[No fear of anything: epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidity and surgery. A clinical case report]. / Sin miedo a nada: epilepsia, comorbilidad psiquiátrica y cirugía. Descripción de un caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric conditions are common in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. It can be extremely disabling, as it hinders the patient's integration into society. Emotional symptoms may occur during crises or can be chronic and not directly related to seizures. Some of the most common disorders are depression, followed by anxiety disorders and obsessive symptoms such as phobias. CASE REPORT: In the clinical case reported here, the patient suffers from drug-resistant focal epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity (anxiety-depressive syndrome and phobias). In the pre-surgical evaluation, the origin of the seizures was established as the right mesial temporal region, and so surgery was performed. In check-ups, an improvement of both conditions was observed after surgery to treat her epilepsy. CONCLUSION: The activation of the amygdala and its interaction with different brain structures seem to play an important role in emotional learning and aversive stimuli, thereby conditioning (depending on its pattern of activation) the individual's ability to control their fear. There seems to be excessive activation in individuals with phobias. Surgical resection by anteromedial temporal lobectomy in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy is an effective treatment to achieve control over refractory seizures, and may also help to ease emotional symptoms, thus adding an extra benefit. A pre-surgical evaluation with a multidisciplinary approach can be used to predict post-operative neuropsychological change.

TITLE: Sin miedo a nada: epilepsia, comorbilidad psiquiátrica y cirugía. Descripción de un caso clínico.Introducción. Es común que la patología psiquiátrica se manifieste en pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente del lóbulo temporal. Puede llegar a ser tremendamente incapacitante, puesto que obstaculiza la integración del paciente en la sociedad. Los síntomas emocionales pueden aparecer durante las crisis o presentarse crónicamente y no directamente relacionados con ellas. Entre los trastornos más frecuentes se encuentra la depresión, seguida por los trastornos de ansiedad y los síntomas obsesivos, como pueden ser las fobias. Caso clínico. En el caso clínico presentado, la paciente padece una epilepsia focal farmacorresistente y comorbilidad psiquiátrica (síndrome ansiosodepresivo y fobias). En la evaluación prequirúrgica se establece como origen de las crisis la región temporal mesial derecha, por lo que se realiza cirugía. En revisiones se constata una mejoría de ambas patologías tras la actuación quirúrgica sobre su epilepsia. Conclusión. La activación de la amígdala y su interacción con diferentes estructuras cerebrales parecen desempeñar un papel importante en el aprendizaje emocional y en estímulos aversivos, condicionando, en función de su patrón de activación, la habilidad del individuo para controlar el miedo. Parece existir un exceso de activación en los individuos que presentan fobias. La resección quirúrgica mediante lobectomía temporal anteromedial en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal es un tratamiento eficaz para el control de las crisis refractarias, que, además, puede ayudar a remitir los síntomas emocionales, añadiendo un beneficio adicional. Una evaluación prequirúrgica previa con un enfoque multidisciplinar puede utilizarse para predecir el cambio neuropsicológico postoperatorio.

Sin miedo a nada: epilepsia, comorbilidad psiquiátrica y cirugía. Descripción de un caso clínico / No fear of anything: epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidity and surgery. A clinical case report

Introducción: Es común que la patología psiquiátrica se manifieste en pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente del lóbulo temporal. Puede llegar a ser tremendamente incapacitante, puesto que obstaculiza la integración del paciente en la sociedad. Los síntomas emocionales pueden aparecer durante las crisis o presentarse crónicamente y no directamente relacionados con ellas. Entre los trastornos más frecuentes se encuentra la depresión, seguida por los trastornos de ansiedad y los síntomas obsesivos, como pueden ser las fobias. Caso clínico: En el caso clínico presentado, la paciente padece una epilepsia focal farmacorresistente y comorbilidad psiquiátrica (síndrome ansiosodepresivo y fobias). En la evaluación prequirúrgica se establece como origen de las crisis la región temporal mesial derecha, por lo que se realiza cirugía. En revisiones se constata una mejoría de ambas patologías tras la actuación quirúrgica sobre su epilepsia. Conclusión: La activación de la amígdala y su interacción con diferentes estructuras cerebrales parecen desempeñar un papel importante en el aprendizaje emocional y en estímulos aversivos, condicionando, en función de su patrón de activación, la habilidad del individuo para controlar el miedo. Parece existir un exceso de activación en los individuos que presentan fobias. La resección quirúrgica mediante lobectomía temporal anteromedial en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal es un tratamiento eficaz para el control de las crisis refractarias, que, además, puede ayudar a remitir los síntomas emocionales, añadiendo un beneficio adicional. Una evaluación prequirúrgica previa con un enfoque multidisciplinar puede utilizarse para predecir el cambio neuropsicológico postoperatorio.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric conditions are common in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. It can be extremely disabling, as it hinders the patient’s integration into society. Emotional symptoms may occur during crises or can be chronic and not directly related to seizures. Some of the most common disorders are depression, followed by anxiety disorders and obsessive symptoms such as phobias. Csae report: In the clinical case reported here, the patient suffers from drug-resistant focal epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity (anxiety-depressive syndrome and phobias). In the pre-surgical evaluation, the origin of the seizures was established as the right mesial temporal region, and so surgery was performed. In check-ups, an improvement of both conditions was observed after surgery to treat her epilepsy. Conclusion: The activation of the amygdala and its interaction with different brain structures seem to play an important role in emotional learning and aversive stimuli, thereby conditioning (depending on its pattern of activation) the individual’s ability to control their fear. There seems to be excessive activation in individuals with phobias. Surgical resection by anteromedial temporal lobectomy in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy is an effective treatment to achieve control over refractory seizures, and may also help to ease emotional symptoms, thus adding an extra benefit. A pre-surgical evaluation with a multidisciplinary approach can be used to predict post-operative neuropsychological change.(AU)

