Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe IMPACT prognosis calculator used in patients with severe traumatic brain injury treated with an ICP-targeted therapy.
The prognosis of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is important. The International Mission on Prognosis in Traumatic Brain Injury (IMPACT) study group has developed a prediction calculator for the outcome of patients with sTBI, and this has been made available on the World Wide Web. We have studied the use of the IMPACT calculator on sTBI patients treated with an ICP-targeted therapy based on the Lund concept. ⋯ The IMPACT prognosis calculator should be used with caution for the prediction of outcome for an individual patient with sTBI treated with an ICP-targeted therapy based on the Lund concept. We conclude that we have to initiate treatment in all patients with blunt sTBI and an initial cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)≥10 mmHg [corrected]. It seems that the outcome in sTBI patients treated in this fashion is better than would have been expected from the IMPACT prognosis.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyOutcome following evacuation of acute subdural haematomas: a comparison of craniotomy with decompressive craniectomy.
Acute subdural haematomas (ASDH) occur commonly following traumatic brain injury and may be evacuated by either craniotomy (CR) or decompressive craniectomy (DC). We reviewed a series of consecutive patients undergoing evacuation of a traumatic ASDH at a regional centre, comparing observed clinical outcomes (assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale at six months) with those predicted by the CRASH-CT prognostic model. ⋯ CR and DC for traumatic ASDH are both commonly used for primary evacuation of ASDH. Primary DC may be more effective than CR for selected patients with ASDH. Class I evidence is required in order to refine the indications for DC following evacuation of ASDH.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Sep 2012
Frameless image-guided stereotaxy with real-time visual feedback for brain biopsy.
Frame-based stereotaxy remains the "gold standard" for cerebral biopsies and functional neurosurgery though new frameless stereotactic systems are evolving continually. As the technique of frameless stereotaxy gains increasing acceptance among neurosurgeons, this study assesses the feasibility of a system for frameless image-guided stereotaxy. ⋯ Clinical experience indicates VarioGuide to be safe and accurate. Reachable range of lesion localisation appears to be comparable to a frame-based stereotaxy system. Operation times are brief. The unique design of this frameless stereotactic system allows real-time visual feedback of needle positioning.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Sep 2012
'Long' pressure reactivity index (L-PRx) as a measure of autoregulation correlates with outcome in traumatic brain injury patients.
Cerebral autoregulation and, consequently, cerebrovascular pressure reactivity, can be disturbed after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Continuous monitoring of autoregulation has shown its clinical importance as an independent predictor of neurological outcome. The cerebral pressure reactivity index (PRx) reflects that changes in seconds of cerebrovascular reactivity have prognostic significance. Using an alternative algorithm similar to PRx, we investigate whether the utilization of lower-frequency changes of the order of minutes of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) could have a prognostic value in TBI patients. ⋯ L-PRx correlates with the 6-month outcome in TBI patients. Very slow changes of MAP and ICP may contain important autoregulation information. L-PRx may be an alternative algorithm for the estimation of cerebral autoregulation and clinical prognosis.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Sep 2012
Chronic subdural haematoma in elderly patients: a retrospective analysis of 322 patients between the ages of 65-94 years.
Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is a common disease in neurosurgical practise, especially in elderly patients. This is of growing importance as the number of elderly people in the population is increasing steadily. There are scarce data focussing especially on elderly patients with cSDH. This study intended to evaluate the outcome and peri-operative risks in elderly patients with cSDH. ⋯ The data of the current study suggest that treatment of cSDH is safe in elderly patients. Patients aged above 85 years carry a greater risk for peri-operative complications, i.e. aSDH, and therefore have to be examined and monitored meticulously in order to prevent complications.