Background/Objectives: Unruptured aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (AComA) are associated with a higher risk of rupture and present unique anatomical challenges. Although endovascular techniques have advanced considerably, microsurgical clipping continues to represent an essential treatment option, particularly for complex cases. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate outcomes of microsurgical clipping for unruptured AComA aneurysms over an 18-year period at a high-volume tertiary neurosurgical center. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 106 patients who underwent microsurgical clipping for unruptured AComA aneurysms between 2002 and 2020. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were assessed. Excluded were previously ruptured or previously surgically treated aneurysms. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of postoperative complications with a focus on aneurysm projection. Results: Complete angiographic occlusion was achieved in 92.2% of cases, with a retreatment rate of 0.9%, which is comparable to the recent literature. Permanent neurological deficits occurred in 5.7% of patients. Posterior aneurysm projection was significantly associated with postoperative infarction and permanent neurological deficits. Intraoperative ICG angiography was associated with a reduced risk of ischemic complications. Conclusions: Microsurgical clipping remains a safe and effective treatment for unruptured AComA aneurysms in selected patients, offering durable occlusion and low complication rates. Aneurysm projection is a key predictor of outcome, and intraoperative ICG angiography significantly enhances surgical safety. These findings support the continued role of microsurgery in the interdisciplinary management of AComA aneurysms.

Introduction:It is still difficult to predict the outcome of preeclampsia and determine the individual procedure with regards to the time of birth. Cut-offs of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio with a high risk for imminent delivery have been previously published and analyzed by our study group, but could not be confirmed. The aim of the current study is to re-evaluate the described cut-off values again in a new period of time. Materials and Methods:We performed a retrospective analysis (IRB 1279/2020) including all preeclampsia patients delivering in our department over a 3-year period. Patients were divided into 2 groups - gestational week 24+0-33+6 with an s-Flt1/PlGF > 655.2 and 34+0-37+0 weeks with an sFlt-1/PlGF > 201 and were compared with preeclampsia patients of the same weeks with sFlt-1/PlGF values below the described cut-offs. Correlation between sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and time to delivery was assessed. Results:The association between sFlt-1/PlGF above the threshold and delivery within 48 h is significant for the high ratio early group (p < 0.01) but not for the high ratio late group (p = 0.62). In the early group, 60% of patients with sFlt-1/PlGF > 655.2 but only 8% in the low ratio group delivered within 48 h. In both the early and the late preeclampsia group, a high number of patients remained pregnant even though they showed elevated ratios. Conclusion:High sFlt-1/PlGF ratios seem to correlate with a shorter pregnancy duration to some extent. Nevertheless, not all patients need to be delivered within 48 h, so the decision should never be based on the laboratory test alone.

Objective: To study the usability, reproducibility and practicality of the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine Müllerian Anomalies Classification (ASRM MAC2021) compared to the formerly used American Fertility Society (AFS) classification. The main focus of this paper is to present clinicians’ assessment when using these classification systems and to explore possible benefits and disadvantages of the transformation of the AFS into the more recently published ASRM classification. To incorporate all commonly used classification systems, all cases were additionally classified using the ESHRE/ESGE and the VCUAM classification. Methods: An observational study using a questionnaire and opinion survey was conducted with the goal of comparing clinicians’ subjective usability and reproducibility of the AFS classification with the newly presented ASRM MAC2021 classification. Cases of female genital malformations encompassed a wide range of various anomalies, including vaginal, cervical and adnexal conditions and associated malformations. Results: The study investigators rated the ASRM MAC2021 classification better in relation to usability and reproducibility compared to the AFS classification. It significantly improved diagnostic precision for vaginal and cervical anomalies and expanded recognition of adnexal malformations. However, challenges remain in addressing associated malformations. Clinicians ranked the ASRM MAC2021 higher than the AFS classification. However, investigators rated the ESHRE/ESGE and VCUAM classifications better in the overall assessment of female genital malformations. Conclusion: The ASRM MAC2021 classification offers substantial improvements in diagnosing and managing female genital malformations, addressing limitations of the AFS system. With better usability and subjective reproducibility, further refinements are needed to fully address complex associated anomalies — emphasizing the importance of evolving classification systems.

