C1-C2 Injury: Factors influencing mortality, outcome, and fracture healing.

BACKGROUND: C1-C2 injury represents 25-40% of cervical injuries and predominantly occurs in the geriatric population. METHODS: A prospective multicentre study was conducted under the aegis of the french spine surgery society (SFCR) investigating the impact of age, comorbidities, lesion type, and treatment option on mortality, complications, and fusion rates. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were recruited from 11 participating centres. The mean ± SD age was 66.6 ± 22 years, and there were 228 men (55%); 5.4% presented a neurological deficit at initial presentation. The most frequent traumatic lesion was C2 fracture (n = 308). Overall mortality was 8.4%; it was 2.3% among those aged ≤ 60 years, 5.0% 61-80 years, and 16.0% > 80 years (p < 0.001). Regarding complications, 17.8% of patients ≤ 70 years of age presented with ≥ 1 complication versus 32.3% > 70 years (p = 0.0009). The type of fracture did not condition the onset of complications and/or mortality (p > 0.05). The presence of a comorbidity was associated with a risk factor for both death (p = 0.0001) and general complication (p = 0.008). Age and comorbidities were found to be independently associated with death (p < 0.005). The frequency of pseudoarthrosis ranged from 0 to 12.5% up to 70 years of age and then constantly and progressively increased to reach 58.6% after 90 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: C1-C2 injury represents a serious concern, possibly life-threatening, especially in the elderly. We found a major impact of age and comorbidities on mortality, complications, and pseudarthrosis; injury pattern or treatment option seem to have a minimal effect.

[A new human machine interface in neurosurgery: The Leap Motion(®). Technical note regarding a new touchless interface]. / Un nouvel interface homme machine en neurochirurgie : le Leap Motion(®). Note technique sur une nouvelle interface homme machine sans contact.

Currently, cross-sectional imaging viewing is used in routine practice whereas the surgical procedure requires physical contact with an interface (mouse or touch-sensitive screen). This type of contact results in a risk of lack of aseptic control and causes loss of time. The recent appearance of devices such as the Leap Motion(®) (Leap Motion society, San Francisco, USA) a sensor which enables to interact with the computer without any physical contact is of major interest in the field of surgery. However, its configuration and ergonomics produce key challenges in order to adapt to the practitioner's requirements, the imaging software as well as the surgical environment. This article aims to suggest an easy configuration of the Leap Motion(®) in neurosurgery on a PC for an optimized utilization with Carestream(®) Vue PACS v11.3.4 (Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, USA) using a plug-in (to download at: https://drive.google.com/?usp=chrome_app#folders/0B_F4eBeBQc3ybElEeEhqME5DQkU) and a video tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVPTgxg-SIk).

Identification of fifteen novel mutations in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene in European patients with severe hypophosphatasia.

Hypophosphatasia is an inherited disorder characterised by defective bone mineralisation and deficiency of serum and tissue liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase (L/B/K ALP) activity. We report the characterisation of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene mutations in a series of 13 European families affected by perinatal, infantile or childhood hypophosphatasia. Eighteen distinct mutations were found, only three of which had been reported previously in North American and Japanese populations. Most of the 15 new mutations were missense mutations, but we also found two mutations affecting donor splice sites and a nonsense mutation. A missense mutation in the last codon of the putative signal peptide probably affects the final maturation of the protein. Despite extensive sequencing of the gene and its promotor region, only one mutation was identified in two cases, one of which was compatible with a possible dominant effect of certain mutations and the putative role of polymorphisms of the TNSALP gene. In 12 of the 13 tested families, genetic diagnosis was possible by characterisation of the mutations or by use of polymorphisms as genetic markers. Hypophosphatasia diagnosis was assigned in two families where clinical, laboratory and radiographic data were unclear and prenatal diagnosis was performed in one case. The results also show that severe hypophosphatasia is due to a very large spectrum of mutations in European populations with no prevalent mutation and that genetic diagnosis of the disease must be performed by extensive analysis of the gene.

Intestinal decontamination in a polyvalent ICU. A double-blind study.

A double blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to test the efficacy of prevention of nosocomial infections by selective digestive decontamination. Placebo or tobramycin (80 mg) and colistin (100 mg) was given four times daily via the gastric tube. Amphotericin B (500 mg/6 h) was administered to all patients. As our ICU is divided into two separate subunits, intestinal decontamination or placebo was administered alternatively to patients of the two subunits during two 3-month periods, separated by a 2-month period without prevention. The decontamination (n = 97) and placebo groups (n = 84) were similar with respect to age, sex, severity score and diagnostic categories on admission. Intestinal decontamination alone failed to significantly reduce the number of infected patients (26% vs 34.5%, p = 0.20), but was effective on ICU-acquired infections (0.33 vs 0.60, p = 0.02) especially gram-negative infection rates (0.17 vs 0.43, p = 0.01). The onset of the first ICU-acquired infection was delayed (9 vs 13 days, p less than 0.001) and incidence of pneumonia (2 vs 13 cases, p less than 0.01) including bacterial pneumonia (0 vs 8 cases, p less than 0.01) was significantly decreased. However, mean ICU stay and mortality were not significantly modified by intestinal decontamination.

