More questions than answers to the diagnosis and management of cauda equina syndrome-Authors' reply

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Presentation, management, and outcomes of cauda equina syndrome up to one year after surgery, using clinician and participant reporting: a multi-centre prospective cohort study

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral spine, usually due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Evidence for management of CES is limited by its infrequent occurrence and lack of standardised clinical definitions and outcome measures. Methods: This is a prospective multi-centre observational cohort study of adults with CES in the UK. We assessed presentation, investigation, management, and all Core Outcome Set domains up to one year post-operatively using clinician and participant reporting. Univariable and multivariable associations with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and urinary outcomes were investigated. Findings: In 621 participants with CES, catheterisation for urinary retention was required pre-operatively in 31% (191/615). At discharge, only 13% (78/616) required a catheter. Median time to surgery from symptom onset was 3 days (IQR:1–8) with 32% (175/545) undergoing surgery within 48 h. Earlier surgery was associated with catheterisation (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.5–3.3) but not with admission ODI or radiological compression. In multivariable analyses catheter requirement at discharge was associated with pre-operative catheterisation (OR:10.6, 95%CI:5.8–20.4) and one-year ODI was associated with presentation ODI (r = 0.3, 95%CI:0.2–0.4), but neither outcome was associated with time to surgery or radiological compression. Additional healthcare services were required by 65% (320/490) during one year follow up. Interpretation: Post-operative functional improvement occurred even in those presenting with urinary retention. There was no association between outcomes and time to surgery in this observational study. Significant healthcare needs remained post-operatively. Funding: DCN Endowment Fund funded study administration. Castor EDC provided database use. No other study funding was received

External validation of brain arteriovenous malformation haemorrhage scores, AVICH, ICH and R2eD

PURPOSE: To externally validate the arteriovenous malformation-related intracerebral haemorrhage (AVICH), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and novel haemorrhage presentation risk score (R2eD) in brain arteriovenous malformations. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed radiologically with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) at a tertiary neurosurgical centre between 2007 and 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Both the AVICH and ICH scores were calculated for AVM-related symptomatic haemorrhage (SH) and compared against the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge and last follow-up, with unfavourable outcome defined as mRS > 2. R2eD scores were stratified based on presentation with SH. External validity was assessed using Harrel’s C-statistic. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty patients were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.2 years [SD = 16.5]). Eighty-seven patients (34.8%) had a SH, with 83 included in the analysis. Unfavourable mRS outcome was seen in 18 (21.6%) patients at discharge and 18 (21.6%) patients at last follow-up. The AVICH score C-statistic was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.80) at discharge and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.56–0.84) at last follow-up. The ICH score C-statistic was 0.78 (95% CI 0.67–0.88), at discharge and 0.80 (95% CI 0.69–0.91) at last follow-up. The R2eD score C-statistic for predicting AVM haemorrhage was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.53–0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The AVICH score showed fair-poor performance, while the ICH score showed good-fair performance. The R2eD score demonstrated poor performance, and its clinical utility in predicting AVM haemorrhage remains unclear

Beyond Antoni:A Surgeon's Guide to the Vestibular Schwannoma Microenvironment

Introduction  Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are histologically benign tumors arising from cranial nerve VIII. Far from a homogenous proliferation of Schwann cells, mounting evidence has highlighted the complex nature of the inflammatory microenvironment in these tumors. Methods  A review of the literature pertaining to inflammation, inflammatory molecular pathways, and immune-related therapeutic targets in VS was performed. Relevant studies published up to June 2020 were identified based on a literature search in the PubMed and MEDLINE databases and the findings were synthesized into a concise narrative review of the topic. Results  The VS microenvironment is characterized by a dense infiltrate of inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages. Significantly higher levels of immune cell infiltration are observed in growing versus static tumors, and there is a demonstrable interplay between inflammation and angiogenesis in growing VS. While further mechanistic studies are required to ascertain the exact role of inflammation in angiogenesis, tumor growth, and Schwann cell control, we are beginning to understand the key molecular pathways driving this inflammatory microenvironment, and how these processes can be monitored and targeted in vivo . Conclusion  Observational research has revealed a complex and heterogeneous tumor microenvironment in VS. The functional landscape and roles of macrophages and other immune cells in the VS inflammatory infiltrate are, however, yet to be established. The antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab has shown the efficacy of targeted molecular therapies in VS and there is hope that agents targeting another major component of the VS microenvironment, inflammation, will also find a place in their future management

The clinical, genetic, and immune landscape of meningioma in patients with NF2-schwannomatosis.

NF2-schwannomatosis is the most common genetic predisposition syndrome associated with meningioma. Meningioma in NF2-schwannomatosis is a major source of morbidity and mortality. This is due to accumulative tumor burden in patients with synchronous schwannomas and ependymomas, sometimes including complex collision tumors. Balancing the impact of multiple interventions against the natural history of various index tumors, and the ongoing risk of de novo tumors over an individual's lifetime makes decision-making complex. The management of any given individual meningioma is often different from a comparable sporadic tumor. There is typically a greater emphasis on conservative management and tolerating growth until a risk boundary is reached, whereby symptomatic deterioration or higher risk from anticipated future treatment is threatened. Management by high-volume multidisciplinary teams improves quality of life and life expectancy. Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for symptomatic and rapidly enlarging meningioma. Radiotherapy has an important role but carries a higher risk compared to its use in sporadic disease. Whilst bevacizumab is effective in NF2-associated schwannoma and cystic ependymoma, it has no value in the management of meningioma. In this review, we describe the natural history of the disease, underlying genetic, molecular, and immune microenvironment changes, current management paradigms, and potential therapeutic targets