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BACKGROUND: Insertion of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is a first-line treatment of acute hydrocephalus caused by aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Once the patient is clinically stable, the EVD is either removed or replaced by a permanent internal shunt. The optimal strategy for cessation of the EVD is unknown. Prompt closure carries a risk of acute hydrocephalus or redundant shunt implantations, whereas gradual weaning may increase the risk of EVD-related infections. METHODS: DRAIN (Danish RAndomised Trial of External Ventricular Drainage Cessation IN Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage) is an international multicentre randomised clinical trial comparing prompt closure versus gradual weaning of the EVD after aSAH. The primary outcome is a composite of VP-shunt implantation, all-cause mortality, or EVD-related infection. Secondary outcomes are serious adverse events excluding mortality and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Exploratory outcomes are modified Rankin Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended, and length of stay in the neurointensive care unit and hospital. Outcome assessment will be performed 6 months after ictus. Based on the sample size calculation (event proportion 80% in the gradual weaning group, relative risk reduction 20%, alpha 5%, power 80%), 122 participants are required in each intervention group. Outcome assessment for the primary outcome, statistical analyses, and conclusion drawing will be blinded. Two independent statistical analyses and reports will be tracked using a version control system, and both will be published. Based on the final statistical report, the blinded steering group will formulate two abstracts. CONCLUSION: We present a pre-defined statistical analysis plan for the randomised DRAIN trial, which limits bias, p-hacking, and data-driven interpretations. This statistical analysis plan is accompanied by tables with simulated data, which increases transparency and reproducibility. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03948256. Registered on May 13, 2019.

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Introduction: Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) often recover without severe physical or cognitive deficits. However, strikingly low levels of engagement in productive employment have also been reported in aSAH patients with good or excellent outcomes. Knowledge about return to work (RTW) after aSAH and predictors of no RTW remain limited and controversial. The study aimed to delineate the return to maximum work capacity up to 5 years after the ictus in a larger number of consecutive aSAH patients from the entire aSAH severity spectrum and to identify demographic and medical predictors of no RTW. Methods: Data were acquired from a prospective institutional database. We included all 500 aSAH survivors aged > 18 years who were treated between January 2012 and March 2018. In addition to gathering data on work status and the type of work at ictus, we retrieved demographical data and assessed aSAH severity based on the quantification of subarachnoid, intraventricular, and intraparenchymal blood (ICH), as well as the World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grade. We registered the mode of aneurysm repair (endovascular or surgical) and recorded complications such as vasospasm, newly acquired cerebral infarctions, and chronic hydrocephalus. Results: Furthermore, work status and the grade of fatigue at follow-up were registered. RTW was assessed among 299 patients who were employed at ictus. Among them, 63.2% were women, and their age was 51.3 ± 9.4 (20-71) years. Return to gainful employment was 51.2%, with complete RTW accounting for 32.4%. The independent predictors of no RTW at ictus were age, the WFNS grade 3, and active smoking. The strongest independent predictor was the presence of clinically significant fatigue, which increased the risk of not returning to work by 5-fold. The chance to return to gainful employment significantly increased with the individual's years of education prior to their hemorrhage. The mode of aneurysm repair was not relevant with regard to RTW. Patients in the WFNS grades 1-2 more often returned to work than those in the WFNS grades 3-5, but our results indicate that neurological motor deficits are linked closer to no RTW than aSAH severity per se. Conclusion: Fatigue needs to be addressed as an important element on the path to return to work integration.

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BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening disease caused by rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. A common complication following aSAH is hydrocephalus, for which placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is an important first-line treatment. Once the patient is clinically stable, the EVD is either removed or replaced by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The optimal strategy for cessation of EVD treatment is, however, unknown. Gradual weaning may increase the risk of EVD-related infection, whereas prompt closure carries a risk of acute hydrocephalus and redundant shunt implantations. We designed a randomised clinical trial comparing the two commonly used strategies for cessation of EVD treatment in patients with aSAH. METHODS: DRAIN is an international multi-centre randomised clinical trial with a parallel group design comparing gradual weaning versus prompt closure of EVD treatment in patients with aSAH. Participants are randomised to either gradual weaning which comprises a multi-step increase of resistance over days, or prompt closure of the EVD. The primary outcome is a composite outcome of VP-shunt implantation, all-cause mortality, or ventriculostomy-related infection. Secondary outcomes are serious adverse events excluding mortality, functional outcome (modified Rankin scale), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Outcome assessment will be performed 6 months after ictus. Based on the sample size calculation (event proportion 80% in the gradual weaning group, relative risk reduction 20%, type I error 5%, power 80%), 122 patients are needed in each intervention group. Outcome assessment for the primary outcome, statistical analyses and conclusion drawing will be blinded. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03948256.

