech, verbal fluency, and memory disturbances after the first week of bleeding and compared with a control group with similar demographics.

RESULTS

Patients with aneurysmal SAH differed significantly from the control group in language, verbal fluency, and memory functions before clipping or coiling procedures. There were differences in cognitive performance between patients with different aneurysm sites.

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to characterize the cognitive impairments of each area affected early on in the preoperative period, confirming the assumptions that the aneurysm site could be a determining factor of cognitive impairment.

Early and long-term outcome of surgically treated giant internal carotid artery aneurysms--comparison with smaller aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Internal carotid artery (ICA) is predominant localization of giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs). The rupture of GIA is supposed to be related to higher risk of poor clinical outcome. Although endovascular techniques are still being developed, they seem to be unsatisfactory in the mean of GIAs.

METHODS

Included in the retrospective analysis were 78 giant and 250 smaller surgically treated ICA aneurysms. Exclusion criteria were multiple and blood blister-like aneurysms. Neurological deficit on admission, clinical and radiological presentation, gender, age, segment of ICA, surgical methods, accessory techniques and complications were analyzed. Death rate and short- and long-term outcome of giant aneurysms were compared with smaller aneurysms and risk factors for mortality, unfavorable short- and long-term outcome were determined.

RESULTS

There was no difference in general and surgical complications between ICA aneurysm size groups, as well as in occurrence of newly diagnosed neurological deficit after the operation. There were similar mortality rates, proportion of unfavorable outcome, and low health related quality of life for giant and smaller aneurysms. A 12.2% death rate for all ICA aneurysms was achieved. Trapping method as well as Fisher grades 3 and 4 increased mortality risk in the smaller aneurysm group. No significant factors were related to an unfavorable outcome in the ruptured giant aneurysm group. Patients older than 65, Hunt-Hess grades 4 and 5, Fisher grade 4, and newly diagnosed deficit after operation were connected with unfavorable outcome in the ruptured smaller aneurysm group. Newly diagnosed neurological deficit was also an unfavorable outcome risk factor in both giant and smaller ICA unruptured aneurysms. No difference was noted in long-term health-related quality of life between the giant and smaller ICA groups. Higher age and presence of concomitant disease were independent factors affecting quality of life, although obtained data were incomplete.

CONCLUSIONS

The study breaks the stereotype of unfavorable giant ICA aneurysms treatment results. Mortality rate, short- and long-term outcome after the operation of giant and smaller ICA aneurysms are similar. Higher age, patients' condition at admission, and the amount of extravasated blood and trapping method are poor prognostic factors in patients with smaller ICA aneurysm.

Development of a kit to treat subarachnoid hemorrhage by intrathecal simple urokinase infusion (ITSUKI) therapy: preliminary results in patients with World Federation of Neurological Surgery (WFNS) grade V subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To report the effectiveness of intrathecal selective administration of urokinase infusion (ITSUKI) therapy delivered via a special kit (ITSUKit), developed to prevent vasospasm in patients with ruptured aneurysms who had undergone Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) placement, in patients with World Federation of Neurological Surgery (WFNS) grade V subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

A study of ITSUKI therapy with or without ventricular drainage enrolled 6 patients with WFNS grade V SAH owing to ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were eligible for coil embolization. The procedures were performed within 48 hours of the occurrence of aneurysmal SAH. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm and the clinical outcomes based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were assessed at 6 months after SAH onset.

RESULTS

All patients underwent complete coil embolization. There were no side effects or adverse reactions attributable to ITSUKI therapy. Symptomatic vasospasm occurred in one patient (16.7%). There were no patients with hydrocephalus. Based on the GOS, one patient had a good outcome, two manifested moderate disability, and three manifested severe disability.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the ITSUKit was useful for ITSUKI therapy. Although the combination of coil embolization and ITSUKI therapy did not completely eliminate WFNS grade V SAH, it significantly improved the treatment outcome in some patients.

Results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment of aneurysms in a developing country

Background. The impact of invasive methods of treatment on results in developing countries may differ from that in developed countries. Methods. This is a prospective clinical study of consecutive patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) admitted to the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad during the period from 2005 to 2009. The initial diagnosis and investigations were carried out by neurologists. The patients were divided into two groups. One received surgical treatment whilst the other group was managed medically. The decision as to the choice of the method of treatment was made by the neurosurgeons. The initial medical treatment was standardised for all the patients. The rate of complications and mortality was compared in both medical and surgical groups. Results. 120 SAH patients (52% females) with a mean age of 50.6 ± 7 years were evaluated. The angiography revealed the presence of an aneurysm in 62 patients. 63.5% of the patients received medical treatment and 37.5% underwent aneurysmal surgery. Difference of rebleeding rate in the two therapeutic groups was not significant; X² = .014, P = .91. The effect of rebleeding on mortality was not significant; X² = 2.54, P = .14. Within 62 SAH patients with cerebral aneurysm, the mortality rate in both therapeutic groups was also not significantly different; X² = .16, P = .77. Conclusion. There is no significant difference in the mortality rate between the “surgical” and non-“surgical” groups of Iranian patients with SAH. This could be due to delay in performance of surgery in Iranian neurovascular centers.

