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International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Giant arachnoid granulations (GAGs) are minimally investigated. Here, we systematically review the available data in published reports to better understand their... (Review)
Review
Giant arachnoid granulations (GAGs) are minimally investigated. Here, we systematically review the available data in published reports to better understand their etiologies, nomenclature, and clinical significance. In the literature, 195 GAGs have been documented in 169 persons of varied ages (range, 0.33 to 91 years; mean, 43 ± 20 years; 54% female). Prior reports depict intrasinus (i.e., dural venous sinus, DVS) (84%), extrasinus (i.e., diploic or calvarial) (15%), and mixed (1%) GAG types that exhibit pedunculated, sessile, or vermiform morphologies. GAG size ranged from 0.4 to 6 cm in maximum dimension (mean, 1.9 ± 1.1 cm) and encompassed symptomatic or non-symptomatic enlarged arachnoid granulations (≥1 cm) as well as symptomatic subcentimeter arachnoid granulations. A significant difference was identified in mean GAG size between sex (females, 1.78 cm; males, 3.39 cm; < 0.05). The signs and symptoms associated with GAGs varied and include headache (19%), sensory change(s) (11%), and intracranial hypertension (2%), among diverse and potentially serious sequelae. Notably, brain herniation was present within 38 GAGs (22%). Among treated individuals, subsets were managed medically (19 persons, 11%), surgically (15 persons, 9%), and/or by endovascular DVS stenting (7 persons, 4%). Histologic workup of 53 (27%) GAG cases depicted internal inflammation (3%), cystic change consistent with fluid accumulation (2%), venous thrombosis (1%), hemorrhage (1%), meningothelial hyperplasia (1%), lymphatic vascular proliferation (1%), and lymphatic vessel obliteration (1%). This review emphasizes heterogeneity in GAG subtypes, morphology, composite, location, symptomatology, and imaging presentations. Additional systematic investigations are needed to better elucidate the pathobiology, clinical effects, and optimal diagnostic and management strategies for enlarged and symptomatic arachnoid granulation subtypes, as different strategies and size thresholds are likely applicable for medical, interventional, and/or surgical treatment of these structures in distinct brain locations.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Brain; Clinical Relevance; Disease Progression; Headache; Vascular Diseases; Arachnoid
PubMed: 37629195
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613014 -
Critical Care (London, England) Apr 2023Stroke patients requiring mechanical ventilation often have a poor prognosis. The optimal timing of tracheostomy and its impact on mortality in stroke patients remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Stroke patients requiring mechanical ventilation often have a poor prognosis. The optimal timing of tracheostomy and its impact on mortality in stroke patients remains uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of tracheostomy timing and its association with reported all-cause overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were the effect of tracheostomy timing on neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS), hospital length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS.
METHODS
We searched 5 databases for entries related to acute stroke and tracheostomy from inception to 25 November 2022. We adhered to PRISMA guidance for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Selected studies included (1) ICU-admitted patients who had stroke (either acute ischaemic stroke, AIS or intracerebral haemorrhage, ICH) and received a tracheostomy (with known timing) during their stay and (2) > 20 tracheotomised. Studies primarily reporting sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were excluded. Where this was not possible, adjusted meta-analysis and meta-regression with study-level moderators were performed. Tracheostomy timing was analysed continuously and categorically, where early (< 5 days from initiation of mechanical ventilation to tracheostomy) and late (> 10 days) timing was defined per the protocol of SETPOINT2, the largest and most recent randomised controlled trial on tracheostomy timing in stroke patients.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies involving 17,346 patients (mean age = 59.8 years, female 44%) met the inclusion criteria. ICH, AIS, and SAH comprised 83%, 12%, and 5% of known strokes, respectively. The mean time to tracheostomy was 9.7 days. Overall reported all-cause mortality (adjusted for follow-up) was 15.7%. One in five patients had good neurological outcome (mRS 0-3; median follow-up duration was 180 days). Overall, patients were ventilated for approximately 12 days and had an ICU LOS of 16 days and a hospital LOS of 28 days. A meta-regression analysis using tracheostomy time as a continuous variable showed no statistically significant association between tracheostomy timing and mortality (β = - 0.3, 95% CI = - 2.3 to 1.74, p = 0.8). Early tracheostomy conferred no mortality benefit when compared to late tracheostomy (7.8% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.7). Tracheostomy timing was not associated with secondary outcomes (good neurological outcome, ICU LOS and hospital LOS).
