Comprehensive Mapping and Dynamic Monitoring of the Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve in Complex Cranial Reconstruction Surgery and Revision Cranioplasty.

Facial nerve (FN) injury is a significant risk during complex cranial reconstruction surgeries, especially in revision cases where normal anatomy is distorted. The authors introduce a technique to mitigate FN injury, including preoperative FN mapping, intraoperative FN mapping, and continuous FN monitoring. Preoperative mapping uses a handheld ball-tip stimulator to elicit compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) in the frontalis muscle. Needle electrodes are placed above the orbital margin to record responses, starting at the stylomastoid foramen and extending until the entire temporal branch is mapped. Intraoperatively, continuous mapping is achieved using an electrified insulated suction device, allowing dynamic mapping during soft tissue dissection. Continuous monitoring involves placing stimulation electrodes near the stylomastoid foramen and recording CMAP responses from the frontalis and orbicularis oculi/orbicularis oris muscles. The authors tested this technique in 5 patients. The authors successfully mapped the temporal branch of the FN with isolated frontalis CMAP recordings in all patients. Intraoperative FN mapping and continuous monitoring were successfully performed in all cases. Two patients experienced complete cessation of FN CMAPs, which resumed upon loosening the tension on the myocutaneous flap held by fishhooks. One patient showed a 39% decrement in frontalis CMAP that did not recover. Despite these issues, all patients had intact FN function postoperatively and at follow-up. Our technique shows promise in mitigating FN injury during complex cranial reconstruction and cranioplasty revision surgery. Further research with a larger cohort is needed to confirm efficacy and statistical significance.

Anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism for the general physician.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently encountered across various specialties. The management of VTE has become more nuanced, requiring consideration of several factors when deciding on the choice and duration of anticoagulation. This evidence-based review article summarises the current practice and evidence behind anticoagulation in VTE, incorporating national and international guidelines. Factors influencing decision-making around the choice and duration of anticoagulation, along with special circumstances such as cancer and antiphospholipid syndrome, are discussed. The clinical utility of thrombophilia screening is also addressed.

Drug-induced secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in hairy cell leukaemia.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, aggressive, excess immune activation syndrome. Diagnosis can be challenging due to its several clinical mimics including sepsis. There are multiple aetiologies of HLH; in adults, it is most commonly triggered by infection, malignancy, drugs and autoimmune processes. Failure to rapidly diagnose and treat this condition can be fatal. The management of HLH includes identifying and removing the trigger, supportive management and immunosuppression. Identifying the trigger is essential to inform the most appropriate type of immunosuppression. Here, we report a case of likely drug-induced HLH in a patient recently treated for hairy cell leukaemia. The culprit drug was thought to be co-trimoxazole and this case report highlights a very rare complication of this commonly used drug. We discuss our management approach with steroid monotherapy and withdrawal of co-trimoxazole.