Depth versus subdural temporal electrodes revisited: Impact on surgical outcome after resective surgery for epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To study retrospectively the impact of electrode modality (subdural or depth electrodes) during presurgical assessment on surgical outcome after temporal lobectomy. METHODS: The study included 17 patients assessed with depth electrodes and 57 with bitemporal subdural strips. RESULTS: MRI showed a larger proportion of bilateral pathology in patients undergoing depth recordings (29.41% versus 3.5%, p=0.00069). Among the operated patients, those undergoing depth electrode recordings showed better outcome at one year after surgery (11/12 versus 22/33; p=0.046). This difference disappears at longest follow up (10/12 versus 22/33; p=0.138). Moreover, the probability of undergoing surgery and having good outcome after assessment with intracranial recordings is higher for the depth electrode group at one-year follow up (11/17 versus 22/57; p=0.029) but statistical differences decrease to a trend for the longest follow up (10/17 versus 22/57; p=0.069). No other statistical differences were noted between subdural and depth electrodes. Depth electrodes showed lower complication rates than subdural electrodes. CONCLUSION: Both depth and subdural electrodes are effective for presurgical assessment of temporal lobe epilepsy. SIGNIFICANCE: Assessment with depth electrodes is associated with slightly increased likelihood of surgery and marginally better surgical outcome at one year follow up which disappears for longer follow up periods. Initial assessment with depth electrodes would have avoided a second implantation in 15% of patients.

Hidrocefalia aguda a presión negativa: propuesta de manejo y valor de la ventriculostomía temprana / Acute negative-pressure hydrocephalus: Management algorithm and value of early endoscopic ventriculostomy

La hidrocefalia aguda a presión negativa es una entidad poco frecuente, infradiagnosticada y asociada a una elevada morbimortalidad. Se propone un algoritmo diagnóstico-terapéutico para el manejo de esta patología, valorando la realización de una ventriculostomía endoscópica de manera precoz. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo observacional en el que se analizan los casos diagnosticados de hidrocefalia aguda a presión negativa en el periodo 2016-2020. Se recogieron los siguientes datos: edad, síntomas, causa primaria de hidrocefalia, existencia de derivación, infección o intervención quirúrgica previas, tiempo hasta la realización de la ventriculostomía, tratamiento definitivo de la hidrocefalia y estado clínico de los pacientes a los 6 meses. Se desarrolla el protocolo de manejo propuesto y se lleva a cabo una justificación fisiopatológica del mismo basada en una revisión bibliográfica. Resultados: Se identificaron 5 pacientes con diagnóstico de hidrocefalia aguda a presión negativa, en 4 de los cuales se aplicó el protocolo propuesto, llevándose a cabo un diagnóstico precoz y una ventriculostomía endoscópica temprana. Dos de ellos (50%) experimentaron una resolución completa de la hidrocefalia, mientras que en los otros 2 casos se apreció normalización de la presión intraventricular, aunque requirieron derivación permanente. Un paciente falleció por infección sistémica (20%), los otros 4 (80%) fueron dados de alta sin modificaciones reseñables en su estado clínico basal. Conclusiones:La rápida identificación de un estado de hidrocefalia aguda a presión negativa es crucial para el correcto manejo del paciente y para disminuir complicaciones. El empleo de un protocolo específico y la realización temprana de una ventriculostomía premamilar endoscópica podrían mejorar los resultados (AU)

Introduction: Acute negative-pressure hydrocephalus is an uncommon, underrecognized patology with a high morbidity and mortality. We propose an algorithm to facilitate the management of these patients, promoting the early diagnosis and the use of endoscopic third ventriculostomy as initial therapeutic option. Material and methods: We performed an observational retrospective study in which patients diagnosed with acute negative-pressure hydrocephalus were included. Patient age and symptoms, primary etiology of hydrocephalus, previous shunt, infection and surgical procedures, time from clinical deterioration to endoscopic procedure, definitive treatment and patient outcomes were recorded. Our management algortihm is exposed and justified. Results: We identified 5patients with diagnosis of acute negative-pressure hydrcephalus. In 4 of them the management algorithm was applied and early diagnosis and endoscopic ventriculostomy were performed. We observed complete succes of the endoscopic procedure in 2 patients (50%); the other 2required permanent shunt, nevertheless resolution of the low-pressure state was achieved. One patient died after systemic infection (20%), 80% of the patients experienced good outcome. Conclusions: The early identification of a negative-pressure hydrocephalic state is essential to reduce complications. Application of a specific management algortihm and early endoscopic third ventriculostomy could be advantageous to achieve better outcomes (AU)