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With the increasing prevalence of vertebral fractures, accurate diagnosis and prognostication are essential. This study assesses the effectiveness of AI in diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search across major databases selected studies utilizing AI for vertebral fracture diagnosis or prognosis. Out of 14,161 studies initially identified, 79 were included, with 40 undergoing meta-analysis. Diagnostic models were stratified by pathology: non-pathological vertebral fractures, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and vertebral compression fractures. The primary outcome measure was AUROC. AI showed high accuracy in diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures: predictive AUROC = 0.82, osteoporotic vertebral fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.92, non-pathological vertebral fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.85, and vertebral compression fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.87, all significant (p < 0.001). Traditional models had the highest median AUROC (0.90) for fracture prediction, while deep learning models excelled in diagnosing all fracture types. High heterogeneity (I² > 99%, p < 0.001) indicated significant variation in model design and performance. AI technologies show considerable promise in improving the diagnosis and prognostication of vertebral fractures, with high accuracy. However, observed heterogeneity and study biases necessitate further research. Future efforts should focus on standardizing AI models and validating them across diverse datasets to ensure clinical utility.

Preoperative identification of intracranial meningiomas with aggressive behaviour may help in choosing the optimal treatment strategy. Radiomics is emerging as a powerful diagnostic tool with potential applications in patient risk stratification. In this study, we aimed to compare the predictive value of conventional, semantic based and radiomic analyses to determine CNS WHO grade and early tumour relapse in intracranial meningiomas. We performed a single-centre retrospective analysis of intracranial meningiomas operated between 2007 and 2018. Recurrence within 5 years after Simpson Grade I-III resection was considered as early. Preoperative T1 CE MRI sequences were analysed conventionally by two radiologists. Additionally a semantic feature score based on systematic analysis of morphological characteristics was developed and a radiomic analysis were performed. For the radiomic model, tumour volume was extracted manually, 791 radiomic features were extracted. Eight feature selection algorithms and eight machine learning methods were used. Models were analysed using test and training datasets. In total, 226 patients were included. There were 21% CNS WHO grade 2 tumours, no CNS WHO grade 3 tumour, and 25 (11%) tumour recurrences were detected in total. In ROC analysis the best radiomic models demonstrated superior performance for determination of CNS WHO grade (AUC 0.930) and early recurrence (AUC 0.892) in comparison to the semantic feature score (AUC 0.74 and AUC 0.65) and conventional radiological analysis (AUC 0.65 and 0.54). The combination of human classifiers, semantic score and radiomic analysis did not markedly increase the model performance. Radiomic analysis is a promising tool for preoperative identification of aggressive and atypical intracranial meningiomas and could become a useful tool in the future.

Purpose The patients’ burden with asymptomatic meningiomas and patients with good clinical outcome after meningioma resection often remains neglected. In this study, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes of psychological distress and quality of life in these patient groups. Methods Patients with conservatively managed (CM) or operated (OM) meningiomas and excellent neurological status, who were screened for psychological distress during the follow-up visit (t1), were included. We performed a follow-up mail/telephone-based survey 3–6 months (t2) after t1. Distress was measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Distress Thermometer (DT), 36-item Short Form (SF-36), and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Results Sixty-two patients participated in t1 and 47 in t2. The number of patients reporting increased or borderline values remained high 3 months after initial presentation, with n  = 25 (53%) of patients reporting increased anxiety symptom severity and n  = 29 (62%) reporting increased depressive symptom severity values. The proportion of distressed patients according to a DT score remained similar after 3 months. Forty-four percent of patients reported significant distress in OM and 33% in CM group. The most common problems among distressed patients were fatigue (t2 75%) and worries (t2 50%), followed by pain, sleep disturbances, sadness, and nervousness. Tumor progress was associated with increased depression scores ( OR 6.3 (1.1–36.7)). Conclusion The level of psychological distress in asymptomatic meningiomas and postoperative meningiomas with excellent outcome is high. Further investigations are needed to identify and counsel the patients at risk.

