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Objective: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has a high complications burden, with in-hospital mortality as most devastating outcome. We aimed to develop and validate a risk score for early prediction of in-hospital mortality after aSAH., Methods: Data from two university hospitals were pooled (n=1070), with cohorts for score construction(n=886) and external validation(n=184). Several parameters assessable at admission were collected. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were used as mortality score components. Diagnostic accuracy of the novel score was compared to the HAIR and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scores., Results: Overall rate of in-hospital mortality was 19% and 14.7% in construction and validation cohorts, respectively. The novel risk score (aSAH Mortality Score [aSAMS]:0-12 points) included patients' age (≤55 years:0 points, 56-70 years:1 point, >70 years:2 points), aneurysm rebleeding (2 points), WFNS grade (grade I-II:0 points, grade III-IV:2 points, grade V:5 points), and Hijdra sum score (≤10:0 points, 11-20:1 point, 21-30:2 points, >30:3 points). In-hospital mortality rates ranged 0.6% (0 points) -100 % (12 points) in the construction cohort, and 0% (0 points) -60% (10 points) in the validation cohort. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the aSAMS score (AUC:0.829 and 0.824 in the construction and validation cohorts, hereinafter) was superior to the HAIR (AUC:0.811 and 0.813) and WFNS scores (AUC:0.768 and 0.795)., Conclusion: Risk of in-hospital mortality after aSAH can be predicted with high accuracy using baseline characteristics. The novel risk score showed best diagnostic performance in the construction and validation cohorts and can aid in early prognostication and treatment decisions., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Giant cavernous malformations (GCMs) are rare and poorly characterized neurovascular lesions in adults or children and often misclassified. In this study, we provide a review of pediatric GCM cases to highlight this rare entity as an important differential diagnosis in preoperative assessment., Methods: We report a pediatric case of GCM that presented as an intracerebral, periventricular, and infiltrative mass lesion. We performed a systematic review of published literature describing cases of GCM in children using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies describing cerebral or spinal cavernous malformation >4 cm were included. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and outcome data were extracted., Results: Thirty-eight studies accounting for 61 patients were reviewed. most patients were 1-10 years old and 55.73% were male. Average lesion sizes ranged between 4 and 6 cm (40.98% >6 cm; 8.19% >10 cm). Supratentorial localization was most common (75.40%), with frontal and parieto-occipital regions being frequent localizations. Infratentorial lesions (24.60%) were located within the cerebellum (16.39%) and brainstem (8.19%). One case of spinal cavernoma was found. The main clinical manifestations were seizures (44.26%), focal neurologic deficit (36.06%), and headache (22.95%). Imaging showed contrast enhancement (36.06%), cystic features (27.86%), and infiltrative growth pattern (4.91%)., Conclusions: GCMs show variable clinical and radiologic features, representing a diagnostic challenge for treating surgeons. Imaging may show various tumorlike features such as cystic or infiltrative patterns with contrast enhancement. The existence of GCM should be considered preoperatively. Gross total resection should be attempted whenever possible, because it correlates with a good recovery and long-term outcomes. Also, a clear definition criteria of when a cerebral cavernous malformation is termed giant should be established., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cerebral infarction is a major contributor to poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Timing of treatment has been discussed as a possible contributor. We aimed to analyze the impact of treatment timing on the risk of cerebral infarction and poor outcome after aSAH., Methods: Consecutive cases of patients with aSAH treated at our institution between January 2003 and June 2016 were included. The cohort was divided into 2 groups, depending on the treatment during (day 4-14 after ictus) or beyond the vasospasm phase. Statistical assessment included a 1:1 propensity score matching analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis within the whole cohort., Results: Of 943 patients with aSAH, 111 underwent treatment in the vasospasm phase. In the propensity score matching analysis, patients treated during the vasospasm phase were at higher risk of vasospasm requiring intra-arterial spasmolysis (P < 0.0001), cerebral infarction distal to the treated vessel (P < 0.0001), and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2) at 6 months follow-up (P = 0.025). In the multivariable analysis, aneurysm treatment in the vasospasm phase was independently associated with higher risk of cerebral vasospasm necessitating intra-arterial spasmolysis (P < 0.0001; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.62), cerebral infarction distal to the treated aneurysm (P = 0.01; aOR, 