Postoperative hydrocephalus in cranial base surgery

The incidence of postoperative hydrocephalus and factors relating to it were analyzed in 257 patients undergoing cranial base surgery for tumor resection. A total of 21 (8%) patients developed postoperative hydrocephalus, and all required shunting, Forty-two (17%) patients developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak that required placement of external drainage systems (ventriculostomy or lumbar drain, or both); 10 (23%) of these 42 patients eventually needed shunt placement to stop the leak because of hydrocephalus. Prior craniotomy, prior radiation therapy, and postoperative CSF infection were also associated with an increased risk of developing hydrocephalus (48% versus 6%, 19% versus 8%, and 14% versus 7%, respectively). Prior radiation and postoperative CSF infection increased the risk of CSF leak in patients with hydrocephalus (30% versus 18% and 30% versus 9%, respectively). CSF leak and hydrocephalus commonly occurred in patients who underwent resection of a glomus tumor. In conclusion, 8% of patients who underwent cranial base surgery for tumors developed de novo hydrocephalus; half of them also had CSF leak in addition to hydrocephalus; and all required shunt placement for CSF diversion.

Does Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Within 24 Hours Improve Clinical Outcome?

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether treating ruptured intracranial aneurysms within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage improves clinical outcome.

Methods—

An 11-year database of consecutive ruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular coiling or craniotomy and clipping was analyzed. Outcome was measured by the modified Rankin Scale at 6 months. Our policy is to treat all cases within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Treatment delays are due to nonclinical logistical factors.

Results—

Two hundred thirty cases were coiled or clipped within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage and 229 at >24 hours. No difference in age, gender, smoking, family history of subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm size, or aneurysm location was found between the groups. Poor World Federation of Neurological Surgeons clinical grade patients were overrepresented in the ultra-early group. Increasing age and higher World Federation of Neurological Surgeons clinical grade were predictors of poor outcome. Eight point zero percent of cases treated within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (ultra-early) were dependent or dead at 6 months compared with 14.4% of those treated at >24 hours (delayed), a 44.0% relative risk reduction and a 6.4% absolute risk reduction (χ 2 , P =0.044). A total of 3.5% of cases coiled within 24 hours were dependent or dead at 6 months compared with 12.5% of cases coiled at 1 to 3 days, an 82% relative risk reduction and a 10.2% absolute risk reduction (χ 2 , P =0.040). These groups did not differ in age, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons clinical grade, aneurysm size, or aneurysm location.

Conclusions—

Treatment of ruptured aneurysms within 24 hours is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with treatment at >24 hours. The benefit is more pronounced for coiling than clipping.

Cervical Spine Dural Arteriovenous Fistula With Coexisting Spinal Radiculopial Artery Aneurysm Presenting as Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

We present a patient with a cervical spine dural arteriovenous fistula associated with a radiculopial artery aneurysm at the same vertebral level presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 45-year-old Native American man presented with sudden-onset severe headache, lethargy, and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. A subsequent CT of the neck showed an anterior spinal subdural hematoma from C2 to C4 causing mild cord compression. Carotid and vertebral angiography failed to demonstrate an intracranial aneurysm, but showed a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula originating from the right vertebral artery at the C5 neuroforamen. The severity of the patient's symptoms, atypical for rupture of a dural arteriovenous fistula, prompted more thorough angiographic evaluation. Thus, injection of the right thyrocervical trunk was performed, demonstrating a 4-mm spinal radiculopial artery aneurysm. Following ventriculostomy, a hemilaminectomy from C4 to C7 was performed with disconnection of the fistula from its drainage system. Subsequent resection of the aneurysm, which was determined to be the cause of the hemorrhage, was accomplished. The patient improved neurologically and was discharged to rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Spinal cord aneurysms from a separate vascular distribution may coexist with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. In the setting of spinal hemorrhage, especially in situations with an atypical clinical presentation, comprehensive imaging is indicated to rule out such lesions.

Lower head of the bed position does not change blood flow velocity in subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is commonly used to monitor for vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Changes in head of the bed (HOB) positions alter blood flow velocities measured by TCD in patients with ischemic stroke. However, the effects of HOB position on the velocities of the cerebral blood flow have not been studied in aSAH patients.

METHODS

We measured the middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocity (MFV) in consecutive patients with aSAH using TCD with the HOB positioned at 30°-45° and then at 0°-15°. We also collected information on intracranial pressure (ICP) and arterial blood pressure at the time of the TCD studies. Our aim was to determine if changes in HOB position affect MFV in patients with aSAH.

RESULTS

We analyzed 35 TCD studies in 19 patients (mean age 53 ± 13 years). Thirteen studies (37%) showed ultrasonographic evidence of vasospasm. Systolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and ICP were not significantly affected by HOB position. The mean MFV of the MCA was 101.0 ± 47.3 cm/s with 0°-15° HOB position versus 100.1 ± 46.8 cm/s with 30°-45° HOB position (P = 0.77 on paired t test). HOB position did not have a significant influence on MFV regardless of the presence of vasospasm.

CONCLUSION

HOB position did not significantly affect MFV in our patients with aSAH.