Endovascular Temporary Balloon Occlusion for Microsurgical Clipping of Posterior Circulation Aneurysms

Based on the relationship between the posterior clinoid process and the basilar artery (BA) apex it may be difficult to obtain proximal control of the BA using temporary clips. Endovascular BA temporary balloon occlusion (TBO) can reduce aneurysm sac pressure, facilitate dissection/clipping, and finally lower the risk of intraoperative rupture. We present our experience with TBO during aneurysm clipping of posterior circulation aneurysms within the setting of a hybrid operating room (hOR). We report one case each of a basilar tip, posterior cerebral artery, and superior cerebellar artery aneurysm that underwent surgical occlusion under TBO within an hOR. Surgical exposure of the BA was achieved with a pterional approach and selective anterior and posterior clinoidectomy. Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (iDSA) was performed prior, during, and after aneurysm occlusion. Two patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and one patient presented with an unruptured aneurysm. The intraluminal balloon was inserted through the femoral artery and inflated in the BA after craniotomy to allow further dissection of the parent vessel and branches needed for the preparation of the aneurysm neck. No complications during balloon inflation and aneurysm dissection occurred. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture prior to clipping did not occur. The duration of TBO varied between 9 and 11 min. Small neck aneurysm remnants were present in two cases (BA and PCA). Two patients recovered well with a GOS 5 after surgery and one patient died due to complications unrelated to surgery. Intraoperative TBO within the hOR is a feasible and safe procedure with no additional morbidity when using a standardized protocol and setting. No relevant side effects or intraoperative complications were present in this series. In addition, iDSA in an hOR facilitates the evaluation of the surgical result and 3D reconstructions provide documentation of potential aneurysm remnants for future follow-up

Immunity in malignant brain tumors: Tumor entities, role of immunotherapy, and specific contribution of myeloid cells to the brain tumor microenvironment

Malignant brain tumors lack effective treatment, that can improve their poor overall survival achieved with standard of care. Advancement in different cancer treatments has shifted the focus in brain tumor research and clinical trials toward immunotherapy-based approaches. The investigation of the immune cell landscape revealed a dominance of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Their exact roles and functions are the subject of ongoing research. Current evidence suggests a complex interplay of tumor cells and myeloid cells with competing functions toward support vs. control of tumor growth. Here, we provide a brief overview of the three most abundant brain tumor entities: meningioma, glioma, and brain metastases. We also describe the field of ongoing immunotherapy trials and their results, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccination studies, oncolytic viral therapy, and CAR-T cells. Finally, we summarize the phenotypes of microglia, monocyte-derived macrophages, border-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and potential novel therapy targets

Lumbar Epidural Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pure epidural cavernous hemangioma (ECH) of the spine are rare and account for only 4% of all epidural spinal lesions. We report a case of epidural cavernoma at L3/4 presenting with L4 radiculopathy. Radiological, intraoperative findings and histopathology are presented. We present the case of a 56-year-old man who was admitted with a right L4 radiculopathy including an M4 paresis of the right leg, hypoesthesia L4, and radicular pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed an extradural lesion L3/4 partially expanding into the right intervertebral foramen. The lesion had a heterogeneous signal, isointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on proton density (PD) and T2-weighted images. At surgery, an epidural, ovoid, gray-red, soft mass, lightly adherent to the dura and extending to the right L4 foramen was observed. Findings in the histological examination indicated a cavernous hemangioma without signs of hemorrhage. Symptoms and paresis improved rapidly after surgery. The follow-up MRI showed complete resection of the lesion with no signs of radicular compression. Spinal ECH should be considered as a cause of chronic lumbar radiculopathy with atypical radiological findings. Early diagnosis and total removal of the spinal ECH might prevent hemorrhage and neurological deficits. Fewer than 50 cases of lumbar epidural spinal hemangioma have been reported until today, and our case report is adding valuable knowledge to the existing literature

Clinical implications of vertebral endplate disruptions after lumbar discectomy: 3-year results from a randomized trial of a bone-anchored annular closure device

Objective: Vertebral endplate disruptions (VEPD) are common findings on imaging after lumbar surgery. The objective of this study was to explore the clinical implications of VEPD development following lumbar discectomy with or without implant with a bone-anchored annular closure device (ACD). Methods: This was a multicenter randomized controlled trial of patients with large post-surgical annular defects after limited lumbar discectomy who were randomized to addition-ally receive an ACD or no additional treatment. VEPD were identified on computed tomography and confirmed by an imaging core laboratory. Clinical outcomes included recurrent herniation, reoperation, Oswestry Disability Index, leg pain, and back pain. Patient follow-up in this study was 3 years. Results: In the ACD group (n=272), the risk of reoperation was lower in patients with vs without VEPD (8% vs 24%, p<0.01), but no other clinical outcomes differed when stratified by VEPD prevalence or size. In the Control group (n=278), the risk of symptomatic reherniation was higher in patients with VEPD (41% vs 23%, p<0.01) and patients with the largest VEPD had the highest reoperation rates. Patient-reported outcomes were not associated with VEPD prevalence or size in the Control group. Conclusion: VEPD had no significant influence on patient-reported outcomes at 3 years after lumbar discectomy. VEPD increased the risk of recurrence in patients treated with lumbar discectomy only, but had no negative influence in patients treated with the ACD