Neurosurgery Commons^™

Cd133 Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Literature Review, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Gohar Javed, Altaf Ali Laghari, Syeda Beenish Bareeqa, Saba Farrukh, Shajeeah Zahid, Syeda Sana Samar, Kashif Aziz

Section of Neurosurgery

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common primary brain tumor. Extensive research has been carried out to discover the factors associated with the course and progression of GBM. CD133 is a glycoprotein antigen found in normal and malignant tissues. CD133 has been recognized as a marker for the growth of cancer cells. The association between this tissue marker and GBM is being investigated. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of CD133 as a tumor marker for the prognosis of GBM.

Third Ventricular Tumors: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Gohar Javed, Altaf Ali Laghari, Syeda Benish Bareeqa, Kashif Aziz, Mehreen Khan, Syeda Sana Samar, Raja Azhar Humera, Alizay Rashid Khan, Muhammad Osama Farooqui, Amir Shahbaz

Section of Neurosurgery

Third ventricle tumors are uncommon and account for 0.6 - 0.9% of all the brain tumors. Tumors of the third ventricle are classified into primary tumors, such as colloid cysts, choroid plexus papillomas, and ependymomas, or secondary tumors, such as craniopharyngiomas, optic nerve gliomas, pineal tumors, and meningiomas. Third ventricular tumors are uncommon, and their treatment involves significant morbidity and mortality. The colloid cyst has a better surgical outcome and many approaches are available to achieve a complete cure. Choroid plexus papilloma is also a common tumor documented with its treatment majorly based on surgical resection. In addition to multiple …

Outcome Of Decompressive Craniectomy In Traumatic Closed Head Injury, Altaf Ali Laghari, Muhammad Ehsan Bari, Muhammad Waqas, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Karim Rizwan Nathani, Wardah Moazzam

Section of Neurosurgery

Objective: The aim of the current study was to observe functional outcomes of patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC) for raised intracranial pressure (ICP) after blunt head injury and to assess possible predictive factors.
Methodology: This study was a prospective cohort study which was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi over a period of 2 years (January 2015-December 2016). Adult patients, aged between 15 and 65 years of both genders undergoing DC during the study period were selected. Outcomes of DC were assessed at an interval of 3 months following injury using the Glasgow outcome score. The data were analyzed …

Tumour Treating Fields (Ttfs) For Recurrent And Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme, Farhan Ahmed, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

In the last decade, significant advances have been made in Glioblastoma Multiforme treatment with the novel use of alternating electrical fields, also termed as tumour treating fields (TTFs). This modality has shown promising results in recurrent and newly diagnosed GBM patients, and according to some, may soon be considered an addition to the previously known 'trifecta' of GBM standard of care, i.e., surgery, chemo and radiation therapy.Here we review the existing data on TTF for both recurrent and newly diagnosed GBM. This review does not discuss the limitations of TTF, especially from compliance and cost point of view.

Strategies To Increase Early Discharges To Decrease Hospital Length Of Stay And Avoidable Patient Days For Neuro-Spine Patients, Corey Fravert, Joy Moody, Mark Parker, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE MORNING DISCHARGES IN AN ACADEMIC TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Delays in patient discharge result in numerous negative impacts on the health care system. Amongst those are a reduced patient flow and satisfaction, long wait times, and physician/ staff frustration.

An inpatient neurotrauma unit initiated a performance improvement project that utilized a multidisciplinary approach to identify barriers to discharge and coordinate a discharge plan focused on neurospine patients.

A root cause analysis was conducted to collect reasons that these patients were not discharged by 11:00am. As a result of the findings, 4 performance improvement plans were created. Subsequent data collection …

Translational Evaluation Of Acid/Base And Electrolyte Alterations In Rodent Model Of Focal Ischemia, Sarah R. Martha, Lisa A. Collier, Stephanie M. Davis, Hilary A. Seifert, Christopher C. Leonardo, Craig T. Ajmo, Elspeth A. Foran, Justin F. Fraser, Keith R. Pennypacker

Neurology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acid/base and electrolytes could provide clinically valuable information about cerebral infarct core and penumbra. We evaluated associations between acid/base and electrolyte changes and outcomes in 2 rat models of stroke, permanent, and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

METHODS: Three-month old Sprague-Dawley rats underwent permanent or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Pre- and post-middle cerebral artery occlusion venous samples for permanent and transient models provided pH, carbon dioxide, oxygen, glucose, and electrolyte values of ionized calcium, potassium, and sodium. Multiple regression determined predictors of infarct volume from these values, and Kaplan-Meier curve analyzed morality between permanent and transient …