2.02), and poor outcome (P = 0.03; aOR, 2.05)., Conclusions: Our data confirm a considerable risk of cerebral infarction and poor outcome in cases of aneurysm treatment between day 4 and 14 after aSAH. A more intense surveillance and prophylactic treatment of cerebral vasospasm might be necessary in cases of aneurysm treatment in the vasospasm phase., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in brainstem cavernous malformation (BSCM) surgery., Methods: Surgically treated patients with BSCM were included. All patients received IONM consisting of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs). Neurologic examination was conducted preoperatively and at discharge and follow-up >3 months after BSCM removal. Demographic, radiographic, and clinical features were assessed. Study end points were new motor or somatosensory deficits and functional disability., Results: A total of 62 patients were included. MEP decrease was associated with new motor deficits at discharge (P = 0.022), and SSEP decrease was associated with new somatosensory deficits at discharge (P < 0.001) and follow-up (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity values for MEPs (discharge: 31% and 93%; follow-up: 33% and 91%) and SSEPs (discharge: 82% and 80%; follow-up: 85% and 79%) were calculated, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analyses with area under the curve (AUC) metrics revealed acceptable performance of MEPs (AUC, 0.75; P = 0.022) and SSEPs (AUC, 0.72; P = 0.004) in predicting early deficits. Intraoperative decrease of MEPs (P = 0.047) and SSEPs (P = 0.017) was associated with early functional disability. Surgery-related subdural air accumulation impaired IONM reliability in predicting early (P = 0.048) and long-term (P = 0.013) deficits., Conclusions: Established IONM warning criteria may be valid for BSCM removal. However, surgical approaches in the sitting position significantly limit the predictive value of IONM, to some extent because of intraoperative pneumocephalus., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hormone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) receptor status is prognostic and predictive in breast cancer (BC) and guides the choice of therapy. However, owing to receptor conversion, the receptor status can differ in metastases compared with that of the primary tumor. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prognostic value of receptor status, receptor conversion, and clinical parameters in patients with resected BC brain metastases (BMs)., Methods: Patients with BCBMs treated at our institution from July 2007 to December 2019 were eligible for the present study. The receptor status of the BC and corresponding BMs and the occurrence of receptor conversion were separately recorded for 3 common receptors: HER2/neu, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. The association between the receptor status or receptor conversion and clinical parameters was adjusted for outcome-relevant patient and tumor characteristics., Results: The final analysis included 78 patients. HER2/neu receptor status in BMs was associated with overall survival (P = 0.033). Receptor conversion was identified in 39 patients (50.0%): HER2/neu, n = 9 (11.5%); estrogen receptor, n = 22 (28.2%); and progesterone receptor, n = 25 (32.1%). In the final multivariate Cox regression analysis, HER2/neu receptor conversion (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.58; P = 0.006), Karnofsky performance status score <70% (aHR, 3.11; P = 0.048), infratentorial BM location (aHR, 2.49; P = 0.007), and age ≥55 years at BM diagnosis (aHR, 2.20; P = 0.046) were independently associated with poorer survival., Conclusions: Of the 3 common BC receptors, only HER2/neu receptor conversion was strongly associated with the prognosis of patients with surgically treated BCBMs. The clinical relevance of the reevaluation of receptor status in BMs favors surgical treatment of patients with noneloquent BCBMs., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite recent improvements in treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), some patients still have a short survival. We sought to develop a new risk score for preoperative assessment of short-term survival (STS) (<6 months) in patients with GBM., Methods: All adult patients who underwent surgical resection of GBM between 2004 and 2014 were included (N = 379). Demographic and clinical parameters, which were available at admission, were assessed. Variables were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. The score was validated in a separate cohort of patients with GBM who underwent surgical resection between 2015 and 2018., Results: The following independent predictors of STS were integrated into a new score: body height (<169 cm, 1 point), arterial hypertension (1 point), age (≤54 years, 0 points; 55-74 years, 1 points; ≥75 years, 2 points), and poor clinical status (Karnofsky performance scale [KPS] score: ≤60%, 2 points; 70%-80%, 1 point; ≥90%, 0 points). The new risk score, SHORT (Small body height, Hypertension, Older age, Reduced KPS score, short-Term survival), ranged from 0 to 6 points and showed good accuracy of risk estimation for STS in GBM (area under the curve: 0.715). STS rates were 9.7%, 23.1%, and 70% in patients with GBM scoring <2 