Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2011
Neurocognitive function before and after surgery for insular gliomas.
Insular gliomas can be resected with acceptable rates of neurological morbidity, but little is known with regard to impairment of higher-order neurocognitive functions. The frequency and functional impact of neurocognitive deficits in patients with gliomas has until recently been underappreciated. The authors therefore examined neurocognitive function in patients with insular gliomas and compared the findings in this group to those in a matched control group of patients with gliomas in nearby brain regions. ⋯ Few statistically significant differences in cognitive function were observed between patients in the insular and control groups at either the pre- or postoperative evaluation, although there was a trend for patients with insular tumors to exhibit greater postoperative decline in learning and memory. Although technically more challenging, surgery for insular region glioma appears feasible without profound neurological or cognitive morbidity for many patients.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2011
Is postoperative intensive care unit admission a prerequisite for elective craniotomy?
Routine postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) is often considered a necessity in the treatment of patients following elective craniotomy but may strain already limited resources and is of unproven benefit. In this study the authors investigated whether routine postoperative admission to a regular stepdown ward is a safe alternative. ⋯ Routine ward admission for patients undergoing elective craniotomies with selective ICU admission appears safe; however, approximately 2% of patients may require a direct postoperative unplanned ICU admission. Patients with anticipated long operation times, extensive blood loss, and high anesthetic risks should be selected for postoperative ICU admission, but further study is needed to determine the preoperative factors that can aid in identifying and caring for these groups of patients.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2011
Reversal of cerebral vasospasm via intravenous sodium nitrite after subarachnoid hemorrhage in primates.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced vasospasm is a significant underlying cause of aneurysm rupture-related morbidity and death. While long-term intravenous infusion of sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) can prevent cerebral vasospasm after SAH, it is not known if the intravenous administration of this compound can reverse established SAH-induced vasospasm. To determine if the intravenous infusion of NaNO(2) can reverse established vasospasm, the authors infused primates with the compound after SAH-induced vasospasm was established. ⋯ These findings indicate that the intravenous infusion of NaNO(2) can reverse SAH-induced vasospasm in primates. Further, these findings indicate that a similar treatment paradigm could be useful in reversing cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2011
Increasing treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms at high-volume centers in the United States.
Evidence of better outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at higher-volume centers might be expected to result in more of these patients being referred to such centers. The authors evaluated the US National Inpatient Sample for the years 2001 to 2008 for trends in patient admissions for the treatment of ruptured aneurysms at high- and low-volume centers. ⋯ The treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms increasingly occurs at high-volume centers in the US. This trend is favorable given that better outcomes are associated with the treatment of these lesions at high-volume centers.
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We reviewed our experience with pineal cysts to define the natural history and clinical relevance of this common intracranial finding. ⋯ Follow-up imaging and neurosurgical evaluation are not mandatory for adults with asymptomatic pineal cysts.