Surgical Approach for Suprasellar Meningiomas Based on Attachment-Single-Surgeon Experience.

BACKGROUND: Suprasellar meningiomas (SMs) can originate from midline or paramedian dura. Complexity of surgery and visual outcome depend on the attachment of SM. Conventional surgery for SM was ipsilateral to the visual deficit. We report our experience of surgical management of SM after choosing a surgical approach based on the attachment of the SM. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients who underwent surgery for SM between January 2016 and January 2022 formed the study population. In patients with SM attached to the midline, the surgical approach was ipsilateral to the side of vision loss. In contrast, in those with a paramedian attachment, the approach was contralateral. Outcome variables included extent of resection achieved, recurrence, and assessment for visual acuity and fields, done at 3 months and 6 months after surgery and every year subsequently. RESULTS: The average age of the study population was 49.99 ± 13.38 (13-74) years with 23 (38.3%) men. Surgery for SM was done via the ipsilateral approach in 18 (30.0%) and the contralateral approach in 42 (70.0%) patients. The average preoperative visual impairment scale score was 54.68 ± 37.55. Gross total resection was achieved in 58 (96.7%) patients. The average duration of follow-up was 3 years, and at latest follow-up, improvement in vision was reported in 46 (76.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SM undergoing surgical resection, opting for an ipsilateral approach when the SM had a midline attachment and a contralateral approach if the SM had a paramedian attachment may ensure greater resection of the lesion and better clinical outcomes. Our findings need validation in larger, randomized studies.

Anxiety, depression, and psychosocial adjustment in people with epilepsy.

Objective: Effect of psychological disorders on social functioning in people with epilepsy (PWE) is not extensively reported. We evaluate psychosocial functioning in PWE attending an outpatient clinic and aim to understand the differences in psychosocial functioning between anxiety, depression, and coexisting anxiety and depression in PWE. Materials and Methods: A prospective evaluation of psychosocial functioning of 324 consecutive adult PWE attending outpatient epilepsy clinic was done using self-reported Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory. The study population was divided in four groups - without psychological disorders, anxiety, depression, and both anxiety and depression. Results: The mean age of study population was 25.90 ± 6.22 years. Anxiety was noted in 73 (22.5%), depression in 60 (18.5%), and both anxiety and depression were seen in 70 (21.6%) and the rest had normal psychosocial function. There were no significant differences across all the four sub-groups for sociodemographics. Psychosocial functioning did not differ significantly between PWE with normal psychosocial function and PWE with anxiety alone. However, psychosocial functioning scores were worse in PWE with depression and PWE with both anxiety and depression when compared to PWE with normal psychosocial function. Conclusion: In the present study of PWE attending an outpatient epilepsy clinic, one-fifth of PWE had both anxiety and depression. Psychosocial functioning in PWE with anxiety was similar to otherwise healthy/normal PWE, whereas PWE with depression showed poor psychosocial functioning. Role of psychological interventions on psychosocial aspects of epilepsy should be studied extensively in future.

Long-Term Seizure Freedom, Resolution of Epilepsy and Perceived Life Changes in Drug Resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With Hippocampal Sclerosis: Comparison of Surgical Versus Medical Management.

