The goal of dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) treatment is obliteration of the arteriovenous shunt and/or retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (RLVD). Single-session obliteration could improve symptoms early and reduce risk of neurological sequelae. This study investigated the efficacy and adverse events of endovascular therapy (EVT) aiming for single-session obliteration in dAVF treatment. We retrospectively examined post-treatment arteriovenous shunt status, number of treatments per case, treatment-related complications, and long-term outcome in 92 dAVF patients who underwent initial EVT at our institution. Single-session obliteration was intended in all cases, but a second session was performed in cases of partial shunt occlusion or remaining RLVD. Complete occlusion was achieved in 85 cases (92.4%) after the single session; RLVD was obliterated in 66 of the 67 Borden type II and III cases combined (98.5%). A second session was necessary in seven cases (7.6%). Complete shunt obliteration was eventually achieved in all cases. The average number of treatments was 1.08 per case. dAVF-related stroke and mortality did not occur after the treatment. On the other hand, radiation-induced skin erythema and alopecia, although all symptoms were transient, occurred in 26 cases (28.3%). Over an average 60.2-month follow-up period, recurrence was observed in seven cases (7.6%). Single-session obliteration was successful in 92% of cases. Especially, single-session obliteration of RLVD may contribute to early prevent of future stroke events. However, reducing total radiation dose during each session is an issue of further study.

Seizures are common neurological emergencies that occasionally cause prolonged impairment of consciousness. The aim of this retrospective single-center study is to clarify factors associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness for admitted adult patients investigating patient backgrounds, blood tests, electroencephalographic patterns, and MRI findings. The patients who were admitted to the hospital due to epileptic seizures were classified into two groups: (1) early recovery group, in which patients recovered their consciousness within 6 hr, and (2) delayed recovery group, in which patients showed impairment of consciousness more than 6 hr. Factors associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness were compared between these groups. In this study, 42 cases (33 patients), with a mean age of 67.8 years, were included. Fifteen cases (13 patients) and 27 cases (20 patients) were classified into the early and delayed recovery groups, respectively. The populations of older patients and patients from a nursing home were significantly higher in the delayed recovery group. With regard to radiological analyses, a high grade of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), high Evans index score, and enlarged bilateral atrial widths were significantly associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness. Multivariable analyses showed that a high grade of PVH was significantly associated with delayed recovery of consciousness independent of age and status epilepticus. In conclusion, we proposed that diffuse white matter degeneration around the lateral ventricles contributes to prolonged impairment of consciousness.

As headache is known as one of the most common symptoms in the patients with Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1), it is difficult to find out CM1-related headache among the symptoms because headache itself is commonly seen. Herein, we retrospectively review the cases of six CM1 patients complaining only of headache by which they complained of deterioration in daily life activities. The symptom of headache worsened during anteflexion (n = 2; 33%), retroflexion (n = 1; 17%), jumping (n = 3; 50%), going up the stairs (n = 1; 17%), and running (n = 1; 17%). Mean age at the onset was 15.7 years old (ranging 11–18) and four out of six were female. These inductive factors were clearly different from “Valsalva-like maneuvers,” although the mechanism might originate from dynamic tonsil changes. We named these headaches as “motion-specific.” These headaches radiated to the posterior side. MRI revealed that the extent of tonsillar ectopia was 11.3 mm, while syringomyelia was observed in three out of six patients (50%). All patients underwent surgical treatment, with the “motion-specific headache” completely disappearing 12.5 days thereafter. Although headaches are common, “motion-specific headache” may be a good candidate symptom to distinguish CM1 patients, especially among teenagers with headaches, and a good predictor for favorable outcomes after surgical treatment.

The carotid sinus reflex (CSR) is a rare complication of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) deployment. No study has assessed the potential risk factors in a case series. The purpose of this study was to examine CSR triggering during PED deployment. Thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent PED deployment were included. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics, PED deployment time, and vital signs during the procedure. The vital signs included the pulse rate (PR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) obtained at three timepoints (pre-deployment, during deployment, post-deployment). We examined the triggering of the CSR during PED deployment by comparing the vital signs at the three timepoints. Moreover, risk factors for CSR were analyzed with univariate analysis. The patients’ average age was 66.3 years. The average size of the aneurysm was 18.0 mm. Six patients (16.2%) showed a decline in the SBP or PR defined as CSR. One patient had a transient cardiac arrest and two had severe transient bradycardia. Deployment into the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (C2 segment) aneurysm (p = 0.022), prolonged PED deployment time more than 14.5 minutes (p = 0.005), and an acute angle of the anterior genu less than 51.5 degrees (p = 0.005) were risk factors in triggering CSR. CSR may be triggered during PED deployment under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Deployment to the C2 segment aneurysm, prolonged PED deployment time, and an acute angle of the anterior genu were associated with CSR triggering.

