Intraoperative monitoring of the central and peripheral nervous systems: a narrative review.

The central and peripheral nervous systems are the primary target organs during anaesthesia. At the time of the inception of the British Journal of Anaesthesia, monitoring of the central nervous system comprised clinical observation, which provided only limited information. During the 100 yr since then, and particularly in the past few decades, significant progress has been made, providing anaesthetists with tools to obtain real-time assessments of cerebral neurophysiology during surgical procedures. In this narrative review article, we discuss the rationale and uses of electroencephalography, evoked potentials, near-infrared spectroscopy, and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for intraoperative monitoring of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Fatal iliopsoas and rectus sheath hemorrhage in a critically ill patient with COVID-19 on therapeutic anticoagulation.

Pulmonary embolism and thrombosis are two common postmortem findings in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the fact which led experts to include anticoagulants in the standard management of COVID-19. However, at least until now, no guidelines stated the exact safe yet optimal dose of anticoagulants. We report a case of a 65-year-old man admitted to our hospital with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. He showed remarkable improvement during the first 10 days of treatment at our facility but subsequently developed spontaneous iliopsoas hemorrhage (IPH). We discontinued antithrombotic and anticoagulant agents as soon as we confirmed the IPH from the abdominal computed tomography scan. His condition worsened even after he received adequate blood transfusion sets and eventually developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Due to the limitation of our hospital, we could not perform stent grafting and angiographic embolization. He finally died 6 days after the occurrence of IPH. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of COVID-19 with IPH in Indonesia. As a developing country, many hospitals in Indonesia do not have stent grafting and angiographic embolization. This condition urges the dose recommendation for anticoagulant therapy to provide safe and efficient management for COVID-19.

Pulmonary embolism in patients with severe COVID-19 treated with systemic low-dose thrombolytic therapy: A case series.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with respiratory failure and high mortality. Hypercoagulability and thromboembolic complications have been found in a high percentage of patients amongst which, pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most common. Currently, there are no guidelines on using thrombolysis therapy in COVID-19 patients who developed PE. We present five survivors aged 30-75 years old with confirmed COVID-19. All cases were proven by computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) to have PE treated with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). PE should be suspected in all COVID-19 patients with rapid worsening of dyspnea, desaturation, unexplained shock, and increased level of D-dimer and fibrinogen. In our cases, PE developed despite preventative anticoagulation regimens with low molecular weight heparin. After thrombolytic therapy, all patients showed improvement in partial-arterial-oxygen-pressure to inspired oxygen-fraction ratio (arterial partial pressure of oxygen/inspired oxygen fraction ratio). D-dimer showed elevation after thrombolytic therapy and decreased in the following days. Fibrinogen levels decreased following thrombolytic therapy. Current anticoagulation regimens seem insufficient to halt the course of thrombosis, and thrombolytic therapy may be beneficial for patients with severe COVID-19 and PE. Systemic thrombolysis therapy is a double-edged sword, and clinicians must balance between benefit and risk of bleeding.

Progressive COVID-19-Associated Coagulopathy Despite Treatment with Therapeutic Anticoagulation and Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a hypercoagulability state. Clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic to severe illness and mortality. Thrombotic complications in COVID-19 have been associated with mortality. The incidence of systemic hypercoagulation in COVID-19 is associated with the process of severe inflammation. The majority of severely ill patients have developed coagulopathy, and this condition is associated with poor outcomes. CASE REPORT A 72-year-old man presented with respiratory symptoms and was diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection. He presented with tachypnea, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, and 74% peripheral oxygen saturation under 15 L/min oxygen per non-rebreather mask. Initial laboratory test results showed severe hypoxemia as per blood gas analysis (pH 7.42, pCO2 23 mmHg, pO2 43 mmHg, HCO3 15 mmol/L, base deficit -9 mmol/L), with increased procalcitonin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, D-dimer, fibrinogen, creatine kinase myocardial band, and Troponin I. He subsequently developed thrombosis of the pulmonary arteries and multiple branches of the pulmonary vein despite therapeutic anticoagulation. We initiated heparin therapy (average dose 25 191 units per day, mean activated partial thromboplastin time, 64.35 seconds). Radiological investigations revealed multiple thromboses on pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins, as well as multiple locations of brain infarction. Rescue thrombolytic therapy was given, but unfortunately, the patient died due to multiple end-organ failures. CONCLUSIONS Controlling coagulopathy, and thrombolytic therapy type and timing, are critical issues, and new strategies must be sought to lower its morbidity and mortality rates further.

Extra-Anatomic Axillofemoral Bypass After Failed Stenting for Aortoiliac-Occlusive Disease in a Patient with Severe Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND An extra-anatomic bypass is the choice of revascularization method for limb salvage in patients with infra-renal aortailiac occlusion accompanied by severe comorbidities. CASE REPORT We report a case of aortailiac-occlusive disease in a 59-year-old man with severe cormobidities. He had complained about intermittent claudication in both lower limbs for the past 10 years. The condition had worsened over the last 5 months, making it difficult for him to walk. Three attempts had been made at percutaneous aortailiac stenting, all of which were unsuccessful. The patient had a history of coronary artery disease and complete revascularization by percutaneous coronary stenting 10 years ago. Extra-anatomic axillounifemoral bypass was performed under general anesthesia. The results were good, with improvement in the patient's distal perfusion immediately and at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS After failed aortoiliac stenting, when direct revascularization aortofemoral bypass and endovascular intervention could not be carried out, extra-anatomic axillofemoral bypass was effective for revascularization in a patient with aortoiliac-occlusive disease and severe comorbidities.

