Early management of adult traumatic spinal cord injury in patients with polytrauma: a consensus and clinical recommendations jointly developed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) & the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).

BACKGROUND: The early management of polytrauma patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a major challenge. Sparse data is available to provide optimal care in this scenario and worldwide variability in clinical practice has been documented in recent studies. METHODS: A multidisciplinary consensus panel of physicians selected for their established clinical and scientific expertise in the acute management of tSCI polytrauma patients with different specializations was established. The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) endorsed the consensus, and a modified Delphi approach was adopted. RESULTS: A total of 17 statements were proposed and discussed. A consensus was reached generating 17 recommendations (16 strong and 1 weak). CONCLUSIONS: This consensus provides practical recommendations to support a clinician's decision making in the management of tSCI polytrauma patients.

Volumetric hippocampal changes in glioblastoma: a biomarker for neuroplasticity?

PURPOSE: The pleiotropic effect of gliomas on the development of cognitive disorders and structural brain changes has garnered increasing interest in recent years. While it is widely accepted that multimodal therapies for brain cancer can foster cognitive impairment, the direct effect of gliomas on critical cognitive areas before anti-tumor therapies is still controversial. In this study, we focused on the effect of IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma on the human hippocampus volume. METHODS: We carried out a case-control study using voxel-based morphometry assessment, analyzed with the Computational Anatomy Toolbox software. Glioblastoma diagnosis was performed according to the latest 2021 WHO classification. Due to stringent inclusion criteria, 15 patients affected by IDH1 wild type glioblastoma were included and compared to 19 age-matched controls. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant increase in the absolute mean hippocampal volume (p = 0.017), as well as in the ipsilateral (compared to the lesion, p = 0.027) and the contralateral hippocampal volumes (p = 0.014) in the group of patients. When the data were normalized per total intracranial volume, we confirmed a statistically significant increase only in the contralateral hippocampal volume (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore hippocampal volumetric changes in a cohort of adult patients affected by IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma, according to the latest WHO classification. We demonstrated an adaptive volumetric response of the hippocampus, which was more pronounced on the side contralateral to the lesion, suggesting substantial integrity and resilience of the medial temporal structures before the initiation of multimodal treatments.

Early management of isolated severe traumatic brain injury patients in a hospital without neurosurgical capabilities: a consensus and clinical recommendations of the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES).

BACKGROUND: Severe traumatic brain-injured (TBI) patients should be primarily admitted to a hub trauma center (hospital with neurosurgical capabilities) to allow immediate delivery of appropriate care in a specialized environment. Sometimes, severe TBI patients are admitted to a spoke hospital (hospital without neurosurgical capabilities), and scarce data are available regarding the optimal management of severe isolated TBI patients who do not have immediate access to neurosurgical care. METHODS: A multidisciplinary consensus panel composed of 41 physicians selected for their established clinical and scientific expertise in the acute management of TBI patients with different specializations (anesthesia/intensive care, neurocritical care, acute care surgery, neurosurgery and neuroradiology) was established. The consensus was endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery, and a modified Delphi approach was adopted. RESULTS: A total of 28 statements were proposed and discussed. Consensus was reached on 22 strong recommendations and 3 weak recommendations. In three cases, where consensus was not reached, no recommendation was provided. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus provides practical recommendations to support clinician's decision making in the management of isolated severe TBI patients in centers without neurosurgical capabilities and during transfer to a hub center.

Effect of extracranial-intracranial bypass revascularization procedure in acute stroke after endovascular failure: the EIRASP study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular reperfusion represent nowadays the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke. However, ineffective reperfusion may occur, representing a major negative prognostic factor on clinical outcome. Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass revascularization procedure in an acute setting appears as a promising tool to increase reperfusion rates and improve clinical outcome in a highly selected population refractory or ineligible for standard reperfusion therapies. METHODS: The Extracranial-Intracranial Revascularization for Acute Stroke - Parma (EIRASP) study is an observational, prospective, single-center, study (protocol 203/2020/OSS/AOUPR). Patients admitted for an acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke due to large vessels occlusion and refractory or ineligible for standard reperfusion therapies will be submitted to an extracranial-intracranial bypass revascularization procedure when fulfilling all clinical and radiological inclusion criteria. The primary outcome will be the functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale and NIHSS score) at 3 months after the surgical procedure. Secondary outcome will include the evaluation of clinical and surgical complications rates, quantitative monitoring of perfusion parameters, and further functional and survival rates. RESULTS: Despite promising data regarding the feasibility and the favorable outcome of urgent EC-IC bypass revascularization procedure in selected patients suffering an acute ischemic stroke are emerging in literature, no studies to date have prospectively explored the real potential of this technique. CONCLUSIONS: The EIRASP study aims to provide further and stronger methodological evidence of the benefit of urgent EC-IC bypass revascularization procedure in acute ischemic stroke.