Tranexamic Acid For Significant Traumatic Brain Injury (The Crash-3 Trial): Statistical Analysis Plan For An International, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Ian Roberts, Antonio Belli, Amy Brenner, Rizwana Chaudhri, Bukola Fawole, Tim Harris, Rashid Jooma, Abda Mahmood, Temitayo Shokunbi, Haleema Shakur, Crash-3 Trial Collaborators

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Worldwide, traumatic brain injury (TBI) kills or hospitalises over 10 million people each year. Early intracranial bleeding is common after TBI, increasing the risk of death and disability. Tranexamic acid reduces blood loss in surgery and death due to bleeding in trauma patients with extra-cranial injury. Early administration of tranexamic acid in TBI patients might limit intracranial bleeding, reducing death and disability. The CRASH-3 trial aims to provide evidence on the effect of tranexamic acid on death and disability in TBI patients. We will randomly allocate about 13,000 TBI patients (approximately 10,000 within 3 hours of injury) to an …

Role Of Palliative Csf Diversion In Patients With Intracranial Metastatic Disease And Symptomatic Hydrocephalus, Farhan A. Mirza, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Hydrocephalus, unless treated, is one of the terminal manifestations of intracranial metastatic disease. Single lesions causing obstructive hydrocephalus are amenable to surgical resection, but in the setting of multiple lesions and communicating hydrocephalus from leptomeningeal disease, the approach to treatment is much less defined. The use of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) has been described, but data is limited. In this review, we summarize the sparse data available in literature describing the use of CSF diversion for patients with metastatic disease presenting with hydrocephalus and neurological decline.

Comparison Of Decompression Alone Versus Decompression With Fusion For Stenotic Lumbar Spine: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Gohar Javed, Syeda Beenish Bareeqa, Ali Shah, Maha Zubair, Rabbia Faisal Avedia, Noor Rahman, Syeda Sana Samar, Kashif Aziz

Section of Neurosurgery

The first line of treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (with or without lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis) involves conservative options such as anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. Approximately, 10%-15% of patients require surgery. Surgical treatment aims to decompress the spinal canal and dural sac from degenerative bony and ligamentous overgrowth. Different studies have given conflicting results. The aim of our study is to clear the confusion by comparing two surgical techniques. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was conducted of the Ovid Embase, Scopus, Pubmed, Ovid Medline, Google …

Quality Of Life Among Patients Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy For Traumatic Brain Injury Using Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended And Quality Of Life After Brain Injury Scale, Muhammad Waqas, Noor Malik, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Karim Rizwan Nathani, Sumia Andleeb Abbasi

Section of Neurosurgery

Objective: To assess quality of life of patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC) for traumatic brain injury and satisfaction of caregivers with outcomes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care urban center in Pakistan. All patients with severe traumatic brain injury who underwent DC and survived >6 months were included. Outcomes were assessed using 2 scales: Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury (QOLIBRI). The proforma was translated and validated into the national language. Patient caregivers were interviewed to ask if they would opt for DC in a similar situation in future. …

Biological Characteristics And Outcomes Of Gliosarcoma, Fauzan Alam Hashmi, Adnan Salim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Muhammad Ehsan Bari

Section of Neurosurgery

Gliosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary brain tumour. It is a relatively rare tumour and comprises of two histological components, glial and sarcomatous. Gliosarcomas carry a poorer prognosis than that of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). The current review highlights important histological and radiological features of gliosarcoma in the light of recent literature, and also touches upon the treatment options and outcomes of various types of gliosarcoma.

Development Of Criteria Highly Suggestive Of Spinal Tuberculosis, Gohar Javed, Altaf Ali Laghari, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Sarosh Madhani, Ahmed Ali Shah, Faizuddin Najmuddin, Reehana Khawaja

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: In a developing country there is a need for development of criteria that can be used for the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis, which is common in that region.
Methods: Demographic, clinical, and radiologic features of spinal tuberculosis and spinal epidural tumors have been compared statistically, and inferences have been drawn in terms of P values, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values.
Results: A statistically significant relationship was found between spinal tuberculosis and spinal pain, fever, gradually progressive lower limb weakness, contrast-enhancing epidural ± paravertebral lesions, continuous levels affected, spinal deformity, and raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Conclusions: …

Value Of Routine Preoperative Tests For Coagulation Before Elective Cranial Surgery. Results Of An Institutional Audit And A Nationwide Survey Of Neurosurgical Centers In Pakistan, Naveed Zaman, Muhammad Bilal Tariq, Saad Akhtar, Sidra Sattar, Wajeeha Tariq, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Samie Asghar

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Routine preoperative blood testing has become a dogma. The general practice is to order preoperative workup as a knee-jerk response rather than individualize it for each patient. The fact that the bleeding brain tends to swell, which coupled with limited options for proximal control, packing, and overall hemostasis, leads to an overemphasis on the preoperative coagulation profile.
Material and methods: This is a retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 for an elective craniotomy. The hospital registry was used to identify files for review. Data were …

