World Neurosurg
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Pneumocephalus is a rare complication after an elective lumbar spine surgery. Full endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (FELD) is an evolving minimally invasive surgical procedure gaining its popularity in the past decade. Although seizure was recognized as a possible complication, organic injury to the central nervous system such as pneumocephalus has not yet been reported after FELD. ⋯ This case report highlights the risk of pneumocephalus with conscious disturbance when a dural tear occurs during FELD under general anesthesia. FELD is safer when performed under local anesthesia because the patient is awake to report his discomfort and thus possible to prevent serious neurologic sequels. An emergent brain CT is critical to obtain a prompt diagnosis and HBO2 is probably helpful for resolving the mass effect caused by the pneumocephalus.
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Poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been associated with a high case fatality, either in the acute phase or in the later stages. The exact causes of death in these patients are unknown. ⋯ The decision to withdraw life support was the major reason for death of patients with poor-grade SAH for an overwhelming majority of the patients. The exact reasons for withdrawal of life support, other than cultural and referral differences, were undetermined. Insight into the reasons of death should be prospectively studied to improve the care and clinical outcomes of patients with poor-grade SAH.
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Postoperative blindness is a devastating surgical complication. Although usually associated with prolonged cardiac and prone spinal operations, it may follow other procedures as well. Postoperative blindness is most commonly caused by a vascular etiology, but it can more rarely be caused by status epilepticus. We have previously reported a case of this phenomenon following a staged spinal deformity surgery. ⋯ Although a rare phenomenon, this syndrome, first recognized and described by Tarik F. Ibrahim, should be considered in any patient with postoperative visual impairment.
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Comparative Study
Autologous Bone Cranioplasty: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Frozen and Subcutaneous Bone Flap Storage Methods.
The use of autologous bone for cranioplasty offers superior cosmesis and cost-effectiveness compared with synthetic materials. The choice between 2 common autograft storage mechanisms (subcutaneous vs. frozen) remains controversial and dictated by surgeon preference. We compared surgical outcomes after autologous bone cranioplasty between patients with cryopreserved and subcutaneously stored autografts. ⋯ Subcutaneous and frozen storage of autologous bone result in similar surgical risk profiles. Cryopreservation may be preferred because of shorter operation time and avoidance of complications with the abdominal pocket, whereas the portability of subcutaneous storage remains favorable for patients undergoing cranioplasty at a different institution. VPS placement prior to cranioplasty should be avoided, if possible, due to the increased risk of hospital-acquired infection.
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Vascular complications during transsphenoidal surgery can be devastating. Direct vascular injury during surgery can lead to various complications including pseudoaneurysm formation. Postoperative hematoma and direct vascular handling due to arachnoid tear can induce vasospasm. The vasospasm might present with varying clinical symptomatology and at times masks the underlying pathology as well. ⋯ Angiograms at regular intervals should be performed in cases where intraoperative vascular injury is suspected to detect such aneurysms and prevent catastrophe.