Encefalopatía traumática crónica, definición, diagnóstico y prevención: revisión de la literatura / Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, definition, diagnosis and prevention: review of literature

La encefalopatía traumática crónica (ETC) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que se produce como consecuencia traumatismos cerebrales repetitivos; concusiones, que son un síndrome clínico que se caracteriza por una alteración de la función cerebral. Una concusión, bajo su estricta definición, no debiese causar cambios estructurales en el cerebro por lo que no sería visible a través de imágenes, sí existen cambios a nivel microscópicos, bioquímicos y biomecánicos. La mayoría de los pacientes tienen completa resolución de sus síntomas dentro de 10 días (90 por ciento), pero existe un pequeño porcentaje que persiste con estos, pudiendo presentarse como un síndrome postconcusional, síndrome de segundo impacto o una encefalopatía traumática crónica. La ETC se caracteriza por la acumulación de prot-tau hiperfosforilada en neuronas y astrocitos. Estas se van a presentar en forma de ovillos o hilos neurofibrilares. En etapas iniciales las encontraremos de forma focalizada en la corteza frontal y en las formas más severas su distribución será más generalizada, distribuyéndose en la mayoría de las regiones del cerebro. Su diagnóstico se realiza a través de histopatología, por lo que hasta el momento sólo se ha logrado post-mortem. Se está trabajando en nuevas tecnologías asociadas a biomarcadores y PET para lograr una diagnostico premortem. El mayor énfasis en el manejo de esta taupatía es la prevención y adecuado manejo de las concusiones.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease which is produced as a consequence of repeated brain trauma: concussions, which are a clinical syndrome characterized by an alteration in brain functions. A concussion, understrict definition, should not cause structural changes to the brain. Therefore, it would not be possible to see through images if there were changes at a microscopic, biochemical level. Most patients see their symptoms completely resolved within 10 days (90 percent), but there is a small percentage which persists, and these might cause a post-concussional syndrome, second impact syndrome of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is characterized by the accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated Tau protein in neurons and astrocytes. These appear in the form of neurofibrillary tangles. During the initial stages they are focalized in the frontal cortex and, in more severe cases, their distribution is more generalized, spreading through the majority of the regions in the brain. It is diagnosis is done through histopathology. Thus, it has only been possible to do post mortem. New technologies associated with bio-markers and PET are being worked on to achieve a pre-mortem diagnosis. The greatest emphasis in the handling of this tauopathy lies in the prevention and the adequate handling of concussions.

Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy for the Treatment of Muscle and Tendon Contractures in Adults With Brain Damage: Results and Complications.

OBJECTIVE: To study the results and complications of percutaneous needle tenotomy for superficial retracted tendons in patients with brain damage. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with severe brain damage (N=38; mean age, 60.7y; age range, 24-93y; 21 women) requiring surgical management of contractures and eligible for percutaneous needle tenotomy were enrolled between February 2015 and February 2016. INTERVENTIONS: The percutaneous needle tenotomy gesture was performed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician trained by an orthopedic surgeon, under local or locoregional anesthesia. Treated tendons varied among patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months to assess surgical outcomes (joint range of motion [ROM], pain, and functional improvement) while screening for complications. RESULTS: Improvements in ROM (37/38) and contractures-related pain (12/12) were satisfactory. Functional results were satisfactory (Goal Attainment Scale score ≥0) for most patients (37/38): nursing (n=12), putting shoes on (n=8), getting in bed or sitting on a chair (n=6), verticalization (n=7), transfers and gait (n=8), and grip (n=2). Five patients had complications related to the surgical gesture: cast-related complications (n=2), hand hematoma (n=2), and cutaneous necrosis of the Achilles tendon in a patient with previous obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous needle tenotomy yields good results in the management of selected superficial muscle and tendon contractures. The complications rate is very low, and this treatment can be an alternative to conventional surgery in frail patients with neurologic diseases.

