The role of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory epilepsy: Clinical outcomes and impact on quality of life

BACKGROUND

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used as a complementary therapy to pharmacological treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of VNS in reducing seizure frequency, severity, and duration; reducing the number of antiepileptic drugs administered; and improving patients' quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analysed the clinical progression of 70 patients with refractory epilepsy treated with VNS at Hospital Universitario de Alicante and Hospital Clínico de Valencia. Data were collected before and after the procedure. The difference in seizure frequency pre- and post-VNS was classified using the McHugh scale. Data were also collected on seizure duration and severity, the number of drugs administered, and quality of life.

RESULTS

According to the McHugh classification, 12.86% of the patients were Class I, 44.29% were Class II, 40% were Class III, and the remaining 2.86% of patients were Class IV-V. A≥50% reduction in seizure frequency was observed in 57.15% of patients. Improvements were observed in seizure duration in 88% of patients and in seizure severity in 68%; the number of drugs administered was reduced in 66% of patients, and 93% reported better quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

VNS is effective for reducing seizure frequency, duration, and severity and the number of antiepileptic drugs administered. It also enables an improvement in patients' quality of life.

The role of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory epilepsy: clinical outcomes and impact on quality of life

BACKGROUND

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used as a complementary therapy to pharmacological treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of VNS in reducing seizure frequency, severity, and duration; reducing the number of antiepileptic drugs administered; and improving patients' quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analysed the clinical progression of 70 patients with refractory epilepsy treated with VNS at Hospital Universitario de Alicante and Hospital Clínico de Valencia. Data were collected before and after the procedure. The difference in seizure frequency pre- and post-VNS was classified using the McHugh scale. Data were also collected on seizure duration and severity, the number of drugs administered, and quality of life.

RESULTS

According to the McHugh classification, 12.86% of the patients were Class I, 44.29% were Class II, 40% were Class III, and the remaining 2.86% of patients were Class IV-V. A ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency was observed in 57.15% of patients. Improvements were observed in seizure duration in 88% of patients and in seizure severity in 68%; the number of drugs administered was reduced in 66% of patients, and 93% reported better quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

VNS is effective for reducing seizure frequency, duration, and severity and the number of antiepileptic drugs administered. It also enables an improvement in patients' quality of life.

Intracranial angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma with Hodgkin lymphoma

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare soft tissue tumour of uncertain differentiation and low metastatic potential, which occurs predominantly in children and young adults. It occurs mostly within the extremities, trunk, head and neck. We report the case of a 32-year-old female that was operated in our hospital in 2016 and twice in 2017. The patient had headaches and neck pain initially in 2016. We discuss the radiographic and histologic features initially found and the findings that ultimately led to the diagnosis of AFH. The patient had a past history of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Repair of rotator cuff injuries using different composites

AIM

Rotator cuff repairs have shown a high level of re-ruptures. It is hypothesised that the use of rhBMP-2 in a carrier could improve the biomechanical and histological properties of the repair.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Controlled experimental study conducted on 40 rats with section and repair of the supraspinatus tendon and randomisation to one of five groups: Group 1 (control) only suture; Group 2 (double control), suture and alginate-chitin carrier; Group 3 (alginate-control), the rhBMP-2 was added to the alginate; Group 4 (chitin-control) application of the rhBMP-2 to the chitin, and Group 5 (double sample): The two components of the carrier (alginate and chitin) have rhBMP-2. A biomechanical and histological analysis was performed at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

A gap was observed in all cases 4 weeks after supraspinatus detachment. The re-rupture rate was 7.5%, with 20% of them in the control-alginate Group. Histologically the best results were obtained in the double sample group: 4.5 (3.3-5.0). Double sample were also able to support higher loads to failure: 62.9N (59.8 to 69.4) with lower rigidity 12.7 (9.7 to 15.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of alginate-chitin carrier with rhBMP-2 improves the biomechanical and histological properties of the repair site in a chronic rotator cuff tear.