[Temporal pole encephalocele, a surgical treatable cause of drug-resistant epilepsy]. / Encefalocele del polo temporal: una causa tratable quirúrgicamente de epilepsia farmacorresistente.

INTRODUCTION: Encephaloceles are herniation of brain parenchyma through a bony skull defect that can cause drug-resistant epilepsy. In these cases, a surgical approach should be considered. CASE REPORT: 38-year-old man with drug-resistant epilepsy and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging performed with no relevant findings. After video-electroencephalogram, 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography, a right temporal encephalocele was confirmed. A right temporal polar resection was performed four years ago and the patient remains seizure-free. DISCUSSION: Anterior temporal encephaloceles are an underdiagnosed cause of epilepsy, and a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging reviewed by an epilepsy expert radiologists is key to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In drug-resistant cases with presurgical evaluation compatible with the location, surgical treatment must be considered.

TITLE: Encefalocele del polo temporal: una causa tratable quirúrgicamente de epilepsia farmacorresistente.Introducción. Los encefaloceles son herniaciones del parénquima cerebral consecuencia de un defecto óseo. Si producen epilepsia farmacorresistente, hay que plantearse un abordaje quirúrgico. Caso clínico. Varón de 38 años con epilepsia farmacorresistente y estudio estándar de resonancia magnética de 1,5 T sin hallazgos. Tras realizar un videoelectroencefalograma, una resonancia magnética de 3 T y una tomografía por emisión de positrones con fluorodesoxiglucosa, se confirmó la presencia de un encefalocele del polo temporal derecho. Se efectuó una resección de ese polo temporal y cuatro años después el paciente continúa libre de crisis. Discusión. Los encefaloceles temporales anteriores constituyen una causa infradiagnosticada de epilepsia en cuyo estudio es clave la resonancia magnética de 3 T y la evaluación por un radiólogo experimentado en epilepsia. Conclusión. En casos farmacorresistentes y evaluación prequirúrgica de la epilepsia congruente con la localización, hay que considerar su tratamiento quirúrgico.

Encefalocele del polo temporal: una causa tratable quirúrgicamente de epilepsia farmacorresistente / Temporal pole encephalocele, a surgical treatable cause of drug-resistant epilepsy

Introducción: Los encefaloceles son herniaciones del parénquima cerebral consecuencia de un defecto óseo. Si producen epilepsia farmacorresistente, hay que plantearse un abordaje quirúrgico. Caso clínico: Varón de 38 años con epilepsia farmacorresistente y estudio estándar de resonancia magnética de 1,5 T sin hallazgos. Tras realizar un videoelectroencefalograma, una resonancia magnética de 3 T y una tomografía por emisión de positrones con fluorodesoxiglucosa, se confirmó la presencia de un encefalocele del polo temporal derecho. Se efectuó una resección de ese polo temporal y cuatro años después el paciente continúa libre de crisis. Discusión. Los encefaloceles temporales anteriores constituyen una causa infradiagnosticada de epilepsia en cuyo estudio es clave la resonancia magnética de 3 T y la evaluación por un radiólogo experimentado en epilepsia. Conclusión: En casos farmacorresistentes y evaluación prequirúrgica de la epilepsia congruente con la localización, hay que considerar su tratamiento quirúrgico.(AU)

Introduction: Encephaloceles are herniation of brain parenchyma through a bony skull defect that can cause drug-resistant epilepsy. In these cases, a surgical approach should be considered. Case report: 38-year-old man with drug-resistant epilepsy and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging performed with no relevant findings. After video-electroencephalogram, 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography, a right temporal encephalocele was confirmed. A right temporal polar resection was performed four years ago and the patient remains seizure-free. Discussion: Anterior temporal encephaloceles are an underdiagnosed cause of epilepsy, and a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging reviewed by an epilepsy expert radiologists is key to diagnosis. Conclusion: In drug-resistant cases with presurgical evaluation compatible with the location, surgical treatment must be considered.(AU)

[Functional hemispherectomy: long-term follow-up in a series of five patients]. / Hemisferectomia funcional: seguimiento a largo plazo en una serie de cinco casos.

