Long-Term Outcome and Quality of Life After Craniectomy in Speech-Dominant Swollen Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction

Long-term quality of life after decompressive craniectomy

Introduction

This study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy (DC) for any pathology that has caused life-threatening intracranial hypertension. Similarly, it aims to evaluate QoL perceived by caregivers or external informants. In addition to that, the last purpose is to determine which clinical or therapeutic factors could correlate with a better QoL.

Methods

A single-center cross-sectional study was designed. All patients over 18 years old who underwent a supratentorial DC at our department due to intracranial hypertension of any etiology, from January 2015 to December 2021, were retrospectively selected. Patients with incomplete follow-up (under 1 year from the event or those who died) or who declined to participate in the study were excluded. QoL was assessed with SF-36 and CAVIDACE scales. The correlation between clinical and therapeutic variables and SF-36 subscales was studied with Spearman's correlation and the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results

A total of 55 consecutive patients were recruited: 22 patients had died, three were missed for follow-up, and 15 declined to participate, thus 15 subjects were finally included. The mean follow-up was 47 months (IQR 21.5-67.5). A significant reduction in the "role physical" and "role emotional" subscales of SF-36 was observed compared with the general population. According to caregivers, a significant reduction was assigned to the "physical wellbeing" and "rights" domains. The "physical functioning" score was poorer in women, older patients, those with dominant hemisphere disease, those who required tracheostomy, and those with poor outcomes in the modified Rankin scale. A strong correlation was found between the QoL index at the CAVIDACE scale and the SF-36 subscales "physical functioning" and "role physical".

Conclusion

Most patients and caregivers reported acceptable QoL after DC due to a life-threatening disease. A significant reduction in SF- 36 subscales scores "role limitation due to physical problems" and "role limitation due to emotional problems" was referred by patients. According to caregivers' QoL perception, only 25% of the survey's participants showed low scores in the QoL index of the CAVIDACE scale. Only 26.7% of the patients showed mood disorders.

Can we do better at measuring patient-reported outcomes after cranioplasty? A systematic review

Measuring quality of life (QOL) after cranioplasty is increasingly evident as a necessary component of patient-centered care. For data to be useful in clinical decision-making and approval of new therapies, studies must utilize valid and reliable instruments. Our objective was to critically appraise studies evaluating QOL in adult cranioplasty patients and determine validity and relevance of the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used. Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychINFO were used to identify PROMs measuring QOL in adult patients with cranioplasty. The methodological approach, cranioplasty outcomes, and domains measured by the PROMs were extracted and summarized descriptively. A content analysis of the identified PROMs was completed to identify the concepts measured. From 2236 articles identified, 17 articles containing eight QOL PROMs met the inclusion criteria. None of the PROMs was specifically validated or developed for adults undergoing cranioplasty. The QOL domains included physical health, psychological health, social health, and general QOL. These four domains encompassed 216 total items among the PROMs. Appearance was only assessed in two PROMs. To our knowledge, there are currently no validated PROMs that comprehensively measure appearance, facial function, and adverse effects in adults undergoing cranioplasty. There is an urgent need to develop PROMs to measure QOL outcomes rigorously and comprehensively in this patient population to inform clinical care, research, and quality improvement initiatives. Findings from this systematic review will be used to derive an outcome instrument containing important concepts related to QOL in patients who undergo cranioplasty.

Hemicraniectomy for Dominant vs Nondominant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Decompressive hemicraniectomy decreases mortality and severe disability from space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarction in selected patients. However, attitudes towards hemicraniectomy for dominant-hemispheric stroke have been hesitant. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association of stroke laterality with outcome after hemicraniectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search up to 6th February 2020 to retrieve original articles about hemicraniectomy for space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarction that reported outcome in relation to laterality. The primary outcome was severe disability (modified Rankin Scale 4‒6 or 5‒6 or Glasgow Outcome Scale 1‒3) or death. A two-stage combined individual patient and aggregate data meta-analysis evaluated the association between dominant-lateralized stroke and (a) short-term (≤ 3 months) and (b) long-term (> 3 months) outcome. We performed sensitivity analyses excluding studies with sheer mortality outcome, second-look strokectomy, low quality, or small sample size, and comparing populations from North America/Europe vs Asia/South America.