Impact of an educational program on the feeding of neurologically impaired children / Impacto de uma acao educativa na alimentacao de criancas neuropatas

PURPOSE: To verify the impact of an educative program focused on aspects related to feeding developed with a group of caregivers of children with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy. METHODS: Cross-sectional comparative study conducted with 30 children diagnosed with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy and their caregivers with the use of a questionnaire and video recordings of a meal conducted by the main caregiver. In order to verify the impact of an educational program in the knowledge and conduct of caregivers, patients were divided into two groups: study - consisting of caregivers submitted to a questionnaire and a video recording before and after the educational program; control - group in which caregivers underwent the procedures in two occasions, but without access to the educational program. RESULTS: Around 93.33% of caregivers were females, most had low educational level, and only 10% had a professional activity. Previous knowledge of caregivers concerning feeding was restricted, with 66% of caregivers not knowing what aspiration was, 60% being unfamiliar with the complications associated with such occurrence, and 86.66% stating that there is no relation between voice and swallowing. During feeding, only 26.66% of the caregivers used verbal commands related to feeding, and 50% did not realize the difficulties presented by their children. We observed a difference with regard to knowledge and conduct in the study group only. CONCLUSION: The educational program had a positive impact on the knowledge and conduct of caregivers concerning the feeding of their children with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy. .

OBJETIVO: Verificar o impacto de uma ação educativa voltada aos cuidados com a alimentação desenvolvida com um grupo de cuidadores de crianças com encefalopatia crônica não progressiva (ECNP). MÉTODOS: Estudo comparativo transversal realizado com 30 crianças com ECNP e seus cuidadores, tendo-se realizado aplicação de questionário e registro de uma refeição conduzida pelo cuidador principal. A fim de se verificar o impacto da ação educativa no conhecimento e conduta dos cuidadores, estes foram divididos em dois grupos: estudo, composto por cuidadores submetidos à aplicação de questionário e registro em vídeo antes e após realização da ação educativa; e controle, grupo submetido aos procedimentos em dois momentos, porém sem acesso à ação educativa. RESULTADOS: 93,33% dos cuidadores eram do sexo feminino, a maioria apresentou baixo nível de escolaridade e apenas 10% desenvolviam alguma atividade profissional. O conhecimento prévio dos cuidadores quanto aos aspectos relacionados à alimentação foi restrito, tendo 66% destes referido não saber o que era aspiração, 60% afirmado não saber as complicações associadas a esta e 86,66% terem negado existir relação entre voz e deglutição. Durante a alimentação, apenas 26,66% dos pais fizeram uso de comandos verbais relacionados à alimentação e 50% não perceberam as dificuldades apresentadas pelo seu filho. Observou-se diferença quanto ao conhecimento e conduta de cuidadores apenas no grupo estudo. CONCLUSÃO: A ação educativa realizada apresentou impacto no conhecimento e conduta dos cuidadores quanto à alimentação de seus filhos com ECNP. .

Impact of an educational program on the feeding of neurologically impaired children.

PURPOSE: To verify the impact of an educative program focused on aspects related to feeding developed with a group of caregivers of children with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy. METHODS: Cross-sectional comparative study conducted with 30 children diagnosed with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy and their caregivers with the use of a questionnaire and video recordings of a meal conducted by the main caregiver. In order to verify the impact of an educational program in the knowledge and conduct of caregivers, patients were divided into two groups: study--consisting of caregivers submitted to a questionnaire and a video recording before and after the educational program; control--group in which caregivers underwent the procedures in two occasions, but without access to the educational program. RESULTS: Around 93.33% of caregivers were females, most had low educational level, and only 10% had a professional activity. Previous knowledge of caregivers concerning feeding was restricted, with 66% of caregivers not knowing what aspiration was, 60% being unfamiliar with the complications associated with such occurrence, and 86.66% stating that there is no relation between voice and swallowing. During feeding, only 26.66% of the caregivers used verbal commands related to feeding, and 50% did not realize the difficulties presented by their children. We observed a difference with regard to knowledge and conduct in the study group only. CONCLUSION: The educational program had a positive impact on the knowledge and conduct of caregivers concerning the feeding of their children with chronic non-progressive encephalopathy.

Reflux aspiration in children with neurodisability--a significant problem, but can we measure it?

