Craniocervical manual lymphatic drainage and its impact on intracranial pressure - a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Theoretical considerations and the results of animal studies indicate that manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) might have an impact on intracranial pressure (ICP). There is a lack of clinically qualitative investigations on patients with severe cerebral diseases. METHODS: Between April 2013 and January 2015 a prospective observational study was performed on patients who were undergoing intracranial pressure measurement and treatment with MLD. ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded continuously 15 min before the procedure, during MLD (22 min) and for 15 min after the procedure. For analysis the data treatment units were divided into two groups: patients with a mean baseline ICP <15 mmHg (group 1) and patients with a mean ICP ≥15 mmHg before MLD (group 2). RESULTS: A total of 133 treatment units (61 patients) were analysed (group 1 n = 99; group 2 n = 34). The mean baseline ICP was 10.4 mmHg overall, and 8.3 mmHg and 18.6 mmHg respectively in group 1 and group 2; ICP significantly decreased during therapy with MLD and this persisted during the follow-up period in group 2. MAP did not show any significant differences between the different periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a significant reduction of ICP during therapy with craniocervical MLD in patients with severe cerebral diseases.

Intracranial Pressure Changes During Intrahospital Transports of Neurocritically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Intrahospital transport is associated with a high rate of complications. Investigations of this problem using neuromonitoring remain scarce. METHODS: This is a monocentric, prospective observational study. Patients with severe brain diseases and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring were included. Continuous monitoring of ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, and mean arterial pressure was measured during seven different periods of intrahospital transport (baseline for 30 min, I = preparation, II = transport I, III = CT scan, IV = transport II, V = postprocessing, and follow-up for another 30 min). All complications were documented. RESULTS: Between July 2013 and December 2013, a total number of 56 intrahospital transports of 43 patients were performed from ICU to CT. Data recording was incomplete in six cases. Fifty transports have been taken into account for statistical analysis. Forty-two percent were emergency transports. Mean duration of the procedure was 17' (preparation), 6' (transport I), 9' (CT scan), 6' (transport II), and 15' (postprocessing), respectively. Mean ICP at baseline was 8.53 mmHg. Comparing all periods of intrahospital transport and the follow-up period to the baseline showed a significant increase of ICP only during CT scan (15.83 mmHg, p < 0.01), not during the transport to and from the radiology department. An overall complication rate of 36 % (n = 18) was observed. In 26 % (n = 13), additional ICP therapy was necessary due to an elevation of ICP above 20 mmHg. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable rate of complications during intrahospital transport of critically ill patients with severe brain diseases, with a significant increase of ICP during transport and CT scan. In one-fifth of all patients, additional therapy was necessary. From our point of view, transport of critically ill patients should only be performed by trained staff and under monitoring of ICP and CPP.

Intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure during apnoea testing for the diagnosis of brain death - an observational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Some authors have suggested a rise of intracranial pressure (ICP) during apnoea testing and the possibility of harm to patients. Data, however, have yet to be obtained. METHODS: Between October 2012 and May 2014 an observational study was performed on patients who received ICP measurements and who underwent brain death diagnosis. ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded continuously from 15 min before the start of brain death diagnosis (baseline), during clinical examination including apnoea testing, until 15 min after this procedure. RESULTS: A total of 16 clinical examinations for brain death including apnoea testing were performed on 13 patients. All patients had primary brain lesions. Mean ICP and mean CPP during the examination were 95 ± 27.7 mmHg and 13.5 ± 20.7 mmHg, respectively. ICP and MAP showed a strong and statistically significant correlation, with Pearson's correlation coefficients of more than +0.6 or less than -0.6 in 13 of the 15 examinations. CONCLUSION: Mean ICP even before brain death determination is increased excessively. Changes of ICP during apnoea show a clear correlation to the changes of MAP. Furthermore, CPP during the condition of brain death may not equal zero but may be positive thereby indicating some minor net influx of blood into the brain in some patients.

[Multilevel segmental interbody fusion versus vertebral body replacement: comparison of two operative methods]. / Mehrsegmentale interkorporelle Fusion vs. Wirbelkörperersatz: Vergleich zweier operativer Methoden.

