A ten-year retrospective analysis of decompressive craniectomy or craniotomy after severe brain injury and its implications for donation after brain death.

Craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy are among the therapeutic options to prevent or treat secondary damage after severe brain injury. The choice of procedure depends, among other things, on the type and severity of the initial injury. It remains controversial whether both procedures influence the neurological outcome differently. Thus, estimating the risk of brain herniation and death and consequently potential organ donation remains difficult. All patients at the University Hospital Münster for whom an isolated craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy was performed as a treatment after severe brain injury between 2013 and 2022 were retrospectively included. Proportion of survivors and deceased were evaluated. Deceased were further analyzed regarding anticoagulants, comorbidities, type of brain injury, potential and utilized donation after brain death. 595 patients were identified, 296 patients survived, and 299 deceased. Proportion of decompressive craniectomy was higher than craniotomy in survivors (89% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). Brain death was diagnosed in 12 deceased and 10 donations were utilized. Utilized donations were comparable after both procedures (5% vs. 2%, p = 0.194). Preserved brain stem reflexes as a reason against donation did not differ between decompressive craniectomy or craniotomy (32% vs. 29%, p = 0.470). Patients with severe brain injury were more likely to survive after decompressive craniectomy than craniotomy. Among the deceased, potential and utilized donations did not differ between both procedures. This suggests that brain death can occur independent of the previous neurosurgical procedure and that organ donation should always be considered in end-of-life decisions for patients with a fatal prognosis.

Efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopy surgery versus craniotomy for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Neuroendoscopy (NE) surgery emerged as a promising technique for the treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) analyzed the efficacy and safety of NE compared to craniotomy, but NE did not present a significant improvement in functional outcomes. However, a new study provided an opportunity to update the current knowledge. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for RCTs reporting NE evacuation of spontaneous supratentorial ICH compared to craniotomy. The efficacy outcomes of interest were favorable functional outcome, functional disability, hematoma evacuation rate, and residual hematoma volume. The safety outcomes of interest were rebleeding, infection, and mortality. Seven RCTs were included containing 879 patients. The NE approach presented a significantly higher rate of favorable functional outcome compared with craniotomy (RR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.17, 1.73; p < 0.001). The evacuation rate was higher in patients who underwent the NE approach (MD: -8.36; 95% CI -12.66, -4.07; p < 0.001). NE did not show a benefit in improving the mortality rate (RR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.54, 1.22; p = 0.32). NE was associated with more favorable functional outcomes and lower rates of functional disabilities compared to craniotomy. Also, NE was superior regarding evacuation rate, while presenting a reduction in residual hematoma volume. NE might be associated with lower infection rates. Mortality was not improved by NE surgery. Larger, higher-quality randomized studies are needed to adequately evaluate the efficacy and safety of NE compared to craniotomy.

Onabotulinumtoxina (craniotomy scar combined with cranial suture line injections) for persistent post craniotomy headache: Case series with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There is no defined preventive treatment protocol for persistent post-craniotomy headache. In several small case series and individual case reports onabotulinumtoxinA injected into the craniotomy scar has shown possible efficacy. What is lacking is long term follow-up and if focusing on the cranial suture lines along with the craniotomy scar can enhance improvement and provide more sustained benefit. METHODS: Retrospective chart review with case series. RESULTS: Four patients (three women, one man) with ICHD-3 defined persistent post craniotomy headache were treated using a novel onabotulinumtoxinA injection protocol. All the patients presented with continuous head pain of moderate to severe intensity. All had severe allodynia on the side of their craniotomy. All had significant reduction in quality of life. Our application of onabotulinumtoxinA involved injection into both the surgical scar and the transected/irritated cranial suture lines noted on neuroimaging and physical examination. With treatment all patients demonstrated significant benefit including a reduction in daily pain intensity (75%-100%), developing periods of pain freedom (2-7 days per week) and having a dramatic improvement in quality of life (close to 100% in all). The benefit was sustained for at least five years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: From our case series it appears that injection not only along the painful craniotomy scar but into the involved cranial suture lines provides positive efficacy and sustained improvement in patients with persistent post craniotomy headache.