[Treatment of a giant serpentine type middle cerebral artery aneurysm with a high-flow bypass from the petrous internal carotid artery]

A case report of a giant serpentine type aneurysm arising from the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) treated with a high-flow external saphenous vein graft from the petrous segment of the internal carotid artery is presented. The steps and challenges of this demanding surgical technique are also described. The elements to be taken into consideration in the indication, design and realization of the bypass surgery in the treatment of the MCA aneurysms are discussed.

[Olfactory groove meningiomas. Radical microsurgical treatment through the bifrontal approach]

OBJECTIVES

To describe the microsurgical technique for the radical removal of olfactory groove meningiomas through the bifrontal approach. To review the diagnostic elements to be taken into account in the selection of the surgical approach to these tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A microsurgical series of 35 olfactory groove meningiomas operated on through a bifrontal craniotomy is reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean tumoral volume was 85cc (4.4cm diameter). A relevant peritumoral brain edema was found in 65.7% of cases, hyperostosis in the implantation base in 80% and paranasal sinus invasion in 28.6%. A Sipmson grade 1 resection was achieved in every case. A patient died due to a postoperative pneumonia. Postoperative hospitalization time was between 3 and 20 days and at discharge all patients had a Glasgow Outcome Scale grade 4-5. The mean follow-up was 55.2 months. Two patients had postoperative transient rhinolicuorrhea and an additional patient developed hydrocephalus. An asymptomatic recurrence have been identified in a patient four years after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience the bifrontal approach allowed the radical removal of huge olfactory groove meningiomas. The microdissection of the anterior cerebral artery A2 segments is possible thanks to the arachnoidal plane between vessels and tumor. Tumoral blood flow is secured by the early approaching of the base of the tumor and preoperative embolization is not necessary. Bifrontal approach allows an aggressive treatment of the hyperostosis, bone infiltration and paranasal sinus invasion. Anterior fossa reconstruction is done using a vascularized periosteal flap.

[Treatment of intrinsic brain tumors located in motor eloquent areas. Results of a protocol based in navigation, tractography and neurophysiological monitoring of cortical and subcortical structures]

OBJECTIVES

The role of the microsurgical management of intrinsic brain tumors is to maximize the volumetric resection of the tumoral tissue minimizing the postoperative morbidity. The purpose of our paper has been to study the benefits of an original protocol developed for the microsurgical treatment of tumors located in eloquent motor areas where the navigation and electrical stimulation of motor subcortical pathways have been implemented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 17 patients operated on for resection of cortical or subcortical tumors in motor areas were included in the series. Preoperative planning for multimodal navigation was done integrating anatomic studies, motor functional MRI (f-MRI) and subcortical pathways volumes generated by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Intraoperative neuromonitorization included motor mapping by direct cortical and subcortical electrical stimulation (CS and sCS) and localization of the central sulcus using cortical multipolar electrodes and the N20 wave inversion technique. The location of all cortical and subcortical stimulated points with positive motor response was stored in the navigator and correlated with the cortical or subcortical motor functional structures defined preoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean tumoral volumetric resection was 89.1±14.2% of the preoperative volume, with a total resection (≥100%) in twelve patients. Preoperatively a total of 58.8% of the patients had some motor deficit, increasing 24 hours after surgery to 76.5% and decreasing to 41.1% a month later. There was a great correlation between anatomic and functional data, both cortically and subcortically. However, in six cases it was not possible to identify the central sulcus and in many cases fMRI gave contradictory information. A total of 52 cortical points submitted to CS had positive motor response, with a positive correlation of 83.7%. Also, a total of 55 subcortical points had positive motor response, being in these cases 7.3±3.1 mm the mean distance from the stimulated point to the subcortical tract.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of preoperative and intraoperative anatomic and functional studies allows a safe functional resection of the brain tumors located in eloquent areas, compared to the tumoral resection based on anatomic imaging studies. Multimodal navigation allows the integration and correlation among preoperative and intraoperative anatomic and functional data. Cortical motor functional areas are anatomically and functionally located preoperatively thanks to MRI and fMRI and subcortical motor pathways with TDI and tractography. Intraoperative confirmation is done with CS and N20 inversion wave for cortical structures and with sCS for subcortical pathways. With this protocol we achieved a mean of 90% of volumetric resection in cortical and subcortical tumors located in eloquent motor areas with an increase of neurological deficits in the immediate postoperative period that significantly decreased one month later. Ongoing studies will define the safe limits for functional resection taking into account the intraoperative brain shift. Finally, it must be demonstrated if this protocol has any benefit for patients concerning disease free or overall survival.

