Burr hole washout versus craniotomy for chronic subdural hematoma: patient outcome and cost analysis

Endoscopic Membranectomy's Role in the Treatment of Nonhomogeneous Chronic Subdural Hematoma (EMiT-CSDH): Prospective Single-arm Interventional Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a prevalent neurosurgical condition characterized by blood accumulation within the border cell layer. Despite various treatment options-medical, endovascular, and surgical-recurrence rates remain high. Our pilot study investigates the safety and efficacy of endoscopic membranectomy (EM) in reducing recurrence in nonhomogenous CSDH.

METHODS

This was a prospective single-arm interventional pilot study from March to June 2023. It included patients of all ages who presented with symptomatic nonhomogenous CSDH requiring surgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients were enrolled in this study. The average age was 60.4 ± 10.4 years. The male:female ratio was 5.3:1. In this group, 73.7% (n = 14) of patients had a history of trauma. All patients presented with a history of altered sensorium and contralateral limb weakness. The most common type of CSDH was trabecular (42.1%), followed by gradient (21%), separated (15.8%), and laminar (15.8%). The average duration of surgery was 43.42 ± 10 minutes. CSDH may be thin or thick based on its tractability and has significance in EM technique. All patients started recovering within 24 hours. All patients were asymptomatic, without any neurologic deficit, at 2 weeks, and remained so at the 6-month review. In 17 patients, the 6-month follow-up computed tomography did not show any bleeding/recurrence. There were no postoperative seizures, wound-healing issues, or infections.

CONCLUSIONS

There are multiple treatment options for CSDH at present. EM is a potentially safe and effective treatment for CSDH, with lower recurrence and faster recovery. Large-scale controlled studies on EM are required.

Risk Factors Associated With Seizure After Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Chronic subdural hemorrhage (cSDH) is a prevalent neurosurgical pathology, marked by blood collection between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the risk factors associated with seizures after cSDH treatment.

METHODS

We systematically searched the following databases for studies conducted until September 28, 2023: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central, WOS, and EBSCO. We selected all studies aiming to assess risk factors associated with seizures after treatment of cSDH. Observation studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies.

RESULTS

A total of 1830 studies were screened after the elimination of duplicates. A total of 18 studies were included, representing 4966 patients. The pooled proportion of seizures after treatment of cSDH is 10% [95% CI 7%, 13%; I2 = 93%]. The risk of seizures was lower in patients undergoing burr hole surgery compared to craniotomy, with an odds ratio of 0.23 (95% CI [0.10, 0.55]; I2 = 0%). Additionally, the risk of seizures in patients receiving prophylactic antiepileptic treatment compared to those without was higher, with an odds ratio of 2.62 (95% CI [0.53, 13.06]; I2 = 66%).

CONCLUSION

Burr-hole treatment after cSDH presents a lower risk of seizures compared with craniotomy, and the use of prophylactic antiepileptic treatment did not conclusively affect seizure outcomes. Standardization in the reporting of outcomes and more comparative studies are needed to enable better recognition of risk factors of seizures after cSDH treatment.

Factors Associated with Extended Hospitalization in Patients Who Had Adjuvant Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization After Conventional Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematomas

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate the length of stay (LOS) in patients who had adjunct middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma after conventional surgery and determine the factors influencing the LOS in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 107 cases with MMAE after conventional surgery between September 2018 and January 2024 was performed. Factors associated with prolonged LOS were identified through univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

The median LOS for MMAE after conventional surgery was 9 days (interquartile range = 6-17), with a 3-day interval between procedures (interquartile range = 2-5). Among 107 patients, 58 stayed ≤ 9 days, while 49 stayed longer. Univariable analysis showed the interval between procedures, type of surgery, MMAE sedation, and the number of complications associated with prolonged LOS. Multivariable analysis confirmed longer intervals between procedures (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52; P < 0.01), ≥2 medical complications (OR = 13.34; P = 0.01), and neurological complications (OR = 5.28; P = 0.05) were independent factors for lengthier hospitalizations. There was a trending association between general anesthesia during MMAE and prolonged LOS (P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis revealed diabetes (OR = 5.25; P = 0.01) and ≥2 medical complications (OR = 5.21; P = 0.03) correlated with a LOS over 20 days, the 75th percentile in our cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The interval between procedures and the number of medical and neurological complications were strongly associated with prolonged LOS in patients who had adjunct MMAE after open surgery. Reducing the interval between the procedures and potentially performing both under 1 anesthetic may decrease the burden on patients and shorten their hospitalizations.

Letter to the editor: "Therapeutic efficacy of drilling drainage combined with intraoperative middle meningeal artery occlusion in the management of chronic subdural hematoma: a clinical study"

This letter addresses the research presented by Sun et al. on the integration of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with conventional surgical drainage for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), focusing on precision in targeting the middle meningeal artery (MMA). The study demonstrates a reduction in hematoma recurrence and drainage tube indwelling times, highlighting the procedural benefits without added complications. The letter suggests further research directions, including the potential for personalized surgical approaches based on MMA anatomy variations, and emphasizes the importance of this technique in enhancing neurosurgical outcomes.

Comparison of Postoperative Seizures Between Burr-Hole Evacuation and Craniotomy in Patients With Nonacute Subdural Hematomas: A Bi-Institutional Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Postoperative seizures are a common complication after surgical drainage of nonacute chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The literature increasingly supports the use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs for craniotomy, a procedure that is often associated with larger collections and worse clinical status at admission. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative seizures in patients treated with burr-hole drainage and those treated with craniotomy through propensity score matching (PSM).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients with surgical drainage of nonacute SDHs (burr-holes and craniotomies) between January 2017 to December 2021 at 2 academic institutions in the United States. PSM was performed by controlling for age, subdural thickness, subacute component, and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale. Seizure rates and accompanying abnormalities on electroencephalographic tracing were evaluated postmatching.

RESULTS

A total of 467 patients with 510 nonacute SDHs underwent 474 procedures, with 242 burr-hole evacuations (51.0%) and 232 craniotomies (49.0%). PSM resulted in 62 matched pairs. After matching, univariate analysis revealed that burr-hole evacuations exhibited lower rates of seizures (1.6% vs 11.3%; P = .03) and abnormal electroencephalographic findings (0.0% vs 4.8%; P = .03) compared with craniotomies. No significant differences were observed in postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (P = .77) and length of hospital stay (P = .61).

CONCLUSION

Burr-hole evacuation demonstrated significantly lower seizure rates than craniotomy using a propensity score-matched analysis controlling for significant variables.

