Neurocritical care
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Clinical Trial
Continuous and intermittent CSF diversion after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a pilot study.
We examine two accepted methods of managing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in patients following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The first is intermittent CSF drainage when intracranial pressure (ICP) reaches a pre-defined threshold (monitor-first) and the second is continuous CSF drainage (drain-first) at set pressure thresholds. This pilot study is designed to determine if there is a cause for a randomized study of comparing the two methods. ⋯ This pilot study was neither powered, nor expected to detect a difference between groups. The results of this study provide support for the design and conduct of a randomized study to assess the impact of two methods of CSF diversion for patients with SAH.
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Diffuse cerebral vasospasm after brain tumor resection is rare. This is the first report of diffuse cerebral vasospasm following resection of a posterior fossa ependymoma. Various etiologies as to the cause of vasospasm after brain tumor resection have been described. A review of the current literature and pathophysiology is discussed. ⋯ Neurologic deterioration in the post-operative period following tumor resection, unexplained by other causes, should raise the concern for possible cerebral vasospasm. Vasospasm in these cases can be diffuse. Early recognition and prompt treatment using both hemodynamic augmentation and endovascular techniques can significantly improve patient outcome.
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Comparative Study
Gender influences cerebral oxygenation after red blood cell transfusion in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Important differences with respect to gender exist in the prognosis and mortality of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. The objective of this study was to assess the role of gender as an independent factor in cerebral oxygenation variations following red blood cell transfusion (RBCT). ⋯ Our results suggest that the effect of RBCT on cerebral oxygenation, as measured by PbrO(2), is greater in women than in men.
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Case Reports
Non-aneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a cavernous angioma.
Cavernous angiomas are responsible for intracranial hemorrhages, but bleeding is infrequently confined to the subarachnoid space. ⋯ The so-called "angiography-negative" subarachnoid hemorrhage could have its source in small cavernous angiomas lying on the surface of basal skull brain structures.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) generates regional alterations in cerebral metabolism, leading to the potential evolution of persistent metabolic dysfunction. In the case of penetrating, firearm-related TBI, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these acute-phase metabolic derangements are not entirely understood-hindering the potential effectiveness of therapeutic intervention. The use of cerebral microdialysis to monitor biochemical alterations that occur, post-TBI, provides critical insight into the events that perpetuate neurological deterioration. ⋯ Microdialysis studies may significantly improve the understanding of the metabolic alterations that occur in patients who sustain a variety of forms of neurotrauma. Ultimately, monitoring these variations in brain tissue chemistry will improve the insight into the neuropathological mechanisms underlying penetrating traumatic brain injury, and enhance the therapeutic approach of these patients.