points, 2-4 points, and >4 points (P < 0.0001). The score was successfully validated (area under the curve: 0.770)., Conclusions: This study presents the SHORT score for preoperative assessment of STS risk in patients with GBM. This risk score needs external validation in larger patient cohorts from other institutions. Our score might be a tool to facilitate treatment decisions in patients with GBM before surgery., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We present a case of a concurrent rupture of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm and thrombosis of the associated vessel., Case Description: A male patient presented with acute onset of hemiparesis and nuchal pain. A computed tomography scan revealed a right sided frontotemporal intracerebral hemorrhage and a basal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Owing to obliteration of the M1 segment of the MCA, no aneurysm was visible on digital subtraction angiography. Because of otherwise typical imaging for a subarachnoid hemorrhage, surgical exploration of the MCA was performed. During surgery, a thrombosed MCA bifurcation aneurysm was identified, clipped, and subsequently, endovascular (partly) recanalization of the MCA was performed., Conclusions: In extremely rare cases of aneurysm rupture and subsequent thrombosis of the associated vessel, a 2-stage approach seems to be feasible. In the present case, initial surgical securing of the aneurysm followed by endovascular recanalization of the occluded vessel provided good results., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Several parameters like extent of resection and MGMT promotor methylation in glioblastoma (GBM) are known to influence survival. Other elements like multifocality and proliferation indices are not commonly used. The aim of the present study was to analyze routinely and not routinely assessed prognostic markers for survival of patients suffering from GBM in a single center., Methods: Adult cases with GBM operated at our institution were included in this survey. The association of age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), MGMT promotor methylation, Ki67 proliferation index, IDH1/2 mutational status, and multifocality on overall survival (OS) was analyzed in univariate and multivariate cox regression models., Results: We analyzed 565 patients with a mean age of 62.2 (18-84) years. Median OS was 12.5 months. MGMT promoter methylation and IDH 1/2 mutation were associated with significant better OS (P < 0.01). In 48 cases (8.5%), the tumor was localized in both hemispheres, which was associated with a significant worse OS than tumor infiltration of 1 hemisphere (P = 0.039). Mean Ki67 proliferation index increased to 18% when both hemispheres were infiltrated. Multivariate analysis for OS revealed IDH 1/2 wildtype (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.3), higher age (aOR 4.2), unmethylated MGMT promotor (aOR 3.5), preoperative KPS score <70 (aOR 1.9), and multifocality (aOR 2.1) as independent parameters for worse survival., Conclusions: This study confirms well-known parameters like MGMT promoter methylation, IDH 1/2 mutational status, KPS, and age as independent prognostic factors for survival and reveals multifocality as further independent prognostic marker for survival. The dismal prognosis of multifocal involvement is associated with an increasing Ki67 proliferation index., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Liponeurocytoma is a rare benign tumor of the central nervous system, which develops mainly in adult patients within the posterior fossa. The World Health Organization has categorized this entity in its last classification of 2016 as a benign grade II tumor. Histopathologic characteristics contain neuronal and variable astrocytic differentiation with foci of lipomatous distinction. Only a few case reports and case series have been reported and the knowledge of this tumor is limited. General treatment guidelines do not exist. The aim of this study was to analyze the literature to create treatment guidelines., Methods: PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to search existing online databases between January 1, 1978 and May 15, 2018., Results: A systematic review of the literature found 73 patients (40 female, 33 male) with liponeurocytoma, in 59 of whom (80.8%) the disease occurred in the posterior fossa. The Ki-67/MIB-1 proliferation index was described in 58 patients, showing a mean value of 3.73% ± 4.01%. Follow-up was performed in 49 patients, with a median length of 52.02 ± 50.52 months, showing tumor recurrence in 14 patients (28.57%). Tumor recurrence was observed in only 1 patient (1/12, 8.33%) after adjuvant radiotherapy, whereas tumor recurrence was seen in 13/29 patients (44.83%) who did not receive adjuvant radiotherapy., Conclusions: Liponeurocytomas are rare benign tumors, occurring mainly in the cerebellum. The therapy of choice is surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy seems to decrease the risk of tumor recurrence and should be offered to the patient., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IOAR) is a common complication during intracranial aneurysm (IA) surgery. In light of the paradigm shift regarding IA selected for clipping in the post-International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) era, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors and effects of IOAR in an institutional series of clipped ruptured IA (RIA) and unruptured IA (UIA)., Material and Methods: All IAs treated with microsurgical clipping at our institution between 2003 and 2016 were eligible for this study. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors were correlated with occurrence of IOAR in univariate and multivariate analyses. The effect on outcome was analyzed for RIA and UIA separately., Results: Nine hundred and three clipped IAs were included in the final analysis (538 UIA and 365 RIA). IOAR occurred in 163 cases (18.1%), mostly during clipping of RIA (37.5% vs. 4.8%) In multivariate analysis, ruptured status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.46; P < 0.001), sack size (aOR, 1.05 per mm increase; P = 0.038) and IA location in the anterior communicating artery (aOR, 2.31; P < 0.001) independently predicted IOAR. For RIA cases, IOAR was also independently predicted by rebleeding before therapy (aOR, 3.11; P = 0.033) and clinical severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (aOR, 1.18 per WFNS grade increase; P = 0.049). IOAR independently predicted poor outcome (aOR, 1.83; P = 0.042) after RIA surgery. In turn, IOAR affected only the risk for cerebral infarct (OR, 3.75; P = 0.003) and incomplete IA occlusion (OR, 3.45; P = 0.003) for UIA cases, but not the outcome (P = 0.263)., Conclusions: IOAR was independently predicted by the ruptured status, location, and size of IA and by initial severity of aneurysmal bleeding and pretreatment rebleeding. The influence of IOAR differed between RIA and UIA cases., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Aneurysm rupture might be accompanied by intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which is associated with poor outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors and clinical impact of IVH severity., Methods: A total of 995 consecutive patients with SAH treated at our institution between January 2003 and June 2016 were eligible for this study. Clinical and radiologic findings were correlated with the presence and severity of IVH assessed with the original Graeb score., Results: A total of 487 patients with SAH (48.9%) presented with IVH (mean IVH severity, 5.48 points [±3.5]). IVH severity correlated with poorer initial clinical condition (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade >3; P < 0.001), acute hydrocephalus (P = 0.001), and poor outcome at 6 months (modified Rankin Scale score >2; P < 0.001). The location of the ruptured aneurysm in the anterior cerebral artery independently predicted the occurrence (P = 0.007) and severity of IVH (P < 0.001). In turn, aneurysm size affected only the severity of IVH (P = 0.001) but not its occurrence (P = 0.153). Early complications of SAH occurring within 72 hours after the bleeding event (cerebral infarction [P = 0.043], early mortality [P = 0.001], and primary craniectomy [P = 0.043]) were independently associated with the severity of IVH., Conclusions: Severity of aneurysmal IVH is a strong contributor to initial severity and early complications of SAH. Patients with larger aneurysms, especially located in the anterior cerebral artery, are at particular risk of severe IVH in cases of aneurysm rupture., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) can cause intracerebral hemorrhage. The lesions themselves are frequently associated with perifocal hemosiderin deposits caused by repetitive microhemorrhages. Main indications for a surgical treatment are recurrent symptomatic hemorrhages or cavernoma-related epilepsy. After surgical resection, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is usually performed to confirm 1) the complete resection of the CCM and, especially in cases of cavernoma-related epilepsy, 2) the complete resection of the hemosiderin deposits., Methods: This prospective study evaluates the value of early postoperative MRI (within 72 hours) regarding the detection of CCM or hemosiderin remnants compared with a standard 3-6 months postoperative MRI control in 61 CCM cases., Results: Sensitivity of early postoperative MRI for CCM remnant detection was 66.67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.43%-99.16%), specificity was 76.74% (95% CI, 61.37%-88.24%), positive predictive value was 16.67% (95% CI, 2.09%-48.41%), and negative predictive value was 97.06% (95% CI, 84.67%-99.93%). Because of the high number of patients who could not be evaluated because of imaging artifacts, sensitivity and specificity analysis was not performed for early postoperative MRI using T2*/susceptibility-weighted imaging to assess hemosiderin remnants. Sensitivity of early postoperative MRI for hemosiderin remnant detection using T2-weighted sequences was 85.71% (95% CI, 63.66%-96.95%), specificity was 66.67% (95% CI, 44.68%-84.37%), positive predictive value was 69.23% (95% CI, 55.45%-80.27%), and negative predictive value was 84.21% (95% CI, 64.31%-94.04%)., Conclusions: Our data suggest that early postoperative MRI after CCM surgery is often hampered by imaging artifacts creating false-positive results and therefore ineligible for a resection control. However, reliability of a negative result on early postoperative T2-weighted MRI is relatively