Occipital Interhemispheric Transtentorial Approach for a Pineal Region Meningioma with Pseudobulbar Palsy.

Meningiomas represent 8%-10% of all pineal region (PR) tumors. When they arise from the falx, tentorium, or tentorial incisura, they are not always considered a true PR tumor, as they do not originate from it but instead only grow toward the region. The true meningioma of PR must be originated from the arachnoid envelope of the pineal gland or from the 2 leaflets of the velum interpositum. In both conditions there are no dural attachments.1,2 Occipital interhemispheric transtentorial and supracerebellar infratentorial are the 2 main approaches for tumors within this region. Aside from the surgeon's preference, the position of the venous system and the direction of the tumor growth guide the approach choice. Endoscope assistance can help reach areas unable to be visualized under the microscope.3-5 We report the case of a 37-year-old female with a large PR meningioma (velum interpositum) presenting with intense dysphagia, dysphonia, and bilateral tongue palsy. Given the affected bilateral upper motor tracts associated with bulbar symptoms, a diagnosis of pseudobulbar palsy was considered.6,7 Preoperative imaging also showed compression of the deep venous system. The patient underwent a total resection of the tumor via an occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach and exhibited a dramatic recovery of neurologic symptoms after the surgery (Video 1). Postoperative venogram showed restoration of the usual deep venous system pattern, which may be associated with significant neurologic improvement. Careful management of the deep veins is mandatory during the resection of PR meningiomas. The venous system improvement after the surgery may be associated with the dramatic recovery seen in this unique case. The patient consented to publication of her images.

Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant stroke: Quality of life and caregiver's burden in a real-world setting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Decompressive hemicraniectomy is a life-saving procedure for the treatment of space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarctions (malignant stroke); however, patients may survive severely disabled. Comprehensive data on long-term sequelae outside randomized controlled trials are scarce. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the survival rates, quality of life, ability to perform activities of daily living, and caregiver burden of 61 patients (aged from 37 to 83) who had previously undergone decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant stroke between 2012 and 2017. RESULTS: The mortality rate was higher among patients older than 60 years than among younger patients (71.0 % vs 36.7 %, p = 0.007; odds ratio 4.222, 95 % confidence interval 1.443-12.355). The mean survival time was 37.9 ± 6.0 months for 19 survivors of the younger group and 22.6 ± 5.7 months for 9 survivors of the older group. Among the 28 surviving patients, 22 (78.6 %) were interviewed, and we found that age was a determining factor for functional outcome (Barthel indices of 65.7 ± 10.6 for younger patients vs 48.0 ± 9.3 for older patients, p < 0.001), but not for quality of life. The caregiver burden was significantly correlated (R = -0.53, p < 0.01) with the severity of disability and age (R = 0.544, p = 0.011) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the degree of impairment, as well as caregiver burden, is higher in patients older than 60 years than in younger patients.

Paramedian contralateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach to thalamic cavernous malformation.

Cavernous malformations (CVMs) located in the thalamus are uncommon. However, they pose difficulties for resection because of their close proximity to eloquent areas of the brain and vascular structures, and all surgical corridors to access them are narrow. In this video, we report the case of a 19-year-old woman who presented with a long-standing history of right hemiparesis with recent deterioration. MRI revealed a large CVM located in the left thalamus, with signs of recent hemorrhage extending to the left cerebral peduncle. Resection was achieved with a paramedian contralateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach in a semisitting position, with an uneventful postoperative course. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/Arvu52FkHOE.

Cranioplasty: An Institutional Experience.

Cranioplasty is a common procedure in neurosurgical practice, but associated with high complication rates. In the current study, the authors describe surgical characteristics and results of cranioplasty performed in a tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil. Data were obtained from electronic medical records of cranioplasties performed between January 2013 and November 2016. The sample comprised of 33 patients, and the mean follow-up time was 16 months. Patients presented most of the times a good preoperative status, with 84.8% of patients classified between 0 and 3 at modified Rankin scale and 78.7% with 4 or 5 points at Glasgow Outcome Scale. The most common initial diagnosis was vascular disease (48% of patients) followed by traumatic brain injury (36% of patients). The majority of cranioplasties used an autograft: the autologous bone flap removed during a previous surgery (craniectomy) and stored in the abdominal subcutaneous fat (67% of patients). In 3 patients, the polymethylmethacrylate prosthesis was custom-made prior to the operation using 3-dimensional printing, based on computed tomography images. Five patients (15% of patients) developed symptoms related to surgical site infection, manifesting at an average of 5 weeks following the procedure. Three of them presented scalp dehiscence before the infection symptoms. Cranioplasty should be performed early, as long as clinical conditions are good and the patient has overcome the acute phase of neurological injury.