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BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a highly prevalent and debilitating symptom among patients in the chronic phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) with no identified effective treatment. Cognitive therapy has been shown to have moderate effects on fatigue. Delineating the coping strategies used by patients with post-aSAH fatigue and relating them to fatigue severity and emotional symptoms could be a step towards developing a behavioural therapy for post-aSAH fatigue. METHODS: Ninety-six good outcome patients with chronic post-aSAH fatigue answered the questionnaires Brief COPE, (a questionnaire defining 14 coping strategies and three Coping Styles), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The Brief COPE scores were compared with fatigue severity and emotional symptoms of the patients. RESULTS: The prevailing coping strategies were "Acceptance", "Emotional Support", "Active Coping" and "Planning". "Acceptance" was the sole coping strategy that was significantly inversely related to levels of fatigue. Patients with the highest scores for mental fatigue and those with clinically significant emotional symptoms applied significantly more maladaptive avoidant strategies. Females and the youngest patients applied more "Problem-Focused" strategies. CONCLUSION: A therapeutic behavioural model aiming at furthering "Acceptance" and reducing passivity and "Avoidant" strategies may contribute to alleviate post-aSAH fatigue in good outcome patients. Given the chronic nature of post-aSAH fatigue, neurosurgeons may encourage patients to accept their new situation so that they can start a process of positive reframing instead of being trapped in a spiral of futile loss of energy and secondary increased emotional burden and frustration.

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Moyamoya is a rare condition that affects the blood vessels of the brain in children and young adults. It can cause both ischaemic stroke and cerebral haemorrhage. Although established diagnostic criteria and examinations exist, limited knowledge of the condition often leads to a mistaken or delayed diagnosis. Treatment consists of antiplatelet drugs and surgical revascularisation. Prognosis after successful surgery is good, but the disease requires a dedicated medical team.

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OBJECTIVE: Early repair of ruptured blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) remains challenging. Although both surgical and endovascular therapies have been established, their relative superiority remains debated. The authors assessed their single-center experience and compared early deconstructive versus reconstructive repair and early reconstructive surgical versus endovascular repair of ruptured BBAs of the ICA. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent repair of ruptured BBAs of the ICA within 1 week after the ictus during a 20-year period. Multiple variables were recorded, including clinical state, severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), characteristics of the BBA, treatment details, complication profile, need for secondary treatment, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: In total, 27 patients underwent early surgical (n = 16) or endovascular (n = 11) repair of BBAs at a median of 24 hours (range 9-120 hours) after the ictus during the period from September 2000 to June 2021 (20.4 years). Primary deconstructive repair (n = 6) without bypass was accompanied by middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction in 5 of 6 (83%) patients and a high mortality rate (4/6 [67%]). Among the 21 patients who underwent early reconstructive repair, surgery was performed in 11 patients (clipping in 6 and clip-wrapping in 5 patients) and endovascular repair in 10 patients (flow diversion in 7 and stent/stent-assisted coiling in 3 patients). No differences were found in complication profiles or clinical outcomes between the surgical and endovascular groups. The mortality rate was low (2/21 [9.5%]), with 1 fatality in each group. CONCLUSIONS: From the authors' experience, both surgical and endovascular approaches permitted reconstructive repair of ruptured BBAs of the ICA, with no modality proving superior. Reconstructive treatment is preferable to ICA sacrifice, and if sacrifice is chosen, it should be accompanied with bypass surgery or delayed to the phase when cerebral vasospasm has resumed. The rare occurrence of this disease calls for prospective multicenter studies to improve treatment and delineate which modality is preferable in individual cases.