INTRODUCTION: Functional hemispherectomy consists in palliative epilepsy surgical procedure usually performed in patients with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy and hemispheric syndromes. It is based on the neural disconnection of the affected hemisphere with preservation of the vascular supply. AIM: To analyze long-term prognosis and safety of the hemispherectomies performed in our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis collecting the following variables: age, gender, age of epilepsy onset, type of seizures, etiology, age of epilepsy surgery, prognosis and potential surgical complications. All patients had a minimum of five years of follow up. RESULTS: Five patients (60% females) underwent hemispherotomy between 1999 and 2010. Age of epilepsy onset was 36 months and time of evolution until surgery was 7 years. The most frequent type of seizures were simple motor seizures with secondary generalization (n = 5). Three patients remained seizure free persistently after surgery and another patient had a more than 90% improvement. Time of follow up was 13 years. One patient suffered a bacterial meningitis without sequelae. Six years after surgery a patient suffered hydrocephalous requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Functional hemispherectomy constitutes an effective method to treat patients with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy, extensive unihemispheric pathology and seizures limited to that hemisphere. Late complications may occur thus long-term follow-up is needed.

TITLE: Hemisferectomia funcional: seguimiento a largo plazo en una serie de cinco casos.Introduccion. La hemisferectomia funcional es una de las tecnicas quirurgicas con intencion paliativa que se pueden realizar en pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente y sindromes hemisfericos. Se basa en la desconexion neuronal del hemisferio afectado preservando el arbol vascular. Objetivo. Analizar el pronostico y la seguridad a largo plazo de las hemisferectomias realizadas en nuestro centro. Pacientes y metodos. Revision retrospectiva de los casos intervenidos, recogiendo las siguientes variables clinicas: edad, sexo, edad de inicio de la epilepsia, tipo de crisis, etiologia de la epilepsia, edad de intervencion, pronostico posquirurgico y posibles complicaciones. El seguimiento minimo fue de cinco años. Resultados. Cinco pacientes (60% mujeres) fueron intervenidos entre 1999 y 2010. La edad de inicio de la epilepsia fue de 36 meses, y el tiempo de evolucion hasta la cirugia, de 7 años. El tipo de crisis mas habitual fueron las crisis parciales simples motoras con generalizacion secundaria (n = 5). Tres pacientes permanecieron libres de crisis tras la cirugia, y otro paciente mejoro mas de un 90%. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 13 años. Como complicaciones, una paciente sufrio una meningitis bacteriana sin secuelas posteriores. A los seis años de la cirugia, un paciente presento una hidrocefalia que requirio la implantacion de una valvula de derivacion ventriculoperitoneal. Conclusiones. La hemisferectomia funcional constituye un procedimiento quirurgico eficaz para el tratamiento de pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente, patologia hemisferica extensa y crisis limitadas a ese hemisferio. Hay complicaciones que pueden aparecer tardiamente, por lo que se aconseja un seguimiento a largo plazo de estos pacientes.

VNS and pregnancy: A multicentric experience of four cases.

BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation system (VNS) has been employed worldwide as adjunctive therapy in drug-resistant epileptic patients. Only nine previous pregnancies with six-positive outcomes have been reported in women with epilepsy treated with VNS since 1998. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To communicate the experience of pregnancies in women treated with VNS in our country. METHODS: Clinical data of four female patients treated with VNS during pregnancy and delivery in five gestations is described. RESULTS: Four pregnancy outcomes were positive and one ended in spontaneous abortion, probably more related to the use antiepileptic drugs than VNS itself. Two births were vaginal and the other two with cesarean section. None of the complications during delivery were attributed to VNS. No teratogenicity was documented. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience VNS constitutes a safe therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in women of childbearing potential and during pregnancy and delivery. Larger series will be useful to confirm this finding.

[Retrospective analysis of the effect of a vagus nerve stimulator implanted in paediatric patients with refractory epilepsy]. / Analisis retrospectivo sobre el efecto del estimulador vagal implantado en pacientes pediatricos con epilepsia refractaria.

