Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2016
Beta-blocker therapy and impact on outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a cohort study.
OBJECTIVE Cerebral vasospasm (cVSP) is a frequent complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), with a significant impact on outcome. Beta blockers (BBs) may blunt the sympathetic effect and catecholamine surge associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysms and prevent cardiac dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between preadmission BB therapy and cVSP, cardiac dysfunction, and in-hospital mortality following aSAH. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS The study data suggest that preadmission therapy with BBs is associated with lower incidence of cVSP after aSAH. LV dysfunction was associated with higher medically refractory cVSP and in-hospital mortality. BB therapy may be considered after aSAH as a cardioprotective and cVSP preventive therapy.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2016
Case ReportsStratification of risk to the surgical team in removal of small arms ammunition implanted in the craniofacial region: case report.
In cases of penetrating injury with implantation of small arms ammunition, it can often be difficult to tell the difference between simple ballistics and ballistics associated with unexploded ordnances (UXOs). In the operative environment, where highly flammable substances are often close to the surgical site, detonation of UXOs could have catastrophic consequences for both the patient and surgical team. There is a paucity of information in the literature regarding how to evaluate whether an implanted munition contains explosive material. ⋯ Clinical risk factors for UXOs include assassination attempts and/or wartime settings. Specific radiological features suggestive of a UXO include projectile size greater than 7.62-mm caliber, alterations in density of the tip, as well as radiological evidence of a hollowed-out core. If an implanted UXO is suspected, risks to the surgical and anesthesia teams can be minimized by notifying the nearest military installation with EOD capabilities and following clinical practice guidelines set forth by the Joint Theater Trauma System.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2016
Case ReportsDirect visualization of improved optic nerve pial vascular supply following tuberculum meningioma resection: case report.
Tuberculum sellae meningiomas frequently produce visual loss by direct compression from tumor, constriction of the optic nerve (ON) under the falciform ligament, and/or ON ischemia. The authors hypothesized that changes in visual function after tumor removal may be related to changes in blood supply to the ON that might be seen in the pial circulation at surgery. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was used to attempt to document these changes at surgery. ⋯ In follow-up the patient had significant improvements in both visual acuity and visual fields function. Intraoperative ICG angiography of the ON can demonstrate measurable changes in pial vascular flow that may be predictive of postoperative visual outcome. The predictive value of this technique during neurosurgical procedures around the optic apparatus warrants further investigation in a larger cohort.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 2016
Do tumor and ventricular volume predict the need for postresection shunting in colloid cyst patients?
OBJECTIVE Many colloid cyst patients present with obstructive hydrocephalus that resolves after resection of the cyst. However, a proportion of patients with these cysts will require cerebrospinal fluid shunting after tumor resection, despite resolution of the obstruction at the foramina of Monro. The goal of this study was to determine if colloid cyst size or preoperative ventricular volume predicted the need for postresection shunting. ⋯ Patients with colloid cysts larger than 0.6 cc (1-cm diameter) had a 12.8 increased odds of needing a VPS postoperatively (95% CI 1.81-275). CONCLUSIONS Larger colloid cysts are associated with an increased need for postresection shunting independent of preoperative ventricular size. Prospective studies of patients with colloid cysts are necessary to further identify risks of permanent hydrocephalus.