Treatment and prevention of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: comparison of EUSI and AHA/ASA recommendations

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.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Subosseous Window Neuro-Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Craniotomy in the Treatment of Basal Ganglia Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To compare the perioperative indexes and long-term effects of craniotomy and neuro-endoscopic hematoma removal in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) in the basal ganglia region.

METHODS

This study involved 128 patients with HICH in the basal ganglia region who were admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to June 2022. They were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method. The craniotomy group (n = 70) underwent microsurgery with small bone window craniotomy with a side cleft, and the neuro-endoscopy group (n = 58) underwent small bone window neuro-endoscopic surgery. A 3-dimensional Slicer was used to calculate the hematoma volume and clearance rate and the postoperative brain tissue edema volume. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative intracranial pressure, complications, mortality, and improvement in the modified Rankin scale score at 6 months postoperatively were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The clearance rate was significantly higher in the neuro-endoscopy group than in the craniotomy group (94.16% ± 1.86% versus 90.87% ± 1.89%, P < 0.0001). The operation time was significantly lower in the neuro-endoscopy group than in the craniotomy group (89.9 ± 11.7 versus 203.7 ± 57.6 min, P < 0.0001). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the craniotomy group (248.31 ± 94.65 versus 78.66 ± 28.96 mL, P < 0.0001). The postoperative length of stay in the intensive care unit was 12.6 days in the neuro-endoscopy group and 14.0 days in the craniotomy group with no significant difference ( P = 0.196). Intracranial pressure monitoring showed no significant difference between the two groups on postoperative days 1 and 7. Intracranial pressure was significantly higher in the craniotomy group than in the neuro-endoscopy group on postoperative day 3 (15.1 ± 6.8 versus 12.5 ± 6.8 mm Hg, P = 0.029). There was no significant difference in the mortality or outcome rate at 6 months postoperatively between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HICH in the basal ganglia region, neuro-endoscopy can significantly improve the hematoma clearance rate, reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative cerebral tissue edema, and improve surgical efficiency. However, the long-term prognosis of patients who undergo craniotomy through the lateral fissure is similar to that of patients who undergo neuro-endoscopic surgery.

Conventional craniotomy versus conservative treatment in patients with minor spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia

Background

The treatment for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still controversial, especially for hematomas in the basal ganglia. A retrospective case-control study with propensity score matching was performed to compare the outcomes of conventional craniotomy and conservative treatment for patients with minor ICH in the basal ganglia.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the data of consecutive patients with minor basal ganglia hemorrhage from January 2018 to August 2019. We compared clinical outcomes of two groups using propensity score matching. The extended Glasgow outcome scale obtained by phone interviews based on questionnaires at a 12-month follow-up was used as the primary outcome measure. According to a previous prognosis algorithm, patients were divided into good and poor prognosis groups to obtain a dichotomized (favorable or unfavorable) outcome as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included hospitalized complications, mortality, and modified Rankin score at 12 months.

Results

A total of 54 patients were analyzed, and the baseline characteristics of patients in the surgery and conservative treatment groups were well matched. The primary favorable outcome at 12 months was significantly higher in the conservative treatment group than in the surgery group (81% vs 44%; OR 1.833, 95% CI 1.159–2.900; P=0.005). The incidence of pneumonia in the surgery group was significantly higher than that in the conservative treatment group (P=0.005).

Conclusions

It is not recommended to undertake conventional craniotomy for patients with a minor hematoma (25–40 ml) in the basal ganglia. An open craniotomy might induce worse long-term functional outcomes than the conservative treatment.

Early Minimally Invasive Parafascicular Surgery for Evacuation of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Setting of Computed Tomography Angiography Spot Sign: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and the role of surgery is uncertain. Spot sign on computed tomography angiography (CTA) has previously been seen as a contraindication for minimally invasive techniques.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the use of minimally invasive parafascicular surgery (MIPS) for early evacuation of sICH in patients with spot sign on CTA.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients presenting to a US tertiary academic medical center from 2018 to 2020 with sICH and CTA spot sign who were treated with MIPS within 6 h of arrival.

