Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2007
Clinical TrialEffect of hyperoxia on cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen measured using positron emission tomography in patients with acute severe head injury.
Recent observations indicate that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. This, along with growing use of brain tissue PO2 monitors, has led to considerable interest in the potential use of ventilation with 100% oxygen to treat patients who have suffered a TBI. To date, the impact of normobaric hyperoxia has only been evaluated using indirect measures of its impact on brain metabolism. To determine if normobaric hyperoxia improves brain oxygen metabolism following acute TBI, the authors directly measured the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) with positron emission tomography before and after ventilation with 100% oxygen. ⋯ Normobaric hyperoxia did not improve brain oxygen metabolism. In the absence of outcome data from clinical trials, these preliminary data do not support the use of 100% oxygen in patients with acute TBI, although larger confirmatory studies are needed.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2007
Sex and genetic associations with cerebrospinal fluid dopamine and metabolite production after severe traumatic brain injury.
Dopamine (DA) pathways have been implicated in cognitive deficits after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Both sex and the dopamine transporter (DAT) 3' variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism have been associated with differences in DAT protein density, and DAT protein affects both presynaptic DA release, through reverse transport, and DA reuptake. Catecholamines and associated metabolites are subject to autooxidation, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species that may contribute to subsequent oxidative injury. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between factors that affect DAT expression and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) DA and metabolite levels after severe TBI. ⋯ In addition to systemic administration of DA, inherent factors such as sex and DAT genotype affect post-TBI CSF DA and DA metabolite levels, a phenomenon that may modulate susceptibility to DA-mediated oxidative injury.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2007
Clinical TrialMotor tract monitoring during insular glioma surgery.
Surgery for insular gliomas incurs a considerable risk of motor morbidity. In this study the authors explore the validity and utility of continuous motor tract monitoring to detect and reverse impending motor impairment during insular glioma resection. ⋯ Continuous MEP monitoring is a valid indicator of motor pathway function during insular glioma surgery. This method indicates that remote ischemia, in this study the leading cause of impending motor deterioration, helps to avert definitive stroke of the motor pathways and permanent new paresis in the majority of cases. The rate of permanently severe new deficit appears to be greater in unmonitored cases.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2007
Clinical TrialPredicting functional change from preintervention measures in selective dorsal rhizotomy.
In this investigation the authors attempted to predict change in function following selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and intensive physical therapy in patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) based on multidomain preintervention measures. ⋯ Future work should be focused on developing additional measures such as lower-extremity motor control and balance in an attempt to reduce the CIs to more clinically relevant values.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Apr 2007
Endovascular placement of a ventriculoatrial shunt. Technical note.
Atrial shunt revision surgeries are sometimes difficult due to venous occlusion and neck scarring. A direct approach guided by venography facilitates exposure and guarantees accurate placement of the distal catheter. Five patients with complicated histories of shunt malfunction were treated using an endoscope-assisted technique. ⋯ No complications developed in any patient. This endoscope-assisted technique offers three advantages: it demonstrates the patency of the jugular vein through venography, facilitates identification of the internal jugular vein in the neck, and provides a quick way to confirm that the distal end of the atrial catheter has been placed correctly. This technique should be considered for use in patients with a history of failed atrial shunts.