Evaluation of safety, effectiveness and reproducibility of telemedicine for neurosurgical screening.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the safety, effectiveness and reproducibility of screening potential neurosurgical patients by means of smartphones. METHODS: This is a retrospective and multicentric study. Data were collected from the medical records of patients subjected to real emergency neurosurgical evaluations and compared with assessments by neurosurgeons using smartphones to determine the feasibility of identifying changes in cranial computed tomography scans, potentially serious conditions of patients, and the need for transfer to reference centers. RESULTS: We analyzed 232 cases. The main diagnosis was traumatic brain injury, with 119 cases (51.3%). Of this, 105 (45.3%) patients were discharged immediately after the assessment. The telemedicine evaluators presented 95.69% accuracy in the identification of changes in computed tomography scans, with 0.858 concordance. Accuracy in the identification of severity was 95.26%, with 0.858 concordance. As for procedure, the concordance among evaluators was 0.672, increasing to 100% in cases that required surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that the use of telemedicine for screening patients with acute neurological disorders was safe, effective and reproducible. Implementation of the method shows a promising potential to improve the patient's outcome by reducing unnecessary transfers and decreasing the time elapsed until a specialist can be consulted.

Evaluation of safety, effectiveness and reproducibility of telemedicine for neurosurgical screening / Avaliação da segurança, da efetividade e da reprodutibilidade na utilização de telemedicina para triagem neurocirúrgica

ABSTRACT Objective: To ascertain the safety, effectiveness and reproducibility of screening potential neurosurgical patients by means of smartphones. Methods: This is a retrospective and multicentric study. Data were collected from the medical records of patients subjected to real emergency neurosurgical evaluations and compared with assessments by neurosurgeons using smartphones to determine the feasibility of identifying changes in cranial computed tomography scans, potentially serious conditions of patients, and the need for transfer to reference centers. Results: We analyzed 232 cases. The main diagnosis was traumatic brain injury, with 119 cases (51.3%). Of this, 105 (45.3%) patients were discharged immediately after the assessment. The telemedicine evaluators presented 95.69% accuracy in the identification of changes in computed tomography scans, with 0.858 concordance. Accuracy in the identification of severity was 95.26%, with 0.858 concordance. As for procedure, the concordance among evaluators was 0.672, increasing to 100% in cases that required surgical treatment. Conclusion: Our study indicated that the use of telemedicine for screening patients with acute neurological disorders was safe, effective and reproducible. Implementation of the method shows a promising potential to improve the patient's outcome by reducing unnecessary transfers and decreasing the time elapsed until a specialist can be consulted.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a segurança, a efetividade e a reprodutibilidade da triagem de pacientes potencialmente neurocirúrgicos feita por smartphones. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo e multicêntrico. Dados de prontuários dos pacientes submetidos à avaliação neurocirúrgica de urgência foram coletados e comparados com a avaliação realizada por neurocirurgiões por meio de smartphones, determinando a capacidade de identificar alterações na tomografia computadorizada de crânio, pacientes potencialmente graves e necessidade de transferência. Resultados: Foram analisados 232 casos. O principal diagnóstico foi traumatismo crânio encefálico, com 119 casos (51,3%). Destes, 105 (45,3%) tiveram alta após a avaliação. Os avaliadores por telemedicina apresentaram acurácia de 95,69% para identificação de alteração na tomografia computadorizada, com concordância de 0,858. Com relação à identificação de gravidade, a acurácia foi de 95,26%, com concordância de 0,858. Com relação à conduta, os avaliadores apresentaram concordância de 0,672, aumentando para 100% nos casos de tratamento cirúrgico. Conclusão: O uso da telemedicina em nosso estudo foi seguro, efetivo e reprodutível para triagem dos pacientes com afecções neurológicas agudas. A implementação do método tem potencial de impacto na melhora do resultado para o paciente devido à redução das transferências desnecessárias e do tempo até o atendimento.

Multiple spinal extradural cysts causing progressive paraparesia: case report and review of literature / Cistos espinhais extradurais múltiplos causando paraparesia progressiva: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Multiple meningeal extradural cysts are extremely rare. The clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic patients to important symptoms due to spinal cord compression. This article reports the case of a girl with multiple meningeal extradural cysts with progressive paraparesis and hypoesthesia on inferior limbs. The MRI showed multiple extradural cysts between C7 and L1. A partial resection was made at the cystis, reflecting a improve at the postoperative follow up of the patient. The management of asymptomatic cases is usually followed up clinical and radiologically. At the management of the symptomatic cases, the resection of the cysts is the most indicated treatment, even for patients with a long-standing history of compression. However the partial removal has as good results as the total one. The authors review the literature and show a subtotal resection of the cysts did not change the evolution of the presentation.