INTRODUCTION: The vagus nerve stimulator is a therapeutic alternative in patients with epilepsy which is refractory to treatment with antiepileptic drugs that are not candidates for surgical resection. AIM: To analyse the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulator in the paediatric patients of our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Set of 13 patients implanted between 2008 y 2013. It was registered the frequency of crises prior to implantation, after a year and at the end of the monitoring period. As well, it was recorded the number of antiepileptic drugs used and in a qualitative way the behavioural improvement and the change in the intensity of the crises, besides the apparition of secondary effects and the removal or not of the device. RESULTS: After a year, two years and at the end of the monitoring period it has been a fall in the number of crises about of 61%, 66.7% y 69% respectively, finding one patient free of crises after two years. At the end of the monitoring period, the 23% of those who had reduced their crises had experimented a reduction over 90%. Independently the effect on the number of crises, 77% of the patients presented an improvement in the intensity and the length of the crises, the same average showed a behavioural improvement. The secondary effects appeared in a 30.7% of the patients, being of mild intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small size of our sample, our results shows that the vagus nerve stimulator has a relevant efficacy over the pediatric drug resistant population, as much in the frequency and intensity of the crises, as over the behaviour.

TITLE: Analisis retrospectivo sobre el efecto del estimulador vagal implantado en pacientes pediatricos con epilepsia refractaria.Introduccion. El estimulador vagal es una alternativa terapeutica en los pacientes con epilepsia refractaria al tratamiento con farmacos antiepilepticos que no son candidatos a cirugia de reseccion. Objetivo. Analizar la eficacia del estimulador vagal en los pacientes pediatricos de nuestro centro. Pacientes y metodos. Conjunto de 13 pacientes implantados entre los años 2008 y 2013. Se registro la frecuencia de crisis previa a la implantacion, al año, a los dos años y al final del seguimiento. Asimismo, se recogio el numero de farmacos antiepilepticos utilizados, de forma cualitativa la mejoria conductual y el cambio en la intensidad de las crisis, asi como la aparicion de efectos secundarios y la retirada o no del dispositivo. Resultados. Al año, a los dos años y al final del seguimiento se habia producido una reduccion en el numero de crisis del 61%, 66,7% y 69%, respectivamente, y uno de los pacientes se encontro libre de crisis a los dos años. Al final del seguimiento, un 23% de los que habian disminuido sus crisis habia experimentado una reduccion superior al 90%. De forma independiente al efecto sobre el numero de crisis, el 77% de los pacientes presento una mejoria en la intensidad y duracion de las crisis, y ese mismo porcentaje mostro una mejoria conductual. Los efectos secundarios aparecieron en un 30,7% de los pacientes y fueron de intensidad leve. Conclusiones. A pesar del pequeño tamaño de la muestra, nuestros resultados indican que el estimulador vagal tiene una eficacia relevante en la poblacion pediatrica farmacorresistente, tanto sobre la frecuencia e intensidad de las crisis como sobre la conducta.

Lich-Gregoir technique and routine use of double J catheter as the best combination to avoid urinary complications in kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary complications in kidney transplantation cause patient morbidity and can decrease graft survival. Most of the complications stem from the vesicoureteric anastomosis. Different techniques for ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) have been designed to avoid these complications. The routine use of a double J catheter after the anastomosis has the same purpose. Our aim was to show our experience and compare the use or non-use of a double J catheter and different techniques for ureteric reimplantation with the rate of urologic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, nonrandomized study of 1011 renal transplantations performed between July 1985 and April 2012. We recorded the surgical techniques for UNC, the use or non-use of a double J catheter, and urinary complications (ureteric fistulae and strictures). The first 700 kidney transplantations (group A) were performed using several UNC techniques (Taguchi, Leadbetter-Politano, and Lich-Gregoir) with a selective use of double J catheter according to the criteria of the surgeon. In the last 311 patients (group B), a surgical technique was established (Lich-Gregoir), as well as the universal use of double J catheters. RESULTS: Urinary fistula occurred in 7% of group A patients and 2% of group B patients (P = .0001). Ureteric stricture occurred in 5.3% of patients in group A and 3% of group B patients (P = .09). In our study, routine prophylactic stenting combined with the Lich-Gregoir UNC technique has decreased the incidence of postoperative fistulae. CONCLUSIONS: Individually, the use of double J catheters seems to lessen the incidence of fistulae, although statistically, the difference is not significant. Accurate knowledge of the complications rates, recommendations of guidelines, and the early diagnosis are essential to attaining reasonable results in kidney transplantation.