Atypical presentation of juvenile multiple sclerosis in a patient with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with a case of a very atypical clinical onset of multiple sclerosis in a young boy during a COVID-19 infection. CASE REPORT: A 16-year-old boy was referred to our ophthalmology clinic with a complete isolated bilateral horizontal gaze palsy. The condition had onset suddenly 2 weeks prior and he had no associated symptoms, as well as no significant medical history. His corrected visual acuity was 0.0 logMAR in both eyes. While hospitalized, he was found infected with COVID-19. Subsequent brain MRI showed multiple lesions typical of a yet undiagnosed MS, as well as an active pontine plaque which was highly probable the cause of the horizontal gaze palsy. High-dose steroid treatment was initiated 1 week later, after the patient exhibited negative COVID-19 test results. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations of MS are rarely seen in male teenagers and only a few cases of isolated bilateral horizontal gaze palsy have been reported as the initial manifestation, but never during concomitant COVID-19 infection. We presume that the presence of COVID-19 may have been a neuroinflammatory trigger of underlying MS.

Real-time assessment of individual optimal CT perfusion acquisition time in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a "real-time" estimate of the optimal CT perfusion (CTP) acquisition time (Top ) in ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: The arterial input function, the venous output function (VOF), and the time-attenuation curves of ischemic core and ischemic penumbra of 51 patients with acute ischemic stroke in anterior circulation were obtained. The curves were analyzed to determine for each patient the Top value; additionally, several time parameters were derived from each waveform. The relationship between each of these parameters and Top was investigated. RESULTS: We found a strong linear correlation between each time parameter derived from VOF curve and Top , suggesting that the VOF waveform is rescaled from patient to patient without significant change in shape. CONCLUSIONS: The linear correlation between Top and the VOF time to peak is well suited to implement a new technique to automatically customize the patient's CTP acquisition time. The method does not require an additional dose of contrast medium and does not increase the overall study time, so its use would be desirable to decrease the average radiation dose.

Capillary Venous Malformation With Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of Temporal Bone.

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) arising from vascular malformation are extremely rare, and none have been reported in the literature in English till now. We report a very rare case of secondary ABC of left temporal bone in a 5-year-old Caucasian boy who presented with a left sudden facial palsy associated with a painless non-tender mass of the left temporo-parietal region. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features were suggestive of ABC secondary to a capillary venous malformation, with concurrent involvement of the squamous, mastoid, and petrous portions of the temporal bone. Surgical resection was performed. On follow-up, the patient was found to be doing well.

Multiple Acute Ischemic Strokes in a COVID-19 Patient: a Case Report.

We describe a case of a 47-year-old Italian, immunocompromised, and obese woman infected by COVID-19 presenting with fever (39.6 °C) and respiratory symptoms. Neurological examination was normal. Chest CT findings consist of bilateral interstitial pneumonia (visual score extension: 30%). The patient was treated with antiviral drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs with supportive care. Seven days after admission to Covid-19 Unit, the patient rapidly developed worsening respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). She suddenly developed partial left hemispheric syndrome. A new HRCT scan of her thorax revealed diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lungs (visual score extension: 90%). Brain CT performed 2 h after sudden-onset left-sided weakness showed subtle low attenuation within the right insular ribbon and frontal lobe (ASPECT Score 8). Multiphasic CT angiography (MCTA) demonstrated occlusion of both the dominant inferior division of the right middle cerebral artery and the A2 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery. After 24 h, her pupils became dilated and unreactive, and brain CT demonstrated large bilateral infarctions of both the cerebellar and cerebral hemispheres. She had a rapid progression of interstitial pneumonia from COVID-19, developed multiple strokes, and died 1 day later. SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to predispose pluripathological subjects to cerebrovascular complications.