Risk Factors for Prostate Volume Progression After Prostate-Transurethral Resection.

BACKGROUND: Many factors could contribute to the cases of residual benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) volume after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), such as age, obesity, testosterone level, and inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine the risk of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in prostate tissue, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serum testosterone, and age in promoting prostate volume progression after TURP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study on 83 BPH patients who underwent TURP at five hospitals in Bali, Indonesia. Trans-rectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was carried out to examine the prostate's size. Three years after, we redo the TRUS examination to collect the data of the latest prostate size. TNF-α, TGF-ß, serum PSA, testosterone, and age were registered for analysis. We used Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests and multivariate analytic linear regression test (coefficient ß) by SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: Age, testosterone, PSA, TNF-α, TGF-ß were positively correlated to prostate's volume progression. The prostate volume was strongly correlated with age (r= 0.749, p <0.001), PSA level (r=0.896, p <0.001), testosterone level (r=0.818, p <0.001), and TGF-ß (r=0.609, p <0.001). The TNF-α level has a weak correlation to prostate's volume progression (r=0.392, p <0.001). CONCLUSION: TNF-α, TGF-ß, PSA, testosterone, and age were significant as the risk factors in promoting the prostate volume progression after TURP.

The impact of prostate-transurethral resection on erectile dysfunction in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) after a prostate-transurethral resection (P-TUR) is one of the problems in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that may affect the quality of life in middle-aged and older men. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of P-TUR on ED in BPH patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 83 patients suffering from BPH that underwent a P-TUR. Clinically, testosterone levels, prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and prostate volume were measured before the P-TUR. Erectile function was measured prior to the P-TUR, as well as at 1 and 3 months after the P-TUR using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Suitability test of the model was done in a structural equation. Data were analyzed using the chi-square (χ 2) test by Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) software version 21. Results: The effects of PSA to IIEF before, 1 month after, and 3 months after P-TUR were 0.116, 0.084, and 0.097, respectively. The effects of body mass index to IIEF before, 1 month after, and 3 months after P-TUR were 0.180, 0.066, and 0.164, respectively. The effects of prostate volume to IIEF before, 1 month after, and 3 months after P-TUR were 0.049, 0.004, and 0.011, respectively. The effects of testosterone to IIEF before, 1 month after, and 3 months after P-TUR were -0.029, -0.453, and -0.415, respectively. The effects of age to IIEF before, 1 month after, and 3 months after P-TUR were -0.444, 0.921, and 0.911, respectively. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement of erectile function in patients that underwent P-TUR who previously had preoperative ED, especially 3 months after the surgery.

Steroid Induced Cataract in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Patient.

BACKGROUND: Cataract is an opacification of the lens. Pediatric cataracts can be congenital or acquired. Acquired cataract including the one caused by corticosteroid used. It occurred as bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts and tended to be progressive. Treatment of choice is lens extraction with or without intraocular lens (IOL). CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of posterior subcapsular cataract that occurs in a patient with Langerhans cell histiocytosis that was using corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSION: The routine ophthalmologic examination should be performed in children who received treatment with corticosteroids in the long term so that with early detection it can be given early treatment.

Victims of Physical Violence Have a Higher Risk to Be Perpetrators: A Study in High School Students Population.

BACKGROUND: Violence experienced by a person can trigger mental disorders. It was reported that 1 in 4 children in the world had experienced severe and sustained physical violence. The form of violence varies from various bullying actions that seem mild, to deadly physical violence. AIM: This study aimed to see the association between the victim and perpetrator of violence in high school students. METHODS: A Hundred and Forty-Four high school students were chosen by stratified random sampling. They were assessed using Hurt, Insulted, threatened with harm, and Screamed (HITS) assessment tool. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were used in this analysis, along with a cross-tabulation table. RESULTS: Out of the 144 subjects, 66 (45.8%) admitted that they experienced violence in different gradations. A total of 34 (47.2%) respondents revealed that the perpetrators of the most frequent acts of violence were either one or both of their parents. The odds ratio (OR) of the subjects who experienced violence to commit violence is 3.571 (Confidence Interval (CI) 95% = 1.792-7.120). CONCLUSION: More than 60% of high school students who experienced acts of violence turned out to experience more than one type of violence. The most frequent perpetrators of violence are the parents (47.2%), followed by friends and siblings. Those who experienced violent acts are 3.5 times more likely to become a perpetrator of violence.

