1/40. head injury monitoring using cerebral microdialysis and Paratrend multiparameter sensors.INTRODUCTION: Following head injury complex pathophysiological changes occur in brain metabolism. The objective of the study was to monitor brain metabolism using the Paratrend multiparameter sensor and microdialysis catheters. patients, MATERIAL AND methods: Following approval by the Local ethics Committee and consent from the relatives, patients with severe head injury were studied using a triple bolt inserted into the frontal region, transmitting an intracranial pressure monitor, microdialysis (10 mm or 30 mm membrane; glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate) catheter and Paratrend multiparameter (oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and temperature) sensor. A Paratrend sensor was also inserted into the femoral artery for continuous blood gas analysis. RESULTS: 21 patients were studied with cerebral microdialysis for a total of 91 monitoring days (range 19 hours to 12 days). Of these, 14 patients were also studied with cerebral and arterial Paratrend sensors. The mean ( /- 95% confidence intervals) arterial and cerebral oxygen levels were 123 /- 10.9 mmHg and 27.9 /- 5.71 mmHg respectively. The arterial and cerebral carbon dioxide levels were 34.3 /- 2.35 mmHg and 45.3 /- 3.07 mmHg respectively. Episodes of systemic hypoxia and hypotension resulting in falls in cerebral oxygen and rises in cerebral carbon dioxide were rapidly detected by the arterial and cerebral Paratrend sensors. Systemic pyrexia was reflected in the brain with the cerebral Paratrend sensor reading 0.17 degree C (mean) higher than the arterial sensor. Elevations of cerebral glucose were detected, but the overall cerebral glucose was low (mean 1.57 /- 0.53 mM 10 mm membrane; mean 1.95 /- 0.68 mM 30 mm membrane) with periods of undetectable glucose in 6 patients. Lactate concentrations (mean 5.08 /- 0.73 mM 10 mm membrane; mean 8.27 /- 1.31 mM 30 mm membrane) were higher than glucose concentrations in all patients. The lactate/pyruvate ratio was 32.1 /- 5.16 for the 10 mm membrane and 30.6 /- 2.17 for the 30 mm membrane. Glutamate concentrations varied between patients (mean 15.0 /- 10.5 microM 10 mm membrane; mean 28.8 /- 17.8 microM 30 mm membrane). CONCLUSION: The combination of microdialysis catheters and Paratrend sensors enabling the monitoring of substrate delivery and brain metabolism, and the detection of secondary metabolic insults has the potential to assist in the management of head-injured patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/40. head injury by gunshots from blank cartridges.BACKGROUND: Blank cartridge handguns are generally underestimated in their capacity to inflict serious and potentially life threatening injuries. The predominant reasons for these injuries are suicide or suicide attempts, followed by accidental injuries. methods: A series of 26 gas gunshots to the neurocranium is presented. The injury pattern relevant to neurosurgical practice is illustrated in a case summary of 7 selected cases and the clinical courses as well as outcomes are presented. RESULTS: The injury pattern demonstrates that the energy density of the gas jet and the high temperatures of the exploding gas volume cause extensive soft tissue injuries. In close-range shots the gas jet takes on physical properties of a projectile. In these injuries impression fractures and dislocation of bone fragments are common. CONCLUSIONS: Gas handguns, contrary to public opinion, are dangerous weapons and may inflict potentially fatal injuries to the neurocranium when fired at close range. These weapons are frequently used in criminal or careless activities predominantly by young males. Extensive CNS injuries including hematomas, subarachnoid hemorrhage, foreign body contamination, and increased intracranial pressure are frequently observed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/40. Intracranial hemorrhage resulting from skull base fracture as a complication of Le Fort III osteotomy.Various complications of Le Fort osteotomies have been reported. We describe a lethal complication of Le Fort III osteotomy we encountered in a 9-year-old boy with Crouzon syndrome. A standard Le Fort III osteotomy, including pterygomaxillary dysjunction with a curved osteotome and down-fracture manipulation, was performed uneventfully. When the intraoral buccal wound was closed after fixation of the external midface distraction devices, we discovered hemorrhage originating from the right posterior maxillary region. Although it was stopped with pressure on the osteotomized maxilla, the volume of intraoperative blood loss was nearly 2,000 ml. During the observation period in the intensive care unit, the patient suffered brain death, and he died 3 months later. A computed tomography scan obtained the day after surgery revealed vigorous subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage and transverse fracture of the middle cranial fossa. This skull base fracture was believed to result from intraoperative maneuvers, including the pterygomaxillary dysjunction and down-fracture manipulation. We emphasize the risk of intracranial hemorrhage with Le Fort osteotomy and advise discussing this risk with patients and family members during preoperative consultations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/40. Cervical epidural haematoma with clivus fracture: case report.Clivus fractures are rare and severe entities, usually associated with vascular or cranial nerve lesions and frequently diagnosed postmortem. Cervical epidural haematomas can be traumatic or spontaneous, manifested in acute or chronic form, and are treated surgically in the majority of cases, although the conservative treatment also can be indicated to patients with incomplete and non-progressive deficits. The authors report the case of a female patient, 8 years old, victim of trampling in public way by a high velocity motorized vehicle, admitted in Glasgow 7, anisocoric pupils (left pupil midriatic), whose radiological investigation showed a transverse fracture of the clivus, cervical epidural haematoma and diffuse axonal injury. The patient was submitted to intracranial pressure monitorization, sedation and conservative treatment with dexamethasone, with good outcome. The authors also present a literature review.