Gangliogliomas intracraneales. Revisión de una serie de 20 pacientes / Intracranial gangliogliomas. A review of a series of 20 patients

Introducción: El ganglioglioma es un tumor primario, de bajo grado, del sistema nervioso central constituido por una población celular mixta de elementos gliales y neuronales. Representan entre el 0,4 al 2% de todos los tumores intracraneales y afectan fundamentalmente a niños y adultos jóvenes. Métodos: Entre los años 1995 y 2008 hemos tratado en nuestro hospital 20 pacientes (12 adultos y 8 niños) con ganglioglioma intracraneal. Revisamos retrospectivamente el sexo, el síntoma de inicio y la edad, sintomatología y tiempo de evolución, exploración neurológica, localización del tumor, aspecto en la tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética, el tratamiento quirúrgico y la evolución. Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente y la extensión de la resección fue evaluada de la hoja operatoria y del seguimiento neurorradiológico. Resultados: La media de edad de los pacientes fue de 26,4 años (rango 1-75) y el ratio mujer/varón fue de 1.5:1. Excepto en un caso, todos los pacientes debutaron con crisis epilépticas, con una duración media antes del diagnóstico de 7,4 años (rango 1-29). Diecisiete tumores estaban localizados en el lóbulo temporal (9 derechos y 8 izquierdos). Se realizó extirpación macroscópicamente completa en 17 pacientes y subtotal en los 3 restantes. Se presentaron 4 recidivas que fueron tratadas mediante reintervención, añadiéndose radioterapia en uno de los casos. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 8,5 años (rango 22 meses-14 años), la supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años fue del 85% y la supervivencia global del 95%. Conclusiones: Las crisis epilépticas, que constituyen el síntoma más frecuente mejoran de forma significativa tras la extirpación quirúrgica. El tratamiento quirúrgico es la primera opción terapéutica en este tipo de tumores, y ante la presencia de resecciones subtotales o recidivas tumorales la mejor indicación de tratamiento es la reintervención. La radioterapia debe reservarse únicamente para las formas malignas (AU)

Introduction: A ganglioglioma is a type of primary central nervous system low grade tumour composed of mixed populations of glial and neuroepithelial elements. They accounts for 0.4 to 2% of all intracranial tumours and appear more commonly in children and young adults. Seizures, which are the most important symptom in these tumours, improve significantly after surgical excision. Methods: Between 1995 and 2008, 20 patients with (12 adults and 8 children) with intracranial ganglioglioma were treated at our hospital. Clinical information obtained by chart review included sex, age at onset of symptoms, clinical history, results of neurological examination, tumour location, CT and MRI appearance, surgical results and follow-up. All patients underwent tumour resection and the extent of surgery was determined from the surgical reports and postoperative imaging studies. Results: The median age of patients was 26.4 years (range, 1-75 years), and the female to male ratio was 1.5:1. Except in one case, all patients had seizures with a median duration before diagnosis of 7.4 years (range 1-29). Seventeen tumours were located in the temporal lobe (9 right and 8 left). Macroscopically complete excision was performed in 17 patients and subtotal in the remaining 3. There were 4 cases of recurrence treated by surgery and radiotherapy being added in one case. The mean follow up was 8.5 years (range 22 months-14 years) and disease free survival at 5 years was 85% and an overall survival of 95%. Conclusions: The seizures, which are the most frequent symptoms, significantly improved after surgical removal. Surgery is the first choice of therapy in these tumours, and in the presence of subtotal resection or tumour recurrence the best indication for treatment is repeat surgery. Radiotherapy should be reserved only for malignant forms (AU)

Estimulación cerebral en el tratamiento del dolor neuropático / Intracraneal neuroestimulation in the treatment of the neuropatic pain

El dolor neuropático es aquel que tiene su origen en una lesión neurologica que afecta al sistema somato-sensorial. La estimulación cerebral para el tratamiento del dolor crónico puede realizarse en la corteza motora, los núcleos sensitivos del tálamo o la sustancia gris periaqueductal y paraventricular y la elección del centro dependerá sobre todo del tipo de dolor a tratar. La estimulación del cortex motor y la cerebral profunda han demostrado ser técnicas efectivas para el tratamiento tanto del dolor nociceptivo como del dolor neuropático. En la estimulación cortical se bloquean las proyecciones de la misma sobre los núcleos talámicos, modulando la transmision del dolor. En la estimulación directa del núcleo ventral posterior, se actúa directamente sobre el circuíto del dolor. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes afectadas de dolor neuropático tratadas, una con estimulación del cortex motor y la otra con estimulacón del nucleo ventrocaudal del tálamo (AU)

