BACKGROUND: Candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) must be carefully evaluated to balance expected benefits with the possibility of serious complications. Several predictive factors exist but are imperfect. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether linear measurements of the lateral ventricles predict complications following DBS. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of DBS patients. The primary outcome was postoperative confusion; secondary outcomes were discharge disposition and all in-hospital complications. For each case, a control matched for age, sex, diagnosis, and DBS target was identified. Linear measurements were made from routine preoperative axial MRIs for both cases and controls. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients met one or more of the end points. Patients with postoperative confusion had a significantly larger minimum width of the lateral ventricles than controls. Patients discharged to a higher level of care and those with any complications also had significantly greater maximum and minimum ventricular widths than controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that preoperative measurement of the maximum and minimum width of the lateral ventricles may help predict which patients are at risk for complicated recoveries following DBS.
BACKGROUND: Candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) must be carefully evaluated to balance expected benefits with the possibility of serious complications. Several predictive factors exist but are imperfect. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether linear measurements of the lateral ventricles predict complications following DBS. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of DBS patients. The primary outcome was postoperative confusion; secondary outcomes were discharge disposition and all in-hospital complications. For each case, a control matched for age, sex, diagnosis, and DBS target was identified. Linear measurements were made from routine preoperative axial MRIs for both cases and controls. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients met one or more of the end points. Patients with postoperative confusion had a significantly larger minimum width of the lateral ventricles than controls. Patients discharged to a higher level of care and those with any complications also had significantly greater maximum and minimum ventricular widths than controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that preoperative measurement of the maximum and minimum width of the lateral ventricles may help predict which patients are at risk for complicated recoveries following DBS.
Authors: Sarah K Madsen; Boris A Gutman; Shantanu H Joshi; Arthur W Toga; Clifford R Jack; Michael W Weiner; Paul M Thompson Journal: Neurobiol Aging Date: 2014-08-30 Impact factor: 4.673