SummaryBackgroundCerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) can cause symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), but the estimated risks are imprecise and predictors remain uncertain. We aimed to obtain precise estimates and predictors of the risk of ICH during untreated follow-up in an individual patient data meta-analysis.MethodsWe invited investigators of published cohorts of people aged at least 16 years, identified by a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE and Embase from inception to April 30, 2015, to provide individual patient data on clinical course from CCM diagnosis until first CCM treatment or last available follow-up. We used survival analysis to estimate the 5-year risk of symptomatic ICH due to CCMs (primary outcome), multivariable Cox regression to identify baseline predictors of outcome, and random-effects models to pool estimates in a meta-analysis.FindingsAmong 1620 people in seven cohorts from six studies, 204 experienced ICH during 5197 person-years of follow-up (Kaplan-Meier estimated 5-year risk 15·8%, 95% CI 13·7–17·9). The primary outcome of ICH within 5 years of CCM diagnosis was associated with clinical presentation with ICH or new focal neurological deficit (FND) without brain imaging evidence of recent haemorrhage versus other modes of presentation (hazard ratio 5·6, 95% CI 3·2–9·7) and with brainstem CCM location versus other locations (4·4, 2·3–8·6), but age, sex, and CCM multiplicity did not add independent prognostic information. The 5-year estimated risk of ICH during untreated follow-up was 3·8% (95% CI 2·1–5·5) for 718 people with non-brainstem CCM presenting without ICH or FND, 8·0% (0·1–15·9) for 80 people with brainstem CCM presenting without ICH or FND, 18·4% (13·3–23·5) for 327 people with non-brainstem CCM presenting with ICH or FND, and 30·8% (26·3–35·2) for 495 people with brainstem CCM presenting with ICH or FND.InterpretationMode of clinical presentation and CCM location are independently associated with ICH within 5 years of CCM diagnosis. These findings can inform decisions about CCM treatment.FundingUK Medical Research Council, Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government, and UK Stroke Association.

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The standard surgical treatment of hemorrhagic cerebral contusion is craniotomy with evacuation of the focal lesion. We assessed the safety and feasibility of performing decompressive craniectomy and duraplasty as the primary surgical intervention in this group of patients. Fifty-four consecutive patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of less than or equal to 8, a frontal or temporal hemorrhagic contusion greater than 20 cm(3) in volume, and a midline shift of at least 5 mm or cisternal compression on computer tomography (CT) scan were studied. Sixteen (29.7%) underwent traditional craniotomy with hematoma evacuation, and 38 (70.4%) underwent craniectomy as the primary surgical treatment. Mortality, reoperation rate, Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) scores, and length of stay in both the acute care and rehabilitation phase were compared between these two groups. Mortality (13.2% vs. 25.0%) and reoperation rate (7.9% vs. 37.5%) were lower in the craniectomy group, whereas the length of stay in both the acute care setting and the rehabilitation phase were similar between these two groups. The craniectomy group also had better GOSE score (5.55 vs. 3.56) at 6 months. Decompressive craniectomy is safe and effective as the primary surgical intervention for treatment of hemorrhagic contusion. This study also suggests that patient with hemorrhagic contusion can possibly have better outcome after craniectomy than other subgroup of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Our study demonstrates the prevalence and some appreciation of the natural history of aneurysmal wall enhancement and perianeurysmal brain edema following endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms. Aneurysmal wall enhancement is a common phenomenon while perianeurysmal edema is rare. These phenomena are likely related to the presence of inflammatory reaction near the aneurysmal wall. Both phenomena are usually asymptomatic and self-limited, and prophylactic treatment is not recommended.

Cisterna chyli is prone to injury in any retroperitoneal surgery. However, retroperitoneal chylous leakage is a rare complication after anterior spinal surgery. To the best of our knowledge, only ten cases have been reported in the English literature. We present a case of a 49-year-old man who had lumbar metastasis and associated radiculopathy. He had transient retroperitoneal chylous leakage after anterior tumor decompression, interbody bony fusion, and instrumental fixation from L2 to L4. The leakage stopped spontaneously after we temporarily clamped the drain tube. Intraperitoneal ascites accumulation developed thereafter due to nutritional loss and impaired hepatic reserves. We gathered ten reported cases of chylous leak after anterior thoracolumbar or lumbar spinal surgery, and categorized all these cases into two groups, depending on the integrity of diaphragm. Six patients received anterior spinal surgery without diaphragm splitting. Postoperative chylous leak stopped after conservative treatment. Another five cases received diaphragm splitting in the interim of anterior spinal surgery. Chylous leakage stopped spontaneously in four patients. The remaining one had a chylothorax secondary to postop chyloretroperitoneum. It was resolved only after surgical intervention. In view of these cases, all the chylous leakage could be spontaneously closed without complications, except for one who had a secondary chylothorax and required thoracic duct ligation and chemopleurodesis. We conclude that intraoperative diaphragm splitting or incision does not increase the risk of secondary chylothorax if it was closed tightly at the end of the surgery and the chest tube drainage properly done.

For patients with atrophic non-unions of femoral shaft fractures, ESWT can be used as an alternative and effective non-invasive method of treatment. ESWT treatment does not negatively influence/compromise previous surgeries and if needed it can be followed by additional surgeries without any complications.

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This study confirmed that during early SAH period, patients with and without complications presented different patterns of sympathovagal changes. LF/HF slope during the first 3 days was a significant predictor of secondary complications after SAH.