Intracranial neuroestimulation for pain relief is most frequently delivered by stimulating the motor cortex, the sensory thalamus, or the periaqueductal and paraventricular gray matter. The stimulation of these sites through motor cortex stimulation and deep brain stimulation has proven effective for treating the neuropathic and nociceptive pain. The motor cortex has extensive projections to some thalamic nuclei; indeed, converging evidence has suggested that modulation of motor cortex is critically involved with the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Deep brain stimulation of ventrocaudalis nucleous of the thalamus contralateral to the side of the most severe pain results in a blockade on the pain transmission. We present two patients with neurophatic pain treated one with motor cortex stimulation and the other with deep brain stimulation (AU)

[Intracranial gangliogliomas. A review of a series of 20 patients]. / Gangliogliomas intracraneales. Revisión de una serie de 20 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: A ganglioglioma is a type of primary central nervous system low grade tumour composed of mixed populations of glial and neuroepithelial elements. They accounts for 0.4 to 2% of all intracranial tumours and appear more commonly in children and young adults. Seizures, which are the most important symptom in these tumours, improve significantly after surgical excision. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2008, 20 patients with (12 adults and 8 children) with intracranial ganglioglioma were treated at our hospital. Clinical information obtained by chart review included sex, age at onset of symptoms, clinical history, results of neurological examination, tumour location, CT and MRI appearance, surgical results and follow-up. All patients underwent tumour resection and the extent of surgery was determined from the surgical reports and postoperative imaging studies. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 26.4 years (range, 1-75 years), and the female to male ratio was 1.5:1. Except in one case, all patients had seizures with a median duration before diagnosis of 7.4 years (range 1-29). Seventeen tumours were located in the temporal lobe (9 right and 8 left). Macroscopically complete excision was performed in 17 patients and subtotal in the remaining 3. There were 4 cases of recurrence treated by surgery and radiotherapy being added in one case. The mean follow up was 8.5 years (range 22 months-14 years) and disease free survival at 5 years was 85% and an overall survival of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The seizures, which are the most frequent symptoms, significantly improved after surgical removal. Surgery is the first choice of therapy in these tumours, and in the presence of subtotal resection or tumour recurrence the best indication for treatment is repeat surgery. Radiotherapy should be reserved only for malignant forms.

[Filum terminale ependymomas. Analysis of a serie of 20 consecutive cases]. / Ependimomas del filum terminal. Análisis de 20 casos consecutivos.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the clinical, radiological and surgical outcome of a series of filum terminale ependymomas. Patients and methods. This retrospective study involved 20 patients with 21 ependymomas of the filum terminale encountered during a 21 year period (1988- 2008). All patients were diagnosed using MRI and surgically treated. RESULTS: the male: female ratio was 1:1.5, and the mean age at diagnosis was 44.8 years (range 15-64). First symptom included radicular pain (12 cases) and lumbar pain in the other 8 cases, with average symptom duration of 8.7 years (range 0-6-32). All patients underwent open biopsy, seventeen tumours received gross-total resection and 4 received subtotal resection. Histologically, 20 tumours were myxopapillary ependymomas (grade I) and 1 case a grade II ependymoma. The mean follow-up period was 8 years (range 1-18 years). CONCLUSIONS: filum terminale ependimomas are slow growing tumours of the cauda equina with a high incidence in young adults. The most common presentation is with low back pain long time evolution. Although ependymomas of the filum terminale are thought to be benign, local recurrence is not uncommon.

Ependimomas del filum terminal. Análisis de 20 casos consecutivos / Filum terminale ependymomas. Analysis of a serie of 20 consecutive cases

Objetivos. Analizar las características clínicas,radiológicas y los resultados quirúrgicos de una serie de ependimomas del filum terminal. Pacientes y método. Se estudia retrospectivamente 20 pacientes con 21 ependimomas del filum terminal tratados durante un período de 21 años (1988-2008).Todos los pacientes fueron diagnosticados con resonancia magnética e intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Resultados. La relación varón-mujer fue de 1:1.5 yla media de edad al diagnóstico de 44.8 años (rango 15-64). El primer síntoma fue dolor radicular (12 casos) y lumbalgia en los 8 restantes, con una duración mediade la sintomatología antes del diagnostico de 8.7 años(rango 0.6-32). Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente realizándose resección completa de 17 tumores y subtotal de 4. Histológicamente 20 tumoresfueron ependimomas mixopapilares (grado I ) y un caso grado II. El período de seguimiento fue de 8 años (rango1-18).Conclusiones. Los ependimomas del filum terminal, son tumores de crecimiento lento con una mayor incidencia en adultos jóvenes. La forma de presentación más habitual es con dolor lumbar con un largo tiempo de evolución. Aunque la mayoría son tumores de bajo grado histológico, tienen una especial tendencia a crecer y las recidivas locales no son raras (AU)

