Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Concussion, Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and Emerging Diagnostics: A Narrative Review.

Pathophysiological mechanisms and cascades take place after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can cause long-term sequelae, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy in patients with multiple concurrent TBIs. As diagnostic imaging has become more advanced, microanatomical changes present after mTBI may now be more readily visible. In this narrative review, the authors discuss emerging diagnostics and findings in mTBI through advanced imaging, electroencephalograms, neurophysiologic processes, Q2 biochemical markers, and clinical tissue tests in an effort to help osteopathic physicians to understand, diagnose, and manage the pathophysiology behind mTBI, which is increasingly prevalent in the United States.

Spinal Cord Reperfusion Injury: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Future Treatment Strategies.

A rare complication of cervical spine decompression is acute paralysis following the procedure. This neurologic deficit is thought to be due to reperfusion injury of a chronically ischemic spinal cord and is referred to as "white cord syndrome" given the pathognomonic finding of hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI. Three prior cases have been reported. We present a case of transient quadriplegia following posterior cervical decompression. A 41-year-old male with cervical spondylotic myelopathy presented with bilateral progressive upper extremity weakness, hyperreflexia, and cervical spine MRI showing severe cord compression at C1 and partial hyperintense signal. Intraoperatively, after C1 bony decompression and without perceptible technical cause, the patient experienced a complete loss of both somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) with an eventual return to baseline prior to completing the operation. The patient awoke from surgery with acute quadriplegia without perceptible technical cause (intraoperative compression or evident anatomic compromise). An immediate postoperative MRI revealed a more pronounced hyperintensity in the central cervical cord on T2-weighted sequences. Treatment with increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) therapy and dexamethasone resulted in the patient regaining some movement over a period of hours and full strength over a period of months. The mechanism of acute weakness following cervical spine decompression in the absence of perceptible technical cause is not fully understood, but current theory suggests that a reperfusion injury is most likely the cause. It remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Familiarity with this potential postoperative complication can aid in appropriate postoperative therapy with early diagnosis and intervention leading to restored spinal cord function and excellent prognosis.

Efficacy of Trauma Catheter and Mushroom Tip Catheter in Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma and Complications of Drain Placement.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of trauma catheter versus mushroom tip catheter placement in the evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma via twist drill craniostomy with closed system drainage. Background Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is one of the most frequent neurosurgical pathologies in patients >70 years of age with an estimated incidence of 8.2 per 100,000 people per year. The most common risk factors for cSDH are advanced age, alcohol abuse, seizures, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts, coagulopathies, blood thinners, and patients at risk for falling. Twist drill craniostomy can be performed at the bedside under local anesthesia, making it an attractive treatment option, especially in poly-morbid patients who are poor surgical candidates. A closed drainage system is placed at the time of surgery to allow continuous drainage and promote postoperative brain expansion. Despite the increasing prevalence, limited literature exists to guide surgical management, particularly in terms of drain management and selection of catheter.  Methods This is a retrospective review of 205 patients from January 2007 to May 2017 at two-level high volume centers for the evaluation and treatment of cSDH. Inclusion criteria include patients >18 years of age with the radiographic presence of a subdural hematoma for greater than three weeks. All patients were managed with either a trauma catheter or mushroom tip catheter. All patients received computed tomography (CT) of the head without contrast prior to subdural drain placement and within 24 hours after subdural drain removal. Exclusion criteria include patients <18 years of age and patients with depressed skull fractures, vascular malformations, subdural empyema, subdural hygroma, or who initially underwent open craniotomy or burr-hole craniotomy. Results Drain efficiency in evacuating the cSDH was assessed using both radiographic and clinical markers. Analysis of 205 patients treated by twist drill craniostomy and the subsequent closed system drainage utilizing either the mushroom tip catheter or trauma catheter revealed that neither catheter was superior in producing a statistically significant change in the maximum thickness of the cSDH (p = 0.35) and midline shift (p = 0.45). Furthermore, when assessing patients clinically via utilization of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), both the trauma catheter and the mushroom catheter did not show a statistically significant difference in improving GCS after the evacuation of the cSDH (p = 0.35). Neither catheter was associated with an increased incidence of hemorrhage with drain placement requiring open surgery (p = 0.12), need for additional drain placement (p = 0.13) or decline in GCS with intervention (p = 0.065). Conclusion Analysis of the 205 patients treated by twist drill craniostomy with closed system drainage for the evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma utilizing either the mushroom tip or trauma catheters revealed that neither catheter was statistically significant in radiographic or clinical improvement in evacuating cSDH. Furthermore, neither catheter was found to be associated with an increased complication risk.

