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Objective: A direct-aspiration first-pass technique (ADAPT) in mechanical thrombectomy has been described in recent studies as an efficacious strategy compared with using a stent retriever (SR). We sought to evaluate for cost differences of ADAPT technique versus SR as an initial approach., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with mechanical thrombectomy at our institution between 2022 and 2023. Patients were grouped into ADAPT with/without SR as a rescue strategy and SR as an initial approach with allowance of concomitant aspiration. Direct cost data (consumables) were obtained. Baseline demographics, stroke metrics, procedure outcomes and cost, and last follow-up outcomes in modified Rankin Scale were compared between 2 groups., Results: Fifty-six patients were included. Thirty-seven (66.1%) underwent ADAPT, with 11 (29.7%) eventually requiring an SR. Mean age was 64.8 years. The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13.2 in the ADAPT group and 14.0 in the SR group (P = 0.68), with a similar proportion of tissue plasminogen activator (P = 0.53), site of occlusion (P = 0.66), and tandem occlusion (P = 0.69) between the groups. Recanalization was achieved in 94.6% of all patients, with an average of 1.9 passes, 89.3% being TICI 2B or above, with no differences between the 2 groups. Significantly lower cost (P < 0.01) was observed in ADAPT ($14,243.4) compared with SR ($19,003.6). Average follow-up duration was 180.2 days, with mortality of 23.2%. At last follow-up, 55.4% remained functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score <3) with no difference (P = 0.56) between the ADAPT (59.5%) and SR (47.4%) groups., Conclusions: Outcomes were comparable between the ADAPT and SR groups. ADAPT reduced procedural consumables cost by approximately $5000 (25%), even if stent retrievers were allowed to be used for rescue. Establishing ADPAT as initial approach may bring significant direct cost savings while obtaining similar outcomes., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The pathophysiology of normal-pressure hydrocephalus and the correlation with its symptomatology is not well understood., Objective: To monitor and evaluate the enlargement patterns of the ventricular system for each ventricle and its correlation with the presenting symptoms., Methods: Bilateral kaolin injection into the subarachnoid space overlying the cranial convexities was done in 18 adult rats. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on an 11.7-T scanner 15, 60, 90, and 120 days after injection. Volumes of the ventricular system were measured for each ventricle and correlated with biweekly behavioral findings., Results: There was a progressive increase in the ventricular volume for the lateral ventricles since day 15 in the kaolin-injected animals. There was a nonsignificant trend in volume growth for the third ventricle, but its enlargement was synchronous with the lateral ventricles. No significant change for the fourth ventricle. No symptoms were detected in the first 60 days. Association was found between the ventricular volume and locomotor changes. In addition, the odds of locomotor symptoms increased by 3% for every additional cubic millimeter of volume in the left (P < 0.001) and right (P = 0.023) ventricles, and for the total magnetic resonance imaging volume by 1% (P = 0.013)., Conclusions: Expansion of the lateral ventricles maintained similar proportions over time, accompanied by a synchronous third ventricular expansion with less proportion and a nonsignificant fourth enlargement. Lateral ventricles enlarged most in those animals that were to develop late locomotor deterioration. Further research using this animal model combined with different radiologic imaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging and perfusion studies, is recommended., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive central nervous system cancer with poor prognosis despite maximal therapy. The recent advent of immunotherapy holds great promise for improving GBM survival and has already made great strides toward changing management strategies. A diverse set of biomarkers have been implicated as immunotherapeutic targets and prognostic indicators in other cancers. Some of the more extensively studied examples include cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, and TGF-β), checkpoint molecules (PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, CD137, GITR, OX40), and growth/angiogenesis proteins (endoglin and EGFR). Emerging theories involving the tumor mutational landscape and microbiome have also been explored in relation to cancer treatment. Although identification of novel biomarkers may improve and help direct treatment of patients with GBM, the next step is to explore the role of biomarkers in precision medicine and selection of specific immunotherapeutic drugs in an individualized manner., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a devastating condition that affects the elderly population. Although ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts can be used to manage iNPH, concerns for associated cardiopulmonary and renal complications have decreased their use. However, the rate of these complications is not well understood within this population of patients., Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with iNPH by the senior author between 1993 and 2015 was performed. Demographic information and baseline symptoms were assessed. Complications including infection, shunt obstruction, overdrainage, cardiopulmonary events, renal dysfunction, and shunt revision were recorded. Complication rates were compared between VA and VP shunted patients. Statistical analysis using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression, Wald t-test, Poisson regression, ANOVA, and ANCOVA was performed., Results: 496 Patients, including 150 receiving VA shunts and 346 receiving VP shunts, were included in the study. The median age was 74 and 73 for VA and VP shunted patients, respectively, with slight male predominance in both (58.0% and 58.4% for VA and VP groups, respectively). A total of 36.0% of VA shunted patients and 42.5% of VP shunted patients experienced at least one post-operative complication. Overdrainage was the most commonly experienced complication in both VA (27.4%) and VP patients (19.9%). Infection occurred in only 2.0% of patients, and renal complications occurred in 1.3%. No patients had cardiopulmonary complications. VA shunted patients were significantly less likely to experience shunt obstruction and require shunt revision compared to VP shunted patients (p=0.008 and <0.001, respectively). Only dizziness and gait disturbance at baseline were correlated with a shorter time to revision in VA shunted patients (p=0.002 for both)., Conclusion: Although cardiopulmonary and renal complications are serious concerns associated with VA