Biomaterials for Reconstruction of Cranial Defects

Cranioplasty is defined as the surgical repair of a cranial defect to restore the structure and function of the skull. Archaeological records show attempts of cranioplasty since the dawn of human civilization, but until today there is no consensus among neurosurgeons around the world-regarding the best material for cranioplasty. Relocation of the originally removed bone graft is still the best option, but is not always available. In modern cranioplasty, different materials can be used for the repair of cranial defects, such as metals, plastics, acrylics, and ceramics. Recent studies have sought to identify which materials provide the best long-term results, but scientific evidence is poor. Presurgical decisions must consider the experience of the surgical service and the individual conditions of the patient. In this study, we discuss the main characteristics of the materials used today for the reconstruction of cranial defects.

A cranioplastia é definida como o reparo cirúrgico de um defeito craniano, com o objetivo de restaurar a estrutura e a função do crânio. Evidências arqueológicas demonstram tentativas de cranioplastia desde os primórdios da civilização humana, porém ainda hoje não há consenso entre neurocirurgiões de todo o mundo a respeito do melhor material para a cranioplastia. Realocar o enxerto ósseo originalmente removido ainda é a melhor opção, porém nem sempre é uma possibilidade. Na cranioplastia moderna, diferentes materiais podem ser utilizados para reparar o defeito craniano, tais como metais, plásticos, acrílicos e cerâmicas. Estudos recentes vêm buscando identificar quais os materiais com melhores resultados em longo prazo; entretanto, as evidências científicas são escassas. Decisões pré-cirúrgicas devem levar em consideração a experiência do serviço cirúrgico e as condições individuais do paciente. Neste estudo discutimos as principais características dos materiais utilizados para o reparo de defeitos cranianos na atualidade.

Experimental model of intracranial hypertension with continuous multiparametric monitoring in swine.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial hypertension (IH) develops in approximately 50% of all patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, it is very important to identify a suitable animal model to study and understand the pathophysiology of refractory IH to develop effective treatments. METHODS: We describe a new experimental porcine model designed to simulate expansive brain hematoma causing IH. Under anesthesia, IH was simulated with a balloon insufflation. The IH variables were measured with intracranial pressure (ICP) parenchymal monitoring, epidural, cerebral oximetry, and transcranial Doppler (TCD). RESULTS: None of the animals died during the experiment. The ICP epidural showed a slower rise compared with parenchymal ICP. We found a correlation between ICP and cerebral oximetry. CONCLUSION: The model described here seems useful to understand some of the pathophysiological characteristics of acute IH.

Experimental model of intracranial hypertension with continuous multiparametric monitoring in swine / Modelo Experimental de Hipertensao Intracraniana com monitorizacao multiparametrica continua em suinos

Objective Intracranial hypertension (IH) develops in approximately 50% of all patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, it is very important to identify a suitable animal model to study and understand the pathophysiology of refractory IH to develop effective treatments. Methods We describe a new experimental porcine model designed to simulate expansive brain hematoma causing IH. Under anesthesia, IH was simulated with a balloon insufflation. The IH variables were measured with intracranial pressure (ICP) parenchymal monitoring, epidural, cerebral oximetry, and transcranial Doppler (TCD). Results None of the animals died during the experiment. The ICP epidural showed a slower rise compared with parenchymal ICP. We found a correlation between ICP and cerebral oximetry. Conclusion The model described here seems useful to understand some of the pathophysiological characteristics of acute IH. .

Objetivo A hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) ocorre em até 50% de todos os pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE). Por isso, é importante estabelecer um modelo animal adequado para estudar a fisiopatologia da HIC refratária, com a perspectiva de desenvolver tratamentos eficazes. Métodos Os animais foram submetidos a um protocolo padrão de anestesia. A hipertensão intracraniana foi estabelecida através de insuflação de um balão. As variáveis HIC foram medidas com a pressão intracraniana (PIC) do parênquima, oximetria, epidural e doppler transcraniano. Resultados A PIC epidural apresentou elevação mais lenta, comparada com a PIC parenquimal. Houve correlação entre a PIC e a oximetria cerebral. O registro da PIC, oximetria e índice de pulsatilidade foi realizado em todos os animais sem dificuldade. Conclusão O modelo descrito parece ser útil para a compreensão de algumas características fisiopatológicas na HIC aguda. .