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BACKGROUND The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is the most commonly applied objective measure of functional impairment in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). OBJECTIVE To demonstrate external content validity of the TUG test. METHODS Consecutive adult patients, scheduled for elective lumbar spine surgery, were screened for enrollment into a prospective observational study. Disease severity was estimated by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; Visual Analog Scales [VAS], Core Outcome Measures Index [COMI] back, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire [ZCQ]) and the TUG test. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCCs) were used to describe the relationship between logarithmic TUG test raw values and PROMs. RESULTS A total of 70 patients (mean age 55.9 ± 15.4 yr; 38.6% female; 27.1% previous spine surgery; 28.6% lower extremity motor deficits) with lumbar disc herniation (50%), lumbar spinal stenosis (34.3%), or instability requiring spinal fusion (15.7%) were included. The mean TUG test time was 10.8 ± 4.4 s; age- and sex-adjusted objective functional impairment (OFI) T-score was 134.2 ± 36.9. A total of 12 (17.1%) patients had mild, 14 (20%) moderate, and 9 (12.9%) severe OFI, while 35 (50%) had TUG test results within the normal population range (no OFI). PCCs between TUG test time and VAS back pain were r = 0.37 (P = .002), VAS leg pain r = 0.37 (P = .002), COMI back r = 0.50 (P

The worldwide spread of smartphone usage enables new possibilities for longitudinal monitoring of objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). Three patients, undergoing elective surgery for lumbar DDD, self-assessed OFI using a recently validated 6-min walking test (6WT) smartphone application. Results are presented as raw 6-min walking distance (6WD) as well as in reference to age- and sex-specific healthy population reference values using standardized z-scores (number of standard deviations). In parallel, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including numeric rating scale (NRS) leg-pain and Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) were obtained before (pre) and 6 weeks (6 W) as well as 3 months (3 M) after surgery. Descriptive analyses were used to compare PROMs with repeated 6WT measurements over time. The feasibility and benefits of the longitudinal OFI measurements using the 6WT app are discussed. One patient presented a favorable outcome, reflected by a clinically meaningful improvement in PROMs. Correspondingly, the 6WT distance gradually improved above the normal population values ((pre 399 m (z-score − 1.96) vs. 6 W 494 m (− 0.85) vs. 3 M 557 m (− 0.1)). One patient experienced initial improvement at 6 W, followed by a decline in 6WD at 3 M which promoted further interventions with subsequent recovery ((358 m (z-score − 3.29) vs 440 m (− 2.2) vs 431 m (− 2.32) vs 471 m (− 1.78)). The last patient showed a lack of improvement in PROMs as well as in OFI (360 m (z-score 0.0) vs 401 m (0.30) vs 345 m (− 0.11)) resulting in secondary surgery. The longitudinal assessment of OFI using the 6WT app was feasible and provided the physician with a detailed history of patients’ postoperative walking capacity complementing commonly used PROMs.

STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. OBJECTIVE To provide external validation of the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The TUG test is one of the best explored and most frequently applied objective task-based functional outcome measure in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). The increased use of the TUG test is based on its solid psychometric properties, however, an external validation of the originally determined MCID is lacking. METHODS N = 49 patients with lumbar DDD, scheduled for elective spine surgery, were assessed pre- and 6-weeks (W6) postoperative. MCID values were calculate for raw TUG test times (in s) and standardized TUG z-scores using three different computation methods and the following established patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as anchors: Visual Analog Scales (VAS), Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) Back, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ)). RESULTS The three computation methods generated a range of MCID values, depending on the PROM used as anchor, from 0.9 s (z-score of 0.3) based on the VAS leg pain to 3.0 s (z-score of 2.7) based on the ZCQ physical function scale. The average MCID of the TUG test across all anchors and computation methods was 2.1 s (z-score of 1.5). According to the average MCID of raw TUG test values or TUG z-scores, 41% and 43% of patients classified as W6 responders to surgery, respectively. CONCLUSION This study confirms the ordinally reported TUG MCID values in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar. A TUG test time change of 2.1 s (or TUG z-score change of 1.5) indicates an objective and clinically meaningful change in functional status. This report facilitates the interpretation of TUG test results in clinical routine as well as in research.Level of Evidence: 3.

STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the 6-minute walking test (6WT) after surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The smartphone-based 6WT is a valid and reliable tool to quantify objective functional impairment in patients with lumbar DDD. To date, the MCID of the 6WT has not been described in patients with DDD. METHODS We assessed patients pre- and 6-weeks postoperatively, analyzing both raw 6-minute walking distances (6WD; in meters) and standardized 6WT z scores. Three methods were applied to compute MCID values using established patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) as anchors (VAS back/leg pain, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire [ZCQ], Core Outcome Measures Index [COMI]): average change, minimum detectable change, and the change difference approach. RESULT We studied 49 patients (59% male) with a mean age of 55.5 ± 15.8 years. The computation methods revealed MCID values ranging from 81 m (z score of 0.9) based on the VAS back pain to 99 m (z score of 1.0) based on the ZCQ physical function scale. The average MCID of the 6WT was 92 m (z score of 1.0). Based on the average MCID of raw 6WD values or standardized z scores, 53% or 49% of patients classified as 6-week responders to surgery for lumbar DDD, respectively. CONCLUSION The MCID for the 6WT in lumbar DDD patients is variable, depending on the calculation technique. We propose a MCID of 92m (z score of 1.0), based on the average of all three methods. Using a z score as MCID allows for the standardization of clinically meaningful change and attenuates age- and sex-related differences.Level of Evidence: 3.

The 6-minute walking test (6WT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test are two of the most commonly applied standardized measures of objective functional impairment that help support clinical decision-making for patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders. This study correlates smartphone-app-based 6WT and TUG results to evaluate their responsiveness.In a prospective study, 49 consecutive patients were assessed preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively using the 6WT, the TUG test, and commonly used patient-reported outcome measures. Raw values and standardized z-scores of both objective tests were correlated. An external criterion for treatment success was created based on the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire patient satisfaction subscale. Internal and external responsiveness for both functional tests was evaluated.The mean preoperative 6WT results improved from 401 m (SD 129 m), z-score -1.65 (SD 1.6) to 495 m (SD 129 m), z-score -0.71 (SD 1.6, p0.001). The mean preoperative TUG test results improved from 10.44 seconds (SD 4.37, z-score: -3.22) to 8.47 seconds (SD 3.38, z-score: -1.93, p0.001). The 6WT showed a strong negative correlation with TUG test results (r = -66, 95% CI 0.76-0.53, p0.001). The 6WT showed higher internal responsiveness (standardized responsive mean = 0.86) compared to the TUG test (standardized responsive mean = 0.67). Evaluation of external responsiveness revealed that the 6WT was capable of differentiating between patients who were satisfied and those who were unsatisfied with their treatment results (area under the curve = 0.70), whereas this was not evident for the TUG test ( area under the curve = 0.53).Both tests adequately quantified functional impairment in surgical candidates with degenerative lumbar disorders. The 6WT demonstrated better internal and external responsiveness compared with the TUG test. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03977961 (clinicaltrials.gov).AUC = area under the curve; COMI = Core Outcome Measures Index; DLDs = degenerative lumbar disorders; LDH = lumbar disc herniation; LSS = lumbar spinal stenosis; PROM = patient-reported outcome measure; ROC = receiver operating characteristic; SRM = standardized responsive mean; TUG = Timed Up and Go; VAS = visual analog scale; 6WD = 6-minute walking distance; 6WT = 6-minute walking test; ZCQ = Zurich Claudication Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND Current prognostic tools in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are constrained by being primarily based on patient and disease characteristics on admission. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a complication- and treatment-aware outcome prediction tool in aSAH. METHODS This cohort study included data from an ongoing prospective nationwide multicenter registry on all aSAH patients in Switzerland (Swiss SOS [Swiss Study on aSAH]; 2009-2015). We trained supervised machine learning algorithms to predict a binary outcome at discharge (modified Rankin scale [mRS] ≤ 3: favorable; mRS 4-6: unfavorable). Clinical and radiological variables on admission ("Early" Model) as well as additional variables regarding secondary complications and disease management ("Late" Model) were used. Performance of both models was assessed by classification performance metrics on an out-of-sample test dataset. RESULTS Favorable functional outcome at discharge was observed in 1156 (62.0%) of 1866 patients. Both models scored a high accuracy of 75% to 76% on the test set. The "Late" outcome model outperformed the "Early" model with an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.85 vs 0.79, corresponding to a specificity of 0.81 vs 0.70 and a sensitivity of 0.71 vs 0.79, respectively. CONCLUSION Both machine learning models show good discrimination and calibration confirmed on application to an internal test dataset of patients with a wide range of disease severity treated in different institutions within a nationwide registry. Our study indicates that the inclusion of variables reflecting the clinical course of the patient may lead to outcome predictions with superior predictive power compared to a model based on admission data only.