Conditions associated with giant pituitary tumors at the time of surgery effecting outcome morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcome prediction has assisted physicians in discussing surgical intervention or expectant management. While increasing pituitary tumor size would seem to be associated with increasing challenge of removal and associated complications, that relationship has not been borne in the literature. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive cohort of pituitary surgeries completed at our institution. Data included age at the time of surgery, presenting symptoms and Glasgow Coma scale (GCS), GCS at discharge or 7 days postoperatively, GCS at 6 months, adenoma size, imaging characteristics of the tumor and brain before resection, postoperative complications, the presence of preoperative hydrocephalus, brainstem compression, and patient mortality. RESULTS: Patients with giant adenomas were more likely to present with a cranial nerve palsy (P = 0.019), altered mental status (P = 0.0001), hydrocephalus (P = 0.002), and mass effect on the brainstem (P = 0.020). Patients who experienced a postoperative decline in mental status were more likely to present with altered mental (P = 0.006), had an increased prevalence of mass effect on the brainstem (P = 0.005), and were more likely to have either an ischemic stroke (P = 0.0001) and vasospasms or new intraparenchymal hemorrhage (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that postoperative mental status declines after pituitary adenoma resection can be directly related to brainstem compression and further surgical irritation of the surrounding vasculature. The intraoperative irritation can be multifactorial and may result as the decompressed brain structures assume their anatomical position.

Superior Sagittal Sinus: A Review of the History, Surgical Considerations, and Pathology.

A systematic PubMed and Google Scholar search for studies related to the anatomy, history, surgical approaches, complications, and diseases of the superior sagittal sinus was performed. The purpose of this review is to elucidate some of the more recent advances of our understanding of this structure. One of the earliest anatomical landmarks to be described, the superior sagittal sinus (SSS, sinus sagittalis superior (Latin); "sagittalis" Latin for 'arrow' and "sinus" Latin for 'recess, bend, or bay') has been defined and redefined by the likes of Vesalius and Cushing. A review of the various methods of approaching pathology of the SSS is discussed, as well as the historical discovery of these methods. Disease states that were emphasized include invasion of the SSS by meningioma, as well as thrombosis and vascular malformations.

Surgical management of symptomatic Tarlov cysts: cyst fenestration and nerve root imbrication-a single institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Tarlov cyst disease is a collection of cerebrospinal fluid between the endoneurium and perineurium of spinal, usually sacral, nerve roots. These cysts can become symptomatic in 20% of patients, causing lower back pain, radiculopathy, bladder and bowel dysfunction necessitating medical or surgical intervention. Different surgical and non-surgical modalities have been described for the treatment of symptomatic Tarlov cysts. However, there has been no published study that examined types of surgical techniques side by side. Our study presents a preliminary experience in the surgical management of symptomatic Tarlov cysts using two surgical techniques: cyst fenestration and nerve root imbrication. METHODS: Retrospective chart review and analysis was done for all patients who underwent surgical intervention for symptomatic Tarlov cyst(s) in the period 2007-2013. Operative reports, preoperative and postoperative clinic visit reports were reviewed. The surgical techniques of cyst fenestration and nerve root imbrication were each described in terms of intraoperative parameters, hospital course and outcome. Modified MacNab criteria were used for evaluation of the final clinical outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-six surgical patients were identified. Three had repeat surgery (total of 39 operations). The median age was 51 years (range, 26-84 years). Eighty-six percent were females. The presenting symptoms were low back pain (94%), sensory radiculopathy (69%), bladder and bowel dysfunction (61%), sexual dysfunction (17%) and motor dysfunction (8%). Cyst fenestration was performed in 12 patients (31%) and nerve root imbrication was done in 27 (69%). All patients in the fenestration group but only 67% in the imbrication group had fibrin glue injection into the cyst or around the reconstructed nerve root. The overall surgery-related complication rate was 28%. The complication rate was 5/12 (42%) in the fenestration group and 6/27 (22%) in the imbrication group. At the time of the last clinic visit, improved clinical outcome was noted in 9/11 (82%) and 20/25 (80%) in the fenestration and the imbrication group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cyst fenestration and nerve root imbrication are both surgical techniques to treat symptomatic Tarlov cyst(s), and both can result in clinical improvement.

