Management of Complex Cerebral Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Complex intracranial aneurysms (CIAs) are challenging pathologies to treat. Characteristics making an aneurysm complex include dimension, history of previous treatment, location, absence of collateral circulation, intraluminal thrombosis, and calcification of the wall. The goal of the therapeutic process is to exclude the malformation from the cerebral circulation and both endovascular and surgical treatments are valid procedures. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2020, 170 CIAs were treated at our institution (33 ruptured, 137 unruptured). They were 3 prepetrous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA), 14 purely intracavernous sinus, 27 intracavernous with subarachnoid extension, 60 paraclinoid, 4 ICA bifurcation, 15 anterior communicating artery, 24 middle cerebral artery, and 23 in the posterior circulation. All the patients underwent neuroradiologic examinations and images were evaluated by the neurosurgical and interventional radiologist team. Endovascular treatment was considered as the treatment of choice. Alternative treatment was surgical clipping; revascularization procedures were performed when neither endovascular treatment nor direct clipping were possible. RESULTS: Of 170 patients, 45 underwent endovascular treatment, 77 surgical clipping, and 55 revascularization procedures. In the unruptured group, 12 patients died, 22 reported major complications, 3 had minor complications, and 101 had an uneventful postoperative course. In the ruptured group, 9 patients died, 10 had minor complications, 1 minor complication, and 13 had a complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment should represent the treatment of choice for CIAs. Alternative treatments include direct surgical clipping and revascularization. Overall, the correct identification of the therapeutic process guarantees a good clinical outcome.

Intracranial capillary hemangiomas: literature review in pediatric and adult population.

Capillary hemangiomas (CHs) of the central nervous system represent a rare diagnosed pathology. CHs are benign vascular tumors whose most common manifestations are dermal and mucous and mainly occur during childhood or adolescence, while the involvement of the central nervous system can occur in a wider age range. We conducted a PubMed research on literature published until March 2020. We only enrolled cases with histological documented presence of intracranial CH. For every case collected, we analyzed age, sex, localization, neuroimaging studies performed, the presence of extracranial CHs, symptoms, neurological deficits, extent of surgical resection (biopsy, partial or gross total), adjunct treatment received (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, Trans-Arterial Embolization TAE), and outcome. Up to March 2020, the literature review identified 52 cases to which we added the case of our personal experience. The mean age was 26 with slightly female prevalence (28 F, 25 M). The most common presenting symptom was headache (21 cases, 40%). The surgical treatment consisted of biopsy in 7 cases (13%), partial resection in 10 cases (19%), gross total resection in 31 cases (58.5%), biopsy followed by total resection in 2 cases (3%), and partial resection followed by total resection in 1 case (1.5%), and the diagnosis was obtained from an autopsy sample in 1 case (1.5%). For symptomatic lesions, surgery is a valid option to obtain histological characterization, neurological improvement, and where possible a total resection. Stereotactic radiotherapy can be used if the lesion is not surgically approachable or as an adjuvant treatment in case of partial resection, having shown good results in terms of long-term disease control.

Posttraumatic synchronous double acute epidural hematomas: Two craniotomies, single skin incision.

BACKGROUND: Double epidural hematomas (EDHs) have a higher mortality rate compared to single EDHs and same Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), although double EDHs incidence is less common. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 34-year-old female who underwent single skin incision and frontotemporal and suboccipital craniotomies for fatal traumatic double acute EDHs, then, a literature review was performed. CONCLUSION: Double EDHs in association with low GCS at presentation and traumatic diastasis of cranial sutures or other maxillofacial injuries are associated to an unfavorable outcome.

Traumatic Sacral Fractures: Navigation Technique in Instrumented Stabilization.

