Atlanto-occipital dislocation with concomitant severe traumatic brain injury: A retrospective study at a level 1 trauma center / Luxación atlantooccipital con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave concomitante: estudio retrospectivo en un centro de trauma de nivel 1

Background: Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a life-threatening injury. Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased mortality in AOD patients, a detailed individual analysis of these patients is lacking in the literature. Methods: Patients ≥16 years old who were diagnosed of AOD with concomitant severe TBI from 2010 to 2020 were included in this retrospective study. We examined the epidemiology, injury mechanisms, associated injuries, and outcomes of these patients. Results: Eight patients were included. Six patients died before any intervention could be performed, and two patients underwent an occipito-cervical fixation, showing a notorious neurologic improvement on follow-up. Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) was a strong predictor of subsequent death. CT signs of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) were present in most patients and were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in survivors. Although TBI was not the main cause of death, it was responsible for the delayed neurological improvement and deferred stabilization. The average sensitivity of the different used methodologies for AOD diagnosis ranged from 0.50 to 1.00, being the Basion Dens Interval (BDI) and the Condyle-C1 interval (CCI) sum the most reliable criteria. Non-survivors tended to show greater distraction measurements. The high incidence of condylar avulsion fractures suggests that their visualization on the initial CT study should heighten the suspicion for AOD. Conclusions: Our data suggest that patients with AOD and concomitant severe TBI might be salvageable patients. In those who survive beyond the first hospital days and show neurological improvement, surgical treatment should be performed as they can achieve an important neurologic recovery. (AU)

Antecedentes: La luxación atlantooccipital (AOD) traumática es una lesión potencialmente mortal. Aunque el traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) se asocia con un aumento de la mortalidad en los pacientes con AOD, no existe en la literatura un análisis individual detallado de estos pacientes. Métodos: En este estudio retrospectivo se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 16 años que fueron diagnosticados de AOD con TCE grave concomitante durante el periodo 2010-2020. Estudiamos la epidemiología, los mecanismos lesionales, así como las lesiones asociadas y los resultados de estos pacientes. Resultados: Se incluyeron ocho pacientes. Seis pacientes fallecieron antes de que se pudiera realizar cualquier intervención y dos pacientes fueron sometidos a una fijación occipitocervical, mostrando una notoria mejoría neurológica durante el seguimiento. La parada cardiorrespiratoria fue un predictor de muerte. En la TC inicial, signos de lesión axonal difusa estaban presentes en la mayoría de los pacientes y se confirmaron mediante imágenes de resonancia magnética en los supervivientes. Aunque el TCE no fue la principal causa de muerte, fue responsable de una mejoría neurológica tardía y por ello una estabilización diferida. La sensibilidad de las diferentes metodologías utilizadas para el diagnóstico de AOD osciló entre 0,50 y 1,00, siendo el intervalo Basion Dens y la suma del intervalo Condylo-C1 los criterios más fiables. Además, los no supervivientes presentaban mayores medidas de distracción. La alta incidencia de fracturas de cóndilo por avulsión sugiere que su visualización en el estudio de TC inicial debería aumentar la sospecha de AOD. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos sugieren que los pacientes con AOD y TCE grave concomitante podrían ser pacientes salvables. En aquellos que sobreviven más allá de los primeros días de...(AU)Palabras clave:Luxación atlantooccipitalColumna cervicalUnión craneocervicalFusión occipitocervicalTraumatismo craneoencefálico

Atlanto-occipital dislocation with concomitant severe traumatic brain injury: A retrospective study at a level 1 trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a life-threatening injury. Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased mortality in AOD patients, a detailed individual analysis of these patients is lacking in the literature. METHODS: Patients ≥16 years old who were diagnosed of AOD with concomitant severe TBI from 2010 to 2020 were included in this retrospective study. We examined the epidemiology, injury mechanisms, associated injuries, and outcomes of these patients. RESULTS: Eight patients were included. Six patients died before any intervention could be performed, and two patients underwent an occipito-cervical fixation, showing a notorious neurologic improvement on follow-up. Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) was a strong predictor of subsequent death. CT signs of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) were present in most patients and were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in survivors. Although TBI was not the main cause of death, it was responsible for the delayed neurological improvement and deferred stabilization. The average sensitivity of the different used methodologies for AOD diagnosis ranged from 0.50 to 1.00, being the Basion Dens Interval (BDI) and the Condyle-C1 interval (CCI) sum the most reliable criteria. Non-survivors tended to show greater distraction measurements. The high incidence of condylar avulsion fractures suggests that their visualization on the initial CT study should heighten the suspicion for AOD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that patients with AOD and concomitant severe TBI might be salvageable patients. In those who survive beyond the first hospital days and show neurological improvement, surgical treatment should be performed as they can achieve an important neurologic recovery.

