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Case Reports in Otolaryngology 2023Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency caused by progressive accumulation of air in the intracranial spaces mediated by a valve mechanism. Tension...
BACKGROUND
Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency caused by progressive accumulation of air in the intracranial spaces mediated by a valve mechanism. Tension pneumocephalus usually presents with headaches, reduced consciousness, and even death. One of the most common causes is an ethmoidal defect resulted by nasal surgery or facial traumas.
METHODS
A literature review about tension pneumocephalus resulting from ethmoidal damages was performed. Surgery strategies included decompression by frontal burr holes and multilayer repair of the ethmoidal defect. In this paper, an endoscopic technique that exploits the ethmoidal defect to decompress the intracranial spaces and to resolve tension pneumocephalus with fewer complications and shorter hospitalization in comparison to frontal craniotomy is proposed.
CONCLUSION
The proposed endonasal endoscopic technique could be effectively used as a first-line treatment for symptomatic tension pneumocephalus caused by posttraumatic or iatrogenic ethmoidal defect.
PubMed: 37649693
DOI: 10.1155/2023/2679788 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jul 2023Subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) is a complex and rare condition characterized by a pathological shunt between the subarachnoid and pleural spaces. It can lead to the...
BACKGROUND
Subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) is a complex and rare condition characterized by a pathological shunt between the subarachnoid and pleural spaces. It can lead to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the pleural space, pneumocephalus, and the development of central nervous system infection. Trauma or thoracic spinal surgery are common causes of SPF, with symptoms including postural headache, consciousness status changes, and dyspnea. The combination of SPF and subdural hygroma is a severe and rare condition, with little existing literature on its clinical correlation.
CASE SUMMARY
We report a case of an 83-year-old male patient with traumatic SPF and bilateral frontal subdural hygroma following a fall from height. The patient initially presented with severe lower back and buttock pain. During admission, the patient developed worsening lower limb weakness and pleural effusion. Further investigation revealed the presence of subdural hygromas with mass effect, requiring emergency bilateral subdural drainage. A multidisciplinary approach was undertaken to manage this complex condition, including intervention for hypovolemic CSF status and subdural hygroma management. The pleural effusion eventually resolved and the patient attained a higher level of consciousness after bilateral hygroma drainage surgery. We also reviewed the present literature relating to this rare combination of medical conditions.
CONCLUSION
Traumatic SPF with subsequent subdural hygroma is a rare but serious combination. Although the optimal treatment strategy for this complex condition remains uncertain, our literature review suggested that a multidisciplinary approach, including intervention for hypovolemic CSF and management of the subdural hygroma, is the most beneficial.
PubMed: 37583858
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i21.5173 -
NMC Case Report Journal 2023Pituitary gamma knife surgery (GKS) is a treatment option for poststroke thalamic pain syndrome. Complications such as hypopituitarism, transient enuresis, and transient...
Pituitary gamma knife surgery (GKS) is a treatment option for poststroke thalamic pain syndrome. Complications such as hypopituitarism, transient enuresis, and transient hyponatremia have been reported. However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage has not yet been reported as a complication of pituitary GKS for poststroke thalamic pain syndrome. Herein, we report a case of delayed CSF rhinorrhea that developed 9 years after GKS for poststroke thalamic pain syndrome. A 64-year-old man presented to our hospital with bacterial meningitis and CSF rhinorrhea. Pituitary GKS for poststroke thalamic pain had been performed 9 years prior to his admission to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed pneumocephalus, fluid in the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses, and a partial bony defect of the sella turcica floor with communication between the paranasal and intracranial spaces. The CSF rhinorrhea resolved with bed rest and a lumbar CSF drain but recurred several days later. The patient underwent direct endoscopic surgical repair of the skull base. The sellar floor was covered with an autologous fascia graft harvested from the rectus sheath, and the sphenoid sinus was packed with abdominal fat grafts. The patient recovered, and the CSF rhinorrhea has not recurred for 2 years. Long-term follow-up is necessary after pituitary GKS, considering the complication of delayed CSF leakage.
PubMed: 37539363
DOI: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2022-0224 -
PloS One 2023Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is commonly treated via surgical removal of the hematoma, placement of a routine indwelling drainage tube, and continuous drainage to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is commonly treated via surgical removal of the hematoma, placement of a routine indwelling drainage tube, and continuous drainage to ensure that the blood does not re-aggregate following removal. However, the optimal location for placement of the drainage tube remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVES
To aid in establishing a reference for selecting the optimal method, we compared the effects of different drainage tube placements on CSDH prognosis via a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous clinical studies.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We searched for clinical studies comparing the outcomes of subperiosteal/subgaleal drainage (SPGD) and subdural drainage (SDD) for CSDH published in English prior to April 1, 2022.
PARTICIPANTS
The final analysis included 15 studies involving 4,318 patients.
RESULTS
Our analysis of the pooled results revealed no significant differences in recurrence rate between the SDD and SPGD groups. We also observed no significant differences in mortality or rates of postoperative complications (infection, pneumocephalus, or epilepsy) between the SDD and SPGD groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the choice of SDD vs. SPGD has no significant effect on CSDH prognosis, highlighting SPGD as an alternative treatment option for CSDH.
Topics: Humans; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic; Treatment Outcome; Drainage; Postoperative Complications; Periosteum; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37527264
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288872 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jul 2023Pneumocephalus is rare in vaginal deliveries. Pneumocephalus may be asymptomatic or present with signs of increased intracranial pressure. However, parturients who...