BACKGROUND: The surgical techniques of interbody fusion and vertebral body replacement represent two concurrent options for multilevel anterior decompression and arthrodesis of the cervical spine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study the data from 61 patients who received either interbody fusion (n = 38) as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or vertebral body replacement (n = 23) (as anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) because of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were collected. RESULTS: The clinical outcome was better at all time points in the patient group with ACDF than in those with ACCF but with no statistically significant differences. The operated segments showed a more rapid fusion progress after ACDF during the time course in comparison to ACCF; however, there was no relationship between the grade of fusion and the clinical result. CONCLUSION: In direct comparison multisegmental interbody fusion showed better results with respect to the clinical outcome and bony fusion with a lower rate of complications than vertebral body replacement. However, the differences did not reach statistical significance.

[Mimikry of herpes encephalitis by glioblastoma multiforme]. / Mimikry einer Herpes-Enzephalitis durch Glioblastoma multiforme.

Herpes encephalitis (HSE) is an acute illness. Imaging is an important part of the diagnostic work-up of HSE. In early stages one can see a manifestation in the insular cortex as well as in the fornix. These MRI findings are rather typical for HSE. We present three cases treated in our hospital over the past ten years. In these cases the clinical symptoms and signs as well as the morphological findings were compatible with the HSE diagnostic criteria. Later on, a glioblastoma multiforme was found in all three cases.

Gravitational shunt units may cause under-drainage in bedridden patients.

OBJECTIVE: Implantation of a shunt in a hydrocephalic patient still carries a risk of complications such as over-drainage and under-drainage. Gravitational shunt units are especially designed to minimize the problem of over-drainage. Nevertheless, these valves carry a risk of under-drainage. The best choice of valve for a patient is still challenging. The purpose of this survey was to identify in which patients a gravitational shunt valve is liable to lead to under-drainage. METHODS: Patients with hydrocephalus entered prospectively into a data base were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were treated between January 2006 to the end of Feb 2007 and those experiencing under- or over-drainage were identified. RESULTS: Thirty-five ventriculo-peritoneal shunt systems were implanted in adult patients. The cause of the hydrocephalus was: normal pressure hydrocephalus in 18 patients, post-haemorrhagic following subarachnoid or intracerebral haemorrhage in 11, associated with a tumour in four and followed a head injury in two patients. Three different valves were used: an adjustable shunt valve with gravitational unit (Pro-GAV 0-20/25 in 21 patients), a gravitational shunt valve with fixed opening pressure (GAV 5/30 in nine patients) and an adjustable differential valve (Hakim medos in five patients). Four patients developed severe, valve-related under-drainage. Each had received a gravitational shunt valve and all were bedridden. In two of these patients it was necessary to change the valve. One patient who had received a differential valve, after regaining mobility developed severe over-drainage with bilateral subdural haematomas. Over-drainage was not seen in long-term bedridden patients with a differential shunt valve. CONCLUSION: If a bedridden patient with a gravitational shunt valve system lies with a slightly elevated head, this leads to activation of the gravitational unit and this may cause under drainage. As a result, we advise not using an anti-siphon devices in a patient who is bedridden for a long period.

Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during positioning of the patient for posterior fossa surgery in the semisitting position.

OBJECTIVE: Midcervical flexion myelopathy is a rare but well-known complication of posterior fossa surgery. To reduce the risk, we routinely used somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring during positioning of the patient. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients were operated on for posterior fossa lesions in the semisitting position via a median (5 patients) or a lateral (50 patients) suboccipital approach. During positioning, monitoring of SSEPs by stimulation of the tibial nerve (T-SSEP) as well as by stimulation of the median nerve (M-SSEP) was established. In the case of pronounced SSEP changes, the head was repositioned. Surgery was started after SSEP recordings were unchanged as compared to the baseline investigation. RESULTS: Effective monitoring was possible in all cases. Whereas M-SSEP recordings showed no changes while placing patients in the sitting position, T-SSEP recordings were altered in 14 cases (25%). In cases using the midline approach, SSEP changes were never so pronounced to require repositioning of the head. Head flexion and rotation resulted in significant changes of T-SSEP recordings in eight patients (14.5%), requiring repositioning. In two cases, an amplitude loss was noted. In only two of these eight patients were M-SSEP recordings markedly changed. SSEP recordings after repositioning disclosed recovery of spinal cord function. In no patient were clinical signs of myelopathy observed postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We observed a high incidence of pronounced changes of T-SSEP recordings when the patient's head was flexed and rotated for lateral suboccipital craniotomy in the semisitting position. Despite the low specificity monitoring of T-SSEPs during positioning of the patient for posterior fossa surgery, the semisitting position is strongly recommended.