Serotonin Syndrome After Prolonged Remifentanil and Propofol Infusion for Craniotomy: A Case Report.

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a life-threatening condition caused by serotonergic medications. We describe a unique case of SS likely caused by prolonged exposure to propofol and remifentanil alone. A young male presented for vestibular schwannoma resection. Several hours into the case, the patient demonstrated hyperthermia and hemodynamic instability, followed by clonus, rigidity, shivering, and tachycardia after emergence. SS was diagnosed using Hunter's criteria and improved with supportive measures. While the patient endorsed a history of methamphetamine use, his urine drug screen was negative. The possibility of SS should be considered when administering propofol and remifentanil, particularly with prolonged infusions.

Role of scalp nerve block in improving the quality of rehabilitation in patients after meningioma resection: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we analyzed whether scalp nerve block with ropivacaine can improve the quality of rehabilitation in patients after meningioma resection. METHODS: We included 150 patients who were undergoing craniotomy in our hospital and categorized them into 2 groups - observation group (patients received an additional regional scalp nerve block anesthesia) and control group (patients underwent intravenous general anesthesia for surgery), using the random number table method approach (75 patients in each group). The main indicator of the study was the Karnofsky Performance Scale scores of patients at 3 days postoperatively, and the secondary indicator was the anesthesia satisfaction scores of patients after awakening from anesthesia. The application value of different anesthesia modes was studied and compared in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients in the observation group showed better anesthesia effects than those in the control group, with significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Scale scores at 3 days postoperatively (75.02 vs 66.43, P < .05) and anesthesia satisfaction scores. Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the observation group had lower pain degrees at different times after the surgery, markedly lower dose of propofol and remifentanil for anesthesia, and lower incidence of adverse reactions and postoperative complications. In addition, the satisfaction score of the patients and their families for the treatment was higher and the results of all the indicators were better in the observation group than in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Scalp nerve block with ropivacaine significantly improves the quality of short-term postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing elective craniotomy for meningioma resection. This is presumably related to the improvements in intraoperative hemodynamics, relief from postoperative pain, and reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Orbital Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Dog Bite: A Case Report

A 4-year-old boy was referred to our tertiary hospital after a penetrating adnexal injury by a large-breed dog to the left orbital area. There was an increase in lacrimation, which was thought to be due to an inflammatory reaction. However, it was discovered that the lacrimation increased in the reverse-Trendelenburg position and with the Valsalva maneuver. Halo sign and beta transferrin test were positive, which led to the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, and the patient was operated using a supraorbital craniotomy. A dural tear was visualized and sutured appropriately, then fibrin glue and an autologous galeal graft were applied to the tear. The CSF oculorrhea stopped postoperatively, and the patient was discharged after 10 days of follow-up. The patient had no recurrent CSF leakage at 4-year follow-up. Although CSF oculorrhea is rare and may be difficult to discern from lacrimation, the presence of pneumocephalus and halo sign should suggest fistula repair.

Evaluation of Timing of Antimicrobial Surgical Prophylaxis on Rates of Surgical Site Infections.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections, and national guidelines recommend that antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) be administered 60 min prior to incision. However, there are limited data regarding the "most optimal" time for administration within the 60-min window. Patients and Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study of adult (≥18-year-old) patients that underwent an abdominal hysterectomy, colorectal surgery, or craniotomy and received AP within 60 min of incision. Incidence of SSI was compared between patients who received AP 0-30 versus 31-60 min of incision. In addition, a predefined subgroup analysis evaluated incidence of SSI for 15-min intervals within the 60-min timeframe. Results: Of the 277 patients included in the primary analysis, 233 (84.1%) and 44 (15.9%) received AP 0-30 min and 31-60 min prior to incision, respectively. SSIs were documented in 6.0% (14/233) versus 4.5% (2/44) of patients in the primary analysis (p = 0.703). In the secondary analysis, 137 (49.5%), 95 (34.3%), 34 (12.3%), and 11 (4.0%) patients received AP 0-15, 16-30, 31-45, and 46-60 min prior to incision, respectively. There was no difference in incidence of SSIs among the 15-min intervals (4.4% vs. 8.4% vs. 2.9% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.487). Of the 16 patients in this study that incurred a SSI, 5 patients had positive cultures, of which 3 contained bacteria that proved to be resistant to the antibiotic used for AP. Conclusions: The results of our analysis support current national guidelines. Future investigation of different intervals (e.g., AP 15-45 min prior to incision) may be beneficial on the basis of pharmacokinetics of routinely prescribed AP.