The cerebral thrombin system is activated in the early stage after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Expression of thrombin leads to concentration dependent secondary neuronal damage and detrimental neurological outcome. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of thrombin concentration and activity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with ICH on clinical outcome. Patients presenting with space-occupying lobar supratentorial hemorrhage requiring extra-ventricular drainage (EVD) were included in our study. The CSF levels of thrombin, its precursor prothrombin and the Thrombin-Antithrombin complex (TAT) were measured using enzyme linked immune sorbent assays (ELISA). The oxidative stress marker Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was assessed in CSF. Initial clot size and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) volume was calculated based on by computerized tomography (CT) upon admission to our hospital. Demographic data, clinical status at admission and neurological outcome were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6-weeks and 6-month after ICH. Twenty-two consecutive patients (9 females, 11 males) with supratentorial hemorrhage were included in this study. CSF concentrations of prothrombin (p < 0.005), thrombin (p = 0.005) and TAT (p = 0.046) were statistical significantly different in patients with ICH compared to non-hemorrhagic CSF samples. CSF concentrations of thrombin 24h after ICH correlated with the mRS index after 6 weeks (r2 = 0.73; < 0.005) and 6 months (r2 = 0.63; < 0.005) after discharge from hospital. Thrombin activity, measured via TAT as surrogate parameter of coagulation, likewise correlated with the mRS at 6 weeks (r2 = 0.54; < 0.01) and 6 months (r2 = 0.66; < 0.04). High thrombin concentrations coincide with higher SOD levels 24h after ICH (p = 0.01). In this study we found that initial thrombin concentration and activity in CSF of ICH patients did not correlate with ICH and IVH volume but are associated with a poorer functional neurological outcome. These findings support mounting evidence of the role of thrombin as a contributor to secondary injury formation after ICH.

BackgroundAtypical meningiomas (WHO grade II) have high recurrence rate. However, data on the effect of radiotherapy (RT) is still conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of postoperative RT on the recurrence of primary atypical intracranial meningiomas.MethodsThe medical records of all patients who underwent surgery (2007–2017 in 4 neurosurgical departments) for a histologically diagnosed primary atypical meningioma were reviewed to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and prognostic factors.ResultsThis analysis included 258 patients with a median age of 60 years (54.7% female). The predominant tumor locations were convexity and falx (60.9%) followed by the skull base (37.2%). Simpson grade I–II resection was achieved in 194 (75.2%) patients, Simpson grade III–IV in 53 patients (20.5%). Tumor progressed in 54 cases (20.9%). Postoperative RT was performed in 46 cases (17.8%). RT was more often applied after incomplete resection (37.7% vs. 13.4% Simpson III–IV vs. I–II). A multivariate analysis showed a significantly shorter PFS associated with Simpson III–IV [HR 1.19, (95% CI) 1.09–1.29, p < 0.001] and age > 65 years [HR 2.89, (95% CI) 1.56–5.33, p = 0.001]. A subgroup analysis with a minimal follow-up of 36 months revealed that Simpson III–IV [HR 3.01, 95% CI 1.31–6.931.03–1.24, p = 0.009] and age > 65 years [HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.20–5.13, p = 0.014] reduced PFS. The impact of postoperative RT on PFS remained statistically insignificant, even in a propensity-score matched survival analysis [n = 46; p = 0.438; OR 0.710 (0.299–1.687)].ConclusionsIn the present study, postoperative RT did not improve PFS. The most important prognostic factors remain the extent of resection and age.

Purpose Glioblastoma (GBM) inevitably recurs despite maximal safe resection and standard chemoradiotherapy. The factors influencing survival after first recurrence and re-resection remain controversial. Research question What are the prognostic factors influencing survival following re-resection of glioblastoma? Methods A systematic search of major databases was conducted for original studies reporting on survival outcomes. Data on hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival and key prognostic factors were extracted, followed by meta-analyses of univariate and multivariate Cox models. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed. Results A total of 30 studies were included. Gross total resection and methylated MGMT promoter status were significantly associated with improved survival, with pooled HRs of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.36–0.76, p  < 0.001) and 0.58 (95% CI: 0.45–0.75, p  < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, age was modestly associated with worse survival (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, p  < 0.001). Preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) < 70 was associated with worse survival (HR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.59–3.19, p  < 0.001). Adjuvant chemotherapy (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.33–1.45, p  = 0.33) and time to re-resection (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.41–1.16, p  = 0.16) failed to show consistent survival benefits. Conclusion Our findings suggest gross total resection of contrast-enhancing tumour and MGMT promoter methylation are strongly associated with improved survival following first recurrence of glioblastoma. Conversely, age, preoperative KPS, adjuvant chemotherapy, and timing of re-resection showed inconsistent or non-significant associations, emphasizing the need for prospective studies to refine prognostic assessments and guide individualized treatment strategies in recurrent glioblastoma. Highlights Re-resection should be considered where gross total re-resection is feasible. Methylated MGMT promoter status indicates effectiveness of alkylating agents in recurrent glioblastoma. More congruence in study design and outcome reporting on KPS and time to re-resection is required to conclude on their prognostic influence.