Objective. To analyze the clinical, radiological and surgical outcome of a series of filum terminale ependymomas. Patients and methods. This retrospective study involved 20 patients with 21 ependymomas of the filumterminale encountered during a 21 year period (1988-2008). All patients were diagnosed using MRI and surgicallytreated. Results. The male: female ratio was 1:1.5, and the mean age at diagnosis was 44.8 years (range 15-64).First symptom included radicular pain (12 cases) and lumbar pain in the other 8 cases, with average symptom duration of 8.7 years (range 0-6-32). All patients underwent open biopsy, seventeen tumours received gross-total resection and 4 received subtotal resection. Histologically, 20 tumours were myxopapillary ependymomas(grade I) and 1 case a grade II ependymoma.The mean follow-up period was 8 years (range 1-18years).Conclusions. Filum terminale ependimomas are slow growing tumours of the cauda equina with a highincidence in young adults. The most common presentation is with low back pain long time evolution. Although ependymomas of the filum terminale are thought to be benign, local recurrence is not uncommon (AU)

[Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to an atlantoccipital joint synovial cyst. Case report and literature review]. / Parálisis aislada del nervio hipogloso secundaria a quiste articular atlanto-occipital. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Hypoglossal nerve palsy is commonly associated with the involvement of other cranial nerves. His injury is rarely isolated. We present a patient in which paralysis is due to the presence of a "juxtafacet cyst" of the atlanto-occipital joint. We review the anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve, different therapeutic options, the differential diagnosis and papers published to date.

Parálisis aislada del nervio hipogloso secundaria a quiste articular atlanto-occipital. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to an atlantoccipital joint synovial cyst. Case report and literature review

La parálisis del nervio hipogloso se asocia comúnmente con la afectación de otros pares craneales. Su lesión aislada es infrecuente.Presentamos el caso de un paciente en el cual la parálisis es debida a la presencia de un quiste yuxtafacetario a nivel de la articulación atlanto-occipital derecha. Revisamos la anatomía del nervio hipogloso, las diferentes opciones terapéuticas así como el diagnóstico diferencial y los trabajos publicados hasta la fecha (AU)

Hypoglossal nerve palsy is commonly associated with the involvement of other cranial nerves. Hisinjury is rarely isolated. We present a patient in which paralysis is due to the presence of a “juxtafacet cyst”of the atlanto-occipital joint. We review the anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve, different therapeutic options,the differential diagnosis and papers published to date (AU)

[Chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cyst. Report of 12 cases]. / Hematoma subdural crónico asociado a quiste aracnoideo. Presentación de 12 casos.

INTRODUCTION: We designed this study to investigate the clinical, neurological, and radiological outcome of patients with chronic subdural hematoma related to an intracranial arachnoid cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of 12 cases of patients with arachnoids cyst complicated with chronic subdural hematoma were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Between January 1984 and April 2008, 12 patients (0.9%) of 1.253 cases of chronic subdural hematoma surgically treated in our hospital had associated arachnoid cyst. Arachnoid cysts were located in the middle fossa (10 cases) and convexity (2 cases). The most frequent symptom was headache (6 cases), followed by seizures (3 cases). Eleven patients underwent burr hole and drainage; the oldest patient was treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AC, especially when these are located in temporal fossa, appear to harbour a life-long risk of contracting subdural hematoma. Hematoma evacuation is adequate at first operation and if arachnoid cyst is symptomatic or preoperative symptoms persist, additional arachnoid cyst surgery should be considered.

Hematoma subdural crónico asociado a quiste aracnoideo. Presentación de 12 casos / Chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cyst. Report of 12 cases

Objetivos. Analizar las características clínicas,neurológicas y resultado neurorradiológico de una seriede pacientes con quiste aracnoideo asociado a un hematomasubdural crónico.Pacientes y método. Revisamos retrospectivamente12 casos de pacientes con quiste aracnoideo que presentaroncomo complicación un hematoma subduralcrónico.Resultados. Entre enero de 1984 y abril de 2008, 12pacientes (0.9%) de 1.253 casos con hematoma subduralcrónico presentaban un quiste aracnoideo intracraneal.La localización de los quistes fue en 10 casos en la fosatemporal y los otros dos en la convexidad. Los síntomasde presentación fueron cefalea en 6 pacientes (50%),seguidos por convulsiones (3 casos). En once pacientesse realizó agujero de trépano y drenaje del HSC, lapaciente de más edad fue tratada de forma conservadora.Únicamente se trataron 3 quistes aracnoideosmediante craneotomía y fenestración, con resolucióncompleta del quiste.Conclusiones. Los pacientes con quiste aracnoideo,sobre todo si esta localizado en la fosa temporal, tienenun mayor riesgo de sufrir un hematoma subduralcrónico. La primera opción terapéutica es el drenajedel hematoma subdural y si persiste la sintomatologíadeberá tratarse el quiste aracnoideo (AU)