Quality of Life for Patients with Sporadic Small Vestibular Schwannomas Following Middle Fossa Craniotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality-of-life outcomes for patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS) undergoing a middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study from 2018 to 2023. SETTING: Tertiary academic institution. PATIENTS: Adults with sporadic VS. INTERVENTIONS: MCF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the change in preoperative and 1-year postoperative Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-life (PANQOL) scores. Secondary outcome measures included hearing preservation and facial nerve function. RESULTS: Of the 164 patients who underwent MCF for sporadic VS, 78 patients elected to voluntarily complete preoperative PANQOL assessments prior to surgery. Seventy-one (91%) of those 78 patients completed postoperative PANQOL surveys. Fifty (70%) of the respondents were female and the median age was 48 years (range, 27-71 years). Overall, at 1-year postsurgery, a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was obtained in the hearing (mean difference, 10.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3-16.7) and anxiety (mean difference, 18.8; 95% CI, 11.7-25.9) domains. For patients with hearing preservation (n = 48, 68%), MCIDs were reached in the hearing (mean difference, 13.4; 95% CI, 6.3-20.6), anxiety (mean difference, 20.8; 95% CI, 11.8-29.9), energy (mean difference, 13.7; 95% CI, 3.6-23.8), pain (mean difference, 13.7; 95% CI, 3.6-23.8) domains, and overall PANQOL scores (mean difference, 12.7; 95% CI, 7.1-18.3). Postoperatively, 64 (90%) patients maintained a House-Brackmann I. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest study examining disease-specific QOL for VS patients undergoing MCF. Based on our institution's experience, MCF approach for small VS is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in QOL, hearing preservation, and excellent facial nerve outcomes.

Implementation of perioperative blood glucose monitoring and insulin infusion protocol can decrease postoperative infection rate in diabetic patients undergoing elective craniotomy: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Severe perioperative hyperglycemia (SH) is a proven risk factor for postoperative complications after craniotomy. To reduce this risk, it has been proposed to implement the standardized clinical protocol for scheduled perioperative blood glucose concentration (BGC) monitoring. This would be followed by intravenous (IV) insulin infusion to keep BGC below 180 mg/dl in the perioperative period. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the impact of this type of protocol on the postoperative infection rate in patients undergoing elective craniotomy. METHODS: A total of 42 patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Protocol included scheduled BGC monitoring in the perioperative period and rapid-acting insulin IV infusion when intraoperative SH was detected. The diagnosis of infection (wound, pulmonary, blood stream, urinary tract infection or central nervous system infection) was established according to CDC criteria within the first postoperative week. A previously enrolled group of patients with sporadic BGC monitoring and subcutaneous insulin injections for SH management was used as a control group. RESULTS: An infectious complication (i.e., pneumonia) was diagnosed only in one patient (2 %) in the prospective group. In comparison with the control group, a decrease in the risk of postoperative infection was statistically significant with OR = 0.08 [0.009 - 0.72] (p = 0.02). Implementation of the perioperative BGC monitoring and the correction protocol prevented both severe hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia with BGC < 70 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Scheduled BGC monitoring and the use of low-dose insulin infusion protocol can decrease the postoperative infection rate in patients undergoing elective craniotomy. Future studies are needed to prove the causality of the implementation of such a protocol with an improved outcome.