Recurrent respiratory problems are common in children with severe neurodisability, and respiratory deterioration is a leading cause of premature death in this group. Although the etiology is multifactorial, recurrent pulmonary aspiration is thought to play a significant role. Gastroesophageal reflux is known to be common, as is oral-motor discoordination. Differentiating direct aspiration of food and saliva and gastric reflux aspiration is difficult and presents a challenge in managing patients and assessing their suitability for surgical antireflux procedures. This is particularly the case when children present with predominantly respiratory symptoms, where there may be direct aspiration, reflux aspiration, neither, or both. A clinical biomarker to identify and quantify reflux aspiration would therefore be useful in surgical assessment and may also be applicable as an outcome measure for clinical trials of antireflux surgery. In this review, we discuss the evidence base behind existing and potentially novel biomarkers of aspiration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. We highlight the limitations of the lipid-laden macrophage index, particularly with regard to its specificity and interrater/intrarater reliability. We discuss the laboratory methods available to measure promising new biomarkers (pepsin and bile acids) and highlight their potential advantages and disadvantages. Finally, to understand how aspiration causes clinical signs and symptoms in our patients, we need to study the effect of aspirated substances on the lung, and here we review the available in vivo and in vitro literature.

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula after laryngotracheal separation: prevention and management.

AIM: Tracheoinnominate artery fistula (TIF) is an often fatal complication of laryngotracheal separation (LTS) for which there has been no systematic therapeutic strategy for prevention or management of TIF. The aim of this study was to establish such a strategy based on our clinical experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2010, 14 patients received LTS. We reviewed these patients to develop a therapeutic approach to prevent or manage TIF. RESULTS: Three patients had major bleeding, and another 3 received preventive treatment before major bleeding. In the major bleeding group, 1 patient died of choking from uncontrollable hemorrhage, but the others were rescued by brachiocephalic trunk separation and/or endovascular embolization. At operation, median sternotomy with its high risk of mediastinitis was avoided. In the preventive treatment group, prophylactic brachiocephalic trunk separation was performed for 2 patients because their severe scoliosis narrowed the mediastinum, compressing the innominate artery on computed tomography. Another avoided major bleeding by converting the tracheostomy tube to a length-adjustable type. CONCLUSION: Tracheoinnominate artery fistula is a dramatic, often lethal complication. The strategic approach should be designed to prevent it and includes evaluation of the spinal deformity on computed tomography, brachiocephalic trunk separation at the same time as LTS, and recognizing the importance of "herald" or warning minor bleeds.

[Visual neurorehabilitation of patients with cerebral damage using botulinum toxin]. / ción visual con toxina botulínica en pacientes con daño cerebral.

BACKGROUND: The neurorehabilitation of the patient with cerebral damage implies the reestablishment of the visual functions. Botulinum toxin can be considerate as a less invasive alternative for treatment. OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate the answer to the treatment using botulinum toxin of the visual motor alterations in patients with cerebral damage. METHODS: Descriptive study of patients with visual alterations associated to cerebral damage. The visual treatment included three areas: sensorial, refracting and motor under quimiodenervation with botulinum toxin, of May 2009 to May 2010. RESULTS: 48 patients were studied, age 22,4 years ± 23. The strabismus were: esotropia 52%, exotropia 39,5%, vertical 8%, nystagmus 4%. 50% of the patients had psychomotor delay. Some of the most important causes of cerebral damage were: Down syndrome, epilepsy, tumor, hydrocephalus, neuroinfection, infantile cerebral paralysis, multiple sclerosis, metabolic syndrome, cranial trauma, congenital cardiopathy, ventricular hemorrhage, cerebrovascular stroke. The dose of botulinum toxin was 8,1 UI ± 3. We registered good results in 56.5%, regular 23,9% and bad 19,5%. The global percentage of rehabilitation was 69% of correction with a r of Pearson of 0,5. DISCUSSION: Patients with cerebral damage have diverse types of visuomotor alterations, strabismus and nystagmus.Use of botulinum toxin as a paralytic muscle agent is a good alternative in these cases. CONCLUSION: The botulinum toxin is an effective option for the visual rehabilitation in patients with cerebral damage and prevents the progression of more cerebral changes secondary to strabismus.

Efficacy of temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy in patients with negative MRI for mesial temporal lobe sclerosis.

