Comparison of endoscopic evacuation, stereotactic aspiration, and craniotomy for treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage

Preoperative cerebral angiography nearly doubles the rate of diffusion-weighted imaging lesion detection following minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions have been linked to poor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to assess the impact of cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) on the presence of DWI lesions in patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for ICH.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was performed on ICH patients treated with MIS in a single health system from 2015 to 2021. One hundred and seventy consecutive patients who underwent postoperative MRIs were reviewed. Univariate analyses were conducted to determine associations. Variables with p<0.05 were included in multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

DWI lesions were present in 88 (52%) patients who underwent MIS for ICH. Of the 83 patients who underwent preoperative DSA, 56 (67%) patients demonstrated DWI lesions. In this DSA cohort, older age, severe leukoaraiosis, larger preoperative hematoma volume, and increased presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) were independently associated with DWI lesion identification (p<0.05). In contrast, of 87 patients who did not undergo DSA, 32 (37%) patients demonstrated DWI lesions on MRI. In the non-DSA cohort, presenting systolic blood pressure, intraventricular hemorrhage, and NIHSS were independently associated with DWI lesions (p<0.05). Higher DWI lesion burden was independently associated with poor modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months on a univariate (p=0.02) and multivariate level (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of ICH patients who underwent minimally invasive evacuation, preprocedural angiography was associated with the presence of DWI lesions on post-ICH evacuation MRI. Furthermore, the burden of DWI lesions portends a worse prognosis after ICH.

Single-cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Ferroptosis as The Most Enriched Programmed Cell Death Process in Hemorrhage Stroke-induced Oligodendrocyte-mediated White Matter Injury

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe stroke subtype with limited therapeutic options. Programmed cell death (PCD) is crucial for immunological balance, and includes necroptosis, pyroptosis, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necrosis. However, the distinctions between these programmed cell death modalities after ICH remain to be further investigated. We used single-cell transcriptome (single-cell RNA sequencing) and spatial transcriptome (spatial RNA sequencing) techniques to investigate PCD-related gene expression trends in the rat brain following hemorrhagic stroke. Ferroptosis was the main PCD process after ICH, and primarily affected mature oligodendrocytes. Its onset occurred as early as 1 hour post-ICH, peaking at 24 hours post-ICH. Additionally, ferroptosis-related genes were distributed in the hippocampus and choroid plexus. We also elucidated a specific interaction between lipocalin-2 (LCN2)-positive microglia and oligodendrocytes that was mediated by the colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1)/CSF1 receptor pathway, leading to ferroptosis induction in oligodendrocytes and subsequent neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study highlights ferroptosis as the primary PCD mechanism, emerging as early as 1 hour post-ICH. Early therapeutic intervention via the suppression of microglial LCN2 expression may alleviate ferroptosis-induced damage in oligodendrocytes and associated neurological deficits, thus offering a promising neuroprotective strategy following ICH.

Neuroendoscopic Surgery Versus Stereotactic Aspiration in the Treatment of Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Debate persists over the relative merits of neuroendoscopic surgery (NS) compared to stereotactic aspiration (SA) for treating supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Consequently, we undertook this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of NS versus SA.

METHODS

We searched for the all-relevant studies systematically from English databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Three independent researchers identified and selected these literatures that met the inclusion criteria. Then we evaluated the quality of these studies according to the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RevMan 5.4 statistical software was used to conduct this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies, including 2722 supratentorial ICH patients, were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that NS could effectively improve the functional prognosis (P = 0.002), reduce the postoperative mortality (P < 0.00001), and increase the hematoma evacuation rate (P < 0.00001). In addition, SA had more advantages in shortening operation time (P < 0.00001) and reducing intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.0001). However, there was no obvious statistical difference in intensive care unit stays (P = 0.23) between NS and SA. Besides, no sufficient evidence could support a significant difference in hospital stays. In the aspect of complications, NS was discovered to have a positive effect on preventing rebleeding (P = 0.005) and intracranial infection (P = 0.003). However, no significant differences between the 2 groups in digestive tract ulcer (P = 0.34), epilepsy (P = 0.99), and pneumonia (P = 0.58) were discovered. In the subgroup analysis, factors including publication time, Glasgow Coma Scale score, age, and follow-up, all significantly influenced the good functional outcome and mortality. Meanwhile, NS behaved more advantageous in improving functional prognosis for patients with hematoma located in the basal ganglia.

CONCLUSIONS

NS may hold more advantages over SA in the treatment of supratentorial ICH. However, SA is also an effective and suitable alternative for elderly patients, especially those with multiple comorbidities intolerant to extended surgical procedures. Further high-quality studies are warranted to substantiate our findings in the future.

Stereotactic puncture surgery combined with early hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be better for long-term functional recovery in patients with moderate amounts of thalamic-inner capsule region haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients with thalamic hemorrhage is poor, and their long-term neurological impairment is heavy, which seriously affects their work and life.To comparatively analyse the efficacy and prognosis of patients with moderate hemorrhage in the thalamic region who underwent conservative treatment, stereotactic puncture surgery and neuroendoscopic surgery.