The influence of aneurysm morphology on the volume of hemorrhage after rupture.

OBJECTIVE: Factors determining the risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms have been extensively studied; however, little attention is paid to variables influencing the volume of bleeding after rupture. In this study the authors aimed to evaluate the impact of aneurysm morphological variables on the amount of hemorrhage. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of a prospectively collected data set of 116 patients presenting at a single center with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture. A volumetric assessment of the total hemorrhage volume was performed from the initial noncontrast CT. Aneurysms were segmented and reproduced from the initial CT angiography study, and morphology indexes were calculated with a computer-assisted approach. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were included in the study. Factors influencing the volume of hemorrhage were explored with univariate correlations, multiple linear regression analysis, and graphical probabilistic modeling. RESULTS: The univariate analysis demonstrated that several of the morphological variables but only the patient's age from the clinical-demographic variables correlated (p < 0.05) with the volume of bleeding. Nine morphological variables correlated positively (absolute height, perpendicular height, maximum width, sac surface area, sac volume, size ratio, bottleneck factor, neck-to-vessel ratio, and width-to-vessel ratio) and two correlated negatively (parent vessel average diameter and the aneurysm angle). After multivariate analysis, only the aneurysm size ratio (p < 0.001) and the patient's age (p = 0.023) remained statistically significant. The graphical probabilistic model confirmed the size ratio and the patient's age as the variables most related to the total hemorrhage volume. CONCLUSIONS: A greater aneurysm size ratio and an older patient age are likely to entail a greater volume of bleeding after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Neurosurgical emergency management during the lockdown period in health care regions in Spain with different COVID-19 impact: lessons learned to improve outcomes on the future waves.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has overloaded health care systems, testing the capacity and response in every European region. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of resources' reorganization on certain emergency pathology management. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the outbreak (in terms of reduction of neurosurgical emergencies) during lockdown in different regions of Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the impact of the outbreak in four different affected regions by descriptive statistics and univariate comparison with same period of two previous years. These regions differed in their incidence level (high/low) and in the time of excess mortality with respect to lockdown declaration. That allowed us to analyze their influence on the characteristics of neurosurgical emergencies registered for every region. RESULTS: 1185 patients from 18 neurosurgical centers were included. Neurosurgical emergencies that underwent surgery dropped 24.41% and 28.15% in 2020 when compared with 2019 and 2018, respectively. A higher reduction was reported for the most affected regions by COVID-19. Non-traumatic spine experienced the most significant decrease in number of cases. Life-threatening conditions did not suffer a reduction in any health care region. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected dramatically the neurosurgical emergency management. The most significant reduction in neurosurgical emergencies occurred on those regions that were hit unexpectedly by the pandemic, as resources were focused on fighting the virus. As a consequence, life-threating and non-life-threatening conditions' mortality raised. Results in regions who had time to prepare for the hit were congruent with an organized and sensible neurosurgical decision-making.

Impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients: a nationwide study in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients in Spain. SETTINGS: The initial flood of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed an unprepared healthcare system. Different measures were taken to deal with this overburden. The effect of these measures on neurosurgical patients, as well as the effect of COVID-19 itself, has not been thoroughly studied. PARTICIPANTS: This was a multicentre, nationwide, observational retrospective study of patients who underwent any neurosurgical operation from March to July 2020. INTERVENTIONS: An exploratory factorial analysis was performed to select the most relevant variables of the sample. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of mortality and postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: Sixteen hospitals registered 1677 operated patients. The overall mortality was 6.4%, and 2.9% (44 patients) suffered a perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infections, 24 were diagnosed postoperatively. Age (OR 1.05), perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.7), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/105 people/week) (OR 1.006), postoperative neurological worsening (OR 5.9), postoperative need for airway support (OR 5.38), ASA grade ≥3 (OR 2.5) and preoperative GCS 3-8 (OR 2.82) were independently associated with mortality. For SARS-CoV-2 postoperative infection, screening swab test <72 hours preoperatively (OR 0.76), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/105 people/week) (OR 1.011), preoperative cognitive impairment (OR 2.784), postoperative sepsis (OR 3.807) and an absence of postoperative complications (OR 0.188) were independently associated. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in neurosurgical patients was associated with an increase in mortality by almost fivefold. Community COVID-19 incidence (cases/105 people/week) was a statistically independent predictor of mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CEIM 20/217.