Epilepsy surgery is a successful treatment for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Reports suggest fewer seizure-free outcomes for patients with TLE and who have a negative brain MRI (nMRI) for mesial temporal sclerosis. Data were collected prospectively from patients with nMRI who underwent temporal lobe surgery for TLE characterized by unilateral ictal temporal lobe seizure onset based on a scalp video electroencephalogram or invasive subdural electrode recordings. A total of 86 patients were followed for at least 24 months after surgery. Outcome was evaluated using the Engel classification. Seizure control was obtained by 55% (47/86) of patients (Class [CL]-I), 27% (23/86) showed significant improvement (CL-II) and 19% (16/86) were deemed surgical failures. Shorter duration of epilepsy, later onset of seizures, and ictal theta rhythm (5-7 Hz) were the most significant predictors of postoperative seizure control. Although hypometabolism on positron emission tomography scan and significant memory disparity (>2.5/8) were not significant prognosticators independently, cumulatively they were predictors for favorable outcome.

[Surgical management of the adult spastic hand]. / Prise en charge de la main spastique de l'adulte.

The adult spastic hand, of varying causes, but dominated by vascular hemiplegia and brain damage, associates motor disorders and problems of tonus. The variety of forms of brain damage explains the wealth and diversity of the symptoms. These symptoms, often the most serious along with cognitive disorders, justify the expression "central neurological hand". Each case is an individual one. The effect on the hands may be unilateral or bilateral with spasticity involving the fingers/thumb/wrist. The clinical evaluation leading to a decision tree must take into account spasticity, retraction and paralysis, for each muscle. When completed by anesthetic motor blocks, spasticity and/or retraction, damage to extrinsic and/or intrinsic muscles of the fingers may be differentiated. This repeated multidisciplinary evaluation makes it possible to distinguish between "non functional hands", "functional hands" and "potentially functional hands". In the first instance, surgery can only improve the esthetic aspect or facilitate nursing. In the second instance, correcting spasticity may improve function. The treatment of spasticity is based on inhibiting spasticity (by injecting botulinum toxin or surgical motor hyponeurotisation) and reinforcing the non-spastic antagonist muscles via tendon transfer or tenodesis. Surgery is indicated to correct muscular retraction and deformities. The functional indications are highly selective and their limited results only allow a "supporting hand" to be constructed at best. The non-functional indications lead to a codified intervention whose results will greatly improve the management of these patients.

Braun's flexor tendons transfer in disabled hands by central nervous system lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Since Braun's article, the nonfunctional hand of brain-injured patients has not been the subject of many publications. The objective of surgical treatment is to open the hand for hygiene and cosmetic reasons. The technique consists in lengthening the extrinsic flexor tendons group. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this work is to assess eventual functional benefits from superficialis-to-profundus tendon transfer according to Braun. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our series comprised 15 patients aged a mean 55 years, operated using the Braun procedure for a nonfunctional hand (19 hands). Additional procedures were performed as required by the local condition (neurotomy of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve, wrist fusion, tenotomy of the flexors of the wrist and flexor pollicis longus, tenodesis of the extensors of the wrist). The results were assessed by the analysis of finger opening ability and by a specific scoring system (Mini Hand Score; MHS) rated from 6 (no discomfort) at 20 (major discomfort). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 6 months. We observed imperfect results: thumb opening incapacity, spasticity of the intrinsic flexors, and hyperextension of the wrist. The preoperative MHS was a mean 13.87 out of 20 and the postoperative MHS was 9.67 out of 20, with a very substantial difference. DISCUSSION: Our easy-to-use system for evaluating the nonfunctional hand (MHS) was shown to be very effective in demonstrating the improvement of the postoperative result. The originality of our series was to show that Braun's original operation goals were only exceptionally and remotely achieved and that an additional technical procedure must be nearly systematically considered. All the patients in our series were followed up in multidisciplinary team visits where the patient's family and caretakers were encouraged to give their point of view. Level of evidence Level IV. Retrospective study.

