Tranexamic acid in Neurosurgery: a controversy indication-review.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is one of the measures indicated to reduce bleeding and the need for volume replacement. However, data on risks and benefits are controversial. This study analyzes the effectivity and risks of using tranexamic acid in neurosurgery. We selected articles, published from 1976 to 2019, on the PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, and The Cochrane Database using the descriptors: "tranexamic acid," "neurosurgery," "traumatic brain injury," "subdural hemorrhage," "brain aneurysm," and "subarachnoid hemorrhage." TXA can reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in trauma and spinal surgery. Despite the benefits of TXA, moderate-to-high doses are potentially associated with neurological complications (seizures, transient ischemic attack, delirium) in adults and children. In a ruptured intracranial aneurysm, the use of TXA can considerably reduce the risk of rebleeding, but there is weak evidence regarding its influence on mortality reduction. The TXA use in brain surgery does not present benefit. However, this conclusion is limited because there are few studies. TXA in neurosurgeries is a promising method for the maintenance of hemostasis in affected patients, mainly in traumatic brain injury and spinal surgery; nevertheless, there is lack of evidence in brain and vascular surgeries. Many questions remain unanswered, such as how to determine the dosage that triggers the onset of associated complications, or how to adjust the dose for chronic kidney disease patients.

Options to manage postcraniotomy acute pain in neurosurgery: no protocol available.

The physical processes of incision, traction and hemostasis used for craniotomy, stimulate nerve fibers and specific nociceptors, resulting in postoperative pain. During the first 24 h after craniotomy, 87% of patients have postoperatory pain. The rate of suffering pain after craniotomy falls 3% for every year of life. The objective of this study is to review the available therapeutic options to help physicians treating this pain, and discuss pain mechanisms, pathophysiology, plasticity, risk factors and psychological factors. This is a narrative review of the literature from 1970 to June 2019. Data were collected by doing a search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews and a manual search of all relevant literature references. The literature includes some drugs treatment: Opioids, codeine, morphine, and tramadol, anti-inflammatory non-steroids such as cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, gabapentin. It discusses: side effects, pharmacodynamics and indications of each drug, anatomy and Inervation of Skull and its Linigs, pathogenesis of pain Post-craniotomy, scalp nerve block, surgical nerve injury, neuronal plasticity, surgical factors and chronic post-surgical pain.

Factors predicting the outcome following surgical treatment of mesial temporal epilepsy due to mesial temporal sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is the most common disease found in an epilepsy surgery series. Early age of onset, a history of febrile convulsions, epileptiform discharges on EEG, duration of epilepsy, number of generalized seizures and severity of psychiatric disorders are possible prognostic factors in patients with MTS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the clinical, semiotic, psychological, electrophysiological and neuroradiological researches and relate their findings to the prognosis of patients with MTS who underwent anteromedial temporal lobectomy (ATL). METHODS: Of 1,214 patients evaluated for surgery in the epilepsy Center of Faculdade de Medicina de São Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), a tertiary Brazilian epilepsy center, 400 underwent ATL for MTS. Examinations and clinical data were analyzed and compared with the Engel Outcome Classification. RESULTS: Of all the items analyzed, the MRI showed the greatest influence on patient outcome. As for the clinical evaluation and pathological antecedents, age at surgery, epilepsy duration, perinatal insults, family history of epilepsy, febrile seizures, neuropsychological abnormalities and presence of generalized tonic-clonic seizure all had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In order to identify the most appropriate candidates for ATL, it is very important to consider the prognostic factors associated with a favorable outcome for counseling patients in daily practice.

Intraoperative assistive technologies and extent of resection in glioma surgery: a systematic review of prospective controlled studies.

Several studies published to date about glioma surgery have addressed the validity of using novel technologies for intraoperative guidance and potentially improved outcomes. However, most of these reports are limited by questionable methods and/or by their retrospective nature. In this work, we performed a systematic review of the literature to address the impact of intraoperative assistive technologies on the extent of resection (EOR) in glioma surgery, compared to conventional unaided surgery. We were also interested in two secondary outcome variables: functional status and progression-free survival. We primarily used PubMed to search for relevant articles. Studies were deemed eligible for our analysis if they (1) were prospective controlled studies; (2) used EOR as their primary target outcome, assessed by MRI volumetric analysis; and (3) had a homogeneous study population with clear inclusion criteria. Out of 493 publications identified in our initial search, only six matched all selection criteria for qualitative synthesis. Currently, the evidence points to 5-ALA, DTI functional neuronavigation, neurophysiological monitoring, and intraoperative MRI as the best tools for improving EOR in glioma surgery. Our sample and conclusions were limited by the fact that studies varied in terms of population characteristics and in their use of different volumetric analyses. We were also limited by the low number of prospective controlled trials available in the literature. Additional evidence-based high-quality studies assessing cost-effectiveness should be conducted to better determine the benefits of intraoperative assistive technologies in glioma surgery.