Craniopharyngiomas: A clinicopathological and molecular study of 52 cases - Experience in the Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo and Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre (Madrid).

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are histologically benign tumors that are associated with high levels of morbidity. Two clinicopathological variants - adamantinomatous (ACP) and papillary (PCP) - have been described. They differ in their molecular features, whereby activating mutations in BRAF (V600E) and CTNNB1 genes characterize PCP and ACP, respectively. Recently, both variants have been shown to express elevated PD-L1 protein expression, but ACP also exhibited tumor cell-intrinsic PD-1 expression. In this study we analyze these molecular alterations in 52 cases with a long follow-up and examine their associations with immunohistochemical and clinical characteristics. ACPs comprise 73.1% of cases, while 21.2% are PCPs. Aberrant nuclear immunoreactivity for ß-catenin was observed in all ACPs. BRAF p.V600E mutations were observed in 90.9% of PCPs. Only one ACP case featured both alterations. Both types of CP exhibited strong nuclear staining for p63 with diffuse and basal distribution. ACP and PCP consistently expressed PD-L1, most in a substantial percentage of tumor cells, with a distinctive spatial distribution of expression in each subtype; only ACP demonstrated PD-1 expression. There was no evidence of differences in clinical prognosis between ACPs and PCPs. The identification of hallmark molecular signatures in the two CP variants is useful for sub-categorization in routine histopathology reporting. It is also pertinent to personalized therapy and for the development of improved non-invasive therapeutic strategies in this disease.

Reliability and accuracy assessment of morphometric measurements obtained with software for three-dimensional reconstruction of brain aneurysms relative to cerebral angiography measures.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reliability and accuracy of morphological measurements of software employed to three-dimensionally reconstruct aneurysms and vessels (VMTKlab, version 1.6.1,) with computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the source of images. Agreement with measurements from three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3 D-DSA) was evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated 40 patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We analyzed four main variables of the aneurysm morphology: absolute height (size), neck (maximum neck width), perpendicular height, and maximum width. The CTA images were uploaded to the software and then segmented to reconstruct the aneurysm. This new method was compared to the current gold standard-3D reconstruction of pretreatment cerebral angiography. We used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot analyses to evaluate the agreement between these methods. RESULTS: The ICCs obtained for absolute height, neck, perpendicular height, and maximum width were 0.85, 0.57, 0.85, and 0.89, respectively. This implied good agreement except for the neck of the aneurysm (moderate agreement). Bland-Altman plots are presented for the four indexes. The average of the differences was not significant in terms of absolute height, perpendicular height, and maximum width indicating good agreement. However, it was significant for the neck of the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: We report good agreement between the values generated using VMTKlab and cerebral angiography for three of the four main variables. Discrepancies in neck diameter are not surprising and its underestimation with a traditional delineation from cerebral angiography has been reported before.

Delayed extensive brain edema caused by the growth of a giant basilar apex aneurysm treated with basilar artery obliteration: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Partially thrombosed giant aneurysms at the basilar apex (BA) artery are challenging lesions with a poor prognosis if left untreated. Here we describe a rare case of extensive brain edema after growth of a surgically treated and thrombosed giant basilar apex aneurysm. CASE PRESENTATION: We performed a proximal surgical basilar artery occlusion on a 64-year-old female with a partially thrombosed giant BA aneurysm. MRI showed no ischemic lesions but showed marked edema adjacent to the aneurysm. She had a good recovery, but 3 months after surgical occlusion, her gait deteriorated together with urinary incontinence and worsening right hemiparesis. MRI showed that the aneurysm had grown and developed intramural hemorrhage, which caused extensive brain edema and obstructive hydrocephalus. She was treated by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Follow-up MRI showed progressive brain edema resolution, complete thrombosis of the lumen and shrinkage of the aneurysm. At 5 years follow-up the patient had an excellent functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed growth of a surgically treated and thrombosed giant aneurysm from wall dissection demonstrates that discontinuity with the initial parent artery does not always prevent progressive enlargement. The development of transmural vascular connections between the intraluminal thrombus and adventitial neovascularization by the vasa vasorum on the apex of the BA seems to be a key event in delayed aneurysm growth. Extensive brain edema might translate an inflammatory edematous reaction to an abrupt enlargement of the aneurysm.