Bilateral submandibulectomy for the treatment of drooling in children with neurological disability.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Drooling is common in children with neurological disabilities (ND), and constitutes an additional burden with many medical complications in an already socially disadvantaged patient. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bilateral submandibulectomy (BS) to treat drooling with regard to the parental satisfaction grade, complications and recurrence of drooling in children with ND. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all children with ND and drooling who underwent BS in our Department between January 1996 and November 2008. Data were taken from surgical records and patient files. Parental satisfaction was graded into four classes: A: 75-100% satisfaction (infrequent drooling, small amounts; absence of drooling); B: 50-75% satisfaction (occasional drooling, on and off all day; infrequent drooling, small amounts); C: 25-50% satisfaction (frequent drooling, but not profusely; occasional drooling, on and off all day); D: 0-25% satisfaction (constant drooling, always wet; frequent drooling, but not profusely). RESULTS: BS was performed in 85 patients (38% male; 62% female; median age, 9 years). 35 patients had to be excluded from our study because their medical records were unavailable. Only 3 out of the remaining 50 patients had recurrence. Parental satisfaction grade (PSG) was A in 26 cases (55.3%); B in 15 (31.9%); C in 3 (6.4%) and D in 3 (6.4%). The first follow-up was usually 1 week after surgery (median, 2 weeks). The incidence of post-surgery complications was 4% and all complications were minor. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the results achieved was subjective as it was not possible to quantify the amount of drooling precisely before/after surgery. Nevertheless, BS was found to be an easy and safe procedure as the low rate of complications demonstrates. It was also found to be an effective procedure; there were only 3 recurrences, and PSG in 87.2% of cases was either A or B, indicating a minimum improvement in drooling of 50%.

Motion perception in preterm children: role of prematurity and brain damage.

We tested 26 school-aged children born preterm at a gestational age below 34 weeks, 13 with and 13 without periventricular brain damage, with four different visual stimuli assessing perception of pure global motion (optic flow), with some form information (segregated translational motion) and form-defined static stimuli. Results were compared with a group of age-matched healthy term-born controls. Preterm children with brain damage showed significantly lower sensitivities relative to full-term controls in all four tests, whereas those without brain damage were significantly worse than controls only for the pure motion stimuli. Furthermore, when form information was embedded in the stimulus, preterm children with brain lesions scored significantly worse than those without lesions. These results suggest that in preterm children dorsal stream-related functions are impaired irrespective of the presence of brain damage, whereas deficits of the ventral stream are more related to the presence of periventricular brain damage.

[Clinical and endoscopic outcome after Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Evolução clínica e endoscópica após fundoplicatura para tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico.

CONTEXT: The surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is indicated in patients with a chronic condition when proton pump inhibitors therapy is ineffective or when symptoms are persistently recurrent. Fundoplication failure occurrence has been detected in some patients and highlights a needing of monitoring esophageal post-surgical condition since that clinical symptoms are not sensitive enough for indicating fundoplication failure. AIMS: To identify the frequency of a disrupted wrap in the postoperative period and to evaluate esophageal complications related with gastroesophageal reflux recurrence in children and adolescents. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional, prospective and descriptive, including 45 patients (16 months-16.9 years) who had undergone Nissen fundoplication in a school hospital. Twenty six patients (57.8%) were neurologically impaired. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in order to determine fundoplication integrity, endoscopic and histopathological esophageal condition. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed from 12 up to 30 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patent wrap was identified in 41 patients (91.1%). Recurrent peptic esophagitis was found in 6 of 45 patients, 2 of which required a second fundoplication and other two had Barrett esophagus. Endoscopic peptic esophagitis was associated with a defective wrap (P = 0.005). Conclusions - Fundoplication was effective for treating esophagitis, even in patients with previous esophageal stenosis. Endoscopic follow up may detect surgery failure in children undergone anti-reflux surgery even in asymptomatic patients.

Evolução clínica e endoscópica após fundoplicatura para tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico / Clinical and endoscopic outcome after Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