METHOD

This study retrospectively analyzed hospitalization data from 139 adult patients with moderate-volume cerebral hemorrhage in the thalamo-endocapsular region. They were categorized into a stereotactic group (39cases), a neuroendoscopic group (36cases), and a conventional conservative group (64cases). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for severe neurological deficits in patients. Multivariate regression modeling was used to compare the correlation of severe neurological deficits among the three groups of patients.

RESULTS

Patients with thalamic moderate-volume cerebral hemorrhage had statistically significantly higher Assessment of Daily Living (ADL) scores in the stereotactic surgery group than in the conservative treatment group and the neuroendoscopic surgery group after 6 months of treatment (p< 0.001).The amount of residual hematoma was significantly lower in the surgery groups than in the conservative treatment group at 3 days, 7 days, and 2 weeks after the onset of the disease (P< 0.001).In multivariate logistic regression analyses, after adjusting for all covariates, the odds ratios for severe neurologic dysfunction in the stereotactic group and the neuroendoscopy group were, respectively, OR: 0.37 (0.12-0.87), P< 0.001 and 0.42 (0.23-1.13), P=0.361).

CONCLUSION

In patients with moderate volume cerebral hemorrhage in the thalamus-inner capsule region cerebral hemorrhage, patients treated with stereotactic surgery combined with early hyperbaric oxygen therapy may have better long-term neurological recovery compared with conservative and neuroendoscopic surgical treatments.

Evaluating the learning curve of endoscopic surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A single-center experience in a county hospital

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic surgery has shown promise in treating Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage (sICH), but its adoption in county-level hospitals has been hindered by the high level of surgical expertise required.

METHODS

In this retrospective study at a county hospital, we utilized a Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) control chart to visualize the learning curve for two neurosurgeons. We compared patient outcomes in the learning and proficient phases, and compared them with expected outcomes based on ICH score and ICH functional outcome score, respectively.

RESULTS

The learning curve peaked at the 12th case for NS1 and the 8th case for NS2, signifying the transition to the proficient stage. This stage saw reductions in operation time, blood loss, rates of evacuation < 90 %, rebleeding rates, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and overall costs for both neurosurgeons. In the learning stage, 6 deaths occurred within 30 days, less than the 10.66 predicted by the ICH score. In the proficient stage, 3 deaths occurred, less than the 15.88 predicted. In intermediate and high-risk patients by the ICH functional outcome score, the proficient stage had fewer patients with an mRS ≥ 3 at three months than the learning stage (23.8 % vs. 69.2 %, P = 0.024; 40 % vs. 80 %, P = 0.360). Micromanipulating bipolar precision hemostasis and aspiration devices in the endoport's channels sped up the transition from learning to proficient.

CONCLUSION

The data shows a learning curve, with better surgical outcomes as surgeons gain proficiency. This suggests cost benefits of surgical proficiency and the need for ongoing surgical education and training in county hospitals.

Endoscopic Surgery Versus Stereotactic Aspiration in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic surgery (ES) and stereotactic aspiration (SA) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH).

METHODS

We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to July 31, 2023. Studies comparing ES and SA for sICH treatment were also included. Outcome measures included primary outcomes (mortality and good functional outcome [GFO]) and secondary outcomes (evacuation rate, residual hematoma, perihematomal edema (PHE), operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay duration, intensive care unit stay duration, hospital cost, complications, and reoperation). Subgroup analyses assessed the influence of age, hematoma volume, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and time to surgery on the outcomes.

RESULTS

Nine studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 8 observational studies) with 2105 patients (705 and 1400 in the ES and SA groups, respectively) were included in this meta-analysis. The final analysis indicated that compared with SA, ES was associated with enhanced GFO and a higher evacuation rate 1 day post-surgery along with reduced mortality and residual hematoma. Conversely, ES did not confer benefits in terms of perihematomal edema, operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, or hospital stay duration compared with SA. Subgroup analysis highlighted the significant influences of age and hematoma volume on mortality, whereas hematoma volume and Glasgow Coma Scale score affected GFO.

CONCLUSIONS

ES is a safe and effective approach for sICH treatment, leading to improved patient prognosis and quality of life compared to SA.

Comparison of the efficacy of neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage with neuroendoscopic hematoma removal in treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To compare neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage with neuroendoscopic hematoma removal for treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.

METHOD

Ninety-one patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our neurosurgery department from June 2022 to May 2023 were selected: 47 patients who underwent endoscopic hematoma removal with the aid of neuronavigation in observation Group A and 44 who underwent intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage in control Group B. The duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding, hematoma clearance rate, pre- and postoperative GCS score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, mRS score and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding and hematoma clearance were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.05). Conversely, no significant differences in the preoperative, 7-day postoperative, 14-day postoperative or 1-month postoperative GCS or NIHSS scores or the posthealing mRS score were observed between Groups A and B. However, the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly greater in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.05), with the most significant difference in incidence of intracranial infection (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage and neuroendoscopic hematoma removal are effective at improving the outcome of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. The disadvantage of neuronavigation is that the incidence of complications is significantly greater than that of other methods; postoperative care and prevention of complications should be strengthened in clinical practice.

