Objective To determine the natural history of the morphology of the median nerve after carpal tunnel decompression. Methods Between October and December 2014, patients with suspected carpal tunnel were prospectively enrolled and underwent pre- and postoperative (3 and 6 months) high-definition ultrasonography, electrophysiology, and clinical testing. Results A total of 81 patients were enrolled in the study; 75 (93%) could be reached for the 6-month follow-up, and 100% were clinically better at the 6-month follow-up. The mean cross-sectional area decreased from 14.3 ± 4.4 mm2 to 9.6 ± 2.3 mm2 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]). The mean distal motor latency decreased from 6.5 ± 2.2 msec to 4.4 ± 0.8 msec (mean ± SD). Distal motor latency improved statistically significantly after surgical decompression as well, but sooner. Conclusion We present the second largest series of patients with sonographic follow-up after surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel.
Abstract Background The role of reactive thrombocytosis in non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (NA-SAH) is largely unexplored to date. Therefore, the impact of a quantitative thrombocyte dynamic in patients with NA-SAH and its clinical relevance were analyzed in the present study. Methods In this retrospective analysis, 113 patients with nontraumatic and NA-SAH treated between 2003 and 2015 at our institution were included. World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies admission status, cerebral vasospasm, delayed infarction, hydrocephalus, need for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, and Fisher grade were analyzed for their association with reactive thrombocytosis. Results Reactive thrombocytosis was not associated with hydrocephalus (p ≥ 0.05), need for VP shunt implantation (p ≥ 0.05), cerebral vasospasm (p ≥ 0.05), or delayed cerebral ischemia (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion Our study is the first to investigate the role of thrombocyte dynamics, reactive thrombocytosis, and the clinical course of NA-SAH patients. Our analysis showed no significant impact of thrombocyte count on NA-SAH sequelae.
Abstract Objective As shown in a previous study, aneurysm location seems to influence prognosis in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We compared patients with ruptured aneurysms of anterior and posterior circulation, undergoing coil embolization, concerning differences in outcome and prognostic factors. Methods Patients with SAH were entered into a prospectively collected database. We retrospectively identified 307 patients with aneurysms of the anterior circulation (anterior cerebral artery, carotid bifurcation, and middle cerebral artery) and 244 patients with aneurysms of the posterior circulation (aneurysms of the basilar artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery, posterior communicating artery and posterior cerebral artery). All patients underwent coil embolization. The outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; favorable [mRS 0–2] vs. unfavorable [mRS 3–6]) 6 months after SAH. Results In interventionally treated aneurysms of the anterior and posterior circulation, statistically significant risk factors for poor outcome were worse admission status and severe cerebral vasospasm. If compared with patients with ruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation, patients with aneurysms of the posterior circulation had a significantly poorer admission status, and suffered significantly more often from an early hydrocephalus. Nonetheless, there were no differences in outcome or mortality rate between the two patient groups. Conclusion Patients with a ruptured aneurysm of the posterior circulation suffer more often from an early hydrocephalus and have a significantly worse admission status, possibly related to the untreated hydrocephalus. Nonetheless, the outcome and the mortality rate were comparable between ruptured anterior and posterior circulation aneurysms, treated by coil embolisation. Therefore, despite the poorer admission status of patients with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms, treatment of these patients should be considered.
Abstract Background World Health Organization (WHO) grade II low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in adults are rare, and patients' mean overall survival (OS) is relatively long. Epidemiological data on factors influencing tumor genesis and progression are scarce, and prospective data on surgical management are still lacking. Because of the molecular heterogeneity of LGG, a comprehensive molecular characterization is required for any clinical and epidemiological research. Further, a detailed radiologic assessment is needed as the only established objective criterion for progressive disease. Both radiologic and molecular assessments have to be standardized to produce comparable data. The aim of the registry is to improve the evidence for surgical management of LGG patients by establishing a multicenter registry with a strong surgical and clinical focus including mandatory biobanking. Methods The LoG-Glio project is a prospective national observational multicenter registry that began on November 1, 2015. Inclusion criteria encompass all patients > 18 years of age with a radiologic suspicion of LGG. Patients with severe neurologic or psychiatric disorders that may interfere with their informed consent or if there is no possibility for further follow-up are excluded. Diagnosis of glioblastoma WHO grade IV isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild type leads to a secondary exclusion of patients. In addition to demographic data, results of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, add-on for patients with brain tumors, and National Health Institute Stroke Scale before and after surgery and during regular follow-ups are collected. At each time point a detailed recording of surgical and adjuvant treatment is performed. Radiologic assessment involves three-dimensional (3D) acquisition of T1, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and T2 sequences. For the final evaluation, a central detailed neuropathologic and molecular assessment of tumor samples and a radiologic evaluation of imaging sets are part of the study protocol. Results We report the first 100 consecutively registered patients for LoG-Glio. Three patients dropped out due to loss of follow-up. Of the remaining recruited patients, 8 were classified as wait and scan; 89 had surgery. Using the inclusion criteria described previously, 70 patients had an IDH-mutated glioma, 10 had miscellaneous rare LGGs, and 8 patients had an IDH wild-type WHO grade II or III glioma. Conclusion The LoG-Glio registry has been successfully implemented. Applied selection criteria result in an appropriately balanced patient cohort. Short-term outcome data on epidemiology as well as the influence of current surgical techniques and adjuvant treatment on patient outcomes are expected. In the long run, the aim of the registry is to validate the new molecular-based WHO classification and the influence of the extent of resection on progression-free survival and OS. The registry provides an open platform for future research projects benefiting patients with LGG.