Therapeutic efficacy of drilling drainage combined with intraoperative middle meningeal artery occlusion in the management of chronic subdural hematoma: a clinical study

BACKGROUND

The bone holes in the skull during surgical drainage were accurately located at the site of the MMA. The MMA was severed, and the hematoma was removed intraoperatively; furthermore, surgical drainage removed the pathogenic factors of CSDH. This study aimed to describe and compare the results of the new treatment with those of traditional surgical drainage, and to investigate the relevance of this approach.

METHODS

From December 2021 to June 2023, 72 patients were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group. The control group was treated with traditional surgical drainage, while the observation group was treated with DSA imaging to accurately locate the bone holes drilled in the skull on the MMA trunk before traditional surgical drainage. The MMA trunk was severed during the surgical drainage of the hematoma. The recurrence rate, time of indwelling drainage tube, complications, mRS, and other indicators of the two groups were compared, and the changes of cytokine components and imaging characteristics of the patients were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 27 patients with 29-side hematoma in the observation group and 45 patients with 48-side hematoma in the control group were included in the study. The recurrence rate was 0/29 in the observation group and 4/48 in the control group, indicating that the recurrence rate in the observation group was lower than in the control group (P = .048). The mean indwelling time of the drainage tube in the observation group was 2.04 ± 0.61 days, and that in the control group was 2.48 ± 0.61 days. The indwelling time of the drainage tube in the observation group was shorter than in the control group (P = .003). No surgical complications were observed in the observation group or the control group. The differences in mRS scores before and after operation between the observation group and the control group were statistically significant (P < .001). The concentrations of cytokine IL6/IL8/IL10/VEGF in the hematoma fluid of the observation and control groups were significantly higher than those in venous blood (P < .001). After intraoperative irrigation and drainage, the concentrations of cytokines (IL6/IL8/IL10/VEGF) in the subdural hematoma fluid were significantly lower than they were preoperatively. In the observation group, the number of MMA on the hematoma side (11/29) before STA development was higher than that on the non-hematoma side (1/25), and the difference was statistically significant (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

In patients with CSDH, accurately locating the MMA during surgical trepanation and drainage, severing the MMA during drainage, and properly draining the hematoma, can reduce the recurrence rate and retention time of drainage tubes, thereby significantly improving the postoperative mRS Score without increasing surgical complications.

Delayed Burr Hole Evacuation Compared With Acute Craniotomy for Acute Subdural Hematoma in Older Patients With Low-Energy Trauma

Background Acute subdural hematomas commonly require emergent surgical decompression by craniotomy. There is currently limited research on alternative surgical strategies in the elderly population. This study investigates delayed surgical intervention for stable patients with low-energy trauma presenting with acute subdural hematomas. Methodology In this retrospective chart review, 45 patients over the age of 55 presenting with acute subdural hematomas with a Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than or equal to 13 in the setting of low-energy trauma were selected. Additionally, included patients had a maximal hematoma thickness of >10 mm and/or a midline shift size of >5 mm per the current Brain Trauma Foundations guidelines for surgical intervention of subdural hematomas. The study was performed at a large tertiary care center, with records being examined from 1995 to 2020. Comparison groups were immediate craniotomy (within 24 hours) or delayed burr hole (minimum of 48 hours passing since the initial presentation). Primary outcomes included minor complications, major complications, any complications, and any complications with mortality excluded. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two cohorts. Results The immediate craniotomy group consisted of 16 patients, while the delayed burr hole group consisted of 29 patients. The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the incidence of any complication including mortality (relative risk (RR) = 3.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.71-5.88, p < 0.0001), major complications (RR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.07-5.07, p = 0.031), and minor complications (RR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.02-5.74, p = 0.041) in the immediate craniotomy group compared to the delayed burr hole group. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the decreased risk of major and minor complications for delayed burr hole evacuation in stable patients >55 years old presenting with low-energy trauma and subdural hematoma. The results suggest that for this population of patients, it appears to be beneficial to delay surgery if the patient's clinical situation allows.

A Novel Port to Facilitate Magnetic Hyperthermia Therapy for Glioma

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common primary brain malignancy and continue to be associated with a dismal prognosis (median survival rate of 15-18 months) with standard of care therapy. Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) is an emerging intervention that leverages the ferromagnetic properties of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) to target cancer cells that are otherwise left behind after resection. We report a novel port device to facilitate localization, delivery, and temperature measurement of MIONPs within a target lesion for MHT therapy. We conducted an in-depth literature and intellectual property review to define specifications of the conceived port device. After setting the design parameters, a thorough collaboration with neurological surgeons guided the iterative modeling process. A prototype was developed using Fusion 360 (Autodesk, San Rafael, CA) and printed on a Form 3 printer (Formlabs, Medford, MA) in Durable resin. The prototype was then tested in a phantom skull printed on a Pro-Jet 660Pro 3D printer (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC) and a brain model based on mechanical and electrochemical properties of native brain tissue. This phantom underwent MHT heating tests using an alternating magnetic field (AMF) sequence based on current MHT workflow. Successful localization, delivery, and temperature measurement were demonstrated. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to create and validate the procedural framework for a novel device, providing the groundwork for an upcoming comprehensive animal trial and second, to elucidate a cooperative approach between engineers and clinicians that propels advancements in medical innovation.

Incidence, therapy, and outcome in the management of chronic subdural hematoma in Switzerland: a population-based multicenter cohort study

Background

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a disease affecting mainly elderly individuals. The reported incidence ranges from 2.0/100,000 to 58 per 100,000 person-years when only considering patients who are over 70 years old, with an overall incidence of 8.2-14.0 per 100,000 persons. Due to an estimated doubling of the population above 65 years old between 2000 and 2030, cSDH will become an even more significant concern. To gain an overview of cSDH hospital admission rates, treatment, and outcome, we performed this multicenter national cohort study of patients requiring surgical treatment of cSDH.

Methods

A multicenter cohort study included patients treated in 2013 in a Swiss center accredited for residency. Demographics, medical history, symptoms, and medication were recorded. Imaging at admission was evaluated, and therapy was divided into burr hole craniostomy (BHC), twist drill craniostomy (TDC), and craniotomy. Patients' outcomes were dichotomized into good (mRS, 0-3) and poor (mRS, 4-6) outcomes. A two-sided t-test for unpaired variables was performed, while a chi-square test was performed for categorical variables, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

A total of 663 patients were included. The median age was 76 years, and the overall incidence rate was 8.2/100,000. With age, the incidence rate increased to 64.2/100,000 in patients aged 80-89 years. The most prevalent symptoms were gait disturbance in 362 (58.6%) of patients, headache in 286 (46.4%), and focal neurological deficits in 252 (40.7%). CSDH distribution was unilateral in 478 (72.1%) patients, while 185 presented a bilateral hematoma with no difference in the outcome. BHC was the most performed procedure for 758 (97.3%) evacuations. CSDH recurrence was noted in 104 patients (20.1%). A good outcome was seen in almost 81% of patients. Factors associated with poor outcomes were age, GCS and mRS on admission, and the occurrence of multiple deficits present at the diagnosis of the cSDH.