Role Of Radiosurgery In Arteriovenous Malformations, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Gohar Javed, Syed Naseeb Uneeb, Syeda Benish Bareeqa, Manaal Haider, Syeda Sana Samar, Armighan Haider Ans, Muhammad Tayyab Shera

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) consist of an abnormal nidus of blood vessels that shunt blood directly from an artery to a vein and thereby bypass an intervening capillary bed. AVMs may be found as an incidental finding. They may be associated with intracranial haemorrhage, seizures, headaches or neurological deficits. There are different treatment options for AVM. These include observation, microsurgery, Stereotactic radio surgery (SRS), endovascular embolization and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
Methods: Data was collected using searching engines like Pubmed, Google scholar, Embase, Cinahl and Medline. MeSH and Non-MeSH terms were used like Arterio-venous malformations, microsurgery, endovascular embolization.
Results: …

The Significance Of Mgmt Methylation In Glioblastoma Multiforme Prognosis, Aaida Mumtaz Rao, Ayesha Quddusi, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Methylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been extensively studied as a biomarker in predicting the prognosis of patients with GBM (Glioblastoma multiforme). Its significance has been studied in various subgroups, including age, gender and even race. Correlation between prognosis with MGMT methylation and different treatment regimens has also been studied in detail. There are multiple techniques to analyze MGMT methylation in tumour specimen. We review the current evidence for the importance of MGMT methylation as a biomarker for prognosis in GBM patients, the techniques to analyze it and the effect of epidemiologic factors on its significance.

Factors Affecting Functional Outcome After Decompressive Craniectomy Performed For Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study, Farid Khan, Arif Villani, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Ehsan Bari

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Factors affecting functional outcome after decompressive craniectomy (DC) performed for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain poorly understood.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who underwent primary DC for TBI at our hospital between 2010 and 2014. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of functional outcome and overall survival.
Results: A total of 98 patients with severe (n = 81, 82.6%) or moderate (n = 17, 17.4%) TBI underwent primary DC and were included in this study. The 30-day and overall mortality rates were 15.3% and 25.5%, respectively. At a median follow-up …

Descriptive Epidemiology Of Karachi Road Traffic Crash Mortality In 2015, Rashid Jooma, Masood Ali Shaikh

Section of Neurosurgery

The Karachi city's Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Center (RTIRPC), collects Road Traffic Crash (RTC) data on injuries and fatalities from three major public and private hospitals' emergency departments. In the year 2015, 1021 deaths were recorded; with 871 (85.3%) deaths in males. Cumulatively, 286 (28.0%) deaths were recorded in the 21-30year age group, and for 198 (19.4%) RTC fatal victims, the primary vehicle involved was motorbike. Highest number of fatalities were recorded in the month of January i.e. 153 (15.0%), while the lowest number was recorded for June, with 47 (4.6%) fatalities. RTIRPC is a unique surveillance system …

Simpson Grading As Predictor Of Meningioma Recurrence, Ayesha Quddusi, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Meningimas are one of the commonest primary brain tumours and the commonest extra-axial primary brain tumour. Despite better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the tumours, surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, and in a large proportion of cases, complete excision is curative. Simpson grading for the extent of resection of meningiomas, was introduced more than six decades ago, and has stood the test of time. With modern technological advancements, however, the relevance of Simpson grading has been questioned. Herein we review the recent literature on the relevance of Simpson grading more than sixty years after its introduction.

Management Of Arachnoid Cysts: A Comprehensive Review, Fatima Mustansir, Sanaullah Bashir, Aneela Darbar

Section of Neurosurgery

Arachnoid cysts are non-neoplastic, intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled spaces lined with arachnoid membranes. Large arachnoid cysts are often symptomatic because they compress surrounding structures; therefore, they must be treated surgically. As several surgical management options exist, we explore the best approach according to each major type of arachnoid cyst: middle cranial fossa cyst, suprasellar cyst, intrahemispheric cyst, and quadrigeminal cyst.

Resolution Of Gestational Gigantomastia With Termination Of Pregnancy, Syed Sarmad Bukhari, Haris Manan, Mah Muneer Khan, Syed Shahmeer Raza

Section of Neurosurgery

Less than 100 cases of gestational gigantomastia have been described in literature. The aetiology and risk factors are not well-established. Various treatments have been used with some consensus. We present the case of a 47-year-old female who presented to us with bilateral gigantomastia in her 16th week of gestation. She had massively enlarged breasts which were very painful. Relevant laboratory investigations were normal. An incisional biopsy done prior to, and two trucut samples at presentation to us, showed normal breast tissue proliferation. In the absence of adequate pain control, it was decided to electively terminate the pregnancy and give a …