BACKGROUND: Outcome of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) has rarely been evaluated exclusively. OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term seizure freedom, resolution of epilepsy, and perceived life changes in patients with drug-resistant TLE-HS who underwent surgery vs those who opted for best medical management. METHODS: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 346 patients with TLE-HS who underwent surgery were compared with 325 who received best medical management. Predictors for long-term remission, resolution of epilepsy, and seizure recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: The duration of follow-up ranged from 3-18 (mean 12.61) years. The average age of study population was 28.54 ± 12.27 years with 321 (47.8%) women. Age at onset of epilepsy (11.84 ± 8.48 vs 16.29 ± 11.88; P ≤ .001) was lower, and duration of epilepsy (15.65 ± 9.33 vs 12.97 ± 11.44; P < .001) was higher in the surgery group. Seizure freedom at 3 (81.8 vs 19.0%; P < .001), 5 (73% vs 16.1%; P < .001), and 10 years (78.3% vs 18.5; P < .001) and resolution of epilepsy (30.5% vs 0.6%; P < .001) was higher in the surgery group. The overall perceived life changes score was higher in the surgery group (80.96 ± 25.47 vs 66.24 ± 28.13; P < .001). At long-term follow-up (≥10 years), the presence of an aura was the strongest predictor for resolution of epilepsy (ß: 2.29 [95% CI; 1.06-4.93]; P = .035), whereas acute postoperative seizures (APOS) (ß: 6.06 [95% CI 1.57-23.42]; P < .001) and an abnormal postoperative EEG (ß: 0.222 [95% CI 0.100-0.491]; P < .001) were predictors of persistent seizures. Seizure freedom both at 3 and 5 years predicted seizure freedom at 10 years. CONCLUSION: Surgery for drug-resistant TLE-HS was associated with higher rate of long-term seizure-freedom, resolution of epilepsy, and reduction of anti-seizure medications with improvement in perceived life changes compared with best medical management. The presence of an aura was predictor for resolution of epilepsy while APOS and an abnormal postoperative EEG were predictors of persistent seizures.

Endoscopic Management of Lateral Ventricle Arachnoid Cysts-Case Series with Proposed Classification.

BACKGROUND: We present a case series of 7 patients with intraventricular arachnoid cysts of lateral ventricle managed with endoscopic treatment with proposed classification of the cyst based on anatomic extent. METHODS: In all patients, the lateral ventricle arachnoid cyst was primarily located in the trigone and body of the lateral ventricle. Proposed classification is based on extension of the arachnoid cyst. Type 1 is an arachnoid cyst located in the lateral ventricle only, type 2 is a lateral ventricle arachnoid cyst extending to the quadrigeminal cistern, and type 3 is the lateral ventricle arachnoid cyst extending to the velum interpositum cistern. RESULTS: Two patients were managed with multiple fenestration and septostomy, and in 1 patient where the cyst was not adherent to the ventricular wall it was excised completely. Two patients who had a lateral ventricle cyst located in the atrium but extending to quadrigeminal cyst were managed with 3 fenestrations. Two patients with a lateral ventricle arachnoid cyst located into the atrium of lateral ventricle and extending to the velum interpositum cistern through the choroid fissure were managed with 3 endoscopic fenestrations. Postoperatively, patients were followed clinically and by radiologic imaging. None of the patients reported recurrence until the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple endoscopic fenestrations for lateral ventricle arachnoid cyst according to its location and anatomic extension help to reduce recurrence and good outcome. Cyst excision is recommended only when the cyst wall is easily separable from the lateral ventricle wall. Intraoperative use of thulium light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation helps in achieving early hemostasis and easy perforation of the thick cyst wall.

Determinants of mortality and long-term outcome in children with refractory and super refractory status epilepticus.

AIM: To evaluate factors associated with progression of convulsive refractory status epilepticus(RSE) to super refractory status epilepticus(SRSE) and long term outcome in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this open cohort study, data of children admitted with convulsive RSE from 2010 to 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. The outcome at two years was graded according to the Glasgow outcome scale(GOS). RESULTS: Fifty six children formed study population, 24 progressed to SRSE. The mean age of the study population was 9.38 ± 4.28(2-16) years. There was no significant difference for age between SRSE and RSE children (9.53 ± 4.50 years vs. 9.17 ± 4.06 years; p = 0.756). Acute symptomatic aetiology was the most common aetiology for RSE (57.1%) and SRSE (54.2%). There were no differences for aetiology between children who progressed to SRSE and those who did not. Mean length of stay in the NICU was 13.54 ± 17.53 days and children who progressed to SRSE had a longer length of stay in NICU (4.78 ± 3.03 days vs. 25.21 ± 21.77 days; p < 0.001). The mortality was 14.2%. Acidosis was more common in children who died (27.1% vs. 87.5%;p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mortality between RSE and SRSE (9.4% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.268). At latest follow up 34 (60.7%) children had good outcome. Poor outcome was more common in children who progressed to SRSE(29.4% vs. 63.6%;p < 0.015). CONCLUSION: Acute symptomatic etiology is more frequent in children with RSE and SRSE. Progression to SRSE did not significantly increase mortality but associated with poor GOS outcome. Encouragingly, 60% of children had good outcome.