Opening of unusual vascular collaterals leads to early recanalization of a giant intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm following common carotid artery occlusion: A Case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Parent artery occlusion (PAO) with or without bypass surgery is a feasible treatment for large intracavernous carotid artery (ICCA) aneurysms. The ideal occlusion site (internal or common carotid artery [CCA]) and ischemic complications after PAO have received special attention since the description of the technique. Unfrequently, some patients can also develop unusual external carotid artery-internal carotid artery collateral pathways distal to the ligation site that can explain the failure to aneurysm size reduction. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a rare case of delayed refilling of a large ICCA aneurysm partially thrombosed which early recanalized after surgical ligation of the cervical CCA through an unusual collateral pathway. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, we recommend periodic long-term follow-up neuroimaging, especially in those cases where potential collateral branches have not been clearly identified in the preoperative studies.

Endoscopic Transnasal Trans-Sphenoidal Approach for Pituitary Adenomas: A Comparison to the Microscopic Approach Cohort by Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite some evidence for the adoption of endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal surgery (ETSS) for pituitary adenomas, the advantages of this technique over the traditional approach have not been robustly confirmed. OBJECTIVE: To compare ETSS with the microscopic sublabial trans-septal trans-sphenoidal surgery (MTSS) for pituitary adenomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2 cohorts of ETSS and MTSS performed at our institution from 1995 to 2017. Patient characteristics, surgical data, and outcomes were recorded prospectively. We performed a univariate and multivariable analysis to determine the best surgical approach. To improve the quality of the results, we matched the distribution of patient characteristics between groups by propensity score (PS) method. RESULTS: A total of 187 procedures (90 MTSS, 97 ETSS) were reviewed. We found better results in the ETSS group in terms of gross total resection (P = .002) and hormone-excess secretion control (P = .014). There was also a lower incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (P = .039), transitory diabetes insipidus (P = .028), and postoperative hypopituitarism (P = .045), as well as a shorter hospital length of stay (P < .001). After PS matching, we confirmed by multivariable logistic regression analysis an increased odds ratio of gross total resection for the ETSS (3.910; 95% CI 1.720-8.889; P = .001). CONCLUSION: By PS method, our results suggest that the ETSS provides advantages over the traditional MTSS approach for tumor resection. Better control of secreting tumors and a lower rate of most complications also support the selection of the ETSS approach for the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

Evaluación de la correlación entre degeneración histológica y parámetros radiológicos o clínicos en una serie de pacientes operados por hernia discal lumbar / Assessment of the correlation between histological degeneration and radiological and clinical parameters in a series of patients who underwent lumbar disc herniation surgery

Antecedentes y objetivo: El uso de escalas de degeneración histológica de las hernias discales lumbares intervenidas quirúrgicamente es poco frecuente en la práctica clínica y su empleo se ha limitado fundamentalmente al ámbito de la investigación. El objetivo del trabajo es valorar si existe relación entre un mayor grado de degeneración histológica cuando se compara con variables clínicas o escalas radiológicas. Pacientes y método: Análisis retrospectivo de 122 pacientes consecutivos intervenidos por hernia discal lumbar monosegmentaria, de todos los cuales se dispone de información clínica y en 75 pacientes además se ha recuperado el estudio histológico y la resonancia magnética prequirúrgica. Las variables clínicas recogidas incluyen la edad, el tiempo de evolución de la sintomatología, el déficit neurológico o el reflejo osteotendinoso afectado. La resonancia magnética ha sido evaluada utilizando las escalas de Pfirrmann y Modic para el segmento intervenido por 2 observadores independientes. La degeneración histológica se ha evaluado utilizando la escala de Weiler; además se ha estudiado la presencia de infiltrados inflamatorios y la formación de neovasos, no incluidos en esta escala. Se han utilizado pruebas de correlación y de chi-cuadrado para valorar la asociación entre las variables histológicas y las clínicas o radiológicas. Se ha evaluado también la concordancia entre observadores en las variables de resonancia magnética mediante el índice kappa ponderado. Resultados: No se ha hallado ninguna relación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables histológicas (puntuación de la escala de degeneración discal, infiltrados inflamatorios, presencia de vasos neoformados) y las variables clínicas o las escalas radiológicas. La concordancia entre los 2 observadores para las escalas radiológicas resultó en un kappa de 0,79 para la escala de Pfirrmann, y de 0,65 para la de Modic, ambas estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: En nuestra serie de pacientes no parece existir una relación entre el grado de degeneración histológica o la presencia de infiltrados inflamatorios cuando se evalúa su relación con escalas radiológicas de degeneración discal o con variables clínicas como la edad o el tiempo de evolución de los síntomas