Background/Objectives: Microsurgical clipping has traditionally been considered a standard treatment for middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Recently, a caseload reduction related to improved endovascular treatment options has occurred in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. Therefore, studies that report the clinical and radiological outcomes after clipping are highly warranted. Methods: Patients with an unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysm, who were surgically treated at the Department of Neurosurgery in Linz between 2002 and 2019, were included in this study. Clinical and radiological outcome parameters were evaluated for each patient. Results: Overall, 272 patients were eligible for inclusion. Complete aneurysm occlusion was demonstrated in 266 (99.3%) of the 268 (98.5%) patients who underwent postoperative digital subtraction angiography. In six (2.2%) patients, a permanent new neurological deficit (pNND) persisted after treatment. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture was a significant factor (p = 0.0049) in the logistic regression. At the last follow-up, only two patients (0.7%) had an unfavorable outcome (mRS > 2). More recent surgeries were associated with fewer cases of pNND (p = 0.009). A transient new neurological deficit occurred in 13 patients (4.8%), with aneurysm size being a significant risk factor (p = 0.009). Surgical site infections were reported in four patients (1.5%), with patient age (p = 0.039) and time (p = 0.001) being significant factors. Two patients died (0.7%) perioperatively and two patients (0.7%) needed a retreatment in the long-term follow-up. Conclusions: The findings indicate that microsurgical clipping is a safe procedure with minimal need for retreatment. It achieves a high occlusion rate while maintaining a very low rate of adverse outcomes. Continuous intraoperative enhancements over time have contributed to a progressive improvement in clinical outcomes in recent years. This trend is exemplified by the absence of detectable pNND in the era of ICG angiography. Consequently, these data support the conclusion that microsurgical clipping should still be considered an appropriate treatment option for unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysms.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been and, in some parts, still is a threat to oncologic patients, making it crucial to understand perception of vaccination and immunologic responses in this vulnerable patient segment. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in relation to malignant disease characteristics and therapies have so far not been studied consecutively in larger oncologic patient populations. This study captures SARS-CoV-2 vaccination willingness and humoral immune response in a large consecutive oncologic patient collective at the beginning of 2021. Methods: 1142 patients were consecutively recruited over 5.5 months at a tertiary department for radiation oncology and were assessed for vaccination willingness via a standardized interview. In already vaccinated patients total SARS-CoV-2 S antibody titres against the spike protein (Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S) and were evaluated 35 days or later after the first dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Results: Vaccination willingness was high with a rate of 90 %. The most frequent reasons for rejection were: undecided/potential vaccination after therapy, distrust in the vaccine and fear of interaction with comorbidities. Factors associated with lower vaccination willingness were: worse general condition, lower age and female sex. 80 % of the participants had been previously vaccinated, 8 % reported previous infection and 16 % received vaccination during antineoplastic therapy. In 97.5 % of the vaccinated patients Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S was detected. In a univariable analysis parameters associated with non-conversion were: lower performance status, spread to the local lymphatics (N + ), hematologic disease and diffuse metastases. All patients with oligometastatic disease achieved positive Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titres. For patients with two vaccinations several risk factors were identified, that were associated with low antibody concentrations. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination willingness among oncologic patients was high in the first months after its availability, and most patients had already received one or two doses. Over 97 % of vaccinated patients had measurable anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titres. Our data supports early identification of low humoral responders after vaccination and could facilitate the design of future oncologic vaccine trials (clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04918888).

Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, the etiology of stroke remains unclear in up to 30

Although rare, complications like skin dehiscence and necrosis after neurosurgery pose significant challenges by increasing the risk of infections spreading to the epidural, subdural, or intracerebral spaces. This retrospective, single-center study aims to assess the prior clinical courses, neuroplastic repair, and outcomes of patients with skin defects following cranial neurosurgical procedures, and to outline our interdisciplinary reconstructive protocol. A retrospective analysis was performed on cranial surgeries conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, spanning from 2017 to 2023. Patients with skin defects requiring the combined expertise of neurosurgery and plastic surgery for effective treatment were included. The sizes of the skin defects were measured using intraoperative photographs analyzed with the freeware ImageJ software, version 2018. All patients provided informed consent for the surgeries. If informed consent was not possible due to neurological deterioration, consent was sought from adult representatives or next of kin except for acute circumstances. All patients admitted to our hospital agree to the pseudonymized use of their medical data and tissue specimens for research purposes in their treatment contract. A cohort of 24 patients experiencing wound healing complications after neurosurgical procedures underwent a total of 29 interdisciplinary surgeries for the reconstruction of skin, dural, and bone defects. After the neuroplastic surgery, 8 out of 24 patients (33.3