Predictors of surgical outcome in focal cortical dysplasia and its subtypes.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyzed predictors of surgical outcome in patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and its ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) subtypes after noninvasive multimodal evaluation and calculated time to first seizure. METHODS: Data of 355 patients with refractory epilepsy, confirmed FCD pathology, and 2-13 years of postsurgical follow-up were analyzed to determine the predictive roles of clinical, EEG, imaging, and surgical factors that influence seizure freedom. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age at surgery was 20.26 ± 12.18 years. In total, 142 (40.0%) patients had daily seizures and 90 (25.3%) had multiple seizure types. MRI showed clear-cut FCD in 289 (81.4%) patients. Pathology suggested type I FCD in 27.3% of patients, type II in 28.4%, and type III in 42.8% of patients. At latest follow-up, 72.1% of patients were seizure free and 11.8% were seizure free and not receiving antiepileptic drugs. Among the subtypes, 88.8% of patients with type III, 69.3% with type II, and 50.5% with type I FCD were seizure free. Multiple seizure types, acute postoperative seizures (APOS), and type I FCD were predictors of persistent seizures, whereas type III FCD was the strongest predictor of seizure freedom. Type I FCD was associated with daily seizures, frontal and multilobar distribution, subtle findings on MRI, incomplete resection, and persistent seizures. Type II and III FCD were associated with clear-cut lesion on MRI, regional interictal and ictal EEG onset pattern, focal pattern on ictal SPECT, complete resection, and seizure freedom. Type III FCD was associated with temporal location, whereas type I and II FCD were associated with extratemporal location. Nearly 80% of patients with persistent seizures, mostly those with type I FCD, had their first seizure within 6 months postsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term seizure freedom after surgery can be achieved in more than two-thirds of patients with FCD after noninvasive multimodal evaluation. Multiple seizure types, type I FCD, and APOS were predictors of persistent seizures. Seizures recurred in about 80% of patients within 6 months postsurgery.

Awareness, Recognition, and Response to Stroke among the General Public-An Observational Study.

Objective To evaluate awareness and response to stroke among the general public. Materials and Methods In this prospective, observational study, self-reported stroke awareness questionnaire was administered in 2000 consecutive participants who visited outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. For data analysis, comparison included for awareness of stroke and response in case of stroke. Results The average age of the study participants was 39.64 ± 15.55 (17-85), with 651(32.6%) women. Among the respondents, 786(39.3%) participants mentioned stroke as blood clot in the brain; 268(13.4%) stated it as brain hemorrhage. Awareness of stroke was higher in people in cities (71.0 vs. 8.5%; p < 0.001) and graduates (75.3 vs. 60.9%; p < 0.001) or knew a family member or friend who had stroke (42.7 vs. 30.4%; p < 0.001). Most commonly recognized risk factors included stress (1,152; 57.6%) and hypertension (1,148; 57.4%). Most identified warning sign was weakness of one side of body (807; 40.4%) and speech impairment (658; 32.9%). Participants who were aware of stroke knew a greater number of risk factors (3.75 ± 2.88 vs. 2.45 ± 2.66; p < 0.001) and warning signs (2.85 ± 2.25 vs. 1.49 ± 1.41; p <0.001). Among 1,138 participants who were aware of stroke, 166 (14.6%) participants knew one correct response in case of a stroke, either call a doctor (49.3 vs. 35.0%; p <0.001) or call an ambulance (41.1 vs. 34.9%; p = 0.055). Participants who knew one correct response to stroke had at least a family member/friend who had stroke (44.1 vs. 34.3%; p < 0.022). Conclusion We report that among 56.9% of the participants who were aware of stroke most could not name more than four risk factors or three warning signs of stroke. Only 14.6% of those aware of stroke knew appropriate response to stroke.

