Christopher J. A. Cowie

White matter correlates of cognitive dysfunction after mild traumatic brain injury

Objective: To relate neurophysiologic changes after mild/moderate traumatic brain injury to cognitive deficit in a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging investigation. Methods: Fifty-three patients were scanned an average of 6 days postinjury (range = 1–14 days). Twenty-three patients were rescanned 1 year later. Thirty-three matched control subjects were recruited. At the time of scanning, participants completed cognitive testing. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to conduct voxel-wise analysis on diffusion changes and to explore regressions between diffusion metrics and cognitive performance. Results: Acutely, increased axial diffusivity drove a fractional anisotropy (FA) increase, while decreased radial diffusivity drove a negative regression between FA and Verbal Letter Fluency across widespread white matter regions, but particularly in the ascending fibers of the corpus callosum. Raised FA is hypothesized to be caused by astrogliosis and compaction of axonal neurofilament, which would also affect cognitive functioning. Chronically, FA was decreased, suggesting myelin sheath disintegration, but still regressed negatively with Verbal Letter Fluency in the anterior forceps. Conclusions: Acute mild/moderate traumatic brain injury is characterized by increased tissue FA, which represents a clear neurobiological link between cognitive dysfunction and white matter injury after mild/moderate injury.

Proposal for a prospective multi-centre audit of chronic subdural haematoma management in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Abstract Background. Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common condition that increases in incidence with rising age. Evacuation of a CSDH is one of the commonest neurosurgical procedures; however the optimal peri-operative management, surgical technique, post-operative care and the role of adjuvant therapies remain controversial. Aim. We propose a prospective multi-centre audit in order to establish current practices, outcomes and national benchmarks for future studies. Methods. Neurosurgical units (NSU) in the United Kingdom and Ireland will be invited to enrol patients to this audit. All adult patients aged 16 years and over with a primary or recurrent CSDH will be eligible for inclusion. Outcome measures and analysis. The proposed outcome measures are (1) clinical recurrence requiring re-operation within 60 days; (2) modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at discharge from NSU; (3) morbidity and mortality in the NSU; (4) destination at discharge from NSU and (5) length of stay in the NSU. Audit standards have been derived from published systematic reviews and a recent randomised trial. The proposed standards are clinical recurrence rate < 20%; unfavourable mRS (4–6) at discharge from NSU < 30%; mortality rate in NSU < 5%; morbidity rate in NSU < 10%. Data will be submitted directly into a secure online database and analysed by the studys management group. Conclusions. The audit will determine the contemporary management and outcomes of patients with CSDH in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It will inform national guidelines, clinical practice and future studies in order to improve the outcome of patients with CSDH.

Proposal for establishment of the UK Cranial Reconstruction Registry (UKCRR).

Abstract Background. The increasing utilisation of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury and stroke has led to an increase in the number of cranioplasties undertaken. Cranioplasty is also undertaken following excision of tumours originating from or invading the skull vault, removal of bone flaps due to post-operative infection, and decompressive craniectomy for the management of rarer causes of brain oedema and/or refractory intracranial hypertension. The existing literature which mainly consists of single-centre, retrospective studies, shows a significant variation in practice patterns and a wide range of morbidity. There also exists a need to measure the outcome as perceived by the patients themselves with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs; functional outcome, quality of life, satisfaction with cosmesis). In the UK, the concept of long-term surveillance of neurosurgical implants is well established with the UK shunt registry. Based on this background, we propose to establish the UK Cranial Reconstruction Registry (UKCRR). Aim. The overarching aim of the UKCRR is to collect high-quality data about cranioplasties undertaken across the UK and Ireland in order to improve outcomes for patients. Methods. Any patient undergoing reconstruction of the skull vault with autologous bone, titanium, or synthetic material in participating units will be eligible for inclusion. Data will be submitted directly by participating units to the Outcome Registry Intervention and Operation Network secure platform. A Steering Committee will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and running of the UKCRR. Outcome measures. These will include re-operation due to a cranioplasty-related issue, surgical site infection, re-admission due to a cranioplasty-related issue, unplanned post-operative escalation of care, adverse events, length of stay in admitting unit, destination at discharge from admitting unit, mortality at discharge from admitting unit, neurological status and PROMs during routine follow-up. Conclusion. The UKCRR will be an important pillar in the ongoing efforts to optimise the outcomes of patients undergoing cranioplasty.

A report from the inaugural meeting of the British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative held in the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 19 October 2012.

