Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1996
Intra-operative monitoring by facial electromyographic responses during microvascular decompressive surgery for hemifacial spasm.
The facial electromyographic response was monitored intraoperatively in 40 patients with hemifacial spasm who were operated on by microvascular decompression of the facial nerve. All 40 patients showed an abnormal facial electromyographic response (lateral spread response) with a latency of about 10 msec after stimulation. The abnormal response resolved before decompression in 22, resolved immediately with decompression in 16, and failed to resolve in two. ⋯ Disappearance of the lateral spread response during surgery correlated with the absence of hemifacial spasm in the early postoperative period. The prognosis of hemifacial spasm was good in cases in whom the lateral spread response disappeared. Therefore, the authors think that intra-operative facial electromyography is very useful in assessing the efficacy of microvascular decompression and in predicting the prognosis of hemifacial spasm.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1996
Case ReportsChronic precentral stimulation in trigeminal neuropathic pain.
The results of Deep Brain Stimulation in deafferentation pain syndromes, in particular in thalamic pain, indicate that excellent long-term pain relief can hardly ever be achieved. We report 7 cases using Motor-Cortex-Stimulation for treating severe trigeminal neuropathic pain syndromes, i.e., dysaesthesia, anaesthesia dolorosa and postherpetic neuralgia. The first implantation of the stimulation device for precentral cerebral stimulation was performed in June 1993, the last in September 1995. ⋯ Initially these patients reported a good to excellent pain relief. In three of 6 patients a good to excellent pain control was maintained for a follow-up period of 5 months to 2 years. In the remaining three patients the positive effect decreased over several months.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1996
The variations of Sylvian veins and cisterns in anterior circulation aneurysms. An operative study.
The anatomical variations of Sylvian vein and cistern were investigated during the pterional approach in 230 patients with 276 aneurysms of anterior circulation arteries, that were operated on at the Neurosurgical Department of Atatürk University Medical School. Erzurum, Türkiye. All patients underwent radical surgery for aneurysm by the right or left pterional approach. ⋯ We concluded that venous perfusion disorder of the brain is the most important factor during the pterional approach. Careful intraoperative assessment and protection of the Sylvian vein, which is a surgical pitfall, is an indispensable part of the operation. The recognition of the anatomical variations of the Sylvian vein and cistern, and the detailed knowledge of the microvascular relationships at that level will allow the neurosurgeon to construct a better and safter microdissection plan, to save time and can prevent postoperative neurological deficits.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1996
One hundred and twenty-seven cases of acute subdural haematoma operated on. Correlation between CT scan findings and outcome.
Traumatic acute subdural haematoma is one of the most lethal of all head injuries: the mortality rate is reported to be between 50 and 90%. We reviewed the clinical records of 1688 head injured patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at C. T. ⋯ Timing of operative intervention for clot removal with regard to outcome was not statistically significant. But no conclusions regarding the importance of early haematoma evacuation can be drawn from such an oversimplifying statement, because it does not take into account factors like rapidity of haematoma development and related brain decompensation as well as additional direct brain lesions. The results of this study suggest that the extent of primary brain injury underlying the subdural haematoma is the most important factor affecting outcome.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 1996
Arterio-jugular differences of oxygen (AVDO2) for bedside assessment of CO2-reactivity and autoregulation in the acute phase of severe head injury.
Autoregulation and CO2-reactivity can be impaired independently of each other in many brain insults, the so-called 'dissociated vasoparalysis'. The theoretical combination of preserved CO2-reactivity and impaired or abolished autoregulation can have many clinical implications in the daily management of brain injured patients. To optimize their treatment, a bedside assessment of autoregulation and CO2-reactivity is desirable. ⋯ All patients with an impaired CO2-reactivity also had an impaired autoregulation. Monitoring relative changes in AVDO2 permits a reliable study of CO2-reactivity and autoregulation at the bedside. Introducing these variables into the day-to-day management should be considered in treatment protocols.