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BACKGROUND: Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare lesions managed mainly with endovascular treatment (EVT) and/or surgery. We hypothesize that there may be subtypes of dAVFs responding better to a specific treatment modality in terms of successful obliteration and cessation of symptoms and/or risks. METHODS: All dAVFs treated during 2011-2018 at our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Presenting symptoms, radiological variables, treatment modality, complications, and residual symptoms were related to dAVF type using the original Djindjian classification. RESULTS: We treated 112 dAVFs in 107 patients (71, 66% males). They presented with hemorrhage (n = 23; 21%), non-hemorrhagic symptoms (n = 75; 70%), or were discovered incidentally (n = 9; 8%). There were 25 (22%) type I, 29 (26%) type II, 26 (23%) type III, and 32 (29%) type IV fistulas. EVT was the primary treatment modality in 72/112 (64%) dAVFs whereas 40/112 (36%) underwent primary surgery with angiographic obliteration rates of 60% and 90%, respectively. Using a secondary treatment modality in 23 dAVFs, we obtained a final obliteration rate of 93%, including all type III/IV and 26/27 (96%) type II dAVFs. Except for headache, residual symptoms were rare and minor. Permanent neurological complications consisted of five cranial nerve deficits. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend EVT as first treatment modality in types I, II, and in non-hemorrhagic type III/IV dAVFs. We recommend surgery as first treatment choice in acute hemorrhagic dAVFs and as secondary choice in type III/IV dAVFs not successfully occluded by EVT. Combining the two modalities provides obliteration in 9/10 dAVF cases at a low procedural risk.

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OBJECTIVE: Fatigue after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is common and usually long-lasting, and it has a considerable negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), social functioning, and the ability to return to work (RTW). No effective treatment exists. The dopaminergic regulator (-)-OSU6162 has shown promising results regarding the mitigation of fatigue in various neurological diseases, and therefore the authors aimed to investigate the efficacy of (-)-OSU6162 in alleviating fatigue and other sequelae after aSAH. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center trial was performed in which 96 participants with post-aSAH fatigue were administered 30-60 mg/day of (-)-OSU6162 or placebo over a period of 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the SF-36 questionnaire, and a neuropsychological test battery. Assessments were performed at baseline, after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, and at follow-up, 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The 96 participants with post-aSAH fatigue were randomized to treatment with (-)-OSU6162 (n = 49) or placebo (n = 47). The FSS, MFS, and BDI scores improved significantly in both groups after 12 weeks of treatment, whereas the BAI scores improved in the placebo group only. HRQOL improved significantly in the SF-36 domain "Vitality" in both groups. Neuropsychological test performances were within the normal range at baseline and not affected by treatment. The FSS score was distinctly improved in patients with complete RTW upon treatment with (-)-OSU6162. Concomitant use of antidepressants improved the efficacy of (-)-OSU6162 on the FSS score at week 1 beyond the placebo response, and correspondingly the use of beta- or calcium-channel blockers improved the (-)-OSU6162 efficacy beyond the placebo response in MFS scores at week 4 of treatment. There was a significant correlation between improvement in FSS, BAI, and BDI scores and the plasma concentration of (-)-OSU6162 at the dose of 60 mg/day. No serious adverse events were attributable to the treatment, but dizziness was reported more often in the (-)-OSU6162 group. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and other sequelae after aSAH were similarly alleviated by treatment with (-)-OSU6162 and placebo. (-)-OSU6162 improved fatigue, as measured with the FSS score, significantly in patients with complete RTW. There seemed to be synergetic effects of (-)-OSU6162 and medications interfering with dopaminergic pathways that should be explored further. The strong placebo response may be exploited in developing nonpharmacological treatment programs for post-aSAH fatigue.

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Careful brain monitoring saves lives and is beneficial to patients' health. Nevertheless, Norway lacks guidelines for brain monitoring in hospitals.