RESULTS

Seven patients (6 men and 1 woman, mean age 54.4 yr) were included in this study. There was a significant decrease between preoperative and postoperative intracerebral hemorrhage volumes (75.03 ± 39.00 cm3 vs 19.48 ± 17.81 cm3, P = .005) and intracerebral hemorrhage score (3.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 0.9, P = .020). The mean time from arrival to surgery was 3.72 h (±1.22 h). The mean percentage of hematoma evacuation was 73.78% (±21.11%). The in-hospital mortality was 14.29%, and the mean modified Rankin score at discharge was 4.6 (±1.3). No complications related to the surgery were encountered in any of the cases, with no abnormal intraoperative bleeding and no pathology demonstrating occult vascular lesion.

CONCLUSION

Early intervention with MIPS appears to be a safe and effective means of hematoma evacuation despite the presence of CTA spot sign, and this finding should not delay early intervention when indicated. Intraoperative hemostasis may be facilitated by the direct visualization provided by a tubular retractor system.

Clinical Value of 3D-Printed Navigation Technology Combined with Neuroendoscopy for Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most common form of hemorrhagic stroke with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid and massive bleeding may compress the brain tissue, causing space-occupying and pathological effects, such as reduced local cerebral blood flow, acidosis, and inflammatory and immune responses. Although the development of minimally invasive technique provides a new option for the treatment of ICH, their application is limited due to the difficulty in achieving accurate puncture localization under the guidance of the marks on CT. We selected 30 patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery guided by 3D-printed navigation technology (experimental group) and 30 patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery guided by hand-painted on the patient's body surface according to the marks on CT (control group). Our results showed that patients in the experimental group had a lower number of intraoperative punctures, shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, higher hematoma clearance rate, and smaller volume of perihematomal edema than the patients in the control group. Moreover, patients in the experimental group had higher Glasgow Coma Scale score at discharge, shorter postoperative hospitalization time and ICU stay, and a lower rate of postoperative complications, despite the lack of statistically significant differences. In addition, no statistically significant differences were observed in mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale score between the two groups. In conclusion, 3D-printed navigation technology used for the neuroendoscopic hematoma removal is a more reliable and less invasive approach in the treatment of ICH. This technique has great application prospects and deserves promotion in the future clinical practice.

Neuroendoscopic Surgery versus Craniotomy for Supratentorial Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

No consensus has been achieved on the superiority between neuroendoscopy (NE) and craniotomy (CT) for the treatment of supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of NE versus CT for supratentorial HICH.

METHODS

A systematic search of English databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) was performed to identify related studies reported from September 1994 to June 2019. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.0.0 were separately used to evaluate the quality of the included observational studies and randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.3 software was adopted to conduct the meta-analysis. The outcome measures included the primary and secondary outcomes. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore the impact of year of publication, initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, age, time to surgery, hematoma volume, and surgical methods on the outcome measures.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 12 observational studies), comprising 1859 patients with supratentorial HICH, were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that NE could increase the good functional outcome (GFO) (P < 0.0003) and hematoma evacuation rate (P = 0.0007) and reduce the mortality (P < 0.00001), blood loss (P = 0.004), operation time (P < 0.00001), hospital stays (P = 0.006), and intensive care unit stays (P < 0.0001) compared with CT. In addition, NE could also have a positive effect on preventing postoperative infection (P < 0.00001) and total complications (P < 0.00001). However, in postoperative rebleeding incidence (P = 0.12), no obvious difference was found between the 2 groups. Publication bias was low regarding GFO, mortality, and hematoma evacuation rate. Subgroup analysis suggested that year of publication, initial GCS score, age, hematoma volume, and surgical methods did not affect the hematoma evacuation rate significantly. The difference in mortality was not statistically significant in the subgroup of hematoma volume <50 mL (P = 0.44) and initial GCS score >8 (P = 0.09). In addition, the data suggested that time to surgery and surgical methods might be the important factors affecting GFO and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

NE might be a safer and more effective surgical method than CT in the treatment of patients with supratentorial HICH. However, because of the existence of some limitations, the safety and validity of NE were weakened. More high-quality trials should be included to verify our conclusion.