Preoperative walking exercise to improve prognosis in patients with supratentorial brain tumours after craniotomy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary complications and cognitive impairment following craniotomy have a significantly impact on the general health of individuals with brain tumours. Observational research indicates that engaging in walking is linked to better prognosis in patient after surgery. This trial aims to explore whether walking exercise prior to craniotomy in brain tumour patients can reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications and preserve patients' cognitive function. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this randomised controlled trial, 160 participants with supratentorial brain tumours aged 18-65 years, with a preoperative waiting time of more than 3-4 weeks and without conditions that would interfere with the trial such as cognitive impairment, will be randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to either receive traditional treatment or additional combined with a period of 3-4 weeks of walking exercise of 10 000-15 000 steps per day. Wearable pedometer devices will be used to record step counts. The researchers will evaluate participants at enrolment, baseline, 14 days preoperatively, 3 days prior to surgery and 1 week after surgery or discharge (select which occurs first). The primary outcomes include the incidence of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and changes in cognitive function (gauged by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test). Secondary outcomes include the average length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, participant contentment, healthcare-associated costs and incidence of other postoperative surgery-related complications. We anticipate that short-term preoperative walking exercises will reduce the incidence of surgery-related complications in the short term after craniotomy, protect patients' cognitive function, aid patients' postoperative recovery and reduce the financial cost of treatment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by Ethics Committee of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (approval number: 202305117). The findings of the research will be shared via publications that have been reviewed by experts in the field and through presentations at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05930288.

Hemopatch® as a primary dural sealant in cranial neurosurgery: Technical note and a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness and safety of Hemopatch® as a primary dural sealant in preventing CSF leakage following cranial surgery. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks occur in cranial operations and are associated with significant patient burden and expense. The use of Hemopatch® as a dural sealant in cranial neurosurgical procedures is described and analyzed in this study. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from all patients who underwent a craniotomy for various neurosurgical indications where Hemopatch® was used as the primary dural sealant between June 2017 and June 2022. Infection and CSF leak were the main indicators evaluated after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 119 consecutive patients met our inclusion criteria. The median was age 41.5 years, and 52.5% were female. The mean follow-up period was 2.3 years (7 months to 6 years). There were 110 (92.44%) supratentorial and 9 (7.56%) infratentorial craniotomies. Postoperative CSF leak was reported in 2 patients (1.68%), one in each cohort. Postoperative infection occurred in one patient (0.84%). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that using Hemopatch® as a dural sealant in cranial surgery is effective and safe. After supra-/infratentorial craniotomies, the rate of postoperative adverse events in our sample was within the range of known surgical revision rates. Future randomized clinical studies are required to confirm our encouraging findings.

An update on tests used for intraoperative monitoring of cognition during awake craniotomy.

PURPOSE: Mapping higher-order cognitive functions during awake brain surgery is important for cognitive preservation which is related to postoperative quality of life. A systematic review from 2018 about neuropsychological tests used during awake craniotomy made clear that until 2017 language was most often monitored and that the other cognitive domains were underexposed (Ruis, J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 40(10):1081-1104, 218). The field of awake craniotomy and cognitive monitoring is however developing rapidly. The aim of the current review is therefore, to investigate whether there is a change in the field towards incorporation of new tests and more complete mapping of (higher-order) cognitive functions. METHODS: We replicated the systematic search of the study from 2018 in PubMed and Embase from February 2017 to November 2023, yielding 5130 potentially relevant articles. We used the artificial machine learning tool ASReview for screening and included 272 papers that gave a detailed description of the neuropsychological tests used during awake craniotomy. RESULTS: Comparable to the previous study of 2018, the majority of studies (90.4%) reported tests for assessing language functions (Ruis, J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 40(10):1081-1104, 218). Nevertheless, an increasing number of studies now also describe tests for monitoring visuospatial functions, social cognition, and executive functions. CONCLUSIONS: Language remains the most extensively tested cognitive domain. However, a broader range of tests are now implemented during awake craniotomy and there are (new developed) tests which received more attention. The rapid development in the field is reflected in the included studies in this review. Nevertheless, for some cognitive domains (e.g., executive functions and memory), there is still a need for developing tests that can be used during awake surgery.

