A randomized trial of endovascular versus surgical management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: Interim results from ISAT2.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Appropriate management of ruptured intracranial aneurysm (RIA) in patients eligible for surgical clipping but under-represented in or excluded from previous randomized trials remains undetermined. METHODS: The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial-2 (ISAT-2) is a randomized care trial comparing surgical versus endovascular treatment (EVT) of RIA. All patients considered for surgical clipping but eligible for endovascular treatment can be included. The primary endpoint is death or dependency on modified Rankin score (mRS>2) at 1 year. Secondary endpoints are 1 year angiographic results and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: An interim analysis was performed after 103 patients were treated from November 2012 to July 2017 in 4 active centers. Fifty-two of the 55 patients allocated to surgery were treated by clipping, and 45 of the 48 allocated to EVT were treated by coiling, with 3 crossovers in each arm. The main endpoint (1 year mRS>2), available for 76 patients, was reached in 16/42 patients allocated to clipping (38%; 95%CI: 25%-53%), and 10/34 patients allocated to coiling (29%; 17%-46%). One year imaging results were available in 54 patients: complete aneurysm occlusion was found in 23/27 patients allocated to clipping (85%; 67%-94%), and 18/27 patients allocated to coiling (67%; 47%-81%). Hospital stay exceeding 20 days was more frequent in surgery (26/55 [47%; 34%-60%]) than EVT (9/48 [19%; 10%-31%]). CONCLUSION: Ruptured aneurysm patients for whom surgical clipping may still be best can be managed in a randomized care trial, which is feasible in some centers. More participating centers are needed.

[Remote cerebellar haemorrhage after lumbar arthrodesis: case report and literature review]. / Hematoma cerebeloso como complicación de artrodesis lumbar. A propósito de uncaso y revisión de la literatura.

Remote cerebellar haemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication of spinal surgery, less frequent than the RCH observed after an intracranial surgery. The patients principally complained of headache or were presented with deterioration in mental status. We report a case of RCH in a 55 years old woman that underwent lumbar arthrodesis with occult dural defect. We review the literature, analysing its causes and therapeutic implications.

Hematoma cerebeloso como complicación de artrodesis lumbar. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Remote cerebellar haemorrhage after lumbar arthrodesis: Case report and literature review

El hematoma cerebeloso (HCD) como complicación en cirugía de raquis, es menos frecuente que el hematoma a distancia secundario a la cirugía intracraneal. Se manifiesta principalmente con cefalea o deterioro del nivel de consciencia y se ha asociado a la pérdida de LCR intra o postoperatoria. Presentamos un caso de HCD en una paciente de 55 años tras cirugía instrumentada de columna lumbar con fístula de LCR oculta, además de una revisión de la literatura con análisis de sus posibles causas, así como las implicaciones terapéuticas (AU)

Remote cerebellar haemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication of spinal surgery, less frequent than the RCH observed after an intracranial surgery. The patients principally complained of headache or were presented with deterioration in mental status. We report a case of RCH in a 55 years old woman that underwent lumbar arthrodesis with occult dural defect. We review the literature, analysing its causes and therapeutic implications (AU)

[Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: group of study of cerebrovascular pathology of the Spanish society of neurosurgery management guideline]. / Hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: guía de tratamiento del grupo de patología vascular de la sociedad Española de neurocirugía.

An actualized revision of the most important aspects of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage is presented from the guidelines previously published by the group of study of cerebrovascular pathology of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery. The proposed recommendations should be considered as a general guide for the management of this pathological condition. However, they can be modified, even in a significant manner according to the circumstances relating each clinical case and the variations in the therapeutic and diagnostic procedures available in the center attending each patient.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: guía de tratamiento del Grupo de Patología Vascularde la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía / Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: group of study of Cerebrovascular Pathology of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery management guideline

Se realiza una actualización sobre los aspectos másimportantes de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismáticarespecto a las guías previamente publicadaspor el grupo de trabajo de la SENEC. Las recomendacionespropuestas deben considerarse como una guíageneral de manejo de esta patología. Sin embargo,pueden ser modificadas, incluso de manera significativapor las circunstancias propias de cada casoclínico, o las variaciones en los recursos diagnósticosy terapéuticos del centro hospitalario que reciba alpaciente (AU)

An actualized revision of the most important aspectsof aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage is presentedfrom the guidelines previously published by the groupof study of cerebrovascular pathology of the SpanishSociety of Neurosurgery. The proposed recommendationsshould be considered as a general guide for themanagement of this pathological condition. However,they can be modified, even in a significant manneraccording to the circumstances relating each clinicalcase and the variations in the therapeutic and diagnosticprocedures available in the center attending eachpatient (AU)

Idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a multicentre series of 220 patients.