Introduction. We designed this study to investigatethe clinical, neurological, and radiological outcome ofpatients with chronic subdural hematoma related to anintracranial arachnoid cysts.Patients and methods. Medical records of 12 cases ofpatients with arachnoids cyst complicated with chronicsubdural hematoma were retrospectively reviewed.Results. Between January 1984 and April 2008,12 patients (0.9%) of 1.253 cases of chronic subduralhematoma surgically treated in our hospital had associatedarachnoid cyst. Arachnoid cysts were located inthe middle fossa (10 cases) and convexity (2 cases). Themost frequent symptom was headache (6 cases), followedby seizures (3 cases). Eleven patients underwentburr hole and drainage; the oldest patient was treatedconservatively.Conclusions. Patients with AC, especially whenthese are located in temporal fossa, appear to harboura life-long risk of contracting subdural hematoma.Hematoma evacuation is adequate at first operationand if arachnoid cyst is symptomatic or preoperativesymptoms persist, additional arachnoid cyst surgeryshould be considered (AU)

[Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in challenging cases]. / Nefrectomía laparoscópica asistida por la mano en casos difíciles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with significant complicating clinical factors. METHODS: A retrospective assessment was made of 100 laparoscopic nephrectomies performed at a single hospital from 2001 to 2005. Patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery, prior procedures on the involved kidney, evidence of perirenal inflammation, renal lesions 10 cm or more in diameter, or level I renal vein thrombosis were enrolled. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled. Of these, 5 had a lesion at least 10 cm in diameter, 2 had renal vein thrombosis, and 5 reported major abdominal surgery. Most patients had more than one of these findings. Three patients showed inflammatory conditions (staghorn calculi) and a T4 renal tumor was successfully treated without conversion to open surgery. Mean operating time and blood loss were 210 minutes and 310 ml respectively, while mean length of hospital stay was 3 days. No patient required conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is an attractive minimally invasive option for technically challenging tumors and has reasonable operating times, blood losses, and complication rates.

Nefrectomía laparoscópica asistida por la mano en casos difíciles / Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in challenging cases

Objetivo: evaluar los resultados de nefrectomía laparoscópica asistida por la mano en pacientes con masas renales técnicamente complejas. Métodos: se ha realizado una evaluación retrospectiva de 100 nefrectomías laparoscópicas realizadas en un solo hospital entre 2001 y 2005. Se ha seleccionado a los pacientes con antecedentes de cirugía abdominal previa, procedimientos previos en el riñón afectado, evidencia de inflamación perirrenal, lesiones renales de más de 10 cm de diámetro o trombosis venosa renal tipo I. Resultados: se ha incluido un total de 12 pacientes; 5 de ellos presentaban una lesión de al menos 10 cm de diámetro, dos trombosis venosa renal y 5 referían cirugía abdominal mayor. La mayoría de los pacientes tenía más de uno de estos hallazgos. Tres pacientes presentaban procesos inflamatorios (cálculos coraliformes) y un tumor renal T4 fue tratado con éxito, sin necesidad de reconversión. El tiempo operatorio y la pérdida sanguínea medias fueron de 210 minutos y 310 ml, respectivamente, con una estancia media de tres días. Ningún paciente requirió reconversión a cirugía abierta. Conclusiones: la nefrectomía laparoscópica asistida por la mano es una opción mínimamente invasiva, atractiva en el contexto de masas técnicamente complejas, con un tiempo operatorio, una pérdida sanguínea y una tasa de complicaciones razonables (AU)

Objective: To assess the outcome of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with significant complicating clinical factors. Methods: A retrospective assessment was made of 100 laparoscopic nephrectomies performed at a single hospital from 2001 to 2005. Patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery, prior procedures on the involved kidney, evidence of perirenal inflammation, renal lesions 10 cm or more in diameter, or level I renal vein thrombosis were enrolled. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled. Of these, 5 had a lesion at least 10 cm in diameter, 2 had renal vein thrombosis, and 5 reported major abdominal surgery. Most patients had more than one of these findings. Three patients showed inflammatory conditions (staghorn calculi) and a T4 renal tumor was successfully treated without conversion to open surgery. Mean operating time and blood loss were 210 minutes and 310 ml respectively, while mean length of hospital stay was 3 days. No patient required conversion to open surgery. Conclusions: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is an attractive minimally invasive option for technically challenging tumors and has reasonable operating times, blood losses, and complication rates (AU)