Abstract Clinical research, which is essential for improving patient outcomes, is increasingly carried out in the context of networks established between multiple institutions. Research is also considered an important component of training curricula. The recent successful completion of a randomised trial (ROSSINI), which was led by general surgical trainees of the West Midlands Research Collaborative, has established the feasibility of trainee collaborative research networks. A research network for neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland was, therefore, established following the meeting of the British Neurosurgical Trainee Association (BNTA) in Aberdeen on 19 April 2012. This BNTA initiative quickly gained the full support from the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and the UK Neurosurgical Research Network. The inaugural meeting of the British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative took place at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, on 19 October 2012. The purpose of this report is both to record progress to date and to promote this concept.

Ensuring a bright future for clinical research in surgery with trainee led research networks

The publication of the ROSSINI trial is a landmark in the short history of trainee led research networks in the UK. The trainee led West Midlands Research Collaborative (WMRC), with the support of experienced senior clinicians and researchers, designed and managed all aspects of ROSSINI, while trainees were responsible for driving recruitment in the 21 participating sites. The result was a well conducted trial, …

Proposal for a British neurosurgical trainee research collaborative

Abstract High quality research in all surgical specialties is essential for improving patient care and outcome; neurosurgery is not an exception. Trainee collaborative networks have recently attracted considerable interest as they have a number of advantages for trainees and clinical research studies. We believe that neurosurgery represents a unique opportunity for the development of a similar nation-wide trainee research collaborative network. Our view is that this model will produce a sizeable cohort of registrars and consultants who will be actively engaged with collaborative multi-centre research studies, even though they will not necessarily be ‘academic’ neurosurgeons in the strict sense. In turn, this will help to ensure improved care and outcomes for our patients.

Peritumoral epilepsy: Relating form and function for surgical success

Seizures are a prominent symptom in patients with both primary and secondary brain tumors. Medical management of seizure control in this patient group is problematic as the mechanisms linking tumorigenesis and epileptogenesis are poorly understood. It is possible that several mechanisms contribute to tumor-associated epileptic zone formation. In this review, we discuss key candidates that may be implicated in peritumoral epileptogenesis and, in so doing, hope to highlight areas for future research. Furthermore, we summarize the current role of antiepileptic medications in this type of epilepsy and examine the changes in surgical practice which may lead to improved seizure rates after tumor surgery. Lastly, we speculate on possible future preoperative and intraoperative considerations for improving seizure control after tumor resection. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “NEWroscience 2013”.

Has the impact of the working time regulations changed neurosurgical trainees’ attitudes towards the European working time directive 5 years on?

Abstract We report the results from a survey of the British Neurosurgical Trainees’ Association which aimed to assess current rota patterns and their compliance with the governments working time regulations. The survey questioned whether trainees felt that shift working, imposed as a result of the European working time directive, is continuing to impact on patient care and training opportunities in neurosurgery. The responses to this survey indicate that neurosurgical trainees remain concerned with the impact that the current working time regulations have on all facets of their work: training, work– life balance, and the provision of patient care. The survey comments show that the majority would support a change in legislation to allow greater flexibility in the working time regulations.

Congenital glioblastoma multiforme: complete resection with long-term survival and a novel technique of contralateral cystoventriculostomy.

Congenital glioblastomas are rare primary tumours of the central nervous system with poor prognosis if left untreated. We report the case of a 4-week-old infant with such a tumour treated by surgical excision and a course of postoperative chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy, the patient displayed a neurological deterioration and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed no signs of recurrence, but showed entrapment and significant distension of the right lateral ventricle. A novel technique of contralateral cystoventriculostomy was performed to attempt to decompress the cyst and improve the infants neurological status. After surgery there was a significant neurological improvement, and 30 months after resection the child is alive, with mild hemiparesis and no signs of recurrence on follow-up MRI scan. The cystoventriculostomy is patent and continues to decompress the encapsulated ventricle.

Multi-parametric classification of traumatic brain injury patients using automatic analysis of quantitative MRI scans

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is ranked as the fourth highest cause of death in the developed world. The majority of patients sustain mild TBI, and a significant number suffer persistent neuropsychological problems. Conventional neuroimaging methods (CT, MRI) do not reveal abnormalities consistent with the cognitive symptoms. Imaging methods offering prognostic information in acutely injured patients are therefore required. Here we applied advanced quantitative MRI techniques (T1, T2 mapping and diffusion tensor MRI) in 24 mild TBI patients and 20 matched controls. We applied a support vector machine (SVM) to classify the quantitative MRI data. Univariate classification was ineffective due to overlap between patient and control values, however multi-parametric classification achieved sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 75%. Future work incorporating neuropsychological outcome into SVM training is expected to improve performance. These results indicate that SVM analysis of multi-parametric MRI data is a promising approach for predicting prognosis following mild TBI.