OBJECTIVEDigital transformation enables new possibilities to assess objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). This study examines the psychometric properties of an app-based 6-minute walking test (6WT) and determines OFI in patients with lumbar DDD.METHODSThe maximum 6-minute walking distance (6WD) was determined in patients with lumbar DDD. The results were expressed as raw 6WDs (in meters), as well as in standardized z-scores referenced to age- and sex-specific values of spine-healthy volunteers. The 6WT results were assessed for reliability and content validity using established disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures.RESULTSSeventy consecutive patients and 330 volunteers were enrolled. The mean 6WD was 370 m (SD 137 m) in patients with lumbar DDD. Significant correlations between 6WD and the Core Outcome Measures Index for the back (r = −0.31), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) symptom severity (r = −0.32), ZCQ physical function (r = −0.33), visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain (r = −0.42), and VAS for leg pain (r = −0.32) were observed (all p < 0.05). The 6WT revealed good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.82), and the standard error of measurement was 58.3 m. A 4-tier severity stratification classified patients with z-scores > −1 (no OFI), −1 to −1.9 (mild OFI), −2 to −2.9 (moderate OFI), and ≤ −3 (severe OFI).CONCLUSIONSThe smartphone app-based self-measurement of the 6WT is a convenient, reliable, and valid way to determine OFI in patients with lumbar DDD. The 6WT app facilitates the digital evaluation and monitoring of patients with lumbar DDD.

Background Context Smartphone-based applications enable new prospects to monitor symptoms and assess functional outcome in patients with lumbar degenerative spinal disorders. However, little is known regarding patient acceptance and preference towards new modes of digital objective outcome assessment. Purpose To assess patient preference of an objective smartphone-based outcome measure compared to conventional paper-based subjective methods of outcome assessment. Study design Prospective observational cohort study. Patient sample Fourty-nine consecutive patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative spinal disorder. Outcome measures Patients completed a preference survey to assess different methods of outcome assessment. A 5-level Likert scale ranged from strong disagreement (2 points) over neutral (6 points) to strong agreement (10 points) was used. Methods Patients self-determined their objective functional impairment using the 6-minute Walking Test application (6WT-app) and completed a set of paper-based patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) before and 6 weeks after surgery. Patients were then asked to rate the methods of outcome assessment in terms of suitability, convenience, and responsiveness to their symptoms. Results The majority of patients considered the 6WT-app a suitable instrument (median 8.0, interquartile range [IQR] 4.0). Patients found the 6WT more convenient (median 10.0, IQR 2.0) than the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ; median 8.0, IQR 4.0, p=.019) and Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI; median 8.0, IQR 4.0, p=.007). There was good agreement that the 6WT-app detects change in physical performance (8.0, IQR 4.0). 78 % of patients considered the 6WT superior in detecting differences in symptoms (vs. 22% for PROMs). Seventy-six percent of patients would select the 6WT over the other, 18% the ZCQ and 6% the COMI. Eighty-two percent of patients indicated their preference to use a smartphone app for the assessment and monitoring of their spine-related symptoms in the future. Conclusions Patients included in this study favored the smartphone-based evaluation of objective functional impairment over paper-based PROMs. Involving patients more actively by means of digital technology may increase patient compliance and satisfaction as well as diagnostic accuracy.

The worldwide spread of smartphone usage enables new possibilities for longitudinal monitoring of objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD).Three patients, undergoing elective surgery for lumbar DDD, self-assessed OFI using a recently validated 6-min walking test (6WT) smartphone application. Results are presented as raw 6-min walking distance (6WD) as well as in reference to age- and sex-specific healthy population reference values using standardized z-scores (number of standard deviations). In parallel, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including numeric rating scale (NRS) leg-pain and Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) were obtained before (pre) and 6 weeks (6 W) as well as 3 months (3 M) after surgery. Descriptive analyses were used to compare PROMs with repeated 6WT measurements over time. The feasibility and benefits of the longitudinal OFI measurements using the 6WT app are discussed.One patient presented a favorable outcome, reflected by a clinically meaningful improvement in PROMs. Correspondingly, the 6WT distance gradually improved above the normal population values ((pre 399 m (z-score - 1.96) vs. 6 W 494 m (- 0.85) vs. 3 M 557 m (- 0.1)). One patient experienced initial improvement at 6 W, followed by a decline in 6WD at 3 M which promoted further interventions with subsequent recovery ((358 m (z-score - 3.29) vs 440 m (- 2.2) vs 431 m (- 2.32) vs 471 m (- 1.78)). The last patient showed a lack of improvement in PROMs as well as in OFI (360 m (z-score 0.0) vs 401 m (0.30) vs 345 m (- 0.11)) resulting in secondary surgery.The longitudinal assessment of OFI using the 6WT app was feasible and provided the physician with a detailed history of patients' postoperative walking capacity complementing commonly used PROMs.