Sudden Death in Adults Caused by Intracranial Pathology: A Systematic Review.

AIM: To review the literature, and to identify the main intracranial pathologies that cause sudden deaths in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The systematic review was carried out in concordance with the PRISMA checklist. RESULTS: Epilepsy and intracranial hemorrhage have been found to be the two main causes of sudden and unexplained deaths in adults due to intracranial pathologies. Intracranial neoplasms are not among the two main causes of SD, as they are usually discovered before fatality, so their rate of SD is not so extensive. It is noticed that the highest incidence of this type of death is also related to the abusive use of alcohol and other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and nicotine. There is a possibility that the actual incidence of SD in adults due to intracranial pathologies is even greater, since there is a lack of reliability in autopsies and the fact that most SD in adults are not witnessed. CONCLUSION: The most recurrent etiologies of SD in adults are epilepsy, intracranial hemorrhage, meningitis or purulent abscess and tumors. Thus, it represents real challenge for neurosurgeons, since their understanding, accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of these pathologies, in addition to healthy lifestyle habits by people can reduce the possibility of SD.

Brain abscess of odontogenic origin.

Brain abscess is a rare and threatening infection, which is in a suppuration area, caused either by trauma, neurosurgical complication, or by a secondary infection of dental origin complication. The infectious process spread from the start focus can occur in 2 ways: hematogenous or by contiguity. The treatment should ideally be based on the etiological factor excision, combined with drainage and antibiotics as adjuvant; this philosophy is not observed in the reports described in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. This study's goal was to report a case of brain abscess consequent of an odontogenic outbreak, where an adequate treatment was set up, but it was already in advanced stages and had as a result the lethal outcome. Complications from the odontogenic infections have a low incidence, but should never be disregarded, because they can lead to death, as described in this manuscript.

[Knowledge of caregivers of children with hydrocephalus]. / Conhecimento do cuidador de crianças com hidrocefalia.

Knowledge of caregivers of children with hydrocephalus is not well assessed. This study identifies the fonts of information to assume activities how to care; to verify caregivers' knowledge about hydrocephalus. Fifty-four caregivers answered the interview from november 2007 to august 2008, with absolute predominance of females. Twenty-nine (53.7%) learned to take care by themselves. Only four caregivers (16.0%) received information at the hospital. 29 (53.7%) regarding the definition, 11 (20.4%) the cause of hydrocephalus. It was observed that caregivers with eight years of study had bigger knowledge. The education level of the caregiver had a positive correlation to on increased knowledge about hydrocephalus, but the caregivers have little concerns about important hydrocephalus' aspects.

Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Functional Myelography.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The diagnosis of a lumbar spinal stenosis demands advanced diagnostic radiologic techniques. In recent decades magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has replaced myelography, now considered an old-fashioned technique. It was our hypothesis that functional myelography still plays an important role in selected cases. We investigated how our surgical strategy was influenced by the results of MRI, functional myelography, and postmyelography computed tomography (CT) in patients with a lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: The sagittal diameters of the lumbar spinal canal were measured from L1 to S1 on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. MRI, functional myelography, and postmyelography CT were compared in each of the patients. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated in each method. We examined how the surgical strategy was influenced by the results of these different methods. RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients (21 women and 29 men; mean age: 70 years, [range: 49-86 years]) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Functional myelography revealed a sensitivity of 0.99, a specificity of 0.79, and a positive predictive value of 0.45. The MRI exhibited a sensitivity of 0.93, a specificity of 0.74, and a positive predictive value of 0.39. Postmyelography CT showed a sensitivity of 0.96, a specificity of 0.75, and a positive predictive value of 0.41. A functional myelography revealed more information than the MRI and resulted in a change in the surgical strategy in 11 of 50 patients (22%) in comparison with the sole results of MRI or a postmyelography CT. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases with multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis, functional myelography revealed the highest precision in reaching a correct diagnosis. It resulted in a change in the surgical approach in every fifth patient in comparison with the MRI and proved most helpful, especially in elderly patients.

[Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus]. / Infecções em dispositivos neurológicos implantáveis em crianças e adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency, etiology, site and clinical and laboratory findings of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus managed in Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, Aracaju SE, Brazil. METHOD: A non-controlled prospective observational study comprising 50 patients that underwent VPS (58 procedures) from January/2003 to October/2004. RESULTS: Infection rate per procedure was 27.6%; surgical risk index (NNISS-CDC) 0 and 1-2 were 25.7% and 30.4% respectively; surgical site infection was the main complication with 50% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Infection rates per procedure, per patient, and per surgical risk index were high. No statistical differences were found related to the following: age, etiology of hydrocephalus, type of procedure, pre-operative length of stay, duration of procedure, antibiotic prophylaxis, previous central nervous system catheter, and surgical risk index.

Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in Patients Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury: Literature Review

The present literature review aims to present the physiology of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) as well as its clinical course, conceptualizing them, and establishing its diagnosis and treatment. Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity is a rare syndrome, which often presents after an acute traumatic brain injury. Characterized by a hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, when diagnosed in its pure form, its symptomatologic presentation is through tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia, hypertension, dystonia, and sialorrhea. The treatment of PSH is basically pharmacological, using central nervous system suppressors; however, the nonmedication approach is closely associated with a reduction in external stimuli, such as visual and auditory stimuli. Mismanagement can lead to the development of serious cardiovascular and diencephalic complications, and the need for neurosurgeons and neurointensivists to know about PSH is evident in order to provide a fast and accurate treatment of this syndrome.

Cerebral metastasis of cervical uterine cancer: report of three cases.

Cervical uterine cancer (CUC) spreads locally (pelvis and paraortic lymphnodes) or distantly (lungs, liver and bones). Metastasis to central nervous system (CNS) are rare. There are about 80 cases reported in the literature. Outcome is poor and survival varies from 3 to 6 months. Three cases of CNS metastasis from CUC are reported, one infratentorial and two supratentorials in location. In one patient, the initial manifestation was due to the cerebral lesion, a feature reported for the first time. All cases were treated by surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Clinical findings and treatment options of these rare lesions are reviewed.

Prognosis of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury After Implementation of a Nurse Assessment Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI) depends on the severity of the injury, the patient's level of consciousness upon admission, and differences in treatment protocols. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognosis of TBI victims after implementation of a nurse assessment protocol. METHOD: This is a blind, nonrandomized clinical study carried out at a public emergency hospital in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. RESULTS: The study involved 480 patients with an average (SD) age of 35.7 (±16.6) years. Most of the patients were male (p = .02). In the preprotocol and postprotocol groups, motorcycle accidents (p = .023) were more frequent, with a 10.2% death rate. The clinical conditions associated with TBI and the tomographic findings were not affected in either the preprotocol or postprotocol groups (p = .07). There was a significant reduction (p = .05) in death rate from 12.6% to 7.3% and a decrease in the percentage of discharge with aftereffects from 32.8% to 22.8%. Factors independently associated with mortality were as follows: approximately 2.5 times more likely to not apply the protocol associated with an increased chance of death, followed by a 23 times higher risk of TBI severity, and age, with an odds ratio of 1.04. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the protocol, there was a reduction of death rate of patients with severe TBI and aftereffects in patients with moderate TBI. The severity of TBI was the main independent predictive determinant of mortality, followed by nonuse of protocol and age.

Anatomy of the Middle Meningeal Artery

Introduction The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is an important artery in neurosurgery. As the largest branch of the maxillary artery, it provides nutrition to the meninges and to the frontal and parietal regions. Diseases, including dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), pseudoaneurysm, true aneurysm, traumatic arteriovenous fistula (TAVF), Moya-Moya disease (MMD), recurrent chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), migraine, and meningioma,may be related to the MMA. The aim of the present study is to describe the anatomy of the MMA and to correlate it with brain diseases. Methods A literature review was performed using the PubMed, Scielo, Scientific Direct, Ebsco, LILACS, TripDataBase and Cochrane databases, with the following descriptors: neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, meninges and blood supply. Discussion The MMA is embedded in a cranial groove, and traumatic or iatrogenic factors can result in MMA-associated pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). In hemodynamic stress, true aneurysms can develop. Arteriovenous fistulas, pseudoaneurysms, and true aneurysms can be effectively treated by endovascular or surgical removal. In MMD, the MMA plays a role in the development and in the improvement of collateral circulation. Finally, in cases of CSDH, when standard surgery and drainage fail, MMA embolization can constitute a great alternative. Conclusion The MMA is a relevant structure for the understanding of neurosurgical diseases. In conclusion, every neurosurgeon must know the anatomy of the MMA sufficiently to correlate it with the diagnosed pathology, thus obtaining treatment effectiveness and preventing brain lesion.

