Journal of neurosurgery
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Nitroglycerin was given intravenously to five anesthetized, hyperventilated (PaCO2 25 to 30 torr) patients during craniotomy, to facilitate surgery by creating a relatively bloodless field, and to decrease the potential need to blood transfusion. A subarachnoid screw and an indwelling radial artery catheter were inserted to monitor intracranial pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). ⋯ Cerebral perfusion pressure decreased from 90.2 +/- 3.6 (SEM) to 38.2 +/- 2.3 torr (p < 0.0005). We attribute this nitroglycerin-induced ICP increase to capacitance vessel dilation within the relatively noncompliant cranial cavity, with subsequent cerebral blood volume increase.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Sep 1980
Spinal cord energy metabolism following compression trauma to the feline spinal cord.
The purpose of this study was to determine the spinal cord metabolic state for 24 hours after compression trauma to the feline spinal cord. Cats were anesthetized with pentobarbital and injured by placing a 190-gm weight on the spinal cord for 5 minutes. Biochemical analysis of the injured segment revealed a significant depletion in the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (P-creatine), and total adenylates for the entire 24-hour recovery period. ⋯ This sequence of metabolic changes suggested that metabolism was probably not homogeneous throughout the injured segment, and that tissue metabolic rate was depressed for the initial 4 hours after trauma then increased in metabolically active tissue for the remainder of the 24-hour recovery period. This model of spinal cord trauma results in a severe, prolonged ischemia and metabolic injury to the affected tissue. Whether these metabolic changes results from or cause the tissue damage and irreversible paraplegia associated with this type of spinal cord injury remains to be determined.
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In the annual address, the President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons reviews the responsibilities and the continued dedication of the members of the Society to the goals of excellence in patient care, education, and investigation. Insistence upon first-class standards of training has not waivered despite cynical impugnment of our motivation. Dividends of advantage to the general welfare can come from assistance in the design of enlightened legislation, in the assessment of the scientific basis and therapeutic value of various procedures, and in the support of rigorous training for neurosurgeons, fostering the development of excellent clinicians as well as investigators.
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Thirty cadaver brains were examined under X 6 to 16 magnification in order to define the microsurgical anatomy of the pineal region, particularly the relationship of the pineal body, posterior cerebral artery, superior cerebellar artery, vein of Galen, basal vein of Rosenthal, internal cerebral vein, straight sinus, bridging vein, the size of the tentorial notch, and the third and the fourth cranial nerves. The infratentorial and supratentorial approaches to the pineal region are compared from the viewpoint of microsurgical anatomy.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 1980
Case ReportsElective extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass in the treatment of inoperable giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery.
Thirteen patients with giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were treated with ICA ligation and an extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass. A method for establishing a proper superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery pressure gradient while maintaining partial flow through the ICA is presented. This procedure allows the anastomosis to become established before full occlusion of the cervical ICA. None of these patients suffered any immediate or delayed ischemic or rebleed complications over an average follow-up period of 18 months.