Epidural steroid injection (ESI) represents a popular treatment option in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). The main objective of the article was to determine whether the 6-minute walking test (6WT) could assist in the discrimination between ESI responders and nonresponders. We used a validated 6WT smartphone application to assess self-measured objective functional impairment (OFI) in 3 patients with DDD undergoing ESI. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Core Outcome Measures Index and the Oswestry Disability Index, were obtained at baseline and at the 3-, 7-, and 28-day follow-up. Descriptive analyses were used to compare PROMs with OFI over time. Two patients responded well to the ESI, illustrated by clinically meaningful improvements in PROMs. This improvement was accompanied by a substantial increase in the 6WT distance (case I: 358 m vs. 517 m and case II: 296 m vs. 625 m). One patient reported only moderate improvement in leg pain and conflicting results in the other PROMs. The 6WT demonstrated a persistent OFI (487 m vs. 488 m). This patient was considered a nonresponder and underwent surgical treatment. This case series illustrates the feasibility of the smartphone-based 6WT as a tool to assess OFI in patients undergoing ESI for lumbar DDD.

Monitoring treatment response after chemotherapy of gadolinium-(Gd)-negative gliomas is challenging as conventional MRI often indicates no radiological changes. We hypothesize that 18F-FET-PET can be used as a biomarker for response assessment in Gd-negative gliomas undergoing chemotherapy. Sixty-one patients harboring Gd-negative WHO grade II or III glioma receiving alkylating agents (temozolomide or CCNU/procarbacine) were included. All patients underwent MRI and 18F-FET-PET before chemotherapy and 6 months later. We calculated T2-volume, 18F-FET-PET based biological tumour volume (BTV) and maximal tumour-to-brain ratio (TBRmax). Moreover, dynamic PET acquisition was performed using time-activity-curves (TACs) analysis. For MRI-based response assessment, RANO criteria for low-grade glioma were used. For 18F-FET-PET, following classification scheme was tested: responsive disease (RD) when a decrease in either BTV ≥ 25% and/or TBRmax ≥ 10% occurred, an increase in BTV ≥ 25% and/or TBRmax increase > 10% characterized progressive disease (PD), minor changes ± 25% for BTV and ± 10% for TBRmax were regarded as stable disease (SD). Post-chemotherapy survival (PCS) and time-to-treatment failure (TTF) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. 18F-FET-PET based response has shown patients with RD to have the longest TTF time (78.5 vs 24.6 vs 24.1 months, p = 0.001), while there was no significant difference between patients with a SD and PD. A comparable pattern was observed for PCS (p

OBJECTIVEThe 6-minute walking test (6WT) is used to determine restrictions in a subject’s 6-minute walking distance (6WD) due to lumbar degenerative disc disease. To facilitate simple and convenient patient self-measurement, a free and reliable smartphone app using Global Positioning System coordinates was previously designed. The authors aimed to determine normative values for app-based 6WD measurements.METHODSThe maximum 6WD was determined three times using app-based measurement in a sample of 330 volunteers without previous spine surgery or current spine-related disability, recruited at 8 centers in 5 countries (mean subject age 44.2 years, range 16–91 years; 48.5% male; mean BMI 24.6 kg/m2, range 16.3–40.2 kg/m2; 67.9% working; 14.2% smokers). Subjects provided basic demographic information, including comorbidities and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): visual analog scale (VAS) for both low-back and lower-extremity pain, Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), and subjective walking distance and duration. The authors determined the test-retest reliability across three measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], standard error of measurement [SEM], and mean 6WD [95% CI]) stratified for age and sex, and content validity (linear regression coefficients) between 6WD and PROMs.RESULTSThe ICC for repeated app-based 6WD measurements was 0.89 (95% CI 0.87–0.91, p < 0.001) and the SEM was 34 meters. The overall mean 6WD was 585.9 meters (95% CI 574.7–597.0 meters), with significant differences across age categories (p < 0.001). The 6WD was on average about 32 meters less in females (570.5 vs 602.2 meters, p = 0.005). There were linear correlations between average 6WD and VAS back pain, VAS leg pain, COMI Back and COMI subscores of pain intensity and disability, ZCQ symptom severity, ZCQ physical function, and ZCQ pain and neuroischemic symptoms subscores, as well as with subjective walking distance and duration, indicating that subjects with higher pain, higher disability, and lower subjective walking capacity had significantly lower 6WD (all p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSThis study provides normative data for app-based 6WD measurements in a multicenter sample from 8 institutions and 5 countries. These values can now be used as reference to compare 6WT results and quantify objective functional impairment in patients with degenerative diseases of the spine using z-scores. The authors found a good to excellent test-retest reliability of the 6WT app, a low area of uncertainty, and high content validity of the average 6WD with commonly used PROMs.

