Idiopathic unilateral complete oculomotor nerve palsy: a case report of diagnostic quandary.

Introduction and importance: When compared to other cranial nerve palsies idiopathic unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy with pupillary sparing is one of the least noted neurological conditions. Moreover, there lies a series of diagnostic dilemmas to come into a final diagnosis resulting in several array of clinical investigations. Hence, there is a delay in prompt management. Case summary: An elderly female without any known comorbidities presented with the complaint of headache, dizziness and dropping of left eyelid. Several arrays of diagnostic workups was done to come to a diagnosis, but even with rigorous laboratory investigations and radiological examinations, a common working diagnosis could not be made. Hence with a diagnosis of exclusion after proper neurological and neuro-ophthalmological examination, idiopathic unilateral common oculomotor nerve palsy was identified for which improvement with steroids was noted in the patient. Discussion: Idiopathic unilateral complete oculomotor nerve palsy is considered as a diagnosis of exclusion when all the diagnostic parameters fail to signify and positive results. The vague symptomatic presentation of the disease condition further compels the treating physician to carry out several panels of laboratory to radiological investigations. But if identified in time the treatment modality is straightforward. Conclusion: The diagnostic quandary in timely identification of such disease conditions needs a pertinent diagnostic guideline so as to avoid the unwanted panel of investigations.

Ventriculo peritoneal shunted patient undergoing laparoscopic procedure - A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: It has been more than century since the establishment of relationship between the intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraabdominal pressure (IAP) was suspected and confirmed backed up by several studies. The studies clearly demonstrate a link and the positive correlation between the two. CASE SUMMARY: 18 years old lady with previous history of ventricular peritoneal shunt during 6 months of age was planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperatively free flow of CSF was observed without any intraoperative and post-operative complications. DISCUSSION: Pneumoperitoneum created during laparoscopic procedures may lead to the rise in ICP and thus, lead to serious consequences. This has been of a growing concern in a patient with Ventriculo Peritoneal Shunt (VP Shunt) in situ. The uncertainty regarding the safety of laparoscopic procedures in VP shunted patients thus, has been a subject of debate over the years. CONCLUSION: Our aim therefore is to depict similar case we encountered in our department and based on it, we reviewed the literature in the quest of determining the safety of Laparoscopic procedure in patients with VP shunt.

Intractable seizures after cranioplasty, a dreadful post-operative complication managed efficiently from Nepal: A case series.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Cranioplasty is an elective neurosurgical procedure following decompressive craniectomy, often associated with post-operative complications such as hemorrhage, seizures, infection, hydrocephalus, and bone resorption. While seizures post-cranioplasty is not uncommon, Intractable seizures are rare but a dreadful complication following cranioplasty. CASE SUMMARY: A 23 and 17-year-old male underwent decompression craniectomy for traumatic brain injury and subsequently underwent titanium mesh and acrylic cranioplasty respectively, During the post-operative period both patients developed intractable seizures. Initially seizures were refractory to multiple anti-epileptic drugs and benzodiazepine induced coma. Intractable seizures were controlled gradually with few anti-epileptic drugs after the removal of cranioplasty. During 2 years' follow-up, there was no new episode of seizures complained by patients. DISCUSSION: Elective cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy after traumatic head injury is one of the commonest surgical modality carried out globally as a life saving measure. But post-operative complications following cranioplasty such as wound infection, implant displacement, bone resorption, hydrocephalus, epidural hematoma are the commonest observed complications whereas post-operative seizure is the most dreadful complication needing immediate intervention. Along with it intractable seizure is rarer during post- operative period. CONCLUSION: Intractable seizures post-cranioplasty, though rare, are serious and often linked to cerebral edema from negative pressure drainage and dysregulation of cerebral blood flow. Removing the cranioplasty can restore blood flow regulation, stabilize brain tissue, and resolve seizures. Care providers should be aware of this rare complication and to be counselled the patient and the family before the surgery.

A case report on posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in an elderly female.

Introduction and importance: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a medical condition characterized by symptoms such as headache, altered consciousness, visual abnormalities, seizures, and associated radiological vasogenic edema. The condition, as its name suggests, is generally reversible. PRES typically affects individuals around the age of 45 and is rarely seen in the elderly population. Case presentation: In this report, the authors present the case of an 83-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a history of seizures and visual disturbances. Upon examination, her Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 14, and she had bilateral round,reactive, regular pupils. A plain computed tomography (CT) head was performed, which revealed multiple hemorrhagic areas in the occipital region associated with vasogenic edema. magnetic resonance imaging was done which was suggestive of PRES. The individual underwent conservative management in the authors' institute and gradually recovered. Clinical discussion: PRES typically presents in middle-aged individuals, with infrequent occurrences in the elderly population. Early radiological and clinical assessments are crucial for the prompt diagnosis of this condition. Additionally, it is essential to identify predisposing factors such as hypertension, eclampsia, electrolyte imbalances, renal failure, autoimmune diseases, and the use of cytotoxic drugs for optimum management of the patient. Conclusion: PRES is generally reversible, as its name implies. Maintaining a high level of suspicion based on radiological and clinical correlations, coupled with the effective management of underlying conditions, can contribute to its potential reversibility.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in patient of immune thrombocytopenic purpura managed with mechanical thrombectomy: An anecdotal endovascular experience from lower middle income country.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in itself is rarely encountered clinical entity and its association with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) makes it more unusual presentation. No any as such standard guidelines exist that guides the prompt evidence based management in such concurrent cases but neuroendovascular modality can play a pivotal role.

