Neurosurgery
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Reactive oxygen species are thought to participate in the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study determined whether treatment with LY341122, a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation and an antioxidant, would provide neuroprotection in a rat model of TBI. ⋯ These data reinforce the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species participate in the acute pathogenesis of TBI. Treatment delayed until 3 hours after TBI did not provide significant histopathological protection.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of transcranial Doppler investigation of aneurysmal vasospasm with digital subtraction angiographic and clinical findings.
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) findings for evaluation of the severity of vasospasm (VSP) in patients with ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are controversial. To clarify these TCD findings, intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography was used to simultaneously investigate the angiographic features of cerebral vessels and the cerebral circulation time (CCT). ⋯ This study suggests that the MFV at the M1 segment is inadequate for estimation of the severity of VSP extending to vessels more peripheral than the M1 segment. Furthermore, severe VSP extending to more peripheral sites can produce more serious ischemic insults, compared with that localized to basal vessels. Patients with negative TCD results and clinical features suggesting the development of VSP should undergo quantitative investigation of cerebral circulatory parameters, such as the CCT, using intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography.
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The gold standard for documentation of surgical cure of a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a postoperative angiogram. Intraoperative angiography also has been used for assessing surgical obliteration of AVMs. The objective of this work is to determine the incidence of unexpected residual AVM in patients undergoing intraoperative angiography after brain AVM surgery, the incidence of false-negative intraoperative angiography, and whether there are any identifiable factors that would predict such an occurrence. ⋯ Intraoperative angiography is useful to demonstrate residual AVM in about 8% of patients undergoing AVM resection. It can be used to localize small AVMs, but other methods for localization may be as useful and may avoid the risks and cost of additional angiography. Intraoperative angiography does not replace postoperative angiography to confirm AVM removal because of false-negative findings, which occurred in 18% of patients in this series.
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This case report illustrates an uncommon complication from the retroperitoneal exposure of the lumbar spine. The diagnosis and management of a retroperitoneal lymphocele is presented. The lymphocele was treated with intralesional povidone iodine (Betadine; Purdue-Frederick, Norwalk, CT), which eradicated the lesion and provided symptomatic relief to the patient. ⋯ A retroperitoneal lymphocele is an uncommon complication caused by the surgical exposure of the lumbar spine when a ventral approach is used. In this case, it was diagnosed and treated without further surgical intervention.