Spot sign as a predictor of rebleeding after endoscopic surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

In patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), postoperative recurrent hemorrhage (PRH) is one of the most severe complications after endoscopic evacuation of hematoma (EEH). However, no predictors of this complication have been identified. In the present study, the authors retrospectively investigated whether PRH can be preoperatively predicted by the presence of the spot sign on CT scans.

METHODS

In total, 143 patients with sICH were treated by EEH between June 2009 and March 2017, and 127 patients who underwent preoperative CT angiography were included in this study. Significant correlations of PRH with the patients' baseline, clinical, and radiographic characteristics, including the spot sign, were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The incidence of and risk factors for PRH were assessed in 127 patients with available data. PRH occurred in 9 (7.1%) patients. Five (21.7%) cases of PRH were observed among 23 patients with the spot sign, whereas only 4 (3.8%) cases of PRH occurred among 104 patients without the spot sign. The spot sign was the only independent predictor of PRH (OR 5.81, 95% CI 1.26-26.88; p = 0.02). The following factors were not independently associated with PRH: age, hypertension, poor consciousness, antihemostatic factors (thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and use of antithrombotic drugs), the location and size of the sICH, other radiographic findings (black hole sign and blend sign), surgical duration and procedures, and early surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The spot sign is likely to be a strong predictor of PRH after EEH among patients with sICH. Complete and careful control of bleeding in the operative field should be ensured when surgically treating such patients. New surgical strategies and procedures might be needed to improve these patients' outcomes.

Comparison of neuroendoscopic surgery and craniotomy for supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In recent years, neuroendoscopy has been used as a method for treating intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). However, the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic surgery is still controversial compared with that of craniotomy. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of neuroendoscopic surgery and craniotomy in patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify relevant studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Quality of eligible studies was evaluated and the related data were extracted by 2 reviewers independently. This study assessed clinical outcomes, evacuation rates, complications, operation time, and hospital stay for patients who underwent neuroendoscopic surgery (NE group) or craniotomy (craniotomy group).

RESULTS

Meta-analysis included 1327 subjects from verified studies of acceptable quality. There was no significant heterogeneity between the included studies based on clinical outcomes. Compared with craniotomy, neuroendoscopic surgery significantly improved clinical outcomes in both randomized controlled studies (RCTs) group (relative risk: 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.81, P < .001) and non-RCTs group (relative risk: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95, P = .005); decreased the rate of death (relative risk: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76, P < .001) in non-RCTs group but not in RCTs group (relative risk: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.26-1.29, P = .18); increased evacuation rates in non-RCTs group (standard mean differences: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.24-1.26, P = .004) and had a tendency of higher evacuation rates in RCTs group (standard mean differences: 1.34; 95% CI, 0.01-2.68, P = .05); reduced the total risk of complications in non-RCTs group (relative risk: 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.83, P = .01) and RCTs group (relative risk: 0.37; 95% CI, 0.28-0.49, P < .001); reduced the operation time in non-RCTs group (standard mean differences: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.20-5.33, P < .001) and RCTs group (standard mean differences: 4.37; 95% CI: 3.32-5.41, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that the NE group showed better clinical outcomes than the craniotomy group for patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH. Moreover, the patients who underwent neuroendoscopy had a higher evacuation rate, lower risk of complications, and shorter operation time compared with those that underwent a craniotomy.

Effectiveness of endoscopic surgery for supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: a comparison with craniotomy