Conclusion

As the first multicenter national cohort-based study analyzing the disease burden of cSDH, our study reveals that the hospital admission rate of cSDH was 8.2/100,000, while with age, it rose to 64.2/100,000. A good outcome was seen in 81% of patients, who maintained the same quality of life as before the surgery. However, the mortality rate was 4%.

Factors Associated With Short-Term Outcomes of Burr-Hole Craniostomy Associated With Brain Re-Expansion and Subdural Hematoma Shrinkage for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Objective

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a commonly encountered neurosurgical pathology that frequently requires surgical intervention. With an increasingly aging demographic, more older people and patients with comorbidities will present with symptomatic CSDH. This study evaluated clinical and laboratory factors affecting the short-term outcomes of CSDH after surgical intervention.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 170 patients who underwent burr-hole trephination for CSDH in a single institution from January 2019 to December 2021. All patients were examined for risk factors and evaluated for hematoma thickness change and midline shifting on brain computed tomography (CT) scans at 3 days after burr-hole trephination.

Results

This consecutive series of patients included 114 males (67.1%) and 56 females (32.9%); mean age 72.4±12.5 years. Renal disease (p=0.044) and prior intracranial hemorrhage (p=0.004) were clinical factors associated with poorer prognosis. A statistically significant association was found between initial laboratory findings, including high creatine kinase (p=0.025) and low platelet (p=0.036) levels, and CT findings 3 days postoperatively. The 3-day mean arterial pressure and postoperative ambulation were not significantly associated with outcomes.

Conclusion

Burr-hole craniostomy is an effective surgical procedure for initial CSDH. However, patients with a history intracranial hemorrhage and abnormal laboratory findings, such as low platelet levels, who underwent burr-hole trephination had poor short-term outcomes. Therefore, these patients should be carefully monitored.

Surgical techniques for evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma: a mini-review

Chronic subdural hematoma is one of the most common neurosurgical pathologies with over 160,000 cases in the United States and Europe each year. The current standard of care involves surgically evacuating the hematoma through a cranial opening, however, varied patient risk profiles, a significant recurrence rate, and increasing financial burden have sparked innovation in the field. This mini-review provides a brief overview of currently used evacuation techniques, including emerging adjuncts such as endoscopic assistance and middle meningeal artery embolization. This review synthesizes the body of available evidence on efficacy and risk profiles for each critical aspect of surgical technique in cSDH evacuation and provides insight into trends in the field and promising new technologies.

Seizure after chronic subdural hematoma evacuation: associated factors and effect on clinical outcome

Objective

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in neurosurgery, which usually occurs in the elderly. Seizure is one of the postoperative complications in CSDH patients and can affect patient outcomes. There is currently no consensus on whether antiepileptic drugs should be prescribed prophylactically. The aim of this study was to evaluate independent risk factors for postoperative seizures and unfavorable outcomes in CSDH patients.

Methods

We reviewed 1,244 CSDH patients who had undergone burr-hole craniotomy in this study. Patient clinical data, CT scan results, recurrence and outcome data were collected. We divided the patients into two groups based on whether they had a postoperative seizure. Percentages and χ² tests were applied for categorical variables. Standard deviations and two-sided unpaired t-tests were applied for continuous variables. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent factors of postoperative seizures and unfavorable outcomes.

Results

The incidence of seizures after CSDH surgery was 4.2% in this study. There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between seizure and non-seizure patients (p = 0.948), and the outcome of seizure patients was significantly poor (p < 0.001). There are more postoperative complications in seizure patients (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for postoperative seizures included drinking history (p = 0.031), cardiac disease (p = 0.037), brain infarction (p = 0.001) and trabecular hematoma (p < 0.001). The use of urokinase is a protective factor for postoperative seizures (p = 0.028). Hypertension is an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome in seizure patients (p = 0.038).

Conclusion

Seizures after CSDH surgery were associated with postoperative complications, higher mortality and poorer clinical outcomes at follow-up. We believe that alcohol consumption, cardiac disease, brain infarction and trabecular hematoma are independent risk factors for seizures. The use of urokinase is a protective factor against seizures. Patients with postoperative seizures need more stringent management of their blood pressure. A prospective randomized study is necessary to determine which subgroups of CSDH patients would benefit from antiepileptic drugs prophylaxis.

Abstract No.: ABS0857: Efficacy and Safety of Mini-craniotomy under Local Anaesthesia as a Less Invasive Procedure for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Background & Aims:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Cost-effectiveness of andexanet alfa versus four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for the treatment of oral factor Xa inhibitor-related intracranial hemorrhage in the US

AIM

To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) on the use of andexanet alfa for the treatment of factor Xa inhibitor-related intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from the US third-party payer and societal perspectives.

METHODS

CEA compared andexanet alfa to prothrombin complex concentrate for the treatment of patients receiving factor Xa inhibitors admitted to hospital inpatient care with an ICH. The model comprised two linked phases. Phase 1 utilized a decision tree to model the acute treatment phase (admission of a patient with ICH into intensive care for the first 30 days). Phase 2 modeled long-term costs and outcomes using three linked Markov models comprising the six health states defined by the modified Rankin score.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that the strategy of using andexanet alfa for the treatment of factor Xa inhibitor-related ICH is cost-effective, with incremental cost-effectiveness per quality-adjusted life-year gained of $35,872 from a third-party payer perspective and $40,997 from a societal perspective over 20 years.

LIMITATIONS

(1) Absence of head-to-head trials comparing therapies included in the economic model, (2) lack of comparative long-term data on treatment efficacy, and (3) bias resulting from the study designs of published literature.

CONCLUSION

Given these results, the use of andexanet alfa for the reversal of anticoagulation in patients with factor Xa inhibitor-related ICH may improve quality of life and is likely to be cost-effective in a US context.

Total 1-year hospital cost of middle meningeal artery embolization compared to surgery for chronic subdural hematomas: a propensity-adjusted analysis

BACKGROUND

Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization results in fewer treatment failures than surgical evacuation for chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs). We compared the total 1-year hospital cost for MMA embolization versus surgical evacuation for patients with cSDH.

METHODS

Data for patients who presented with cSDHs from January 1, 2018, through May 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped by initial treatment (surgery vs MMA embolization), and total hospital cost was obtained. A propensity-adjusted analysis was performed. The primary outcome was difference in mean hospital cost between treatments.