[Early somatosensory (SEP) and auditory (AEP) evoked potentials in anoxic coma: prognostic value]. / Les potentiels évoqués somesthésiques (PESp) et auditifs (PEAp) précoces dans les comas anoxiques: valeur pronostique.

Early somatosensory (SEP) and auditory (BAEP) evoked potentials, when recorded within the first seven days of the course of anoxic coma, appear to be reliable to evaluate anoxic ischemic cortical or under-cortical lesions. Prognosis depends especially on cortical SEP (N20-P25): the lack of SEP is a good outcome predictor of death (abnormal BAEP) or of vegetative status (normal BAEP); the presence of normal and bilateral cortical SEP (with normal BAEP) allows to predict awakening, without prejudging of neurologic sequelae, even if they are severe.

Clonidine in preterm-infant caudal anesthesia may be responsible for postoperative apnea.

OBJECTIVE: Regional anesthesia without adjunctive general anesthesia or sedation has been recommended for preterm infants to decrease the risk of postoperative apnea. Single-dose caudal local anesthetic has a limited duration, which may be insufficient for long surgery. Addition of clonidine to local anesthetics has been shown to prolong the duration of surgical analgesia. However, respiratory depression related to clonidine may occur in adults. Respiratory depression has not been reported after caudal administration of clonidine in preterm infants. Here we report a case of early postoperative apnea in a waking preterm infant after caudal anesthesia performed with lidocaine, bupivacaine, and clonidine. CASE REPORT: A male infant, 39 postconceptual weeks old, was administered a single-injection caudal anesthesia without sedation with 5 mg/kg lidocaine plus 2.5 mg/kg bupivacaine and 1.25 microg/kg clonidine for bilateral inguinal hernia repair, and had early postoperative apneic events. Except for gestational age, the patient showed no apparent risk factors for postoperative apnea. The infant was monitored 24 hours in a neonatal intensive care unit, and no other apnea was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Our report suggests that clonidine may be responsible for postoperative apnea in a preterm neonate. Further studies are required to determine the useful safe dose of clonidine for single-injection caudal anesthesia in those infants.

Lipoma in the cerebellopontine angle.

A case of lipoma in the cerebellopontine angle is reported. Intracranial lipomas are very rare, especially in the cerebellopontine angle. To our knowledge, only four cases, including our own, have been operated upon. Until now, total extirpation has not been possible. The singular appearance on computed tomography scanning of this dysembryoplasia is presented together with a bibliography of this subject.

[Torticollis and C1-C2 rotation subluxation. Apropos of a case. The value of a dynamic scanner and of a 3-dimensional scanner]. / Torticolis et sub-luxation rotatoire C1-C2. A propos d'un cas. Intérêt du scanner dynamique et du scanner en trois dimensions.

The authors report the rare and complex case of a girl who had been followed since the age of 3 years for hydrocephalus the cause of which was found only when she was 6-year old. The causative agent was a pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellum. On April 10, 1990, she underwent subtotal excision of the tumour, associated with radiotherapy. Four months later she developed an increasingly painful and irreducible torticollis which did not respond to tractions. Dynamic CT scans and 3-dimensional CT scans were performed in the fourth month and provided a diagnosis of right C1-C2 rotatory subluxation. There was no history of injury and no sign of inflammatory process. Rotatory subluxation is a very rare lesion difficult to diagnose, and few cases have been published, although the signs are those of classical torticollis in children. When medical treatment fails, often due to belated diagnosis, the only surgical treatment is uni- or bilateral C1-C2 arthrodesis. If the diagnosis can be made at an early stage, reduction of the rotatory luxation is usually easy and without consequences to the child. It is therefore recommended to perform a dynamic CT scan and a 3D CT scan as soon as possible in all children with lasting painful torticollis.

[Pain in hospitalized children]. / La douleur de l'enfant hospitalisé.

Pain is present in many hospitalized children and this requires from every physician a constant attention to its recognition, evaluation and treatment. The semeiology of pain differs whether it is acute or chronic. Acute pain can be recognized from its various behavioural, motor and neurovegetative manifestations. Pain evaluation must be adapted according to age: autoevaluation procedures for children older than 5 years, behavioural scales for children younger than 5 years. One must know that there is an appropriate and efficient treatment for each stage of pain intensity. For a better recognition and management of pain in hospitalized children, the organization of teams specialized in the evaluation and treatment of pain in children is to be encouraged.