Endoscopic surgery versus medical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral hematoma: a randomized study.

A controlled randomized study of endoscopic evacuation versus medical treatment was performed in 100 patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral (subcortical, putaminal, and thalamic) hematomas. Patients with aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, brain tumors, or head injuries were excluded. Criteria for inclusion were as follows: patients' age between 30 and 80 years; a hematoma volume of more than 10 cu cm; the presence of neurological or consciousness impairment; the appropriateness of surgery from a medical and anesthesiological point of view; and the initiation of treatment within 48 hours after hemorrhage. The criteria of randomization were the location, size, and side of the hematoma as well as the patient's age, state of consciousness, and history of hypertension. Evaluation of outcome was performed 6 months after hemorrhage. Surgical patients with subcortical hematomas showed a significantly lower mortality rate (30%) than their medically treated counterparts (70%, p less than 0.05). Moreover, 40% of these patients had a good outcome with no or only a minimal deficit versus 25% in the medically treated group; the difference was statistically significant for operated patients with no postoperative deficit (p less than 0.01). Surgical patients with hematomas smaller than 50 cu cm made a significantly better functional recovery than did patients of the medically treated group, but had a comparable mortality rate. By contrast, patients with larger hematomas showed significantly lower mortality rates after operation but had no better functional recovery than the medically treated group. This effect from surgery was limited to patients in a preoperatively alert or somnolent state; stuporous or comatose patients had no better outcome after surgery. The outcome of surgical patients with putaminal or thalamic hemorrhage was no better than for those with medical treatment; however, there was a trend toward better quality of survival and chance of survival in the operated group.

MRI of acute experimental intracerebral hematoma.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of different MR-sequences to detect and delineate experimentally produced hyperacute intracerebral hematomas in rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats received a unilateral hematoma of various volumes by stereotactic injection of fresh autologous arterial blood into the right caudatoputamen. MRI was performed up to 30 min after-generation of each hematoma. We obtained coronal T2- and T1-weighted spin-echo images. Furthermore we acquired RF-spoiled 2D- and 3D-FLASH images. MR-images were evaluated for signal behavior, location, configuration, size, and volume of each hematoma on a dedicated work station. MR volumetry was correlated to volumetric data obtained from the serial stained histological sections. All hematomas produced signal abnormalities on all sequences in each case. In the majority of cases the hematomas were hypointense. RF-spoiled FLASH 2D- and 3D-sequences showed the best detection of the hematoma owing to their high sensitivity to susceptibility effects. The best correlation between MR- and histological volumetry was found on RF-spoiled FLASH 2D- (corr. 0.81), SE T2- (corr. 0.79), and T1- (corr. 0.74) weighted images. The lowest correlation index was found on the RF-spoiled FLASH 3D-images (corr. 0.51). Signal loss of hematomas on gradient-echo images and--to a lesser extent--spin-echo T2-weighted images due to susceptibility effects can reliably delineate an acute state, whereas conventional MR scans of ischemic stroke may be normal. MRI may thus be the imaging modality of choice in patients with acute brain attack, especially when it is planned to perform diffusion and perfusion MRI before thrombolytic therapy.

Fibrinolysis and aspiration of experimental intracerebral hematoma reduces the volume of ischemic brain in rats.

The hypothesis was tested in rats that brain ischemia by an intracerebral hematoma can be ameliorated by fibrinolysis and aspiration of the hematoma. Intraparenchymal blood clots were generated by the injection of 50 microliters of autologous blood into the right caudate nucleus in two portions seven minutes apart. Thirty or 120 min later 12 microliters recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) or 0.9% NaCl were injected and after 30 min the resolved hematoma was aspirated. Six hours later cerebral blood flow (CBF) was determined by 14C-iodoantipyrine autoradiography. Tissue volumes of CBF < 10 ml 100 g-1 min-1 and CBF < 30 ml g-1 min-1 were determined. Clot and lesion volume were quantified histologically from serial sections stained for succinate-dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. In rtPA-treated rats the major part of the hematoma could be evacuated 30 min as well as 120 min after production of the clot. The volume of ischemic brain (CBF < 10) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the rtPA group compared to saline-treated and control groups irrespective of the time of treatment. In contrast, no difference was found between the control group and the experimental groups when the volumes of brain tissue surrounding the lesion were compared which had values of CBF < 30 ml 100 g-1 min-1. In a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage, treatment by local fibrinolysis followed by aspiration of the hematoma is effective in reducing the volume of ischemic brain tissue and of the remaining clot volume.