ObjectiveRecent research has shed light on the impact of endometriosis on complications during pregnancy, but very few studies address the influence of deep endometriosis (DE) on delivery and peripartum parameters. For this reason, an international birth register for DE was established to aid in counseling affected women on delivery mode and individual risks.Material and methodsThe BiRDeE study (Birth Register for Deep Endometriosis) is an international noninterventional multicenter study based on a patient register of women with singleton live births after diagnosis of DE (both operated on and non-operated). This first extracted data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsAt the time point of data extraction (January 2023), 10 study centres created 209 records of which 165 were closed and suitable for analysis. Cesarean section was performed in 49.1% of patients with a high rate of elective CS due to known deep endometriosis. The median gestational age at delivery was 40 weeks of pregnancy (IQR 39-41) with a preterm delivery rate of 10.9%. In four cases, Apgar scores at 5 minutes were less than seven; there were no cases with an umbilical artery pH < 7.00 (lowest NapH value was 7.08). No bladder or bowel injuries (beside OASIS) were reported so far.ConclusionDeep endometriosis per se is not a contraindication for vaginal delivery. Based on the currently available data, the choice of delivery method should be made together with the patient after adequate information about benefits and possible complications. Neonatal outcomes are encouraging.

Background Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a well-established surgical treatment option for various diseases of the lumbar spine, including spondylolisthesis. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative correction of spondylolisthesis and restoration of lumbar and segmental lordosis after ALIF. Methods Patients with spondylolisthesis who underwent ALIF between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively assessed. We assessed the following parameters pre-and postoperatively (6-months follow-up): Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lordosis (SL), L4/S1 lordosis, and degree of spondylolisthesis. Results 96 patients were included. In 84 cases (87.50%), additional dorsal instrumentation was performed. The most frequent diagnosis was isthmic spondylolisthesis (73.96%). VAS was reduced postoperatively, from 70 to 40, as was ODI (50% to 32%). LL increased from 59.15° to 64.45°, as did SL (18.95° to 28.55°) and L4/S1 lordosis (37.90° to 44.00°). Preoperative spondylolisthesis was 8.90 mm and was reduced to 6.05 mm postoperatively. Relative spondylolisthesis was 21.63% preoperatively and 13.71% postoperatively. All clinical and radiological improvements were significant (all p < 0.001). No significant difference considering the lordosis values nor spondylolisthesis was found between patients who underwent ALIF surgery without dorsal instrumentation and patients who received additional dorsal instrumentation. Venous laceration was the most frequent complication (10.42%). Conclusions With ALIF, good clinical results and safe and effective reduction of spondylolisthesis and restoration of lordosis can be achieved. Additional dorsal instrumentation does not significantly affect postoperative lordosis or spondylolisthesis. Individual vascular anatomy must be reviewed preoperatively before considering ALIF.

