Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2013
Review Case ReportsHypertensive slit ventricle syndrome: pseudotumor cerebri with a malfunctioning shunt?
Symptomatic shunt malfunction without ventricular enlargement is known as slit ventricle syndrome (SVS). Patients presenting with this syndrome are not a homogeneous group. Of the 5 different types classified by Rekate, Type 1 is caused by CSF overdrainage and is associated with low pressures; Types 2 and 3 are associated with shunt blockage and elevated CSF pressures; Type 4 is cephalocranial disproportion that increases brain parenchymal pressure but not CSF pressure; and Type 5 is headache unrelated to shunt function. ⋯ With this in mind, 3 cases of SVS associated with elevated CSF pressure are presented. The MR venogram findings and hemodynamics of these 3 cases are shown to be identical to those of pseudotumor cerebri. A literature review indicates that an underlying venous impairment may be functioning in the patients who re-present with small ventricles following shunt malfunction.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2013
Comparative Study Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of early thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis after intracranial hemorrhage from traumatic brain injury.
Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for development of thromboembolic disease. The use of chemoprophylaxis in this patient group has not fully been characterized. The authors hypothesize that early chemoprophylaxis in patients with TBI is safe and efficacious. ⋯ Use of chemoprophylaxis in TBI 24 hours after stable head CT is safe and decreases the rate of DVT formation.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2013
Comparative StudySocioeconomic factors associated with pituitary apoplexy.
Pituitary apoplexy is associated with worse outcomes than are pituitary adenomas detected without acute clinical deterioration. The association between pituitary apoplexy and socioeconomic factors that may limit access to health care has not been examined in prior studies. ⋯ The data suggest that patients with limited access to health care may be more likely to present with pituitary apoplexy than those with adequate access.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2013
Factors predicting postoperative hyponatremia and efficacy of hyponatremia management strategies after more than 1000 pituitary operations.
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion-induced hyponatremia is a common morbidity after pituitary surgery that can be profoundly symptomatic and cause costly readmissions. The authors calculated the frequency of postoperative hyponatremia after 1045 consecutive operations and determined the efficacy of interventions correcting hyponatremia. ⋯ After 1045 pituitary operations, postoperative hyponatremia was associated exclusively with preoperative hypopituitarism and was most efficiently managed with oral tolvaptan, with several interventions insignificantly different from no treatment. Promptly identifying hyponatremia in high-risk patients and management with agents like tolvaptan can improve safety and decrease readmission. For readmitted patients with severely symptomatic hyponatremia, the intravenous vasopressin receptor antagonist Vaprisol is another treatment option.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 2013
Delayed postoperative hyponatremia after transsphenoidal surgery: prevalence and associated factors.
Transient delayed postoperative hyponatremia (DPH) after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is common and can have potentially devastating consequences. However, the true prevalence of transient symptomatic and asymptomatic DPH has not been studied in a large patient cohort with close and accurate follow-up. ⋯ Delayed postoperative hyponatremia was a common result of TSS; a low BMI was the only clear predictor of which patients will develop DPH. Alterations in immediate postoperative sodium levels did not predict DPH. Therefore, an appropriate index of suspicion and close postoperative monitoring of serum sodium concentration should be maintained for these patients, and an appropriate treatment should be undertaken when hyponatremia is identified.