Association between elevated preoperative red cell distribution width and mortality after brain tumor craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been recognized as a potential inflammatory biomarker, with elevated levels associated with adverse outcomes in various diseases. However, its role in predicting outcomes after brain tumor craniotomy remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether preoperative RDW influences mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed serum RDW levels in patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy at West China Hospital. RDW was evaluated in two forms: RDW-CV and RDW-SD, and was categorized into four quartiles for analysis by using logistic regression and multivariate analysis to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: The study encompassed 10,978 patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy. our analysis revealed no significant difference in 30-day mortality across various RDW-CV levels. However, we observed a dose-response relationship with preoperative RDW-CV levels in assessing long-term mortality risks. Specifically, patients with RDW-CV levels of 12.6-13.2% (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.18), 13.2-13.9% (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.26), and > 13.9% (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18-1.51) exhibited a significantly higher hazard of long-term mortality compared to those with RDW-CV < 12.6%. When preoperative RDW-CV was analyzed as a continuous variable, for each 10% increase in RDW-CV, the adjusted OR of long-term mortality was 1.09 (95% CI 1.05-1.13). we also observed significant associations between preoperative higher RDW-CV levels and certain postoperative complications including acute kidney injury (OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.10-1.94), pneumonia infection (OR 1.19 95% CI: 1.05-1.36), myocardial infarction (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.66), readmission (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30), and a prolonged length of hospital stay (OR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21). For RDW-SD levels, there was no significant correlation for short-term mortality, long-term mortality, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed elevated preoperative RDW-CV is significantly associated with increased long-term mortality and multiple postoperative complications, but no such association is observed with RDW-SD. These findings show the prognostic importance of RDW-CV, reinforcing its potential as a valuable tool for risk stratification in the preoperative evaluation of brain tumor craniotomy patients.

Incidence, Severity, and Risk Factors of Hemorrhagic Complications of Epilepsy Surgery After 2026 Craniotomies from 2003 to 2019: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is effective in the treatment of epilepsy, particularly focal epilepsy. The aim of this work was to report the incidence and grade of severity of hemorrhagic complications after cranial epilepsy surgery, and investigate the risk factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent epilepsy surgery via craniotomy between October 2003 and April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of hemorrhagic complications occurring in a 3-month period after cranial surgery was recorded. Other outcomes included the grade of hemorrhagic severity and risk factors. RESULTS: During the inclusion period, 2026 surgical procedures were performed. Sixty-six hemorrhagic complications were recorded. The total incidence of hemorrhagic complications after cranial epilepsy surgery was 3.3%. The most common type of hemorrhagic complications was epidural hemorrhage (57.6%), followed by intraparenchymal hemorrhage (33.3%). Forty-five patients (68.2%) had grade I complications, 4 (6.1%) grade II, 16 (24.2%) grade III, and 1 (1.5%) grade IV. The mortality due to hemorrhagic complications was 1.5% (1 of 66) and hemorrhagic mortality among all cranial surgery was 0.05% (1 of 2026). Left craniotomy induced a higher percentage of severe hemorrhage than the right (34.2% vs. 14.3%). Extratemporal lobe epilepsy induced a higher percentage of severe hemorrhage than other epilepsy type (34.2% vs. 14.3%). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between these two factors (P = 0.067). CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic complications were uncommon after open surgery for epilepsy. Most hemorrhagic complications were mild while the severe were rare. Patients with hemorrhagic complications had a good prognosis after effective treatment.