Contact neuro-endoscopy-assisted cerebral hematoma evacuation under direct vision

Neuro-endoscopic hematoma evacuation is a crucial therapeutic approach for intracerebral hemorrhage. Our research team has developed a portable and contact neuro-endoscopy technique to enhance the conventional endoscopy procedure. compared to traditional endoscopy, this innovative approach involves miniaturizing the lens, light source, and camera system. These components are integrated into a stainless steel tube with a diameter of 4 mm, referred to as the portable endoscopy in this study. The portable endoscopy is powered by a USB cable and the video is displayed on a tablet computer. This portable endoscope facilitates easier operation with both hands by a single surgeon.

Comparison of two minimally invasive surgical approaches for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: a study based on postoperative intracranial pressure parameters

BACKGROUND

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) has been associated with poor prognosis. The transsylvian insular approach (TIA) and the transcortical (TCA) approach are applied for patients with HICH. We aimed to compare the postoperative ICP parameters of TIA and TCA to identify which procedure yields better short-term outcomes in patients with basal ganglia hematoma volumes ranging from 30 to 50 mL.

METHODS

Eighty patients with basal ganglia hematomas 30-50 mL were enrolled in this study. Patients were implanted with ICP probes and divided into TIA and TCA groups according to the procedure. The ICP values were continuously recorded for five days at four-hour intervals. Short-term outcomes were evaluated using the length of hospitalization and postoperative consciousness recovery time.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in age, sex, GCS score at admission, hematoma volume, and hematoma clearance rate (p > 0.05). The results showed that postoperative initial ICP, ICP on the first postoperative day, mean ICP, DICP20 mmHg × 4 h, postoperative consciousness recovery time, the length of hospitalization, mannitol utilization rate and the mannitol dosage were lower in the TIA group than in the TCA group (p < 0.05). Postoperative consciousness recovery time was positively correlated with ICP on the first postoperative day, and the length of hospitalization was positively correlated with mean ICP.

CONCLUSIONS

TIA is more effective than TCA in improving the short-term outcomes of patients with basal ganglia hematoma volumes ranging from 30 to 50 mL according to comparisons of postoperative ICP parameters.

Clinical Significance of Stiffness during Endoscopic Surgery for Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study

Studies regarding hematoma stiffness and removal difficulty are scarce. This study explored the association between hematoma stiffness and surgical results of endoscopic hematoma removal for intracerebral hemorrhage. It also aimed to clarify factors associated with hematoma stiffness. We classified intracerebral hematoma as either soft or firm stiffness by retrospectively evaluating operative videos by two neurosurgeons. The interobserver reliability of the classification was assessed by calculating the κ values. We investigated the relationship between hematoma stiffness and surgical results. Favorable hematoma removal (FHR) was defined as a residual hematoma volume of ≤15 mL or removal rate of ≥70%. Furthermore, we compared the background characteristics, imaging findings, and laboratory data between the two groups. Forty patients were included in this study. The mean baseline hematoma volume was 69.9 mL (range, 41.3-97.6 mL). FHR was accomplished in 35 cases (87.5%). Thirty-four patients (85%) were in the soft hematoma group (group S). Six patients (15%) were in the firm hematoma group (group F). Classification of hematoma stiffness demonstrated an excellent degree of interobserver agreement (κ score = 0.91). Patients in group S had a high FHR rate (p = 0.018) and short endoscopic procedure times (p = 0.00034). The island sign was present in group S (p = 0.030). Patients in group F had significantly high fibrinogen levels (p = 0.049) and low serum total calcium (p = 0.032), hemoglobin (p = 0.041), and hematocrit (p = 0.011) levels. Hematoma stiffness during endoscopic surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage correlates with surgical results, including the endoscopic procedure time and accomplishing rate of FHR.

Meta-analysis of stereotactic hematoma removal and craniotomy hematoma removal in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly

BACKGROUND

A large number of clinical studies suggested that surgery might be a better choice than conservative treatment for treating hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the middle-aged and elderly. Stereotactic puncture can reduce the mass effect caused by hematoma, reduce the intervention of body homeostasis, reduce brain tissue damage, and improve the prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic puncture and craniotomy in elderly patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

METHODS

A search strategy was designed to search in databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CNKI, Wanfang database and relevant references. Literature on the efficacy and safety of different surgical methods for hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in the middle-aged and elderly were retrieved. The search time was until August 17, 2022. Keywords included "hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage," "stereotactic hematoma removal," "craniotomy." After the literature search, 2 researchers independently conducted literature screening, quality evaluation of included trials and data extraction. RevMan5.4 software was used to perform a Meta-analysis on the operation time, hospital stay, postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, postoperative daily activity ability, postoperative complications and neurological prognosis scores included in the included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 1988 samples were included in 9 studies. 1022 patients underwent stereotactic hematoma removal, and 968 patients underwent craniotomy hematoma removal. The orientation group had more advantages in the length of hospital stay, postoperative disability, pulmonary infection, intracranial infection and digestive tract ulcer, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). In addition, the length of stay (I²= 83%) of the included articles had good homogeneity (I²< 50%), and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in operation time, postoperative GCS score, postoperative daily activity ability, and neurological prognosis score (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis indicate that compared to craniotomy for hematoma removal, stereotactic hematoma removal can reduce the postoperative disability rate, intracranial infection rate, lung infection rate, and digestive tract ulcer rate in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

The impact of time to evacuation on outcomes in endoscopic surgery for supratentorial spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a single-center retrospective study

