3D-Printed Endoport vs. Open Surgery for Evacuation of Deep Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Large-sized clinical trials have failed to show an overall benefit of surgery over medical treatment in managing spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH); less invasive techniques have shown to decrease brain injury caused by surgical manipulation in the standard open approach improving the clinical outcomes of patients. Thereby, we propose a low-cost 3D-printed endoport for a less invasive ICH evacuation. In this study, the authors compare the clinical outcomes of early surgical evacuation using a 3D-printed endoport vs. a standard open surgery (OS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted comparing patients who underwent early evacuation of a deep hypertensive ICH through an endoport vs. OS at a single center from August 2017 to March 2019. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were reviewed. The primary outcomes were the 90-day post-stroke functional outcome and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were included. The two cohorts (18 endoport; 18 OS) showed no statistically significant differences in demographic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics, including median admission hemorrhage volume, Glasgow Coma Scale, and ICH scores. At 90-day post-stroke, 44% of patients in the endoport group and 17% in the OS group had a favorable functional outcome (mRS 0-3) (p = 0.039); moreover, the endoport group showed lower mortality (33% vs. 72%, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that an endoport-assisted ICH evacuation may have better functional outcomes and lower mortality than OS. The proposed device could provide a safe, low-cost alternative for ICH's surgical treatment. More rigorous research is hence needed to assess the potential benefits of this technique.

Decompressive Craniectomy for Hemispheric Infarction in a Low-Income Population.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a worldwide leading cause of mortality and disability, and there are substantial economic costs for poststroke care. Disadvantaged populations show increased incidence, severity, and unfavorable outcomes. This study aimed to report the survival, functional outcome, and caregiver satisfaction of low-income patients diagnosed with a large hemispheric infarction (LHI) who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in consecutive adult patients with an LHI who underwent DC at a single center between October 2015 and September 2019. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were reviewed. The primary outcomes were 1-year survival and favorable functional outcome. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included; those <60 years of age showed a higher proportion of favorable functional outcomes (76% vs. 33%; P = 0.031) but similar survival (52% vs. 56%; P = 0.645) than older patients, respectively. Performing the craniectomy in <48 hours from stroke onset compared with ≥48 hours showed no statistically significant differences in survival (59% vs. 46%; P = 0.352) and favorable functional outcomes (56% vs. 70%; P = 0.683), respectively. In retrospective thinking, 79% of caregivers would decide to perform the surgery again. CONCLUSIONS: Age group and time from stroke onset to craniectomy were not associated with survival; notwithstanding, a higher proportion of patients <60 years of age were associated with a favorable functional outcome compared with older patients. Additionally, if given the option, most caregivers would decide to perform the surgery again, independently of the grade of disability of the patient.

Crossed anterior cerebral circulation in the anterior communicating artery complex, first case report with angiographic evidence.

INTRODUCTION: This case report illustrates a new variant in the anterior cerebral artery complex, identified during carotid angioplasty. CLINICAL CASE: A 50-year-old male patient diagnosed with left carotid stenosis was diagnosed and treated by a cerebral angiography. During the procedure, crossed circulation in the anterior cerebral artery was identified. The presence of this variation demanded to discard distal emboli or artery dissection. Angioplasty was performed and the patient followed up without neurological deficit. DISCUSSION: Among the most possible and prevalent variations in anterior circulation, none of them explain the phenomenon we observed. Therefore, a new variant is established. The knowledge about variants in cerebral circulation is important to rule out pathology. CONCLUSION: Cerebral diagnostic angiography has become more available and frequent because of the rising in endovascular tools to treat stroke patients. Considering this new variation and others is important to discard pathology.

Fast-track extubation in patients after intracranial hematoma surgery.

Early extubation, also known as fast track, is desirable after intracranial hematoma surgery to avoid ventilator-associated complications associated with admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of the present study was to determine whether ICU stay and ventilator-associated complications are reduced in patients who received surgery for intracranial hematoma if they are extubated early. A total of 17 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: In Group 1, patients were extubated early or using the fast track method, while those in Group 2 were conventionally extubated at a later stage and were managed at the ICU. Patients from both groups were assessed on admission to the operating room per the established standards and after the selection criteria had been confirmed, general anesthesia was applied. Extubation time and hemodynamic stability (number of anesthetic adjustments required to maintain hemodynamic parameters within 20% of the predicted values) were assessed post-operatively. Patients in the conventional group (n=10) were transferred to the ICU and extubated at 8 h post-operatively; hemodynamic stability and the presence of complications were evaluated. The fast track group had no complications associated with ventilation or any other parameter. All patients extubated in a conventional manner and who were transferred to the ICU presented with complications, including seizures, aspiration, atelectasis or failed extubation. In the future, fast track should be regarded as a routine technique in patients who meet the required criteria, so that they may be discharged quickly and with fewer complications. The present study was authorized by the ethics committee of the hospital and the research sub-directorate with the number AN14-003; it was submitted to and approved by the ISRCTN registry for clinical trials (ID, ISRCTN16924441).