high regarding both CCM and hemosiderin remnants., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) may become a life-saving measure for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the benefit of early DC has not been shown yet. We aimed at identifying the clinical value of DC timing., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 245 patients with SAH who underwent DC between January 2003 and December 2015. The cohort was stratified into primary (at admission, n = 171) and secondary DC (n = 74). In addition, primary DC was subdivided into early (≤24 hours after ictus, n = 120) and delayed (n = 51)., Results: There was no difference between primary and secondary DC (65.5% and 74.3%, P = 0.1828) with regard to unfavorable outcome at 6 months after SAH (defined as modified Rankin scale >3). However, individuals with early primary DC presented with significantly better functional outcome than the remaining cohort (P = 0.014, odds ratio [OR] = 2.02) and even compared with the subgroup with delayed primary DC (P = 0.023, OR = 2.42). Among individuals with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade <5 at admission, the benefits of early DC were more impressive: lower rates of unfavorable outcome (P = 0.003, OR = 0.28), in-hospital mortality (P = 0.031, OR = 0.37), and cerebral infarctions (P = 0.028, OR = 0.38) on the follow-up computed tomography scans., Conclusions: Not the timing of DC indication (primary/secondary), but rather the actual time left between the ictus and DC is crucial for the functional improvement of patients with SAH requiring DC. Especially, individuals without the signs of severe early brain injury strongly benefit from early DC., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To quantify the risk of a first or recurrent hemorrhage and the associated functional impairment in patients with sporadic solitary cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) and to investigate the potential risk factors., Methods: We undertook an observational study (n = 199) of consecutive patients with the diagnosis of a single, sporadic CCM using clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up to identify prospective hemorrhage events and associated functional impairment. We calculated the annual hemorrhage risk rates, calculated cumulative risks, and performed uni- and multivariate analysis to assess outcome predictors., Results: There were 199 adults identified, and 712.5 person years of follow-up were analyzed. Overall annual rates of hemorrhage were 6.03%, 11.95%, and 1.03% in the complete cohort, in those presenting with previous hemorrhage, and in those without, respectively. The 5-year risk of hemorrhage was higher in those presenting with previous hemorrhage than those without (40.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31.78-50.73 vs. 8.6%; 95% CI, 3.97-16.95; P < 0.0001) and in those with a brainstem CCM compared with nonbrainstem CCM (51.6%; 95% CI, 37.61-65.46 vs. 17.1%; 95% CI, 4.55-32.04; P < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, previous hemorrhage (odds ratio, 7.18; 95% CI, 1.8-28.11; P = 0.005), age less than 45 years (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.03-6.61; P = 0.042), and brainstem location (odds ratio, 7.44; 95% CI, 2.09-26.50; P = 0.002) increased the risk of hemorrhage. Of the patients, 30% showed a moderate or severe disability associated with a CCM hemorrhage (5-year risk of severe hemorrhage, 8.9%; 95% CI, 5.50-13.99)., Conclusions: This study provides an estimate of symptomatic hemorrhage risk and the associated disability in patients with sporadic solitary CCM and an investigation of risk factors., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Although most neurovascular centers currently have a coil first policy, the percentage of coiled versus clipped aneurysms, as well as treatment outcomes, varies strongly between these centers. This study evaluates the impact of an increase in clipping caseload on treatment outcome in a large single-center series., Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms between January 2003 and April 2014 in our department were analyzed retrospectively. According to the change of the chairman in the neurosurgical department (1 September 2008) with a subsequent increase in the clipping volume, the entire cohort was divided into 2 groups with equal time intervals (historic and current cohorts)., Results: There were 94 clipped unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the historic cohort and 252 in the current cohort. Unfavorable outcome at 6 months postoperatively (defined as modified Rankin Score >2) was observed in 8 cases (8.5%) in the historic cohort and 7 cases (2.8%) in the current cohort (P < 0.0001). The surgical mortality decreased from 3.2% to 0%. Cerebral infarction on postoperative computed tomography scan was observed in 25 cases (26.6%) in the historic cohort and 19 cases (7.5%) in the current cohort (P < 0.0001). Within the current cohort, there was a progressive improvement of surgical outcome over the time., Conclusions: The improvement of the surgical outcome after increasing the clipping caseload underlines the importance of sufficient surgical volume for maintenance of competitive treatment results., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)