CONCLUSIONS
In this meta-analysis of over 17,000 critically ill stroke patients, the timing of tracheostomy was not associated with mortality, neurological outcomes, or ICU/hospital LOS.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO-CRD42022351732 registered on 17th of August 2022.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Critical Illness; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Critical Care; Intensive Care Units; Respiration, Artificial; Length of Stay
PubMed: 37005666
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04417-6 -
The Spine Journal : Official Journal of... Aug 2023Secondary spinal arachnoid cysts have rarely been reported but present significant challenges for management. These cysts could be anteriorly located with long... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Secondary spinal arachnoid cysts have rarely been reported but present significant challenges for management. These cysts could be anteriorly located with long rostral-caudal extensions and many are related to arachnoiditis, leading to difficult-to-treat disorders. Thus far, due to the scarcity of reports, the features of the disease and the optimal therapeutic strategies remain unclear.
PURPOSE
To investigate clinical features and the optimal treatment modalities of secondary spinal arachnoid cysts compared with primary spinal arachnoid cysts.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
PATIENT SAMPLE
Systematic review identified 103 secondary cases from 80 studies and reports.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Condition of symptom relief and duration of treatment response were analyzed.
METHODS
An electronic literature search of the PubMed database was conducted for studies on secondary spinal arachnoid cysts between 1990 and 2022. Non-English publications, nonhuman studies, reports of a primary cyst, studies not including case details, and studies of nonsymptomatic cases were excluded.
RESULTS
This systematic review included 103 secondary cases. The most commonly reported etiologies were iatrogenic factors, trauma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, accounting for 88 intradural extramedullary, 11 extradural, one intradural/extradural, one interdural, and one intramedullary spinal arachnoid cyst after a median duration of 30, 12, and 9 months, respectively. Extradural cysts were more prone to occur at dorsal locations and affect thoracic segments (mean cyst length: 3.4 segments). Intradural cysts showed a relatively higher ventral/dorsal ratio (1:1.09, 1.75:1, and 3.50:1 for cysts occurring from iatrogenic factors, trauma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively) and thoracic distribution, with a mean cyst length of 4.3 segments (5.1 for ventral and 3.5 for dorsal cysts). For intradural cysts, recurrence risk was lower after surgical resection than after fenestration/marsupialization (12-month recurrence risk: 21.43% vs 50.72%, log-rank test: p=.0248, Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test: p=.0126). In cases treated with shunting, one recurrence (1/8 cases) was noted after external shunting and two recurrences (2/5 cases) after internal shunting at a median follow up of 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Secondary spinal arachnoid cysts, particularly intradural cysts, are rarer and more challenging to treat than primary spinal cysts. Although fenestration/marsupialization is the commonly adopted treatment, the recurrence rate is high. For unresectable cysts, shunting procedures, particularly shunting into a body cavity (eg, pleural or peritoneal cavity) away from the subarachnoid space, could be a therapeutic alternative besides fenestration/marupialization, yet its efficacy requires confirmation by more data.
Topics: Humans; Arachnoid Cysts; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Spinal Cord Diseases; Neurosurgical Procedures; Iatrogenic Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36924909
DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.03.002 -
Neurosurgical Review Mar 2023A series of 5 patients treated with the fourth ventricle to spinal subarachnoid space stent (FVSSS) is presented. Indication for surgery, surgical technique,...
