Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Clinical Trial
Aggressive management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage based on a papaverine angioplasty protocol.
The aim of this study was to analyse the results of intensive therapy unit management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage incorporating angioplasty in the protocol. Two hundred consecutive patients were treated using a detailed protocol that included nimodipine, early aneurysm repair, and surveillance angiography. Angiography was performed on days 5 to 7 (or when the clinical state suggested the presence of vasospasm). ⋯ These differences failed to reach a significant difference. The average Intensive Therapy Unit stay for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients was 13.1 days with a mean cost to the hospital of $AUD 24,379. This protocol appears to be both a clinically and cost effective method of managing aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
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The aim of this study was to determine the functional outcome and mortality in relation to the Glasgow coma score (GCS) on presentation in patients aged over 65 years with acute head injury. 2331 patients with head injury were identified by searching the neurosurgery database (1984-1996); 191 met the inclusion criteria and systematic review of medical records was undertaken. Functional outcome on discharge from hospital and mortality were tested statistically against GCS on presentation. Mortality overall was 33. 5%. ⋯ Comparison with outcome for the 132 patients with GCS >/=11, of whom 91 had satisfactory outcomes, was highly statistically significant (P<0.001). Elderly patients with presenting GCS <11 due to acute head injury have poor functional outcomes and high mortality rates. Conservative treatment of these patients should be considered.
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We examined the relationship between clinical and radiological findings, cerebral oxygenation patterns during intensive care management, presence of systemic trauma related injuries and severity of illness in 50 patients (age: 32.3 +/- 12 years, GCS: 8 +/- 4) who were rescued from the accident scene within a 30 min period after trauma. Presence of systemic injuries was quantified using the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and severity of illness was scored using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II). Cerebral oxygenation parameters included continuous monitoring of jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjvO(2)) for 12 840 h, and 2323 periodical blood sampling for measurement of arteriovenous differences in oxygen content (AVDO(2)), arteriovenous difference of lactate (AVDL) and lactate oxygen index (LOI). ⋯ The number of SjvO(2)desaturations (< 60%) was the only statistically significant factor associated with outcome (P = 0.05). The percentage of patients with poor neurological outcomes (GOS 1-3) was 38% in patients with no or one desaturation episode, and 57.6% in those with multiple desaturations. In conclusion, in patients who are resuscitated early and quickly transferred to the hospital, the number of SjvO(2)desaturations during intensive care management might be associated with outcome more strongly than other clinical and radiological features.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Postoperative seizure outcome in a series of 114 patients with supratentorial arteriovenous malformations.
The incidence of de novo and ongoing postoperative seizures and factors implicated in an increased likelihood of seizures following supratentorial cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) resection remain controversial. We investigated the frequency, severity and variables associated with postoperative seizures in 114 consecutive patients who underwent complete surgical excision of supratentorial AVMs at our institution. The minimal follow up period was 24 months. ⋯ A history of preoperative seizures was associated with an increased likelihood of multiple (> or =4) seizures >1 month post-AVM resection (chi2 = 4.38, P = 0.04). Poor functional neurological outcome at 12 months was also a risk factor for the development of > or =1 postoperative seizure using logistic regression analysis (P = 0.04, odds ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.28). Cessation of AED therapy in all patients who remain seizure-free at 12 months post-AVM resection is appropriate due to a low risk of new seizure onset or seizure recurrence.
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Editorial Historical Article
Modernity and the emerging futurism in neurosurgery.
This article discusses the emergence of neurosurgery in its 'modern' form during the second half of the 20th century and presents the apertures to the 21st century that are apparent in establishing an evolving futurism in the field. Factors of primary positive impetus and challenges are discussed.