No abstract

Objective To prevent complications following decompressive craniectomy (DC), such as sinking skin flap syndrome, studies suggested early cranioplasty (CP). However, several groups reported higher complication rates in early CP. We studied the clinical characteristics associated with complications in patients undergoing CP, with special emphasis on timing. Methods A single-center observational cohort study was performed, including all patients undergoing CP from 2006 to 2018, to identify predictors of complications. Results 145 patients underwent CP: complications occurred in 33 (23%): 18 (12%) epi/subdural hemorrhage, 10 (7%) bone flap infection, 4 (3%) hygroma requiring drainage, and 1 (1%) post-CP hydrocephalus. On univariate analysis, acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC, symptomatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow disturbance (hydrocephalus) prior to CP, and CP within three months after DC were associated with higher complication rates. On multivariate analysis, only acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC (OR 7.5; 95% CI 1.9-29.5) and symptomatic CSF flow disturbance prior to CP (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-7.9) were associated with higher complication rates. CP performed within three months after DC was not (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.5-3.9). Pre-CP symptomatic CSF flow disturbance was the only variable associated with the occurrence of epi/ subdural hemorrhage. (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.6-9.0) Conclusion Cranioplasty has high complication rates, 23% in our cohort. Contrary to recent systematic reviews, early CP was associated with more complications (41%), explained by the higher incidence of pre-CP CSF flow disturbance and acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC. CP in such patients should therefore be performed with highest caution.

BackgroundA frequent complication in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is recurrent bleeding from the aneurysm. The risk is highest within the first 6 hours after the initial hemorrhage. Securing the aneurysm within this timeframe is difficult owing to logistical delays. The rate of recurrent bleeding can also be reduced by ultra-early administration of antifibrinolytics, which probably improves functional outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ultra-early and short-term administration of the antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TXA), as add-on to standard SAH management, leads to better functional outcome.Methods/DesignThis is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label trial with blinded endpoint (PROBE) assessment. Adult patients with the diagnosis of non-traumatic SAH, as proven by computed tomography (CT) within 24 hours after the onset of headache, will be randomly assigned to the treatment group or the control group. Patients in the treatment group will receive standard treatment with the addition of a bolus of TXA (1 g intravenously) immediately after randomization, followed by continuous infusion of 1 g per 8 hours until the start of aneurysm treatment, or a maximum of 24 hours after the start of medication. Patients in the control group will receive standard treatment without TXA. The primary outcome measure is favorable functional outcome, defined as a score of 0 to 3 on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months after SAH. Primary outcome will be determined by a trial nurse blinded for treatment allocation. We aim to include 950 patients in 3 years.DiscussionThe strengths of this study are: 1. the ultra-early and short-term administration of TXA, resulting in a lower dose as compared to previous studies, which should reduce the risk for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), an important risk factor in the long-term treatment with antifibrinolytics; 2. the power calculation is based on functional outcome and calculated with use of recent study results of our own population, supported by data from prominent studies; and 3. the participation of several specialized SAH centers, and their referring hospitals, in the Netherlands with comparative treatment protocols.Trial registrationNederlands Trial Register (Dutch Trial Registry) number NTR3272

nabpaclitaxel, 12 (6•8%) received paclitaxel, 137 (77•8%) received gemcitabine-carboplatin in the study and 36 (20•5%) had previously received treatment with the same class of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy (appendix). We hope that Masuda and colleagues will find this additional information to be useful.

ObjectiveThe detailed outcome of surgical repair of high isolated clean sharp (HICS) ulnar nerve lesions has become relevant in view of the recent development of distal nerve transfer. Our goal was to determine the outcome of HICS ulnar nerve repair in order to create a basis for the optimal management of these lesions.MethodsHigh ulnar nerve lesions are defined as localized in the area ranging from the proximal forearm to the axilla just distal to the branching of the medial cord of the brachial plexus. A meta-analysis of the literature concerning high ulnar nerve injuries was performed. Additionally, a retrospective study of the outcome of nerve repair of HICS ulnar nerve injuries at our institution was performed. The Rotterdam Intrinsic Hand Myometer and the Rosén-Lundborg protocol were used.ResultsThe literature review identified 46 papers. Many articles presented outcomes of mixed lesion groups consisting of combined ulnar and median nerves, or the outcome of high and low level injuries was pooled. In addition, outcome was expressed using different scoring systems. 40 patients with HICS ulnar nerve lesions were found with sufficient data for further analysis. In our institution, 15 patients had nerve repair with a median interval between trauma and reconstruction of 17 days (range 0–516). The mean score of the motor and sensory domain of the Rosen's Scale instrument was 58% and 38% of the unaffected arm, respectively. Two-point discrimination never reached less then 12 mm.ConclusionFrom the literature, it was not possible to draw a definitive conclusion on outcome of surgical repair of HICS ulnar nerve lesions. Detailed neurological function assessment of our own patients showed that some ulnar nerve function returned. Intrinsic muscle strength recovery was generally poor. Based on this study, one might cautiously argue that repair strategies of HICS ulnar nerve lesions need to be improved.

BackgroundRecurrent bleeding is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Antifibrinolytic therapy is known to reduce recurrent bleeding, however, its beneficial effect on outcome remains unclear. The effect of treatment with tranexamic acid (TXA) until aneurysm treatment on clinical outcome is evaluated.MethodsPatients with an aSAH from two high-volume tertiary referral treatment centers in the Netherlands, Academic Medical Center (AMC) and Radboud University Medical Center (RUMC), between January 2012 and December 2015 were included. Patients were classified into one of two groups; standard treatment or TXA treatment. Demographic and clinical characteristics, in-hospital complications and clinical outcome were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for the influence of treatment center and baseline differences.ResultsStandard treatment was given in 509 patients, and 119 patients received additional TXA therapy before aneurysm occlusion. Patients treated with TXA did not experience less recurrent bleeding adjusted or unadjusted for treatment center (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.37–1.73). In-hospital mortality, was significantly lower in the TXA group than the standard care group (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.42, 95% CI: 0.20–0.85). Poor outcome (mRS 4–6) assessed after six months was not different between treatment groups (aOR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.64–1.74).ConclusionsPooled data from two high-volume treatment centers did not show improved clinical outcome after additional TXA treatment in aSAH patients. However, TXA treatment was associated with a decrease in mortality.

No abstract

Background: There is no consensus on optimal treatment for a chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). In patients with only moderate symptoms treatment with tranexamic acid (TXA) has been suggested. We report off-label use of TXA in seven patients. Methods: Between August 2016 and May 2018 we identified seven patients for primary conservative treatment with TXA until satisfactory clinical and radiological status was achieved. Primary outcome was surgery for cSDH evacuation. Radiological follow-up was performed at regular intervals for hematoma volume measurements. Results: Five patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms, one patient had a burr-hole craniostomy five days after initiation of TXA treatment due to an increase of left-sided weakness and dysarthria and in one patient symptoms did not improve. Median follow-up was 15 weeks (range 6-25, without the operated patient). The median total volume before start of treatment was 83 mL (range 11-137) for all patients. At the last follow-up, the median total volume in the non-operated patients decreased by 73% to 33 mL (range 0-77). Conclusions: TXA could be considered as primary medical treatment in patients with a cSDH and mild symptoms. The results of current randomized clinical trials must be awaited.