Longer epilepsy duration and multiple lobe involvement predict worse seizure outcomes for patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical outcomes of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) and neurocysticercosis (NCC). METHODS: A retrospective investigation of patients with TLE-HS was conducted in a tertiary center. RESULTS: Seventy-nine (62.2%), 37 (29.1%), 6 (4.7%), and 5 (3.9%) patients were Engel class I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Fifty-two (71.2%) patients with epilepsy durations ≤ 10 years prior to surgery were seizure-free 1 year after the operation compared to 27 (50.0%) patients with epilepsy durations > 10 years (p = 0.0121). Forty-three (72.9%) patients with three or fewer lobes affected by NCC were seizure-free one year after the operation, and 36 (52.9%) patients with more than three involved lobes were seizure-free after surgery (p = 0.0163). CONCLUSIONS: Longer epilepsy durations and multiple lobe involvement predicted worse seizure outcomes in TLE-HS plus NCC patients.

Gross-total resection of temporal low grade gliomas is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.

OBJECTIVE: To present a surgical series of patients with low grade temporal gliomas causing intractable epilepsy, focusing on long-term seizure outcome. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted with patients with temporal low-grade gliomas (LGG). RESULTS: Sixty five patients with were operated in our institution. Males were more affected than females and the mean age at surgery was 32.3 ± 8.4 (9-68 years). The mean age at seizure onset was 25.7 ± 9.2 (11-66 years). Seizure outcome was classified according with Engel classification. After one year of follow up, forty two patients (64.6%) were Engel I; seventeen (26.2%) Engel II; four (6.2%) Engel III and two (3.1%) Engel IV. Statistically significant difference in seizure outcome was obtained when comparing the extension of resection. Engel I was observed in 39 patients (69.6%) with total resection and in only 3 (33.3%) patients with partial resection. CONCLUSION: Gross-total resection of temporal LGGs is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.

Microsurgical treatment of patients with refractory epilepsy and mesial temporal cavernous malformations: Clinical experience of a tertiary epilepsy center.

BACKGROUND: Mesiotemporal cavernous malformation can occur in 10-20% of patients with cerebral cavernomas and are frequently associated with refractory. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was performed in the epilepsy clinic of a Brazilian tertiary referral epilepsy center, from January 2000 to March 2012. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study. Thirteen patients (62%) evolved to Engel I; 5 (24%) to Engel II, 2 (10%) to Engel III, and 1 (5%) to Engel IV. We observed that 10 (48%) patients with 12 years or less of epilepsy duration evolved to Engel I and 1 (5%) to Engel II; whereas from a total of 10 patients with epilepsy duration of more than 12 years, 3 (30%) evolved to Engel I and 7 (70%) to Engel II, III, or IV (P < 0.001 [bilateral]; P1 ≠ P2). CONCLUSION: Postsurgical seizure outcome for temporal lobe epilepsy associated with mesiotemporal cavernomas is very satisfactory.

Kernohan-Woltman Notch Phenomenon ­ Case Report

The Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon is a paradoxical neurological manifestation consisting of a motor deficit ipsilateral to a primary brain injury. It has been observed in patients with brain tumors and with supratentorial hematomas. It is considered a false localizing neurological sign. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan has been the test of choice. The recognition of this phenomenon is important to prevent a surgical procedure on the opposite side of the lesion. The present case report describes a case of chronic subdural hematoma with a probable finding of the Kernohan-Woltman phenomenon, and it discusses its pathophysiology, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis.