Background and objective: The use of histological degeneration scores in surgically-treated herniated lumbar discs is not common in clinical practice and its use has been primarily restricted to research. The objective of this study is to evaluate if there is an association between a higher grade of histological degeneration when compared with clinical or radiological parameters. Patients and method: Retrospective consecutive analysis of 122 patients who underwent single-segment lumbar disc herniation surgery. Clinical information was available on all patients, while the histological study and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were also retrieved for 75 patients. Clinical variables included age, duration of symptoms, neurological deficits, or affected deep tendon reflex. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated using Modic and Pfirrmann scores for the affected segment by 2 independent observers. Histological degeneration was evaluated using Weiler's score; the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and neovascularization, not included in the score, were also studied. Correlation and chi-square tests were used to assess the association between histological variables and clinical or radiological variables. Interobserver agreement was also evaluated for the MRI variables using weighted kappa. Results: No statistically significant correlation was found between histological variables (histological degeneration score, inflammatory infiltrates or neovascularization) and clinical or radiological variables. Interobserver agreement for radiological scores resulted in a kappa of 0.79 for the Pfirrmann scale and 0.65 for the Modic scale, both statistically significant. Conclusions: In our series of patients, we could not demonstrate any correlation between the degree of histological degeneration or the presence of inflammatory infiltrates when compared with radiological degeneration scales or clinical variables such as the patient's age or duration of symptoms

[Assessment of the correlation between histological degeneration and radiological and clinical parameters in a series of patients who underwent lumbar disc herniation surgery]. / Evaluación de la correlación entre degeneración histológica y parámetros radiológicos o clínicos en una serie de pacientes operados por hernia discal lumbar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of histological degeneration scores in surgically-treated herniated lumbar discs is not common in clinical practice and its use has been primarily restricted to research. The objective of this study is to evaluate if there is an association between a higher grade of histological degeneration when compared with clinical or radiological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective consecutive analysis of 122 patients who underwent single-segment lumbar disc herniation surgery. Clinical information was available on all patients, while the histological study and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were also retrieved for 75 patients. Clinical variables included age, duration of symptoms, neurological deficits, or affected deep tendon reflex. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated using Modic and Pfirrmann scores for the affected segment by 2 independent observers. Histological degeneration was evaluated using Weiler's score; the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and neovascularization, not included in the score, were also studied. Correlation and chi-square tests were used to assess the association between histological variables and clinical or radiological variables. Interobserver agreement was also evaluated for the MRI variables using weighted kappa. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was found between histological variables (histological degeneration score, inflammatory infiltrates or neovascularization) and clinical or radiological variables. Interobserver agreement for radiological scores resulted in a kappa of 0.79 for the Pfirrmann scale and 0.65 for the Modic scale, both statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In our series of patients, we could not demonstrate any correlation between the degree of histological degeneration or the presence of inflammatory infiltrates when compared with radiological degeneration scales or clinical variables such as the patient's age or duration of symptoms.

MRI Prognostication Factors in the Setting of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Secondary to Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have looked for an association between radiologic findings and neurologic outcome after cervical trauma. In the current literature, there is a paucity of evidence proving the prognostic role of soft tissue damage or bony integrity. Our objective is to determine radiologic findings related to neurologic prognosis in patients after incomplete acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, regardless of initial neurologic examination results. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury who had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed within the first 96 hours. Clinical and epidemiologic data were recorded from the medical records along with several radiologic findings from the initial computed tomographic scan and MRI. Data were analyzed using a non-parametric test. Significant prognostic factors were analyzed through a stepwise multivariable logistic regression, adjusted by neurologic status at baseline. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to test the discriminative capacity of the model. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (68 males and 18 females) were included for the analysis. Mean age was 49 years. Ligamentum flavum injury, intramedullary edema larger than 36 mm, and facet dislocation were demonstrated to be associated with a lack of neurologic improvement at follow-up. Multivariable analysis showed that edema larger than 36 mm and facet dislocation were strong predictors of clinical outcome, regardless of the initial neurologic examination result. CONCLUSION: Early MRI has an intrinsic prognostic value. Ligamentous injury and larger edema are strong predicting factors of a bad neurologic outcome at long-term follow-up.

