Obturator to Femoral Nerve Transfer: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Injury to the femoral nerve can cause femoral nerve palsy,1 resulting in severe ambulation difficulties and loss of sensory function in the anteromedial thigh and medial calf.2,3 Treatment options focus on nerve repair by direct coaptation, nerve grafting, or nerve transfer.3 If the proximal nerve stump is inaccessible, the location of nerve injury is at a distance from the site of muscle innervation, and/or there is a large nerve gap, nerve transfer may be a promising alternative treatment option.4-6 Nerve transfer uses only one coaptation site and allows for a faster recovery time due to a shorter nerve regeneration distance.2,3 A 32-year-old woman presented with persistent and severe proximal right lower extremity weakness after a right retroperitoneal femoral nerve schwannoma resection at an outside institution. After surgery, she reported that she could not flex her right hip or extend her right knee. MRI demonstrated a right femoral nerve gap defect (7.5 cm) at the schwannoma resection site. A right obturator to femoral nerve transfer was performed (see Video). 1.5-year follow-up visit showed that she had begun to have evidence of active recruitment of the right quadriceps muscle and started walking without a knee brace. 2.5-year follow-up visit showed improving strength (4-) in her right quadriceps muscle, independent walking for longer distances, and participation in sporting activities. The patient consented to the procedure, and the patients and any identifiable individuals consented to publication of his/her image. Institutional Review Board approval was not required for this single case observational surgical video.

Assessing the Relationship between Surgical Timing and Postoperative Seizure Outcomes in Cavernoma-Related Epilepsy: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis of 63 Patients with a Review of the Literature.

Background: Patients with supratentorial cavernous malformations (SCMs) commonly present with seizures. First-line treatments for cavernoma-related epilepsy (CRE) include conservative management (antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)) and surgery. We compared seizure outcomes of CRE patients after early (≤6 months) vs. delayed (>6 months) surgery. Methods: We compared outcomes of CRE patients with SCMs surgically treated at our large-volume cerebrovascular center (1 January 2010-31 July 2020). Patients with 1 sporadic SCM and ≥1-year follow-up were included. Primary outcomes were International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) class 1 seizure freedom and AED independence. Results: Of 63 CRE patients (26 women, 37 men; mean ± SD age, 36.1 ± 14.6 years), 48 (76%) vs. 15 (24%) underwent early (mean ± SD, 2.1 ± 1.7 months) vs. delayed (mean ± SD, 6.2 ± 7.1 years) surgery. Most (32 (67%)) with early surgery presented after 1 seizure; all with delayed surgery had ≥2 seizures. Seven (47%) with delayed surgery had drug-resistant epilepsy. At follow-up (mean ± SD, 5.4 ± 3.3 years), CRE patients with early surgery were more likely to have ILAE class 1 seizure freedom and AED independence than those with delayed surgery (92% (44/48) vs. 53% (8/15), p = 0.002; and 65% (31/48) vs. 33% (5/15), p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Early CRE surgery demonstrated better seizure outcomes than delayed surgery. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Racial and Socioeconomic Status among a Patient Population Presenting with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage versus Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: A Single-Center Study.

Racial and socioeconomic health disparities are well documented in the literature. This study examined patient demographics, including socioeconomic status (SES), among individuals presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) to identify factors associated with aSAH presentation. A retrospective assessment was conducted of all patients with aSAH and UIA who presented to a large-volume cerebrovascular center and underwent microsurgical treatment from January 2014 through July 2019. Race and ethnicity, insurance type, and SES data were collected for each patient. Comparative analysis of the aSAH and UIA groups was conducted. Logistic regression models were also employed to predict the likelihood of aSAH presentation based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. A total of 640 patients were included (aSAH group, 251; UIA group, 389). Significant associations were observed between race and ethnicity, SES, insurance type, and aneurysm rupture. Non-White race or ethnicity, lower SES, and having public or no insurance were associated with increased odds of aSAH presentation. The aSAH group had poorer functional outcomes and higher mortality rates than the UIA group. Patients who are non-White, have low SES, and have public or no insurance were disproportionately affected by aSAH, which is historically associated with poorer functional outcomes.

Dolichoectatic Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm Treated With Excision and Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Double Reimplantation Bypass: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms account for 0.3% of all intracranial aneurysms, and they commonly present with a complex fusiform morphology that necessitates unique bypass strategies.1-5 An adolescent boy with a familial predisposition to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was identified as harboring a fusiform aneurysm of the right distal PICA, characterized by 2 outflow branches. Our recommended treatment strategy involved a right far lateral craniotomy, followed by P1 PICA reanastomosis and P2 PICA reimplantation. Informed written consent was obtained. On exposure, the aneurysm was trapped, and the inflow and 2 outflow PICA branches were excised. Revascularization was established through a P1 PICA end-to-end reanastomosis using running continuous suturing techniques, followed by P2 PICA end-to-side reimplantation into a more distal portion of PICA. Subsequent indocyanine green videoangiography confirmed patency of the P2 PICA reimplantation; however, the initial P1 PICA reanastomosis was noted to be thrombosed. After several unsuccessful attempts to dissolve the thrombus, the decision was made to proceed with a P2 PICA side-to-side in situ reimplantation into the V4 segment of the vertebral artery. Indocyanine green videoangiography and postoperative digital subtraction angiography confirmed patency of the PICA double reimplantation bypass. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home at his neurological baseline. This video showcases the microsurgical treatment of a complex dolichoectatic, distal PICA aneurysm using a double reimplantation technique, in addition to highlighting bypass decision-making processes for managing complex PICA aneurysms.