Safety ranges in V3 segment of the vertebral artery for surgical procedures at the craniocervical junction / Rangos de seguridad en el segmento V3 de la arteria vertebral para procedimientos quirúrgicos en la unión craneocervical

The aim of this study was to establish safety ranges for the third vertebral artery segment (V3) for craneocervical procedures. Injury to V3 represents a potentially catastrophic complication. Its tortuous path and complex relationship with neighboring structures, increasing the risk. Ten male adult cadavers (20 vertebral arteries) with arterial infiltration of red latex were studied. The length, angles and anatomical measurements were obtained between the selected surgical landmarks and the portions of V3 segment. The horizontal portion has a length of 32.7 ± 3.6 mm with an angulation of 115.1 ± 8.3 degrees. The mean distances of the horizontal portion were: from the midline to the V3 groove of C1 posterior arch (24.7 ± 6.3 mm); from C1 pars interarticularis to the V3 distal loop of V3 (8.9 ± 1.4 mm). The vertical portion has a length 32.5 ± 5.6 mm with an angulation of the proximal loop of 113.6 ± 5.8 degrees. The mean distances between the C2 spinous process to the medial surface of the distal loop (43.8 ± 4.2 mm); from the C1-C2 joint to the V3 vertical portion (9.5 ± 1.5 mm); from C2 pars interarticularis to V3 in the C2 transverse foramen (6.5 ± 3.4 mm); from C2 pars interarticularis to V3 in the C1 transverse foramen (17.5 ± 4.5 mm). We reported four potential sites where V3 can be injured during four different surgical procedures: exposure of the posterior arch of C1, and pars interarticularis of C1 in the horizontal portion and exposure of the C1C2 joint, and placement of C1-C2 transarticular screws one in the vertical portion. We provide measurements of redundancy and safety ranges to reduce the risk of injury to the V3 segment during craniocervical surgical procedures.

El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer rangos de seguridad en el tercer segmento de arteria vertebral (V3) para cirugías de la región craneocervicales. La lesión de V3 representa una complicación potencialmente catastrófica. Su tortuoso trayecto y compleja relación con las estructuras aledañas, aumenta el riesgo. Se estudiaron diez cadáveres adultos masculinos (20 arterias vertebrales) con infiltración arterial de látex rojo. La longitud, ángulos y medidas anatómicas se obtuvieron respecto a los puntos de referencia quirúrgicos y las porciones del segmento V3. La porción horizontal tiene una longitud de 32,7 ± 3,6 mm con una angulación de 115,1 ± 8,3 grados. Las distancias medias de la porción horizontal fueron: desde la línea media hasta el surco V3 del arco posterior C1 (24,7 ± 6,3 mm); desde C1 pars interarticularis hasta el bucle distal V3 de V3 (8,9 ± 1,4 mm). La parte vertical tiene una longitud de 32,5 ± 5,6 mm con una angulación del bucle proximal de 113,6 ± 5,8 grados. Las distancias medias entre el proceso espinoso C2 y la superficie medial del bucle distal (43,8 ± 4,2 mm); desde la unión C1-C2 hasta la porción vertical V3 (9,5 ± 1,5 mm); de C2 pars interarticularis a V3 en el foramen transversal C2 (6,5 ± 3,4 mm); de C2 pars interarticularis a V3 en el foramen transversal C1 (17,5 ± 4,5 mm). Informamos cuatro sitios potenciales donde la V3 puede lesionarse durante cuatro procedimientos quirúrgicos diferentes: exposición del arco posterior de C1 y pars interarticularis de C1 en la porción horizontal y exposición de la articulación C1-C2, y colocación de C1-C2 Tornillos transarticulares uno en la porción vertical. Proporcionamos mediciones de los rangos de redundancia y seguridad para reducir el riesgo de lesiones en el segmento V3 durante procedimientos quirúrgicos craneocervicales.