RESULTS

The analysis included 51 studies (46 observational studies, one nonrandomized trial, and four randomized controlled trials) comprising 2361 patients. We found no association between dominant laterality and unfavorable short-term (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.69‒1.45) or long-term (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.76‒1.33) outcome. The results were unchanged in all sensitivity analyses. The grade of evidence was very low for short-term and low for long-term outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that patients with dominant-hemispheric stroke have equal outcome after hemicraniectomy compared to patients with nondominant stroke. Despite the shortcomings of the available evidence, our results do not support withholding hemicraniectomy based on stroke laterality.

Outcome After Decompressive Craniectomy for Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction: Timing of the Intervention

BACKGROUND

Based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical guidelines for the treatment of space-occupying hemispheric infarct employ age (≤60 yr) and time elapsed since stroke onset (≤48 h) as decisive criteria whether to perform decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, only few patients in these RCTs underwent DC after 48 h.

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between the timing of DC and (un)favorable outcome in patients with space-occupying middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct undergoing DC.

METHODS

We performed a single-center cohort study from 2007 to 2017. Unfavorable outcome at 1 yr was defined as a Glasgow outcome scale 1 to 3. Additionally, we systematically reviewed the literature up to November 2018, including studies reporting on the timing of DC and other predictors of outcome. We performed Firth penalized likelihood and random-effects meta-analysis with odds ratio (OR) on unfavorable outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients were enrolled. A total of 26 (39%) patients achieved favorable and 40 (61%) unfavorable outcomes (13 [20%] died). DC after 48 h since stroke diagnosis did not significantly increase the risk of unfavorable outcome (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.3-2.3). Also, in the meta-analysis, DC after 48 h of stroke onset was not associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcome (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.89-1.38).

CONCLUSION

The outcome of DC performed after 48 h in patients with malignant MCA infarct was not worse than the outcome of DC performed within 48 h. Contrary to current guidelines, we, therefore, advocate not to set a restriction of ≤48 h on the time elapsed since stroke onset in the decision whether to perform DC.

Long-term Outcome of Neurological Complications after Infective Endocarditis

Severe neurological complications following infective endocarditis remain a major problem with high mortality rate. The long-term neurological consequences following infective endocarditis remain uncertain. Otherwise, neurosurgeries could be performed after these complications; however, few clinical series have reported the results. Therefore, we utilized a large, nationwide database to unveil the long-term mortality and neurosurgical outcome following infective endocarditis. We included patients with a first-time discharge diagnosis of infective endocarditis between January 2001 and December 2013 during hospitalization. Patients were further divided into subgroups consisting of neurological complications under neurosurgical treatment and complications under non-neurosurgical treatment. Long-term result of symptomatic neurological complications after infective endocarditis and all-cause mortality after different kinds of neurosurgeries were analyzed. There were 16,495 patients with infective endocarditis included in this study. Symptomatic neurological complications occurred in 1,035 (6.27%) patients, of which 279 (26.96%) accepted neurosurgical procedures. Annual incidence of neurological complications gradually increased from 3.6% to 7.4% (P < 0.001). The mortality rate among these patients was higher than that among patients without complications (48.5% vs. 46.1%, P = 0.012, increased from 20% initially to nearly 50% over the 5-year follow-up). However, neurosurgery had no effect on the long-term mortality rate (50.9% vs. 47.6%, P = 0.451). Incidence of neurological complications post-infective endocarditis is increasing, and patients with these complications have higher mortality rates than patients without. Neurosurgery in these populations was not associated with higher long-term mortality. Therefore, it should not be ruled out as an option for those with neurological complications.

Does aneurysm side influence the infarction side and patients´ outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Background

The prognostic factors and outcome of aneurysms appear to be dependent on its locations. Therefore, we compared left- and right- sided aneurysms in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in terms of differences in outcome and prognostic factors.

Methods

Patients with SAH were entered into a prospectively collected database. A total of 509 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were retrospectively selected and stratified in two groups depending on side of ruptured aneurysm (right n = 284 vs. left n = 225). Midline aneurysms of the basilar and anterior communicating arteries were excluded from the analysis. Outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; favorable (mRS 0–2) vs. unfavorable (mRS 3–6)) six months after SAH.