RESULTS

Of 170 patients, 48 (28%) underwent embolization and 122 (72%) underwent surgery. cSDHs were larger in the surgical (20.5 (6.7) mm) than in the embolization group (16.9 (4.6) mm; P<0.001); and index hospital length of stay was longer in the surgical group (9.8 (7.0) days) than in the embolization group (5.7 (2.4) days; P<0.001). More patients required additional hematoma treatment in the surgical cohort (16%) than in the embolization cohort (4%; P=0.03), and more required readmission in the surgical cohort (28%) than in the embolization cohort (13%; P=0.04). After propensity adjustment, MMA embolization was associated with a lower total hospital cost compared to surgery (mean difference -$32 776; 95% CI -$52 766 to -$12 787; P<0.001). A propensity-adjusted linear regression analysis found that unexpected additional treatment was the only significant contributor to total hospital cost (mean difference $96 357; 95% CI $73 886 to $118 827; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MMA embolization is associated with decreased total hospital cost compared with surgery for cSDHs. This lower cost is directly related to the decreased need for additional treatment interventions.

Burr hole craniostomy versus minicraniotomy in chronic subdural hematoma: a comparative cohort study

Background

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical diseases. In surgical management of CSDH, there is a lack of standardized guidelines concerning surgical techniques and a lack of consensus on which technique(s) are optimal. Neurosurgical centers have shown a wide variation in surgical techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare two different surgical techniques, one burr hole craniostomy with an active subgaleal drain (BHC) and minicraniotomy with a passive subdural drain (MC).

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study at two neurosurgical centers in Sweden which included patients with unilateral CSDHs that received surgical treatment with either BHC or MC. The primary outcomes in comparison of the techniques were 30-day mortality, recurrence rate, and complications according to the Landriel Ibañez grading system for complications.

Results

A total of 1003 patients were included in this study. The BHC subgroup included 560 patients, and the MC subgroup included 443 patients. A 30-day mortality when comparing BHC (2.3%) and MC (2.7%) was similar (p = 0.701). Comparing recurrence rate for BHC (8.9%) and MC (10.8%) showed no significant difference (p = 0.336). We found that medical complications were significantly more common in the MC group (p = 0.001). Surgical complications (type IIb) was also associated with the MC group (n = 10, p = 0.003). Out of the 10 patients with type IIb complications in the MC group, 8 had postoperative acute subdural hematomas.

Conclusions

BHC was comparable to MC concerning 30-day mortality rate and recurrence rates. We did, however, find that MC was significantly associated with medical complications and serious surgical postoperative complications.

Management and Outcomes of Paediatric Intracranial Suppurations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Intracranial suppurations account for a significant proportion of intracranial masses in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly among children. The development of better imaging equipment, antibiotics, and surgical techniques has enabled significant progress in detecting and treating intracranial abscesses. However, it is unclear whether these advances are accessible and utilised by LMICs. In this review, we aimed to describe the landscape of paediatric intracranial suppurations in LMICs. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. MEDLINE, EMBASE, WHO Global Index Medicus, AJOL and Google scholar were searched for relevant articles from database inception to January 18th, 2021. Publications in English and French were included. Results: Of the 1,011 records identified, 75 were included. The studies, on average, included 18.8 (95% CI = 8.4-29.1) children (mean age: 8.2 years). Most children were male (62.2%, 95% CI = 28.7-95.7%). Intracranial suppurations were most commonly (46.5%) located in the supratentorial brain parenchyma. The most prevalent causative mechanism was otitis (37.4%) with streptococcus species being the most common causative organism (19.4%). CT scan (71.2%) was most commonly used as a diagnostic tool and antibiotics were given to all patients. Symptoms resolved in 23.7% and improved in 15.3% of patients. The morbidity rate was 6.9%, 18.8% of patients were readmitted, and the mortality rate was 11.0%. Conclusion: Most intracranial suppurations were complications of preventable infections and despite MRI being the gold standard for detecting intracranial suppurations, CT scans were mostly used in LMICs. These differences are likely a consequence of inequities in healthcare and have resulted in a high mortality rate in LMICs.

Chronic subdural hematoma under local anesthesia with manual burr hole

CONTEXT

Burr hole evacuation (BHE) of symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) carries significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly because they are a fragile population. As military neurosurgeons, we perform a simplified technique under local anesthesia using a manual craniotome.

METHODS

We present the case of an 85-year-old woman suffering from a right-sided CSH causing confusion and severe left-sided hemiparesis.

CONCLUSION

After the procedure, the patient presented immediate neurological improvement. Performing manual BHE of symptomatic CSH under local anesthesia is safe, and it is of great interest for very old patients or in case of strained resources, thus we think that this technique should be taught to every young neurosurgery resident.

The Mini-Craniotomy for cSDH Revisited: New Perspectives

Background: Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are increasingly prevalent worldwide with the increased aging population and anticoagulant use. Different surgical, medical, and endovascular treatments have had varying success rates. Primary neurosurgical interventions include burr hole drainage of the cSDH and mini-craniotomies/craniotomies with or without fenestration of the inner membrane. A key assessment of the success or failure of cSDH treatments has been symptomatic recurrence rates which have historically ranged from 5 to 30%. Pre-operative prediction of the inner subdural membrane by CT scan was used to guide our decision to perform mini-craniotomies. Release of the inner membrane facilitates the expansion of the brain and likely improves glymphatic flow.

Methods: Consecutive mini-craniotomies (N = 34) for cSDH evacuation performed by a single neurosurgeon at a quaternary academic medical center/Level I trauma center from July 2018-September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics [age, gender, presenting GCS, GOS, initial CTs noting the inner subdural membrane, midline shift (MLS), cSDH width, inner membrane fenestration, cSDH recurrence, post-operative seizures, infections, length of stay] were extracted from the EMR.

Results: Twenty nine patients had mini-craniotomies as primary treatment of the cSDH. Mean age = 68.9 ± 19.7 years (range 22–102), mean pre-operative GCS = 14.5 ± 1.1, mean MLS = 6.75 ± 4.2 mm, and mean maximum thickness of cSDH = 17.7 ± 6.0 mm. Twenty four were unilateral, five bilateral, 34 total craniotomies were performed. Thirty three had inner membrane signs on pre-operative head CTs and an inner subdural membrane was fenestrated in all cases except for the one craniotomy that didn't show these characteristic CT findings. Mean operating time = 79.5 ± 26.0 min. Radiographic and clinical improvement occurred in all patients. Mean improvement in MLS = 3.85 ± 2.69. There were no symptomatic recurrences, re-operations, surgical site infections, or deaths during the 6 months of follow-up. One patient was treated for post-operative seizures with AEDs for 6 months.

