A case of epilepsia partialis continua of abdominal muscles after brain tumor surgery.

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a rare form of focal motor status epilepticus characterized by continuous muscular twitches or jerks involving a limited part of the body, usually facial region and distal limb. Although the cerebrovascular disease is known to be one of the most common causes of this condition, other reported cases with predominant abdominal involvement have different aetiologies, including, tumors, focal cortical dysplasia, and central nervous system infections. No cases of epilepsia partialis continua of the abdominal wall occurred after brain surgery have been previously reported. We describe the clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging findings in an adult patient presenting with persistent unilateral abdominal myoclonus configuring an EPC as the evolution of a super-refractory hemibody convulsive status epilepticus, occurred after brain tumor surgery.

Intraoperative monitoring of carotid endarterectomy by transcranial motor evoked potential: a multicenter study of 600 patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate the utility of motor evoked potential monitoring elicited by transcranial electrical stimulation (tcMEP) during CEA in addition to the established median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (mSSEPs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 600 patients undergoing CEA under general anesthesia with monitoring of mSSEPs and tcMEPs in a multicenter study. MSSEP and tcMEP parameters were recorded during internal carotid artery (ICA) cross clamping and compared with the postoperative motor outcome, demographic and patient history data. RESULTS: The intraoperative monitoring of tcMEPs was successful in 594 of the patients (99%) and selective shunt was performed in 29 of them (4.83%). Nine of the patients showed a transient contralateral loss of tcMEPs, without changes in mSSEPs and required intervention (1.5% "false-negative"). Three of them showed postoperative motor deficits. The time period from tcMEP loss to intervention was significantly longer (p = 0.01) in this group compared to the patients without postoperative motor deficit. CONCLUSION: TcMEPs during CEA may be an adjunct to mSSEP monitoring to avoid "false-negative" mSSEP results, as mSSEPs seem to lack specificity for detecting isolated ischemia of corticospinal pathway. SIGNIFICANCE: TcMEPs seem to improve postoperative outcome, especially in case of a timely correction of cerebral ischemia.

Sufentanil-propofol vs remifentanil-propofol during total intravenous anesthesia for neurosurgery. A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: In a randomised, prospective multi-centre study, we compared the intraoperative and postoperative effects of two opioids: sufentanil and remifentanil, in combination with propofol in two groups of patients undergoing neurosurgery. METHODS: After Local Ethics Committee approval and informed consent obtaining, 69 patients undergoing neurosurgery for supratentorial tumours, between 18 and 75 years of age were randomised to receive either sufentanil or remifentanil in combination with propofol. Intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic variables, recovery times (time to eye opening and to extubation), the incidence of postoperative respiratory depression, pain, nausea and vomiting were also evaluated. The Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test was used to evaluate cognitive function at 15, 45 and 180 min after emergence from anesthesia. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in the duration of surgery and anesthesia, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, time to eye opening or extubation. The incidence of vomiting, respiratory depression and shivering was similar in both groups. Postoperative pain requiring supplemental analgesics was significantly lower in the sufentanil group (P<0.05). Although there were no significant differences between the groups in postoperative behavioural examinations by Rancho Los Amigos Test, patients anesthetised with sufentanil had significantly better Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test values at 15 and 180 min postoperatively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION. We conclude that remifentanil and sufentanil are suitable adjunct to propofol for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). Patients receiving sufentanil have reduced analgesic requirements and better cognitive function postoperatively than those who received remifentanil.

[Severe hypophosphatemia in intensive care]. / Grave ipofosfatemia in terapia intensiva.