BACKGROUND. The Spanish neurosurgical society created a multicentre data base on spontaneous SAH to analyze the real problematic of this disease in our country. This paper focuses on the group of patients with idiopathic SAH (ISAH). METHODS. 16 participant hospitals collect their spontaneous SAH cases in a common data base shared in the internet through a secured web page, considering clinical, radiological, evolution and outcome variables. The 220 ISAH cases collected from November 2004 to November 2007 were statistically analyzed as a whole and divided into 3 subgroups depending on the CT blood pattern (aneurysmal, perimesencephalic, or normal). RESULTS. The 220 ISAH patients constitute 19% of all 1149 spontaneous SAH collected in the study period. In 46,8% of ISAH the blood CT pattern was aneurysmal, which was related to older age, worse clinical condition, higher Fisher grade, more hydrocephalus and worse outcome, compared to perimesencephalic (42.7%) or normal CT (10.4%) pattern. Once surpassed the acute phase, outcome of ISAH patients is similarly good in all 3 ISAH subgroups, significantly better as a whole compared to aneurysmal SAH patients. The only variable related to outcome in ISAH after a logistic regression analysis was the admission clinical grade. CONCLUSIONS. ISAH percentage of spontaneous SAH is diminishing in Spain. Classification of ISAH cases depending on the blood CT pattern is important to differentiate higher risk groups although complications are not negligible in any of the ISAH subgroups. Neurological status on admission is the single most valuable prognostic factor for outcome in ISAH patients.

Idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a multicentre series of 220 patients

Background. The Spanish neurosurgical society created a multicentre data base on spontaneous SAH to analyze the real problematic of this disease in our country. This paper focuses on the group of patients with idiopathic SAH (ISAH).Methods. 16 participant hospitals collect their spontaneous SAH cases in a common data base shared in the internet through a secured web page, considering clinical, radiological, evolution and outcome variables. The 220 ISAH cases collected from November 2004 to November 2007 were statistically analyzed as a whole and divided into 3 subgroups depending on the CT bloodpattern (aneurysmal, perimesencephalic, or normal).Results. The 220 ISAH patients constitute 19% of all 1149 spontaneous SAH collected in the study period. In 46,8% of ISAH the blood CT pattern was aneurysmal, which was related to older age, worse clinical condition, higher Fisher grade, more hydrocephalus and worse outcome, compared to perimesencephalic (42,7%) or normal CT (10,4%) pattern. Once surpassed the acute phase, outcome of ISAH patients is similarly good in all 3 ISAH subgroups, significantly better as a whole compared to aneurysmal SAH patients. The only variable related to outcome in ISAH after a logistic regression analysis was the admission clinical grade. Conclusions. ISAH percentage of spontaneous SAHis diminishing in Spain. Classification of ISAH cases depending on the blood CT pattern is important to differentiate higher risk groups although complications are not negligible in any of the ISAH subgroups. Neurological status on admission is the single most valuable prognostic factor for outcome in ISAH patients (AU)

Propósito. El grupo de trabajo de Patología Vascular de la SENEC desarrolló y mantiene abierta una base de datos multicéntrica que recoge los casos de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea. Con esta base se pretende analizar la problemática real que representa esta patología en nuestro medio. Este trabajo se centra en el estudio del grupo de pacientes de la base que presentaron HSA idiopática o de origen no aclarado (HSAI).Materiales y métodos. La base de datos recoge los casos de HSA espontánea de 16 hospitales españoles a través de una página Web compartida en Internet de forma segura. Se consideran variables epidemiológicas ,clínicas y radiológicas, así como la aparición de complicaciones y la evolución de los pacientes. Entre Noviembre de 2004 y Noviembre de 2007 se recogieron 220 pacientes con HSA idiopática. Este grupo se ha analizado estadísticamente de forma global y subdividido en 3 grupos de acuerdo con el patrón TC de sangrado inicial (de tipo aneurismático, perimesencefálico o TCnormal). Resultados. Los 220 pacientes con HSAI representan el 19% del total de 1.149 pacientes con HSA recogidos en la base de datos en el mismo periodo. El 46,8% de los casos de HSAI presentaron patrón de sangrado aneurismático en TC, hecho que se correlacionó con mayor edad, peor condición clínica al ingreso, mayor grado Fisher de sangrado, más frecuencia de hidrocefalia y peor evolución, comparados con los casos de HSAI con sangrado en TC del tipo perimesencefálico (42,7%) o con TC normal (10,4%).Una vez superada la fase aguda, e independientemente del tipo de sangrado inicial, la evolución de los pacientes con HSAI es globalmente buena y significativamente mejor que la de los pacientes con HSA aneurismática. La única variable con valor pronóstico en los casos de HSAI, tras realizar un análisis de (..) (AU)