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI)-associated infarctions are a major complication after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Besides cerebral pathophysiological effects, peripheral organ dysfunction has been associated with DCI. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is used in intensive care medicine to monitor organ failure. The objective of our study was to compare the SOFA score obtained in the first 48 h post-SAH, Hunt & Hess (HH), and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scores in predicting DCI-associated infarctions and to identify the most robust parameters within the SOFA score. We retrospectively evaluated SOFA, H&H, and WFNS scores and DCI-associated infarctions in a cohort of 253 SAH patients. The ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.65 for the SOFA score in predicting DCI-associated infarctions (H&H: 0.64, WFNS: 0.62). The threshold that maximized the sum of sensitivity and specificity was ≥7 points (sensitivity of 0.58, specificity of 0.68, PPV of 0.20, NPV of 0.92). A simplified score using only the three most robust parameters of the SOFA score, GCS, mean arterial pressure, and the Horovitz quotient, resulted in an AUC of 0.7. The SOFA score predicted the development of DCI-associated infarctions similar to the established H&H and WFNS scores. A simplified score combining the three most robust parameters of the SOFA score was at least equal to the established scores. Therefore, the SOFA score and our simplified score could be used as an additional tool to identify SAH patients at high risk for DCI-associated infarctions.

We previously developed a novel score derived from the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and demonstrated its ability to predict delayed cerebral ischemia-associated infarctions following spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. In the current study, we investigated whether the new score (ICCTUS score) can predict neurological outcome. We retrospectively evaluated all SAH patients in our neurosurgical ICU during a 10-year period. Patients were included if clinical data were available to determine SOFA and ICCTUS scores. Outcome was objectified by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 6 months. Every parameter of the SOFA score was graded for its predictive value and combinations were tested using ROC analysis. 430 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (68.14% female, mean age: 56.8 ± 12.5 years). Median SOFA and ICCTUS scores were 5. The SOFA score had an AUC of 0.76 for prediction of unfavorable outcome. In comparison, the WFNS achieved an AUC of 0.71, and the HH an AUC of 0.64. For the ICCTUS score, which is based exclusively on the subscores rating the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system the AUC was at 0.8 with a sensitivity of 0.74, a specificity of 0.74, a PPV of 0.83 and a NPV of 0.62. The Youden index was 0.48 (cut-off ≥3 points). The ICCTUS score was at least equal or superior to the established scores in predicting unfavorable outcome after SAH. The score could be implemented as an additional tool in multimodal diagnostics to identify patients at high risk.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1580643.].

Background Isocitrate dehydrogenase ( IDH)1/2 wildtype (wt) astrocytomas formerly classified as WHO grade II or III have significantly shorter PFS and OS than IDH mutated WHO grade 2 and 3 gliomas leading to a classification as CNS WHO grade 4. It is the aim of this study to evaluate differences in the treatment-related clinical course of these tumors as they are largely unknown. Methods Patients undergoing surgery (between 2016–2019 in six neurosurgical departments) for a histologically diagnosed WHO grade 2–3 IDH1/2-wt astrocytoma were retrospectively reviewed to assess progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors. Results This multi-center study included 157 patients (mean age 58 years (20–87 years); with 36.9% females). The predominant histology was anaplastic astrocytoma WHO grade 3 (78.3%), followed by diffuse astrocytoma WHO grade 2 (21.7%). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 37.6%, subtotal resection (STR) in 28.7%, and biopsy was performed in 33.8%. The median PFS (12.5 months) and OS (27.0 months) did not differ between WHO grades. Both, GTR and STR significantly increased PFS (P < 0.01) and OS (P < 0.001) compared to biopsy. Treatment according to Stupp protocol was not associated with longer OS or PFS compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone. EGFR amplification (P = 0.014) and TERT-promotor mutation (P = 0.042) were associated with shortened OS. MGMT-promoter methylation had no influence on treatment response. Conclusions WHO grade 2 and 3 IDH1/2 wt astrocytomas, treated according to the same treatment protocols, have a similar OS. Age, extent of resection, and strong EGFR expression were the most important treatment related prognostic factors.