Association of persistent postoperative hyperglycemia with mortality after elective craniotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of persistent postoperative hyperglycemia after craniotomy has not yet been explored. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that persistent postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with mortality in patients undergoing an elective craniotomy. METHODS: This study included adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing an elective craniotomy between January 2011 and March 2021 at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Peak daily blood glucose values measured within the first 7 days after craniotomy were collected. Persistent hyperglycemia was defined by two or more consecutive serum glucose levels of mild, moderate, or severe hyperglycemia. Normoglycemia, mild hyperglycemia, moderate hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia were defined as glucose values of ≤ 6.1 mmol/L, > 6.1 and ≤ 7.8 mmol/L, > 7.8 and ≤ 10.0 mmol/L, and > 10.0 mmol/L, respectively. RESULTS: This study included 14,907 patients undergoing an elective craniotomy. In the multivariable analysis, both moderate (adjusted OR 3.76, 95% CI 2.68-5.27) and severe (adjusted OR 3.82, 95% CI 2.54-5.76) persistent hyperglycemia in patients were associated with higher 30-day mortality compared with normoglycemia. However, this association was not observed in patients with mild hyperglycemia (adjusted OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.93-1.88). Interestingly, this association was observed regardless of whether patients had preoperative hyperglycemia. There was no interaction between moderate or severe hyperglycemia and preexisting diabetes (p for interaction = 0.65). When postoperative peak blood glucose values within the first 7 days after craniotomy were evaluated as a continuous variable, for each 1-mmol/L increase in blood glucose, the adjusted OR of 30-day mortality was 1.17 (95% CI 1.14-1.21). Postoperative blood glucose (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.78) was superior to preoperative blood glucose (AUC = 0.65; p < 0.001) for predicting mortality. Moderate and severe persistent hyperglycemia in patients were associated with an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (adjusted OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.31-4.42), pneumonia (adjusted OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.40-3.21), myocardial infarction (adjusted OR 4.38, 95% CI 3.41-5.61), and prolonged hospital stays (adjusted OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29-1.59). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing an elective craniotomy, moderate and severe persistent postoperative hyperglycemia were associated with an increased risk of mortality compared with normoglycemia, regardless of preoperative hyperglycemia.

Cranioplasty is not required in the reconstruction of small combined scalp and calvarial defects.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of scalp malignancies may include the need for craniectomy. The decision to perform cranioplasty is not straightforward and is frequently subjective. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes after reconstruction of complex scalp and calvarial defects by comparing patients with and without cranioplasty. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical records of a consecutive series of patients who underwent scalp soft tissue reconstruction after craniectomy for malignancy or osteoradionecrosis between 2014 and 2022 at Royal Melbourne Hospital was conducted. Demographics, previous treatments, surgical details, and post-operative complications were assessed. Traumatic injuries and decompressive craniectomies were excluded. Minimum follow-up of 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. Indications for surgery included skin malignancies, osteoradionecrosis, or both. There was one reconstructive failure (in the non-cranioplasty group). Infection and metalware exposure were common complications in patients who underwent cranioplasty (38.5%). No patient developed neurological symptoms subsequent to craniectomy. One patient needed revision surgery due to esthetic reasons (cranioplasty group). Transposition flaps were associated with more complications and revision procedures. CONCLUSION: Combined scalp and calvarial defects pose a difficult reconstructive challenge. Stable soft tissue coverage is more reliably achieved with free flap reconstruction. Cranioplasty is not always mandatory and should be reserved for cases with a very large bony defect or when the defect is located in a cosmetically sensitive area.

Clinical outcomes and complications of eyelid versus eyebrow approaches to supraorbital craniotomy: systematic review and indirect meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Eyebrow supraorbital craniotomy is a versatile keyhole technique for treating intracranial pathologies. The eyelid supraorbital approach, an alternative approach to an eyebrow supraorbital craniotomy, has not been widely adopted among most neurosurgeons. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to perform a pooled analysis of the complications of eyebrow or eyelid approaches for the treatment of aneurysms, meningiomas, and orbital tumors. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Review databases was conducted for identifying relevant literature using keywords such as "supraorbital," "eyelid," "eyebrow," "tumor," and "aneurysm." Eyebrow supraorbital craniotomies with or without orbitotomies and eyelid supraorbital craniotomies with orbitotomies for the treatment of orbital tumors, intracranial meningiomas, and aneurysms were selected. The primary outcomes were overall complications, cosmetic complications, and residual aneurysms and tumors. Secondary outcomes included five complication domains: orbital, wound-related, scalp or facial, neurological, and other complications. RESULTS: One hundred three articles were included in the synthesis. The pooled numbers of patients in the eyebrow and eyelid groups were 4689 and 358, respectively. No differences were found in overall complications or cosmetic complications between the eyebrow and eyelid groups. The proportion of residuals in the eyelid group (11.21%, effect size [ES] 0.26, 95% CI 0.12-0.41) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the eyebrow group (6.17%, ES 0.10, 95% CI 0.08-0.13). A subgroup analysis demonstrated significantly higher incidences of orbital, wound-related, and scalp or facial complications in the eyelid group (p < 0.05), but higher other complications in the eyebrow group. Performing an orbitotomy substantially increased the complication risk. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first meta-analysis that quantitatively compared complications of eyebrow versus eyelid approaches to supraorbital craniotomy. This study found similar overall complication rates but higher rates of selected complication domains in the eyelid group. The literature is limited by a high degree of variability in the reported outcomes.