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Fatigue after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (post-aSAH fatigue) is a frequent, often long-lasting, but still poorly studied sequel. The aim of the present study was to characterize the nature of post-aSAH fatigue with an itemized analysis of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). We further wanted to assess the association of fatigue with other commonly observed problems after aSAH: mood disorders, cognitive problems, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), weight gain, and return to work (RTW). Ninety-six good outcome aSAH patients with fatigue completed questionnaires measuring fatigue, depression, anxiety, and HRQoL. All patients underwent a physical and neurological examination. Cognitive functioning was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery. We also registered prior history of fatigue and mood disorders as well as occupational status and RTW. The patients experienced fatigue as being among their three most disabling symptoms and when characterizing their fatigue they emphasized the questionnaire items "low motivation," "mental fatigue," and "sensitivity to stress." Fatigue due to exercise was their least bothersome aspect of fatigue and weight gain was associated with depressive symptoms rather than the severity of fatigue. Although there was a strong association between fatigue and mood disorders, especially for depression, the overlap was incomplete. Post-aSAH fatigue related to reduced HRQoL. RTW was remarkably low with only 10.3% of patients returning to their previous workload. Fatigue was not related to cognitive functioning or neurological status. Although there was a strong association between fatigue and depression, the incomplete overlap supports the notion of these two being distinct constructs. Moreover, post-aSAH fatigue can exist without significant neurological or cognitive impairments, but is related to reduced HRQoL and contributes to the low rate of RTW.

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BACKGROUND: Mortality and morbidity of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) remain high, and prognosis is influenced by multiple non-modifiable factors such as aSAH severity. By analysing the chronology of aSAH management, we aim at identifying modifiable factors with emphasis on the occurrence of rebleeds in a setting with 24/7 surgical and endovascular availability of aneurysm repair and routine administration of tranexamic acid. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of institutional quality registry data of aSAH cases admitted into neurosurgical care during the time period 01 January 2013-31 December 2017. We registered time and mode of aneurysm repair, haemorrhage patterns, course of treatment, mortality and functional outcome. Rebleeding was scored along the entire timeline from ictus to discharge from the primary stay. RESULTS: We included 544 patients (368, 67.6% female), aged 58 ± 14 years (range 1-95 years). Aneurysm repair was performed in 486/544 (89.3%) patients at median 7.4 h after arrival and within 3, 6, 12 and 24 h in 26.8%, 44.7%, 73.0% and 96.1%, respectively. There were circadian variations in time to repair and in rebleeds. Rebleeding prior to aneurysm repair occurred in 9.7% and increased with aSAH severity and often in conjunction with patient relocations or interventions. Rebleeds occurred more often during surgical repair outside regular working hours, whereas rebleeds after repair (1.8%) were linked to endovascular repair. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of rebleed is imminent throughout the entire timeline of aSAH management even with ultra-early aneurysm repair. Several modifiable factors can be linked to the occurrence of rebleeds and they should be identified and optimised within neurosurgical departments.

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BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common and disabling sequel after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). At present, prevalence estimates of post-aSAH fatigue in the chronic phase are scarce and vary greatly. Factors from the acute phase of aSAH have hitherto barely been associated with post-aSAH fatigue in the chronic phase. METHODS: Prospective study assessing prevalence of fatigue using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in patients who were living independently 1 to 7 years after aSAH. We compared demographic, medical, and radiological variables from the acute phase of aSAH between patients with and without fatigue (FSS ≥ 4 versus < 4) and searched for predictors of fatigue among these variables applying univariable and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 726 patients treated for aSAH in the period between January 2012 and December 2017, 356 patients completed the assessment. The mean FSS score was 4.7 ± 1.7, and fatigue was present in 69.7%. The frequency of patients with fatigue did not decline significantly over time. Univariable analysis identified nicotine use, loss of consciousness at ictus (LOCi), rebleed prior to aneurysm repair, reduced consciousness to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) < 14, large amounts of subarachnoid blood, the presence of acute hydrocephalus, and severe vasospasm as factors that were significantly associated with fatigue. In multivariable analysis, nicotine use, reduced GCS, and severe vasospasm were independent predictors that all more than doubled the risk to develop post-aSAH fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue is a frequent sequel persisting several years after aSAH. Nicotine use, reduced consciousness at admission, and severe vasospasm are independent predictors of fatigue from the acute phase of aSAH. We propose inflammatory cytokines causing dopamine imbalance to be a common denominator for post-aSAH fatigue and the presently identified predictors.

