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OBJECTIVE Various topographical classifications for craniopharyngioma have been proposed based on their relationship with optic chiasm and the third ventricular floor. There is a paucity of literature evaluating the surgical outcome based on tumor topography. This study aims to compare the surgical outcomes of retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas (RCPs) and nonretrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas (non-RCPs). METHODS This retrospective study includes newly diagnosed patients with craniopharyngioma who underwent surgery between January 2000 and December 2015. Clinical features, the extent of resection (EOR), surgical outcomes, tumor recurrence, and progression-free survival (PFS) of craniopharyngiomas were compared with respect to their relationship to the optic chiasm and third ventricular floor. RESULTS The authors identified RCPs in 104 and non-RCPs in 33 patients. RCPs were significantly larger and more associated with hydrocephalus than were non-RCPs (p < 0.001) at the time of diagnosis. Puget grade 2 hypothalamic involvement was more frequent with RCPs. EOR and PFS following either subtotal resection (p = 0.07) or gross-total resection (p = 0.7) were comparable between RCPs and non-RCPs. There was no significant difference in the postoperative visual outcome. Resection of RCPs resulted in higher postoperative hypopituitarism (64% vs 42%, p = 0.01) and hypothalamic dysfunction (18% vs 3%, p = 0.02). Location of the tumor, either retrochiasmatic (HR 0.5; 95% CI 0.14–2.2; p = 0.4) or nonretrochiasmatic (HR 1.3; 95% CI 0.3–5.5; p = 0.6), did not show association with recurrence. RCPs with extra- and intraventricular components (type 3b) had a higher incidence of postoperative hypothalamic morbidities (p = 0.01) and tumor recurrence (36% vs 19%; p = 0.05) during follow-up than the extraventricular (type 3a) RCP. Between prechiasmatic and infrachiasmatic/intrasellar craniopharyngiomas, EOR (p = 0.7), postoperative diabetes insipidus (p = 0.4), endocrinological outcome (p = 0.7), and recurrence (p = 0.1) were comparable. The patients with complex multicompartmental tumors had a lower rate of gross-total resection (25%, p = 0.02) and a higher incidence of tumor recurrence (75%, p = 0.004) than the rest. CONCLUSIONS The tumor topography can influence the postoperative outcome. RCPs can be associated with a higher incidence of hypopituitarism and hypothalamic morbidities postoperatively. The influence of topography on EOR and tumor recurrence is controversial. However, this study did not find a significant difference in EOR and tumor recurrence between RCPs and non-RCPs. PFS and overall mortality are also comparable.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with (i) visual symptoms and (ii) suprasellar extension defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with pituitary macroadenoma. Materials and Methods: RNFL thickness of 50 consecutive patients operated for pituitary macroadenoma between July 2019 and April 2021 were compared with standard visual examination findings and MRI measurements such as optic chiasm height, distance between the optic chiasm and adenoma, suprasellar extension, and chiasmal lift. Results: The study group included 100 eyes of 50 patients operated for pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. RNFL thinning predominantly involved the nasal (84.26 ± 16.43 μm) and temporal quadrants (70.72 ± 14.80 μm) and correlated well with the visual field deficit (P < 0.001). Patients with moderate-to-severe deficit in visual acuity had a mean RNFL thickness P < 0.01). Chiasmal lift more than 1 cm and tumor chiasm distance of P < 0.002). Conclusion: RNFL thinning correlates directly with the severity of visual deficits in patients with pituitary adenoma. Wilsons Grade D and E, Fujimoto Grade 3 and 4, chiasmal lift more than 1 cm, and chiasm tumor distance