CONTEXTO: O tratamento cirúrgico da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico está indicado para pacientes com doença crônica, associada ou não a complicações. A fundoplicatura é frequentemente indicada em substituição ao uso contínuo dos inibidores de bomba de prótons, para pacientes sem resposta, resposta parcial, ou dependentes de tratamento medicamentoso, ou ainda, quando houver recurrência dos sintomas com a descontinuação das medicações. No período pós-operatório, ocorrências de desmanche da válvula com recurrência da doença do refluxo indicam a necessidade de monitorização do procedimento cirúrgico. A avaliação do funcionamento da válvula, baseada na presença de sintomas, tem se mostrado instrumento ineficaz para essa monitorização. OBJETIVO: Identificar a frequência de anormalidades na válvula antirrefluxo e a frequência de complicações pépticas do esôfago no período de pós-operatório tardio da fundoplicatura em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos - Em estudo transversal, prospectivo e descritivo, em que foram avaliados 45 pacientes (idade = 16 meses a 16,9 anos) que tinham realizado fundoplicatura de Nissen num período de 12 a 30 meses prévios à avaliação. O aspecto da fundoplicatura e da mucosa esofágica foram avaliados por meio de endoscopia digestiva alta e estudo histológico. RESULTADOS: Doentes com encefalopatia crônica corresponderam a 26/45 (57,8 por cento) dos casos. Válvula antirrefluxo intacta foi identificada em 41/45 (91,1 por cento) dos pacientes. A fundoplicatura foi efetiva no tratamento do processo inflamatório esofágico, mesmo quando identificadas subestenose ou estenose de esôfago, no pré-operatório. As complicações identificadas foram esofagite péptica (6/45 pacientes) e necessidade de nova fundoplicatura (2/45 pacientes). A presença de anormalidades na válvula antirrefluxo associou-se ao achado de esofagite péptica (P = 0,005). Dois pacientes receberam o diagnóstico de esôfago de Barrett. CONCLUSÃO: A fundoplicatura...

CONTEXT: The surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is indicated in patients with a chronic condition when proton pump inhibitors therapy is ineffective or when symptoms are persistently recurrent. Fundoplication failure occurrence has been detected in some patients and highlights a needing of monitoring esophageal post-surgical condition since that clinical symptoms are not sensitive enough for indicating fundoplication failure. AIMS: To identify the frequency of a disrupted wrap in the postoperative period and to evaluate esophageal complications related with gastroesophageal reflux recurrence in children and adolescents. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional, prospective and descriptive, including 45 patients (16 months-16.9 years) who had undergone Nissen fundoplication in a school hospital. Twenty six patients (57.8 percent) were neurologically impaired. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in order to determine fundoplication integrity, endoscopic and histopathological esophageal condition. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed from 12 up to 30 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patent wrap was identified in 41 patients (91.1 percent). Recurrent peptic esophagitis was found in 6 of 45 patients, 2 of which required a second fundoplication and other two had Barrett esophagus. Endoscopic peptic esophagitis was associated with a defective wrap (P = 0.005). Conclusions - Fundoplication was effective for treating esophagitis, even in patients with previous esophageal stenosis. Endoscopic follow up may detect surgery failure in children undergone anti-reflux surgery even in asymptomatic patients.

Babies with brain damage who can not swallow: surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with severe neurological impairment are often unable to swallow, necessitating gastrostomy for feeding. Because of the risk of developing severe reflux, this procedure is often associated with fundoplication. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication in 22 neonates with swallowing difficulties due to serious neurological impairment. METHOD: All children underwent an initial period of nasogastric feeding and after informed consent underwent gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: There were no significant intraoperative complications. There were two cases of postoperative periostomy leakage. Of the 22 neonates 16 were alive four months after surgery. Six neonates died of complications due to underlying disease. CONCLUSION: We concluded that gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication are safe procedures and help parents give a better care to these children.

Language reorganization in aphasics: an electrical stimulation mapping investigation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether clinical speech deficits after brain injury are associated with functional speech reorganization. METHODS: Across an 18-year interval, 11 patients with mild-to-moderate speech deficits underwent language mapping as part of their treatment for intractable epilepsy. These "aphasics" were compared with 14 matched "control" patients with normal speech who also were undergoing epilepsy surgery. Neuroanatomic data were compared with quantitative language profiles and clinical variables. RESULTS: Cortical lesions were evident near speech areas in all aphasia cases. As expected, aphasic and control patients were distinguished by quantitative language profiles. The groups were further distinguished by the anatomic distribution of their speech sites. A significantly greater proportion of frontal speech sites was found in patients with previous brain injury, consistent with frontal site recruitment. The degree of frontal recruitment varied as a function of patient age at the time of initial brain injury; earlier injuries were associated with greater recruitment. The overall number of speech sites remained the same after injury. Significant associations were found between the number of the speech sites, naming fluency, and the lesion proximity in the temporal lobe. CONCLUSION: Language maps in aphasics demonstrated evidence for age-dependent functional recruitment in the frontal, but not temporal, lobe. The proximity of cortical lesions to temporal speech sites predicted the overall extent of temporal lobe speech representation and performance on naming fluency. These findings have implications for neurosurgical planning in patients with preoperative speech deficits.