Optimal PHASES Scoring for Risk Stratification of Surgically Treated Unruptured Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size, Earlier subarachnoid hemorrhage, Site) score was developed to facilitate risk stratification for management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). This study aimed to identify the optimal PHASES score cutoff for predicting neurologic outcomes in patients with surgically treated aneurysms. METHODS: All patients who underwent microneurosurgical treatment for UIA at a large quaternary center from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria included a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≤2 at admission. The primary outcome was 1-year mRS score, with a "poor" neurologic outcome defined as an mRS score >2. RESULTS: In total, 375 patients were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) PHASES score for the entire study population was 4.47 (2.67). Of 375 patients, 116 (31%) had a PHASES score ≥6, which was found to maximize prediction of poor neurologic outcome. Patients with PHASES scores ≥6 had significantly higher rates of poor neurologic outcome than patients with PHASES scores <6 at discharge (58 [50%] vs. 90 [35%], P = 0.005) and follow-up (20 [17%] vs. 18 [6.9%], P = 0.002). After adjusting for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, nonsaccular aneurysm, and aneurysm size, PHASES score ≥6 remained a significant predictor of poor neurologic outcome at follow-up (odds ratio, 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-5.36, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis, a PHASES score ≥6 was associated with significantly greater proportions of poor outcome, suggesting that awareness of this threshold in PHASES scoring could be useful in risk stratification and UIA management.

The impact of limited access to electronic medical records on neurosurgical care within the CARICOM countries: A survey and scoping review.

Introduction: Global access to electronic medical records (EMRs) continues to grow, however many countries including those within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) lack access to this system. Minimal research investigating EMR use in this region exists. Research question: How does limited EMR access impact neurosurgical care within the CARICOM? Materials and methods: The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE databases, and grey literature were queried for studies addressing this issue within the CARICOM and low- and/or middle-income countries (LMICs). A comprehensive search for hospitals within the CARICOM was performed and responses to a survey inquiring about neurosurgery availability and EMR access within each facility were recorded. Results: 26 out of 87 surveys were returned leading to a response rate of 29.0%. Among the survey respondents, 57.7% stated neurosurgery was provided at their facility; however, only 38.4% admitted to using an EMR system. Paper charting was the primary means of record keeping for the majority of the facilities (61.5%). The most frequently reported barriers stalling EMR implementation were financial limitations (73.6%) and poor internet access (26.3%). A total of 14 articles were included in the scoping review. Results from these studies suggest that limited EMR access contributes to suboptimal neurosurgical outcomes within the CARICOM and LMICs. Discussion and conclusion: This paper is the first to address the impact that limited EMR has on neurosurgical outcomes in the CARICOM. The lack of research addressing this issue also highlights the need for ongoing efforts to increase research output focused on EMR accessibility and neurosurgical outcomes in these countries.

A comprehensive assessment of self-reported symptoms among patients harboring an unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

Background: Approximately 3.2%-6% of the general population harbor an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). Ruptured aneurysms represent a significant healthcare burden, and preventing rupture relies on early detection and treatment. Most patients with UIAs are asymptomatic, and many of the symptoms associated with UIAs are nonspecific, which makes diagnosis challenging. This study explored symptoms associated with UIAs, the rate of resolution of such symptoms after microsurgical treatment, and the likely pathophysiology. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with UIAs who underwent microsurgical treatment from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, at a single quaternary center were identified. Analyses included the prevalence of nonspecific symptoms upon clinical presentation and postoperative follow-up; comparisons of symptomatology by aneurysmal location; and comparisons of patient demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, and poor neurologic outcome at postoperative follow-up stratified by symptomatic versus asymptomatic presentation. Results: The analysis included 454 patients; 350 (77%) were symptomatic. The most common presenting symptom among all 454 patients was headache (n = 211 [46%]), followed by vertigo (n = 94 [21%]), cognitive disturbance (n = 68[15%]), and visual disturbance (n = 64 [14%]). Among 328 patients assessed for postoperative symptoms, 258 (79%) experienced symptom resolution or improvement. Conclusion: This cohort demonstrates that the clinical presentation of patients with UIAs can be associated with vague and nonspecific symptoms. Early detection is crucial to prevent aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is imperative that physicians not rule out aneurysms in the setting of nonspecific neurologic symptoms.

Telescoping pipeline vantage embolization devices with shield technology for the treatment of a giant, symptomatic dolichoectatic basilar trunk aneurysm.

Background: Dolichoectatic basilar trunk aneurysms are exceedingly rare and carry a poor prognosis. Treatment strategies are often reserved for patients with severe and progressive symptoms. Case Description: A patient in their 40s with a dolichoectatic basilar trunk aneurysm developed significant progression of the lesion and neurologic decline, necessitating treatment. He underwent flow diversion utilizing multiple telescoping Pipeline Vantage Embolization Devices with Shield Technology for treatment. At 1-year follow-up, the aneurysm was stable in size and the patient remained at his neurologic baseline. Conclusion: This case illustrates the need for continued development of next-generation endovascular devices as these aneurysms have limited management options.

Intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with beta-thalassemia presenting with head trauma.

Background: Beta-thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobinopathy, whereby reduced or absent expression of beta-globin genes causes impaired erythropoiesis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) occurs in 1% of all patients with beta-thalassemia major receiving regular transfusions and is exceedingly rare intracranially. Case Description: We report a case of a male in his 20s with beta thalassemia who presented with head trauma found to have intracranial EMH mimicking multiple extra-axial hematomas. Making the correct diagnosis was critical in avoiding prolonged neuromonitoring and unnecessary interventions. Conclusion: Intracranial extramedullary hematopoietic pseudotumor is an exceedingly rare entity and seldom appears in a neurosurgeon's differential diagnosis. This case illustrates how this condition can easily mimic an acute intracranial hemorrhage in a patient with beta-thalassemia who presents with head trauma. We review the topic to further inform clinicians who may encounter this condition in their practice.