El nuevo programa de Residencia en Neurocirugía basado en competencias / Competency-based Neurosurgery Residency Programme

Se presenta una propuesta de programa de formación en Neurocirugía basado en competencias y adaptado al marco del proyecto de Troncalidad. Esta propuesta ha sido elaborada por un grupo de neurocirujanos comisionados por la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía (SENEC) y podría ser modificada para generar una versión definitiva que estaría operativa coincidiendo con implantación del sistema troncal. El presente escrito pretende facilitar el examen del nuevo programa adjuntado en la versión on-line de nuestra revista. Duración del programa: El periodo total de formación es de 6 años; los 2 primeros se enmarcan en el tronco de Cirugía y los restantes 4 se adscriben al periodo específico. Estructura del programa: Se trata de un programa basado en competencias referidas al mapa utilizado por el Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) en los EE. UU. que incluye los siguientes dominios competenciales: Conocimiento médico, Cuidado del paciente, Comunicación, Profesionalismo, Aprendizaje basado en la práctica y perfeccionamiento, Sistemas de Salud, Colaboración interprofesional y Desarrollo profesional y personal. El mapa de subcompetencias en los dominios de Conocimiento y Cuidado del paciente (incluidas las competencias quirúrgicas) se adaptó del propuesto por la AANS y el CNS (anexo 1 del programa). Se utiliza además un mapa de subcompetencias para las rotaciones troncales. Métodos de instrucción: El aprendizaje del residente se basa en el estudio personal (autoaprendizaje) apoyado en el uso eficiente de las fuentes de información y una práctica clínica supervisada, incluyendo además la instrucción en bioética, gestión clínica, investigación y técnicas docentes Métodos de evaluación: La propuesta de evaluación del residente incluye, entre otros instrumentos, test teóricos de conocimiento, evaluación objetiva y estructurada del nivel de competencia clínica con enfermo real o estandarizado, escalas globales de competencia, evaluación 360°, «audits» de registros clínicos, señalizadores del progreso del residente («milestones») y autoevaluación (anexo 2). Además, el residente evalúa periódicamente la dedicación docente de los neurocirujanos del servicio y otros docentes implicados en las rotaciones, y valora anualmente el funcionamiento global del programa. Los resultados de las evaluaciones se registran, junto con otros datos de interés, en el Libro del Residente. Comité nacional de programa: Se propone la creación de un Comité de Programa adscrito directamente a la SENEC (Comisión Nacional) que, aparte de generar la versión definitiva del programa, se ocupe de monitorizar su implementación (nivel de adherencia al mismo y funcionamiento en los diferentes servicios), asuma la creación de bancos de preguntas y la administración centralizada de los test de conocimiento (en el ecuador de la residencia y/o al final de la misma) y centralice información recabada por los tutores que podría ser utilizada para la de reacreditación de los servicios

A programme proposal for competency-based Neurosurgery training adapted to the specialization project is presented. This proposal has been developed by a group of neurosurgeons commissioned by the SENEC (Spanish Society of Neurosurgery) and could be modified to generate a final version that could come into force coinciding with the implementation of the specialization programme. This document aims to facilitate the test of the new programme included in the online version of our journal. Duration of the programme: Total training period is 6 years; initial 2 years belong to the surgery specialization and remaining 4 years belong to core specialty period. Structure of the programme: It is a competency-based programmed based on the map used by the US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) including the following domains of clinical competency: Medical knowledge, patient care, communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, health systems, interprofessional collaboration and professional and personal development. Subcompetencies map in the domains of Knowledge and Patient care (including surgical competencies) was adapted to the one proposed by AANS and CNS (annex 1 of the programme). A subcompetency map was also used for the specialization rotations. Instruction methods: Resident's training is based on personal study (self-learning) supported by efficient use of information sources and supervised clinical practice, including bioethical instruction, clinical management, research and learning techniques. Evaluation methods: Resident evaluation proposal includes, among other instruments, theoretical knowledge tests, objective and structured evaluation of the level of clinical competency with real or standardised patients, global competency scales, 360-degree evaluation, clinical record audits, milestones for residents progress and self-assessment (annex 2). Besides, residents periodically assess the teaching commitment of the department's neurosurgeons and other professors participating in rotations, and annually assess the overall operation of the programme. Results of evaluations are registered, together with other relevant data, in the Resident's Book. Programme's National Committee: The creation of a Programme Committee directly attached to the SENEC (National Commission) that, aside from generating a final version of the programme, monitors its implementation (level of adherence and operation in the different departments), assumes the creation of test banks and the centralized administration of knowledge tests (in the middle of the residency and/or at the end of it) and centralizes information collected by tutors that could be used for re-accreditation of the services, is proposed

[Competency-based Neurosurgery Residency Programme]. / El nuevo programa de Residencia en Neurocirugía basado en competencias.

