Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2006
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialTreatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms since the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial: practice utilizing clip ligation and coil embolization as individual or complementary therapies.
The aim of this study was to analyze the therapeutic decision-making process and outcome in 100 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) treated since the completion of the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT). All patients were evaluated and treated by a neurosurgeon with subspecialty training in both cerebrovascular and neuroendovascular surgery. ⋯ Data from the ISAT demonstrated a better functional outcome following endovascular embolization in a selected group of patients with aneurysmal SAH. In routine clinical practice, however, a significant number of patients still benefit from direct surgical clip ligation. Excellent functional results can be realized in a complementary clip ligation and coil occlusion practice in which each patient and aneurysm is evaluated and the two treatment modalities are used individually or, when needed, in combination.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2006
Comparative StudyPain in neurosurgically treated patients: a prospective observational study.
This is the first observational study to compare perioperative pain character and intensity in patients undergoing different types of elective neurosurgical procedures. ⋯ Neurosurgical procedures cause more pain than anticipated. Anticipated pain intensity is independent of the operation type and preoperative pain intensity. Postcraniotomy on-demand analgesic medication is appropriate, if the nurses on the ward react quickly. Otherwise, patient-controlled analgesia might be an option. Other neurosurgical procedures require scheduled analgesic therapies. Spinal surgery requires intensive preoperative pain treatment; a shift in pain character from preoperative referred pain to postoperative local pain is expected. Patients with referred pain after lumbar flavectomy are prone to the most intense pain. Patients with preoperative pain experience more postoperative pain than those without preoperative pain and require more intensive pain management. Increased postoperative VAS scores are associated with surgery-related complications.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2006
Clinical TrialThe impact of hypotension due to the trigeminocardiac reflex on auditory function in vestibular schwannoma surgery.
Surgical manipulation of the fifth cranial nerve during its intra- or extracranial course may lead to bradycardia or even asystole as well as arterial hypotension, a phenomenon described as the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). The authors studied the impact of this reflex on postoperative auditory function in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. ⋯ The hypotension following TCR is a negative prognostic factor for hearing preservation in patients undergoing VS surgery. Patients' knowledge of this can be increased pre- and postoperatively. Further study of this phenomenon will advance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and may help to improve hearing preservation by controlling the occurrence of the TCR.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2006
Clinical TrialDynamic perfusion computerized tomography in cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a comparison with technetium-99m-labeled ethyl cysteinate dimer-single-photon emission computerized tomography.
The aim of this study was to correlate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and mean transient time (MTT) measured on dynamic perfusion computerized tomography (CT) with CBF using (99m)Tc ethyl cysteinate dimer-single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in patients with cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ Relative CBF and MTT values on perfusion CT showed a high concordance rate with estimated relCBF on SPECT in patients with vasospasm following aneurysmal SAH. Given its logistical advantages, perfusion CT may be a valuable method of assessing perfusion abnormality in the acute setting of vasospasm and in patients with an unstable condition following aneurysmal SAH.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2006
Case ReportsFactor X deficiency presenting as a pseudotumor. Case report.
The authors report their experience in successfully treating a 15-week-old child who became comatose following a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. It was initially believed that a tumor in the right frontal lobe caused the hemorrhage. Coagulation studies revealed abnormal results on presentation, and the problem was only partially corrected after an infusion of fresh frozen plasma. ⋯ Histological analysis of the biopsy specimen revealed normal brain tissue with hemorrhagic infiltration. Subsequently, the child achieved normal developmental milestones. A diagnosis of congenital bleeding disorder should be considered in children with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, even in those with no prior episode of extracerebral spontaneous hemorrhage.