Spike‐associated networks and intracranial electrographic findings

Aims. Functional connectivity is providing new insights into the network nature of epilepsy with growing clinical applications. Our objective was to validate a novel magnetoencephalography‐based method to non‐invasively measure the epileptic network. Methods. We retrospectively identified pediatric and adult patients with refractory focal epilepsy who underwent pre‐surgical magnetoencephalography with subsequent intracranial electrographic monitoring. Magnetoencephalography tracings were visually reviewed, and interictal epileptiform discharges (“spikes”) were individually marked. We then evaluated differences in whole‐brain connectivity during brief epochs preceding the spikes and during the spikes using the Network‐Based Statistic to test differences at the network level. Results. In six patients with statistically‐significant network differences, we observed substantial overlap between the spike‐associated networks and electrographically active areas identified during intracranial monitoring (the spike‐associated network was 78% and 83% sensitive for intracranial electroencephalography‐defined regions in the irritative and seizure onset zones, respectively). Conclusion. These findings support the neurobiological validity of the spike‐associated network method. Assessment of spike‐associated networks has the potential to improve surgical planning in epilepsy surgery patients by identifying components of the epileptic network prior to implantation.     

比较手术夹闭和介入栓塞治疗颅内未破裂动脉瘤安全性和有效性的Meta分析

目的比较手术夹闭和介入栓塞治疗颅内未破裂动脉瘤的安全性和有效性。方法计算机检索1990至2018年颅内未破裂动脉瘤的所有临床对照研究。两名研究员分别纳入研究、提取数据、质量评价并应用Rev Man5. 0软件进行数据处理。结果最终纳入21篇文献,病例数109114例。Meta分析结果提示:手术夹闭组动脉瘤闭塞率为88. 2%,平均住院时间7. 7天,均高于介入栓塞组的65. 3%和4. 1天,P 0. 05。介入组患者的短期死亡率和致残率分别为0. 61%和2. 1%,均低于手术组的1. 27%和4. 7%,P 0. 05。介入组患者的1年期死亡率和致残率(2. 5%、2. 5%)均与手术组(2. 2%、1. 8%)无明显差异,P 0. 05。漏斗图未发现发表偏倚。敏感性分析结果一致。结论介入栓塞相比于手术夹闭可缩短患者的住院时间,降低患者的短期不良预后发生率。但是动脉瘤的闭塞率较低,1年期预后与手术夹闭无明显差异。据此推测手术夹闭患者的长期预后可能要好于介入栓塞,手术夹闭更适合于年轻患者。     

High plasma microfibrillar-associated protein 4 is associated with reduced surgical repair in abdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveIdentifying biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) could prove beneficial in prognosis of AAA and thus the selection for treatment. Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an extracellular matrix protein that is highly expressed in aorta. MFAP4 is involved in several tissue remodeling-related diseases. We aimed to investigate the potential role of plasma MFAP4 (pMFAP4) as a biomarker of AAA.MethodsPlasma samples and data were obtained for 504 male AAA patients and 188 controls in the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) screening trial. The pMFAP4 levels were measured by Alphalisa. The Mann-Whitney U test assessed differences in pMFAP4 levels between the presence and absence of different exposures of interest. The correlation between pMFAP4 and aorta growth rate were investigated through spearman's correlation analysis. Immunohistochemistry and multiple logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders assessed the association between pMFAP4 and AAA. Multiple linear regression assessed the correlation between pMFAP4 and aorta growth rate. Cox regression and competing risk regression were used to investigate the correlation between AAA patients with upper tertile pMFAP4 and the risk of undergoing later surgical repair.ResultsA significant negative correlation between pMFAP4 and aorta growth rate was observed using spearman's correlation analysis (ρ = −0.14; P = .0074). However, this finding did not reach significance when applying multiple linear regression. A tendency of decreased pMFAP4 was observed in AAA using immunohistochemistry. Competing risk regression adjusted for potential confounders indicated that patients with upper tertile pMFAP4 had a hazard ratio of 0.51 (P = .001) for risk of undergoing later surgical repair.ConclusionsHigh levels of pMFAP4 are associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving surgical repair in AAA. This observation warrants confirmation in an independent cohort.     

