Risk factors for re-bleeding of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Meta-analysis of observational studies

Objective The mortality of re-bleeding following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is high, and surviving patients often have poor clinical condition and worse outcome than patients with a single bleed. In this study, we performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the most common risk factors for re-bleeding in this patient population, with the goal of providing neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-interventionalists with a simple and fast method to evaluate the re-bleeding risk for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Method We conducted a thorough meta-analysis of the risk factors associated with re-bleeding or re-rupture of intracranial aneurysms in cases published between 2000 and 2013. Pooled mean difference was calculated for the continuous variables (age), and pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated for categorical factors. If heterogeneity was significant (p<0.05), a random effect model was applied; otherwise, a fixed model was used. Testing for pooled effects and statistical significance for each potential risk factor were analyzed using Review Manager software. Results Our literature search identified 174 articles. Of these, only seven retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. These seven studies consisted of 2470 patients, 283 of which had aneurysmal re-bleeding, resulting in a weighted average rate of re-bleeding of 11.3% with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.1–12.6. In this population, sex (OR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.11–1.92), high systolic blood pressure [SBP] (OR 2.52; 95% CI: 1.40–4.53), aneurysm size (OR 3.00; 95% CI: 2.06–4.37), clinical condition (Hunt & Hess) (OR 4.94; 95% CI: 2.29,10.68), and Fisher grade (OR 2.29; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.61) were statistically significant risk factors for re-bleeding. Conclusion Sex, high SBP, high Fisher grade, aneurysm size larger than 10mm, and poor clinical condition were independent risk factors for aneurysmal re-bleeding. The importance of early aneurysm intervention and careful consideration of patient risk factors should be emphasized to eliminate the risk of re-bleeding and poor outcome

Benign Pulmonary Metastasizing Leiomyoma: A Case Report

Introduction: Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease, the first case of BML was reported by Steiner in 1939. It can affect any age group ranging from 30 to 75 years, but most commonly found in late childbearing period. Leiomyoma of the uterus can metastasize to different organs but lung is the most common site, hence the term pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (PBML) is used. PBML is mostly diagnosed incidentally on imaging studies for other conditions. It can occur many years after hysterectomy for Leiomyoma of uterus.Presentation of the cases: We report a case of a 51 years old lady with chronic cough and pulmonary nodules on a computerized  tomography (CT) scan. She was referred to our hospital for the management of the probable metastatic cancer. Her diagnosis was challenging but a past history of hysterectomy, radiological findings and the histopathology helped us to diagnose this rare condition of benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML).Conclusion: Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma is rare benign disease. It should be considered as the probable diagnosis in a female patient with pulmonary nodules and a previous history of surgery for leiomyoma of uterus.  Pathological differentiation from leiomyosarcoma and other malignant metastatic condition is essential. Prognosis of PBML after surgical and/ or hormonal treatment is good

Surgical techniques in radiation induced temporal lobe necrosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Background Radiation induced brain injury ranges from acute reversible edema to late, irreversible radiation necrosis. Radiation induced temporal lobe necrosis is associated with permanent neurological deficits and occasionally progresses to death. Objective We present our experience with surgery on radiation induced temporal lobe necrosis (RTLN) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with special consideration of clinical presentation, surgical technique, and outcomes. Method This retrospective study includes 12 patients with RTLN treated by the senior author between January 2010 and December 2014. Patients initially sought medical treatment due to headache; other symptoms were hearing loss, visual deterioration, seizure, hemiparesis, vertigo, memory loss and agnosia. A temporal approach through a linear incision was performed for all cases. RTLN was found in one side in 7 patients, and bilaterally in 5. 4 patients underwent resection of necrotic tissue bilaterally and 8 patients on one side. Results No death occurred in this series of cases. There were no post-operative complications, except 1 patient who developed aseptic meningitis. All 12 patients were free from headache. No seizure occurred in patients with preoperative epilepsy. Other symptoms such as hemiparesis and vertigo improved in all patients. Memory loss, agnosia and hearing loss did not change post-operatively in all cases. The follow-up MR images demonstrated no recurrence of necrotic lesions in all 12 patients. Conclusion Neurosurgical intervention through a temporal approach with linear incision is warranted in patients with radiation induced temporal lobe necrosis with significant symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure, minimum space occupying effect on imaging, or neurological deterioration despite conservative management

Factors associated with recurrence of postoperative meningioma: A clinical study of 138 patients