Sagittal Balance Correction in Cervical Compressive Myelopathy: Is it Helpful?

BACKGROUND: Laminectomy with lateral mass and transfacet fixation are widely accepted surgical techniques for cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate multilevel fixation with additional fixation of C7-T1 transfacet junction may help achieve better surgical outcome both in short- and long-term follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on utilizing C7-T1 transfacet junction fixation, 102 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for CCM were divided into Group A: cervical laminectomy with lateral mass fixation only, and Group B: cervical laminectomy and lateral mass fixation including C7-T1 transfacet junction in fixation. The groups were compared for at 3 months and 2 years postsurgery for persistence of preoperative symptoms, neurological outcome, and sagittal balance (T1 slope) of cervical spine. RESULTS: The average age of the study population was 59.11 ± 12.05 years with 71 (69.6%) men. There were no significant differences between the groups neither for presenting complaints nor for postoperative complications. Patients in group B had lesser length of postsurgical hospital stay (7.57 ± 6.61 vs 5.55 ± 1.81; P = 0.018). At 3 months follow-up, patients in group B had higher motor power of upper limb (3.64 ± 1.91 vs 4.47 ± 0.57; P < 0.001), lower limbs (5.07 ± 1.72 vs 5.92 ± 1.13; P = 0.005), and total modified Japanese orthopedic association score (MJOS) score (13.68 ± 3.42 vs 15.51 ± 1.87; P = 0.001). Patients in groups B had lower postoperative T1 slope scores (26.93 ± 8.73 vs 17.60 ± 4.97; P = <0.001). At 2 years follow-up of 53 patients, patients in group B had a better upper limb motor function (3.77 ± 1.14 vs 4.44 ± 0.50; P = 0.021) and total MJOS score (13.85 ± 3.49 vs. 15.37 ± 1.86; P < 0.052). CONCLUSION: Normalizing sagittal balance in patients with CCM by cervical laminectomy and posterior fixation including cervical thoracic junction (C7-T1 transfacet junctional fixation) may significantly improve neurological outcome both in short-term and long-term follow-up.

Simultaneous Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Stroke - A Management Dilemma.

The management of established pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) coexisting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is quite challenging. We report the case of a 52-year-old man with concurrent massive right middle cerebral artery AIS and acute PTE, who was successfully managed despite the contradictory guidelines to manage them simultaneously. The patient underwent decompression craniotomy followed by anticoagulant therapy. The current case report demonstrates that full-dose heparin, despite being relatively contraindicated in an AIS, can achieve a good outcome when given under close monitoring. The transesophageal echo with bubble contrast during the Valsalva maneuver demonstrated patent foramen ovale with a right to left shunt as a cause of AIS and PTE in this patient.

Avoiding Complications in Surgical Resection of Insular Gliomas - Single Surgeon Experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Insular gliomas remain one of most challenging locations for aggressive resection. We report our experience and strategies we employed to avoid complications in immediate post-operative period of surgical resection of insular gliomas. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data collected in 61 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection of insular gliomas between May 2013 and May 2016 was done. Primary outcome measures were neurological deficits and death in the immediate post-operative period to three months follow-up. RESULTS: The average age of the study population was 42.57 ± 10.98 years with 41 (67.2%) men. Glioma was on the right side in 35 (57.3%) patients. Surgery for recurrent glioma was performed in three (4.9%) patients. The average MIB index of the entire group was 10.1 ± 13.9. While 23 (37.7%) patients underwent the TO approach, 38 (62.3%) underwent TS approach. In the immediate post-operative period, significantly higher number of patients under TS approach had post-surgical complications (8.6% vs 34.2%; P = 0.032). The surgical approaches did not differ significantly for outcome, mortality and complications at three month post-operatively (0.0% vs 10.5%; P = 0.287). However, a trend for lower complications at three months was observed with TO approach. CONCLUSION: We report that morbidity and mortality in immediate post-operative period can be reduced by: a) pre-surgical assessment of confinement of glioma in respect to lenticulo-striate arteries, b) Intra-operative use of functional-MRI, DTI tractography and ICG angiography, c) Application of Berger-Sinai classification to localize the glioma, d) selecting either TS or TO approach based on Berger-Sinai classification.