Supratentorial spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) can be treated with endoscopic surgery, but the optimal timing remains uncertain. We retrospectively analyzed data from 46 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery for supratentorial SICH. We examined the relationship between time to evacuation and functional outcome at 3 months, adjusting for prognostic factors. Surgical outcomes and complications were compared between patients with early (≤ 12 h) or late (> 12 h) evacuation. Median time to evacuation was 12 h, and the rate of unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale > 3 at 3 months) was 32.6%. Longer time to evacuation was independently associated with unfavorable outcome (odds ratio per hour delay: 1.26). Late evacuation carried a 7.25-fold higher risk of unfavorable outcome compared to early evacuation. This association held across subgroups based on hematoma volume, location, and intraventricular extension (P for interaction > 0.05). Patients with late evacuation had fewer spot signs (24% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.035) and markers of hemorrhagic expansion (36% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.018), longer neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) stay (3.2 vs. 1.9 days, P = 0.011) and hospital stay (15.7 vs. 11.9 days, P = 0.014), and higher 30-day mortality (28.6 vs. 4%, P = 0.036) and complication rates (57.1% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.023). This study suggests a potential association between early endoscopic evacuation of supratentorial SICH and improved functional outcomes, lower 30-day mortality and reduced complications. The need for timely intervention in managing supratentorial SICH is highlighted, yet further validation through multi-center prospective studies is essential to substantiate these findings and provide a higher level of evidence.

Surgical Outcome of Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Analysis of Nearly 3,000 Cases over 10 Years

Background  Basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH) is a severe neurologic condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its optimal management remains a topic of debate. Our study assessed the surgical outcomes of BGH patients at the 3-month mark using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Methods  This retrospective observational study was conducted over 10 years at an advanced neuro-specialty hospital in Eastern India, including patients who underwent decompressive craniotomy and hematoma evacuation. Variables were systematically coded and analyzed to evaluate the postoperative outcome with age (in years), preoperative motor (M) status, and hematoma volume. Results  This study enrolled 2,989 patients with a mean age of 59.62 (standard deviation: 9.64) years, predominantly males ( n  = 2,427; 81.2%). Hypertension (1,612 cases) and diabetes mellitus (1,202 cases) were the most common comorbidities. Common clinical presentations included ipsilateral weakness (1,920 cases) and/or altered mental status (1,670 cases). At the 3-month mark postsurgery, 2,129 cases (71.2%) had a favorable outcome based on mRS, while 389 cases (13.0%) had an unfavorable outcome. The regression equation showed that age was inversely related to the percentage of individuals achieving a favorable outcome. It also revealed that the preoperative motor score was positively correlated with favorable outcomes. Hematomas smaller than 60 mL had better outcomes, with 1,311 cases (69.1%) classified as good outcomes and 337 cases (17.8%) as bad outcomes. Fatal outcomes related to the illness were observed in 471 patients (15.8%) within the study population. Conclusion  Surgery for BGH showed a substantial improvement in outcomes, particularly in patients with M5/M4 motor status. The preoperative motor score (M status) emerged as a crucial predictor of favorable neurological outcomes. Age and hematoma volume, however, were found to be nondefinitive factors in determining good outcomes.

Endoport Assisted Endoscopic Surgery for Hypertensive Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage by Transsylvian Approach: Technical Nuances and Preliminary Clinical Results

BACKGROUND

There is no clear evidence on the indication and surgical approaches on evacuating basal ganglia hemorrhage caused by hypertensive bleeding. Some studies have shown that minimally invasive approaches have therapeutic potentials, but its benefits remain inconclusive. We describe an endoport assisted endoscopic transsylvian approach for basal ganglia hemorrhage evacuation. We evaluate the safety and efficacy of this approach in a cohort study.

METHODS

We included 19 patients (mean age 57 years) who underwent the surgery at a single county-level hospital in Yunan Province, China. The majority had a Glasgow coma scale between 9 and 12 on admission. The midline shift ranged from 16-29 mm (mean 19 mm). Hematoma volume ranged from 46 to 106 ml (mean 67 ml). Six patients (31.6%) presented with intraventricular hemorrhage.

RESULTS

All patients achieved greater than 90% decrease in hematoma volume at postoperative computed tomography scan. The average operative time was 115 minutes and average blood loss of 44 ml. The most common postoperative complication was pulmonary infection (63.2%). No rebleeding, seizure, infectious meningitis, or postoperative mortality was observed. A total of 17 patients (89.5%) achieved good functional recovery at follow up within 90 days after surgery (Glasgow outcome scale 4-5) and 2 patients had severe disability (Glasgow outcome scale 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoport assisted endoscopic surgery through transsylvian approach is safe and effective treatment for hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage. The majority of patients have good functional recovery and the rate of severe complications is low.