A series of 5 patients treated with the fourth ventricle to spinal subarachnoid space stent (FVSSS) is presented. Indication for surgery, surgical technique, pre-operative and post-operative images, and outcome are analyzed. A systematic review of the pertinent literature has also been performed. This is a retrospective cohort review of a series of 5 consecutive patients with refractory syringomyelia who underwent a fourth ventricle to spinal subarachnoid space shunt surgery. The surgical indication was based on the presence of refractory syringomyelia in patients already treated for Chiari malformation or in patients who developed scarring at the level of the outlets of the fourth ventricle following posterior fossa tumor surgery. The mean age at FVSSS was 11.30 ± 5.88 years. Cerebral MRI revealed crowded posterior fossa, with a membrane at the level of the foramen of Magendie. Spinal MRI showed syringomyelia in all patients. Before surgery, the averages of the craniocaudal and the anteroposterior diameter were 22.66 and 1.01 cm, respectively, whereas the volume was 28.16 cm. The post-operative period was uneventful in 4 out of 5 patients; one child died on the 1st post-operative day due to complications unrelated to surgery. In remaining cases, syrinx marked improvement. The post-operative volume was 1.47 cm with an overall reduction of 97.61%. With regard to literature, 7 articles with a total of 43 patients were analyzed. After FVSSS, syringomyelia reduction was observed in 86.04% of cases. Three patients underwent reoperation due to syrinx recurrence. Four patients presented a catheter displacement, one a wound infection and meningitis and one CSF leak requiring placement of a lumbar drain. FVSSS is highly effective in restoring CSF dynamics, with dramatic improvement of syringomyelia. In all our cases, the volume of the syrinx was reduced by at least 90%, with improvement/resolution of accompanying symptomatology. This procedure should be reserved to patients in which other causes of gradient pressure between the fourth ventricle and subarachnoid space are excluded, for example, tetraventricular hydrocephalus. Surgical procedure is not simple, because it requires meticulous microdissection of cerebello-medullary fissure and upper cervical spine, in already operated patients. To avoid migration of the stent, it should be carefully sutured to the dura mater or thick arachnoid membrane.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Arnold-Chiari Malformation; Decompression, Surgical; Fourth Ventricle; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Subarachnoid Space; Syringomyelia; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36905420
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-01972-y -
Surgical Neurology International 2022Idiopathic spinal epidural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) are rare and may cause myelopathy and cord compression. They typically arise from a congenital defect in the dura that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic spinal epidural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) are rare and may cause myelopathy and cord compression. They typically arise from a congenital defect in the dura that communicates with the intrathecal subarachnoid space. Although the ideal treatment of SEACs is direct dural repair and cyst excision, there is as yet no clear standard of care for the management of these lesions.
METHODS
A 47-year-old female presented with myelopathy attributed to an magnetic resonance imaging-documented posterior epidural T12-L2 cyst (i.e., 1.1 × 6 × 3.3 cm) lesion. The patient underwent a direct dural repair of the fistulous communication between the subarachnoid space and the cyst, along with cyst drainage/ excision through a right-sided laminotomy. Postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. We additionally reviewed the literature regarding the management of SEACs.
RESULTS
Our review yielded 14 articles involving 18 patients with predominantly thoracolumbar (57%) SEACs that were either communicating (61%) or not communicating (39%) with the subarachnoid space. They averaged 35.5 years of age and exhibited a male preponderance (66%). Symptoms typically included pain (78%), followed by weakness/myelopathy (42%). Surgery frequently included bilateral laminectomies (57%) followed by unilateral laminectomies (50%) that typically resulted in symptom resolution.
CONCLUSION
SEACs are rare typically thoracolumbar lesions that may cause myelopathy which resolves following direct dural closure/subarachnoid fistulous occlusion.
PubMed: 36761263
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_928_2022 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Jan 2023Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization is becoming increasingly studied as a safe, effective treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) in adults. Among...
BACKGROUND
Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization is becoming increasingly studied as a safe, effective treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) in adults. Among pediatric patients, however, MMA embolization for cSDH has been rarely described, and the potential benefit of this approach for pediatric patients remains unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the literature and identify cases of pediatric MMA embolization for cSDH. We also report our experience with pediatric MMA embolization.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify cases of pediatric MMA embolization for cSDH. Inclusion criteria included English language availability and pediatric age defined as less than 18 years. A pediatric patient treated with MMA embolization was also identified at our institution.
