Frameless image-guided linear accelerator (LINAC) stereotactic radiosurgery for medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia: Clinical outcomes in 116 patients.

Background: Frameless image-guided radiosurgery (IGRS) is an effective and non-invasive method of treating patients who are unresponsive to medical management for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). This study evaluated the use of frameless IGRS to treat patients with medically refractory TN. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of records of 116 patients diagnosed with TN who underwent frameless IGRS using a linear accelerator (LINAC) over 10 years (March 2012-February 2023). All patients had failed medical management for TN. Facial pain was graded using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scoring system. Each patient received a BNI score before frameless IGRS and following treatment. Failure was defined as a BNI score IV-V at the last follow-up and/or undergoing a salvage procedure following IGRS. Results: All patients had a BNI score of either IV or V before the frameless IGRS. The mean follow-up duration for all 116 patients following IGRS was 44.1 months. Most patients (81 [69.8%]) had not undergone surgery (microvascular decompression [MVD] or rhizotomy) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for TN before frameless IGRS. A total of 41 (35.3%) patients underwent a salvage procedure (MVD, rhizotomy, or an additional IGRS) following frameless IGRS. The mean duration between the initial frameless IGRS and salvage procedure was 20.1 months. At the last follow-up, a total of 110 (94.8%) patients had a BNI score of I-III. No complications were reported after the frameless IGRS. The BNI score at the last follow-up was lower compared to the initial BNI for patients regardless of prior intervention (P < 0.001). Patients who failed IGRS had a higher BNI score at the last follow-up compared to those who did not fail IGRS (2.8 vs. 2.5, P = 0.05). Patients with pain relief had a shorter follow-up compared to those with pain refractory to SRS (38.0 vs. 55.1, P = 0.005). Conclusion: In this large cohort of patients with medically refractory TN, frameless IGRS resulted in durable pain control in the majority of patients without any toxicity.

Single low-dose targeted bevacizumab infusion in adult patients with steroid-refractory radiation necrosis of the brain: a phase II open-label prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: There is an unmet need for safe and rapidly effective therapies for refractory brain radiation necrosis (RN). The aim of this prospective single-arm phase II trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single low-dose targeted bevacizumab infusion after blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) in adult patients with steroid-refractory brain RN. METHODS: Ten adults with steroid-refractory, imaging-confirmed brain RN were enrolled between November 2016 and January 2018 and followed for 12 months after treatment. Bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg was administered as a one-time targeted intra-arterial infusion immediately after BBBD. Primary outcomes included safety and > 25% decrease in lesion volume. Images were analyzed by a board-certified neuroradiologist blinded to pretrial diagnosis and treatment status. Secondary outcomes included changes in headache, steroid use, and functional status and absence of neurocognitive sequelae. Comparisons were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test, linear mixed models, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and repeated-measures 1-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Ten adults (mean ± SD [range] age 35 ± 15 [22-62] years) participated in this study. No patients died or exhibited serious adverse effects of systemic bevacizumab. At 3 months, 80% (95% CI 44%-98%) and 90% (95% CI 56%-100%) of patients demonstrated > 25% decrease in RN and vasogenic edema volume, respectively. At 12 months, RN volume decreased by 74% (median [range] 76% [53%-96%], p = 0.012), edema volume decreased by 50% (median [range] 70% [-11% to 83%], p = 0.086), and headache decreased by 84% (median [range] 92% [58%-100%], p = 0.022) among the 8 patients without RN recurrence. Only 1 (10%) patient was steroid dependent at the end of the trial. Scores on 12 of 16 (75%) neurocognitive indices increased, thereby supporting a pattern of cerebral white matter recovery. Two (20%) patients exhibited RN recurrence that required further treatment at 10 and 11 months, respectively, after bevacizumab infusion. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, to the authors' knowledge, the authors demonstrated that a single low-dose targeted bevacizumab infusion resulted in durable clinical and imaging improvements in 80% of patients at 12 months after treatment without adverse events attributed to bevacizumab alone. These findings highlight that targeted bevacizumab may be an efficient one-time treatment for adults with brain RN. Further confirmation with a randomized controlled trial is needed to compare the intra-arterial approach with the conventional multicycle intravenous regimen. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02819479 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Interventional Procedures in Episodic Migraine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Migraine is a common disorder which in many cases can be adequately treated with medications. However, there are some patients who may either not respond to medications or have contraindications to their use. In this review, we will evaluate the available literature on the interventional procedures available to treat patients with episodic migraine. We will review the technical details of performing the procedures, the potential mechanisms of action, and available data on their effectiveness. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies conducted on the subject of interventional procedures including peripheral nerve blocks and onabotulinumtoxinA indicate that some patients with episodic migraine may find benefit from such procedures. In patients with episodic migraine whom traditional treatments have not been effective or are contraindicated, interventional procedures may offer an opportunity to provide additional treatment options.

Effect of a rescue or recurrence dose of lasmiditan on efficacy and safety in the acute treatment of migraine: findings from the phase 3 trials (SAMURAI and SPARTAN).

