Recent Updates in Neurosurgical Interventions for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Minimally Invasive Surgery to Improve Surgical Performance

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of surgical treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have long been subjects of investigation and debate. The recent results of the minimally invasive surgery plus alteplase for intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation (MISTIE) III trial demonstrated the safety of the procedure and a reduction in mortality compared to medical treatment. Although no improvement in functional outcomes was shown, the trial elucidated that benefits of intervention depend on surgical performance: a greater ICH reduction, defined as ≤ 15 mL end of treatment ICH volume or ≥70% volume reduction, correlated with significant functional improvement. Recent meta-analyses suggested the benefits of neurosurgical hematoma evacuation, especially when performed earlier and done using minimally invasive procedures. In MISTIE III, to confirm hemostasis and reduce the risk of rebleeding, the mean time from onset to surgery and treatment completion took 47 and 123 h, respectively. Theoretically, the earlier the hematoma is removed, the better the outcome. Therefore, a higher rate of hematoma reduction within an earlier time course may be beneficial. Neuroendoscopic surgery enables less invasive removal of ICH under direct visualization. Minimally invasive procedures have continued to evolve with the support of advanced guidance systems and devices in favor of better surgical performance. Ongoing randomized controlled trials utilizing emerging minimally invasive techniques, such as the Early Minimally Invasive Removal of Intra Cerebral Hemorrhage (ENRICH) trial, Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgical Treatment with Apollo/Artemis in Patients with Brain Hemorrhage (INVEST) trial, and the Dutch Intracerebral Hemorrhage Surgery Trial (DIST), may provide significant information on the optimal treatment for ICH.

Keywords: endoscopic surgery; intracerebral hemorrhage; minimally invasive surgery; stereotactic surgery; surgical performance; thrombolysis.

Figure 1

A case of large lobar hemorrhage (110 ml). CT scans before (A) and after operation (B). ^#Hematoma remnant.

Figure 2

Endoscopic view through a transparent sheath inserting to the hematoma cavity. *Hard clot difficult to suction.

Figure 3

Emerging minimally invasive instruments. (A) NICO BrainPath system and myriad handpiece (NICO Corp, Indianapolis, IN, USA). (B) The Apollo system. The Wand and aspiration–irrigation system (Penumbra Inc, Alameda, CA, USA). (C) The Artemis Neuro Evacuation Device and Pump MAX™ aspiration system (Penumbra, Alameda, CA, USA).

Figure 4

Head CT scans on arrival (A), immediately after ICH removal (B), and diffusion-weighted MRI images next day (C).