Abstract Introduction Genital malformations are a common clinical occurrence that can be represented using different classifications. Reproducibility is an essential quality characteristic for a classification, and it plays an important role, especially in consultations and the treatment of infertile patients and in obstetric management. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the reproducibility and clinical practicality of three commonly used classifications: the ESHRE/ESGE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology/ European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy), VCUAM (Vagina Cervix Uterus Adnex-associated Malformation), and AFS (American Fertility Society) classifications. Materials and Methods Sixty-five patients with female genital malformations were included in this prospective, multicenter, exploratory, observational study. All participants underwent a clinical examination and a medical interview. The investigators were instructed to classify the presenting malformations according to the ESHRE/ESGE, VCUAM, and AFS classifications using a structured questionnaire. Investigators were asked whether the malformation could be reproducibly classified (yes/no) and about the grade (grade 1–5 from “very good” to “deficient”) they would assign to each classification. Classification assessment was queried for vagina, cervix, uterus, adnexa, and associated malformations and was scored from 1 to 5. Results Reproducibility was rated as 80% (n = 52/65), 92.3% (n = 60/65), and 56.9% (n = 37/65) for the ESHRE/ESGE, VCUAM, and AFS classification, respectively. ESHRE/ESGE, VCUAM and AFS were rated as “very good” or “good” for 83.3%, 89.2%, and 10.8% of vaginal malformations; for 75.8%, 87.5%, and 24.2% of cervical malformations; and for 89.7%, 89.5%, and 86.2% of uterine malformations, respectively. VCUAM was rated as “very good” or “good” for 77.8% and 69.6% of adnexal malformations and associated malformations, respectively. ESHRE/ESGE and AFS were rated as “sufficient” or "deficient” for 100% and 75% of adnexal malformations and for 77.3% and 69.6% of associated malformations, respectively. Conclusion The prospective multicenter EVA (ESHRE/ESGE | VCUAM | AFS) study revealed that the organ-based ESHRE/ESGE and VCUAM classifications of female genital malformations perform better in terms of reproducibility as well as in the assessment of individual compartments than the non-organ-based AFS classification.

In post-mortem analyses, SARS-CoV-2 was found in the middle ear of some, but not all, patients with COVID-19. It is not clear whether SARS-CoV-2 penetrated the ear passively post mortem, or existed in the middle ear of living patients during, and perhaps also after, infection. This study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 can be found in the middle ear of living patients during ear surgery. Swabs from the nasopharynx, the filter connected to the tracheal tube and secretions from the middle ear were collected during middle ear surgery. All samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using PCR. History of vaccination, COVID-19 history and contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals were recorded preoperatively. Postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection was noted at the follow-up visit. Overall, 63 participants (62%) were children and 39 (38%) were adults. SARS-CoV-2 was found in the middle ear and in the nasopharynx of two and four CovEar study participants, respectively. The filter connected to the tracheal tube was sterile in all cases. Cycle threshold (ct) values of the PCR test were between 25.94 and 37.06. SARS-CoV-2 penetrated the middle ear of living patients and was found in asymptomatic patients. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the middle ear may have implications for ear surgery and can pose a risk of infection for operating room staff. It may also directly affect the audio-vestibular system.

Einleitung Aktuelle Klassifikationssysteme für Endometriose beruhen auf den Ergebnissen eines chirurgischen Eingriffs – meist einer Laparoskopie. Entscheidend für eine erfolgreiche operative Therapie ist jedoch eine möglichst exakte präoperative Beurteilung des Erkrankungsausmaßes. Zusätzlich hat die Bedeutung der nicht-invasiven Diagnostik und der hormonellen Therapie durch das Aufkommen neuer medikamentöser Therapiemöglichkeiten weiter zugenommen. Ziel dieser multizentrischen Studie war es, zu untersuchen, wie exakt die derzeitigen nicht-invasiven diagnostischen Maßnahmen die intraoperative Gesamtsituation bei Endometriose anhand der Enzian-Klassifikation vorhersagen können.

Rapid and reliable fungal identification is crucial to delineate infectious diseases, and to establish appropriate treatment for onychomycosis. Compared to conventional diagnostic methods, molecular techniques are faster and feature higher accuracy in fungal identification. However, in current clinical practice, molecular mycology is not widely available, and its practical applicability is still under discussion. This study summarizes the results of 16,094 consecutive nail specimens with clinical suspicion of onychomycosis. We performed PCR/sequencing on all primary nail specimens for which conventional mycological diagnostics remained inconclusive. In specimens with a positive direct microscopy but negative or contaminated culture, molecular mycology proved superior and specified a fungal agent in 65% (587/898). In 75% (443/587), the identified pathogen was a dermatophyte. Positive cultures for dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds (NDMs) were concordant with primary-specimen-DNA PCR/sequencing in 83% (10/12), 34% (22/65) and 45% (76/169), respectively. Among NDMs, agreement was high for Fusarium spp. (32/40; 80%), but low for Penicillium spp. (5/25; 20%) and Alternaria spp. (1/20; 5%). This study underlines the improvement in diagnostic yield by fungal primary-specimen-DNA PCR/sequencing in the event of a negative or contaminated culture, as well as its significance for the diagnosis of dermatophyte and non-dermatophyte onychomycosis. Molecular mycology methods like PCR and DNA sequencing should complement conventional diagnostics in cases of equivocal findings, suspected NDM onychomycosis or treatment-resistant nail pathologies.