Perinatal Asphyxia: Factors Associated with Noncompliance in the specialized Outpatient Treatment / Asfixia Perinatal: Fatores Associados à não-Adesão no Tratamento Ambulatorial Especializado

Perinatal asphyxia is a leading cause of preventable brain injury. Between four and nine million newborns develop birth asphyxia. It is estimated that 1.2 million evolve to death and at least the same number develops important disabling neurological sequels. These children need to be accompanied by experts, especially in the first year of life. The continuity of care after hospital discharge should be guaranteed so that there is follow-up care to those who are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. To identify factors associated with dropout of outpatient specialized treatment of children diagnosed with perinatal asphyxia. The study was conducted in neonatal care clinic specializing in a reference hospital for high-risk births in the state of Sergipe. 98 children with perinatal asphyxia discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of this hospital participated in the study. Results: the children who were followed up were between two months to two years old, and predominantly male 69. Ten children were discharged at age 24 months and had important neurological sequels. Thirty-one children were discharged aged 10 to 20 months without deficit and 35 remained in regular monitoring. There was a record of 22 cases of noncompliance, before the sixth medical consultation. Among the reasons for the doctor following the abandonment of the follow-up service, there were more reasons regarding the absence of symptoms (and distance from home). The absence of symptoms and distance from the capital were associated with the abandonment of outpatient treatment of anoxic children. Outpatient services should be organized to minimize the follow-up abandon situations. (AU)

Asfixia perinatal é uma das principais causas de lesão cerebral evitável. Cerca de quatro a nove milhões de recém-nascidos desenvolvem asfixia ao nascer. Estima-se que 1,2 milhão evoluem para óbito e desenvolvem sequelas neurológicas incapacitantes. Essas crianças precisam ser acompanhadas por especialistas, principalmente no primeiro ano de vida. A continuidade da assistência após a alta hospitalar deve ser garantida para que haja seguimento do cuidado aos que apresentam maior risco de morbimortalidade. Identificar fatores associados ao abandono do tratamento ambulatorial especializado de crianças diagnosticadas com asfixia perinatal. Estudo desenvolvido no ambulatório de assistência neonatal de uma maternidade referência para partos de alto risco no estado de Sergipe. Participaram do estudo 98 crianças anoxiadas egressas da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal dessa maternidade. As crianças acompanhadas tinham entre dois meses a dois anos, predominantemente do sexo masculino 69. Dez crianças receberam alta por idade aos 24 meses, apresentando sequelas neurológicas importantes. Trinta e uma crianças receberam alta entre 10 a 20 meses sem déficit e 35 mantiveram-se em acompanhamento regular. Houve o registro de 22 casos de abandono do tratamento, antes da sexta consulta médica. Entre os motivos para o abandono do seguimento no serviço de follow-up, predominaram a ausência de sintomas e a distância do domicílio. A ausência de sintomas e a distância da capital estiveram associadas ao abandono de tratamento ambulatorial de crianças anoxiadas. Os serviços ambulatoriais devem estar organizados para minimizar situações de abandono do seguimento. (AU)

Retrograde migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to the neck after dental treatment.

The ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) is the technique most often employed for the treatment of hydrocephaly, but may present complications after placement. Retrograde migration of the peritoneal catheter to the cervical region is rarely reported. This manuscript to describes a case of migration of the distal portion of the VPS system to the neck after dental treatment in a child and discusses the possible causes for this complication.

Microsurgical Treatment of Posterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm (P2P Segment): Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) represent 1% of all intracranial aneurysms and usually present with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Objective The aimof the present study is to describe the case of an adult man presenting a saccular aneurysm of the right PCA at the posterior half of the postcommunicating (P2P) segment, and to discuss the technical nuances of the approach and of the clipping process. Case Report An investigation of a chronic headache in a 55-year-old man found a saccular aneurysm located just posterior to the most lateral portion of the right cerebral peduncle. A digital subtraction arteriography revealed a 7.8 mm 5.6 mm 4.8 mm posterior-medial projecting aneurysm of the right PCA at the P2P segment. A subtemporal approach was performed with partial aspiration of the right parahippocampal gyrus for a better exposure of the vascular structures. A proximal temporary occlusion of the PCA was performed at the anterior half of the postcommunicating P2A segment. The aneurysm was clipped with two semi-curved clips. The patient presented an uneventful recovery and was discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day without any additional neurological deficits. Conclusion Aneurysms of the PCA are an uncommon vascular disease that challenges the ability of the neurosurgeons due to their many anatomical nuances, to their vast number of perforators, and to the risk of bleeding. However, the operative management of aneurysms of the PCA is technically feasible, safe and effective when performed respecting microsurgical principles.