Cistos espinhais extradurais meníngeos múltiplos são extremamente raros. A apresentação clínica varia de pacientes assintomáticos a sintomas importantes devidos à compressão da medula espinhal. Este artigo relata o caso de uma garota com cistos extradurais meníngeos múltiplos com paraparesia progressiva e hipoestesia de membros inferiores. A ressonância magnética mostrou cistos extradurais múltiplos entres C7 e L1. Uma ressecção parcial foi realizada nos cistos, levando à melhora no seguimento pós-operatório da paciente. O tratamento de casos assintomáticos, geralmente, se resume a seguimento clínico e radiológico. Em casos sintomáticos, a ressecção dos cistos é o tratamento mais indicado, mesmo para pacientes com longa história de compressão. Entretanto, a remoção parcial costuma ter bons resultados, semelhante à ressecção total. Os autores revisam a literatura e detalham que uma ressecção parcial dos cistos não mudou o prognóstico da paciente.

Scoliosis: current overview and treatment considerations / Escoliose: conceitos atuais e considerações terapêuticas

Scoliosis presents with lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees in x-ray and it can be associated with others deformities of the curvature of the spine. The management of this deformity is dependent of the classification and clinical presentation of the patient. This paper purposes to discuss to the initial evaluation of patients with scoliosis, distinguishing the different types of scoliosis and the management of patients with this diagnosis.

A escoliose apresenta-se como uma curvatura lateral da coluna maior que 10 graus na radiografia e pode ser associada a outras deformidades da curvatura da coluna. O manejo terapêutico dessa deformidade é dependente da classificação e apresentação clínica do paciente. Este artigo se propõe a discutir a evolução inicial de pacientes com escoliose, distinguindo os diferentes tipos dessa anormalidade e o manejo dos pacientes.

Decompressive craniectomy in massive cerebral infarction.

Twenty one patients were submitted to decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarct. Ten patients (47.6%) presented a good outcome at the 6 months evaluation, eight had a poor outcome (38%) and three died (14.2%). There was no outcome statistical difference between surgery before and after 24 hours of ictus, dominant and non-dominant stroke groups. Patients older than 60 years and those who had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)<8 in the pre-surgical exam presented worst outcome at six months (p<0.05). Decompressive craniectomy for space-occupying large hemispheric infarction increases the probability of survival. Age lower than 60 years, GCS >8 at pre-surgical exam and decompressive craniectomy before signs of brain herniation represent the main factors related to a better outcome. Dominant hemispheric infarction does not represent exclusion criteria.

Decompressive craniectomy in massive cerebral infarction / Craniectomia descompressiva no infarto cerebral extenso

Twenty one patients were submitted to decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarct. Ten patients (47.6 percent) presented a good outcome at the 6 months evaluation, eight had a poor outcome (38 percent) and three died (14.2 percent). There was no outcome statistical difference between surgery before and after 24 hours of ictus, dominant and non-dominant stroke groups. Patients older than 60 years and those who had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)<8 in the pre-surgical exam presented worst outcome at six months (p<0.05). Decompressive craniectomy for space-occupying large hemispheric infarction increases the probability of survival. Age lower than 60 years, GCS >8 at pre-surgical exam and decompressive craniectomy before signs of brain herniation represent the main factors related to a better outcome. Dominant hemispheric infarction does not represent exclusion criteria.

Vinte e um pacientes foram submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva para o tratamento de infarto cerebral extenso. Dez pacientes (47,6 por cento) apresentaram boa evolução em avaliação após 6 meses, 8 apresentaram evolução desfavorável (38 por cento) e 3 faleceram (14,2 por cento). Durante o seguimento, não se evidenciou diferença estatística na evolução entre pacientes operados antes e após 24 horas do ictus, nem entre lesões envolvendo o hemisfério dominante versus não dominante. Pacientes com mais de 60 anos e aqueles com Escala de Coma de Glasgow (ECG)<8 na avaliação pré-operatória apresentaram pior evolução após 6 meses (p<0,05). A craniectomia descompressiva para infartos hemisféricos extensos aumentam a probabilidade de sobrevivência. Idade abaixo de 60 anos e ECG >8 no exame pré-operatório e craniectomia descompressiva antes de sinais de herniação cerebral representam os principais fatores relacionados a uma melhor evolução clínica. Infarto hemisférico envolvendo o hemisfério dominante não representa um critério de exclusão.