Conclusion: Pre-operative CT scans demonstrating inner subdural membranes may guide one to target the treatment to allow release of this tension band. Mini-craniotomy with careful fenestration of the inner membrane is very effective for this. Brain re-expansion and re-establishment of normal brain interstitial flow may be important in long term outcomes with cSDH and may be related to the recent interests in brain glymphatics and dural lymphatics.

Management of chronic subdural hematoma with the subdural evacuating port system: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The subdural evacuating port system (SEPS) is a minimally invasive option for treating chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Individual case series have shown it to be safe and effective, but outcomes have not been systematically reviewed. We sought to review the literature in order to determine the safety and efficacy of SEPS as a first line treatment for cSDH. A comprehensive literature search for outcomes following SEPS placement as a primary treatment for cSDH was performed. The primary outcome was treatment success, which was defined as a composite of improvement in presenting symptoms and no need for further treatment in the operating room. Additional outcomes included discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), hematoma recurrence, and complications. A total of 12 studies comprising 953 patients who underwent SEPS placement met the inclusion criteria. The pooled rate of a successful outcome was 0.79 (95% CI 0.75-0.83). Frequency of delayed hematoma recurrence was 0.15 (95% CI 0.10-0.21). The pooled inpatient mortality rate was 0.02 (95% CI 0.01-0.03). Complications rates included 0.02 (95% CI 0.00-0.03) for any acute hemorrhage, 0.01 (95% CI 0.00-0.01) for acute hemorrhage requiring surgery, and 0.02 (95% CI 0.01-0.03) for seizure. SEPS placement is associated with a success rate of 79% and very low rates of acute hemorrhage and seizure. This data supports its use as a first-line management strategy, although prospective randomized studies are needed.

An open label randomized trial to assess the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing post-operative recurrence of chronic subdural haemorrhage

Chronic subdural haemorrhage (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical entity with complex pathophysiological pathways. The generally favourable surgical outcome may be affected by its associated risks including recurrence rates. We performed a prospective randomized multi-center clinical trial comparing the addition of tranexamic acid (TXA) to standard neurosurgical procedures for patients with symptomatic CSDH. The primary endpoint was CSDH requiring repeat surgery within 6-month post-operatively. Secondary endpoints were comparison of post-operative volumes between the treatment arms and safety evaluation of the dosing regime. 90 patients were analyzed with 49 patients in the observation arm and 41 patients in the TXA arm. The observation arm had five (10.2%) recurrences compared to two (4.8%, p = 0.221) in the TXA arm. Patients in the TXA arm demonstrated a greater reduction of their CSDH volume at 6 weeks follow up (36.6%) compared to the observation arm (23.3%, p = 0.6648). There were no reportable serious adverse events recorded in the observation arm, compared to 4 (9.8%) patients in the TXA arm. The addition of TXA treatment to standard surgical drainage of CSH did not significantly reduce symptomatic post-operative recurrence. Patients in the TXA arm had a delay in the CSDH recurrence with a comparative reduction of residual hematoma volume at the 6-week follow up although the effect was unsustained. Larger randomized trials with dose adjustments should be considered to investigate subgroups of patients that may benefit from this medical adjunct.

Neurosurgical and Perioperative Management of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Objective: Surgery and specifically burr hole craniostomy is the most common first choice treatment of patients with Chronic Subdural Hematoma (CSDH). However, several aspects of neurosurgical and peri-operative management are still a subject of research, such as how to treat bilateral CSDH and the anesthetic approach. We aim to investigate the effect of the surgical approach to bilateral CSDH and the effect of anesthesia modality on outcome of CSDH patients. Methods: We retrospectively included surgically treated CSDH patients between 2005 and 2019 in three hospitals in the Netherlands. The effect of the surgical approach to bilateral CSDH (unilateral vs. bilateral decompression) and anesthesia modality (general vs. local anesthesia) on outcome (complications, recurrence, and length of hospital stay over 4 days) was studied with logistic regression adjusting for potentially confounding radiological and clinical characteristics. Results: Data of 1,029 consecutive patients were analyzed, mean age was 73.5 years (±11) and 75% of patients were male. Bilateral CSDH is independently associated with an increased risk of recurrence within 3 months in logistic regression analysis (aOR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5) but recurrence rate did not differ between primary bilateral or unilateral decompression of bilateral CSDH. (15 vs. 17%, p = 0.775). Logistic regression analysis showed that general anesthesia was independently associated with an increased risk of complications (aOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0-3.3) and with a length of hospital admission of over 4 days (aOR 8.4, 95% CI: 5.6-12.4). Conclusions: Bilateral CSDH is independently associated with higher recurrence rates. As recurrence rates in bilateral CSDH are similar for different surgical approaches, the optimal choice for primary bilateral decompression of bilateral CSDH could vary per patient. General anesthesia for surgical treatment of CSDH is associated with higher complication rates and longer hospital admission.

Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital

Background

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) initially present as focal neurological deficits with or without signs of increased intracranial pressure, for which admission to the general medical ward may occur if they present with poorly understood neurological deficits and no evident history of trauma. The symptoms may be long standing and mimic stroke upon presentation. Their distribution and specific clinical features in sub-Saharan Africa are largely unknown.

Methods

We describe a series of subdural hematoma (SDH) inpatients from the medical ward of a tertiary referral center in Northern Tanzania, describing clinical and radiological characteristics and providing clinical outcome where possible.

Results

Our study population numbered 30, with a male majority (n = 19, 63.3%) and a mean age of 66.8 ± 14.5 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to admission in the medical ward was 20.0 ± 30.8 days. History of head injury was reported in only 43.3% of patients. Improvement in the neurological examination was noted in 68.1% of the 22 patients who underwent surgery. The mortality rate was 20.0%.

Conclusion

A majority of the patients were elderly males and presented late to the hospital. Delayed presentation and diagnosis due to, amongst other reasons, postponed imaging resulted in a prolonged time to definitive treatment and a high mortality rate compared to other regions of the world.

Cost-effectiveness of Intraoperative MRI for Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas

Background Intraoperative MRI has been shown to improve gross-total resection of high-grade glioma. However, to the knowledge of the authors, the cost-effectiveness of intraoperative MRI has not been established. Purpose To construct a clinical decision analysis model for assessing intraoperative MRI in the treatment of high-grade glioma. Materials and Methods An integrated five-state microsimulation model was constructed to follow patients with high-grade glioma. One-hundred-thousand patients treated with intraoperative MRI were compared with 100 000 patients who were treated without intraoperative MRI from initial resection and debulking until death (median age at initial resection, 55 years). After the operation and treatment of complications, patients existed in one of three health states: progression-free survival (PFS), progressive disease, or dead. Patients with recurrence were offered up to two repeated resections. PFS, valuation of health states (utility values), probabilities, and costs were obtained from randomized controlled trials whenever possible. Otherwise, national databases, registries, and nonrandomized trials were used. Uncertainty in model inputs was assessed by using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. A health care perspective was used for this analysis. A willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was used to determine cost efficacy. Results Intraoperative MRI yielded an incremental benefit of 0.18 QALYs (1.34 QALYs with intraoperative MRI vs 1.16 QALYs without) at an incremental cost of $13 447 ($176 460 with intraoperative MRI vs $163 013 without) in microsimulation modeling, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $76 442 per QALY. Because of parameter distributions, probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that intraoperative MRI had a 99.5% chance of cost-effectiveness at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY. Conclusion Intraoperative MRI is likely to be a cost-effective modality in the treatment of high-grade glioma. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Bettmann in this issue.