RESULTS
Five cases of pediatric MMA embolization for cSDH were identified in the literature. Two were associated with arachnoid cysts, 2 with antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy, and 1 with abusive head trauma. There were no adverse events, and all patients demonstrated clinical and radiological improvement on follow-up. At our institution, a previously healthy 8-year-old male was found to have a right-sided acute-on-chronic SDH during a headache evaluation. A diagnostic angiogram was performed to rule out a dural arteriovenous fistula, and right-sided MMA embolization was performed concurrently. Rapid clinical and radiological improvement was observed, with complete resolution by 6 months.
CONCLUSION
MMA embolization may represent a treatment option for pediatric patients with cSDH.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Meningeal Arteries; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic; Embolization, Therapeutic; Treatment Outcome; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations
PubMed: 36519875
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000446 -
Acta Neurologica Belgica Dec 2023To report our experience on giant tumefactive Virchow-Robin spaces (GTVRS) in the frontal lobe and perform a systematic review of previous reports on GTVRS.
AIM
To report our experience on giant tumefactive Virchow-Robin spaces (GTVRS) in the frontal lobe and perform a systematic review of previous reports on GTVRS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a retrospective single-center study reporting the clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance, differential diagnosis, and management of two patients diagnosed with frontal lobe GTVRS at Bahcesehir University School of Medicine Goztepe Hospital in the past 5 years. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, with case selection criteria including Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) size greater than 1.5 cm, frontal lobe localization, and the presence of MR imaging. The search strategy included only English language keywords. The systematic review was searched between database inception and May 6, 2022.
RESULTS
A total of 18 cases were included in the study. Of the 15 cases with known sex, nine were female and six male. The median age was 29.8 with an age range of 4-57. Eleven of the 18 lesions were in the right frontal lobe. The lesions were multilocular in 15 cases and unilocular in three cases. All lesions had signal intensity as cerebrospinal fluid, showed no perifocal edema, and did not enhance. A hyperintensity was noted around the 14 lesions on the FLAIR sequence. Ten lesions showed cortical thinning adjacent to the lesion. No abnormality was detected on DWI, SWI, and MRS. Follow-up imaging was available in ten patients without any interval change. Unnecessary surgical interventions were noted in three cases.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of reported cases and the literature review emphasize the role of MR imaging in the diagnosis of frontal lobe GTVRS. Beyond diagnostic consideration, GTVRS may have prognostic value and often indicate a "don't touch lesion" albeit requiring further consideration on a case-to-case basis. Familiarity with this entity improves diagnostic accuracy and, prevents accidental diagnosis of any neoplasm or other diseases.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Glymphatic System; Retrospective Studies; Subarachnoid Space; Frontal Lobe; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36273113
DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-02098-6 -
Brain & Spine 2022Spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) are rare lesions with challenging and controversial management. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) are rare lesions with challenging and controversial management.
RESEARCH QUESTION
We analyzed our experiences from a case series and provide a systematic review to determine 1) Demographic and clinical features of SACs, 2) Optimal imaging for diagnosis and operative planning, 3) Optimal management of SACs, and 4) Clinical outcomes following surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A single-institution, ambispective analysis of patients with symptomatic SACs surgically managed between May 2005 and May 2019 was performed. Data were collected as per local ethics committee stipulations. A systematic review of SACs in adults was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and a preapproved protocol.
RESULTS
Our series consisted of 11 patients, M:F 8:3, mean age 47.8 years (range 18-73 years). Mean follow-up was 19 months (range 5-36 months). SACs were excised or marsupialised (7), fenestrated (3) or partially excised (1). Eight patients had expansile duroplasty, 3 primary dural closure. One patient had a cystoperitoneal shunt. All patients were AIS D preoperatively; 4 remained unchanged and 7 improved to AIS E at follow-up. Our systematic search retrieved 725 citations. Fourteen case series met the inclusion criteria. There was no evidence to support superiority of one surgical strategy over another. Surgery for symptomatic patients resulted in positive clinical outcomes.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Symptomatic SACs require surgical intervention. Limited evidence suggests that decompressing the cord, breakdown of arachnoid adhesions, and establishing CSF flow by consideration of expansile duroplasty are important for positive outcomes.