Acesso interhemisférico occipital transtentorial à região da pineale mesencéfalo dorsal: Anatomia e técnica cirúrgica / Interhemispheric occipital transtentorial approach to the pineal region and dorsal midbrain: anatomy and surgical technique

Descrevemos a anatomia cirúrgica e detalhes técnicos do acesso interhemisférico occipital transtentorial na posição lateral semi-prona para lesões na região posterior do mesencéfalo e da glândula pineal. Esta abordagem oferece uma ampla exposição cirúrgica aos tumores desta região, evitando ainda os riscos da posição semi-sentada usada no acesso supracerebelar infratentorial. A descrição passo-a-passo do procedimento com ilustrações anatômicas é apresentada pelos autores, bem como casos ilustrativos.

Pain in Parkinson's disease: analysis of 50 cases in a clinic of movement disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a common symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), and is often related to the illness itself. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively establish the occurrence of pain in PD patients. METHOD: This study was conducted within a population composed of 50 patients with PD to evaluate the presence of pain. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients reported pain; comparing the group with pain and the group without pain, there were no differences related to the beginning of the illness and the motor symptoms of PD. However, many patients related an improvement of pain when antiparkinsonian therapy was initiated or adjusted. CONCLUSION: The use of techniques for analgesia and the adjustment of PD medication contribute to improve the manifestations of pain and the life quality of patients with PD.

Pain in Parkinson’s disease: analysis of 50 cases in a clinic of movement disorders

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a common symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), and is often related to the illness itself. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively establish the ocurrence of pain in PD patients. METHOD: This study was conducted within a population composed of 50 patients with PD to evaluate the presence of pain. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients reported pain; comparing the group with pain and the group without pain, there were no differences related to the beginning of the illness and the motor symptoms of PD. However, many patients related an improvement of pain when antiparkinsonian therapy was initiated or adjusted. CONCLUSION: The use of techniques for analgesia and the adjustment of PD medication contribute to improve the manifestations of pain and the life quality of patients with PD.

INTRODUÇÃO: Dor é um sintoma comum na doença de Parkinson (DP) e, às vezes, está relacionada à própria patologia de base. OBJETIVOS: Estabelecer prospectivamente a ocorrência de dor em pacientes com DP. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados consecutivamente 50 pacientes com DP, para comparação entre os que referiam e os que negavam quadro álgico. RESULTADOS: Entre os entrevistados, 28 referiam episódios dolorosos, não havendo diferenças quanto ao início da doença e os sintomas motores da DP, na comparação entre os dois grupos. Porém, muitos pacientes referiam melhora da dor com a introdução ou ajuste da terapia antiparkinsoniana. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de analgesia e ajuste da terapia para a DP ajudam na melhora do quadro álgico e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

Vascular parkinsonism: analysis of seven cases / Parkinsonismo vascular: análise de sete casos

INTRODUCTION: Neuroimaging studies of elderly individuals reveal alterations in the white matter that are incompatible with the patientÆs parkinsonism, mistakenly classified as vascular parkinsonism (VP). METHOD: This study was conducted on a population composed of 20 patients with ParkinsonÆs disease (PD) whose neuroimaging exams revealed vascular alterations in the white matter and seven patients with VP in order to compare diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Age at disease onset of patients with PD was 55±12 years and patients with VP it was 62±13 years. Twelve patients with PD and five patients with VP presented arterial hypertension; three patients with VP and two patients with PD presented gait impairment; all patients with VP presented rigidity and bradykinesia, six of them presented resting tremor; 19 patients with PD presented tremor and 19 of them presented rigidity, while 17 presented bradykinesia. When the symptoms and evolution of both diseases were compared, the vascular alterations in the white matter were considered unspecific. CONCLUSION: Since clinical symptoms are unspecific, a differential diagnosis requires neuroimaging, good response to levodopa and clinical evolution.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos de neuroimagem em idosos mostram alterações na substância branca que são incompatíveis com o parkinsonismo do paciente, erroneamente classificado como parkinsonismo vascular (PV). MÉTODO: Este estudo foi conduzido a partir de uma população de 20 pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP) cujos exames de neuroimagem revelaram alterações vasculares na substância branca e sete pacientes com PV para comparar os critérios diagnósticos. RESULTADOS: A idade de início da doença dos pacientes com DP foi 55±12 anos e pacientes com PV foi 62±13 anos. Doze pacientes com DP e cinco pacientes com PV apresentaram hipertensão arterial; três pacientes com PV e dois pacientes com DP apresentaram alteração da marcha; todos os pacientes com PV apresentaram rigidez e bradicinesia, seis deles apresentaram tremor de repouso; 19 pacientes com DP apresentaram tremor e 19 deles apresentaram rigidez, enquanto 17 apresentaram bradicinesia. Quando os sintomas e a evolução de ambas as doenças foram comparadas, as alterações vasculares na substância branca foram consideradas inespecíficas. CONCLUSÃO: Como os sintomas clínicos são inespecíficos, um diagnóstico diferencial requer neuroimagem, boa resposta a levodopa e evolução clínica da doença.