A Review of the Current Management of Intracranial Infections of Neurosurgical Importance.

Surgically treated intracranial infections are among the common disease entities seen in neurosurgical practice. Several microbiological agents such as bacteria and fungi have been identified as responsible for intracranial infection. It affects all age groups, though microbial agents and risk factors vary with age. Presentation is non-specific and it requires a high index of suspicion, especially with a background febrile illness such as in the setting of poorly-treated meningitis and immunosuppressive conditions such as retroviral illness. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the diagnostic tool of choice; it helps to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other ring-enhancing lesions such as glioblastoma and metastatic brain tumours. Treatment involves medical and/or surgical treatment with clear indications. Surgical treatment includes the drainage of abscess via a twist drill or burrhole craniostomy, and craniotomy for recurrent cases. The advances recorded in the evolution of antibiotics and neuroimaging have helped to improve the outcomes of these patients with intracranial infection.

Les infections intracrâniennes traitées chirurgicalement font partie des entités pathologiques courantes rencontrées en pratique neurochirurgicale. Plusieurs agents microbiologiques tels que les bactéries et les champignons ont été identifiés comme responsables des infections intracrâniennes. Cela affecte tous les groupes d'âge, bien que les agents microbiens et les facteurs de risque varient avec l'âge. La présentation est non spécifique et nécessite un haut degré de suspicion, surtout en présence d'une maladie fébrile sous-jacente, comme dans le cas d'une méningite mal traitée et de conditions immunosuppressives telles que l'infection rétrovirale. L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) avec contraste est l'outil diagnostique de choix ; elle aide à confirmer le diagnostic et à exclure d'autres lésions à rehaussement annulaire telles que le glioblastome et les tumeurs cérébrales métastatiques. Le traitement implique un traitement médical et/ou chirurgical avec des indications claires. Le traitement chirurgical comprend le drainage de l'abcès par une trépanation ou une craniostomie à trou de trepan, et la craniotomie pour les cas récurrents. Les progrès enregistrés dans l'évolution des antibiotiques et de la neuro-imagerie ont contribué à améliorer les résultats de ces patients atteints d'infections intracrâniennes. MOTS-CLÉS: intracrânien, infection, abcès, antibiotiques, chirurgie.

Effect of different positive end expiratory pressure levels on optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with or without midline shift who are undergoing supratentorial craniotomy.

PURPOSE: In general, high levels of PEEP application is avoided in patients undergoing craniotomy to prevent a rise in ICP. But that approach would increase the risk of secondary brain injury especially in hypoxemic patients. Because the optic nerve sheath is distensible, a rise in ICP is associated with an increase in the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). The cutoff value for elevated ICP assessed by ONSD is between 5.6 and 6.3 mm. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different PEEP levels on ONSD and compare the effect of different PEEP levels in patients with and without intracranial midline shift. METHODS: This prospective observational study was performed in aged 18-70 years, ASA I-III, 80 patients who were undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. After the induction of general anesthesia, the ONSD's were measured by the linear transducer from 3 mm below the globe at PEEP values of 0-5-10 cmH2O. The ONSD were compered between patients with (n = 7) and without midline shift (n = 73) at different PEEP values. RESULTS: The increases in ONSD due to increase in PEEP level were determined (p < 0.001). No difference was found in the comparison of ONSD between patients with and without midline shift in different PEEP values (p = 0.329, 0.535, 0.410 respectively). But application of 10 cmH2O PEEP in patients with a midline shift increased the mean ONSD value to 5.73 mm. This value is roughly 0.1 mm higher than the lower limit of the ONSD cutoff value. CONCLUSIONS: The ONSD in adults undergoing supratentorial tumor craniotomy, PEEP values up to 5 cmH2O, appears not to be associated with an ICP increase; however, the ONSD exceeded the cutoff for increased ICP when a PEEP of 10 cmH2O was applied in patients with midline shift.