Phosphorus plays an essential role in cellular metabolism, especially in the oxidative phosphorylation process and in the synthesis of 2-3 DPG and membrane phospholipids. Moreover phosphorus is necessary as a buffer, mainly when the organism's principal buffer, the H2CO3/HCO3- system, is working at maximal rate. The authors describe a case of severe hypophosphatemia in a ICU patient with a mixed disorder of the acid-base balance. C.P., a woman, aged 71, obese (IBW 145%), at admission in ICU showed increasing dyspnea, hypoxemia and acidosis. Besides alkaline drugs a Venturi mask with FiO2 = 0.3 alternated to CPAP cycles (7 cm H2O) with facial mask applied. Bading on CVP, MAP and ABG results, a pharmacologic therapy with enoximone, furosemide, bronchodilators, mucolytics, antacids, antibiotics and inotropics was performed. TPN with only essential amino acids was performed, in order to activate lipolysis and ketogenesis; but the ABG showed over again mixed disorder of acid-base balance (metabolic and chronic respiratory acidosis), only partially leading to ketogenesis. The reduction of the hematic HCO3-, without changes of PaCO2, was justified by the blood lactic acid of 6.2 mmol/L. And what about blood lactic acid increase? During patient hospitalization, the hematic phosphorus had decreased to, 0.8 mg/dl. Diuretic therapy together with acidosis tamponage, and reduced phosphorus feed had been responsible of severe hypo-phosphatemia. Therapy adjustments brought the phosphatemia to normal values and to a substantial improvement of clinical conditions.

[Comparison between balanced anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia in videolaparocholecystectomy]. / Confronto fra narcosi bilanciata e narcosi totalmente endovenosa nella videolaparocolecistectomia.

The aim of this work was to assess which anaesthetic technique is more suitable to the performance of videolaparocholecystectomy (VLC), particularly seeking for a faster and more comfortable recovery, although saving the maximum safety of the patient. A comparative investigation between two different anaesthetic techniques was carried out in 40 patients scheduled for VLC; the procedure's average length was 110.3 +/- 32.8 minutes and pneu- moperitoneum was obtained with 12-15 mmHg of CO2. Patients (32 females and 8 males, average age 52.3 +/- 8 years and ASA class 1, 2, 3, were randomized in two groups. The first group was administered total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA): propofol+ fentanyl+pancuronio bromide; the second one received balanced narcosis:TPS+ Isoflurane+Pancuronio bromide. The following parameters were monitored at set times: SAP, DAP, HR and EtCO2; statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance. The quality of recovery was assessed by Steward's test and analyzed by Student's "t" test. The data obtained from analysis of the intraoperative parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups; on the contrary a statistically significant difference was found with regard to the quality of recovery (p > 0.5 at 5' from the extubation). Thus, the comparative study showed the efficacy and safety of both techniques, but TIVA allowed a faster and more comfortable awakening with shorter time to recovery of consciousness. This, together with the reduced requirements of analgesic drugs in the postoperative period and the lack of air pollution, seems to suggest that TIVA is to be preferred for laparoscopic surgery.

[Multiple organ failure in pre-term pregnancy: gestosis and/or typhoid fever?]. / MOF in gravida pretermine: gestosi e/o febbre tifoidea?

The authors describe a clinical case of Multiple Organ Failure (MOF). Such a pathology was reported, at admission in ICU, in a young woman aged 26 who was in the 30th week of amenorrhoea, formerly hospitalized in Obstetrics, where she had had a Caesarean section because of the met of eclamptic crisis, after a pregnancy substantially normal. At the moment of her admission to the ICU the examination highlighted the sense organ obnubilated, the breath dyspnoic, a systolic and diastolic hypotension and a tachycardia of medium seriousness. From laboratory examinations it was possible to maintain that there was a serious anemia with white cells raised, a coagulative imbalance and above all a serious alteration of hepatic and pancreatic function. The creatininemia had increased a bit, a clear contraction of diuresis was present and a considerable metabolic acidosis had become intelled. Therefore the patient was affected by multiple organ failure. In successive days it was possible to execute an EEG that proved substantially normal, then a Computer Tomography to abdomen showed the presence of vast areas of hepatic necrosis, ascitic hemorrhagic fluid and a volume increased pancreas. Hepatitis markers proved negative, while a positive response was achieved for a typhoid infection (this result was reconfirmed many times later.) Modifying the antibiotic therapy (substituting full dose ampicillin to the cephalosporin) the clinical case was solved. Moreover, also thanks to a very good answer to antibiotic therapy, it was possible to confirm the diagnosis of typhoid fever, not gestosis.