[Interventional computed tomography in thoracic oncology. Apropos of 170 cases]. / Tomodensitométrie interventionnelle en oncologie thoracique. A propos de 170 cas.

The authors report their experience with follow-up cytohistological examination of subclinical thoracic lesions in oncology by transparietal puncture with CAT-scanning localization in 170 patients. They detail a few special points concerning the material used and their techniques, in view of reducing the most common incidents and of managing the most severe complications. They analyze their results in two groups of patients, one investigated in a context of known malignancy and the other, with no history of malignancy in whom bronchoscopy, bronchial lavage and brushing were negative. They found an overall sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 100%, respectively, in the diagnosis of malignant disease. The method showed an efficacy of 83.5%. For the two populations, sensitivity was 84% and 87% respectively, and efficacy was 82 and 85% respectively. Thus, the results were better in the patients who had never received anticancer therapy. They also observed significant differences depending on whether the targets were mediastinal, pleuropulmonary or parietal. While the rapid diagnostic information appears invaluable in both groups of patients, in contrast, the small volume of the specimens, which may be hemorrhagic, necrotic, with more or less extensive fibrosis of the stroma, and the immaturity of certain tumors, sometimes make it impossible for the pathologist to give a precise diagnosis of the tumor other than the benign or malignant structural character of the lesion. This represents a significant obstacle in hematology for affections which, although non surgical, nevertheless require precise identification of the lesion for effective therapy. The elaboration of more effective sampling material, repeated punctures and immunohistoenzymatic analysis techniques would probably further improve the results of the method.

[3-dimensional (3D) echography in obstetrics. Advantages and limits]. / Echographie en 3 dimensions (3D) en Obstétrique. Avantages et limites.

Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D) offers new options in imaging modes: such as simultaneous rotation and translation of the three perpendicular planes displayed, surface rendering, or transparent mode providing an imaging of structures with high echogenicity (bones, skull). This new imaging mode is extending the field of conventional two-dimensional ultrasound, but for now it has to be evaluated.

[Ellis-van Creveld syndrome. Contribution of echography to prenatal diagnosis. Apropos of a case]. / Syndrome d'Ellis Van Creveld. Apport de l'échographie dans le diagnostic prénatal. A propos d'un cas.

The Ellis Van Creveld syndrome gives rise to a dwarf showing chondroectodermal dysplasia. We report a case where the diagnosis was made antenatally by ultrasound. It showed that the length of the femur was shorter than the mean for the gestational age and it also showed six fingers. A review of the literature demonstrates that it is possible to make the diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia prenatally using ultrasound.

[Obstetrical consequences of female circumcision. Study in 71 circumcised African women]. / Conséquences obstétricales de l'excision féminine. Etude chez 71 femmes africaines excisées.

The delivery of 71 African women who had been circumcised was studied against a control of 781 women who were not circumcised. We have not been able to find any difference as far as caesarean section, forceps delivery or fetal distress in the two groups that were studied. The only difference is a higher frequency of perineal injury in the group of circumcised women.

[Treatment of peritumoral cerebral edema with tetracosactide]. / Traitement de l'oedème cérébral péritumoral par le tétracosactide.

Tetracosactide is known to be used in brain tumours, but its action is difficult to evaluate clearly. Tetracosactide exerts analgesic, anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory effects and it reduces the oedema surrounding brain tumours. It is this latter effect which we have studied. We used a technetium-labelled cerebral marker, 99mTc HMPAO (Ceretec), and found that this functional exploration not only detects the presence of a brain tumour, but also measures regional cerebral blood flow. This marker is mainly used in intracerebral vascular diseases. Since february 1990, eighteen patients suffering from malignant brain tumour with pronounced perilesional oedema were selected and treated with tetracosactide for two days. With the help of 99mTc HMPAO scintigraphy the oedema was quantified, and the results obtained were interpreted. The initial results of this clinical experiment indicate that the phenomena observed were due to improved vascularization of the healthy peritumoral areas with resorption of oedema. This was a consequence of the direct tetracosactide action, and the higher the dose of this compound, the clearer its action.

[Nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care. Value of different diagnostic tools]. / Bronchopneumopathies nosocomiales en réanimation: valeur des différents outils diagnostiques.