Introduction: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is the second most common type of stroke with high morbidity and mortality. Outcome prediction is very important in this disease, to enable us tailor treatment strategies especially in a low- and middle-income countries. Today, prediction is predominantly limited to few clinical factors and may not be very accurate. We explore the application of an artificial intelligence-based platform for outcome prediction with a combination of clinical, radiological, and biochemical parameters. Methods: Data from our prospectively maintained stroke register was cleaned and processed using the XGBoost machine learning (ML) algorithm to predict outcome at discharge and 90 days using the modified Rankin scale. A total of 1,000 patients were included in the study, 129 variables were pruned to 19 significant features during the phase of preprocessing. Results: The data set was split 9:1 with 900 cases being used for training and the remaining 100 for validation. The models were evaluated based on the mean absolute error (MAE). Model-1 trained for predicting “mRS_Discharge” had a MAE of 0.34 and model-2 trained for predicting “mRS_3months” had a MAE of 0.63. Conclusion: ML algorithms can be successfully applied for the prediction of outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Retinal vessels provide an indirect window to the status of cerebral vasculature. Pathological changes in cerebral vessels secondary to hypertension and other predisposing conditions precede the onset of hemorrhagic stroke. Retinal vessel assessment may help in early detection of these changes and several studies have shown that retinal vessel caliber assessment can be a valuable tool in the primary prevention of hemorrhagic stroke. Technical considerations have been a limiting factor in the widespread use of this simple user friendly tool. However, recent technological and software advances especially in the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning have simplified the procedure. This article explores the current status and future prospects of this extremely promising tool.

Surgical management of craniopharyngioma is debatable and still lacks clear guidelines. Long-term complications are attributed to radical resection of the tumor. Extent of resection may not be the only factor which determines the functional outcome, because studies have reported hypothalamic and visual morbidities even with conservative resection. In this article, we analyze the extent of resection, long-term outcome, and various prognostic factors in adults and children.Newly diagnosed cases of craniopharyngioma operated between 2001 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. PFS and OS were calculated. Predictors of various outcome parameters were analyzed.Of 140 patients, 41% were children and 59% were adults. Postoperatively, vision has improved in 63% and worsened in 12%. GTR was achieved in 66%. The median follow-up was 67 months. PFS at 5 and 10 years was 95% and 41.5%, respectively. OS at 5 and 10 years was 92.6% and 89.5%, respectively. Symptoms of raised ICP and hypothalamic involvement, extensive calcifications, tumor size5 cm, and multi-compartmental tumors were associated with presence of residual tumor. Regression analysis showed symptoms of hypothalamic involvement, size of the tumor5 cm, and hydrocephalus predicted postoperative hypothalamic morbidities. No significant difference was found in postoperative visual, endocrinological, hypothalamic, and functional outcomes between GTR and STR.Conservative resection should be carried out in patients with preoperative hypothalamic symptoms and imaging evidence of extensive hypothalamic involvement. Size of the tumor and invasiveness are the other factors should be considered before radical excision of craniopharyngiomas.

Intracranial metastases from prostate carcinoma are uncommon and usually manifest as dural secondaries in the supratentorial compartment. We present an unusual case of intra-parenchymal posterior fossa prostatic metastasis in a 61-year-old gentleman and discuss the diagnostic and management challenges involved. A 61-year-old hypertensive, diabetic man presented with gait unsteadiness for 1-month duration and no other neurological deficits. He had previously undergone bilateral orchiectomy for prostate carcinoma with multiple osseous metastases. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined lobulated, intraventricular, peripherally enhancing lesion in the fourth ventricle with obstructive hydrocephalus. He underwent sub-occipital craniectomy and decompression, and histological examination was consistent with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. Although cerebellar secondaries are atypical, a suspicion of metastasis should be upheld in all patients with the history of prostate carcinoma, regardless of their location and radiological characteristics of the intracranial lesion.

Temporary clips are invaluable safety tools during the clipping of an aneurysm. Controversies regarding maximum permissible duration and safety, however, remain unanswered. This descriptive narrative attempts to review the literature to provide valuable insights on controversies clouding the use of temporary clips among neurosurgeons. Popular databases, including Pub Med, Medline/Medscape, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, were searched to find available literature on temporary clips. The searched MeSH terms were “Temporary Clip,” “Temporary Clipping,” “Cerebral Aneurysm,” and “Aneurysm.” Temporary clips have been in use since 1928 and have undergone considerable structural and technical modifications. A temporary clip's optimal safety limit is not yet defined with literature evidence ranging from immediate to 93 min. It is not yet definite whether temporary clips application aggravates vasospasm, but emergency temporary clips application, especially in poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, is associated with poor outcomes. A temporary clip needs to be applied with caution in patients treated earlier by endovascular technique and having indwelling stents. Nitinol Stent is feasible, while a Cobalt-Chromium alloy stent does not get occluded and gets deformed under the closing pressure of a temporary clip. Although a temporary clip application is a fundamental strategy during the clipping of an aneurysm; the exact safe duration remains to be decided in randomized control trials. Their utility for the shorter duration is beneficial under un-conclusive evidence of neuroprotective agents and intraoperative monitoring. Neurosurgeons need to consider all aspects of their pros and cons for optimal use.

