Reactivation of COVID-19 in a neurosurgical patient with early neuropsychiatric presentation. Does seroconversion mean immunity?

BACKGROUND: In the aftermath of COVID-19 outbreak, there is a strong need to find strategies to monitor SARSCoV-2 transmission. While the application of screening techniques plays a major role to this end, there is evidence challenging the real significance of seroconversion. We reported a case of COVID-19 reactivation associated with a neurosurgical operation with early neuropsychiatric involvement presumably promoted by olfactory and gustatory impairment in the first infection. CASE DESCRIPTIO: A 57-year-old man was referred for a 2-month history of progressive development of imbalance, dizziness, and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two bilateral hemispheric cerebellar lesions. In line with our triage protocol, the patient underwent a nasopharyngeal swab for RNA of SARS-CoV-2 detection, which resulted positive. Of note, the patient had reported in the previous month hyposmia and hypogeusia. After a period of 14 days, three new swabs were performed with negative results, leading the way to surgery. In the early post-operative period, the patient manifested acute onset of psychotic symptoms with hyperactive delirium, followed by fever and acute respiratory failure. A chest computed tomography revealed a specific pattern of ground-glass opacities in the lower lobes bilaterally, suggesting a viral pneumonia. Serological tests demonstrated the seroconversion and a new nasopharyngeal swab confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: Our report highlights the importance of comprehensive screening assessments in sensitive cases highly susceptible to COVID-19 recurrence.

Anxiety in neurosurgical patients undergoing nonurgent surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries into lockdown and has led to the postponement of nonurgent neurosurgical procedures. Although stress has been investigated during this pandemic, there are no reports on anxiety in neurosurgical patients undergoing nonurgent surgical procedures. METHODS: Neurosurgical patients admitted to hospitals in eastern Lombardy for nonurgent surgery after the lockdown prospectively completed a pre- and postoperative structured questionnaire. Recorded data included demographics, pathology, time on surgical waiting list, anxiety related to COVID-19, primary pathology and surgery, safety perception during hospital admission before and after surgery, and surgical outcomes. Anxiety was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Descriptive statistics were computed on the different variables and data were stratified according to pathology (oncological vs nononcological). Three different models were used to investigate which variables had the greatest impact on anxiety, oncological patients, and safety perception, respectively. Because the variables (Xs) were of a different nature (qualitative and quantitative), mostly asymmetrical, and related to outcome (Y) by nonlinear relationships, a machine learning approach composed of three steps (1, random forest growing; 2, relative variable importance measure; and 3, partial dependence plots) was chosen. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients from 10 different hospitals were included in the study. None of the patients developed COVID-19 after surgery. State and trait anxiety were reported by 30.3% and 18.9% of patients, respectively. Higher values of state anxiety were documented in oncological compared to nononcological patients (46.7% vs 25%; p = 0.055). Anxiety was strongly associated with worry about primary pathology, surgery, disease worsening, and with stress during waiting time, as expected. Worry about positivity to SARS-CoV-2, however, was the strongest factor associated with anxiety, even though none of the patients were infected. Neuro-oncological disease was associated with state anxiety and with worry about surgery and COVID-19. Increased bed distance and availability of hand sanitizer were associated with a feeling of safety. CONCLUSIONS: These data underline the importance of psychological support, especially for neuro-oncological patients, during a pandemic.

Usefulness of corset adoption after single-level lumbar discectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE In this paper, the authors sought to verify whether corset adoption could improve the short-term and midterm outcome scores of patients after single-level lumbar discectomy. METHODS A monocentric, randomized controlled trial of 54 consecutive patients who underwent single-level lumbar discectomy at the authors' institution was performed from September 2014 to August 2015. Patients were randomly assigned to use or not use a lumbar corset in the upright position. Patients with previous interventions for disc herniation or with concomitant canal or foraminal stenosis were excluded. The visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire were used to compare groups at the 1- and 6-month follow-up time points. RESULTS No significant differences between the 2 groups were reported at either time point for any given outcome irrespective of the scale used. CONCLUSIONS Corset adoption does not improve the short-term and midterm outcomes of patients after single-level lumbar discectomy.

