The utility of selective partial neurectomy of the musculocutaneous nerve in children with bilateral spastic elbow.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the utility of selective partial neurectomy of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) in pediatric patients with bilateral spastic elbow. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional, case series study was performed in nine pediatric patients (four females and five males) with bilateral spastic elbow, all with a 11.4-year-old average age, where 18 selective partial neurectomies of the MCN were carried out. They were evaluated with goniometry of both spastic elbows at resting position and active amplitude, and staging spasticity employing the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in the preoperative and postoperative period. The results are reported 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The etiology of the spasticity was secondary to cerebral palsy in eight patients (88.8%) and in one patient (11.11%) secondary to traumatic brain injury. A clinical improvement was observed in goniometry comparing the preoperative and postoperative resting position, a mean preoperative of 44.38 degrees (SD ± 7.61) versus 98.05 degrees (SD ± 24.44), respectively, and preoperative active amplitude a mean of 86.55 degrees (SD ± 15.97) versus the mean postoperative of 47.33 (SD ± 17.86). A relevant decrease on the MAS after surgical intervention was observed, resulting from an average preoperative state according to MAS of 3.78 (SD ± 0.42) to a postoperative state according to MAS of 1.44 (SD ± 0.51), these changes being statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). No postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Selective partial neurectomy of the MCN has shown good results in patients with bilateral spastic elbow in whom antispastic drugs and physical therapy have failed, and has prove permanent effects.

Cerebral aneurysms in pediatrics: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral aneurysms in pediatrics represent < 4% of the total of this condition, and their rupture represents 10-23% mortality. Aneurysms have been associated with infections, head injuries, sickle cell anemia, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and connective tissue diseases. Their clinical presentation includes severe headache, seizures, motor-sensory deficits, and death due to subarachnoid and intraparenchymal hemorrhage. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 12-year-old female patient who presented with a sudden intense headache; after 72 hours, generalized tonic-clonic seizures were observed. At the hospital, she was stabilized with antiepileptic drugs and analgesics. A simple head computed tomography scan showed intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study was complemented with a cerebral angiotomography, which revealed an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery. The pediatric neurosurgeon evaluated the case, and management in the pediatric intensive care unit was decided. Two weeks after the stroke, the aneurysm was clipped and excluded. The patient developed adequate clinical evolution and resolution of initial symptoms, resuming her daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric cerebral aneurysms differ from their adult counterparts, mainly in their etiology and evolution. In addition, pediatric patients have a longer life expectancy. Aneurysm clipping and neurological endovascular therapy have shown similar results.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los aneurismas cerebrales en pediatría representan menos del 4% del total de estos padecimientos, aunque su rotura tiene una mortalidad del 10-23%. Se han asociado con infecciones, traumatismos craneoencefálicos, anemia de células falciformes, enfermedades cardiovasculares, enfermedades autoinmunitarias, inmunodeficiencias y enfermedades del tejido conectivo. Su presentación clínica se manifiesta con cefalea intensa, crisis convulsivas, déficit motor-sensitivo y muerte debida a la hemorragia subaracnoidea e intraparenquimatosa. CASO CLÍNICO: Se describe el caso de una paciente de 12 años que presentó cefalea súbita intensa; a las 72 horas se agregaron crisis convulsivas tónico-clónicas generalizadas. En el hospital se estabilizó con fármacos antiepilépticos y analgésicos. Se le realizó una tomografía de cráneo simple que evidenció hemorragia intraparenquimatosa en el lóbulo frontal derecho y hemorragia subaracnoidea. El estudio se complementó con una angiotomografía cerebral, la cual reveló un aneurisma de la arteria comunicante anterior. Fue valorada por el neurocirujano pediatra y se decidió su manejo en la unidad de terapia intensiva pediátrica. A las 2 semanas de iniciado el evento se realizó clipaje y exclusión del aneurisma. La paciente tuvo una adecuada evolución clínica y resolución de los síntomas iniciales, retomando sus actividades de la vida diaria. CONCLUSIONES: Los aneurismas cerebrales en pediatría difieren de su contraparte en los adultos, principalmente en su etiología y evolución, ya que los pacientes pediátricos tienen mayor expectativa de vida. El clipaje del aneurisma y la terapia endovascular neurológica han mostrado resultados similares.

Phrenic nerve neurotization utilizing half of the spinal accessory nerve to the functional restoration of the paralyzed diaphragm in high spinal cord injury secondary to brain tumor resection.

The authors present a case of functional improvement of diaphragmatic paralysis in high spinal cord injury, performing a neurotization of the phrenic nerve with accessory spinal nerve hemisection. A C1-C2 injury of the spinal cord was diagnosed in a 12-year-old male, secondary to resection of a brainstem glioma. The patient did not have diaphragmatic motility at the moment that the mechanical ventilation was removed; however, he presented apnea. The patient underwent neurotization of the right phrenic nerve with the right spinal accessory nerve, 5 months after the injury and 6 months after nerve transfer; he had complete mobilization of the right hemidiaphragm, nevertheless persisted with paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm. This achievement reduced the use of mechanical ventilation during the day.