Background: Neurosurgical emergencies in the obstetric setting pose considerable challenges. Decision-making involves deliberations on the gestational age, critical nature of the illness, timing of surgery, maternal positioning during neurosurgery, anesthesiologic strategies, monitoring of the pregnancy during surgery, and the mode of delivery. The present study discusses the management and ethical dilemmas encountered during the management of six obstetric patients with neurosurgical emergencies. Methods: A retrospective review of all neurosurgical operations performed between January 2016 and December 2022 were included in the study. Results: This study includes a series of six pregnant women who presented with neurosurgical emergencies, secondary to freshly diagnosed pathologies in the period 2016–2022. The mean maternal age was 31.33 years. Four of the six patients were in the third semester and two were in the second trimester. The underlying etiologies were as follows: spontaneous intracerebral hypertensive hemorrhage (1), obstructive hydrocephalus due to shunt malfunction (1), brain tumor (02), and compressive spinal cord myelopathy due to tumors (02). Three patients who were near term underwent lower cesarean section followed by emergency neurosurgical procedure in the same sitting. Two second trimester patients continued their pregnancy after the emergency neurosurgical operation. In one patient, in whom a brain tumor was diagnosed near term, underwent neurosurgery 1 week after successful cesarean section. All the six mothers and fetus recovered well, ex3cept two patients who have persisting residual deficits. Conclusion: Treatment of neurosurgical emergencies during pregnancy needs to be customized depending on the clinical condition of the pregnant woman, prognosis of the disease, gestational age and the status of the pregnancy. With careful planning, timely intervention, consultative decision making and it is possible to achieve the ultimate goal – which is to protect and safeguard the mother and preserve and deliver a viable fetus.

Background: Published literature on epidemiological profile of paediatric brain tumours in India is limited. Aim: To present a retrospective analysis of the histological spectrum of 158 paediatric age group central nervous system tumours operated in a single tertiary care hospital in Coastal South India between January 2015 and December 2021. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of the data regarding frequencies of various primary brain tumours among 158 paediatric patients (th edition of World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumours of the Central Nervous system. Results: Paediatric CNS constituted 8.5% of total intracranial tumours (158/1860) operated in the study period. The mean age of the patients was 10.2 years and a definite male predominance was noted. (1.54 :1) Astrocytomas, glioneuronal tumours, and neuronal tumours constituted the majority (72 /158; 45.6%) followed by embryonal tumours (31/158;19.6%) and craniopharyngiomas(24/158;15.4%) .Of the glial neoplasms majority were pilocytic and other astrocytic tumours(41.6 %), followed by mixed neuroglial tumours (19.4%), diffuse high grade astrocytomas (Grade III/IV) (11.1%), diffuse low -grade astrocytomas (Grade II) (9.7%) and ependymomas (13.8%). Our series also included six meningiomas (3.8%), five germ cell tumours (3.16%), four nerve sheath tumours (2.53%), two choroid plexus tumours (1.26%), two pineal parenchymal tumours (1.26%) and one metastasis from a soft tissue sarcoma from the thigh. Supratentorial tumours (58.2%) were more common than posterior fossa (34.6%) and spinal tumours (7.6%) and visual pathway gliomas accounted for 5.6% of all our tumours Conclusions: Paediatric central nervous system tumours are more common in boys and in the second decade of life. Astrocytomas are the most common paediatric brain tumours followed by medulloblastomas and craniopharyngiomas. Pediatric tumours affect the supratentorial compartment more often than the infratentorial compartment. The profile of paediatric brain tumours in our series is similar to that reported from other Indian centres as well as most western literature.