A case of Hirayama disease treated with laminectomy and duraplasty without spinal fusion.

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile amyotrophy of the distal upper extremity (JADUE) is a rare disease afecting young males. Since neck flexion has been thought to be the cause of the spinal cord damage, cervical orthosis, spinal fusion by an anterior or posterior approach and duraplasty in combination with posterior spinal fusion have been proposed as treatment of JADUE. We are presenting the case of a patient with JADUE who was surgically treated with duraplasty without spinal fusion, thus avoiding the compression of the spinal cord without limitation of cervical movement. CASE: A previously healthy 19-year-old man presented with insidious onset of weakness in the left forearm and hand for the past year. On MRI, during neck flexion, the posterior dura showed anterior displacement that compressed the cervical spinal cord. The dura was opened linearly from C3 to C6, observing the herniation of the spinal cord through the opening. Duraplasty was performed in order to increase the room of the spinal cord. No spinal fusion was performed. DISCUSSION: The postoperative course was uneventful. Clinical deterioration stopped following operation and two years later unchanged as compared to the preoperative one.

Hiperintensidad en secuencias T2 y tamaño como factores pronósticos de obliteraciónen malformaciones arteriovenosas tratadas mediante radiocirugía / Hyperintensity on T2 MRI and size as predictors of obliteration in radiosurgically treated arteriovenous malformations

Objetivo. Analizar retrospectivamente los factoresimplicados en la obliteración de las malformacionesarteriovenosas (MAVs) tratadas mediante radiocirugía.Métodos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historiasclínicas y las pruebas de imagen de 59 pacientescon MAVs tratados consecutivamente mediante tratamientoradioquirúrgico en nuestro Servicio. Se recogenlos datos demográficos y clínicos en el momentodel diagnóstico, así como los referentes al tratamientoempleado y la evolución de dichos pacientes.Resultados. Se consiguió la obliteración en el 77%de las MAVs tratadas. La obliteración completa seobservó en los primeros tres años en sólo el 40% de loscasos, mientras que en el resto, la obliteración ocurrióentre los tres y los cinco años. Diez pacientes (17%)sufrieron complicaciones agudas o crónicas. Sólo unpaciente murió como resultado de una hemorragiaintraparenquimatosa durante el periodo de seguimiento.El análisis multivariable utilizando los diversosfactores y parámetros potencialmente relacionadoscon la obliteración mostró que sólo la hiperintensidadperilesional observada en secuencias T2 de la RM yun tamaño del nidus menor de 3 cm incrementaron demanera estadísticamente significativa la probabilidadde oclusión completa (p=0,03 y p=0,05, respectivamente).Conclusión. Nuestros resultados, son similares a losreportados en otras series. Sin embargo, se obtuvo unamenor tasa de oclusiones en las MAVs >3cm de diámetro,confirmando que el tamaño es un factor determinanteen probabilidad de cierre de las MAVs tratadas (..) (AU)

Objetive. The aim of this study was to determinewhich factors were statistically related to radiologicaland clinical outcomes following radiosurgical treatmentof arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).Methods. The data of 59 patients receiving radiosurgicaltreatment at our department were retrospectivellyreviewed. Different clinical and biological data,including Spetzler-Martin grade, the presentation ofsymptoms, radiation dose, number of isocenters andboth radiological and clinical outcome, were subjectedto multivariate analysis.Results. AVM obliteration was achieved in 77% ofpatients, the majority of them occurring between 3-5years after treatment. Ten patients (17%) showed eitheracute or delayed complications. Only one patient dieddue tor hemorrhage during the follow-up after radiosurgery.A multivariate analysis showed that, hyperintensityon T2 MRI and a nidus smaller than 3 cm werethe only factors statistically related to oclusion of theAVM (p=0,03 and p=0,05, respectively).Conclusion. The nidus size and the development ofhyperintensity on T2 MRI after the treatment were thestrongest predictive factors of obliteration in our seriesof AVMs radiosurgically treated. Moreover, given thatmany AVMs showed complete obliteration between 3-5years after treatment, we recommend to wait untill 5years after treatment before considering a new terapeuthicapproach in patients showing small residual nidusat control imaging. (AU)

[Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage multicenter database from the Group for the Study of Vascular Pathology of the Spanish Society for Neurosurgery: presentation, inclusion criteria and development of an internet-based registry]. / Base de datos multicéntrica de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea del Grupo de Trabajo de Patología Vascular de la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía: presentación, criterios de inclusión y desarrollo de una base de datos en internet.

INTRODUCTION: Subarachnoid haemorrhage is one of the most severe neurosurgical diseases. Its study is crucial for improving the care of these patients in our environment. With this goal the Group for the Study of Neurovascular Pathology of the Spanish Society for Neurosurgery (SENEC) decided to create a multicenter registry for the study of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this database we have prospectively included all cases with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage admitted to the participant hospitals from November 2004 to November 2007. The fields to be included in the database were selected by consensus, including age, past medical history, clinical characteristics at admission, radiological characteristics including presence or absence of an aneurysm and its size and location, type and complications of the aneurysm treatment, outcome assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and six months after the bleeding as well as the angiographic result of the aneurysm treatment. All fields were collected by means of an electronic form posted in secure web page. RESULTS: During the three years of study a total of 1149 patients have been included by 14 Hospitals. The time needed to fill in a patient in the registry is approximately 3.4 minutes. This series of patients with spontaneous SAH is similar to other non-selected in-hospital series of SAH. The mean age of the patients is 55 years and there is a 4:3 female to male ratio. In relation to the severity of the bleeding 32% of the patients were in poor clinical grade at admission (WFNS 4 or 5). 5% of the patients died before angiography could be performed. An aneurysm was confirmed as the origin of the bleeding in 76% of the patients (aSAH), while in 19% of the patients no lesion was found in the angiographic studies and were thus classified as idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage (ISAH). Of those patients with aSAH, 47% were treated endovascularly, 39% surgically, 3% received a combined treatment and 11% did not receive any treatment for their aneurysm because of early death. Regarding outcome, there is a 22% mortality in the series. Only 40% of the patients with aSAH reached a good outcome at discharge (GOS = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous SAH continues to be a disease with high morbidity and mortality. This database can be an ideal instrument for improving the knowledge about this disease in our environment and to achieve better results. It would be desirable that this database could in the future be the origin of a national registry of spontaneous SAH.

Base de datos multicéntrica de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea del Grupo de Trabajo de Patología Vascular de la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía: presentación, criterios de inclusión y desarrollo de una base de datos en internet / Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage multicenter database from the Group for the Study of Vascular Pathology of the Spanish Society for Neurosurgery: Presentation, inclusion criteria and development of an internet-based registry