Ictal Smile and Fear In A Child With Refractory Epilepsy - An Interesting Electro Clinical Correlation.

Ictal fear is a common manifestation with seizures originating from temporal lobe, orbitofrontal region and cingulate cortex. Ictal smile has been described in association with seizures from hypothalamus, cingulate cortex, lateral and prefrontal cortex. Isolated fear or ictal smile has been reported in various published reports in the past in patients with cingulate epilepsy. We report an unusual semiology with ictal smiling along with fear and preserved sensorium during the event, in a four-year-old child; Our hypothesis was that the ictal origin, most likely from the right mesial frontal or cingulate cortex. The child underwent resective surgery after multimodality evaluation and has been seizure free for 6 years post-surgery.

Diagnostic Nuances and Surgical Management of Arrested Hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is characterized by the increased volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with enlarged cerebral ventricles. In nearly 50% of the patients, if left untreated, the balance between CSF production and absorption is achieved, resulting in arrested hydrocephalus (AH). However, 15% of them who are diagnosed as arrested can progress over a period of time. Importantly, a large fraction of patients with hydrocephalus in India, may not have access to tertiary level care. Therefore, both progressive hydrocephalus and insidious progression of AH with related mortality and morbidity could be higher in India. The pathophysiology behind AH and insidious progression of AH are poorly established. Unfortunately, there are no established clinical or radiological parameters identifying or predicting AH from progressive hydrocephalous. Diagnosis is often based on a combination of neurological, psychometric, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and telemetric ICP measurement is increasingly helping surgeons to detect insidious progressive AH in the early stages. In patients with AH, surgery may not be always necessary and a conservative approach is often adopted. On the contrary, AH that becomes progressive may require intervention. Surgical intervention should not be delayed and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is preferable over shunt placement. Importantly, comprehensive counseling and the appropriate selection of patients are pivotal in improving outcomes and reducing complications.

Current Status of Surgery in Management of Prolactinomas.

Prolactinomas are a complex neuroendocrine challenge for the neurosurgeon. Management of prolactinoma patients requires centres that include neuroendocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists. Although dopamine agonists are the current mainstay of management of prolactinomas, surgery was often preferred management option prior to 1980, before the advent of dopamine agonists. Importantly, all patients with neurologic symptoms suspected due to the lesion, and those risk of adverse effects of medical management, treatment failure, resistance to dopamine agonists and those planning pregnancy, should be referred to a neurosurgeon at the earliest possible. When selected after meticulous evaluation, in patients with neurological deficits like acute visual loss, intolerance to medical therapy, or treatment failures, surgical intervention could come to rescue. Encouragingly, when carefully selected, surgical remission rates are high. In the current review, we review the existing literature and share the experience at our centre in the surgical management of prolactinomas.