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BACKGROUND: Outcome of early, aggressive management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in patients with Hunt and Hess grade V is hitherto limited, and we therefore present our results. METHODS: Retrospective study analyzing the medical data of 228 aSAH patients in Glasgow Coma Score 3-5 admitted to our hospital during the years 2002-2012. Background and treatment variables were registered. Outcome was evaluated after 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: We intended to treat 176 (77.2%) patients, but only 146 went on to aneurysm repair. Of 52 patients managed conservatively, 27 had abolished cerebral circulation around arrival and 25 were deemed unsalvageable. One-year overall mortality was 65.8% and most (84.7%) of the fatalities occurred within 30 days. One-year mortality was higher in patients > 70 years. Without aneurysm repair, mortality was 100%. After 1 year, 21.9% of all patients lived independently and 4.8% lived permanently in an institution. Outcome in the 78 survivors (34.2%) was favorable in 64.1% in terms of modified Rankin Scale score 0-2, and 85.9% of survivors were able to live at home. Return to work was low for all 228 patients with 14.0% of those employed prior to the hemorrhage having returned to paid work, and respectively, 26.3% in the subgroup of survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Even with aggressive, early treatment, 1-year mortality is high in comatose aSAH patients with 65.8%. A substantial portion of the survivors have a favorable outcome at 1 year (64.1%, corresponding to 21.9% of all patients admitted) and 85.9% of the survivors could live at home alone or aided.

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BACKGROUND: Guidelines state that patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) require neurosurgical treatment as early as possible. Little is known about the time frame of transport from the ictus scene to Neurosurgery in large, partially remote catchment areas. We therefore analysed the chronology and transport logistics of aSAH patients in the South-Eastern Norway Health Region and related them to the frequency of aneurysm rebleed and 1-year mortality. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of aSAH patients bleeding within our region admitted to Neurosurgery during a 5-year period. Date, time and site of ictus and arrival at Neurosurgery, distance and mode of transport and admission were obtained from our institutional quality register and the emergency medical communication centre log. We scored the patients' clinical condition, rebleeds and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Five hundred forty-four patients were included. Median time from ictus to arrival Neurosurgery was 4.5 h. Transport by road ambulance was most common at distances between the ictus scene and Neurosurgery below 50 km, whereas airborne transport became increasingly more common at larger distances. Direct admissions, frequency of intubation and airborne transport to Neurosurgery increased with the severity of haemorrhage, leading to shorter transport times. The risk of rebleed was 0.8%/hour of transport. The rebleed rate was independent of distances travelled, but increased with the severity of aSAH, reaching up to 6.54%/hour in poor-grade patients. Distance and time of transport had no impact on 1-year mortality, whereas poor-grade aSAH and rebleed were strong predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Poor-grade aSAH patients have a high risk of rebleed independent of the distance between the ictus scene and Neurosurgery. As rebleeding triples 1-year mortality, patients with Glasgow Coma Score < 9 with suspected aSAH should be admitted directly to Neurosurgery without delay after best possible cardiovascular and airway optimisation on site by competent personnel.