Modified Revised Trauma-Marshall score as a proposed tool in predicting the outcome of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common healthcare problem related to disability. An easy-to-use trauma scoring system informs physicians about the severity of trauma and helps to decide the course of management. The purpose of this study is to use the combination of both physiological and anatomical assessment tools that predict the outcome and develop a new modified prognostic scoring system in TBIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 subjects admitted to the emergency department (ED) of Sanglah General Hospital were documented for both Marshall CT scan classification score (MCTC) and Revised Trauma Score (RTS) upon admission. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was then documented at six months after brain injury. A new Modified Revised Trauma-Marshall score (m-RTS) was developed using statistical analytic methods. RESULTS: The total sample enrolled for this study was 181 patients. The mean RTS upon admission was 10.2±1.2. Of the 181 subjects, 110 (60.8%) were found to have favorable GOS (GOS score >3). Best Youden's index results were obtained with any of the RTS of ≤10 with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.2542 and with risk ratio of 2.9 (95% CI=1.98-4.28; P=0.001); and Marshall score ≤2 with area under ROC curve of 0.2249 with risk ratio of 3.9 (95% CI=2.52-5.89; P=0.001). The RTS-Marshall combination has higher sensitivity with risk ratio of 4.5 (CI 95%=2.55-8.0; P=0.001) for screening tools of unfavorable outcome. The Pearson's correlation between RTS and Marshall classification is 0.464 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Combination of physiological and anatomical score improves the prognostic of outcome in moderate and severe TBI patients, formulated in this accurate, simple, applicable and reliable m-RTS prognostic score model.

Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale correlates with bispectral index in traumatic brain injury patients who underwent craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: Assessing consciousness in traumatic brain injury is important because it also determines the treatment option, which will influence patients' outcome. A tool used to objectively assess consciousness level is the bispectral index (BIS) monitor, which was originally designed to monitor the depth of anesthesia. Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) provides a measuring tool to assess traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcome. The goal of this study was to assess the correlation between GOS-E scores with BIS values in patients with TBI who underwent craniotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 68 patients admitted to the emergency department with decreased consciousness due to TBI who underwent craniotomy were included in the study. BIS value was measured upon admission, then GOS-E score was determined 6 months after the incident took place. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between GOS-E score and BIS value. RESULTS: In 68 patients, the GOS-E score was found to have a strong correlation (r =0.921, p<0.01) with BIS values. From this study, the formula to estimate GOS-E score based on BIS value upon admission stands as: GOS-E =0.19 (BIS) - 8.31. CONCLUSION: This study found that there is a strong correlation between GOS-E score and BIS value. These findings suggest that BIS scores upon admission may be used to predict the outcomes in patients with TBI. However, the wide distribution of BIS values for each GOS-E score may limit the use of BIS scores in accurately predicting GOS-E scores.

Jugular bulb oxygen saturation correlates with Full Outline of Responsiveness score in severe traumatic brain injury patients.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining brain oxygenation status is the main goal of treatment in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) monitoring is a technique to estimate global balance between cerebral oxygen supply and its metabolic requirement. Full Outline of Responsiveness (FOUR) score, a new consciousness measurement scoring, is expected to become an alternative for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in evaluating neurologic status of patients with severe traumatic head injury, especially for those under mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of 63 patients with severe TBI admitted to emergency department (ED) were included in this study. SjvO2 sampling was taken every 24 hours, until 72 hours after arrival. The assessment of FOUR score was conducted directly after each blood sample for SjvO2 was taken. Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the correlation between SjvO2 and FOUR score. Regression analysis was used to determine mortality predictors. RESULTS: From the 63 patients, a weak positive correlation between SjvO2 and FOUR score (r=0.246, p=0.052) was found upon admission. Meanwhile, strong and moderate negative correlation values were found in 48 hours (r=-0.751, p<0.001) and 72 hours (r=-0.49, p=0.002) after admission. Both FOUR score (p<0.001) and SjvO2 (p=0.04) were found to be independent mortality predictors in severe TBI. CONCLUSION: There was a negative correlation between the value of SjvO2 and FOUR score at 48 and 72 hours after admission. Both SjvO2 and FOUR score are independent mortality predictors in severe TBI.

Bispectral index value correlates with Glasgow Coma Scale in traumatic brain injury patients.

BACKGROUND: Accuracy of consciousness level assessment is very important. It may determine and influence further clinical decisions, thus influences patients' outcomes. The widest method in determining the level of awareness is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Despite its common use, GCS scores obtained by one clinician may differ from others depending on their interpretations and past experience. One of the tools used to assess the level of consciousness objectively is bispectral index (BIS). The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between BIS and GCS score in patients with traumatic brain injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients who were admitted to emergency room for traumatic brain injury were included in this study. One observer evaluated the GCS of all patients to minimize subjectivity. Another investigator then obtained the BIS values for each patient. Spear-man's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine whether GCS correlated with BIS value. RESULTS: In 78 patients, the BIS was found to be significantly correlated with GCS (r=0.744, p<0.01). The BIS values increased with an increasing GCS. Mean BIS values of mild, moderate, and severe head injury were 88.1±5.6, 72.1±11.1, and 60.4±11.7, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, a significant correlation existed between GCS and BIS. This finding suggests that BIS may be used for assessing GCS in patients with traumatic brain injury. However, the scatters of BIS values for any GCS level may limit the BIS in predicting GCS accurately.