Four-vessel occlusion model using aged male Wistar rats: a reliable model to resolve the discrepancy related to age in cerebral ischemia research.

Animal models of cerebral ischemia have typically been established and performed using young animals, even though cerebral ischemia (CI) affects primarily elderly patients. This situation represents a discrepancy that complicates the translation of novel therapeutic strategies for CI. Models of transient global CI using aged animals have demonstrated an apparent neuroprotective effect on CA1 hippocampal neurons; however, this effect is not completely understood. Our study used a model in which young (3-6 months) and aged (18-21 months) male Wistar rats were subjected to 15 min of transient global CI using the four-vessel occlusion (4 VO) model. We determined that the 4 VO model can be performed on aged rats with a slight increase in mortality rate. In aged rats, the morphological damage was completely established by the 4th day after reperfusion, displaying no difference from their younger counterparts. These results demonstrated the lack of a neuroprotective effect of aging on CA1 hippocampal neurons in aged male Wistar rats. This study determined and characterized the morphological damage to the CA1 area after 15 min of 4 VO in aged male Wistar rats, validating the use of this model in CI and aging research.

[Craniocerebral gunshot wounds in civilian population: Analysis of experience in a single center in Monterrey, México]. / Heridas craneales por proyectil de arma de fuego en población civil: análisis de la experiencia de un centro en Monterrey, México.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds in civilian population of México were quite rare. Currently, conflicts amongst organized crime groups are carried out with weapons, which are considered as exclusive use by the nations army. OBJECTIVES: Describe the experience of our institution and share results of clinical and radiological factors influencing the prognosis of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational and retrospective study of patients with cranial gunshot wounds (GSW), which penetrated the duramater, treated from January 2009 - January 2013. We considered several demographic variables, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), upon admission, state of pupils, type of surgery and size of decompression, Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) upon discharge, and after 6 months. RESULTS: Of 68 patients, we excluded those whose duramater was not penetrated, leaving 52 patients. The average age was 28.7 years, and 80.8% were males. All were surgically intervened, with 8% of general mortality. Mortality in the GCS 3 to 5 points group was 43%, from the 6 to 8 points it was 6%, and no deaths in the 9 to 15 points. In patients with both pupils fixed, anisocoric and isocoric, mortality was 67%, 7%, and 3%, respectively. Bihemispheric, multilobar and unihemispheric trajectory of the bullet plus ventricular compromise was related to a Glasgow Outcome Score ≤ 3 upon discharge in 90.9% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: GCS upon admission and state of the pupils are the most influential factors in the prognosis. Patients with a GCS > 8 < 13 points upon admission, normal pupillary response, without ventricular compromise can benefit with early and aggressive surgical treatment.

[Morphometric characteristics of the sacrum in Mexican population. Its importance in lumbosacral fusion and fixation procedures]. / Características morfométricas del sacro en población Mexicana. Su importancia dentro de los procedimientos de fusión y fijación lumbosacra.

BACKGROUND: the morphology and the morphometric characteristics of the sacrum and its components determine the size of pedicle implants in both width and length and the orientation of the screw at the time of implantation. The present study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the sacrum in the Mexican population in order to establish safe approaches for the placement and orientation of the screws during lumbosacral instrumentation. METHODS: morphometric characteristics were determined for 50 dry sacra distributed in 44 measurement parameters (39 linear and 5 angular) divided in five categories: 1) anterior and posterior sacral foramina; 2) S1 vertebral pedicle and intermediate sacral crest; 3) vertebral bodies and the general parameters of the sacrum; 4) S1 superior articular process facet and sacral canal, and 5) S1 pedicle approaches. RESULTS: the S1 pedicle average length was 25.00 mm ± 2.41, the S1 pedicle anterior and posterior average height was 20.68 mm ± 3.40 and 24.64 mm ± 3.77 respectively, the sacral canal dimensions on its superior opening were 15.13 mm ± 2.40 in the sagital diameter and 31.07 mm ± 2.65 for the transverse diameter, in S1 the anteriomedial screw trajectory average distance was 50.08 mm ± 3.72 with an average angle of 34.30° ± 4.1 from the screw entry point. CONCLUSION: the results from this study are important for the correct screw placement and position in lumbosacral instrumentation, and also for other procedures that involve the sacral region as a surgical and diagnostic target.