Effect of Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia Combined with Stereotactic Aspiration on Patients with Severe Cerebral Hemorrhage

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mild therapeutic hypothermia combined with stereotactic aspiration of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma on neurological function, inflammatory markers, cerebral hematoma, and cerebral edema in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage. The clinical data of 86 patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage treated at our hospital between March 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were grouped according to their treatment plans: the control group consisted of 40 patients who underwent stereotactic aspiration of the spontaneous intracerebral hematoma, whereas the study group consisted of 46 patients who received adjuvant mild therapeutic hypothermia in addition to the aforementioned treatment. Clinical efficacy, neurological function (NIHSS score), daily living ability (BI score), cerebral hematoma, cerebral edema, cerebral hemodynamics (PI, RI, Vm, Vd), inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hs-CRP), oxidative stress indicators (SOD, MDA, 8-iso-PGF2α), serum-related factors (MMP-9, ICAM-1, ET-1, NO), and prognosis were compared between the groups. The total efficacy rate in the study group (95.65%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (77.50%) (P < 0.05). Post-treatment NIHSS scores, intracranial hematoma volume, perihematoma edema volume, cerebral edema volume, RI, serum IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hs-CRP, MDA, and 8-iso-PGF2α levels were significantly lower in both groups, with the study group showing even greater reductions. The BI score and PI, Vm, Vd, SOD, and NO levels were significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the prognosis of patients in the intervention group was significantly better than that of patients in the control group (P < 0.05). The combination of mild therapeutic hypothermia with stereotactic aspiration of a spontaneous intracerebral hematoma has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of severe cerebral hemorrhage. This approach effectively reduces cerebral hematoma and edema, improves daily living ability, alleviates neurological deficits, regulates cerebral hemodynamics, suppresses inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, modulates serum-related factor levels, and enhances patient prognosis.

Blood-Based Biomarkers in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most lethal subtypes of stroke, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Prevention of hematoma growth and perihematomal edema expansion are promising therapeutic targets currently under investigation. Despite recent improvements in the management of ICH, the ideal treatments are still to be determined. Early stratification and triage of ICH patients enable the adjustment of the standard of care in keeping with the personalized medicine principles. In recent years, research efforts have been concentrated on the development and validation of blood-based biomarkers. The benefit of looking for blood candidate markers is obvious because of their acceptance in terms of sample collection by the general population compared to any other body fluid. Given their ease of accessibility in clinical practice, blood-based biomarkers have been widely used as potential diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic markers. This review identifies some relevant and potentially promising blood biomarkers for ICH. These blood-based markers are summarized by their roles in clinical practice. Well-designed and large-scale studies are required to validate the use of all these biomarkers in the future.

Comparison of endoscopic evacuation, craniotomy, and puncture aspiration for the treatment of spontaneous basal ganglia intracerebral hematoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prognosis of patients with spontaneous basal ganglia intracerebral hematoma treated by endoscopic evacuation, craniotomy, or puncture aspiration.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included information from patients with basal ganglia hematoma who received craniotomy, endoscopic evacuation, or puncture aspiration in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC between January 2016 and May 2021. Patients were grouped according to their treatment method for comparison.

RESULTS

From a total of 184 patients, 62 cases (51 males, aged 54.44 ± 9.92 years) received craniotomy, 64 cases (45 males, aged 53.97 ± 11.87 years) received endoscopic evacuation, and 58 cases (43 males, aged 54.25 ± 10.35 years) received puncture aspiration. No significant difference was found in baseline characteristics among three surgical procedures. Patients in the endoscopy group had the shortest hospital stay (15.16 ± 4.89 days vs. 17.88 ± 5.97 and 20.77 ± 6.96 days), lowest infectious meningitis [1(1.6 %) vs. 2(3.4%) and 8(12.9%)] and pulmonary infection [3(4.7%) vs. 5(8.6%) and 13(21.0%)] rates, and highest hematoma removal rate (90.39 ± 5.22% vs. 35.87 ± 6.23 and 84.76 ± 4.91%) and Glasgow outcome scale 6 months after surgery (4.41 ± 0.53 vs. 3.74 ± 1.09 and 3.81 ± 1.03). The occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding, epilepsy, and mortality were similar (all p > 0.05) among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with spontaneous basal ganglia intracerebral hematoma who received endoscopic evacuation might have better prognosis than those treated with craniotomy or puncture aspiration. In future, endoscopic surgery could become the most common method for treating spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhages.

Short-term surgical outcomes of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in China from 2019 to 2021: a retrospective cohort study

Background

China has the highest prevalence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) worldwide. To date, no national-level report has revealed sICH surgical performance. We aimed to investigate the current status and short-term outcomes of patients who underwent surgical treatment for sICH between 2019 and 2021.

Methods

Data from 7451 patients undergoing sICH surgical treatment in China between 2019 and 2021, including demographic information, disease severity, surgical treatments for sICH, complications, and follow-up information, were retrieved from the Bigdata Observatory Platform for Stroke of China. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. The surgical treatment performance on 3-month mortality and functional outcome were then explored by regression analysis. The influence of stroke center level and region on surgical performance was then explored.

Findings

The numbers of sICH patients undergoing open craniotomy (OC), cranial puncture (CP), decompressive craniectomy (DC) and endoscopic evacuation (EE) were 2404 (32.3%), 3030 (40.7%), 1700 (22.8%) and 317 (4.3%), respectively. The 3-month mortality rate was 20.2%. Among the surviving patients, the 3-month poor functional prognosis (mRS 3-5) rate was 46.5%. After PSM, regression analysis showed that DC was associated with a higher mortality risk (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.06-1.61) than OC. CP was associated with a lower risk of poor mRS scores than OC (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.01), especially in stroke prevention centers and specific regions.