The authors analyzed in published studies providing histologic data the value of diagnostic means of nosocomial bronchopneumonia (NBP) in critically ill patients. At least 10% of patients whose trachea is intubated and the lungs mechanically ventilated suffer an histologically-confirmed NBP. Histology of NBP consists of non systematized foci of infection, localised in 90% of cases in the posterior segments of the lower pulmonary lobes. In fact, small foci are disseminated in both lungs, usually within large areas of non infectious pulmonary lesions and are often multimicrobial. This may explain why the clinical and radiological diagnosis is inaccurate in more than 40% of cases. On chest X-ray, aeric bronchogram and alveolar infiltrates are suggestive but non-specific for NBP, as are also fever, leukocytosis and purulent sputum. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis of infection and to isolate the microorganisms responsible for NBP, additional investigations are required whose interpretation is uneasy. In a simplified manner, bacteriological inoculum takes a course parallel to the histological bronchopulmonary lesions: no bacteria in the absence of infection, high bacterial inoculum in case of confluent NBP, intermediary in case of bronchitis, however with exceptions when antibiotherapy has recently been modified. In fact, neither bronchial protected brushing nor broncho-alveolar lavage techniques have a perfect sensitivity and specificity. As an example, a diagnostic procedure in assessed in calculating the probability of an accurate diagnosis of NBP. It is concluded that diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia remains still unreliable with the means available today.

[Hand-Schüller-Christian disease with tumor localization in the posterior fossa]. / Maladie de Hand-Schüller-Christian avec localisation tumorale dans la fosse postérieure.

A 19-year-old girl had been suffering since the age of 4 from Hand-Schüller-Christian disease. The condition was diagnosed by biopsy of a cranial bone lacuna. Later on, she developed diabetes insipidus and bilateral exophthalmos, both being typical signs of Hand-Schüller-Christian disease. At the age of 14, an intracranial tumour in the posterior cerebral fossa was discovered by computerized tomography, but in view of her parent's refusal of surgery, she was operated upon only 4 years later for obstructive hydrocephalus with intracranial hypertension. Two years after this operation, she presented with neurological signs of compression of the medulla oblongata, including tetraparesis and respiratory disorders, and the tumour was resected. Following a brief improvement she died of major hydroelectrolytic disorders due to her irreducible unstable diabetes insipidus. A review of the literature on Hand-Schüller-Christian disease and its rare association with intracranial tumours is analysed. The occurrence of such tumours raise important therapeutic problems and make the prognosis considerably worse.

[Monotherapy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia with azlocillin]. / Monothérapie des septicémies à Pseudomonas aeruginosa par azlocilline.

Azlocillin was administered alone to seven patients without malignant or blood disease presenting with septicaemia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In 6 cases the infection developed after surgery and in 3 of these it was responsible for a state of shock, twice associated with acute anuric renal failure. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of azlocillin varied from 2 to 32 micrograms/ml; 5 strains were resistant to carbenicillin. The minimum inhibitory to minimum bactericidal concentrations ratio, measured on five occasions, was equal to 2. Bacterial eradication was obtained in 6 patients. One patient with multivisceral failure died during treatment and in this case the responsible organism had become resistant to azlocillin.

[Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis. Apropos of a surgically-treated case. Review of the literature]. / Echinococcose alvéolaire cérébrale. A propos d'un cas opéré. Revue de la littérature.

The authors present a case of a cerebral echinococcosis in a male farmer operated upon 9 and 6 years ago for pulmonary and hepatic localisations of Alveolar Echinococcosis. Cerebral lesions were diagnosed by CT scan and MRI and were totally removed. The follow-up was uneventful. A review of the literature revealed only eighteen previously reported surgical cases. The authors comment the epidemiology of this endemic parasitic disease, and the particular aspects of its cerebral localisation.

[Peroperative echography in neurosurgery. Its value and applications 10 years later]. / L'échographie peropératoire en neurochirurgie. Son intérêt et ses applications dix ans après.

Intraoperative ultrasound imaging has many advantages over other imaging methods. The authors present their experience from hundred patients over ultrasound scanning. A large iconography is exposed. Not only the intracerebral lesions such as gliomas or metastases but also abscess or cysts can be controlled or biopsied directly. Per-operative ultrasonography is interesting for spinal cord lesions and spinal traumas. Ten years from the first utilisation in neurosurgery, the method is always used, its cost is low and its practice is very easy.

[Glioblastoma of the cerebellum in a child. Apropos of a case. A review of the literature]. / Glioblastome du cervelet chez un enfant. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

Authors present a case of glioblastoma of cerebellum in a 11-year old child. Symptoms and signs are those of other tumors of posterior fossa. Diagnosis was made by CT Scan and pathologist. In spite of radiotherapy, he died one year after craniotomy. Only twenty cases of glioblastoma of cerebellum in childhood were described in the literature.