Lanzino, Giuseppe

Objective: Most cervical artery dissection (CeAD) cases are spontaneous or due to minor traumas, and preceding viral infections have been suggested to be a triggering event for CeAD in some. Herein, we analyze the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients with CeAD using a national database. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was queried from April 2020 to December 2020 for patients with a diagnosis of CeAD using International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition-Clinical Modification codes. Among these, patients with COVID-19 were identified. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the patient profile of those with COVID-19, in-patient mortality, and home discharge among patients with CeAD. Results: There were 360 (2.32%) hospitalizations involving COVID-19 among 15,500 with CeAD. Concomitant acute ischemic stroke constituted 43.06% of those with a COVID-19 diagnosis, whereas it was 43.73% among those without a COVID-19 diagnosis (P = 0.902). Home discharges were less common in patients with COVID-19 and CeAD compared to CeAD alone (34.85% vs. 48.63%; P = 0.03), but this was likely due to other factors as multivariate regression analysis did not show an association between COVID-19 and home discharges (odds ratio: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.25; P = 0.22). COVID-19 diagnosis had similar odds of inpatient mortality (odds ratio: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.43 to 2.84; P = 0.84). Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients with CeAD is low with 2.32% of all CeAD cases. Concomitant COVID infection did not lead to an increased risk of stroke in CeAD. However, potentially worse functional outcomes (fewer home discharges) without an increase in mortality were seen in patients with COVID and CeAD.

Abstract Introduction The transbasal approach traditionally uses a bicoronal scalp incision with bifrontal craniotomy to establish an extradural midline skull base working corridor. Depending on additional craniofacial osteotomies, this approach can expand its reach to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and may be employed for the resection of particularly complex sinonasal and midline skull base tumors. Given its discrepancy in nomenclature and differences in interoperator technique, we propose a practical, operatively oriented guide for trainees performing this approach. Methods Three formalin-fixed, latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification and endoscopic-assisted visualization. Stepwise dissections of the transcranial-transbasal approach with common modifications were performed, documented with three-dimensional photography, and supplemented with representative case applications. Results The traditional transbasal approach via bifrontal craniotomy affords wide extradural access to the anterior cranial fossa and central skull base. The addition of craniofacial osteotomies further expands access into the sinonasal cavities, clivus, and craniocervical junction. Key steps described include patient positioning, bicoronal skin incision, pericranial graft harvest, bifrontal craniotomy, orbital rim osteotomy, sphenoidotomy, bilateral ethmoidectomies, and microsurgical dissection of the sellar region. Basal superior sagittal sinus ligation and durotomy allow for intradural exposure. Reconstruction techniques are also discussed. Conclusion While the transbasal approach is rich with historical descriptions, illustrations, and modifications, its stepwise performance may be relatively unknown and unclear to younger generations of trainees. We present a comprehensive guide to optimize familiarity with the transbasal approach and its indications in the surgical anatomy laboratory, mastery of the relevant microsurgical anatomy, and simultaneous preparation for learning and participation in the operating room.

ImportanceTesting new medical devices or procedures in terms of safety, effectiveness, and durability should follow the strictest methodological rigor before implementation.ObjectivesTo review and analyze studies investigating devices and procedures used in intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment for methods and completeness of reporting and to compare the results of studies with positive, uncertain, and negative conclusions.Data SourcesEmbase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials were searched for studies on IA treatment published between January 1, 1995, and the October 1, 2022. Grey literature was retrieved from Google Scholar.Study SelectionAll studies making any kind of claims of safety, effectiveness, or durability in the field of IA treatment were included.Data Extraction and SynthesisUsing a predefined data dictionary and analysis plan, variables ranging from patient and aneurysm characteristics to the results of treatment were extracted, as were details pertaining to study methods and completeness of reporting. Extraction was performed by 10 independent reviewers. A blinded academic neuro-linguist without involvement in IA research evaluated the conclusion of each study as either positive, uncertain, or negative. The study followed Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe incidence of domain-specific outcomes between studies with positive, uncertain, or negative conclusions regarding safety, effectiveness, or durability were compared. The number of studies that provided a definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability and the incidence of incomplete reporting of domain-specific outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOverall, 12 954 studies were screened, and 1356 studies were included, comprising a total of 410 993 treated patients. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with poor outcome or in-hospital mortality between studies claiming a technique was safe, uncertain, or not safe. Similarly, there was no difference in the proportion of IAs completely occluded at last follow-up between studies claiming a technique was effective, uncertain, or noneffective. Less than 2% of studies provided any definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability, and only 1 of the 1356 studies provided a threshold under which the technique would be considered unsafe. Incomplete reporting was found in 546 reports (40%).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this systematic review and meta-analysis of IA treatment literature, studies claiming safety, effectiveness, or durability of IA treatment had methodological flaws and incomplete reporting of relevant outcomes supporting these claims.

Background Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a challenging and common neurosurgical condition. Our goal is to demonstrate that middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization combined with surgical evacuation can be a promising adjuvant option for treatment of cSDHs and prevent recurrence in symptomatic patients who require surgical treatment. Method We retrospectively collected data from patients who underwent MMA embolization using polyvinyl alcohol particles and surgical evacuation with burr hole or craniotomy in a single center for the treatment of new and recurrent cSDHs. The primary outcome was recurrence of cSDH requiring surgical rescue during follow up, and secondary outcomes were defined as >50% decrease in the maximum width of cSDHs on the longest follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan, complications following procedure, and improvement in modified Rankin scale (mRS) score. Results A total of 51 patients successfully underwent 72 MMA embolization procedures (96% of the total 75 cases in the cohort) combined with surgical evacuation. Seventy cases (93.3%) achieved at least 50% reduction in the size of the cSDHs on the last CT imaging. A surgical evacuation was required in five cases (6.7%) due to cSDH recurrence during the follow-up period. There were three complications (6.0%) related to embolization procedure. Forty patients (78.4%) showed improvement in mRS score. There was one mortality (2%) regardless of the embolization and evacuation. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of adjunct MMA embolization in significantly reducing size and recurrence of cSDHs.