Interpretation

Outcome improvements in Chinese sICH patients undergoing surgical treatment are worth expecting. Inconsistent surgical performance, especially functional outcome, affected by inhomogeneity of the hospital should be addressed.

Funding

This work was supported by the Beijing Hospitals Authority Youth Programme (QML20230804), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81701796, 82030037, 81871009), Capital Health Research and Development of Special Fund (2020-2Z-2019), Science and Technology Innovation 2030-Major Project (2021ZD0201801), and the Translational and Application Project of Brain-inspired and Network Neuroscience on Brain Disorders (11000022T000000444685).

Bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage: a systematic review of etiologies, management strategies, and clinical outcomes

Bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhages (BBGHs) represent rare accidents, with no clear standard of care currently defined. We reviewed the literature on BBGHs and analyzed the available conservative and surgical strategies. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched following the PRISMA guidelines to include studies reporting patients with BBGHs. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes were analyzed. We included 64 studies comprising 75 patients, 25 (33%) traumatic and 50 (67%) non-traumatic. Traumatic cases affected younger patients (mean age 35 vs. 46 years, p=0.014) and males (84% vs. 71%, p=0.27) and were characterized by higher proportion of normal blood pressures at admission (66% vs. 13%, p=0.0016) compared to non-traumatic cases. Most patients were comatose at admission (56%), with a mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7 and a higher proportion of comatose patients in the traumatic than in the non-traumatic group (64% vs. 52%, p=0.28). Among the traumatic group, motor vehicle accidents and falls accounted for 79% of cases. In the non-traumatic group, hemorrhage was most associated with hypertensive or ischemic (54%) and chemical (28%) etiologies. Management was predominantly conservative (83%). Outcomes were poor in 56% of patients with mean follow-up of 8 months. Good recovery was significantly higher in the traumatic than in the non-traumatic group (48% vs. 17%, p=0.019). BBGHs are rare occurrences with dismal prognoses. Standard management follows that of current intracerebral hemorrhage guidelines with supportive care and early blood pressure management. Minimally invasive surgery is promising, though substantial evidence is required to outweigh the potentially increased risks of bilateral hematoma evacuation.

The efficacy of stereotactic minimally invasive thrombolysis at different catheter positions in the treatment of small- and medium-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage (SMITDCP I): a randomized, controlled, and blinded endpoint phase 1 trial

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stereotactic minimally invasive puncture with different catheter placement positions when combined with urokinase thrombolysis for the treatment of small- and medium-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage. Our goal was to identify the best minimally invasive catheter placement position to enhance therapeutic efficacy for patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

Methods

The stereotactic minimally invasive thrombolysis at different catheter positions in the treatment of small- and medium-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage (SMITDCPI) was a randomized, controlled, and endpoint phase 1 trial. We recruited patients with spontaneous ganglia hemorrhage (medium-to-small and medium volume) who were treated in our hospital. All patients received stereotactic, minimally invasive punctures combined with an intracavitary thrombolytic injection of urokinase hematoma. A randomized number table method was used to divide the patients into two groups concerning the location of catheterization: a penetrating hematoma long-axis group and a hematoma center group. The general conditions of the two groups of patients were compared, and the data were analyzed, including the time of catheterization, the dosage of urokinase, the amount of residual hematoma, the hematoma clearance rate, complications, and the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score data at 1 month after surgery.

Results

Between June 2019 and March 2022, 83 patients were randomly recruited and assigned to the two groups as follows: 42 cases (50.60%) to the penetrating hematoma long-axis group and 41 cases (49.40%) to the hematoma center group. Compared with the hematoma center group, the long-axis group was associated with a significantly shorter catheterization time, a lower urokinase dose, a lower residual hematoma volume, a higher hematoma clearance rate, and fewer complications (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the NIHSS scores when tested 1 month after surgery (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Stereotactic minimally invasive puncture combined with urokinase for the treatment of small- and medium-volume hemorrhage in the basal ganglia, including catheterization through the long axis of the hematoma, led to significantly better drainage effects and fewer complications. However, there was no significant difference in short-term NIHSS scores between the two types of catheterization.

Laser navigation combined with XperCT technology-assisted puncture of basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage

Basal ganglia hemorrhage, which is characterized by excessive incapacity charge and high mortality rates, is surgically treated by minimally invasive hematoma puncture and drainage. We aimed at determining the efficacy of laser-guided minimally invasive hematoma puncture and drainage for treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage. A total of 61 patients with hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage were recruited at the Binzhou Medical University Hospital, between October 2019 and January 2021, and their clinical information retrospectively analyzed. Based on the surgical approach used, patients were assigned into either laser navigation or small bone window groups depending on the surgical approach. Then, we compared the operation times, intraoperative blood loss, clinic stay, Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) rating at 30 days, Barthel index (BI) rating at 6 months, postoperative pneumonia incidences, and intracranial contamination complications between groups. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and sanatorium were significantly low in laser navigation group, relative to the small bone window group. At the same time, there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to postoperative hematoma volume, lung contamination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and intracranial contamination, as well as the 6-month BI and 30-day GOS rating. There were no deaths in either group. Compared with the traditional small bone window surgery, laser-guided puncture and drainage is a low-cost, accurate, and safe method for the treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage, which is suitable for promotion in developing countries and economically underdeveloped areas.

Admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict 30-day mortality in severe spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage

Background

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) usually occurs in the basal ganglia and is highly lethal and disabling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with severe spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with severe basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2012 to 2018. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and neuroradiological data were collected. The short-term prognosis was evaluated and divided into death within 30-days and survival over 30-days. We studied the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with severe intracerebral hemorrhage, analyzed the parameters related to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) at admission, and evaluated the predictive effect of NLR on 30-day mortality.

Results

A total of 105 patients was included in this retrospective study. The 30-day death group had a larger hematoma, a higher probability of ventricular hemorrhage, a higher ICH score and a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission. Meanwhile, the patients in the death group had higher White blood cells (WBC) counts, neutrophil counts, NLRs and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The risk factors for 30-day death were related to the ICH volume, GCS score, ICH score, WBC count, neutrophil count, NLR and CRP. The univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the risk factors showed that the NLR had the best prediction performance. Mathematical predictive models for ICH patients showed that the model with NLR had better prediction accuracy.

Conclusions

The NLR is expected to be a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with severe basal ganglia hemorrhage.

Extended reality platform for minimally invasive endoscopic evacuation of deep-seated intracerebral hemorrhage: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Extended reality (XR) offers an interactive visualization platform that combines virtual reality (VR) for preoperative planning and augmented reality (AR) for intraoperative navigation overlay.

OBSERVATIONS

XR was used for treating a case of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) requiring neurosurgical intervention to decompress a hemorrhage in the subcortical area involving the thalamus that was starting to compress the midbrain. The selected surgical technique was an endoscopic aspiration combined with neurosurgical navigation. Because of the deep-seated location of this ICH, a patient-specific 360XR model rendered using Surgical Theater was used for preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation to allow for enhanced visualization and understanding of the pathology and surrounding anatomy.

LESSONS

The XR platform enabled visualization of critical structures near the ICH by extracting and highlighting the white matter tracts from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with tractography, which improved preoperative planning beyond using state-of-the-art neuronavigation techniques alone. Once the trajectory was set, the model was integrated with the neuronavigation system, and the planned approach was referenced throughout the procedure to evacuate the clots without further injuring the brain. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was doing well 11 months after his spontaneous ICH.

Stereotactic Aspiration Acts as an Effective Treatment for Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction

Objective

This study seeks to explore the efficacy and prognosis of stereotactic aspiration for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (mMCAI).

Methods

A total of 50 mMCAI patients who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were collected and then randomly divided into control group (decompressive craniectomy, n = 24) and study group (stereotactic aspiration, n = 26). After 1 and 6 months of treatment, the scores of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Barthel Index, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Additionally, the mortality and survival rates after treatment were recorded to compare the prognostic effect between the two groups.

Results

One month after treatment, the GCS scores and Barthel Index score increased in both the control and study groups and were significantly higher in the study group. The follow-up results at 1 and 6 months after treatment showed that in comparison with the control group, stereotactic aspiration led to a higher survival rate and lower mortality rate; the latter had superior NIHSS score and mRS score and better prognosis.

Conclusion

In comparison with decompressive craniectomy, stereotactic aspiration shows outstanding clinical efficacy and more advantages in the treatment of mMCAI. Therefore, stereotactic aspiration is more worthy of clinical application.

La neuroendoscopia: una técnica revolucionaria en el campo de la neurocirugía

La neuroendoscopia es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo que se desarrolló a principios del siglo pasado y tiene importancia en el campo de la neurocirugía, representa un método innovador ya que aporta una amplia visualización de las estructuras anatómicas con mínimo traumatismo del tejido nervioso, contribuyendo al diagnóstico y tratamiento de diversas afecciones intra y extracraneales. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica con el propósito de identificar, analizar y describir algunas patologías neuroquirúrgicas que se han tratado bajo neuroendoscopia, así como los aportes más relevantes en cirugía pediátrica y de columna, con el fin de exponer el impacto que ha tenido esta técnica en el desarrollo de la cirugía moderna.

Long-term outcome of stereotactic aspiration, endoscopic evacuation, and open craniotomy for the treatment of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage: a propensity score study of 703 cases

Background

To compare the long-term therapeutic effects of stereotactic aspiration (SA), endoscopic evacuation (EE), and open craniotomy (OC) in the surgical treatment of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage and explore the appropriate clinical indications for each technique.

Methods

Multiple-treatment inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of these techniques. The primary and secondary outcomes were 6-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and mortality rates, respectively.

Results

A total of 703 patients were ultimately enrolled. For the entire cohort, the 6-month mortality rate was significantly higher (OR 2.396, 95% CI: 1.865–3.080), and the 6-month functional outcome was significantly worse (OR 1.359, 95% CI: 1.091–1.692) for SA than that of EE. The 6-month mortality rate for OC was significantly higher (OR 1.395, 95% CI: 1.059–1.837) than that of EE. Further subgroup analysis was stratified by initial hematoma volume and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. The mortality rate for SA was significantly higher for patients with hematoma volume of 20–40 mL (OR 6.226, 95% CI: 3.848–10.075), 40–80 mL (OR 2.121, 95% CI: 1.492–3.016), and ≥80 mL (OR 5.544, 95% CI: 3.315–9.269) than in the same subgroups of EE. The functional outcomes for SA were significantly worse than that of EE for hematoma volume subgroups of 40–80 mL (OR 1.424, 95% CI: 1.039–1.951) and ≥80 mL (OR 4.224, 95% CI: 1.655–10.776). The mortality rate for SA was significantly higher than that of EE for the GCS score subgroups of 6–8 (OR 2.082, 95% CI: 1.410–3.076) and 3–5 (OR 2.985, 95% CI: 1.904–4.678). The mortality rate for OC was significantly higher for the GCS score of 3–5 subgroup (OR 1.718, 95% CI: 1.115–2.648), and a tendency for a higher mortality rate of 6–8 subgroup (OR 1.442, 95% CI: 0.965–2.156) than that of EE.