BACKGROUND: Sacral fractures are a challenge regarding treatment and classification. Surgical techniques using spinal navigation systems can improve treatment, especially if used in collaboration among different specialists. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2017, we treated 25 consecutive cases of sacral fracture. Twelve patients (48%) underwent mechanical ventilation due to hypovolemic shock for severe thoracoabdominal trauma; bleeding was blocked with pelvic packing in 9 cases (36%) and transcatheter embolization in 2 cases (8%). External fixation was used in 7 cases (28%). In 20 cases (80%) spinal fractures were associated. All patients were operated on using spinal navigation by a team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: The mean time from first observation to surgery was 18 days (range 8-31). Surgical treatment consisted of iliosacral fixation in 19 cases (76%) and spinopelvic fixation in 6 cases (24%). The mean number of screws for spinopelvic fixation was 9.67 (range 6-17) with a mean operation time of 323.67 minutes (range 247-471); in iliosacral osteosynthesis the mean screw number was 1.37 (range 1-3) and mean surgical time was 78.93 minutes (range 61-130). Postoperative computed tomography showed the correct screw placement. Wound infection occurred in 2 cases (8%), managed with vacuum-assisted closure therapy; in 1 case (4%) a sacral screw was removed for decubitus. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation systems in instrumented spinopelvic and sacropelvic reconstruction provide greater safety, reducing learning times and malpositioning. Multidisciplinary management allows us to achieve optimal results, especially when the sacral fracture is combined with spinal and pelvic lesions. The use of navigation systems could represent an important advancement.

Development of a delayed acute epidural hematoma following contralateral epidural hematoma evacuation: case report and review of literature.

The formation of a post-traumatic delayed epidural hematoma (DEDH) is a rare but well-described complication in the literature. It is defined as an extradural bleeding not evident at the first computed tomography (CT) scan performed after trauma, but evidenced by further radiological evaluations. The most supported hypothesis about the mechanism responsible for the formation of a DEDH concerns above all the loss of a tamponade effect given by the reduction of intracranial pressure with medical or surgical treatment. A 30-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with an epidural hematoma (EDH) associated with a linear calvarial bitemporal coronal fracture. A few hours after the surgical procedure for hematoma evacuation, the patient developed a DEDH contralateral to the site of surgical procedure. The literature review identified other 27 analogue cases. The presence of a calvarial fracture contralateral to the site of a craniotomy and the intraoperative brain swelling during EDH removal are suspicious for the development of DEDH. A CT scan has to be urgently performed in this situation. The timing of postoperative radiological examinations after EDH removal has to consider possible complications and has to be balanced on the basis of patient's clinical condition and neuroradiological data, such as skull fractures or intraoperative anomalies. The development of a DEDH after the surgical removal of an EDH is a rare event, characterized by a high mortality rate. DEDH develops preferentially on the contralateral side and with a concomitant skull fracture.

Thoraco-lumbar fractures with blunt traumatic aortic injury in adult patients: correlations and management.

PURPOSE: Traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine fracture spine with a concomitant blunt aortic injury is uncommon but potentially a fatal association. Our aim was to clarify: morphology of spinal fractures related to vascular damages and vice versa, diagnostic procedures and decision-making process for the best treatment options for spine and vessels. METHODS: We enrolled 42 cases culled from the literature and five personal ones, reviewing in detail by AO Spine Classification, Society of Vascular Surgery classification and Abbreviated Injury Scale for neurological evaluation. RESULTS: Most fractures were at T11-L2 (29 cases; 62%) and type C (17; 70%). 17 (38%) were neurological. Most common vascular damage was the rupture (20; 43%), followed by intimal tear (13; 28%) and pseudoaneurysm (9; 19%). Vascular injury often required open or endovascular repair before spinal fixation. Distraction developed aortic intimal damage until rupture, while flexion-distraction lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm and rotation-torsion full laceration of collateral branches. CT and angio-CT were investigations of choice, followed by angiography. Neurological condition remained unchanged in 28 cases (90%). Overall mortality was 30%, but it was higher in AIS A. CONCLUSION: Relationship between thoraco-lumbar fracture and vascular lesion is rare, but potentially fatal. Comprehension of spinal biomechanics and vascular damages could be crucial to avoid poor results or decrease mortality. Frequently, traction of the aorta and its vessels is realized by C-dislocated fractures. CT and angio-CT are recommended. Spine stabilization should always follow the vascular repair. Early severe deficits worse the prognosis related to neurological recovery and survival. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Post traumatic dural sinus thrombosis following epidural hematoma: Literature review and case report.

