Clinical neurology and neurosurgery
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2014
Review Case ReportsTherapeutic hypothermia for status epilepticus: A report, historical perspective, and review.
Refractory status epilepticus is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, which does not always respond to standard treatments, and when they fail, alternative modalities become crucial. Therapeutic hypothermia slows nerve conduction in vitro, and has been shown to abort seizures in animal models. ⋯ We report a case of super-refractory status epilepticus successfully treated with therapeutic hypothermia, complimented by a historical and literature review of this modality. While there is limited evidence, and some risks associated with therapeutic hypothermia, it should be considered as a reasonable and potentially effective treatment option for refractory status epilepticus.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2014
ReviewTherapeutic hypothermia does not diminish the vital and necessary role of SSEP in predicting unfavorable outcome in anoxic-ischemic coma.
Rational medical management of patients who remain comatose following cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) due to anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy depends upon the early identification of those with a hopeless prognosis - regardless of how aggressively they are managed. Conversely, it is mandatory that we recognize those patients with the potential to recover in order to institute aggressive therapeutic measures. The bilateral absence of the N20 Cortical Somatosensory Evoked Potential has been identified as the most reliable predictor of an unfavorable prognosis in normothermic patients. ⋯ Eight studies targeting patients who were comatose following CPR, treated with TH, and using SSEP as an outcome predictor are reviewed. There is only one patient treated with TH who appears to have fully recovered following cardiac arrest who was initially found to have bilateral absent cortical potentials. This opinion paper will address whether the criteria that placed reliance upon SSEP to predict unfavorable outcome in post cardio-pulmonary arrest patients after receiving TH, still apply.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2014
Prognosis and predictors of outcome of refractory generalized convulsive status epilepticus in adults treated in neurointensive care unit.
To evaluate the etiological profile, clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with refractory generalized convulsive status epilepticus treated in Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU). ⋯ CNS infections, especially viral encephalitis and complications of mechanical ventilation were significantly higher in adult RSE patients. Although mortality is higher in adult patients with RSE, etiology does not contribute to mortality; however fever predicts mortality in these patients. Aggressive management of underlying etiology and prevention of systemic complications may improve outcome in adult RSE patients.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2014
Magnetic resonance imaging predictors for respiratory failure after cervical spinal cord injury.
Patients after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) may experience ventilator-dependent respiratory failure during the acute hospitalization period. The aim of the study is to identify imaging factors that predict respiratory failure after acute CSCI. ⋯ MRI can accurately localize CSCI and identify those patients at risk of respiratory failure. Imaging level of injury at C3 and presence of spinal cord edema are both predictors. To prevent secondary cord injury from prolonged hypoxia and facilitate pulmonary care, definitive airways should be established early in high risk patients.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Nov 2014
Long-term outcomes of bilateral pallidal stimulation for primary generalised dystonia.
Bilateral pallidal stimulation is an established surgical management for patients with primary generalised dystonia (PGD). The aim of this study was to present our long-term experience of bilateral pallidal stimulation in patients with PGD. ⋯ Our results indicate that bilateral pallidal stimulation is an effective treatment for patients with DYT-1 positive and DYT-1 negative PGD. The most common hardware-related complication (DBS lead breakage) in our series was associated with the slippage of the connector to the cervical area. To prevent this complication after changing the surgical technique (suturing and placing the connector in parietal region) we did not observe these complications. Unilateral IPG failure resulted in the development of severe status dystonicus.