A rare case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical epidural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a well-known entity that is most commonly caused by a penetrating injury to the spinal cord (e.g., stab wound or gunshot wound). It is characterized by an ipsilateral weakness (damage to corticospinal tracts) and contralateral loss of pain and temperature two levels below the lesion (damage to lateral spinothalamic tracts). Although, rarely non-penetrating injuries, tumors, disc herniations, infections, autoimmune diseases, and epidural hematomas (non-penetrating trauma and spontaneous) have contributed to BSS syndromes, there are only four cases of BSS in the literature attributed to traumatic spinal epidural hematomas. Here, we add an additional case involving a 59-year-old male. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 59-year-old male presented with a Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) after a motor vehicle accident. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a cervical epidural hematoma at the C7-T1 level. Following a T1 laminectomy and C6-T1 fusion, his neurological deficit markedly improved. Within six postoperative months, he regained full motor function. CONCLUSION: For this patient and others with a traumatic cervical epidural hematoma (C7T1) resulting in a BSS, early decompression (within 48 hours) should result in marked postoperative neurological improvement.

Will clinical parameters reliably predict external ventricular drain-associated ventriculitis: Is frequent routine cerebrospinal fluid surveillance necessary?

BACKGROUND: The placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for monitoring and treatment of increased intracranial pressure is not without risk, particularly for the development of associated ventriculitis. The goal of this study was to investigate whether changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, or clinical parameters are correlated with the development of ventriculitis before it occurs, allowing for the determination of optimal timing of CSF collection. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted between January 2006 and May 2012. A total of 466 patients were identified as having an in-situ EVD placed. Inclusion criteria were age >18 years, glasgow coma scale (GCS) 4-15, and placement of EVD for any indication. Exclusion criteria included recent history of meningitis, cerebral abscess, cranial surgery or open skull fracture within the previous 30 days. A broad definition of ventriculitis was used to separate patients into three initial categories, two of which had sufficient patients to proceed with analysis: suspected ventriculitis and confirmed ventriculitis. CSF sampling was conducted on alternating weekdays. RESULTS: A total of 466 patients were identified as having an EVD and 123 patients were included in the final analysis. The incidence of ventriculitis was 8.8%. Only the ratio of glucose CSF: serum <0.5 was found to be of statistical significance, though not correlated to developing a ventriculitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates no reliable tested CSF, serum, or clinical parameters that are effectively correlated with the development of ventriculitis in an EVD patient. Thus, we recommend and will continue to draw CSF samples from patients with in-situ EVDs on our current schedule for as long as the EVD remains in place.

Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor in an adult: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors predominantly occur in children, and are rare in the adult population. Less than 100 cases of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor have been reported in adults internationally. Our case study reports this rare incident. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old Hispanic man presented with headaches, blurry vision, diplopia, intermittent vomiting, and grossly decreased vision. A magnetic resonance image showed a left posterior parietal heterogeneously enhancing mass measuring 4.2cm × 7.2cm × 7.0cm. After craniotomy for resection and decompression, the mass was histologically revealed to be a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Standardized immunohistochemical studies for this mass were carried out. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that immunohistochemical and genetic workup should be included in the standardized pathological workup for primitive neuroectodermal tumors in order to provide more prognostic information. Based on our current literature review, we propose an immunohistochemical panel.

Abdominal computed tomography in the evaluation of acute and perforated appendicitis in the community setting.

Several studies report sensitivity and specificity of abdominal computed tomography scans (CT) for the evaluation of acute appendicitis as high as 98 per cent. Despite increased utilization of CT, the rate of negative appendectomy has remained constant at 10 to 20 per cent. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of CT in the evaluation of acute and perforated appendicitis in an academic community-based setting. A retrospective review of 550 patient charts with International Classification of Diseases-9 (ICD-9) codes for acute and perforated appendicitis from January 2002 to October 2005 was performed. Sensitivity of CT was 87 per cent with a positive predictive value of 92 per cent. Specificity was 42 per cent with a negative predictive value of 29 per cent. Negative appendectomy rates were similar with or without CT (11% vs. 13%, respectively). Our data suggests that CT used liberally in everyday practice in a community-based setting to evaluate acute appendicitis may not have as strong of a diagnostic value as those used in protocol-driven research studies. Further prospective studies are needed to formulate criteria to better delineate the role of CT in the evaluation of acute appendicitis.