Abstract Study design Monocentric, prospective, observational study. Objective The clinical relevance of bacterial colonization of intervertebral discs is controversial. This study aimed to determine a possible relationship between bacterial and viral colonization and low-grade infection of the discs. Methods We investigated 447 disc samples from 392 patients. Microbiological culture was used to examine the samples for bacterial growth, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and histopathological analysis was used to detect signs of inflammation. The results were compared between subgroups organized according to gender, age, location of the samples, surgical approach, preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP), preoperative and 6 months postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Modic changes (MC) of the corresponding endplates. Also, we assessed the occurrence of postoperative infections within 6 months. Results Microbiological culture was positive in 38.78% of the analyzed intervertebral discs. Altogether, 180 bacteria were isolated. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) (23.41%) and Cutibacterium acnes (18.05%) were the most frequently detected microorganisms. None of HSV-1, HSV-2, or CMV were detected. Male patients (p = 0.00036) and cervical segments (p = 0.00001) showed higher rates of positive culture results. Ventral surgical approaches ( p < 0.001) and Type 2 MC (p = 0.0127) were significantly associated with a positive microbiological result ( p< 0.001). Neither pre- nor postoperative ODI and NDI are associated with positive culture results. In 4 (1.02%) patients, postoperative spondylodiscitis occurred. Conclusions With 447 segments from 392 patients, we present one of the largest studies to date. While disc degeneration caused by HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV seems unlikely, we found positive microbiological culture results in 38.78% of all discs. The role of local skin flora and sample contamination should be the focus of further investigations. Level of Evidence III. Trial registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04712487, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04712487 ).

Objective To assess the diagnostic performance of preoperative application of the Enzian classification (cEnzian) using surgical findings as reference standard. Design A prospective international non-interventional study. Setting Twelve endometriosis centres in four European countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Czech Republic). Population 1062 women with endometriosis surgery. Methods Extent of endometriosis was preoperatively classified using the cEnzian classification based on gynaecological examination and/or transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After subsequent surgery, the surgeon classified the intraoperative findings using the Enzian classification. Main outcome measures Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, LR- and accuracy were calculated. Conditional frequencies of intraoperative Enzian codings and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed for each preoperative coding and visualised in plots. Results Although overall consistency of cEnzian and Enzian was poor (35.14%, 95% confidence interval 32.26-38.03), high specificities and negative predictive values (NPVs) of the cEnzian compartments could be demonstrated. Looking at the individual parts of the Enzian classification, the poorest diagnostic performance was detected for compartment B and the highest PPVs were found for category 3 lesions (>3 cm), independent of the compartment. Conclusions Using the Enzian classification in a non-invasive setting is a useful tool providing us with an 'at a glance' summary of the diagnostic workup regarding deep endometriosis with high specificities and NPVs. An attempt to merge the two new endometriosis classification systems (#Enzian and AAGL 2021) seems reasonable taking into consideration the respective advantages of each other.

Purpose: To compare the lens tilt after apex-centered capsulotomy with standard pupil-centered capsulotomy. Setting: Clinical practice. Design: Prospective, randomized, investigator-masked trial. Methods: This prospective, randomized, investigator masked study included 40 patients with age-related cataract scheduled for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in both eyes. The main outcome was the tilt of the intraocular lens (IOL), measured with the IOLMaster 700. Results: The study enrolled 80 eyes of 40 patients. The mean distance from the center of the apex-centered capsulotomy to the pupil-centered capsulotomy was 175.8 ± 97.2 μm. The amount of IOL tilt was not significantly reduced with the new technique (P > .05). Tilt orientation was more stable in eyes treated with apex-centered capsulotomy. Conclusions: Centration of the capsulotomy on the lens apex in FLACS does not influence the amount of IOL tilt but the orientation stability. The clinical importance of this finding has to be further elucidated.