Outcome of radiosurgery treatment with a linear accelerator in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. / Resultados de la aplicación de radiocirugía con acelerador lineal en pacientes con neuralgia del trigémino.

INTRODUCTION: An overview of the effectiveness of radiosurgery in patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia with an analysis of potential predictors of good outcome. METHODS: All patients treated with linear accelerator radiosurgery between 2004 and 2011 were analysed. A dose of 60Gy dose was administered 1 to 2mm from the root entry zone with a maximum isodose of 20% delivered to the brainstem. Clinical results for pain control and any side effects were analysed at 12 and 36 months (BNI score). RESULTS: The study included 71 patients (mean follow-up 50.5 months). Pain improvement at 12 months was observed in 68.11% of the total (28.98% with BNI score i-ii; 39.12% with BNI score iii) and at 36 months in 58.21% (23.88% BNI score i-ii; 34.32% BNI score iii). Average recovery time was 3.69 months and the relapse rate was 44.68%. Patients with typical pain displayed statistically significant differences in improvement rates at 12 and at 36 months (P<047 and P<.002). Onset of improvement was analysed using Kaplan-Meyer plots. Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with typical and atypical pain at 36 months (P<.012) in Kaplan-Meyer plots. Side effects were recorded in 15 patients (20.89%), including 9 cases of facial numbness (13.43%); only 2 cases were clinically relevant (2.98%). CONCLUSION: According to our results, radiosurgery is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, with few side effects. Typical pain seems to be a good predictor of pain relief.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea y embarazo / Subarachnoid hemorrhage and pregnancy

La incidencia de hemorragia subaracnoidea (HSA) parece aumentar durante el embarazo y origina un amplio grupo de problemas a resolver tales como la realización de pruebas de imagen con protección radiológica, la viabilidad del feto, la finalización del parto, el manejo neuroanestésico, los fármacos a utilizar y la decisión de intervención neuroquirúrgica. El diagnóstico y el tratamiento precoz de la HSA es fundamental para obtener buenos resultados tanto para la madre como para el feto y evitar complicaciones. Se exponen 3 casos de hemorragia intracraneal de aparición espontánea durante el embarazo que se registraron en el Hospital Virgen de las Nieves de Granada durante los años 2008-2010 (AU)

The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage increases during pregnancy and involvesa wide range of activities and issues such as the performance of imaging tests with radiological protection, assessment of fetal viability, termination of pregnancy, the patient’s anesthetic management, the drugs to be used, and neurosurgical intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment of this event are essential to obtain favorable outcomes for the mother and fetus and to avoid complications. We describe three cases of intracranial hemorrhage with spontaneous onset during pregnancy registered at the Virgen de las Nieves’ Hospital between 2008 and 2010 and provide a review of the topic (AU)

Spinal cord astrocytoma: multidisciplinary experience

BACKGROUND: Astrocytomas of the spinal cord have rarely been reported. We examined our experience, treatment and outcome of patients treated during the last four years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts from patients treated for this neoplasm in a multidisciplinary team of Granada, Spain. The information was retrospectively obtained from the patients' hospital records. The patients were evaluated with clinical history, physical exam, spinal magnetic resonance (MR), surgery, location and histology, treatment, and follow-up. RESULTS: In the last four years, we have treated 37 astrocytomas, of which only 3 were intramedullary. All patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients died, but one is alive and practically asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The optimal treatment remains controversial. Radiotherapy should be considered for tumors with high-grade histopathology, clinically progressive and when a substantial resection cannot be achieved. New therapeutic strategies need to be studied to improve survival (AU)