Postoperative pneumocephalus increases the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma

OBJECTIVES

Pneumocephalus is a common operative complication of chronic subdural hematoma. This study is to analyze the relationship between postoperative pneumocephalus and the recurrence and surgical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective case-cohort study, including a pneumocephalus group (n = 46) and a control group (n = 181). Their recurrence rates, CT attenuation values, hospital stay, healing time and the neurological status were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The pneumocephalus group had a recurrence rate of 32.6%, significantly higher than the control (17.7%). In addition, the pneumocephalus group had a higher rate of postoperative epilepsy (21.7% vs 3.3%), longer hospital stay (11.5 ± 2.8 vs 7.8 ± 1.2 days), longer healing time (10.8 ± 5.4 vs 6.5 ± 2.3 months), and worse neurological scores than the control.

CONCLUSION

Pneumocephalus increases the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma, and it not only prolongs the hospital stay and healing time, but also leads to deterioration of the neurological status.

[Surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma in Guinea: Analysis of 22 cases at the Kipe hospital of Conakry]

OBJECTIVE

We report the results of surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma in the Kipe Hospital in Conakry, Guinea, for the period July 2012 to November 2015.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Clinical, radiological and therapeutic data from 22 cases were collected retrospectively and analyzed, with a mean follow-up of 61.6 days. Univariate analysis screened for factors for neurological outcome on the Markwalder Grading Scale (MGS; 0=normal to 4=coma).

RESULTS

Male-female sex ratio was 2.6:1. Mean age at diagnosis was 71.09±8 years, with peak incidence of CSDH in the 60-79 age group. Traumatic brain injury was identified as causal in 40.9% of cases. Burrhole trepanation was used in 86.36% of cases, under local anesthesia in 76%, and with postoperative drainage in all cases. No recurrences were recorded. At follow-up, mean postoperative MGS was 0.59 (up from 3.08 preoperatively); 54.54% of patients had normal neurological examination (grade 0). Age 60-79 years, time to diagnosis>12 weeks and preoperative MGS≥3 had significant negative impact on outcome (respective P-values: 0.03, 0.001, 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our data were similar to those of the literature, but with longer time to diagnosis and poorer initial clinical status, with negative impact on clinical progression.

Recurrence Rate of Chronic Subdural Hematoma after Evacuating It by Two Large Burr Holes, Irrigation, and Subgaleal Low-Pressure Suction Drainage

Background:

There are no current standard operative steps for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The aim of this study was to detect the recurrence rate after drainage of a unilateral diffuse CSDH by combining certain operative steps.

Materials and Methods:

This is a descriptive, retrospective cohort study that included 47 consecutive adult patients who underwent evacuation of a unilateral diffuse CSDH by two large burr holes (≥2 cm in diameter) and irrigation of the subdural space by warm saline, followed by placement of a subgaleal Redivac drain under low-pressure suction in our university hospital from August 2012 to August 2016. There were 29 men and 18 women with a mean age of 69.1 years.

Results:

All the operations were uneventful. All the patients had adequate drainage of their subdural hematomas, and all patients were discharged alert and oriented. No incidence of recurrence within 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that surgical management of a unilateral diffuse CSDH in adult patients by two large burr holes, irrigation, and a subgaleal Redivac low-pressure suction drainage was effective and associated with no recurrence.

A retrospective analysis of chronic subdural haematoma recurrence rates following burr hole trephination versus minicraniotomy

The aim of this study was to determine the subdural haematoma recurrence rate in patients with symptomatic chronic subdural haematomas (CSDH) treated with either burr hole trephination (BHT) or minicraniotomy (MC) and to determine whether a statistically significant difference exists between the two techniques. A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with symptomatic CSDH treated with BHT or MC at the John Hunter Hospital Neurosurgery Department between July 2004 and July 2016 was performed. After inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, 368 patients with 439 CSDHs were eligible. Baseline demographic data was recorded for all patients. Statistical analysis was performed assessing haematoma recurrence as the primary outcome and mortality as a secondary outcome. Three hundred and sixty eight patients were included in the study, with 225 being treated with MC and 143 with BHT. Baseline demographic data was similar between the two groups. The recurrence rate for patients treated with BHT was 0.13 (95% CI 0.08-0.18), versus 0.18 (95% CI 0.13-0.23) in the MC group. This difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality rates between the two groups. The mortality rate in the BHT group was 0.09 (95% CI 0.05-0.14) versus 0.09 (95% CI 0.05-0.13) in the MC group. In our series there was no difference in recurrence rates or mortality rates between the two groups, suggesting MC is an effective alternative to BHT in the management of symptomatic CSDH.

A Low-Cost Miniature Histotripsy Transducer for Precision Tissue Ablation

A miniature, 10 mm aperture histotripsy transducer with an f-number of 0.7 was fabricated using an elliptically shaped aluminum lens, which was epoxy-bonded to an air-backed 5.0 MHz, PTZ-5A, 1-3 dice-and-fill piezoelectric composite, and the lens coupled to water using a quarter-wavelength matching layer of Parylene-C. A Krimholtz-Leedom-Matthaei model of the device and curved lens was developed. The epoxy layer resulted in an increased power output at 6.8 MHz compared to the 5 MHz composite design. Cavitation was observed in water by driving the composite with a 173 V single-cycle, unipolar 6.8 MHz pulse at a pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz, and a bubble cloud 264 long by 124 wide was measured. A coregistered imaging and ablation device was also fabricated and characterized. The coregistered device was modified to include a mm square hole through the center, allowing access for a high-frequency imaging array, and both imaging and ablation are demonstrated in cerebral tissue with this device. Radial -3 dB beam widths were measured as 0.145 and 0.116 mm, and axial -3 dB depths of field were 0.698 and 0.752 mm for the noncoregistered and coregistered transducers, respectively. Total material cost for the transducer and pulser board is below $200 USD.