Impact of SARS-Cov2 on Endoscopic Trans-Nasal Skull Base Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is currently an evolving situation. Operating rooms (OR) are high-risk areas for the transmission of any respiratory infection with multiple personnel involved, in close proximity. Of concern to neurosurgeons, is the high-risk of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) like transsphenoidal and endonasal surgery. Endonasal AGPs theoretically present a higher risk of viral exposure due to the longer duration of exposure and aggressive disruption of potentially virus-containing mucosa. OBJECTIVE: The current review discusses potential strategies to neuro-surgeons to avoid transmission of COVID 19 during endo-nasal and trans-sphenoidal surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed using the search terms "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "coronavirus" in combination with "neurosurgery", and identified 13 relevant articles. A pre-surgical risk assessment score is proposed based on the risk of transmission. A flow chart of patient selection and care has been formulated. CONCLUSION: In all emergency patients, it is preferable to consider transcranial surgery or a sub-labial approach avoiding exposure to mucosa. Due to laboratory constraints routine swabs is not always available. Therefore, routine preoperative screening computed tomography (CT) chest is performed in all patients. Based on risk of transmission of infection to others, we propose a classification of patients for skull-based surgery into low, high and very high risk groups and suggest suitable personal protective equipment. Additionally, we discuss avoiding use of powered drills in or any AGP. However, cold procedures involving shavers and microdebriders generate lesser amounts of aerosol. Post-operatively, the length of stay could be reduced with a multidisciplinary approach.

Inter-ictal EEG patterns in malformations of cortical development and epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: Malformations of cortical Development (MCDs) are associated with refractory epilepsy. We evaluated scalp inter-ictal EEG patterns in various types of MCD, and its association with clinical features and seizure control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical, inter-ictal EEG and seizure outcome data of 665 patients with epilepsy and MCD with at least two years follow up was performed. RESULTS: Average age of study population was 15.95 ± 10.79 years with 291(43.8 %) women. Multiregional spikes were more common in children (22.7 % vs 8.5; p < 0.001), if age of onset of epilepsy was <2 years (21.8 % vs 11.4 %; p = 0.001) and polymicrogyria (12.1 % vs 37.3 %; p < 0.001). Generalized epileptiform discharges were more frequent in patients with developmental delay (24.7 % vs 12.6 %; p < 0.001); and were associated with lissencephaly(14.0 % vs 59.3 %; p < 0.001) and heterotopias(14.5 % vs 34.9 %;p = 0.002). Regional spikes were more common if age of onset of epilepsy is >2 years (26.2 % vs 38.4 %; p = 0.003), and also in FCD (17.1 % vs 42.6 %; p < 0.001). At latest follow-up, 151(22.7 %) patients were seizure free; 401(60.7 %) had refractory epilepsy and the rest had remissions with relapse. No association was found between inter-ictal EEG patterns and seizure control. CONCLUSION: In patients with MCD, generalized epileptiform discharges were associated with developmental delay, lissencephaly and heterotopias. Regional spikes were frequent in FCD while multiregional spikes in children and polymicrogyria. Inter-ictal EEG patterns did not influence seizure outcome.

Metabolic syndrome in people with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and quality of life (QoL) in people with epilepsy (PWE). We evaluate the trends of MetS in PWE across various age groups. We also evaluate the association of MetS and QoL in PWE. METHODS: Clinical and seizure data were collected in 173 people with controlled epilepsy. Physical fitness was assessed by using the six-minute walk test and one-minute step test. Self-reported SF-12 questionnaire, was used to derive physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores. RESULTS: The average age of the study population was 25.85 ±â€¯9.62 years, and MetS was observed in 91 (52.6%). Obesity was seen in 153 (88.4%). Average distance walked in the six-minute walk test was 385.55 ±â€¯71.52 m. Mean PCS and MCS were 45.95 ±â€¯7.92 and 45.72 ±â€¯10.40, respectively. More number of women had MetS (47.6% vs. 62.6%; p = 0.049) and women in the study population had lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C (44.34 ±â€¯11.60 vs. 38.65 ±â€¯10.13 mm Hg; p < 0.001). Except for the variables that define MetS, none of the clinical characteristics were associated with MetS. Across age groups, prevalence of MetS was consistently at 50.0% although prevalence of hypertension showed a linear increase with age. While low HDL-C was seen highest (61.5%) in ≤20 years age, impaired fasting blood sugar (FBS) was highest in PWE aged >40 years. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is seen in more than half of PWE, and this increased prevalence is not associated with the number of antiepileptic medicines. While prevalence of MetS was stable at 50.0% across all age groups, components of MetS have varying prevalence across age groups hence, suggesting their varied contribution across age groups.