BACKGROUND
Pneumocephalus is rare in vaginal deliveries. Pneumocephalus may be asymptomatic or present with signs of increased intracranial pressure. However, parturients who received epidural anesthesia with air in their brains may experience low intracranial pressure headaches after giving birth, causing the diagnosis of pneumocephalus to be delayed. We report a case of a parturient who developed post-dural puncture headache combined with pneumocephalus secondary to vaginal delivery following epidural anesthesia.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 24-year-old G1P0 Chinese woman at 38 weeks gestation was in labor and received epidural anesthesia using the loss of resistance to air technique and had a negative prior medical history. She presented with postural headache, neck stiffness and auditory changes 2 h after vaginal delivery. The head non-contrast computed tomography revealed distributed gas density shadows in the brain, indicating pneumocephalus. Her headache was relieved by bed rest, rehydration, analgesia, and oxygen therapy and completely disappeared after 2 weeks of postpartum bed rest.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report that positional headaches after epidural anesthesia may not indicate low intracranial pressure alone; it may combine with pneumocephalus, particularly when using the loss of resistance to air technique. At this moment, head computed tomography is essential to discover other conditions like pneumocephalus.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Post-Dural Puncture Headache; Pneumocephalus; Anesthesia, Epidural; Headache; Delivery, Obstetric
PubMed: 37525146
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05861-6 -
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology... 2023
Topics: Humans; Pneumocephalus; Postoperative Complications; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 37517586
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjane.2023.07.005 -
Child's Nervous System : ChNS :... Dec 2023The surgical management of third ventricular lesions poses unique challenges, requiring careful consideration of various approaches and techniques. This study focuses on...
INTRODUCTION
The surgical management of third ventricular lesions poses unique challenges, requiring careful consideration of various approaches and techniques. This study focuses on the transventricular transforaminal endoscopic approach and aims to provide insights into its indications, limitations, technical nuances, and potential complications in pediatric patients.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from a 13-year period on pediatric patients who were subjected to transforaminal endoscopic surgery for third ventricular lesions. The study utilized a prospectively maintained internal database, extracting demographic data, preoperative assessment, surgical details, and postoperative follow-up information. The surgical technique is presented in detail, and exemplary case reports highlight relevant surgical considerations.
RESULTS
Out of 578 endoscopic transforaminal procedures, 24 surgeries were performed on pediatric patients with third ventricular lesions. Performed procedures consisted of cyst resection (13 cases), solid tumor resection (4 cases), and tumor biopsies with CSF pathway restoration (7 cases). The mean age at the time of surgery was 7.6 years. Postoperatively, 14 patients showed transient nausea and vomiting (58.3%); 10 patients showed pneumocephalus on postoperative MRI (41.7%). No emergency postoperative re-interventions nor perioperative mortality were observed.
CONCLUSION
The endoscopic transventricular transforaminal approach is a safe approach for lesion resection, CSF pathway restoration, and tumor biopsy in pediatric patients with third ventricle lesions. The author's results support the use of this minimally invasive technique as an alternative to more extensive approaches, particularly to the interforniceal interhemispheric approach. However, surgical success is highly dependent to the individual surgeon's experience and moreover to a suitable indication setting. Careful preoperative planning and knowledge of the approaches' pro and cons is mandatory for successful application of this approach.
Topics: Humans; Child; Third Ventricle; Neuroendoscopy; Retrospective Studies; Neurosurgical Procedures; Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37515720
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-06096-8 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Jul 2024Tension pneumocephalus (TP) after spinal surgery is very rare with only a few cases reported in the English literature. Most cases of TP occur rapidly after spinal...
Tension pneumocephalus (TP) after spinal surgery is very rare with only a few cases reported in the English literature. Most cases of TP occur rapidly after spinal surgery. Traditionally, TP is managed using burr holes to relieve intracranial pressure. However, our case highlights a rare delayed presentation of TP and pneumorrhacis 1 month after routine cervical spine surgery. It is to our knowledge the first case of TP after spinal surgery to be treated using dural repair and supportive care. A 75-year-old woman presented with TP after having routine cervical decompression and stabilisation for cervical myelopathy. She re-presented 1 month after her initial operation with a leaking wound and altered mental status, which deteriorated rapidly shortly after admission. This, in combination with her radiographic features, influenced the decision to explore her surgical wound emergently. She made a full recovery and was discharged after 2 weeks in hospital. We hope to emphasise the need for a high index of suspicion for cerebrospinal fluid leaks and the low threshold to return to theatre to repair a potential dural defect, as well as illustrate that TP after spinal surgery can be treated successfully without burr holes.
Topics: Humans; Pneumocephalus; Female; Aged; Cervical Vertebrae; Decompression, Surgical; Postoperative Complications; Pneumorrhachis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 37381753
DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2023.0037 -
Acta Neurochirurgica Aug 2023Traditionally, functional neurosurgery relied in stereotactic atlases and intraoperative micro-registration in awake patients for electrode placement in Parkinson's...
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, functional neurosurgery relied in stereotactic atlases and intraoperative micro-registration in awake patients for electrode placement in Parkinson's disease. Cumulative experience on target description, refinement of MRI, and advances in intraoperative imaging has enabled accurate preoperative planning and its implementation with the patient under general anaesthesia.
METHODS
Stepwise description, emphasising preoperative planning, and intraoperative imaging verification, for transition to asleep-DBS surgery.
CONCLUSION
Direct targeting relies on MRI anatomic landmarks and accounts for interpersonal variability. Indeed, the asleep procedure precludes patient distress. A particular complication to avoid is pneumocephalus; it can lead to brain-shift and potential deviation of electrode trajectory.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Deep Brain Stimulation; Neurosurgical Procedures; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37318635
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-023-05659-7