Experimental intracerebral hemorrhage: description of a double injection model in rats.

For experimental purposes, the most common technique of producing an intracerebral hematoma in rats is the injection of unclotted autologous blood. All modifications of this model share the problem that size and extension of the hematoma are not reproducible, because the injected blood either ruptures into the ventricular system or it extends to the subarachnoid or subdural space. Therefore a double injection model of experimental intracerebral hemorrhage in rats has been developed using 19 male Sprague-Dawley rats. After inducing anesthesia a cannula was stereotactically placed into the caudate nucleus and an intracerebral hematoma was produced with the double injection method in which first a small amount of fresh autologous blood is injected which is allowed to clot (preclotting) in order to block the way back along the needle track; the actual hematoma is produced in a second step of the injection. The clot volume was measured on stained serial sections. A total injection volume of 50 microliters of autologous blood produced intracerebral hematomas of 41.1 +/- 10.0 microliters and of similar shapes. The double injection method allows to generate reproducible hematomas in rats. This new model of intracerebral hemorrhage will allow further investigation of fibrinolytic and cytoprotective therapies.

Local fibrinolysis and aspiration of intracerebral hematomas in rats. An experimental study using MR monitoring.

Serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has not yet been validated in the therapy of experimental intracerebral hematomas in a rat model. It is possible to test the effect of local fibrinolysis and aspiration on the clot volume using serial magnetic resonance imaging and different MR-sequences. Experiments were carried out in 22 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intracerebral hematoma was produced by injection of fresh autologous blood into the caudate nucleus using a double injection technique. Thirty minutes later 10 rats were treated by injecting 12 microliters of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. MR-imaging was performed immediately after generation of the hematoma and after clot lysis. The clot volume measured in the magnetic resonance images was compared with that obtained in stained histological serial sections at the end of the experiment. Serial MR scanning demonstrated a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of hematoma volume after fibrinolysis followed by aspiration of the blood clot. The best correlation between MR- and histological volumetry was found on RF-spoiled FLASH 2D-images. This study documents the efficacy of MRI in detecting and delineating the size of acute intracerebral hematomas and its time course. Local fibrinolysis and aspiration can be simulated in an experimental rat model.

Cerebral manifestation of an actinomycosis infection. A case report.

Affection of the CNS by actinomycosis is a rare but treatable manifestation of an infection with actinomyces israeli. Neurological involvement includes a meningeal, granulomatous and also pseudotumoral form. We report the case of a patient suffering from an intracerebral actinomycosis abscess. The source of infection was the upper jaw. After a right frontal craniotomy the intracerebral abscess was removed. Postoperatively the patient received initially a combined antiedemateous and antibiotic therapy with 12 mg dexamethasone and 6 g cefotaxime and 3 g amoxicilline. After 4 weeks of treatment with improving neurological deficits dexamthasone therapy was reduced followed by an exclusive antibiotic therapy for another 4 weeks. During this time the patient recovered completely.

Coagulation alterations in patients undergoing elective craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolism remains a major problem in patients scheduled for craniotomy. The present study examined parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in 15 patients undergoing elective craniotomy in the perioperative period. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), and d-dimer were measured before and after induction of anesthesia, 60 minutes and 180 minutes after the beginning of surgery, and on the first postoperative morning. RESULTS: TAT, a marker of activation of coagulation, increased significantly (p < 0.05) from the preoperative measurements to the data obtained 60 minutes after beginning the surgery, reaching a maximum of 180 minutes after the start of surgery. F1 + 2, also indicating activation, showed a similar concentration time course with an intraoperative maximum. D-dimer, a marker of fibrinolysis, tended to increase slightly beginning 180 minutes after surgery with a maximum on the morning after surgery. Statistical significance for F1 + 2 and d-dimer was not found. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a transient activation of coagulation with an intraoperative maximum in patients undergoing craniotomy. This result could be due to a liberation of thromboplastin from brain tissue.

What the neurosurgeon needs to know about the coagulation system.

Intracranial surgery is often complicated by thromboembolic events including the life-threatening pulmonary embolism. After head trauma and in patients with brain tumors disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can occur, characterized by the triggering of the coagulation cascade and the depletion of coagulation factors which ultimately leads to bleeding. The identification of patients at high risk as well as the early diagnosis of hemostatic problems uses routine laboratory parameters such as partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time reflecting the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation respectively. Thrombin antithrombin III complexes (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) are further indicators of an activation of the coagulation whereas fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) refer to the fibrinolytic system. The basic principles of coagulation and fibrinolysis are summarized as well as the changes of laboratory parameters accompanying DIC, hypercoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis.

