Procalcitonin levels among patients with fever secondary to severe intracerebral infection. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Making the differential diagnosis between central fever and infectious fever is critically important among intracerebral hemorrhage patients followed up in intensive care units (ICUs). Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has been found to be a promising biomarker for the initial diagnosis of infection, even before culturing results. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between PCT and both fever etiologies and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among critically ill patients with suspected intracerebral hemorrhage. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public university hospital in Elazig, Turkey. METHODS: ICU patients diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhage and normal procalcitonin levels were included in this study. From clinical assessments and cultures, they were classified as presenting either infectious or central fever. The sensitivity and specificity of PCT and CRP for predicting infection were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: There were 98 ICU patients with diagnoses of intracerebral hemorrhage. The median (interquartile range) PCT levels of patients with infectious and central fever were 4 (0.9-11) and 0.1 (0.1-0.4) ng/ml, respectively, with a statistically significant intergroup difference (P < 0.001). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting infectious or central fever PCT and CRP were 0.958 (P < 0.001) and 0.816 (P < 0.001), respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between PCT and CRP levels in patients with infectious fever (rho: 0.461; P = 0.003), but not in patients with central fever. CONCLUSIONS: PCT can possibly be used as a biomarker to differentiate between infectious and central fever among ICU patients.

Evacuación de hematoma subdural crónico: hemorragia de Duret postoperatoria y restitución ad-integrum. A propósito de un caso / Evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma: postoperative Duret hemorrhage and ad-integrum replacement. About a case

El tratamiento de elección para la evacuación de hematoma subdural crónico es la evacuación mediante orificio de trépano. Las complicaciones más frecuentes son recurrencia, neumoencefalo, convulsiones, hemorragia intracraneal y en otros sitios. La hemorragia del tronco cerebral secundaria a la cirugía es extremadamente rara. Aquí presentamos un paciente masculino de 72 años, que ingresa con GSC 9/15, hemiparesia izquierda 2/5. Con HSD crónico bilateral con desplazamiento de línea media de 1.5 cm. hacia izq. Al cual se realiza evacuación de HSD derecho. Y en el POP se detecta GSC 12/15, lado izquierdo fuerza 5/5, con hemiparesia derecha a predominio braquial. TC control POP: adecuada evacuación de HSD y lesión hiperdensa protuberancial. Es externado al 6to día POP con GSC 14/15 sin déficit motor. Este reporte, además de abordar la bibliografía actual y fisiopatología; agrega otro caso para reafirmar la posibilidad de pronóstico favorable en ésta patología

ABSTRACT The treatment of choice for the evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma is evacuation through a trepan orifice. The most frequent complications are recurrence, re-accumulation of the hematoma, pneumoencephalus, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage and elsewhere. Brainstem hemorrhage secondary to surgery is extremely rare. Here we present a 72-year-old male patient, admitted with GSC 9/15, left hemiparesis 2/5. Without obeying orders. With bilateral chronic HSD with midline displacement of 1.5 cm. to left; to which evacuation of right HSD is performed. And in the POP GSC 12/15 is detected, left side force 5/5, with right hemiparesis to brachial predominance. POP control CT: adequate evacuation of HSD and hyperdense pontine lesion. It is extership to the 6th day POP with GSC 14/15 without motor deficit. This report, besides addressing the current bibliography and physiopathology; adds another case to reaffirm the possibility of favorable prognosis in this pathology

Alternativas de derivación de LCR en pacientes de alta complejidad. Revisión de la literatura a raíz del caso de un recién nacido con Hidrocefalia post hemorrágica / Alternatives CSF shunt in patients highly complex: review of the literature following the case of a newborn with post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus

La hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) es una causa importante de daño cerebral en los recién nacidos prematuros. Su impacto negativo en el resultado del desarrollo neurológico se relaciona no sólo a su impacto directo, sino que también a las lesiones asociadas, como la hidrocefalia posthemorrágica (HPH). En la mayoría de los casos, la hidrocefalia es causada por la alteración de la reabsorción del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) debido a la inflamación de las vellosidades subaracnoideas por el contacto con la sangre. El drenaje ventricular se utiliza a menudo como un procedimiento temporal para manejo de la HPH y algunos pacientes tratados con drenaje ventricular no requieren una derivación permanente; de no ser así, las derivaciones más usadas en los prematuros incluyen la ventriculoperitoneal (DVP), seguida por las derivaciones ventriculosubgaleal y ventriculoatrial. Las derivativas se consideran el tratamiento definitivo para la HPH; pero puede asociarse a complicaciones, tales como la infección, obstrucción, rechazo y el drenaje insuficiente. Otra alternativa, es la derivación ventrículopleural. Sin embargo, esta alternativa de derivación se vincula a otras complicaciones específicas, principalmente el neumotórax y el derrame pleural. Se presenta el caso clínico de EAV, quien a raíz de un parto prematuro, complicado con Hemorragia intraventricular, desarrolló Hidrocefalia y un quiste de Fosa Posterior, debiendo intervenirse en 36 oportunidades, por múltiples complicaciones. Durante su evolución se instalaron catéteres en prácticamente todos los sitios posibles, lográndose finalmente la solución del problema. Se revisa la literatura

Ventricular haemorrhage is an important cause of neurologic damage in preterm babies. Its negative impact in the final neurologic damage is not just related with the direct impact, but also with associated lesions like posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). In most of cases, hydrocephalus is caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CEF) resorption due to the inflammation of the Arachnoid granulations because of the contact with blood. Ventricular drainage system is often used as a temporal procedure for the management of the PHH in children who have not a good response to serials lumbar punctures. Some patients treated with ventricular drainage don't need a permanent derivation, but if they do the most used in preterm babies include ventriculoperitoneal derivation (VPD) followed by ventriculosubgaleal and ventriculoatrial derivation. Derivation is considered the definitive treatment for PHH, but it can be associated with some complications as infection, obstruction and insufficient drainage. Another option is ventriculopleural derivation but this alternative is related to other complications like pneumothorax and pleural effusion. The presentation is about the case of the newborn EAV, who after preterm birth, complicated with intraventricular haemorrhage, developed hydrocephalus and a posterior fossa cyst, requiring 36 surgical interventions because of multiple complications. During its evolution he needed catheters installations in almost every possible sites, finally getting the problem solved. The literature is reviewed

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage treated by neuroendoscopy ? Technical note / Hematoma intracerebral espontâneo tratado por neuroendoscopia ? Nota técnica

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is responsible for 10%-15% of the acute stroke. Hematoma or the occlusion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow by ventricular clotting can result in obstructive hydrocephalus, increasing intracranial pressure, which needs urgent decompression. We report our results of management of spontaneous deep cerebral hematoma by endoscopic approach...

Hemorragia intracerebral espontânea é responsável por 10%-15% dos acidentes vasculares encefálicos agudos. Hematoma ou a oclusão da drenagem de liquor por coágulo sanguíneo pode resultar em hidrocefalia, aumentando a pressão intracraniana, com necessidade de tratamento de emergência. Relatamos nossa técnica na abordagem do hematoma cerebral profundo por neuroendoscopia...

Neuroimaging in stroke and non-stroke pusher patients / Análise de neuroimagens de pacientes com síndrome do empurrador decorrente de AVC e outras etiologias

Pusher behavior (PB) is a disorder of postural control affecting patients with encephalic lesions. This study has aimed to identify the brain substrates that are critical for the occurrence of PB, to analyze the influence of the midline shift (MS) and hemorrhagic stroke volume (HSV) on the severity and prognosis of the PB. We identified 31 pusher patients of a neurological unit, mean age 67.4±11.89, 61.3 percent male. Additional neurological and functional examinations were assessed. Neuroimaging workup included measurement of the MS, the HSV in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, the analysis of the vascular territory, etiology and side of the lesion. Lesions in the parietal region (p=0.041) and thalamus (p=0.001) were significantly more frequent in PB patients. Neither the MS nor the HSV were correlated with the PB severity or recovery time.

A síndrome do empurrador (SE) é um distúrbio de controle postural que acomete indivíduos com lesões encefálicas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar as estruturas encefálicas envolvidas na SE, analisar a influência dos desvios de linha média (DLM) e volume do hematoma (VH) na gravidade e duração da SE. Dentre os pacientes internados na enfermaria de neurologia, foram identificados 31 pacientes com SE, idade média 67,4±11,89, 61,3 por cento homens. Foram realizados exames neurológico e funcional. As análises das neuroimagens incluíram medidas de VH em pacientes com doença cerebrovascular (DC) hemorrágica, DLM, análise do território vascular, etiologia e lado da lesão. Lesão nas regiões parietal (p=0,041) e talâmica (p=0,001) foram significativamente mais frequentes nos pacientes com SE. Não foi observada correlação dos DLM e volume do hematoma com a gravidade e duração da SE.