Impact of a posttraumatic cerebral infarction on outcome in patients with TBI: the Italian multicenter cohort INCEPT study.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI) is common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is unclear what the occurrence of a PTCI is, how it impacts the long-term outcome, and whether it adds incremental prognostic value to established outcome predictors. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study of moderate and severe TBI patients. The primary objective was to evaluate if PTCI was an independent risk factor for the 6-month outcome assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). We also assessed the PTCI occurrence and if it adds incremental value to the International Mission for Prognosis and Clinical Trial design in TBI (IMPACT) core and extended models. RESULTS: We enrolled 143 patients, of whom 47 (32.9%) developed a PTCI. In the multiple ordered logistic regression, PTCI was retained in both the core and extended IMPACT models as an independent predictor of the GOS. The predictive performances increased significantly when PTCI was added to the IMPACT core model (AUC = 0.73, 95% C.I. 0.66-0.82; increased to AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.83, p = 0.0007) and extended model (AUC = 0.74, 95% C.I. 0.65-0.81 increased to AUC = 0.80, 95% C.I. 0.69-0.85; p = 0.00008). Patients with PTCI showed higher ICU mortality and 6-month mortality, whereas hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PTCI is a common complication in patients suffering from a moderate or severe TBI and is an independent risk factor for long-term disability. The addition of PTCI to the IMPACT core and extended predictive models significantly increased their performance in predicting the GOS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The present study was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov with the ID number NCT02430324.

Adult Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (SCIWORA). Two case reports and a narrative review.

The term SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality) indicates a clinically appreciable post-traumatic myelopathy in the absence of spinal column findings on radiographs and/or computed tomography (CT), but with pathologic findings at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in approximately two-thirds of cases. Affecting mainly children younger than 8 years, SCIWORA has been, however, also described in adult patients, but, due to the uncertainty of classification and frequent co-morbidity, the term "adult SCIWORA" has generated controversy, and some debate is still active. In this article, we report two different cases of adult SCIWORA involving cervical spinal cord, characterized by distinct and peculiar clinical features. A literature review and some clinical suggestions are also reported, mainly focused on the importance of a high level of suspicion in order to achieve a timely diagnosis and optimize the management and, consequently, the outcome of these trauma patients.

Transient posterior cerebral arteriopathy: An unusual case enterovirus-related.

Transient Cerebral Arteriopathy (TCA) is one of the main causes of childhood stroke. Here we present an unusual case of Arterial Ischemic Stroke (AIS) caused by a TCA of posterior flow and originally located in the right thalamus. The detection of enterovirus in the cerebrospinal fluid allowed us to suppose a probable post infectious etiology. The course of symptoms was self-limited and the child had a complete clinical recovery after five days. A new ischemic lesion on the antero-inferior paravermian region of the left cerebellum was revealed by a following brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) three months later and these findings were reported by further brain MRI control performed after 15 months. Comparing follow up Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) with previous High Resolution Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HRMI), we found a vessel narrowing at the level of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery that might explain the arteriopathy process. In conclusion, clinical and radiological course allow us to speculate that this multifocal cerebral arteriopathy might be a transient lesion due to enterovirus infection. To our knowledge, there are only three articles describing TCA enterovirus-related, and brain MRA was performed in only one case; in addition, no one with the involvement of the posterior circulation.

Prevention and management of vascular complications in middle ear and cochlear implant surgery.

The objective of this study is to illustrate prevention strategies and management of vascular complications from the jugular bulb (JB) and internal carotid artery (ICA) during middle ear surgery or cochlear implantation. The study design is retrospective case series. The setting is tertiary referral university hospital. Patients were included if presented pre- or intraoperative evidence of high-risk anatomical anomalies of ICA or JB during middle ear or cochlear implant surgery, intraoperative vascular injury, or revision surgery after the previous iatrogenic vascular lesions. The main outcome measures are surgical outcomes and complications rate. Ten subjects were identified: three underwent cochlear implant surgery and seven underwent middle ear surgery. Among the cochlear implant patients, two presented with anomalies of the JB impeding access to the cochlear lumen and one underwent revision surgery for incorrect positioning of the array in the carotid canal. Subtotal petrosectomy was performed in all cases. Anomalies of the JB were preoperatively identified in two patients with attic and external auditory canal cholesteatoma, respectively. In a patient, a high and dehiscent JB was found during myringoplasty, while another underwent revision surgery after iatrogenic injury of the JB. A dehiscent ICA complicated middle ear effusion in one case, while in another case, a carotid aneurysm determined a cholesterol granuloma. Rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the ICA occurred in a child during second-stage surgery and required permanent balloon occlusion without neurological complications. Knowledge of normal anatomy and its variants and preoperative imaging are the basis for prevention of vascular complications during middle ear or cochlear implant surgery.