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OBJECTIVE: Although many patients recover to a good functional outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), residual symptoms are very common and may have a large impact on the patient's daily life. The particular cluster of residual symptoms after aSAH has not previously been described in detail and there is no validated questionnaire that covers the typical problems reported after aSAH. Many of the symptoms are similar to post-concussion syndrome, which often is evaluated with the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ). In the present study, the authors therefore performed an exploratory use of the RPQ as a template to describe post-aSAH syndrome. METHODS: The RPQ was administered to 128 patients in the chronic phase after aSAH along with a battery of quality-of-life questionnaires. The patients also underwent a medical examination besides cognitive and physical testing. Based on their RPQ scores, patients were dichotomized into a "syndrome" group or "recovery" group. RESULTS: A post-aSAH syndrome was seen in 33% of the patients and their symptom burden on all RPQ subscales was significantly higher than that of patients who had recovered on all RPQ subscales. The symptom cluster consisted mainly of fatigue, cognitive problems, and emotional problems. Physical problems were less frequently reported. Patients with post-aSAH syndrome scored significantly worse on mobility and pain scores, as well as on quality-of-life questionnaires. They also had significantly poorer scores on neuropsychological tests of verbal learning, verbal short- and long-term memory, psychomotor speed, and executive functions. Whereas 36% of the patients in the recovery group were able to return to their premorbid occupational status, this was true for only 1 patient in the syndrome group. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of aSAH patients develop a post-aSAH syndrome. These patients struggle with fatigue and cognitive and emotional problems. Patients with post-aSAH syndrome report more pain and reduced quality of life compared to patients without this cluster of residual symptoms and have larger cognitive deficits. In this sample, patients with post-aSAH syndrome were almost invariably excluded from return to work. The RPQ is a simple questionnaire covering the specter of residual symptoms after aSAH. Being able to acknowledge these patients' complaints as a defined syndrome using the RPQ should help patients to accept and cope, thereby alleviating possible secondary distress produced.

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BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is the most common form of neurological impairment after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in the chronic phase. Cognitive deficits in the acute phase after aSAH, however, remain scarcely investigated. The aim of the present study was to test cognitive function and to identify medical predictors of cognitive deficits in the acute phase of aSAH. METHODS: Prospective study including 51 patients treated for aSAH. Patients were treated in accordance with a standardized institutional protocol and subjected to neuropsychological evaluation around discharge from neurosurgical care. The neuropsychological test results were transformed into a global cognitive impairment index where an index value of 0.00 is considered normal and 1.00 is considered maximally pathological. Patients with an index score of less than 0.75 were considered having good global cognitive function while those with an index score equal to or above 0.75 were considered having poor global cognitive function. Univariate and multiple regression analysis were used to identify medical predictors of cognitive function. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the patients had poor cognitive function. They showed severe cognitive deficits, with most tests falling well below two standard deviations from the expected normal mean. Poor cognitive function was not reflected in a poor modified Rankin score in almost half of the cases. Patients with good cognitive function showed only mild cognitive deficits with most tests falling only slightly below the normal mean. Delayed memory was the most affected function in both groups. Univariate analysis identified acute hydrocephalus and aSAH-acquired cerebral infarction to be predictors of poor cognitive function. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage in excess of 2000 ml six-folded the risk of poor cognitive function, whereas a new cerebral infarction 11-folded the respective risk of poor cognitive function. CONCLUSION: More than half of aSAH patients have severe cognitive deficits in the acute phase. The modified Rankin Score should be combined with neuropsychological screening in the acute phase after aSAH to get a more accurate description of the patients' disabilities. Acute hydrocephalus and aSAH-acquired cerebral infarction are the strongest predictors of poor cognitive function in the acute phase.

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BACKGROUND: Several recently published multicenter studies have reported high treatment feasibility, high safety, and good 6-month to 1-year efficiency when treating smaller intracranial aneurysms (IA) with WEB deployment. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term efficiency and complications related to WEB treatment of larger, complex intracranial aneurysms in a small single-center cohort. METHODS: Patients with ruptured and unruptured IA were treated with WEB devices; data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The study evaluates complications and clinical and radiological findings at immediate and last available follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 16 patients with 16 aneurysms and a median follow-up time of 36 months, range 13-49 months; 9/16 were females. Median age 59 with range 39-71 years. Mean aneurysm size 11.3 ± 1.7 mm, predominant location at the basilar artery bifurcation and anterior communicating artery. Three out of sixteen IAs were ruptured. Even though 75% of the IAs were immediately occluded completely, retreatment was eventually necessary in 7/15 (46.7%). Increasing neck remnants and recurrences were mainly observed past 1-year follow-up. The WEB device showed modifications over time, with six devices showing signs of compression in the long term. There was one fatality due to aneurysm rupture after 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term efficiency of WEB deployment in larger, complex aneurysms is low with about half of the cases needing at least one retreatment. A large fraction of WEB collapse past 1-year follow-up.

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