Results

We did not identify any differences in outcome depending on left- and right-sided ruptured aneurysms. In both groups, the significant negative predictive factors included clinical admission status (WFNS IV+V), Fisher 3- bleeding pattern in CT, the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), early hydrocephalus and later shunt-dependence. The side of the ruptured aneurysm does not seem to influence patients´ outcome. Interestingly, the aneurysm side predicts the side of infarction, with a significant influence on patients´ outcome in case of left-sided infarctions. In addition, the in multivariate analysis side of aneurysm was an independent predictor for the side of cerebral infarctions.

Conclusion

The side of the ruptured aneurysms (right or left) did not influence patients’ outcome. However, the aneurysm-side predicts the side of delayed infarctions and outcome appear to be worse in patients with left-sided infarctions.

Brain atlas for assessing the impact of tumor location on perioperative quality of life in patients with high-grade glioma: A prospective population-based cohort study

Background

Tumor location is important for surgical decision making. Particular attention is paid to regions that contain sensorimotor and language functions, but it is unknown if these are the most important regions from the patients' perspective.

Objective

To develop an atlas for depicting and assessing the potential importance of tumor location for perioperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma.

Methods

Patient-reported HRQoL data and semi-automatically segmented preoperative 3D MRI-images were combined in 170 patients. The images were registered to a standardized space where the individual tumors were given the values and color intensity of the corresponding HRQoL. Descriptive brain maps of HRQoL, defined quantitative analyses, and voxel-based lesion symptom mapping comparing patients with tumors in different locations were made.

Results

There was no statistical difference in overall perioperative HRQoL between patients with tumors located in left or right hemisphere, between patients with tumors in different lobes, or between patients with tumors located in non-eloquent, near eloquent, or eloquent areas. Patients with tumors involving the internal capsule, and patients with preoperative motor symptoms and postoperative motor deficits, reported significantly worse overall HRQoL-scores.

Conclusions

The impact of anatomical tumor location on overall perioperative HRQoL seems less than frequently believed, and the distinction between critical and less critical brain regions seems more unclear according to the patients than perhaps when judged by physicians. However, worse HRQoL was found in patients with tumors in motor-related regions, indicating that these areas are crucial also from the patients' perspective.

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The impact of tumor location on patient-reported overall quality of life is low.

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There is no “dominant hemisphere” from the patients' perspective.

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Motor related regions seem to be most crucial for the patients.

Hemicraniectomy for Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke: Facts and Controversies

Malignant large artery stroke is associated with high mortality of 70% to 80% with best medical management. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a highly effective tool in reducing mortality. Convincing evidence has accumulated from several randomized trials, in addition to multiple retrospective studies, that demonstrate not only survival benefit but also improved functional outcome with DC in appropriately selected patients. This article explores in detail the evidence for DC, nuances regarding patient selection, and applicability of DC for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage and posterior fossa ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Long-Term Outcomes for Patients With Stroke After Coronary and Valve Surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative stroke is one of the most devastating complications of cardiac surgery. When life-threatening situations such as large infarction and hemorrhage occur, neurosurgical procedures may be performed. In this study, we analyzed the long-term medical and surgical outcomes of stroke after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, population-based study. All enrolled patients underwent first-time cardiac surgery and were further divided into the subgroups of nonstroke, stroke with medical treatment, and stroke with neurosurgical treatment. All-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and readmission were analyzed.

RESULTS

We included 67,051 patients in this study. Patients with postoperative stroke (2.6%, n = 1,731) exhibited an in-hospital mortality rate of 12.3% (n = 213) and a 5-year mortality rate of 49.1% (n = 850). Unprecedentedly, the 83 patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures exhibited an in-hospital mortality of 16.9%; this rate increased to 65.1% at the 5-year follow-up. This neurosurgical subgroup exhibited the highest rate of long-term mortality (p < 0.001). In the neurosurgical subgroup, age was the risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-4.24; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative stroke often leads to high mortality and poor long-term outcomes. Patients who experienced a severe stroke and underwent neurosurgical procedures also exhibited poor outcomes. Patients and their families should be informed of relatively high mortality and poor long-term outcomes before neurosurgical operation.