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and practicality of endoscopic surgery for treatment of supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) compared with traditional craniotomy. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 151 consecutive patients who were operated on for treatment of supratentorial HICH between January 2009 and June 2014 in the Department of Neurosurgery at Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were separated into an endoscopy group (82 cases) and a craniotomy group (69 cases), depending on the surgery they received. The hematoma evacuation rate was calculated using 3D Slicer software to measure the hematoma volume. Comparisons of operative time, intraoperative blood loss, Glasgow Coma Scale score 1 week after surgery, hospitalization time, and modified Rankin Scale score 6 months after surgery were also made between these groups. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative data between the endoscopy group and the craniotomy group (p > 0.05). The hematoma evacuation rate was 90.5% ± 6.5% in the endoscopy group and 82.3% ± 8.6% in the craniotomy group, which was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The operative time was 1.6 ± 0.7 hours in the endoscopy group and 5.2 ± 1.8 hours in the craniotomy group (p < 0.01). The intraoperative blood loss was 91.4 ± 93.1 ml in the endoscopy group and 605.6 ± 602.3 ml in the craniotomy group (p < 0.01). The 1-week postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score was 11.5 ± 2.9 in the endoscopy group and 8.3 ± 3.8 in the craniotomy group (p < 0.01). The hospital stay was 11.6 ± 6.9 days in the endoscopy group and 13.2 ± 7.9 days in the craniotomy group (p < 0.05). The mean modified Rankin Scale score 6 months after surgery was 3.2 ± 1.5 in the endoscopy group and 4.1 ± 1.9 in the craniotomy group (p < 0.01). Patients had better recovery in the endoscopy group than in the craniotomy group. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD. CONCLUSIONS Compared with traditional craniotomy, endoscopic surgery was more effective, less invasive, and may have improved the prognoses of patients with supratentorial HICH. Endoscopic surgery is a promising method for treatment of supratentorial HICH. With the development of endoscope technology, endoscopic evacuation will become more widely used in the clinic. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed.

A novel simple measure correlates to the outcome in 57 patients with intracerebellar hematomas. Results of a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of intracerebellar hemorrhages approaches 5-10% of all intracerebral hematomas. The clinical presentation varies from headaches and dizziness to rapid deterioration of consciousness to the point of coma in severe cases. In order to find some concrete criteria that could influence the prognosis of these patients, we performed this retrospective study.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the factors influencing the outcome of 57 patients with intracerebellar hematomas treated in our clinic in the last 7 years. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, as well as other parameters as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, presence of malign tumors in the medical history, or the intake of anticoagulants were assessed as independent factors influencing the outcome of the patients. On the other hand, various computed tomography parameters on admission were also correlated with the clinical outcome such as, tight posterior fossa (TPF), volume of the hematoma, hydrocephalus, compression of the fourth ventricle, intraventricular bleeding, as well as the ratio of the maximal width of the hematoma in comparison to the width of the PF were taken into consideration.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed that patients with poor GCS on admission had also a poor Glasgow Outcome Score. Interestingly there was a statistically significant correlation between the maximal width of the hematoma in comparison to the width of the PF and the outcome of the patients. It could be also shown that the patients with intraventricular hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, compression of the fourth ventricle over 50% of its maximal width and TPF, had a poor clinical outcome. Moreover, there was a statistically significant correlation of the volume of the hematoma and a poor clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We introduced as a new factor that is, the cerebellar hemorrhage/PF ratio and found out that the value >35% was associated to an unfavorable outcome.

Is early DNR a self-fulfilling prophecy for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage?

BACKGROUND

To investigate differences in outcome of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) based on institution of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order within first 24 h of admission.

METHODS

A prospective registry of patients presenting with ICH from Jan 2006 to Dec 2008 was created. Patients with and without DNR orders instituted within 24 h of admission were classified as cases and controls respectively and were matched based on age and stroke severity. Demographics, intracerebral volume of hematoma, intraventricular extension of hemorrhage (IVH), invasive treatments, and outcomes at discharge were collected. All patients were followed up at least for 1 year, to determine mortality outcomes.

RESULTS

Of a total of 245 subjects, 18 % had DNR order instituted within 24 h of admission. After matching, a total of 69 controls were available for 44 cases. There was no difference in demographics, IVH extension, volume of hemorrhage, and length of stay among cases and controls. Higher proportions of controls had surgical evacuation of the hematoma (p = 0.0125) and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in functional outcome and survival rates among cases and controls at the end of 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

DNR institution and restriction of resuscitation was not associated with poor outcome or difference in survival within 1 year after ICH. This indicates an early DNR probably does not lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy in this population, and might be explained by our practice, were DNR orders do not impact the level of supportive medical care we provide.