Brain metastasis from a thoracic myxofibrosarcoma: A case report and literature review.

Background: Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a type of sarcoma that mainly affects elderly people; it represents only 5% of all sarcomas and shows no line of differentiation. Intracranial MFS is a rare condition. At present, limited data exist regarding brain metastasis from MFS. This article reports a case of MFS and reviews the literature regarding MFS metastasis. Case Description: We report a case of brain metastasis from chest wall MFS. The patient was diagnosed with an anterior thoracic MFS and underwent surgery and radiotherapy. One year later, he noticed a tumor on his left shoulder, and more than 1 year thereafter, bilateral lung metastasis was observed. Twelve months after lung metastasis, he presented to the emergency department and underwent contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated a left frontal tumor suggestive of brain metastasis. Since the main hypothesis was a sarcoma metastasis at the location close to the left motor area, and the patient had a good Karnofsky performance scale, the patient underwent neuronavigation-guided surgery. After surgery, the patient developed Grade III hemiparesis and aphasia. Brain tumor histopathology confirmed a malignant neoplasm with osteosarcomatous differentiation and metastasis from MFS. Conclusion: We report a rare case of MFS metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the eighth case of intracerebral metastasis from MFS.

Diffusion of Technology in the Teaching of Neuroanatomy in Times of Pandemic: A Medical and Academic Perspective on Learning.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused major changes in many sectors of society worldwide. The issue of medical education stands out since it had to adapt to the rules of social isolation, ensuing discussions about the computerization of teaching methodology, particularly in neuroanatomy. In particular, the latter showed satisfactory adaptability to new technologies and highly promising learning results. During this review, we aim to evaluate the current state of neuroanatomy teaching and evaluate the possibilities of incorporating technology into teaching-learning of human anatomy in a post-pandemic world.

Third Ventricle Craniopharyngioma Intraventricular Tumor: A Case Report and a Brief Literature Review.

Craniopharyngioma is a rare embryonic malformation, usually benign, of the sellar or parasellar regions. In this study, an uncommon case of third ventricle craniopharyngioma and a succinct review of its prevalence are presented. Even with low mortality rates, these injuries involve a high degree of endocrinological, visual, and neuropsychological morbidities, which have a huge impact on the patient's quality of life. Thus, surgical resection is the preferred therapy for tumors that compromise the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. However, due to the location of the craniopharyngioma, surgical management is accompanied by the risk of injury to important adjacent areas with postoperative repercussions. Therefore, the neurosurgeon's experience and the choice of the best surgical approach, are crucial for increasing prognosis.

Decompressive Craniectomy for Malignant Ischemic Stroke: An Institutional Experience of 145 Cases in a Brazilian Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ischemic stroke (MIS) occurs in a subgroup of patients with cerebrovascular accident who sustain massive or significant cerebral infarction. It is characterized by neurological deterioration owing to progressive edema, raised intracranial pressure, and cerebral herniation. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical technique that can be used to treat select cases of this condition in the presence of medically refractory intracranial hypertension. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with clinical outcome, including timing of the procedure, and postoperative mortality. METHODS: We analyzed surgical characteristics associated with prognosis in 145 patients who underwent DC secondary to MIS between 2013 and 2018, assessing clinical outcome at discharge and 6 and 12 months after discharge. Our inclusion criteria were DC secondary to MIS in adult patients with raised intracranial pressure signs. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that although patients from cities >100 km from the neurosurgical center had a worse prognosis, only the surgical head side (left vs. right, P = 0.001), hospitalization length (P < 0.001), and earlier timing of procedure (P < 0.001) were statistically relevant in having worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom more time passed from presentation to the neurosurgical procedure, owing to living in a distant city or taking more time to be seen by a specialist, tended to have a worse prognosis. The timing of procedure, surgical side, and hospitalization length were independent predictors in determining the prognosis of patients who underwent DC after an MIS.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A neurosurgical view in a pandemic COVID-19 time highlights of literature.

Background and purpose: The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was identified after the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has kept the whole world in tenterhooks due to its severe life-threatening nature of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 a pandemic in 2020, an unprecedented challenge, having a high contagious life-threatening condition with unprecedented impacts for worldwide societies and health care systems. Neurologic symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 have been described recently in the literature, and acute cerebrovascular disease is one of the most serious complications. The occurrence of large-vessel occlusion in young patients with COVID-19 infection has been exceedingly rare. In this article, we describe the profile of patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of intracranial hypertension by stroke associated with COVID-19 published so far. A narrative review of the central issue in focus was designed: decompressive craniectomy in a pandemic time.

Decompressive craniectomy: Comparative analysis between surgical time and better prognosis.