Burr hole drainage and burr hole drainage with irrigation to treat chronic subdural hematoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Numerous studies have investigated different operative procedures for treating chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH); however, the results are controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation (BHD) and burr hole drainage with irrigation (BHDI) for CSDH.

METHODS

We searched the following electronic databases to identify all studies from their inception to September 2017: Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, the China Biomedical Database (CBM), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, retrospective observational cohort studies, and case-control studies investigating BHD and BHDI for the treatment of CSDH were included. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 7 retrospective cohort studies and 2 RCTs involving 993 participants were included. Comprehensive analysis results of 9 studies indicated that the recurrence of the BHDI was similar to that in BHD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .61-2.63, P = .53). Moreover, analysis for comparing recurrence in the 2 RCTs was not significantly different (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = .16-8.24, P = .95).In addition, meta-analysis of pneumocephalus (OR = 5.91, 95% CI = .61-56.86, P = .12) and mortality (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.14-6.16, P = .95) was not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that procedures with or without irrigation in the treatment of CSDH might have similar effect regarding recurrence and complications; therefore, irrigation might not be necessary. However, well-conducted RCTs and high-quality observational studies are still required to corroborate this issue.

Management of Subdural Hematomas: Part II. Surgical Management of Subdural Hematomas

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Management of patients with subdural hematomas starts with Emergency Neurological Life Support guidelines. Patients with acute or chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs) associated with rapidly deteriorating neurologic exam, unilaterally or bilaterally dilated nonreactive pupils, and extensor posturing are considered imminently surgical; likewise, SDHs more than 10 mm in size or those associated with more than 5-mm midline shift are deemed operative.

RECENT FINDINGS

While twist drill craniostomy and placement of subdural evacuating vport system (SEPS) are quick, bedside procedures completed under local anesthesia and appropriate for patients with chronic SDH or patients that cannot tolerate anesthesia, these techniques are not optimal for patients with acute SDH or chronic SDH with septations. Burr hole SDH evacuation under conscious sedation or general anesthesia is an analogous technique; however, it requires basic surgical equipment and operating room staff, with a focus on a closed system with burr hole followed by rapid drain placement to avoid introduction of air into the subdural space, or multiple burr holes with extensive irrigation to reduce pneumocephalus and continue SDH evacuation via drain for several days. Acute SDH associated with significant mass effect and cerebral edema requires aggressive decompression via craniotomy with clot evacuation and frequently a craniectomy. Chronic SDHs that fail conservative management and progress clinically or radiographically are addressed with craniotomy with or without membranectomy. Surgical SDH management is variable depending on its characteristics and etiology, patient's functional status, comorbidities, goals of care, institutional preferences, and availability of specialized surgical equipment and adjunct therapies. Rapid access to surgical suites and trained staff to address surgical hemorrhages in a timely manner, with appropriate post-operative care by a specialized team including neurosurgeons and neurointensivists, is of paramount importance for successful patient outcomes. Here, we review various aspects of surgical SDH management.

Cost-Effectiveness of Craniotomy for Epidural Hematomas at a Major Government Hospital in Cambodia

BACKGROUND

Epidural hematoma (EDH) is a common and potentially deadly occurrence following a severe traumatic brain injury. Our aim was to determine whether craniotomy is cost-effective when indicated for the treatment of EDH when a trained neurosurgeon is available.

METHODS

A decision tree was used to model the cost-effectiveness of craniotomy available versus craniotomy unavailable for the management of traumatic EDH from a Cambodian societal and provider perspective. Costs and effectiveness parameters were obtained from patient data at a large government hospital in Cambodia. Outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Incremental cost per QALY and budget impact were calculated for each intervention at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $9787.80/QALY (3× GDP per capita PPP). The time horizon reflected full life span, and costs and QALYs were discounted at 3%. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted.

RESULTS

Compared to craniotomy unavailable for EDH ($945.80; 11.78 QALYs), craniotomy available came at a higher cost and greater effectiveness ($1520.73; 12.78 QALYs), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $574.93. One-way analysis demonstrated that craniotomy unavailable became more cost-effective than craniotomy available when the percent chance of having a GOS of 4 or 5 was 60% for patients with an EDH where craniotomy was indicated but not performed. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that craniotomy available was more cost-effective than conservative management in 84.4% of simulations at the WTP threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

Craniotomy is a cost-effective treatment for patients with a traumatic EDH who meet criteria for operation when trained neurosurgeons are available onsite.

First-line management of chronic subdural hematoma with the subdural evacuating port system: Institutional experience and predictors of outcomes

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common condition that disproportionately affects older patients. Given the greater risks of general anesthesia in this population, interest has turned towards less invasive surgical approaches such as the subdural evacuating port system (SEPS; Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). There is a relative dearth of information about the outcomes following this procedure. Here, we present our institution's experience with SEPS and analyze factors associated with the outcomes. Using a prospectively maintained institutional database, we retrospectively identified all patients who presented with cSDH and received first line therapy with SEPS. Pre- and post-operative clinical and radiographic data was obtained from the electronic health record. Outcomes included success or failure, Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. A total of 126 patients met the inclusion criteria (36 females and 90 males; mean age of 71.6 years). None of the pre-procedural clinical or radiographic variables were associated with the likelihood of a successful outcome. Increasing age was associated with non-routine hospital discharge (p = 0.003), and lower presenting GCS was associated with longer hospital stay (p = 0.005). Greater thickness of the cSDH was associated with a lower likelihood of having a favorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3; p = 0.003). SEPS is an effective first-line therapy for cSDH. Variables previously reported to limit the effectiveness of the technique (presence of septations, mixed density collections) were not associated with treatment failure.

Mini-Craniotomy Under Local Anesthesia for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An Effective Choice for Elderly Patients and for Patients in a Resource-Strained Environment

BACKGROUND

Mini-craniotomy for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is associated with lower rates of recurrence. However, the procedure is performed mostly with the patient under general anesthesia (GA) and therefore frequently requires an intensive care unit (ICU) facility, especially in the elderly population. Because of the unavailability of ICU beds, and to avoid GA, we started to perform this procedure with the patient under local anesthesia (LA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective medical chart review conducted in the section of Neurosurgery at the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The study duration was 1 year. We included patients aged 55 years or older undergoing surgery for CSDH. Clinical characteristics, hospital stay, and recurrence rates were compared between 2 groups, local versus general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients underwent mini-craniotomy for CSDH in the study period. Sixteen patients underwent mini-craniotomy under LA versus 19 patients for GA. Median age for the LA group was 67 years compared with 70 years in the GA group. Four patients from the LA group experienced postoperative complications versus 7 from the GA group. Only one patient in the LA group required an ICU bed in the postoperative period. There was no recurrence in LA group. The overall recurrence was 2.86%.

