Meningitis caused by Enterococcus gallinarum after lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.

We report a rare case of meningitis caused by Enterococcus gallinarum, a bacterium characterized by its ability to express low-level resistance to vancomycin. As in the three other previously reported cases, this one occurred in a patient with a cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheter and properly responded to antimicrobial therapy and removal of the drain.

[Surgical management of posterior communicating artery aneurysms based on computed tomographic angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction and without preoperative angiography]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de los aneurismas de la arteria comunicante posterior basado en el estudio de angio-tac con reconstrucción tridimensional y sin angiografía preoperatoria.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (CT-3D-angiography) in the microsurgical management of aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery (PComA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 27 patients with aneurysms of the PComA diagnosed by means of CT-3D-angiography and without preoperative angiography (group A) were compared with a series of 34 cases diagnosed by cerebral angiography. The findings of the CT-3D-angiography, angiography, microsurgical exploration and clinical data were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 75 aneurysms were diagnosed preoperatively in 66 patients and 3 additional lesions were found postoperatively in group A. The sensitivity of the CT-3D-angiography was 91.7% for diagnosis of any aneurysm with an specifity of 100%, being the snsibility of angiography a 100% and its specifity 94.9%. Mortality rate was 4.5% without differences between groups regarding clinical results or complications. Both the preoperative timing and hospitalization time were shorter in group A. CONCLUSION: The study of patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage with CT-3D-angiography allows a reliable diagnosis of PComA aneurysms. Moreover, provides usefull information for the microsurgical clipping. When compared with angiography in the diagnosis of PComA aneurysms, CT-3D-angiography allows to improve some health indicators with similar clinical results and complications.

[Surgical management of anterior communicating artery aneurysms based on computed tomographic angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction and without preoperative angiography]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de los aneurismas de la arteria comunicante anterior basado en el estudio de angio-TAC eon reconstrucción tridimensional y sin angiografía preoperatoria.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the usefulness of threedimensional computed tomographic angiography (CT- 3D-angiography) in the microsurgical management of aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (AComA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 consecutive patients with ruptured aneurysms of the AComA diagnosed by means of CT-3D-angiography and without preoperative angiography were operated on. The findings of the CT-3D-angiography, microsurgical exploration and clínical data were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no false positive findings nor false negative findings in the diagnosis of the AComA aneurysms. The global sensibility of the examination was 87.9%. The CT-3D-angiography study shows a left A1 segment dominance in 53.6% of cases, a right A1 dominance in 14.3% of cases and both A1 segments of the same diameter in 32.1%. Aneurysms growing on the traject of the AComA were associated with both A1 segments of the similar diameter and an AComA traject pararell to the transverse plane. Aneurysms implanted on the A1-A2 junction were associated with a dominant homolateral A1 segment and an oblique AComA traject. Microsurgical management of the lesions was done a mean of 3.7 days after bleeding. CONCLUSION: The study of patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage with CT-3D-angiography allows a reliable diagnosis of AComA aneurysms. The examination gives some anatomical data that allow the study of the hemodinamic changes involved in the development of the aneurysms. Moreover, provides usefull information for the microsurgical clipping. CT-3D-angiography allows to improve some health indicators but its impact in the final result of the patients needs more clinical data.

[Prognosis value of p53 gene and cellular proliferation factors in malignant supratentorial gliomas]. / Significación pronóstica de los factores de proliferación celular y del gen p53 en gliomas malignos supratentoriales del adulto.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to investigate prognosis value of p53 oncosuppresor gene and labeling index by MIB-1 and PCNA monoclonal antibodies in malignant gliomas. METHODS AND RESULTS: We operated 60 patient with malignant glioma between July 1994 and August 1998. Forty-five cases had the histopathological diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme and fifteen cases of anaplastic astrocytoma or olygoastrocytoma. Initially we compare MIB-1/PCNA labeling index in eighteen cases. Patients < 40 years old, short period of symptoms preoperatively, only one cerebral lobe localization, total surgical exeresis, Karnofsky index > 70 postoperatively, low labeling index (MIB < 8.6%), forward radiotherapy treatment and surgical re-operation, were identified like favourable outcome factors in the uninvariable analysis. However to the multivariable analysis, only had outcome significance: patients < 40 years old, low labeling index, Karnofsky index > 70 postoperatively and surgical reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results of current analysis, moreover classical factors associated with better outcome, low labeling index to Glioblastoma Multiforme have been noted in patients with longer survival, and must be included to conventional histopathological studies.

Leverage method in displaced fractures of the radial neck in children.

Displaced radial neck fractures in children usually are treated by open reduction, which introduces additional trauma. Furthermore, the results are not always excellent. In two series of radial neck fractures in children (Types II and III of O'Brien classification), ten were treated surgically (Group I) and 12 were treated by percutaneous leverage method with a Kirschner wire immediately removed after the reduction (Group II). The overall results in Group 2 were better than in Group I. Surgical reduction should be reserved for failed reductions by percutaneous leverage method.