Introducción: La hemorragia subaracnoidea (HSA) continúa siendo una de las enfermedades de interés neuroquirúrgico de más alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Su estudio es clave a la hora de mejorar la atención de estos enfermos en nuestro medio. Con este fin el Grupo de Trabajo de Patología Vascular de la SENEC decidió la creación de una base de datos multicéntrica para su estudio. Material y métodos: Se incluyen en esta base de datos todos los casos de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea ingresados en los centros participantes de forma prospectiva desde Noviembre del año 2004 hasta Noviembre del 2007. Se decidieron de forma consensuada los campos a recoger incluyendo edad, antecedentes personales, características clínicas, características radiológicas y del aneurisma, tipo de tratamiento y complicaciones de la enfermedad, evolución según la escala de evolución de Glasgow (GOS) al alta y a los seis meses así como el resultado angiográfico del tratamiento. Todos los campos se recogieron en un formulario rellenable a través de una página web segura. Resultados: En los tres años en los que ha estado activa la base se han recogido un total de 1149 casos de HSA espontánea recogidos por 14 centros participantes. Se ha estimado que es necesario aproximadamente un tiempo de 3.4 minutos para rellenar cada caso.En cuanto a sus características generales la serie es similar a otras series hospitalarias no seleccionadas. La edad media de los enfermos incluidos es de unos 55 años y la relación mujer:hombre 4:3. En cuanto a la gravedad del sagrado inicial un 32% de los enfermos se encontraba en mal grado clínico (WFNS = 4 ó 5). El 5% de los pacientes fallecieron antes de realizarse una angiografía que confirmara el origen aneurismático del sangrado. Se confirmó el origen aneurismático en el 76% de los pacientes mientras que en el 19% no se encontró ninguna lesión vascular responsable del sangrado, siendo clasificados como HSA idiopática. En los pacientes en los que se detectó un aneurisma su tratamiento fue endovascular en el 47% de los casos, quirúrgico en el 39, mixto en el 3% y no recibieron tratamiento de su aneurisma el 11% de los pacientes por fallecimiento precoz. En cuanto a su evolución, la mortalidad global de la serie se sitúa en el 22%. Sólo el 40% de los enfermos con HSA aneurismática presentaron una buena evolución (GOS=5). Conclusiones: La HSA espontánea continúa siendo una enfermedad con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Esta base de datos puede ser un instrumento para conocer mejor sus características en nuestro medio y mejorar sus resultados, ya que se trata de una serie multicéntrica hospitalaria no seleccionada. Sería pues recomendable que esta base constituyera el germen de un registro nacional de HSA espontánea (AU)

Introduction: Subarachnoid haemorrhage is one of the most severe neurosurgical diseases. Its study is crucial for improving the care of these patients in our environment. With this goal the Group for the Study of Neurovascular Pathology of the Spanish Society for Neurosurgery (SENEC) decided to create a multicenter registry for the study of this disease. Materials and methods: In this database we have prospectively included all cases with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage admitted to the participant hospitals from November 2004 to November 2007. The fields to be included in the database were selected by consensus, including age, past medical history, clinical characteristics at admission, radiological characteristics including presence or absence of an aneurysm and its size and location, type and complications of the aneurysm treatment, outcome assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and six months after the bleeding as well as the angiographic result of the aneurysm treatment. All fields were collected by means of an electronic form posted in secure web page. Results:During the three years of study a total of 1149 patients have been included by 14 Hospitals. The time needed to fill in a patient in the registry is approximately 3.4 minutes. This series of patients with spontaneous SAH is similar to other non-selected in-hospital series of SAH. The mean age of the patients is 55 years and there is a 4:3 female to male ratio. In relation to the severity of the bleeding 32% of the patients were in poor clinical grade at admission (WFNS 4 or 5). 5% of the patients died before angiography could be performed. An aneurysm was confirmed as the origin of the bleeding in 76% of the patients (aSAH), while in 19% of the patients no lesion was found in the angiographic studies and were thus classified as idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage (ISAH). Of those patients with aSAH, 47% were treated endovascularly, 39% surgically, 3% received a combined treatment and 11% did not receive any treatment for their aneurysm because of early death. Regarding outcome, there is a 22% mortality in the series. Only 40% of the patients with aSAH reached a good outcome at discharge (GOS=5). Conclusions: Spontaneous SAH continues to be a disease with high morbidity and mortality. This database can be an ideal instrument for improving the knowledge about this disease in our environment and to achieve better results. It would be desirable that this database could in the future be the origin of a national registry of spontaneous SAH (AU)

[Surgical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage. Part II: infratentorial haematomas]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la hemorragia intracerebral espontánea. Parte II:Hemorragia infratentorial.