Predictors of 30-day Mortality and 90-day Functional Recovery after Primary Pontine Hemorrhage

The factors related to death and functional recovery after primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) in Koreans has not been well defined. The authors sought to identify independent predictors of death and functional recovery after PPH using data obtained at a single institute. Data were collected retrospectively on 281 patients with PPH admitted to the Stroke Unit at our hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between selected variables and 30-day mortality and 90-day functional recovery after PPH. One-hundred and ten patients (39.1%) died within 30 days of PPH and 27 patients (9.6%) achieved functional recovery within 90 days. By multivariate analysis, unconsciousness, dilated pupils, abnormal respiration, systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg, hydrocephalus, and conservative treatment were found to be predictors of 30-day mortality, whereas consciousness, intact motor function, no history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus, intact eye movement, a hematoma volume of < 5 mL, no ventricular hemorrhage, and normally sized ventricle were found to be predictors of 90-day functional recovery. The present findings suggest that systolic hypotension of less than 100 mmHg may predict 30-day mortality and a history of underlying hypertension and diabetes mellitus may predict 90-day functional recovery.

Prevalence of Factors involved in intracranial hemorrhage of premature neonates less than 34 weeks' gestation

Intracranial hemorrhage is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. It is the most severe cranial problem in that period. Those who survive would be affected by hydrocephalus, encephalomalacia, and finally brain atrophy. With accurate knowledge of risk factors, hemorrhage may be diagnosed earlier and the complications managed earlier. This study was performed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital. All the neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation were undergone intracranial sonography from Feb 2005 to Feb 2006. Sonography was performed via anterior fontanel with proper probe according to neonatal age. 113 neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation have been studied. Mean gestational age was 32 weeks. Mean neonatal weight were 1566 +/- 734 grams. Intracranial hemorrhage was evident in 21% of them; 16.8% was grade 1, 0.9% grade 2, 2.7% grade 3, 0.9% grade 4. The mean weight of neonates with hemorrhage was 1504.11 grams. Intracranial hemorrhage had correlation with respiratory acidosis and pneumothorax. The latter was also correlated with hemorrhage grade. Supposing the safety and non-invasiveness of intacranial sonography, we suggest performing sonography in all premature neonates with low birth weight, and also in those neonates with pneumothorax and respiratory acidosis

Hemorragia intracraneal en el embarazo por malformación arteriovenosa / Intracranial hemorrhage in pregnancy by arteriovenous malformation

Se presentó una paciente de 29 años de edad con 29,5 semanas de gestaci ón, multípara, que debuta con cuadro de hemorragia subaracnoidea; llega a la institución con cefalea intensa y hemiparesia izquierda, en un grado IIIa de la World Federation ; se le diagnostica en una tomografía computadorizada de cráneo de urgencia un hematoma intraparenquimatoso parasagital derecho, y posteriormente en la angiografía una malformación arteriovenosa parasagital derecha, grado IV en la escala de Spetzler y Martin. Se trata de forma conservadora previa discusión colectiva; se le realiza parto por cesárea a las 36,4 semanas; a los 25 días del parto se emboliza la malformación arteriovenosa. La paciente no presenta secuela neurológica, y se sigue anualmente, desde el punto de vista clínico y angiográfico.

A female patient-case aged 29 was reported presenting 29.5 weeks of gestation, multipara, with a first picture of subarachnoid hemorrhage, arrives to our institution with intensive headache and a World Federation IIIa degree left hemiparesis prescribing her an emergency skull computed tomography due to a right parasagital intraparenchymal hematoma, and then in angiograpahy performed it was possible to found a IV degree right parasagital arteriovenous malformation, in Spetzler and Martin scale. A previous conservative discussion is approached; at 36.4 weeks we induce cesarean section; within 25 days of delivery, arteriovenous malformation is embolized. Patient without neurologic sequelae, and is followed yearly from the clinical and angiographic point of view.