Introduction: Oculomotor nerve palsy following mild traumatic brain injury is uncommon. The exact pathogenesis, management protocol and outcome of such patients is unclear in the absence of large series. This article attempts to analyze the patterns of injury and recovery in a series of twenty one patients with third cranial nerve palsy following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Materials and Methods: All patients admitted with mild head injury and third nerve involvement were included in the study. This retrospective study covered a three-year period from January 2015 to December 2017. Mild head injury was defined as patients with a Glasgow Coma score of 14 -15 and having a normal CT scan at admission. The clinical profile of the injury and recovery of the oculomotor nerve were jointly evaluated and followed up in the department of neurosurgery and ophthalmology. Results: Our study group included twenty one patients. Levator palpebrae superioris involvement with ptosis (95.23%) was the most consistently affected third nerve function followed by extraocular muscles (90.47%) and pupillary fibers (80.9%). Ptosis was partial in 11 patients and complete in nine. Of the extra ocular muscles, the most common muscles to be involved were the inferior rectus and the medial rectus which were involved in 19 patients (90.47%). Superior rectus involvement was seen in 13 patients and inferior oblique in nine patients. Imaging including thin section CT scans (all patients) and FIESTA MRI sequence (2 patients) did not reveal any significant abnormality. All our patients were managed conservatively. Steroids and corrective surgery was not tried in any patient. On follow up, after a mean period of 6 months, partial ptosis recovered completely while complete ptosis recovered only in four patients (44.4%). Of the seventeen patients with pupillary involvement, pupillary size and reaction improved in four (23.5%) and remained static in 13 patients. Of the extraocular muscles superior

Aim: Carotid artery ligation carries a potential risk of ischemic complications even in patients with good collaterals and adequate cross-circulation. Preoperative assessment through balloon test occlusion (BTO) is technically challenging and not feasible in all patients. We analyze our experience with universal bypass without performing detailed cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) studies in 23 patients before carotid artery ligation. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the case records of 23 patients who underwent cervical carotid artery ligation for various indications since January 2009. Results: The study included 21 patients with cavernous carotid aneurysms, one patient with a large fusiform petrous carotid aneurysm, and one patient with recurrent glomus jugulare encasing the cervical internal carotid artery. The initial 12 patients underwent preoperative BTO with hypotensive challenge. All patients underwent a bypass procedure followed by carotid artery ligation irrespective of the BTO findings. Patients who successfully completed a BTO underwent a low-flow superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. A high-flow extracranial–intracranial bypass using a saphenous vein graft from external carotid artery to middle cerebral artery was done in all patients who either failed the BTO or did not undergo BTO. We had two operative mortalities and one poor outcome. All the other patients had a good recovery with a Glasgow outcome score of 5 at the last follow-up. Graft patency rates were 81.1% in both the low-flow and high-flow groups. Conclusion: Universal high-flow bypass is safe, effective, and should be preferred in all patients before carotid artery ligation. It obviates the need for detailed CVR assessment, especially in centers with limited resources.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage carries a poor prognosis with a 30-day mortality rate of 35%e52%. There is no standardized surgical technique for treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. While minimally invasive techniques are popular, there has been renewed interest in decompressive craniectomy (DC). We compared surgical and functional outcomes of standard craniotomy and DC, both with hematoma evacuation, in the surgical treatment of supratentorial spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: This 4-year retrospective study compared outcomes of 2 surgical techniques: standard craniotomy in group A (n [ 78) and DC in group B (n [ 54). To minimize bias in case selection, propensity matching was performed to match preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score and hematoma volume (group C).RESULTS: Hematoma evacuation was performed in 132 patients. Mean age of patients was 53.3 years, 50.5 years, and 52.06 years in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Median preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score was 9, 7, and 8 (P [0.01; P [ 0.45), and mean hematoma volume was 46.21 mL,50.91 mL, and 49.90 mL. Overall mortality was 26.5%; 62.9% (n[22) of deaths were in group A, and 37.1% (n[13) were in group B (P [ 0.69). Median modified Rankin Scale score was similar in both groups, both at discharge and at 3 months. After determining propensity scores, mortality and outcomes of matched groups remained similar.CONCLUSIONS: DC with hematoma evacuation does not appear to provide a significant advantage over standard craniotomy with regard to functional outcomes and mortality.DC may overcome the need for subsequent surgery in accommodating postoperative mass effect in residual bleeds and rebleeds but is associated with greater blood loss and longer operative duration

