Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1998
Case ReportsHerniated thoracic discs mimic cardiac disease: three case reports.
The authors report three patients (two males and one female) with herniated thoracic discs whose symptoms mimicked cardiac disease (severe intense stabbing pain beginning in the back and radiating to the lateral wall of the chest). They were evaluated for cardiac disease and angina, but the workup of the heart was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography myelography revealed the herniated thoracic discs. All patients underwent video-assisted endoscopic thoracic discectomy and recovered completely.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1998
The effect of peripheral glycerol on trigeminal neuropathic pain examined by quantitative assessment of abnormal pain and sensory perception.
In nine patients with trigeminal neuropathic pain after nerve injury, we examined prospectively the effect of peripheral glycerol neurolysis on abnormal pain and sensory perception. In the painful facial skin area of these patients, we found increased temperature and tactile thresholds and the presence of abnormal temporal summation of pain. In seven patients, neuropathic pain was peripheral and disappeared after application of local anaesthesia at or proximal to the site of nerve injury. ⋯ We suggest that glycerol-induced reduction of primary afferent hyperactivity may secondarily result in down-regulation of central neuronal hyperexcitability. The efficacy of application of glycerol at the site of nerve injury in patients with peripheral trigeminal neuropathic pain may warrant further investigation. However, this prospective study does not provide evidence that application of glycerol proximal to the site of nerve injury has a place in the treatment of trigeminal neuropathic pain.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1998
The use of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) to determine the incidence of myocardial ischemia and injury in patients with aneurysmal and presumed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A prospective single center study was performed to determine the minimal preoperative incidence of unrecognized cardiac injury in patients suffering aneurysmal and presumed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). When caring for such patients in the pre- and post operative period clinicians must be aware of the possibility of cardiac injury even when a history of previous cardiac symptomatology is not present. Forty-seven consecutive patients suffering from SAH over a five-month period underwent serum measurements of the cardiac muscle marker troponin I (cTnI) immediately upon admission. ⋯ None had recordings clearly consistent with recent myocardial ischemia although 13 were suggestive of ischemic changes. None of these 39 patients had pre- or post-operative clinical changes in cardiac function. Elevations in troponin I appeared to be unrelated to the patient's Hunt and Hess grade or Fisher score although our numbers were too small to draw any meaningful conclusions.
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Although histologically benign, craniopharyngioma can regrow either from macroscopic remnants of the tumour left behind at operation, or even after an apparently gross total removal. Recurrence rates vary significantly in the literature, depending on the efficacy of surgical treatment and also on the growth potential of the tumour itself. The main factor influencing tumour regrowth is obviously the extent of surgical resection, as total removal carries a much lesser risk of recurrence compared to subtotal or partial resections (although in such cases radiation therapy can lower this risk significantly). ⋯ Four of the 5 survivors received radiation therapy. All the patients are presently alive and stable (mean follow-up: 5.6 yrs). The authors conclude that surgery should be the first therapeutic option in case of recurrent craniopharyngioma and that radiation therapy should also be considered but only as adjuvant therapy.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1998
Case ReportsManagement of minor head injuries: admission criteria, radiological evaluation and treatment of complications.
The clinical course of patients admitted following minor head injuries (Glasgow Coma Score [GCS] 13-15) has been studied less extensively than in severely head injured patients. Admission criteria, methods and indications for radiological evaluation are controversial. To study this further, a retrospective review of 633 patients admitted following such injuries to King Khalid University Hospital between 1986 and 1993 was undertaken. ⋯ There is no benefit from immediate skull radiography in the initial evaluation of minor head injuries. The indications for CT are an abnormal GCS, presence of neurological deficit, signs of basilar or depressed fracture and persistent or progressive headache or vomiting. Infants with minor injuries should be followed up at least once after two to three months for possible growing fractures.