Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2012
Influence of isoflurane on neuronal death and outcome in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.
In the developing brain agents clinically used for the purpose of analgosedation can cause severe neurodegeneration. In patients with TBI analgosedation is a first-line treatment for intracranial hypertension. At the same time, damaged neuronal networks undergo conformational changes and use developmental mechanisms to restore brain function. ⋯ Along with histological findings neurological outcome was worst as indicated by a higher score in the experimental group with deep sedation (mean ± SEM 4 h, 13.9 ± 0.6, n = 14 and 20 ± 0.7, n = 15; 48 h, 8.1 ± 0.6, n = 14 and 13.3 ± 0.6, n = 15). Although blood pressure was lower with deep sedation, no frank hypotension occurred. In our experiments deep sedation with high doses of isoflurane caused neurodegeneration and worse outcome compared with regular sedation.
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From recent studies, it remains unclear whether CT angiography could be an alternative to other established ancillary tests for the diagnosis of brain death. We examined intracranial contrast enhancement in CT angiography after clinically established brain death and compared the results with EEG and TCD findings. ⋯ CT angiography is a promising method of evaluating intracranial circulatory arrest in brain death with a high spatial and temporal resolution, superior to all other established technical procedures. The examination is easily accessible in most hospitals, operator independent, minimally invasive and inexpensive. Therefore, CT angiography has the potential to enlarge the existing armamentarium of confirmatory brain death tests.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2012
How does moderate hypocapnia affect cerebral autoregulation in response to changes in perfusion pressure in TBI patients?
In traumatic brain injury, the hypocapnic effects on blood pressure autoregulation may vary from beneficial to detrimental. The consequences of moderate hypocapnia (HC) on the autoregulation of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) have not been monitored so far. Thirty head injured patients requiring sedation and mechanical ventilation were studied during normocapnia (5.1 ± 0.4 kPa) and moderate HC (4.4 ± 3.0 kPa). ⋯ Mx was adjusted to normal despite no significant change in CPP levels. Our study showed that short-term moderate HC may optimize the autoregulatory response to spontaneous CPP fluctuations with only a small CPP increase. Patients with impaired autoregulation seemed to benefit the most.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2012
Late decompressive craniectomy as rescue treatment for refractory high intracranial pressure in children and adults.
The purpose of this study was to determine the prognosis of children and adults in whom decompressive craniectomy (DC) was used as a rescue treatment to lower refractory high intracranial pressures if maximal conservative therapies failed. Data of DC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Three-month and 1-year outcomes were evaluated (modified Rankin Score). ⋯ Eleven suffered from traumatic brain swelling, in 10 the primary pathological condition was intracranial hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformation bleeding or subarachnoid hemorrhage. All 13 survivors (62%) had a favorable outcome after 1 year (mRS≤3), 8 (38%) lacked any disabilities at all. Therefore, decompressive craniectomy offers a chance for a favorable outcome in uncontrollable ICP.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2012
Fixed, dilated pupils following traumatic brain injury: historical perspectives, causes and ophthalmological sequelae.
Pupillary abnormalities are commonly seen in patients presenting with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objectives of this study were to determine the underlying condition responsible, the natural history of recovery of third nerve palsy and the ultimate clinical outcome in 60 patients admitted to a regional neurosurgical centre with a diagnosis of TBI and unilateral or bilateral fixed, dilated pupils (FDP). In approximately three-quarters of cases, some form of road traffic incident was the mechanism of injury. ⋯ Of those patients who survived an FDP, 72% were left with some form of ophthalmological deficit. Most patients with bilateral FDP did not survive (88%); however, of those who did survive, none was left in a persistent vegetative state or with any ophthalmological sequelae. A FDP is a grave prognostic sign following TBI commonly resulting in long term ophthalmological sequelae; however, a favourable outcome is still attainable.