Background: Malignant ischemic stroke is characterized by the involvement of 2/3 of the area of the middle cerebral artery, associated with cerebral edema, intracranial hypertension (ICH) and cerebral herniation, generating high morbidity and mortality. Over the years, several therapies have been studied in an attempt to reverse or reduce the damage caused by this vascular disorder, including decompressive craniectomy (DC), a surgical technique reserved for cases that evolve with refractory ICH. Methods: This study seeks to perform a comparative analysis on the effectiveness of decompressive craniectomy using four randomized clinical trials and the results found in the retrospective study conducted in a neurosurgical reference center between 2010 and 2018. Results: The total sample consisted of 263 patients, among which 118 were randomized and 145 were part of the retrospective study. The outcome was analyzed based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for 6 and 12 months. The mean time to perform the DC was 28.4 h in the randomized trials, with the late approach (> 24 h) associated with unfavorable outcomes (mRS between 4 and 6). Conclusion: Compared to the aforementioned studies, the study by Bem Junior et al. shows that a surgical approach in < 12 h had a better outcome, with 70% of the patients treated early classified as mRS 2 and 3 at the end of 12 months (1). Decompressive craniectomy is currently the most effective measure to control refractory ICH in cases of malignant ischemic stroke, and the most appropriate approach before surgery is essential for a better prognosis for patients.

Factors associated with psychic symptomatology in diabetics during the COVID-19 pandemic / Fatores associados à sintomatologia psíquica em diabéticos durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract Objectives: to determine the frequency and factors associated with severe / extreme signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in diabetic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted in April /May 2020, which included 162 individuals with diabetes mellitus and over 18 years old. An online questionnaire was applied on social networks, composed of biological, sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Scale (DASS-21). For statistical analysis, a multivariate logistic regression model was applied with a 5% significance level. Results: frequency of 37.7%, 43.3% and 45.1% were found for some symptom of stress, anxiety and depression, respectively. The factors associated with sign and symptoms of severe / extreme psychic disorders were: not having religion (stress, anxiety and depression); be at graduation (stress and anxiety); history of anxiety and depression (anxiety and depression); not practicing or decreasing physical exercises and starting, increased or continue taking sleeping medications (stress); history of contact with a suspected case of COVID-19, absence or decreased leisure (anxiety); female gender, absence of a partner, decreased family income and work or study (depression). Conclusion: the frequency of psychological disorders was higher than described in the literature on diabetic patients, being associated with biological, sociodemographic, clinical factors and aspects related to COVID-19 during the pandemic

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a frequência e os fatores associados aos sinais e sintomas de estresse, ansiedade e depressão grave/extremos em pacientes diabéticos durante a pandemia pela COVID-19. Métodos: realizou-se estudo de corte transversal em abril/maio de 2020 que incluiu 162 indivíduos com diabetes mellitus e maiores de 18 anos. Aplicou-se um questionário online divulgado nas mídias sociais, sendo composto por características biológicas, sociodemográ-ficas, clínicas e a Escala de Estresse, Ansiedade e Depressão (DASS-21). Para análise estatística foi aplicado modelo de regressão logística multivariado com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: encontrou-se frequência de 37,7%, 43,3% e 45,1% para qualquer sinal e sintoma de estresse, ansiedade e depressão, respectivamente. Os fatores associados a sinais e sintomas psíquicos graves/extremos foram: não ter religião (estresse, ansiedade e depressão); estar na graduação (estresse e ansiedade);antecedente de ansiedade e/ou depressão (ansiedade e depressão); não realizar ou ter diminuído exercícios físicos, iniciado, aumentado ou mantido medicações para dormir (estresse); história de contato com caso suspeito da COVID-19; ausência ou diminuição de lazer (ansiedade) e sexo feminino, ausência de companheiro, diminuição da renda familiar e do trabalho ou estudo (depressão). Conclusão: a frequência de transtornos psíquicos foi maior que a descrita na literatura em pacientes diabéticos, sendo associada a fatores biológicos, sociodemográficos, clínicos e aspectos relacionados à COVID-19 durante a pandemia.

Pediatric Gunshot Head Injury: Prevalence of Prognostic Factors in Surgical Patients: An Institutional Experience in Ten Years.

This article aims to evaluate the predictive factors of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients who suffered gunshot wounds to the head. We reviewed a series of 43 patients who were admitted to a referential neurosurgical hospital between 2010 and 2019. Data from 43 patients who underwent a surgical treatment in our institution were collected, and the following parameters were considered in the analysis: the initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), age, sex, bullet entry site, and bullet trajectory. Computed tomography (CT) scans at admission, complications, midline crossing, and Glasgow score scale at the time of discharge (Glasgow Outcome Scale; GOS) were also factored in. Male sex corresponded to 90.7% of cases (N = 39), and 16-17 years of age was the most common age (60.5%). The frontal region was the most common entry site (41.9%), followed by the parietal wall and occipital entry. Penetrating trajectory was shown in 48.8% of cases, perforation/transfixing in 39.5%, and tangential in 11.6%. CT showed that sinking is the most common alteration (74.4%), followed by cerebral contusion (44.2%). According to the GOS, 23.3% died, 23.3% were classified by an unfavorable outcome (GOS, 2-3), and 53.5% a favorable outcome (GOS, 4 and 5). In our study, there was a significant association between the low GCS scores on admission and low GOS (1-3; p = 0.001) at time of discharge. Patients with wounds that crossed the midline also had a significant association with low GOS (p = 0.014) in our clinical experience. We concluded that low GCS scores at admission and children with a wound that crosses the midline are predictive factors of high mortality and morbidity, in our clinical experience.