Background Adult primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is a rare type of hemorrhagic stroke that is poorly understood. The study attempts to define the clinical profile, yield of diagnostic cerebral angiography, and prognosis of patients with PIVH. Patients and Methods Retrospective data analysis of all patients with PIVH admitted between February 2015 and February 2019 at a tertiary care center. Outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 6 months. Results and Discussion Our study group of 30 patients constituted 3.3% (30/905) of our spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) patients in the study period. The mean Glasgow Coma Score on admission was 11 ± 3.33 and the mean IVH Graeb score was 5.2±2.4. All patients underwent angiography. Angiography detected moyamoya disease in four patients (13.3%) and aneurysms in two patients (6.6%) and these patients were managed surgically. Extraventricular drainage with intraventricular instillation of Streptokinase was performed in five patients. The rest of the patients was managed conservatively. At 6-month follow-up, 25 patients (83.33%) achieved favorable outcome (mRS score of 0.1 or 2), whereas five (16.66%) patients had a poor outcome (mRS score of 3 or more. Three patients succumbed to the illness. IVH Graeb score and presence of hydrocephalus have significant correlation with poor outcome. Conclusion PIVH is an uncommon entity but carries a better long-term prognosis than SICH angiography helps in diagnosing surgically remediable underlying vascular anomalies and is indicated in all cases of PIVH.

The novel coronavirus pandemic had caused the closure of beverage outlets in Kerala in late March 2020. There were a few suicides in the immediate period, which were highlighted in the media attributing to non-availability of alcohol. An observational study of patients admitted at the De-addiction Centre, NEST and Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute was done. We recorded our observations from the closure of the beverage outlets until two weeks after. Though the government anticipated at least 100 patients, we encountered only 17. Those admitted were brought in delirium, with seizures or injuries sustained during delirium. The possible reasons behind this disparity are discussed which included the sale of illicit liquor or use of home-made preparations. The current situation arose due to a lack of planning and sudden closure of beverage outlets without warning being issued to mental health professionals. Opinions regarding steps to be taken for similar situations in the future are posited.

Implication of the tumor size on oncological and functional outcomes of craniopharyngioma is inconsistently reported. The aim of this study is to assess the postoperative outcome of giant craniopharyngiomas (> 4 cm in diameter) and to elucidate the impact of tumor size on various outcome parameters and survival. Forty-four patients (children aged ≤ 18 years: 25; adults: 16) with giant craniopharyngioma, operated between January 2001 and December 2015, were included in this study. Various outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 17 (39%) and subtotal resection (STR) in 27 (61%) patients. Eleven patients (25%) received radiotherapy (RT) after STR. Postoperatively, new cranial nerve and motor deficits were noted in 12 (27%) and 9 (20%) patients, respectively. Tumor recurrence following GTR and STR without adjuvant RT was diagnosed in 3 (17%), and 5 (38%) patients, respectively. Following STR with RT, one (9%) experienced recurrence. PFS at 5-, and 10- year following GTR, STR, and STR + RT was 80.8%, 45.4%, and 90%, respectively. At 5- and 10- year, OS was 86.5%, 77.9% and 100% following GTR, STR, and STR + RT, respectively. The rate of GTR was significantly lower in patients with giant tumors (39% vs. 62%; Chi-square test, p value 0.008). Postoperatively, neurological deficit (20%), hypopituitarism (95%) and hypothalamic dysfunction (26%) were significantly higher for giant craniopharyngiomas. Hazards of recurrence were not significant between giant and non-giant tumors (hazard ratio 1.86; 95% CI 0.94–3.68; p 0.07). There was no significant difference in OS between the patients with giant and non-giant tumors (log-rank test 2.1; p value 0.14). Tumor size should be considered as an important predictor of the postoperative functional outcome. Although the rate of GTR is less than that of small tumors, the recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival of the patients with giant tumor are comparable to non-giant tumors.

Thalassemia presenting with compressive myelopathy secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is rare. We report the rare case of spinal EMH with dorsal cord compression and myelopathy in a 28-year-old male with inadequately transfused beta thalassemia major who presented with paraparesis and acute sphincter disturbance.