BACKGROUND: We studied the efficacy and safety of a second dose of lasmiditan for acute treatment of migraine. METHODS: SAMURAI and SPARTAN were double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 studies in which individuals with migraine were randomized to oral lasmiditan 50 mg (SPARTAN only), 100 mg, 200 mg, or placebo. Study drug was to be taken within 4 h (h) of onset of a migraine attack (moderate or severe pain). A second dose of study drug was provided for rescue (patient not pain-free at 2 h and took a second dose 2-24 h post-first dose) or recurrence (patient pain-free at 2 h, but experienced recurrence of mild, moderate, or severe migraine pain and took a second dose 2-24 h after first dose). Randomization to second dose occurred at baseline; patients originally assigned lasmiditan were randomized to the same lasmiditan dose or placebo (2:1 ratio), and those originally assigned placebo received placebo. Data from SAMURAI and SPARTAN were pooled for efficacy and safety assessment of a second dose of lasmiditan. RESULTS: The proportion of patients taking a second dose was lower with lasmiditan versus placebo, and decreased with increasing lasmiditan dose; the majority who took a second dose did so for rescue. In patients taking lasmiditan as first dose, outcomes (pain free, most bothersome symptom [MBS] free) at 2 h after a second dose for rescue were similar whether the second dose was lasmiditan or placebo (p > 0.05 in all cases). In patients taking lasmiditan for first dose, outcomes at 2 h after a second dose for recurrence were as follows: lasmiditan pooled versus placebo - pain free, 50% vs 32% (p > 0.05); MBS free, 71% vs 41% (p = 0.02); pain relief, 77% vs 52% (p = 0.03). In patients whose first dose was lasmiditan, the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported after the second dose was similar whether second dose was lasmiditan or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: A second dose of lasmiditan showed some evidence of efficacy when taken for headache recurrence. There was no clear benefit of a second dose of lasmiditan for rescue treatment. The incidences of TEAEs were similar whether the second dose was lasmiditan or placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: SAMURAI ( NCT02439320 ) [April 2015]. SPARTAN ( NCT02605174 ) [May 2016].

Testosterone levels in men with chronic migraine.

Chronic migraine is a frequent and debilitating condition affecting 14% of the general population. This prospective observational pilot study investigated whether men with chronic migraine have lower than expected total serum testosterone levels. We identified 14 men ages 26-51 at our Institution who fulfilled the ICHD-3b criteria for chronic migraine and obtained serum total testosterone levels. The mean total testosterone level in our 14 patients was 322 ng/dL (range: 120-542 ng/dL) which is in the lower 5% of the reference range for our laboratory (300-1080 ng/dL). Men with chronic migraine had lower total testosterone levels compared to published agematched normative median values by a median difference of 62 ng/dL (P=0.0494). This finding suggests that hypothalamic regulation is altered in patients with chronic migraine. Further studies are warranted to determine whether testosterone supplementation in men with chronic migraine reduces the number of headaches or the associated symptoms of hypogonadism.

Endovascular Treatment for Venous Sinus Stenosis in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: An Observational Study of Clinical Indications, Surgical Technique, and Long-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. IIH causes significant morbidity marked by incapacitating headaches and visual disturbances. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of venous sinus stenting in a large group of patients with IIH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients at our institution who underwent venous sinus stenting for IIH over 6 years (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2018). A particular focus was dedicated to collecting demographic, clinical, radiologic, and outcomes data. All patients had failed medical management. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients evaluated for IIH, 42 underwent venous sinus stenting, with a mean follow-up of 25.6 months (range, 8.7-60.7 months). The mean age was 32 years (range, 15-52 years), 38 (90%) were women, and the mean body mass index was 35.6 kg/m2 (range, 18.6-47.5 kg/m2). Prior to the stenting procedure, all patients had headaches, visual disturbances, and papilledema. Of the 39 patients who had an ophthalmologic evaluation poststenting, 29 (74%) had resolution of their papilledema. Eighteen patients (43%) had complete resolution of their headaches after the stenting procedure, whereas 22 patients (52%) remained under a neurologist's care for chronic migraine and other types of headaches. Two patients underwent a restenting procedure for disease progression, and 1 patient experienced an in-stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, radiologists, and neurologists is integral in the management of patients with IIH to prevent the complications of papilledema. Venous sinus stenting offers a safe and effective means of treating IIH.

Rare Complications of Migraine With Aura.

PURPOSE: To provide a review of the diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, and potential treatments of the complications of migraine as identified by the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3ß, with the exception of status migrainosus. METHOD: Migraine with aura may be associated with the onset of rare, but significantly disabling neurological symptoms. This review provides an overview of the associated complications that may arise from migraine with aura. CONCLUSION: The complications of migraine that arise from migraine aura are infrequently encountered in clinical practice; however, they can be severely disabling for patients. As these conditions are encountered, thorough diagnostic evaluation is necessary. In some cases, it may be difficult to find a consistently reliable therapeutic option for these patients; however, as more cases enter the literature, a greater understanding of these conditions and how to treat them may arise.

Cortical restricted diffusion as the predominant MRI finding in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder with MR findings predominantly limited to the grey matter of the cortex and the basal ganglia. Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can produce a spectrum of MR imaging findings of the brain, most notably on DWI and FLAIR sequences. Involvement of the basal ganglia and neocortex is the most common finding, but isolated involvement of the cortex can also be seen. We describe the clinical history and MRI findings of three patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease confirmed by brain biopsy or autopsy and review the literature of imaging manifestations of this disease.