Background and purpose: As the postoperative recurrence of meningioma can have devastating effects, it is important to identify factors that can be used to predict this type of tumor recurrence.Material and methods: We have performed a retrospective study involving 138 patients who were surgically treated for intracranial meningioma between 2005 and 2010. The patient population consisted of 80 females and 58 males, with an age range of 23 to 77 years old (mean age = 52 years). We measured associations between meningioma recurrence and clinical features (age, sex, extent of resection, histological type), or radiological features (tumor size, location, shape, calcification, bone changes, brain tumor interface, tumor necrosis, and MRI enhancement).Results: We found statistically higher levels of postoperative meningioma recurrence in patients with high Simpson grade resections, high histological types, tumor diameters > 5 cm, tumors located in the base of the skull or the parasagittal sinus, tumors with unclear border, irregular enhancements on MRI, edema around the tumor, bleeding and necrosis within the tumor, and irregularly shaped tumors (e.g., lobulated or mushroom-shaped). In addition, calcification, age, sex, bone change, and dural tail sign provided no predictive value.Conclusions: We have shown that histological type, degree of resection, bleeding, necrosis, edema, irregular enhancement, location, shape, size, and margin serve as strong predictors for the postoperative recurrence of meningioma tumors

Factors associated with outcomes in ruptured aneurysmal patients: Clinical Study of 80 Patients

Background: Due to insufficient data in the literature, the optimal timing for surgical intervention for ruptured intracranial aneurysms is still controversial. Some practitioners advocate early surgery, but others not. It is important to identify other factors that can be used to predict poor prognosis in ruptured intracranial aneurysm patients. Objective: To determine the influence of timing of clipping surgery, and other factors on the outcomes of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in Hunt & Hess I~III grade patients. Method: We have performed a retrospective study involving 80 patients who were surgically treated for ruptured intracranial aneurysm between 2007 and 2012. The patient population consisted of 50(62.5%) females and 30(37.5%) males, with an age range of 12 to 75 years old, mean age 52.33 ± 10.63 years. We measured association between the Glasgow Outcome Scores and Sex, timing of clipping surgery, aneurysm location and pre-operative patient's neurological condition using famous Hunt and Hess grade system. Results: We did not find any correlation between the outcomes of ruptured intracranial aneurysm patients and timing (early, intermediate, late stage) of clipping, sex, aneurysm location. Whereas there is a significant correlation between patients outcomes and pre-operative patient neurological condition (Hunt & Hess grade). Conclusion: Timing of Surgery (early, intermediate, late) does not affect outcomes in low Hunt and Hess grade patients I~III. Whereas neurological condition (Hunt & Hess) has strong impact on postoperative outcomes. Others factors like sex, Age, Aneurysm location have no effect on outcomes in ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Risk Factors for Re-bleeding of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Systemic Review and Meta Analysis

Objective: The mortality of re-bleeding is high and patients surviving are usually in poor clinical condition and have a worse outcome than patients with single bleed. We performed an update systemic review and Meta-analysis to determine the most common risk factors for re-bleeding in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.Method: We reviewed all publications on the risk factors of the re-bleeding or re-rupture of already bled intracranial aneurysms. This Meta analysis included studies published from the year 2000 until 2013. Pooled mean difference was calculated for the continuous variables (Age), and pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated for categorical factors. Heterogeneity was tested first. If it is significant (p<0.05), random effect model was applied, otherwise, fixed model was used. Software - Review manager was used to find pooled effects and perform significant test for each potential risk factor.Results: We identified 174 articles. Only 7 retrospective studies had met the inclusion criteria, with 2470 patients, 283 patients had aneurysmal re-bleeding. The weighted average rate of re-bleeding is 11.3% with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.1-12.6. Statistically significant risk factor for re-bleeding were sex (OR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.92), high systolic blood pressure [SBP] (OR 2.52; 95% CI: 1.40, 4.53), aneurysm size (OR 3.00; 95% CI: 2.06-4.37), clinical condition (Hunt & Hess) (OR 4.94; 95% CI: 2.29, 10.68), and Fisher Grade (OR 2.29; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.61).Conclusion: Sex, high SBP, high Fisher Grade, aneurysm size larger than 10 mm, and patients with poor clinical condition (Hunt & Hess) were independent risk factors for aneurysmal re-bleeding. The importance of early aneurysm intervention should be emphasized to eliminate the risk of re-bleeding and poor outcome

Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery Effectively Treats Refractory Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Review

Abstract Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) formation mechanism is very complex, and has not entirely understood. It represents a frequent type of intracranial hemorrhage, and is very common disease in Neurosurgery practice, especially in older patients. Various surgical treatments have been proposed for the treatment of CSDH. The rate of recurrence in CSDH after surgery ranges from 5% to 30%, repeated surgery must be considered. But in some cases subdural collections are still persistent. Endovascular embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) is an option for treatment of refractory CSDH. We review all cases that were treated with embolization to assess the effect of this intervention. Our review revealed 6 papers with a total enrollment of 14 patients were treated with MMA embolization for refractory chronic subdural hematoma without any postoperative complication or recurrence. In this study we suggest MMA embolization as an alternative for treatment of non-curable CSDH, especially for old people with systematic diseases, who cannot tolerate repeat surgery