Schwannomas of the trochlear nerve are relatively rare, and most patients present with preoperative diplopia because of trochlear nerve palsy. We describe the case of a 61-year-old male patient with a trochlear nerve schwannoma and no pre- and postoperative diplopia, despite his trochlear nerve being cut during the operation. We aimed to investigate the frequency of postoperative diplopia associated with intraoperative trochlear nerve disturbance by reviewing previous case reports, wherein postoperative diplopia did not occur after the trochlear nerve was cut intraoperatively. We recorded the frequency of diplopia because of intraoperative trochlear nerve disturbance, such as the trochlear nerve being cut, in cases without pre- and postoperative diplopia. We searched the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases for works published from 1976 to 2020 and followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. We reviewed 36 publications and found 92 cases of trochlear nerve schwannoma. Surgical resection was performed for 43 patients, of whom 40 were kept under observation and 9 were treated with radiation therapy. Of the 43 cases, 9 without preoperative diplopia underwent gross total resection. We analyzed ten cases (including ours) without preoperative diplopia to check for postoperative diplopia. In total, four cases, including ours, did not display postoperative diplopia despite the trochlear nerve being cut. This may be attributed to the preoperatively acquired motor and sensory fusion in the patient’s vision because of tumor progression. Our findings may benefit neurosurgeons who treat patients with schwannomas and help them predict patients’ outcomes.

Lumbar foraminal stenosis is a common disorder, with surgical treatment varying from simple decompression to interbody fusion. It is often associated with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, but the effects of scoliosis on outcomes are unclear. The objectives of this study were to clarify long-term outcomes after microsurgical decompression of lumbar foraminal stenosis through Wiltse’s approach and to determine the effects of scoliosis on these outcomes. A total of 86 consecutive patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis were prospectively followed after microsurgical decompression. They were categorized in multiple subcohorts with follow-up durations ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Outcomes were assessed using the Short Form 36 questionnaire (average physical scores and bodily pain scores). Local Cobb angle of the operative segment was measured preoperatively, and its effects on outcomes were analyzed. Average physical scores improved significantly from 33.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.1–38.5) preoperatively to 59.5 (95% CI: 54.6–64.3) at 6 months postoperatively and remained improved for 5 years. Bodily pain scores improved significantly from 23.7 (95% CI: 18.7–28.6) preoperatively to 56.3 (95% CI: 51.2–61.6) at 6 months postoperatively and remained improved for 5 years. Patients with preoperative scoliosis (local Cobb angle >10 degrees) had poorer outcomes: average physical scores were worse by 9.6 points (p = 0.07) and bodily pain scores were worse by 12.1 points (p = 0.02), compared with patients without scoliosis (local Cobb angle ≤10 degrees). Microsurgical foraminal decompression produced overall excellent outcomes in patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis. Preoperative scoliosis attenuated these beneficial effects.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients often suffer from spinal diseases requiring surgeries, although the risk of complications is high. There are few reports on outcomes after spinal surgery for PD patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS). The objective of this study was to explore the data on spinal surgery for PD patients with precedent DBS. We evaluated 24 consecutive PD patients with 28 spinal surgeries from 2007 to 2017 who received at least a 2-year follow-up. The characteristics and outcomes of PD patients after spinal surgery were compared to those of 156 non-PD patients with degenerative spinal diseases treated in 2013–2017. Then, the characteristics, outcomes, and spinal alignment of PD patients receiving DBS were analyzed in degenerative spinal/lumbar diseases. The mean age at the time of spinal surgery was 68 years. The Hoehn and Yahr score regarding PD was stage 1 for 8 patients, stage 2 for 2 patients, stage 3 for 8 patients, stage 4 for 10 patients, and stage 5 for 0 patient. The median preoperative L-DOPA equivalent daily dose was 410 mg. Thirteen patients (46%) received precedent subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS. Lumbar lesions with pain were common, and operation and anesthesia times were long in PD patients. Pain and functional improvement of PD patients persisted for 2 years after surgery with a higher complication rate than for non-PD patients. PD patients with STN DBS maintained better lumbar lordosis for 2 years after spinal surgery. STN DBS significantly maintained spinal alignment with subsequent pain and functional amelioration 2 years after surgery. The outcomes of spinal surgery for PD patients might be favorably affected by thorough treatment for PD including DBS.