A programme proposal for competency-based Neurosurgery training adapted to the specialization project is presented. This proposal has been developed by a group of neurosurgeons commissioned by the SENEC (Spanish Society of Neurosurgery) and could be modified to generate a final version that could come into force coinciding with the implementation of the specialization programme. This document aims to facilitate the test of the new programme included in the online version of our journal. DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: Total training period is 6 years; initial 2 years belong to the surgery specialization and remaining 4 years belong to core specialty period. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME: It is a competency-based programmed based on the map used by the US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) including the following domains of clinical competency: Medical knowledge, patient care, communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, health systems, interprofessional collaboration and professional and personal development. Subcompetencies map in the domains of Knowledge and Patient care (including surgical competencies) was adapted to the one proposed by AANS and CNS (annex 1 of the programme). A subcompetency map was also used for the specialization rotations. INSTRUCTION METHODS: Resident's training is based on personal study (self-learning) supported by efficient use of information sources and supervised clinical practice, including bioethical instruction, clinical management, research and learning techniques. EVALUATION METHODS: Resident evaluation proposal includes, among other instruments, theoretical knowledge tests, objective and structured evaluation of the level of clinical competency with real or standardised patients, global competency scales, 360-degree evaluation, clinical record audits, milestones for residents progress and self-assessment (annex 2). Besides, residents periodically assess the teaching commitment of the department's neurosurgeons and other professors participating in rotations, and annually assess the overall operation of the programme. Results of evaluations are registered, together with other relevant data, in the Resident's Book. PROGRAMME'S NATIONAL COMMITTEE: The creation of a Programme Committee directly attached to the SENEC (National Commission) that, aside from generating a final version of the programme, monitors its implementation (level of adherence and operation in the different departments), assumes the creation of test banks and the centralized administration of knowledge tests (in the middle of the residency and/or at the end of it) and centralizes information collected by tutors that could be used for re-accreditation of the services, is proposed.

Comentario al trabajo «Criterios para la formación y capacitación en Neurorradiología Intervencionista-Neurointervencionismo, acordados por el Grupo Español de Neurorradiología Intervencionista, la Sociedad Española de Neurorradiología y los grupos expertos en patología vascular de las Sociedades Españolas de Neurocirugía y Neurología » de F. Alén et al / Comment on the study «Criteria for education and training in Interventionist-Neuro-Interventionism Neuroradiology, agreed by the Spanish Interventionist Neuroradiology Group of the Spanish Neuroradiology Society and the Expert Group of the Spanish Neurosurgery and Neurology. A basis for obtaining Accreditation in centres and specialists in Interventionist-Neuro-Interventionism Neuroradiology», by F. Alén et al

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Prognostic Value of the Amount of Bleeding After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Quantitative Volumetric Study.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative estimation of the hemorrhage volume associated with aneurysm rupture is a new tool of assessing prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of the quantitative estimation of the amount of bleeding after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, as well the relative importance of this factor related to other prognostic indicators, and to establish a possible cut-off value of volume of bleeding related to poor outcome. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 206 patients consecutively admitted with the diagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage to Hospital 12 de Octubre were included in the study. Subarachnoid, intraventricular, intracerebral, and total bleeding volumes were calculated using analytic software. For assessing factors related to prognosis, univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression) were performed. The relative importance of factors in determining prognosis was established by calculating their proportion of explained variation. Maximum Youden index was calculated to determine the optimal cut point for subarachnoid and total bleeding volume. RESULTS: Variables independently related to prognosis were clinical grade at admission, age, and the different bleeding volumes. The proportion of variance explained is higher for subarachnoid bleeding. The optimal cut point related to poor prognosis is a volume of 20 mL both for subarachnoid and total bleeding. CONCLUSION: Volumetric measurement of subarachnoid or total bleeding volume are both independent prognostic factors in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A volume of more than 20 mL of blood in the initial noncontrast computed tomography is related to a clear increase in poor outcome risk. ABBREVIATION: : aSAH, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy. A prospective series analyzing complications and clinical improvement