[Using thermal diffusion flowmetry in the assesment of regional cerebral blood flow in cerebral aneurysm microsurgery]

INTRODUCTION

the thermal diffusion flowmetry (TDF) is a technique that allows the measurement of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) through an implanted microprobe in a cerebral region of interest. The monitoring is continuous, real-time and quantitative (ml/100g/min). The purpose of our clinical work has been to show the technical details and preliminary results by using this monitoring technique during the microsurgical management of cerebral aneurysms and along the postoperative period. The aim of the monitoring of the rCBF is to identify and evaluate ischemic events related with the temporary artery clipping or malposition of the final clip.

CLINICAL MATERIALS

a total of five patients have been monitored (4 woman and one man with an average age of 50.8 years). Two patients harboured one aneurysm in the middle cerebral artery, other two patients had two aneurysms each one on the internal carotid artery in the exit of the posterior communicating and anterior choroidal artery and the fifth harboured a paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm. All patients were operated on using standard microsurgical techniques through a pterional approach. Surgery was done under neurophysiological monitoring and direct microdoppler fluometry assesment. Just before craniotomy the TDF microprobe was inserted 2.5 cm deep into the white matter through a small burr-hole placed on the coronal line and 2 cm away the midline to measure in the anterior cereral artery vascular sector and 6cm away of the midline to measure in the middle cerebral artery territory. Patients were under continuous monitoring during surgery and along the postoperative period in the recovery unit. A total of 14 temporary artery clippings (between 2-4) with an average total clipping time of 7.2 minutes (ranging 1.6 to 16) and 16 definitive clip replacements (ranging 2 to 8) were done at surgery. Patient with paraclinoid aneurysm was operated on using the retrograde aspiration technique and the internal carotid artery was kept closed 45 mimutes. keeping Some illustrative cases and demonstrative records are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

the use of TDF allows a quantitative real-time measurement of the rCBF in the areas of interest monitored during the microsurgical management of the cerebral aneurysms which leads to detect ischemic events helpping to avoid ischemic sequelae. The detection of ischemic events in real time would make possible the use of therapeutic measures ealier and more efficienty.

[Microsurgical treatment of internal carotid bifurcation aneurysms]

Clinical and imaging findings of a series of 14 internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysms microsurgically treated are presented. A total of 10 lesions were diagnosed before rupture and 4 patients presented with subarachnoidal hemorrhage and frontobasal intracerebral bleeding. Diagnosis was done using neuroimaging (CT scan, angio-CT-3D, angio-MRI, angiography) but patients with ruptured aneurysms were treated with the sole information provided by the angio-CT-3D. The average fundus size was 8.4mm (3-13.3) and the average neck size was 6.8mm (3-9.6), being the fundus-to-neck ratio 1.32 (0.46-2.05). All lesions were microsurgically treated through a pterional approach with the help of temporary clipping of the afferent vessels in all cases. We used peroperative neuroprotective, neuromonitorization and micro-doppler cerebral flow measurement. Clinical results were excellent with 13 patients GOS grade 5 and one grade 4 three month afterwards of hospital discharge and complete exclusion of the lesion in angiographic controls done solely in patients with ruptured lesions.