shunt placement, they were uncommon in patients with iNPH. VA shunted patients were less likely to experience shunt obstruction and require shunt revision compared to VP shunted patients. Therefore, VA shunts should be considered as an alternative primary treatment option in the iNPH population., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Management decisions for brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complicated by balancing the risks of treatment and natural progression to hemorrhage. The present study seeks to compare radiosurgery and conservative management outcomes in brainstem AVMs., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with brainstem AVM seen at our institution from 1990 to 2013. Patients missing baseline information or those lost to follow-up were excluded. Clinical and angiographic characteristics and subsequent hemorrhagic risk were evaluated according to brainstem AVM location and treatment modality., Results: We identified 30 patients with brainstem AVM with complete data. Mean age was 41.6 ± 20.3 years, and 53.3% (n = 16) were male. Sixteen (53.3%) presented with hemorrhage. Twelve patients (40.0%) were conservatively managed, and 18 were treated. Sixteen (88.9%) of the treated patients underwent radiosurgery, 1 (5.6%) underwent surgery, and 1 (5.6%) underwent embolization only. Average follow-up period was 4.7 ± 5.7 years, and 5 patients (16.7%) experienced recurrent hemorrhage, 3 of whom were in the radiosurgery group and 2 in the conservative group, giving an annual recurrent hemorrhage risk of 3.7% and 4.8%, respectively. Lesion obliteration was achieved in 8 patients (26.7%). Baseline clinical and angiographic factors were similar between the radiosurgery and conservative group. Obliteration was achieved in 43.8% of those treated with radiosurgery (P = 0.008). Despite similar baseline modified Rankin Scale scores, more patients had improvement of modified Rankin Scale score at last follow-up in the radiosurgery group (P = 0.004). Recurrent hemorrhage during follow-up was similar between the 2 groups (P = 0.887)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that when patients with brainstem AVM are selected cautiously, radiosurgery may achieve obliteration and symptom relief without increasing subsequent hemorrhage risk., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Few studies have focused on predictive factors of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt revision in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). This study aims to determine whether comorbidities and baseline symptoms are associated with the need for shunt revision., Methods: A retrospective review of patients with iNPH treated with VP shunts by the senior author from 1993 to 2013 was conducted. Demographics and baseline symptoms were compared between patients with and without shunt revision. The need for revision, total number of revisions, and time to first revision were examined. Statistical analysis was performed using simple logistic, linear, and Poisson regression, and a multivariate analysis was performed., Results: A total of 347 patients with iNPH who received VP shunts were included. One hundred patients (28.8%) required shunt revision, with an average of 1.38 ± 0.76 revisions per patient. Mean time to revision was 19.2 ± 31.7 months. Gait and cognitive symptoms were associated with fewer revisions (incidence rate ratio, 0.45 and 0.67; P = 0.03 and 0.004, respectively). Headaches and urinary incontinence showed a greater time to revision (32.0 and 12.0 months; P = 0.014 and <0.0005, respectively). Gait instability demonstrated decreased time to revision (P < 0.0005)., Conclusions: Preoperative symptoms, such as headaches, gait instability, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence, were significantly correlated with number of revisions and time to first revision. These factors should be considered during the initial counseling of prognosis for patients with iNPH receiving VP shunts., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The risk of delayed hemorrhage occurring greater than 2 years after treatment in brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) rarely is reported. In this study, we compare the risk of delayed hemorrhage across different treatment modalities., Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of treated patients with a single intracranial AVM seen at our institution from 1990 to 2013. Delayed hemorrhage was defined as hemorrhage occurring at least 2 years after last treatment. Survival analysis was used to assess risk of delayed hemorrhage by treatment modalities., Results: Our study included 420 patients. Spetzler-Martin grades were as follows: I (12.6%), II (36.2%), III (32.6%), IV (15.0%), and V (3.6%). Average follow-up time is 5.1 years. Twenty-two patients (5.2%) were found to have 28 delayed hemorrhages. Average interval between last treatment and delayed hemorrhage was 7.6 years, with the longest being 24.2 years. Proportions of delayed hemorrhages by treatment modalities were as follows: surgery ± embolization (group I, 9.1%), radiosurgery ± embolization (group II, 63.6%), embolization only (group III, 22.7%), and surgery + radiosurgery ± embolization (group IV, 4.5%). Annualized hemorrhage risk after 2 years for each treatment group was as follows: group I (0.4%), group II (1.2%), group III (3.7%), and group IV (1.7%). Survival analysis demonstrated lowest risk of delayed hemorrhage for group 1 (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: This study is the first to compare the risk of delayed hemorrhage across different treatment modalities. Surgical resection is associated with the lowest risk for delayed hemorrhage compared with other treatment modalities. Patients with partially embolized AVMs should seek timely definitive treatment to decrease the risk of delayed hemorrhage., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The role of the spleen and rosette-formation responses was investigated in sheep experimentally infected with Eperythrozoon ovis. Phagocytic activity was observed in the spleen 19 days after primary infection. Phagocytosis of E. ovis-parasitised and non-parasitised erythrocytes by cordal reticular cells occurred. E. ovis organisms seemed to be detached from the erythrocytes by pseudopodia extending from macrophages and cordal reticular cells without causing damage to the plasmalemma of the erythrocyte. No phagocytic activity was observed in spleens removed 74 and 146 days after infection. Antigen-specific lymphoid cell responsiveness, assessed by rosette formation, indicated that 2.8, 15.4, 8.0 and 6.0% of lymphoid cells in the spleens of the four E. ovis-infected sheep, respectively, formed antigen-specific rosettes. Rosette formation did not occur when splenic lymphocytes from E. ovis-infected sheep were mixed with non-infected erythrocytes or when splenic lymphocytes from an uninfected sheep were used.