Multiple pipeline embolization devices improves aneurysm occlusion without increasing morbidity: A single center experience of 140 cases

IntroductionRates of aneurysm occlusion with the pipeline embolization device (PED) has varied widely in the literature from 55.7% to 93.3% at 6 months, which may reflect a difference in technique including sizing and number of devices used.Methods140 cases at our institution were retrospectively reviewed, and aneurysms treated with a single PED vs. multiple were compared.ResultsComplete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 86.9% at 6 months, 91.8% at 1 year, and 97.6% at longest follow-up. Retreatment with an additional device was required in 7 (5.1%). Major and minor complication rate within 30 days was 1.4% and 5.0%, and at greater than 30 days was 0.8% and 3.1%.Patients treated with multiple PEDs had significantly higher rates of aneurysm occlusion at 6 months (92.9% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.017) and 12 months (98.4% vs. 81.1%, p = 0.014), with no difference in complications. The two groups were similar aside from a higher number of ophthalmic and paraophthalmic aneurysms treated with multiple PEDs (23.4% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.004; and 35.1% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.020), and more posterior communicating artery and recurrent aneurysms treated with a single PED (28.3% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.001; 23.9% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.031). The use of multiple PEDs was found to be an independent predictor of aneurysm occlusion in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.015).ConclusionsThe use of multiple PEDs for intracranial aneurysms leads to significantly higher occlusion rates without added morbidity. This benefit is particularly appropriate for ophthalmic segment aneurysms, while more distal segments with eloquent perforating branches should be managed with caution.     

脑脊液降钙素原及乳酸测定在早期诊断颅脑术后颅内感染的意义

目的研究降钙素原(PCT)及乳酸水平在早期诊断颅脑术后颅内感染的意义。方法颅脑术后颅内感染患者(n=20)和非颅内感染患者(n=20)的脑脊液和血液样本,检测脑脊液和血清PCT,脑脊液和血液乳酸水平等指标并进行统计分析。结果感染组脑脊液和血清PCT、乳酸水平较非感染组显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑脊液PCT和乳酸水平诊断敏感性及特异性均较血清PCT和乳酸水平高。结论脑脊液PCT、乳酸在颅脑手术术后颅内感染的诊断中均有意义,其中脑脊液PCT较乳酸敏感性更高,临床应用价值更大。     

Utility of INR For Prediction of Delayed Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Warfarin Users with Head Injury

BackgroundIncidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage (DICH) in patients on warfarin has been controversial. No previous literature has reported the utility of international normalized ratio (INR) in predicting traumatic DICH.ObjectivesUtilizing INR to risk stratify head trauma patients who may be managed without repeat imaging.MethodsThis was a retrospective study at a Level II trauma center. All patients on warfarin with head injuries from March 2014 to December 31, 2017 were included. Each patient underwent an initial head computed tomography scan (HCT) and subsequent repeat HCT 12 h after. Patients presenting > 12 h after head injury received only one HCT. Two blinded neuroradiologists reviewed each case of DICH. Statistical analysis evaluated Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), age, and platelet count.ResultsThere were 395 patients who qualified for the protocol; 238 were female. Average age was 79 years. Seventy-seven percent of patients underwent repeat HCT. Five resulted in DICH (INR 2.6–3.0), three of which might have been present on initial HCT; incidence rate of 0.51–1.27%. One patient required neurosurgical intervention. Among 80 patients with INR < 2, no DICH was identified, resulting in high sensitivity, but with a wide confidence interval; sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.8–100), specificity 21% (95% CI 16.6–28.9). Correlation of factors: ISS (p = 0.039), GCS (p = 0.978), HR (p = 0.601), SBP (p = 0.198), age (p = 0.014), and platelets (p = 0.281).ConclusionNo patient with INR < 2 suffered DICH, suggesting that warfarin users presenting with INR < 2 may be managed without repeat HCT. For INR > 2, patients age and injury severity can be used for shared decision-making to discharge home with standard head injury precautions and no repeat HCT.