Surgery plays a mayor role in the management of some patients with cerebellar haematomas, although a universally accepted treatment guideline is lacking. The aim of this study was to review the existing evidence supporting surgical evacuation of the haematoma in this pathology. Without any clinical trial on this field, data derived from clinical series suggest that the level of consciousness, the size of the haematoma, the presence of hydrocephalus and the compression of the posterior fossa CSF containing spaces are the main criteria to decide management. Fourth ventricular compression seems to be the best indicator of the last parameter. Existing bibliography shows that haematomas greater than 4 cm or causing complete obliteration of the fourth ventricle or prepontine cistern need surgical evacuation irrespective of the level of consciousness, as they indicate a significant compression of the brainstem. On the other hand, it seems that haematomas of less than 3 cm and without fourth ventricular compression can be managed conservatively or by means of ventricular drainage if hydrocephalus exists and requires treatment. The management of intermediate sized haematomas is less clear although conservative approach could be adopted in presence of adequate neurological status, with EVD in the case of hydrocephalus with low consciousness level. If the level of consciousness is low despite the treatment of hydrocephalus, or in absence of this latter, haematoma evacuation is indicated. Finally, patients with flaccid tetraplejia and absent oculocephalic reflexes, and those whose age or basal condition precludes an adequate functional outcome are not suitable for aggressive treatment. Moreover, some studies have shown that comatose patients with CT scan evidence of severe brainstem compression present a reduced probability of good outcome. Anyway, management should be decided on an individual basis, as there is no enough evidence to support a strict treatment protocol.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la hemorragia intracerebral espontánea. Parte II: Hemorragia infratentorial / Surgical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage. Part II: Infratentorial haematomas

El tratamiento quirúrgico juega un papel fundamental en el manejo de algunos pacientes con hematomas de cerebelo, y sin embargo, no existe una guía de tratamiento universalmente aceptada que permita seleccionar a este subgrupo de pacientes. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue revisar la base sobre la que se fundamentan las indicaciones del tratamiento quirúrgico en esta patología. En ausencia de ensayos clínicos que afronten este problema, las series clínicas muestran que los criterios más consistentes para la decisión terapéutica son el nivel de consciencia, el tamaño del hematoma, la presencia de hidrocefalia y los datos radiológicos de compresión de los espacios continentes de LCR en la fosa posterior. El parámetro mejor estudiado como reflejo de este último aspecto posiblemente sea la deformidad del IV ventrículo. La literatura sugiere que los hematomas de 4 o más cm de diámetro, o que causan una oclusión completa del IV ventrículo o de la cisterna prepontina deben ser intervenidos independientemente del nivel de consciencia, al presentar una compresión significativa del tronco del encéfalo (TDE). Por el contrario, es probable que hematomas de menos de 3 cm y que no deforman el IV ventrículo, no causen una compresión importante en la fosa posterior, y puedan ser manejados de forma conservadora o mediante el drenaje dela hidrocefalia si fuera preciso. Para hematomas de tamaño intermedio la decisión terapéutica está menos clara, pudiendo optarse por observación estricta en los pacientes con GCS 14-15 o con drenaje ventricular externo (DVE) aislado en aquellos con GCS<14 que presenten hidrocefalia. En presencia de un bajo nivel de consciencia a pesar del tratamiento de la hidrocefalia, o en ausencia de ésta, se debería realizar una evacuación del hematoma. Finalmente, no parece indicado el tratamiento de pacientes con GCS 3 y ausencia de reflejos de tronco, o aquéllos en los que por su edad avanzada o mala calidad de vida previa presenten un pronóstico funcional malo. Se ha encontrado además que los pacientes en coma y con signos radiológicos de grave compresión del TDE las posibilidades de una buena recuperación son muy escasas. A pesar de todo el tratamiento ha de ser individualizado en cada caso, ya que no existe la evidencia suficiente que permita elaborar una guía de aplicación estricta

Surgery plays a mayor role in the management of some patients with cerebellar haematomas, although a universally accepted treatment guideline is lacking. The aim of this study was to review the existing evidence supporting surgical evacuation of the haematoma in this pathology. Without any clinical trial on this field, data derived from clinical series suggest that the level of consciousness, the size of the haematoma, the presence of hydrocephalus and the compression of the posterior fossa CSF containing spaces are the main criteria to decide management. Fourth ventricular compression seems to be the best indicator of the last parameter. Existing bibliography shows that haematomas greater than 4 cm or causing complete obliteration of the fourth ventricleor prepontine cistern need surgical evacuation irrespective of the level of consciousness, as they indicate a significant compression of the brainstem. On the other hand, it seems that haematomas of less than 3 cm and without fourth ventricular compression can be managed conservatively or by means of ventricular drainage clear although conservative approach could be adopted in presence of adequate neurological status, with EVD in the case of hydrocephalus with low consciousness level. If the level of consciousness is low despite the treatment of hydrocephalus, or in absence of this latter, haematoma evacuation is indicated. Finally, patients with flaccid tetraplejia and absentculocephalic reflexes, and those whose age or basal condition precludes an adequate functional outcome are not suitable for aggressive treatment. Moreover, some studies have shown that comatose patients with CT scan evidence of severe brainstem compression presenta reduced probability of good outcome. Anyway, management should be decided on an individual basis, as there is no enough evidence to support astrict treatment protocol

[Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: case report and review of the literature]. / Regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Spontaneous regression of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare phenomenon. Such an event is more likely to occur with small AVMs that present with intracranial hemorrhage, which are fed by a unique artery and drained through a single vein. The factors responsible for AVMs regression remain unclear. Thrombosis of the AVM secondary to intracranial hemorrhage ha been the most commonly associated factor. Other possible causes are the gliosis around the clot secondary to repeated frequent microbleedings or occlusion of the feeding arteries by small emboli. We report a new case of spontaneous regression of a AVM and review the literature related to this entity.

Regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: case report and review of the literature

La regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales (MAVs) es poco frecuente. Este hecho parece ser más común en aquellas MAVs de pequeño tamaño, cuyo modo de presentación clínica preferente es con hemorragia cerebral, con una única arteria aferente, y una sola vena de drenaje. No se conocen con exactitud cuáles son los factores responsables dela desaparición de las MAVs. La trombosis secundaria al sangrado es el factor más comúnmente asociado a este hecho. Otros posibles factores implicados son la gliosis secundaria a micro-sangrados repetidos o la oclusión de las arterias aferentes por pequeños émbolos. Se presentan las características clínico radiológicas de un caso de regresión espontánea de MAV y se revisa la literatura al respecto

Spontaneous regression of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare phenomenon. Such an event is more likely to occur with small AVMs that present with intracranial hemorrhage, which are fed by a unique artery and drained through a single vein. The factors responsible for AVMs regression remain nuclear. Thrombosis of the AVM secondary to intracranial hemorrhage ha been the most commonly associated factor. Other possible causes are the gliosis around the clot secondary to repeated frequent microbleedings or occlusion of the feeding arteries by small emboli. Were port a new case of spontaneous regression of a AVM and review the literature related to this entity

Haemangiopericytoma presenting with acute intracerebral haemorrhage.

Clinical presentation of brain tumour by acute haemorrhage is well known and occurs in around 5% of the cases. Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a richly vascularized tumour, but its clinical manifestation is most frequently related to tumour mass effect or seizures. We present the eighth case reported of a patient with acute intracerebral bleeding caused by HPC. Though HPC represents only about 2% of intracranial meningeal neoplasms it must be included in the differential diagnosis of intracranial haemorrhage.

[Magnetic resonance in moderate and severe head injury: comparative study of CT and MR findings. Characteristics related to the presence and location of diffuse axonal injury in MR]. / Resonancia magnética en trauma craneal moderado y grave: estudio comparativo de hallazgos en TC y RM. Características relacionadas con la presencia y localización de lesión axonal difusa en RM.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial CT has been the most extended evaluation means for patients suffering head trauma. However, it has low sensitivity in the identification of diffuse axonal injury and posterior fossa lesions. Cranial MR is a potentially more sensitive test but difficult to perform in these patients, a fact that has hampered its generalised use. OBJECTIVE: To compare the identification capability of traumatic intracranial lesions by both diagnostic tests in patients with moderate and severe head injury and to determine which radiological characteristics are associated with the presence of diffuse injury in MR and their clinical severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 patients suffering moderate or severe head injury to whom a MR had been performed in the first 30 days after trauma were included. All clinical variables related to prognosis were registered, as well as the data from the initial CT following Marshall et al., classification. The MR was blindly evaluated by two neuroradiologists that were not aware of the initial CT results or the clinical situation of the patient. All lesions were registered as well as the classification following the classification of lesions related to DAI described by Adams et al. CT and MR findings were compared evaluating the sensitivities of each test. Factors related to the presence of diffuse injury in MR were studied by univariate analysis using chi2 test and simple correlations. RESULTS: MR is more sensitive than CT for lesions in cerebral white matter, corpus callosum and brainstem. It also detects a greater number of cerebral contussions. The presence of diffuse axonal injury depends on the mechanism of the trauma, being more frequent in higher energy trauma, specially in traffic accidents. Among the radiological characteristics associated to DAI the most clearly related is intraventricular haemorrhage. The presence of a deeper injury and a higher score in the scales of Adams is associated with a lower score in the GCS and motor GCS, and so with a worse level of consciousness and bigger severity of injury, confirming Ommaya's model.