Intrathecal Nicardipine as Treatment for Severe Cerebral Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Clinical Study.

Introduction Vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) are complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and contribute up to 23% of the disability and deaths from aSAH. The use of intrathecal nicardipine (ITN) as a possible treatment for DCI has been explored with mixed results. We present a retrospective series comparing standard post-aSAH care to standard care plus ITN therapy.

Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support Junior Flow-Diversion Properties Used for Stabilization of a Superior Cerebellar Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

Background: Pseudoaneurysms of the posterior circulation pose a unique management challenge. The fragile nature of the pseudoaneurysm wall presents a high risk of rupture and demands treatment. Small vasculature, particularly distal in the posterior circulation, can preclude management with traditional flow diverters, where the alternative of vessel sacrifice is unacceptable.

Development of a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Leptomeningeal Disease Model in Zebrafish.

Leptomeningeal disease occurs when cancer cells migrate into the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord and then colonize the meninges of the central nervous system. The triple-negative subtype of breast cancer often progresses toward leptomeningeal disease and has a poor prognosis because of limited treatment options. This is due, in part, to a lack of animal models with which to study leptomeningeal disease.

Side-Firing Intraoperative Ultrasonograhy for Resection of Giant Pituitary Adenomas.

Background: Suprasellar extension, cavernous sinus invasion, and involvement of intracranial vascular structures and cranial nerves are among the challenges faced by surgeons operating on giant pituitary macroadenomas. Intraoperative tissue shifts may render neuronavigation techniques inaccurate. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging can solve this problem, but it may be costly and time consuming.

Side-firing intraoperative ultrasound applied to resection of pituitary macroadenomas and giant adenomas: A single-center retrospective case-control study.

Introduction: Multiple intraoperative navigation and imaging modalities are currently available as an adjunct to endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas, including intraoperative CT and MRI, fluorescence guidance, and neuronavigation. However, these imaging techniques have several limitations, including intraoperative tissue shift, lack of availability in some centers, and the increased cost and time associated with their use. The side-firing intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) probe is a relatively new technology in endoscopic endonasal surgery that may help overcome these obstacles.

Association Between Hospital Volumes and Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background Previous studies of patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) suggest better outcomes at hospitals with higher case and procedural volumes, but the shape of the volume-outcome curve has not been defined. We sought to establish minimum volume criteria for SAH and aneurysm obliteration procedures that could be used for comprehensive stroke center certification. Methods and Results Data from 8512 discharges in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2010 to 2011 were analyzed using logistic regression models to evaluate the association between clinical outcomes (in-hospital mortality and the NIS-SAH Outcome Measure [NIS-SOM]) and measures of hospital annual case volume (nontraumatic SAH discharges, coiling, and clipping procedures).

External Validation and Modification of Nationwide Inpatient Sample Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Severity Score.

Background: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) Severity Score (NIS-SSS) was developed as a measure of SAH severity for use in administrative databases. The NIS-SSS consists of International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnostic and procedure codes derived from the SAH inpatient course and has been validated against the Hunt-Hess score (HH).

Objective: To externally validate both the NIS-SSS and a modified version of the NIS-SSS (m-NIS-SSS) consisting of codes present only on admission, against the HH in a Canadian province-wide registry and administrative database of SAH patients.

The effect of prophylactic antiepileptic medications in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: A retrospective review.

Objective: The current literary evidence suggests but does not heavily endorse the use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Literature continues to emerge suggesting not only a lack of efficacy but associated poor outcomes. This study is a retrospective review comparing seizure incidence in aneurysmal subarachnoid patients between those given prophylactic AEDs and those not.

20-HETE Enzymes and Receptors in the Neurovascular Unit: Implications in Cerebrovascular Disease.

20-HETE is a potent vasoconstrictor that is implicated in the regulation of blood pressure, cerebral blood flow and neuronal death following ischemia. Numerous human genetic studies have shown that inactivating variants in the cytochrome P450 enzymes that produce 20-HETE are associated with hypertension, stroke and cerebrovascular disease. However, little is known about the expression and cellular distribution of the cytochrome P450A enzymes (CYP4A) that produce 20-HETE or the newly discovered 20-HETE receptor (GPR75) in the brain.

The impact of craniotomy for brain tumor case volume on patient safety indicators and in-hospital mortality.

Objectives: The relationship between outcomes, patient safety indicators and volume has been well established in patient's undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor. However, the determination of "high" and "low" volume centers have been subjectively derived. We present a paper with a novel method of objectively determining "high" volume centers for craniotomy for brain tumor.

Screening duplex ultrasonography in neurosurgery patients does not correlate with a reduction in pulmonary embolism rate or decreased mortality.

Objective: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major focus of patient safety indicators and a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Many practices have employed lower-extremity screening ultrasonography in addition to chemoprophylaxis and the use of sequential compression devices in an effort to reduce poor outcomes. However, the role of screening in directly decreasing pulmonary emboli (PEs) and mortality is unclear.

