Neurosurgery clinics of North America
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Jul 2013
ReviewSurgical treatment of elevated intracranial pressure: decompressive craniectomy and intracranial pressure monitoring.
Surgical techniques that address elevated intracranial pressure include (1) intraventricular catheter insertion and cerebrospinal fluid drainage, (2) removal of an intracranial space-occupying lesion, and (3) decompressive craniectomy. This review discusses the role of surgery in the management of elevated intracranial pressure, with special focus on intraventricular catheter placement and decompressive craniectomy. The techniques and potential complications of each procedure are described, and the existing evidence regarding the impact of these procedures on patient outcome is reviewed. Surgical management of mass lesions and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke occurring in the posterior fossa is not discussed herein.
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Jul 2013
ReviewParenchymal brain oxygen monitoring in the neurocritical care unit.
Patients admitted to the neurocritical care unit (NCCU) often have serious conditions that can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pharmacologic agents or neuroprotectants have disappointed in the clinical environment. ⋯ This strategy is based on a variety of monitoring techniques including use of intraparenchymal monitors. This article reviews parenchymal brain oxygen monitors, including the available technologies, practical aspects of use, the physiologic rationale behind their use, and patient management based on brain oxygen.
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Hypothermia has long been recognized as an effective therapy for acute neurologic injury. Recent advances in bedside technology and greater understanding of thermoregulatory mechanisms have made this therapy readily available at the bedside. ⋯ At present, hypothermia has only been shown to be an effective neuroprotective therapy in cardiac arrest survivors. The primary use of hypothermia in the neurocritical care unit is to treat increased intracranial pressure.
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Jul 2013
ReviewManaging subarachnoid hemorrhage in the neurocritical care unit.
Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who survive the initial hemorrhage require complex interventions to occlude the aneurysm, typically followed by a prolonged intensive care unit and hospital course to manage the complications that follow. Much of the morbidity and mortality from this disease happens in delayed fashion in the neurocritical care unit. Despite progress made in the last decades, much remains to be understood about this disease and how to best manage these patients. This article provides a review of current evidence and the authors' experience, aimed at providing practical aid to those caring for patients with this disease.
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Jul 2013
ReviewStrategies for the use of mechanical ventilation in the neurologic intensive care unit.
Mechanical ventilation in neurologically injured patients presents unique challenges. Patients with acute neurologic injuries may require mechanical ventilation for reasons beyond respiratory failure. ⋯ Weaning and liberation from mechanical ventilation also require special considerations. These issues are examined in the ventilator management of the neurologically injured patient.