Conclusions

EE can decrease the 6-month mortality rate and improve the 6-month functional outcomes of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage in patients with a hematoma volume ≥40 mL. EE can decrease the 6-month mortality rate of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage in patients with a GCS score of 3–8.

Definition and time course of pericavity edema after minimally invasive endoscopic intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation

BACKGROUND

Perihematomal edema (PHE) volume correlates with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume and is associated with functional outcome. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for ICH decreases clot burden and PHE. MIS may therefore alter the time course of PHE, mitigating a critical source of secondary injury.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a new method for the quantitative measurement of cerebral edema surrounding the evacuated hematoma cavity, termed pericavity edema (PCE), and obtain details of its time course following MIS for ICH.

METHODS

The study included 48 consecutive patients presenting with ICH who underwent MIS evacuation. Preoperative and postoperative CT scans were assessed by two independent raters. Hematoma, edema, cavity, and pneumocephalus volumes were calculated using semi-automatic, threshold-guided volume segmentation software (AnalyzePro). Follow-up CT scans at variable delayed time points were available for 36 patients and were used to describe the time course of PCE.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative, postoperative, and delayed PCE were 21.0 mL (SD 15.5), 18.6 mL (SD 11.4), and 18.4 mL (SD 15.5), respectively. The percentage of ICH evacuated correlated significantly with a decrease in postoperative PCE (r=-0.46, p<0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant relation between preoperative hematoma volume and both postoperative PCE (p<0.001) and postoperative relative PCE (p<0.001). The mean peak PCE was 26.4 mL (SD 15.6) and occurred at 6.5 days (SD 4.8) post-ictus. The 2-week postoperative time course of relative PCE did not fluctuate, suggesting stability in edema during the perioperative period surrounding evacuation and up to 2 weeks after the initial bleed.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a detailed and accurate method for measuring PCE volume with semi-automatic, threshold-guided segmentation software in the postoperative patient with ICH. Decrease in PCE after MIS evacuation correlated with evacuation percentage, and relative PCE remained stable after minimally invasive endoscopic ICH evacuation.

Long-Term Effect of Endoscopic Evacuation for Large Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage With GCS Scores ≦ 8

Aims: The surgical evacuation, including stereotactic aspiration, endoscopic evacuation, and craniotomy, is the most effective way to reduce the volume of intracerebral hemorrhage. However, credible evidence for the effects of these techniques is still insufficient. The present study explored the long-term outcomes of these techniques in the treatment of basal ganglia hematoma with low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores (≤8) and large-volume (≥40 ml), which were predictors of high mortality.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively. The primary and secondary outcomes were 6-months mortality and 6-months modified Rankin Scale score, which were assessed by a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results: Compared with the endoscopic evacuation group, the mortality was significantly higher in the stereotactic aspiration group (OR 6.858, 95% CI 3.146–14.953) and open craniotomy group (OR 3.315, 95% CI 1.497–7.341). Age (OR = 2.237, 95% CI 1.290–3.877) and herniation (OR = 2.257, 95% CI 1.172–4.348) were independent predictors for mortality. No significant difference in the neurological functional outcome was found in the stereotactic aspiration group (OR 0.501, 95% CI 0.192–1.308) and the craniotomy group (OR 0.774, 95% CI 0.257–2.335) compared with the endoscopic evacuation group.

Conclusion: Endoscopic evacuation significantly decreased the 6-months mortality in patients with hemorrhage ≥40 ml and GCS ≤ 8.

Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Catheter Evacuation for the Treatment of Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage

Recently, minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic evacuation and minimally invasive catheter (MIC) evacuation, have been used for the treatment of patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH). However, credible evidence is still needed to validate the effects of these techniques. To explore the long-term outcomes of both surgical techniques in the treatment of SCH. Fifty-two patients with SCH who received endoscopic evacuation or MIC evacuation were retrospectively reviewed. Six-month mortality and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the effects of the different surgical techniques on patient outcomes. In the present study, the mortality rate for the entire cohort was 34.6%. Univariate analysis showed that the surgical technique and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score affected 6-month mortality. However, no variables were found to be correlated with 6-month mRS scores. Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that 6-month mortality in the endoscopic evacuation group was significantly lower than that in the MIC evacuation group (OR = 4.346, 95% CI 1.056 to 17.886). The 6-month mortality rate in the preoperative GCS 9-14 group was significantly lower than that in the GCS 3-8 group (OR = 7.328, 95% CI 1.723 to 31.170). Compared with MIC evacuation, endoscopic evacuation significantly decreased 6-month mortality in SCH patients. These preliminary results warrant further large, prospective, randomized studies.