Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2008
Clinical TrialIntracranial pressure and cerebral oxygenation changes after decompressive craniectomy in children with severe traumatic brain injury.
There has been a resurgence of interest in decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the impact of craniectomy on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral oxygenation has not been well described for diffuse injury in children. ⋯ In selected pediatric patients with TBI, craniectomy for diffuse brain swelling can significantly improve ICP and cerebral oxygenation control. The use of the procedure in appropriate settings does not appear to increase the proportion of disabled survivors.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2008
ReviewDysfunction of nitric oxide synthases as a cause and therapeutic target in delayed cerebral vasospasm after SAH.
Nitric oxide (NO), also known as endothelium-derived relaxing factor, is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the intima and by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the adventitia of cerebral vessels. It dilates the arteries in response to shear stress, metabolic demands, pterygopalatine ganglion stimulation, and chemoregulation. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) interrupts this regulation of cerebral blood flow. ⋯ CSF ADMA levels are closely associated with the degree and time-course of vasospasm; when CSF ADMA levels decrease, vasospasm resolves. Thus, the exogenous delivery of NO, inhibiting the L-arginine-methylating enzyme (IPRMT3) or stimulating DDAH II, may provide new therapeutic modalities to prevent and treat vasospasm. This paper will present results of preclinical studies supporting the NO-based hypothesis of delayed cerebral vasospasm development and its prevention by increased NO availability.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2008
The predictive value of ICP as compared to magnetic resonance imaging in comatose patients after head injury.
While highly increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is of high predictive value indicating a fatal outcome, the predictive value of moderately increased ICP early after head injury remains uncertain. We compared the predictive value of ICP to the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) early after head injury. ⋯ Our current MRI findings suggest that the location of the initial brain injury lesion correlates with outcome at 6 months. No such correlation could be identified for intracranial pressure on the first day after head injury (p = 0.766).
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2008
ReviewNovel treatments for cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Cerebral vasospasm is a major cause of cerebral ischemia and poor outcomes in the setting of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment of SAH, the pathophysiology of vasospasm is still poorly understood and outcomes remain disappointing. Recent advances in understanding the role of hemoglobin in initiating an inflammatory cascade in the subarachnoid space open new avenues for therapy. Preliminary experimental and clinical evidence indicate that targets in the inflammatory and oxidative cascades hold promise in reducing the incidence and impact of cerebral vasospasm.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2008
Clinical TrialVentriculostomy for control of raised ICP in acute traumatic brain injury.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ventriculostomy on intracranial pressure (ICP), and related parameters, including cerebrospinal compensation, cerebral oxygenation (PbtO2) and metabolism (microdialysis) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Ventriculostomy is a useful ICP-lowering manoeuvre, with sustained ICP reduction and related physiological improvements achieved in > 50% of patients.