PubMed: 36248116
DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2022.100904 -
PloS One 2022This patient and public-involved systematic review originally focused on arachnoiditis, a supposedly rare "iatrogenic chronic meningitis" causing permanent neurologic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND & IMPORTANCE
This patient and public-involved systematic review originally focused on arachnoiditis, a supposedly rare "iatrogenic chronic meningitis" causing permanent neurologic damage and intractable pain. We sought to prove disease existence, causation, symptoms, and inform future directions. After 63 terms for the same pathology were found, the study was renamed Diseases of the Leptomeninges (DLMs). We present results that nullify traditional clinical thinking about DLMs, answer study questions, and create a unified path forward.
METHODS
The prospective PRISMA protocol is published at Arcsology.org. We used four platforms, 10 sources, extraction software, and critical review with ≥2 researchers at each phase. All human sources to 12/6/2020 were eligible for qualitative synthesis utilizing R. Weekly updates since cutoff strengthen conclusions.
RESULTS
Included were 887/14286 sources containing 12721 DLMs patients. Pathology involves the subarachnoid space (SAS) and pia. DLMs occurred in all countries as a contributor to the top 10 causes of disability-adjusted life years lost, with communicable diseases (CDs) predominating. In the USA, the ratio of CDs to iatrogenic causes is 2.4:1, contradicting arachnoiditis literature. Spinal fusion surgery comprised 54.7% of the iatrogenic category, with rhBMP-2 resulting in 2.4x more DLMs than no use (p<0.0001). Spinal injections and neuraxial anesthesia procedures cause 1.1%, and 0.2% permanent DLMs, respectively. Syringomyelia, hydrocephalus, and arachnoid cysts are complications caused by blocked CSF flow. CNS neuron death occurs due to insufficient arterial supply from compromised vasculature and nerves traversing the SAS. Contrast MRI is currently the diagnostic test of choice. Lack of radiologist recognition is problematic.
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
DLMs are common. The LM clinically functions as an organ with critical CNS-sustaining roles involving the SAS-pia structure, enclosed cells, lymphatics, and biologic pathways. Cases involve all specialties. Causes are numerous, symptoms predictable, and outcomes dependent on time to treatment and extent of residual SAS damage. An international disease classification and possible treatment trials are proposed.
Topics: Arachnoiditis; Biological Products; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Meningitis; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 36178925
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274634 -
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Nov 2022Spontaneous resolution of syringomyelia has rarely been reported in the literature. Rarer still are cases wherein this process is associated with pregnancy and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous resolution of syringomyelia has rarely been reported in the literature. Rarer still are cases wherein this process is associated with pregnancy and parturition. We review theories on syringomyelia development and spontaneous resolution to better understand the role pregnancy and parturition may play in both processes.
METHODS
We present a 30-year-old female with MRI-confirmed spontaneous syrinx regression following caesarean delivery of a full-term pregnancy. We additionally review the literature to identify previously reported cases of spontaneous syrinx regression both independent of and associated with pregnancy.
RESULTS
Including the present case, 39 cases describing spontaneous regression of syringomyelia have been reported in the literature, of which only four are associated with pregnancy and parturition. 75% of all reported cases were associated with type I Chiari malformation, though several disorders of the craniocervical junction and spinal canal were implicated. Complete syrinx regression was achieved in 33.3% of cases and 5% of cases described recurrence of syringomyelia following the spontaneous resolution.
CONCLUSION
Syringomyelia likely develops due to disturbance of the physiologic flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the craniocervical junction and the obex. Several mechanisms including fissuring of the spinal cord parenchyma and reduction of subarachnoid scarring are likely involved in this process. In the setting of pregnancy, additional mechanisms surrounding the increased intraabdominal forces imparted by a growing fetus, Valsalva-like strain experienced during labor, and hemodynamic changes that occur to accommodate gestation are likely implicated. Nevertheless, patients should continue to be monitored periodically for syrinx recurrence.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Adult; Syringomyelia; Arnold-Chiari Malformation; Subarachnoid Space; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Parturition
PubMed: 36049402
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107413