Attitudes of Patients and Relatives Toward Disability and Treatment in Malignant MCA Infarction

BACKGROUND

Attitudes among patients and relatives toward the degree of acceptable disability and the importance of aphasia are critical in deciding on decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI). However, most MMI patients are not able to communicate their will. Furthermore, attitudes of healthy individuals and relatives may not correspond to those of stroke patients.

METHODS

This is a multicenter survey among 355 patients and 199 relatives during treatment for acute minor or moderate severe ischemic stroke in Germany. Questions address the acceptance of disability, importance of aphasia, and the preferred treatment in the hypothetical case of future MMI.

RESULTS

mRS scores of 2 or better were considered acceptable by the majority of all respondents (72.9-88.1%). A mRS of 3, 4, and 5 was considered acceptable by 56.0, 24.5, and 6.8%, respectively. Except for a mRS of 1, relatives indicated each grade of disability significantly more often acceptable than patients. Differences regarding acceptable disability and treatment decision were depending on family status, housing situation, need of care, and disability. The presence of aphasia was considered important for treatment decision by both patients (46.5%) and relatives (39.2%). Older respondents more often refrained from DHC (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In Germany, there is substantial heterogeneity in patients and relatives regarding acceptable disability, aphasia, and treatment decision in the hypothetical case of MMI. Relatives significantly overestimate the degree of disability that is acceptable to stroke patients. Further studies are warranted to determine whether differences in attitudes impact on the decision to undergo DHC.

Predictors of early in-hospital death after decompressive craniectomy in swollen middle cerebral artery infarction

BACKGROUND

Swollen middle cerebral artery infarction is a life-threatening disease and decompressive craniectomy is improving survival significantly. Despite decompressive surgery, however, many patients are not discharged from the hospital alive. We therefore wanted to search for predictors of early in-hospital death after craniectomy in swollen middle cerebral artery infarction.

METHODS

All patients operated with decompressive craniectomy due to swollen middle cerebral artery infarction at the Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway, between May 1998 and October 2010, were included. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and candidate variables were age, sex, time from stroke onset to decompressive craniectomy, NIHSS on admission, infarction territory, pineal gland displacement, reduction of pineal gland displacement after surgery, and craniectomy size.

RESULTS

Fourteen out of 45 patients (31%) died during the primary hospitalization (range, 3-44 days). In the multivariate logistic regression model, middle cerebral artery infarction with additional anterior and/or posterior cerebral artery territory involvement was found as the only significant predictor of early in-hospital death (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 0.01-0.77; p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study identified additional territory infarction as a significant predictor of early in-hospital death. The relatively small sample size precludes firm conclusions.

Early decompressive craniectomy for malignant cerebral infarction: Meta-analysis and clinical decision algorithm

BACKGROUND

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an aggressive life-saving surgical intervention for patients with malignant cerebral infarction (MCI). However, DC remains inconsistently and infrequently utilized, primarily due to enduring concern that increased survival occurs only at the cost of poor functional outcome. Our aim was to clarify the role of DC performed within 48 hours (early DC) for patients with MCI, including patients aged >60 years.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials comparing early DC to best medical care for MCI. Studies were identified through literature searches of electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. We employed a Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model to assess treatment effect on dichotomized modified Rankin Scale (mRS) outcomes at 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 289 patients from 6 randomized controlled trials comparing early DC to best medical care were included. Early DC resulted in an increased rate of excellent outcomes, defined as mRS ≤2 (relative risk [RR] 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-7.82, p = 0.047), and favorable outcomes, defined as mRS ≤3 (RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.25-3.40, p = 0.005). Early DC also increased the rate of survival with unfavorable outcomes, defined as mRS 4-5 (RR 3.03, 95% CI 1.98-4.65, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early DC increases the rate of excellent outcomes, i.e., functional independence, in addition to favorable and unfavorable outcomes; however, these findings must be interpreted within the context of patients' goals of care. We have developed a clinical decision algorithm that incorporates goals of care, which may guide consideration of early DC for MCI in clinical practice.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy: predictors of functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke

OBJECT

Patients presenting with large-territory ischemic strokes may develop intractable cerebral edema that puts them at risk of death unless intervention is performed. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of outcome for decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) in ischemic stroke.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective electronic medical record review of 1624 patients from 2006 to 2014. Subjects were screened for DH secondary to ischemic stroke involving the middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery, or both. Ninety-five individuals were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for an array of clinical variables in relationship to functional outcome according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Clinical outcome was assessed at 90 days and at the latest follow-up (mean duration 16.5 months).

RESULTS

The mean mRS score at 90 days and at the latest follow-up post-DH was 4. Good functional outcome was observed in 40% of patients at 90 days and in 48% of patient at the latest follow-up. The mortality rate at 90 days was 18% and at the last follow-up 20%. Univariate analysis identified a greater likelihood of poor functional outcome (mRS scores of 4–6) in patients with a history of stroke (OR 6.54 [95% CI1.39–30.66]; p = 0.017), peak midline shift (MLS) > 10 mm (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.33–8.47]; p = 0.011), or a history of myocardial infarction (OR 8.95 [95% CI1.10–72.76]; p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis demonstrated elevated odds of poor functional outcome associated with a history of stroke (OR 9.14 [95% CI 1.78–47.05]; p = 0.008), MLS > 10 mm (OR 5.15 [95% CI 1.58–16.79; p = 0.007), a history of diabetes (OR 5.63 [95% CI 1.52–20.88]; p = 0.01), delayed time from onset of stroke to DH (OR 1.32 [95% CI 1.02–1.72]; p = 0.037), and evidence of pupillary dilation prior to DH (OR 4.19 [95% CI 1.06–16.51]; p = 0.04). Patients with infarction involving the dominant hemisphere had higher odds of unfavorable functional outcome at 90 days (OR 4.73 [95% CI 1.36–16.44]; p = 0.014), but at the latest follow-up, cerebral dominance was not significantly related to outcome (OR 1.63 [95% CI 0.61–4.34]; p = 0.328).

CONCLUSIONS

History of stroke, diabetes, myocardial infarction, peak MLS > 10 mm, increasing duration from onset of stroke to DH, and presence of pupillary dilation prior to intervention are associated with a worse functional outcome.

Quality of life in patients with intracranial tumors: does tumor laterality matter?

OBJECTIVE Traditionally, the dominant (usually left) cerebral hemisphere is regarded as the more important one, and everyday clinical decisions are influenced by this view. However, reported results on the impact of lesion laterality are inconsistent in the scarce literature on quality of life (QOL) in patients with brain tumors. The authors aimed to study which cerebral hemisphere is the most important to patients with intracranial tumors with respect to health-related QOL (HRQOL). METHODS Two hundred forty-eight patients with unilateral, unifocal gliomas or meningiomas scheduled for primary surgery were included in this prospective cohort study. Generic HRQOL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire preoperatively and after 4-6 weeks. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of data were performed. RESULTS Tumor volumes were significantly larger in right-sided tumors at diagnosis, and language or speech problems were more common in left-sided lesions. Otherwise, no differences existed in baseline data. The median EQ-5D-3L index was 0.73 (range -0.24 to 1.00) in patients with right-sided tumors and 0.76 (range -0.48 to 1.00) in patients with left-sided tumors (p = 0.709). Due to the difference in tumor volumes at baseline, histopathology and tumor volumes were matched in 198 patients. EQ-5D-3L index scores in this 1:1 matched analysis were 0.74 (range -0.7 to 1.00) for patients with right-sided and 0.76 (range -0.48 to 1.00) for left-sided lesions (p = 0.342). In the analysis of longitudinal data, no association was found between tumor laterality and postoperative EQ-5D-3L index scores (p = 0.957) or clinically significant change in HRQOL following surgery (p = 0.793). CONCLUSIONS In an overall patient-reported QOL perspective, tumor laterality does not appear to be of significant importance for generic HRQOL in patients with intracranial tumors. This may imply that right-sided cerebral functions are underestimated by clinicians.