Intraregional differences of perioperative management strategy for lumbar disc herniation: is the Devil really in the details?

BACKGROUND: This study intends to evaluate whether regional common habits or differences in case-volume between surgeons are significative variables in the perioperative management of patients undergoing surgery for lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: An e-mail survey was sent to all neurosurgeons working in Lombardy, Italy's most populated region. The survey consisted of 17 questions about the perioperative management of lumbar disc herniation. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent (47%) out of 206 Lombard neurosurgeons answered the survey. Although in some respects there is clear evidence in current literature on which is the best practice to adopt for an optimal management strategy, we noticed substantial differences between respondents, not only between hospitals but also between surgeons from the same hospital. Still, no differences were evident in a high vs low case-volume comparison. CONCLUSION: We identified no regional clusterization as for practical principles in the perioperative management of lumbar disc herniation and neither was case-volume a significative variable. Other causes may be relevant in the variability between the perioperative management and the outcomes achieved by different specialists.

Low-Cost Fluorescein Detection System for High-Grade Glioma Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative fluorescein detection has been used in the fields of vascular and oncologic neurosurgery since 1948. Modifications of the optics in order to enhance the fluorescence contrast under microscopic view have been developed by many authors. The industries, during the past 10 years, provided commercial high-cost optimized apparatuses. Reviewing the literature, we found that the prototypical techniques were definitely inexpensive but lacked reliability, reproducibility, and standard legal norms. METHODS: We describe the developing of a fluorescein detection system that could be economic, simple, effective, and law abiding. RESULTS: We employed a commercial violet-blue filter designed for fluorescein excitation in endoscopic procedures and used commercial photographic yellow optical filters for fluorescence detection. All the instrumentation is cleared for clinical use, and its cost is up to 200 times lower than commercial apparatuses. CONCLUSION: Our results show a good distinction of fluorescein-stained structures, with overall acceptable operating light conditions.

First impressions about Adherus, a new dural sealant.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to report our first impressions about Adherus, a novel dural sealant, used in neurosurgical endoscopic transnasal procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and surgical records of the first 11 patients with intraoperative high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leak treated with the aid of Adherus at our center between February and October 2014. The healing at the level of the dural plasty was monitored and evaluated radiologically and with regular endoscopic inspections. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 210 days, no postoperative CSF leak or surgical site infections were found in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our preliminary experience, this new dural sealant seems to provide an effective aid in dural plasty during endoscopic transphenoidal procedures.

Endovascular embolization of pial arteriovenous fistula fed from P1 segment of posterior cerebral artery in 12 years old girl: case report and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial pial arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) are rare vascular lesions with peculiar epidemiological, morphological, and pathophysiological characteristics. Since there is no nidus, PAVF treatment has been performed by direct disconnection of the arteriovenous communication via a surgical, endovascular, or a combined approach. We aim to outline the relevant variables to consider in planning an endovascular treatment strategy. METHODS: We present a case of a 12 year old girl with a single feeder PAVF originating from the first segment (P1) of the left posterior cerebral artery with a varicose venous drainage into the right cavernous sinus. RESULTS: We report the successful endovascular exclusion of the fistula with the release of a total of 27 detachable platinum coils with no complications at follow-up. Treatment strategy and nuances are discussed along with a review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Morphology, age, embolization strategies, and materials are the different variables to be analyzed in the endovascular treatment of such lesions.

Treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis with Schanz recoil screws: our experience.

PURPOSE: Spondylolisthesis surgical treatment is often difficult with higher degree of slip and related techniques still debated. We have taken into consideration double thread recoil Schanz screws. This system should allow the best reduction of the slip, treating only the affected vertebrae. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients affected by grade II or higher spondylolisthesis, treated with circumferential arthrodesis using Schanz screws. Duration of surgery, complications, reduction, and rate of fusion have been recorded. RESULTS: We found that duration of surgery and complications were similar or slightly lower if compared to our standard Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion procedures. However, radiological results and clinical outcome appear better in cases treated with Schanz screws. CONCLUSIONS: Fixation system with Schanz screws seems to be effective in reducing the slip, treating only the affected level, in high grade of spondylolisthesis.