Background: Cranioplasty is carried out for cosmetic reasons and for protection, but it may also lead to some neurological improvement after the bone flap placement. Complications of cranioplasty are more frequent than expected for a scheduled neurosurgical procedure. We tried to identify factors associated with both complications and improvement after cranioplasty. Methods: We prospectively studied the cranioplasties performed in our hospital from November 2009 to November 2013. Patients whose initial reason for bone removal was tumor infiltration were excluded. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were collected. The NIH Stroke Scale and Barthel Self-Care Index scores were obtained both before and within 72 h after cranioplasty. The outcome measures were the occurrences of complications and clinical improvement. Results: Fifty-five cranioplasties were performed. The material used for the cranioplasty was autologous bone in 42 cases, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in 7 and methacrylate in 6. The average size of the bone defect was 69.5 (19.5-149.5) cm2. The time elapsed between decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty was 309 (25–1217) days. There were 10 complications (7 severe and 3 mild), an 18.2% complication rate. Statistically significant risk factors of complications were identified as a Barthel ≤ 70 (Odds ratio [OR] 22; 2.5-192; P = 0.005), age over 45 years (OR 13.5; 1.5–115; P = 0.01) and early surgery (≤ 85 days; OR 8; 1.69-37.03, P = 0.004). After multivariate analysis, Barthel ≤ 70 and age over 45 years remained independent predictors of complications. Twenty-two (40%) of the 55 patients showed objective improvement. Early surgery (< 85 days) increased the likelihood of improvement (OR 4.67; 1.05-20.83; P = 0.035). Larger bone defects seemed to be related with improvement, but differences in defect size were not statistically significant (75.3 vs 65.6 cm2; P = 0.1). Conclusions: The complication rate of cranioplasty is higher than for other elective neurosurgical procedures. Older age, poorer functional situation (worse Barthel index score) and early surgery (≤ 85 days) are independent risk factors for complications. However, cranioplasty produces clinical benefits beyond protection and esthetic improvement. Earlier surgery and larger bone defects seem to increase the likelihood of clinical improvement

Antecedentes: La craneoplastia es un procedimiento que se realiza por motivos estéticos y de protección, pero que además puede producir cierta mejoría neurológica tras la reposición del colgajo óseo. Las complicaciones del procedimiento son más frecuentes de lo esperado para un procedimiento neuroquirúrgico programado. Se han tratado de identificar los factores asociados tanto a la aparición de complicaciones como de mejoría neurológica. Métodos: Se han analizado prospectivamente las craneoplastias realizadas en nuestro centro desde noviembre del 2009 hasta noviembre del 2013. Los pacientes sometidos a craniectomía descompresiva (CD) por infiltración tumoral no fueron incluidos. Se recogieron datos demográficos, clínicos y radiológicos. La escala NIHSS y Barthel fueron medidas en cada paciente antes y dentro de las primeras 72h tras la cirugía. Las medidas «resultado» fueron la aparición de complicación y/o mejoría clínica. Resultados: Se realizaron 55 craneoplastias. El material utilizado para las plastias fue el propio hueso en 42 casos, PEEK en 7 y metacrilato en 6. El tamaño medio del defecto óseo fue de 69,5 (19,5-149,5) cm2. El tiempo medio transcurrido desde la CD hasta la plastia fue de 309 (25-1.217) días. Hubo 10 complicaciones (7 graves, 3 leves), lo que supone una tasa de complicaciones del 18,2%. Una puntuación de Barthel ≤ 70 (OR: 22; 2,5-192; P = 0,005), la edad por encima de 45años (OR: 13,5; 1,5-115; P = 0,01), y la cirugía temprana (≤ 85 días, OR: 8; 1,69-37,03, P = 0,004) fueron identificados como factores de riesgo estadísticamente significativos de la aparición de complicaciones. Tras el análisis multivariante, el Barthel ≤ 70 y la edad mayor de 45años permanecieron como predictores independientes de complicaciones. Veintidós (40%) de 55 pacientes presentaron mejoría clínica objetiva. La cirugía temprana (< 85 días) aumentó la probabilidad de mejoría (OR: 4,67; 1,05-20,83; P = 0,035). El mayor tamaño de defecto óseo parece relacionarse con la aparición de mejoría, pero las diferencias en tamaño entre los que mejoraron y los que no, no resultó estadísticamente significativa (75,3 vs 65,6cm2, P = 0,1). Conclusiones: La tasa de complicaciones de la craneoplastia es mayor que la de otros procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos electivos. Una edad mayor, una peor situación funcional (entendido como peor puntuación en la escala Barthel) y la cirugía temprana (menos de 85días) son factores de riesgo de complicación. Por otro lado, la craneoplastia produce un beneficio clínico más allá de la protección y la mejoría estética. La cirugía temprana y los defectos óseos mayores parecen aumentar la probabilidad de mejoría clínica