Dural sinus thrombosis following a head trauma is a rare condition, described in literature along with the lack of consensus regarding diagnosis and management. We present a case of a fifty-year-old man with a head injury and combined supratentorial-subtentorial epidural hematoma who was treated conservatively through the administration of low molecular weight heparin. The diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed based on a literature review. The early diagnosis may prevent potentially treatable poor outcomes.

Spinal epidural hematomas: personal experience and literature review of more than 1000 cases.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to identify factors that contribute to the formation of acute spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) by correlating etiology, age, site, clinical status, and treatment with immediate results and long-term outcomes. METHODS The authors reviewed their series of 15 patients who had been treated for SEH between 1996 and 2012. In addition, the authors reviewed the relevant international literature from 1869 (when SEH was first described) to 2012, collecting a total of 1010 cases. Statistical analysis was performed in 959 (95%) cases that were considered valid for assessing the incidence of age, sex, site, and clinical status at admission, correlating each of these parameters with the treatment results. Statistical analysis was also performed in 720 (71.3%) cases to study the incidence of etiological factors that favor SEH formation: coagulopathy, trauma, spinal puncture, pregnancy, and multifactorial disorders. The clinical status at admission and long-term outcome were studied for each group. Clinical status was assessed using the Neuro-Grade (NG) scale. RESULTS The mean patient age was 47.97 years (range 0-91 years), and a significant proportion of patients were male (60%, p < 0.001). A bimodal distribution has been reported for age at onset with peaks in the 2nd and 6th decades of life. The cause of the SEH was not reported in 42% of cases. The etiology concerned mainly iatrogenic factors (18%), such as coagulopathy or spinal puncture, rather than noniatrogenic factors (29%), such as genetic or metabolic coagulopathy, trauma, and pregnancy. The etiology was multifactorial in 11.1% of cases. The most common sites for SEH were C-6 (n = 293, 31%) and T-12 (n = 208, 22%), with maximum extension of 6 vertebral bodies in 720 cases (75%). At admission, 806 (84%) cases had moderate neurological impairment (NG 2 or 3), and only lumbar hematoma was associated with a good initial clinical neurological status (NG 0 or 1). Surgery was performed in 767 (80%) cases. Mortality was greater in patients older than 40 years of age (9%; p < 0.01). Sex did not influence any of these data (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Factors that contribute to the formation of acute SEH are iatrogenic, not iatrogenic, or multifactorial. The treatment of choice is surgery, and the results of treatment are influenced by the patient's clinical and neurological status at admission, age, and the craniocaudal site.

Cervical Posttraumatic Unilateral Locked Facets: Clinical, Radiologic, and Surgical Remarks on a Series of 33 Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Radiographic and clinical analysis. OBJECTIVE: Review author's experience with anterior discectomy, interbody fusion, and anterior cervical plating in 33 patients with posttraumatic unilateral cervical locked facets. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Unilateral cervical locked facet syndrome is a relatively uncommon injury that often is misdiagnosed and therefore subject to a dangerous delay in surgery. Management of this trauma is controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with radiologically proven diagnosis of postraumatic unilateral cervical locked facets were treated by skull traction and surgical operation from January 2005 to December 2009. All patients preoperatively were assessed for neurological examination and underwent x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography evaluation of the cervical spine. RESULTS: The unilateral locked facet level was C4-C5 in 13 patients, C5-C6 in 10, C6-C7 in 8, and C3-C4 in 2 patients. After closed reduction attempt with Crutchfield system, the correct alignment was achieved in 30 patients, who underwent anterior discectomy with cage, interbody fusion, and anterior cervical plating. In 3 patients there was an overdistraction and therefore a closed reduction was not possible, so they were firstly operated by posterior approach with opened reduction of the facets, lateral mass screws, and posterolateral fusion. In 2 of these patients there was an anterior fragment of the disk in the canal, so was also performed an anterior approach with discectomy, cage, and plating. There were no surgery-related complications. Postoperative neurological status was unchanged in the 3 patients with tetraplegia and improved in 8 of the 10 patients with radiculopathy. Fusion was obtained in all patients, as showed in the clinical and radiologic follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that an anterior approach provides a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with posttraumatic unilateral cervical locked facet, when preoperatively the cervical alignment of the dislocation is achieved with a closed reduction.