Occult nasolacrimal duct ectasia in a child with acute sinusitis: clinicopathological considerations and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Enlargement of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) in the absence of neoplasm is rare. As there are few reports on this condition in the literature, its pathologic significance and proper management remain unclear. We report a case of asymptomatic NLD enlargement incidentally discovered on high resolution computed tomography scan performed for a complicated acute sinusitis. METHODOLOGY: Case report and literature review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: NLD enlargement, defined as a truly isolated asymptomatic dilatation of the NLD, is rarely encountered. Etiology and clinical significance are unclear although the absence of nasolacrimal pathway or sinonasal disease and radiological findings of bone remodelling suggest that it may be congenital. In such cases, diagnosis may be incidental and based on imaging studies, and the term NLD ectasia seems to be more appropriate to describe this distinct entity. NLD enlargement may favour osteomeatal complex obstruction, thus leading to severe acute sinusitis.

Prognostic value of MGMT promoter status in non-resectable glioblastoma after adjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND: Methylation of MGMT promoter has been identified as a favourable predictive factor of benefit from XRT/TMZ → TMZ. Patients with non-resectable glioblastoma (GBM) generally exhibit a poor prognosis, even after XRT/TMZ. Few data are available concerning the predictive value of MGMT promoter methylation in this population. METHODS: This is an observational retrospective study in patients with malignant brain glioma, treated between June 2008 and October 2011 and followed up until April 2012 at the Neurosurgery-Neurotraumatology Unit of the University Hospital of Parma and at the Neurosurgery Unit of IRCCS "ASMN" of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The medical records of an overall number of 174 patients with a newly diagnosed GBM were reviewed. Volumetry analysis of the lesions was performed on pre- and post-operative neuroimaging by Voxar 3D Ebit AET software. The genetic characterization was performed on paraffin embedded tissue from all resected tumours. Isolation of nucleic acids, bisulfite modification of DNA, methylation-specific PCR and sequencing analyses were done mainly on fresh tissue from biopsy withdrawals. Within 3-4 weeks after either biopsy or surgery, patients were assigned to receive XRT/TMZ→TMZ: treatment included XRT (60 Gy in 30 fractions)/TMZ (daily dose of 75 mg/m(2))/TMZ (150-200mg/m(2) per day for 5 days of every 28-day cycle). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 55 consecutive patients (23 men, 22 women) fulfilled inclusion criteria consisting of age over 18 years, supratentorial histologically proven primary malignant glioma, complete determination of the MGMT methylation status, no prior history of surgery, XRT and/or chemotherapy, adequate clinical and radiological follow-up no lesser than 6 months. Twenty-three patients underwent neuronavigation needle biopsy (B Group) and thirty-two patients were operated with craniotomy for tumour resection (R Group). The pre-operative mean age was similar between groups (61.7 ± 10.7 vs 60.3 ± 11.8 years in the B and R groups respectively; p>0.05). The B groups showed a slightly lower KPS than the R Group (82.1 ± 17.3 vs 90.3 ± 14.1 respectively; p>0.05). The mean pre-operative volume of the tumour did not differ between groups (46.2 ± 40.2 cm(3) vs 44.1 ± 33.2 cm(3) in the R Group and B Group respectively; p>0.05). The MGMT promoter was methylated in 12 patients (51.2%) of B Group and in 17 patients (53.1%) of R Group. XRT/TMZ → TMZ was accomplished in 11 patients (47.8%) of B Group and in 24 patients (75%) of R Group; in 24/29 methylated patients (82.8%) and in 11/26 unmethylated patients (42.3%). Survival analysis of methylated vs unmethylated tumours was statistically significant (Log Rank Mantel Cox: 0.019 in B Group and 0.023 in R Group). In B Group the mean overall survival (OS) of methylated patients was 11.4 months (IC 95% 6.5-16.4) vs 4.8 months (95% IC, 2.6-7.0) of unmethylated patients. In R Group the mean OS was 21.7 months (95% IC, 16.9-26.6) for methylated patients and 14.0 months (95% IC, 8.5-19.4) for unmethylated patients. At the multivariate Cox regression analysis conducted on the total population (55 patients), XRT and TMZ were found to be predictive of OS. In the R Group, KPS, XRT and TMZ correlated with a better outcome. In the B Group, XRT and MGMT promoter methylation were favourably related with OS. CONCLUSION: MGMT promoter unmethylation has a predominant unfavourable impact on clinical outcomes even in the subpopulation of patients with non-resectable GBM. The unmethylated MGMT promoter status could be considered the main predictor of poor prognosis in biopsied GBM, due to the greater probability of patients not having benefits from adjuvant therapies and not being able to accomplish XRT/TMZ → TMZ. The frameless neuronavigation biopsy technique is safe and effective for predictive evaluation and could help in treatment decision making.