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/40. Delayed oedema in the pyramidal tracts remote from intracerebral missile path following gunshot injury.A 60-year-old man developed a severe left hemiparesis and central facial palsy, accompanied by somnolence and dysarthria 9 days after a gunshot wound to the right temporal region, from which he slowly recovered over 3 months. MRI disclosed bilateral oedema of the pyramidal tracts. This was interpreted as a consequence of the impact of the pressure wave caused by the bullet, after excluding an infectious or vascular cause.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/40. Transcranial motor evoked potential recording in a case of Kernohan's notch syndrome: case report.OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Compression of the cerebral peduncle against the tentorial incisura contralateral to a supratentorial mass lesion, the so-called Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon, can be an important cause of false localizing motor signs. Here, we demonstrate a case in which clinical, radiological, and electrophysiological findings were used together to define this syndrome. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old man sustained a left temporal depressed cranial fracture from a motor vehicle accident. Serial computed tomographic examinations demonstrated no evolution of hematomas or contusions, and he was managed nonsurgically with ventriculostomy for intracranial pressure control. Throughout his course in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, he displayed persistent left hemiparesis. INTERVENTION: Further radiological and electrophysiological studies were undertaken in an attempt to explain his left hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated T2 prolongation in the central portion of the right cerebral peduncle extending to the right internal capsule. Electrophysiological studies using transcranial electrical motor evoked potentials revealed both a marked increase in voltage threshold, as well as a reduction in the complexity of the motor evoked potential waveform on the hemiparetic left side. This contrasted to significantly lower voltage threshold as well as a highly complex motor evoked potential waveform recorded on the relatively intact contralateral side. CONCLUSION: This is the first time that clinical, radiological, and electrophysiological findings have been correlated in a case of Kernohan's notch syndrome. Compression of the contralateral cerebral peduncle against the tentorial incisura can lead to damage and ipsilateral hemiparesis. The anatomic extent of the lesion can be defined by magnetic resonance imaging and the physiological extent by electrophysiological techniques.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/40. superior sagittal sinus and torcula thrombosis in minor head injury.A 27-year-old man suffered a relatively minor trauma. He developed signs of raised intracranial pressure three days after injury. Investigations revealed superior sagittal sinus and torcular thrombosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/40. Nasoethmoid orbital fractures. Current concepts and management principles.The proper management of nasoethmoid orbital fractures relies upon early accurate diagnosis and treatment. A surgical plan must be established after careful review of the physical examination and CT scans. Identification of the extent and type of fracture pattern determines the operative approach. Extended (wide) exposure, using craniofacial techniques, facilitates precise reduction and rigid fixation of all bone fragments. Transnasal reduction of the canthus-bearing central segment (medial orbital rim) is the critical operative maneuver required to achieve normal intercanthal distance. Immediate bone grafting replaces severely comminuted or missing bone fragments. The skin overlying the nasoethmoid area is carefully redraped by gentle pressure from padded external compression bolsters. These principles form the basis for superior aesthetic and functional results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/40. Traumatic extradural hematoma of delayed onset is not a rarity.During a 4.5-year period, 73 patients with traumatic extradural hematoma (EDH) were admitted to the neurosurgical unit of the same hospital and managed with surgical evacuation. Of these consecutive admissions, 22 patients with delayed EDH are reported. The incidence of this condition (30%; 22 of 73) contrasts with reports in the literature of 0 to 10%. This may be related to the availability of computed tomography and its liberal and early use in all head injuries. The overall mortality of traumatic EDH (5%; 4 of 73) was related to cases of delayed onset EDH. In addition to a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis of delayed EDH can be facilitated by liberal use of intracranial pressure monitoring and serial computed tomography.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/40. Management of combined frontonaso-orbital/skull base fractures and telecanthus in 355 cases.In regard to the multiple problems of reconstruction concerning this fracture pattern, we developed various methods to achieve optimal results. As various vital regions, apart from the nasoethmoidal fractures and aesthetics, are involved, the proposed classification has direct implication for the surgical procedure. Even in intracranial fragment dislocations, cerebral contusion, and elevated intracranial pressure, the subcranial approach, in contrast with the transfrontal access, enables early definitive management of the skull base and the external facial frame in a one-stage procedure. Another method, the symmetrical centripetal compression of the canthal ligaments and naso-orbital bone fragments, enables correct reduction of the telecanthus. The significant reduction of morbidity and complication rate to a minimum confirms the efficiency of our treatment modalities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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