CONCLUSIONS

Mini-craniotomy for CSDH under LA is an equally effective procedure compared with mini-craniotomy under GA. In addition, it minimizes the risks of GA in the elderly population and obviates the need of a postoperative ICU bed. It also reduces operative time and hospital stay as compared with GA.

Membranectomy in Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Initial management strategies of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) are controversial and range from bedside twist-drill or burr-hole drainage to craniotomy with membranectomy (CWM). We aim to 1) perform a meta-analysis of the available data on the outcomes of CWM for treatment of cSDH in published English-language literature and 2) evaluate collective outcomes of CWM with respect to morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates.

METHODS

A search of English-language literature performed in PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases using key words ("subdural hematoma" or "chronic subdural hematoma") and ("membrane" or "membranectomy") from inception to December 2016 was conducted. Studies reporting outcomes of CWM in cSDH were included. Mortality, morbidity, follow-up duration, and recurrence rate data were extracted and analyzed. Pooled estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all outcomes using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Of 301 articles found, 17 articles containing 5369 patients met our eligibility criteria. Mean follow-up duration ranged from 1-30.8 months. Collective mean mortality and morbidity rates were 3.7% and 6.9%, respectively (95% CI 2-5.4% and 2.1-11.6%; P < 0.001 and P = 0.004). The collective mean recurrence rate was 7.6% (95% CI: 5%-10.2%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical data on outcomes of CWM in cSDH are limited to single institutional analyses, with considerable variation in recurrence rates and follow-up time. The rates we reported are comparable with the 5% mortality and 3%-12% morbidity rates and lower than the 10%-21% recurrence rate in the literature for burr holes or craniotomy without membranectomy. This meta-analysis provides an in-depth analysis of available data and reviews reported outcomes.

Factors Affecting Outcome in Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma in ICU Patients: Impact of Anticoagulation

BACKGROUND

The use of anticoagulants and older age are the main risk factors for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Because the age of the population and use of anticoagulants are increasing, a growing number of CSDH cases is expected. To address this issue, we analyzed the impact of anticoagulants on postsurgical outcome in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

Demographic data, coagulation parameters, surgical details, radiologic appearance of hematoma, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score on discharge were retrieved and retrospectively analyzed in 98 patients with CSDH treated in the neurosurgical ICU using correlation coefficient tests and multivariate analysis test.

RESULTS

Overall outcome was good (GOS score 4 and 5) in 55.1% of patients. Overall mortality was 9.1%. There was a correlation between GCS score on admission and GOS score. There was no correlation between hematoma thickness/radiologic appearance and impaired coagulation. Disturbance in thrombocyte function (usually resulting from aspirin intake) correlated with improved outcome, whereas warfarin-related coagulopathy correlated with poor recovery. Nevertheless, patients with thrombocytopathy presented with better initial GCS scores. Neither hematoma size nor recurrence rate affected the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The size of CSDH was not associated with poor outcome and is not necessarily determined by the use of anticoagulants. Coagulopathy does not rule out a good outcome, but the impact of anticoagulation on treatment results in CSDH varies between the main groups of drugs (warfarin vs. antiplatelet drugs). Patients in good neurologic condition on ICU admission have better chances of recovery.

[Bilateral chronic subdural haematoma: Analysis of a series of 190 patients]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical findings and surgical results in a series of patients with bilateral chronic subdural haematoma (BCSDH), and compare the results with a series of patients treated for unilateral chronic subdural haematoma (UCSDH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 1523 patients diagnosed and surgically treated for chronic subdural haematoma over a period of 30 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups: The study group consisting of 190 patients operated on for a BCSDH and the control group consisting of patients operated on for an UCSDH (1333 cases).

RESULTS

The patient series included 126 males (66.3%) and 64 females (33.7%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 74.8±10.2. The control group consisted of 870 males (65.2%) and 463 women (34.8%), with a mean age of 73.2±12.1. The most common presenting symptoms was cognitive impairment in 63 patients (33.2%) with BCSDH and 416 (29.5%) with UCSDH. Recurrence rates were 9.4% (18 patients) and 5.7% (77 patients) in unilateral and bilateral haematomas, respectively. The mortality was 10 patients (5.2%) with BCSDH and 55(4%) with UCSDH. Factors significantly related to recurrence in the univariate analysis were being male (P=.040), anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy (P=.032), and poor neurological status at admission (P=.039).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that BCSDH is more frequent in males, and the most common presentation is headache. The most important factors influencing recurrences are being male, intake of anticoagulant-antiaggregant drugs, and worse clinical status at admission.

Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization in Recurrent Chronic Subdural Hematoma Combined with Arachnoid Cyst

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a collection of old blood and its breakdown products between the surface of the brain parenchyma and the outermost layer called the dura. The most common treatment option for primary CSDH is burr-hole trephination; however, the treatment method for recurrent CSDH is still widely debated. An arachnoid cyst (AC) is a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid located between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane, which is one of the three meninges covering the brain or spinal cord. Although it is rare, the cyst is associated with CSDH in juveniles, and the recurrence rate of CSDH increases in such cases. Much of the literature has supported the preventive role of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization in recurrent CSDH. We report a 13-year-old male patient with recurrent CSDH and AC where the early intervention of MMA embolization was proven effective in preventing the further recurrence of CSDH.

Comparison of the Outcomes and Recurrence with Three Surgical Techniques for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Single, Double Burr Hole, and Double Burr Hole Drainage with Irrigation

Objective

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), a disease commonly encountered by neurosurgeons, is treated by burr hole drainage (BHD). However, the optimal surgical technique among the three types of BHD has not been determined.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study on BHD performed on 93 patients who were diagnosed with CSDH. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the surgical technique performed: single BHD without irrigation (Group A, n=31), double BHD without irrigation (Group B, n=32), and double BHD with irrigation (Group C, n=30). The clinical factors, radiological factors and recurrences were compared between the three groups. Moreover, independent factors affecting the recurrence were analyzed.

Results

The change in hematoma thickness was 29.77±7.94%, 49.73±12.87%, and 75.29±4.32% for Group A, B, and C, respectively, while the change in midline shift was 40.81±15.47%, 51.78±10.94%, and 56.16±16.16%, respectively. Thus, Group C showed the most effective for resolution of hematoma and midline shift (p<0.05). Group A, B, and C had 12 cases (38.7%), 8 cases (25.0%), and 3 cases (10.0%) of recurrences, respectively. Group C had a statistically significantly fewer recurrence rate than Group A (p<0.05). Double burr hole, irrigation, and coagulopathy were each identified as independent factors that reduce recurrence (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Among the three techniques, the double BHD with saline irrigation resulted in the fewest recurrences. It is probably the most effective technique for preventing the recurrence of CSDH.