Chiari malformation type I with concomitant persistent trigeminal artery -- report of an unusual case and a review of the current literature.

BACKGROUND: Chiari malformation type I is a stenosis of the subarachnoid space at the level of the foramen magnum due to a small posterior fossa and herniation of the cerebellar tonsils. We present here the unusual case of a Chiari malformation in conjunction with a persistent trigeminal artery and hypoplasia of the basilar artery, also known as a Saltzman anomaly. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old female physician presented with recurrent headaches, bilateral weakness of deltoid muscles and numbness of the fingertips 3 to 5. A cranial MRI revealed a descent of the cerebellar tonsils to the level of C2 and a supracerebellar cyst. During surgery, a decompressive suboccipital craniectomy was performed. The supracerebellar cyst was fenestrated and the cerebellar tonsils were resected bilaterally. Two days after surgery the patient developed cranial nerve dysfunction and a right-sided hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography revealed a Saltzman type 1 anomaly with persistent primitive trigeminal artery and hypoplasia of the basilar artery. DISCUSSION: This is the first report in the literature about the coincidence of both unusual anomalies. The latest literature of both rare anatomy and the unusual clinical course will be discussed.

Greater superficial petrosal nerve schwannoma.

Greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN) schwannoma is a very rare type of facial nerve schwannoma. Including our case, only 6 schwannomas have been reported to originate from the GSPN. Clinical features, imaging, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed reviewing other cases in the pertinent literature.

Endothelin-1 in plasma, cisternal CSF and microdialysate following aneurysmal SAH.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is postulated to play an important role in the development of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) following SAH. This study was conducted to investigate the time course of ET-release in three different sources: CSF, plasma and microdialysate. METHODS: In a prospective study ET-1-concentrations were measured in plasma, cisternal CSF and microdialysate in 20 patients with aneurysmal SAH for at least 8 days after hemorrhage. RESULTS: ET-1 concentration in microdialysate was almost four times higher compared to CSF and plasma. (p<0.001) Only in CSF ET-1-release showed a significant increase over time with highest values on day 5 post ictus (p = 0.03). This was parallel to the increase of transcranial Doppler velocities. ET-1 in plasma and microdialysate did not change over time. CONCLUSION: ET-1 may have a different biological function in different biological tissues. Only ET-1 in CSF seemed to be associated with CVS.

[Recommendations for the management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage]. / Empfehlungen zum Management der aneurysmatischen Subarachnoidalblutung -- Sektion vaskuläre Neurochirurgie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie und Wissenschaftlicher Arbeitskreis Neuroanästhesie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin.

After SAH, primary and secondary complications are frequent and often require neurosurgical interventions to avoid secondary brain damage. The authors of the present paper have summarized the available data about the treatment modalities often used for patients with SAH. The present recommendations have been developed as a neurosurgical and neuroanestesiological consensus. Evidence from prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies support grade A recommendations (standard) for the prophylaxis and treatment of cerebral vasospasm with oral Nimodipine in good grade patients. For intravenous Nimodipine or for oral nimodipine treatment in poor grade patients, available data only support grade C recommendations (options). Despite the lack of data supporting standards (grade A) or guidelines (grade B), avoidance and rigorous treatment of hypotension and hypovolemia remains the mainstay in the prophylaxis and treatment of a delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND). Prophylactic hypervolemia or prophylactic hypertension and hypervolemia was shown to be ineffective in reducing symptomatic vasospasm and improving outcome (grade B). Therapeutic hypertensive hypervolemic hemodilution is recommended as a treatment of symptomatic vasospasm but no prospective studies are available (grade C recommendation). Suggested target values for moderate triple-H-therapy are CPP 80- 120 mmHg (MAP 90-130), CVP > 7 mmHg and Hk 0.25-0.40. Balloon angioplasty should be considered for treatment of DIND cause by focal, proximal cerebral vasospasm. There is no evidence supporting the routine use of antifibrinolyticals, steroids or anticonvulsive prophylaxis. Clinical data indicate that current prophylaxis and treatment of cerebral vasospasm is still insufficient and aggressive triple-H-therapy is associated with an increased incidence of complications.