Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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The optimal therapy of sustained increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) is still controversial. The "Lund concept" is based on the physiological volume regulation of the intracranial compartments. In addition to its other functions the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the most important regulator of brain volume. ⋯ Reduction of cerebral blood volume. The efficacy of the treatment protocol has been evaluated in experimental and clinical studies regarding the physiological and biochemical (utilizing intracerebral microdialysis) effects. The clinical experiences have been favourable.
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The term internal neurolysis means removal of fibrotic tissue inside a nerve trunk. Unfortunately the term was used for procedures with complete isolation of fascicles with all consequences like damage of links between the fascicle and impairment of blood supply. The conclusion based on some negative experiences that all surgery within a nerve trunk has to be avoided cannot be accepted. ⋯ It stops immediately if this aim is achieved or continues with resection and reconstruction if an irreparable damage is present. It is better to use terms that describe exactly what was done and abandon the ill-defined term "internal neurolysis". Fibrosis of the paraneurium remains outside the epineurium but causes the same consequences as fibrosis of the epineurium.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2005
Complement inhibition attenuates brain edema and neurological deficits induced by thrombin.
The present study examined whether thrombin activates the complement cascade in the brain and whether N-acetylheparin, an inhibitor of complement activation, attenuates brain injury induced by thrombin. There were three sets of studies. In the first set, rats had an intracerebral infusion of either five-unit thrombin or a needle insertion. ⋯ Behavior was also significantly improved by N-acetylheparin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, thrombin-induced edema formation and neurological deficits were both reduced by N-acetylheparin. This suggests that inhibition may be a novel treatment for the thrombin-induced brain injury that occurs in intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2005
Management of ruptured aneurysms combined with coexisting aneurysms.
In patients suffering from subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and presenting with multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIA) two questions have to be decided on: 1st when is the ideal moment to eliminate the ruptured aneurysm and 2nd when to treat the coexisting aneurysms. In our series we retrospectively analysed 124 SAH-patients presenting with a total of 323 aneurysms. In 57 patients the ruptured aneurysm and all coexisting aneurysms were clipped during the first operation, whereas in 9 patients only some of the coexisting aneurysms (group-A; age in median 55 years) were clipped besides the ruptured one. ⋯ Six to 12 months after the initial SAH, 78% of the cases in both groups reached a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 or 5. Even if in patients with coexisting unruptured intracranial aneurysms the elimination of each and every aneurysm is recommended, the advantages of an unstaged procedure versus the additional strain caused by the prolongation of the procedure, e.g. approach over the midline, 2 or more craniotomies, and the risk of additional ischemic damage to the brain, caused by increased manipulation of cerebral arteries and brain tissue, have to be carefully considered. This is of special importance in dealing with patients in higher Hunt and Hess grades.