Patients with brain contusions: predictors of outcome and relationship between radiological and clinical evolution.

OBJECT: Traumatic parenchymal mass lesions are common sequelae of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They occur in up to 8.2% of all TBI cases and 13%-35% of severe TBI cases, and they account for up to 20% of surgical intracranial lesions. Controversy exists concerning the association between radiological and clinical evolution of brain contusions. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of unfavorable outcome, analyze the evolution of brain contusions, and evaluate specific indications for surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective, multicenter study, patients with brain contusions were identified in separate patient cohorts from 11 hospitals over a 4-year period (2008-2011). Data on clinical parameters and course of the contusion were collected. Radiological parameters were registered by using CT images taken at the time of hospital admission and at subsequent follow-up times. Patients who underwent surgical procedures were identified. Outcomes were evaluated 6 months after trauma by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed the following reliable predictors of unfavorable outcome: 1) increased patient age, 2) lower Glasgow Coma Scale score at first evaluation, 3) clinical deterioration in the first hours after trauma, and 4) onset or increase of midline shift on follow-up CT images. Further multivariate analysis identified the following as statistically significant predictors of clinical deterioration during the first hours after trauma: 1) onset of or increase in midline shift on follow-up CT images (p < 0.001) and 2) increased effacement of basal cisterns on follow-up CT images (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In TBI patients with cerebral contusion, the onset of clinical deterioration is predictably associated with the onset or increase of midline shift and worsened status of basal cisterns but not with hematoma or edema volume increase. A combination of clinical deterioration and increased midline shift/basal cistern compression is the most reasonable indicator for surgery.

Tapia's syndrome secondary to laterocervical localization of diffuse large cell lymphoma.

The eponym "Tapia's syndrome" indicates an associated unilateral vocal cord and tongue paralysis secondary to a peripheral involvement of the recurrent laryngeal branch and the hypoglossal nerve. Although mainly observed as a complication of surgery or anaesthesia, it can rarely occur secondary to infectious or neoplastic causes. We are presenting a case of a teen-ager with Tapia's syndrome who had been seeking medical assistance for episodes of loss of consciousness and was diagnosed with a high-grade peripheral B-cell lymphoma, an association not previously described. This syndrome should be remembered even outside the surgical contest for its highly localising value.

Unusual trigeminal autonomic pain heralding hemichorea due to zoster sine Herpete vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Varicella zoster virus primary infection is responsible for chickenpox, whereas secondary infection or reactivation can lead to a variety of clinical scenarios. If latent infection is established in trigeminal ganglion, the reactivation can determine viral migration to cerebral arteries, which causes a cerebral vasculopathy and subsequently an ischemic stroke. PATIENTS: Here we report on a child experiencing recurrent episodes of headache mimicking a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia, in the absence of any skin rash, which were followed by the occurrence of an ipsilateral hemiparesis associated with a choreic movement disorder a month later. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance angiography showed evidence of a right-sided infarction of basal ganglia and anterior limb of the internal capsule, corresponding to the vascular territory of the recurrent artery of Heubner, as a consequence of a focal varicella zoster virus arteriopathy. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the recognition of this prodromal manifestation, which can be interpreted as a zoster sine herpete, could provide clinicians an extremely useful time window to start promptly with a prophylactic treatment.

Serum levels of protein S100B predict intracranial lesions in mild head injury.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess whether serum S100B levels at emergency department admission can be used to omit unnecessary computed tomography (CT) in patients with minor head injury (MHI). DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with recent MHI were included in this study. Serum S100B measurement and CT scanning were performed in all patients within 3h from head injury. RESULTS: A positive CT scan was present in 20 out of 60 subjects. Significantly higher values of protein S100B were found in CT positive than in CT negative patients (1.35 versus 0.48 µg/L; p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for protein S100B was highly significant (AUC 0.80; p<0.001) and a S100B cut-off value of 0.38 µg/L displayed 100% sensitivity and 58% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Serum S100-B levels might allow to omit unnecessary CT in patients with pure MHI, thus reducing radiation exposure and saving healthcare resources.