Babies with brain damage who can not swallow: surgical management / Recém-nascidos com lesão cerebral que não deglutem: manejo cirúrgico

BACKGROUND: Neonates with severe neurological impairment are often unable to swallow, necessitating gastrostomy for feeding. Because of the risk of developing severe reflux, this procedure is often associated with fundoplication. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication in 22 neonates with swallowing difficulties due to serious neurological impairment. METHOD: All children underwent an initial period of nasogastric feeding and after informed consent underwent gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: There were no significant intraoperative complications. There were two cases of postoperative periostomy leakage. Of the 22 neonates 16 were alive four months after surgery. Six neonates died of complications due to underlying disease. CONCLUSION: We concluded that gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication are safe procedures and help parents give a better care to these children.

INTRODUÇÃO: Neonatos com dano neurológico são freqüentemente incapazes de deglutir necessitando de gastrostomia para alimentação. Devido ao risco de refluxo grave, esse procedimento é associado à fundoplicatura. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a segurança e eficácia da gastrostomia com fundoplicatura Nissen em 22 neonatos com dificuldades de deglutição devido à lesão neurológica grave. MÉTODO: Todos os neonatos foram submetidos a um período inicial de alimentação por sonda nasogástrica e, após consentimento informado, foram submetidos a gastrostomia com fundoplicatura Nissen. RESULTADOS: Não houve complicações intra-operatórias significativas. Houve dois casos de vazamento pós-operatório da ostomia. Dos 22 neonatos, 16 estavam vivos 4 meses após a cirurgia. Seis neonatos morreram por complicações devido à doença de base. CONCLUSÃO: A gastrostomia com fundoplicatura Nissen é procedimento seguro e ajuda os pais a darem melhor cuidado a crianças com lesão neurológica.

The value of the D-Dimer assay for predicting vein thrombosis in rehabilitation patients receiving prophylactic low molecular weight heparin doses.

PURPOSE: Early diagnosis and treatment of venous thrombosis biocontact="no" are essential in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) and reducing the risk of recurrence. The objective was to assess the usefulness of the D-Dimer testing to rule out symptomatic VT in populations of patients receiving heparin in prophylactic doses. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three rehabilitation patients with medium or high risk for VT were investigated. Patients were affected by acquired cerebral diseases (n=31), severe brain damage (n=32) or orthopaedic surgical sequelae for major joint replacement or multiple limb fractures (n=60). All patients were receiving prophylactic heparin doses. D-Dimer levels were assessed using Dimertest Latex Agglutination Assay in citrated plasma. Single blinded compression Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) examination was performed in conformity with international standards. RESULTS: In this specific setting, good sensitivity and specificity of the D-Dimer test was confirmed in patients with acquired cerebral diseases during rehabilitation, whereas false positive results were found in most patients who had undergone major joint replacement, until several weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In rehabilitation patients receiving prophylactic heparin doses, the D-Dimer test seems to confirm high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for VT and PE. Relevant clinical variables seem to reduce the usefulness of the D-Dimer test as a screening tool for VT, at least in orthopaedic patients with joint prosthesis.

Severe amnesic syndrome and collecting behavior after surgery for craniopharyngioma.

Significant neuropsychologic sequelae were induced by total removal of craniopharyngioma via a frontobasal interhemispheric approach. A 50-year-old right-handed man developed severe amnesic syndrome and collecting behavior after total removal of a craniopharyngioma. He had very poor results on tests of learning, recall, and recognition for both verbal and nonverbal tasks. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed damage to the bilateral mammillary bodies and fornices, and N-isopropyl-p-[23I]iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography showed decreased cerebral blood flow in the bilateral frontal lobes, predominantly in the right, and regions around the third ventricle. The present case suggests that damage to the brain structures surrounding the third ventricle associated with surgery for craniopharyngioma may result in amnesic syndrome and collecting behavior. Generally, the frontobasal interhemispheric approach is the optimum choice for the removal of craniopharyngioma without significant sequelae related to the surgical method, but the risk of neuropsychologic disturbances must be kept in mind.