Hemorragia intracraniana secundária à derivação ventricular / Intracranial hemorrhage due to ventricular shunting

Complicações decorrentes do tratamento cirúrgico de hidrocefalia são bastante frequentes. O risco do desenvolvimento de hemorragia após inserção ou retirada do cateter ventricular tem sido considerado raro. No entanto, pode desencadear hemorragia intracraniana (extradural, subdural, intracerebral e intraventricular). Os autores, num estudo compreendido no período de julho de 1992 a novembro de 2002, identificaram 20 casos de hemorragia intracraniana em decorrência do manuseio do cateter ventricular. Foram observados: nove pacientes com hematoma subdural, quatro com hematoma extradural, quatro com hematoma intraparenquimatoso, dois com hemorragia intraventicular e um com sangramento intratumoral. A idade dos pacientes, variou de 6 meses a 28 anos. Dez testes necessitaram de tratamento cirúrgico do hematoma. Óbito ocorreu em quatro dos operados. São discutidas as medidas para minimizar as complicações hemorrágicas após instalação da derivação.

Influence of intracranial hemorrhage and neonatal seizures on the neurological and psychomotor development of premature infants at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil

This study compared the results of neurodevelopmental examination at 6 months' corrected age of premature infants with neonatal seizures and/or intracranial hemorrhage and normal premature infants. There was a statistically significant correlation (p=0.000007) between intracranial hemorrhage and seizures in the group of 68 premature infants seen in the neurodevelopmental outpatient service at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. Intracranial hemorrhage was significantly associated with multiparity (p=0.02). The neurodevelopmental examination at 6 months' corrected age revealed that patients who suffered neonatal intracranial hemorrhage and/or seizures had inappropriate muscle tone, strength and reflexes, as well as delay in head control. Conclusion: we compared the results of neurodevelopmental examinations of two groups of premature infants at 6 months' corrected age. The difference in neurological development at 6 months' corrected age was statistically significant when comparison was corrected for premature infants who had neonatal seizures and periventricular hemorrhage

Stroke in children.

Stroke is defined as the sudden occlusion or rupture of cerebral arteries or veins resulting in focal cerebral damage and neurological deficits. Forms of stroke resulting from vascular occlusion are arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and sinovenous thrombosis (SVT) and those resulting from vascular rupture are called hemorrhagic stroke. Stroke in children is relatively rare and frequently results in a lack of recognition and delay in diagnosis. The etiologies of stroke in children are legion and multiple risk factors coexist unlike unifactorial etiology in adults. Heart disease whether congenital or acquired, malformations, metabolic and hematological disorders and vasospastic conditions like migraine are seen more often in childhood strokes. The purpose of diagnostic evaluation includes confirmation of the presence of a cerebrovascular lesion, exclusion of other types of neurological dysfunction and identification of etiology of the stroke. The treatment of stroke in children has been primarily directed toward stabilizing systemic factors and management of the underlying causes. Various antithrombotic and non antithrombotic therapies are discussed. The use of anticoagulant therapy appears to be increasing in pediatric AIS. Mortality after stroke in children ranges from 20% to 30% depending on the location and the underlying cause. Residual neurological dysfunction is present in more than 50% of survivors.

Cavernoma complicado de tronco cerebral y embarazo / Complicated cavernoma of brain stem and pregnancy

Se presenta el caso clínico de una primigesta adolescente de 14 años, que asociado al inicio de su gestación, se le pesquisa una malformación vascular del tronco encéfalico complicada

Explosäo lobar em vítimas fatais de acidente de trânsito / Burst lobe in victims of fatal road traffic accident: frequency and association with other head injury

Realizou-se análise morfológica, macro e microscópica, das lesões encefálicas de 120 vítimas fatais de acidente de trânsito. A explosão lobar foi observada em 12 pacientes (10,0 por cento). O lobo acometido foi o frontal em seis pacientes (50,0 por cento), o temporal em dois (16,7 por cento) e ambos em quatro (33,3 por cento). A fratura de crânio ocorreu em 8 (66,7 por cento) pacientes e a hipertensão intracraniana em metade dos casos de explosão lobar estavam associados a lesão axonal difusa, associação essa que explica a alteração grave de consciência observada à admissão dos pacientes.