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Circulating Brain-Injury Markers After Surgery for Craniosynostosis
Isak Michaëlsson1, Thomas Skoglund1, Tobias Hallén1
1Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Neurosurgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
World Neurosurgery
|March 2, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a new method to detect brain injury after craniosynostosis surgery using biomarkers. More extensive surgeries showed higher biomarker levels, indicating potential brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Quantitative outcome evaluation after craniosynostosis surgery is limited.
- Novel methods are needed to detect potential postsurgical brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess a novel approach for detecting postsurgical brain injury in craniosynostosis patients.
- To evaluate plasma concentrations of brain-injury biomarkers (NfL, GFAP, tau) after specific surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 74 patients undergoing sagittal or metopic synostosis repair.
- Plasma biomarker levels (NfL, GFAP, tau) measured at multiple time points using single-molecule array assays.
Main Results:
- Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) significantly increased post-frontal remodeling and pi-plasty, but not after craniotomy with springs.
- Neurofilament light (NfL) significantly increased three days post-surgery for all procedures.
- Higher NfL levels were observed after frontal remodeling and pi-plasty compared to craniotomy with springs.
Conclusions:
- First results demonstrating increased plasma brain-injury biomarkers after craniosynostosis surgery.
- More extensive cranial vault procedures correlate with higher biomarker levels, suggesting greater potential for brain injury.