Thrombolysis is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcome After Carotid Revascularization.

Background: Thrombolysis is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke patients presenting in the appropriate time window. Studies suggest that the risk of recurrent ischemia is lower if carotid revascularization is performed early after the index event. The safety of early carotid revascularization in this patient population is unclear.

Relationship between patient safety indicator events and comprehensive stroke center volume status in the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has defined Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) for assessments in quality of inpatient care. The hypothesis of this study is that, in the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs), PSI events are less likely to occur in hospitals meeting the volume thresholds defined by The Joint Commission for Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification. METHODS Using the 2002-2011 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample, patients treated electively for a nonruptured cerebral aneurysm were selected.

Platelet testing in flow diversion: a review of the evidence.

OBJECTIVE Although the use of dual antiplatelet therapy with flow diversion is recommended and commonplace, the testing of platelet inhibition is more controversial. METHODS The authors reviewed the medical literature to establish and describe the physiology of platelet adhesion, the pharmacology of antiplatelet medications, and the mechanisms of the available platelet function tests. Additionally, they present a review of the pertinent neurointerventional and interventional cardiology literature.

The maxillary artery and its variants: an anatomical study with neurosurgical applications.

Background: The maxillary artery (MA) has gained attention in neurosurgery particularly in cerebral revascularization techniques, intracranial endonasal approaches and endovascular procedures.

Objectives: To describe and illustrate the anatomy of the MA and its neurosurgical importance in a detailed manner.

Methods: Six cadaveric heads (12 MAs) were injected with latex.

Predictors of 30-day readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE Despite persisting questions regarding its appropriateness, 30-day readmission is an increasingly common quality metric used to influence hospital compensation in the United States. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to identify which patients are at highest risk for readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The objective of this study was to identify predictors of 30-day readmission after SAH, to focus preventative efforts, and to provide guidance to funding agencies seeking to risk-adjust comparisons among hospitals.

Acute Effect of Intravenous Sildenafil on Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background: The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil has been shown to attenuate delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and improve neurologic function in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We recently demonstrated that it could improve cerebral vasospasm (CVS) in humans after SAH. However, successful therapies for DCI must also restore cerebral blood flow (CBF) and/or autoregulatory capacity.

Causes of 30-day readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Hospital readmission is a common but controversial quality measure increasingly used to influence hospital compensation in the US. The objective of this study was to evaluate the causes for 30-day hospital readmission following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) to determine the appropriateness of this performance metric and to identify potential avenues for improved patient care.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who received surgical or endovascular treatment for aneurysmal SAH at Barnes-Jewish Hospital between 2003 and 2013.

A Phase I proof-of-concept and safety trial of sildenafil to treat cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Studies show that phosphodiesterase-V (PDE-V) inhibition reduces cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and improves outcomes after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study was performed to investigate the safety and effect of sildenafil (an FDA-approved PDE-V inhibitor) on angiographic CVS in SAH patients.

Methods: A2-phase, prospective, nonrandomized, human trial was implemented.

Surgical Revascularization in North American Adults with Moyamoya Phenomenon: Long-Term Angiographic Follow-up.

Background: North American and Asian forms of moyamoya have distinct clinical characteristics. Asian adults with moyamoya are known to respond better to direct versus indirect revascularization. It is unclear whether North American adults with moyamoya have a similar long-term angiographic response to direct versus indirect bypass.

Comparing routine versus selective use of intraoperative cerebral angiography in aneurysm surgery: a prospective study.

Introduction: While the use of intraoperative angiography (IA) has been shown to be a useful adjunct in aneurysm surgery, its routine use remains controversial.

Objective: We wished to determine if IA is required in all patients undergoing aneurysm surgery (ie, routine IA) or if intraoperative assessment can reliably predict the need for IA (ie, select IA).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated all patients undergoing craniotomy for aneurysm clipping.

Analysis of subarachnoid hemorrhage using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample: the NIS-SAH Severity Score and Outcome Measure.

Object: Studies using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a large ICD-9-based (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision) administrative database, to analyze aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been limited by an inability to control for SAH severity and the use of unverified outcome measures. To address these limitations, the authors developed and validated a surrogate marker for SAH severity, the NIS-SAH Severity Score (NIS-SSS; akin to Hunt and Hess [HH] grade), and a dichotomous measure of SAH outcome, the NIS-SAH Outcome Measure (NIS-SOM; akin to modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score).

Methods: Three separate and distinct patient cohorts were used to define and then validate the NIS-SSS and NIS-SOM.

Middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms: an anatomic classification scheme for planning optimal surgical strategies.

Background: Changing landscapes in neurosurgical training and increasing use of endovascular therapy have led to decreasing exposure in open cerebrovascular neurosurgery. To ensure the effective transition of medical students into competent practitioners, new training paradigms must be developed.

Objective: Using principles of pattern recognition, we created a classification scheme for middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms that allows their categorization into a small number of shape pattern groups.