OBJECTIVE The patient-reported outcome measure (PROM)-based evaluation in lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) is today's gold standard but has limitations. We studied the impact of lower extremity motor deficits (LEMDs) on PROMs and a new objective outcome measure. METHODS We evaluated patients with lumbar DDD from a prospective 2-center database. LEMDs were graded according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC; 5 [normal] -0 [no movement]). The PROM-based evaluation included pain (visual analogue scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] & Roland-Morris Disability Index [RMDI]), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Short-Form 12 physical component summary/mental component summary & EuroQol-5D index). Objective functional impairment (OFI) was determined as age- and sex-adjusted Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test value. RESULTS One hundred five of 375 patients (28.0%) had a LEMD. Patients with LEMD had slightly higher disability (ODI: 52.8 vs. 48.2, p = 0.025; RMDI: 12.6 vs. 11.3, p = 0.034) but similar pain and HRQoL scores. OFI T-scores were significantly higher in patients with LEMD (144.2 vs. 124.3, p = 0.006). When comparing patients with high- (BMRC 0-2) vs. low-grade LEMD (BMRC 3-4), no difference was evident for the PROM-based evaluation (all p > 0.05) but patients with high-grade LEMD had markedly higher OFI T-scores (280.9 vs. 136.0, p = 0.001). Patients with LEMD had longer TUG test times and OFI T-scores than matched controls without LEMDs. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that PROMs fail to sufficiently account for LEMD-associated disability, which is common and oftentimes bothersome to patients. The objective functional evaluation with the TUG test appears to be more sensitive to LEMD-associated disability. An objective functional evaluation of patients with LEMD appears reasonable.

OBJECTIVEObjective functional measures such as the 6-minute walking test (6WT) are increasingly applied to evaluate patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine before and after (surgical) treatment. However, the traditional 6WT is cumbersome to apply, as it requires specialized in-hospital infrastructure and personnel. The authors set out to compare 6-minute walking distance (6WD) measurements obtained with a newly developed smartphone application (app) and those obtained with the gold-standard distance wheel (DW).METHODSThe authors developed a free iOS- and Android-based smartphone app that allows patients to measure the 6WD in their home environment using global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. In a laboratory setting, the authors obtained 6WD measurements over a range of smartphone models, testing environments, and walking patterns and speeds. The main outcome was the relative measurement error (rME; in percent of 6WD), with |rME| < 7.5% defined as reliable. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for agreement between app- and DW-based 6WD was calculated.RESULTSMeasurements (n = 406) were reliable with all smartphone types in neighborhood, nature, and city environments (without high buildings), as well as with unspecified, straight, continuous, and stop-and-go walking patterns (ICC = 0.97, 95% CI 0.97–0.98, p < 0.001). Measurements were unreliable indoors, in city areas with high buildings, and for predominantly rectangular walking courses. Walking speed had an influence on the ME, with worse accuracy (2% higher rME) for every kilometer per hour slower walking pace (95% CI 1.4%–2.5%, p < 0.001). Mathematical adjustment of the app-based 6WD for velocity-dependent error mitigated the rME (p < 0.011), attenuated velocity dependence (p = 0.362), and had a positive effect on accuracy (ICC = 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSThe new, free, spine-specific 6WT smartphone app measures the 6WD conveniently by using GPS coordinates, empowering patients to independently determine their functional status before and after (surgical) treatment. Measurements of 6WD obtained for the target population under the recommended circumstances are highly reliable.