Anti-coagulants-induced intracranial hemorrhage managed with decompressive craniectomy: a case report of lesson learned.

Introduction and importance: Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) secondary to use of anti-coagulants is one of the fearsome complications. Haemorrhage within the intracranial space due to such anti-coagulants results in expansion of the intracranial bleeding despite the reversal of anti-coagulants. Hence, timely surgical intervention can be lifesaving. Case summary: An elderly female who was undergoing management for her deranged coagulation parameters was found to be in a state of features suggestive of stroke. The patient was on regular anti-coagulants medication for her cardiology issues. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed intracranial haemorrhage, which underwent expansion on same day; hence decompressive craniectomy was done. During further stay in the ICU patient's Glasgow coma scale fluctuated but symptomatic improvement was noted. Anti-coagulants adjustment was made by a cardiologist and further, there was no expansion of intracranial bleeding within normal coagulation parameters. Discussion: Anti-coagulants are rampantly used in several cases. Despite the several complications, there is a desperate need for such medications for the betterment of the patient's condition. Pharmacological management is a major modality in the reversal of oral anti-coagulants (OAC)-induced ICH, but in rare cases in the background of OACs-induced ICH, there occurs expansion of haemorrhage. Hence there is a need for neurosurgical intervention, whether it be minimally invasive surgery or decompressive craniectomy. Conclusion: In the background of the low prevalence of OACs-induced ICH, there is an absence of a robust guiding treatment protocol. Furthermore, there exist minimal reported cases which underwent surgical intervention and resulted in a good prognosis.

Contiguous diastematomyelia with tethered cord, intradural extramedullary dermoid tumor, and lipomyelomeningocele: A unique case of spinal dysraphism.

Diastematomyelia, tethered cord, intradural extramedullary dermoid tumor and lipomyelomeningocele such disease entities themselves are rare in their own form and concurrent presentation of all those pathological states in a single individual can be considered one of the rarest forms of spinal dysraphism globally. Moreover for prompt management with optimal prognosis needs refined neurosurgical intervention guided by intraoperative neuromonitoring so as to bring about the best quality of life in the patient.

Venture of a Tertiary Care Neurosurgical Center in Course of COVID-19 Lockdown without RT-PCR.

"I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient." Obliged by the aforementioned oath, no medical practitioner shall sit in a moral judgment on any patient but will treat their illness to the best of their ability whatever the circumstances. A clear concord was yet to be authorized after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2infection. As a diagnostic modality, WHO recommended real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as a reliable test; however, its availability in a deprived nation like ours became a major restraining factor. Despite an asset of having high specificity, RT-PCR for coronavirus disease 2019has its own liability of having low sensitivity. Henceforth, as time passed by, the validity of the rapid diagnostic tests was put into question. In later months, a few centers around our periphery started conducting RT-PCR, but the time taken to obtain the result was long-drawn-out process and the patient who needed urgent neurosurgical intervention at Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied Sciences had to wait. We would like to share our expedition through peaks and valleys of managing 215 patients during the vicious circle of lockdown and global pandemic.

Surgical Management among Patients with Spontaneous Supratentorial Intracerebral Haemorrhage Admitted in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage is the second most common form of stroke and the most deadly one. An understanding of changing trends in the epidemiology of intracerebral haemorrhage prevalence, its risk factors, current practice in management, case fatality, and long-term outcome is essential to measure the effectiveness of stroke prevention and various treatment efforts. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of surgical management among patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage in a tertiary centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery from January 2017 to December 2019. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 06/2020/IRC-ANIAS). A convenience sampling method was used. Data of the patients were retrieved from online medical records. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 221 patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage, 115 (52.04%) (45.45-58.63, 95% Confidence Interval) underwent surgical management. In-hospital mortality was seen in 23 (20%) and survivors at 3 months were 78 (67.82%) patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of surgical management among spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhages was higher than in other studies done in a similar setting. Keywords: intracerebral haemorrhage; mortality; surgical procedure.

Customized Cost-Effective Polymethyl-Methacrylate Cranioplasty Implant Using Three-Dimensional Printer.

There is no doubt that many synthetic materials used in cranioplasty have given good result regarding patient's calvarial shape. However, the use of these materials is costly to the patient and requires complex intraoperative process. There has been a long history regarding the use of acrylic bone cement called as polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) as an implant due to its desirable properties. Here, we present three cases of simple, cost effective manually sculpted calvarial defect using three-dimensional (3D) printer. Sharing the achievement and challenges, we want to focus that the 3D customized implant of PMMA can be used as bone substitute.

A Case of Sellar/Suprasellar Neurocysticercosis Mimicking a Craniopharyngioma.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) commonly presents with seizures in developing countries such as Nepal. It may also present with raised intracranial pressure due to obstructive hydrocephalus when cyst is located in the fourth ventricle or foramen of Monro. There are four main stages of NCC (1) Vesicular, (2) Colloidal vesicular, (3) Granular nodular, and (4) Nodular calcified. The colloidal vesicular stages can cause arachnoiditis and thus can cause hydrocephalus whereas obstructive hydrocephalus is usually caused by racemose type of NCC. This case was a suprasellar cyst mimicking craniopharyngioma, supported with clinical history of poor visual acuity, endocrine abnormality, suggested radiological findings by computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging. Suprasellar NCC was confirmed only by intraoperative findings and histopathology report.