It remains difficult to estimate prolonged functional impairment in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) treated with burr hole trepanation. We aim to establish a score that reliably predicts postoperative functional impairment.Retrospectively analysis of a prospective institutional database. cSDH patients operated in 2013-2016 were identified. Clinical outcome was dichotomized into presence (modified-Rankin-Scale (mRS) ≥ 2) or absence of functional impairment (mRS 0-1) at discharge and last follow-up. A score was developed, based on the effect sizes of a set of outcome predictors. Its accuracy was tested using Area Under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis. The 2017 cohort served for internal validation.A cohort of 253 patients (mean age 75 years, 75% male) was analyzed, of which 77 patients (30%) remained functionally impaired. In multivariate analysis, severe motor deficits at admission (OR 5.84, 95% CI 2.71-12.59, p 0.001), age (≥85 years: 5.53, 2.14-14.32, p 0.0001) and disorientation at admission (2.65, 11.39-5.05, p = 0.003) were associated with persistent functional impairment. Based on those variables, we created the "Functional Impairment after burr hole Trepanation" (FIT-score), which showed an AUROC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.70-0.83) for impairment at discharge and 0.76 (0.70-0.82) for impairment at follow-up. Internal validation confirmed the model with an AUROC of 0.79 (0.68-0.91) at discharge and 0.77 (0.64-91) at follow-up.The FIT-score is likely to assist the physician when counseling patients and relatives pertaining to the need for postoperative rehabilitation and mid- to long-term supportive home care.

There is a paucity of data concerning the safety and efficacy of surgical education for neurosurgical residents in the evacuation of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) by burr hole trepanation. This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on consecutive patients receiving burr hole trepanation for uni- or bilateral cSDH. Patients operated by a supervised neurosurgery resident (teaching cases) were compared to patients operated by a board-certified faculty neurosurgeon (BCFN; non-teaching cases). The primary endpoint was surgical revision for any reason until the last follow-up. The secondary endpoint was occurrence of any complication until the last follow-up. Clinical status, type of complications, mortality, length of surgery (LOS), and hospitalization (LOH) were tertiary endpoints. A total of n = 253 cases were analyzed, of which n = 217 (85.8%) were teaching and n = 36 (14.2%) non-teaching cases. The study groups were balanced in terms of age, sex, surgical risk (ASA score), and preoperative status (Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)). The cohort was followed for a mean of 242 days (standard deviation 302). In multivariate analysis, teaching cases were as likely as non-teaching cases to require revision surgery (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.27–1.59; p = 0.348) as well as to experience any complication until the last follow-up (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.37–1.67; p = 0.532). Mean LOS was about 10 min longer in teaching cases (53.0 ± 26.1 min vs. 43.5 ± 17.8 min; p = 0.036), but LOH was similar. There were no group differences in clinical status, mortality and type of complication at discharge, and the last follow-up. Burr hole trepanation for cSDH can be safely performed by supervised neurosurgical residents enrolled in a structured training program, without increasing the risk for revision surgery, perioperative complications, or worse outcome.

AIM: Both MRI and PET have been increasingly used for monitoring treatment response and adjustment of therapeutic strategies in glioma. The purpose of the currentstudy was to elucidate a possible prognostic influence of the initial tumor volume derived both from 18FET-PET as well as MRI on outcome in de-novo glioblastoma (GBM) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 71 patients with newly diagnosed GBM who received 18FET-PET and MRI prior to microsurgery/biopsy and subsequent radio/chemotherapy according to the EORTC/NCIC protocolwere analysed. After co-registration, volumetrical analysis was performed on MRI and 18FET-PET data. Biological tumor volume (BTV) was defined on 18FET-PET using brain-to tumor ratio of 1.6. For MRI,T2/FLAIR as well as Gd-enhanced T1-weighted sequences with and without necrotic parts were correspondingly obtained in each patient. Correlation of initial tumor volume on each image modality with overall survival and progression free survival was performed. Log rank test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Volumetrical analyses revealed the following distribution pattern: FLAIR volume > BTV1.6 >Gd-enhanced T1 volume with necrosis >Gd-enhanced T1 volume without necrosis. Patients with smaller BTV1.6 experienced longer OS and PFS (p= 0.01/0.03), while Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MRI without necrosis was the only MRI parameter associated with an improved OS and PFS (p = 0.03/p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Biological tumor volume as determined by 18FET-PET and Gd-enhanced T1 volume without necrosis are associated with outcome in GBM. BTV seems to surmount volumetry obtained by conventional MRI techniques in depicting vital tumor tissue. This research was in part supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe/GGN/ 70-3163-Wi 3