Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is the standard of care for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Studies have reported shunt complication rates up to 38%, with subdural hemorrhage rates as high as 10%. Lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts with horizontal-vertical valves (HVV) are an alternative for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion that avoids direct cerebral injury and may reduce the risk of overdrainage. ⋯ There were no neurologic complications, including no hemorrhages. Thus, LP-HVV shunt placement is a safe and effective alternative to ventriculoperitoneal shunting for iNPH, resulting in significant symptomatic improvement with a low risk of overdrainage. It should be considered as an option for the treatment of patients with iNPH who demonstrate clinical improvement following lumbar drainage.
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A retrospective study was performed to compare the safety and efficacy in elderly patients of endovascular coiling, with clipping, for cerebral aneurysms. In total, 198 patients over 60 years of age with ruptured intracranial aneurysms were treated by microsurgical clipping (n=122) or endovascular coiling (n=76). Endovascular coiling achieved favorable outcome in 88.2% of patients, which was significantly higher than for the microsurgical clipping group. ⋯ Intraoperative time for microsurgical clipping was significantly longer than that for endovascular coiling. Length of hospitalization was shorter for the coiling group than for the clipping group. Our results suggest that endovascular coiling should be considered as the first-choice therapy in elderly patients with ruptured aneurysms, as it may reduce duration of both the operation and hospitalization.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of patients with spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage treated with intraventricular thrombolysis.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurring after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an independent risk factor for mortality. The use of intraventricular urokinase (Uk) to reduce intraventricular blood clot volume and improve outcome was investigated. Patients with IVH requiring external ventricular drainage were recruited and randomized into a double-blind placebo controlled study. ⋯ Our results showed an increase in both the drained CSF Hb concentration in patients treated with Uk compared to placebo and in the rate of resolution clot volume. No differences were found in the other outcome measures but there was a trend towards lowered mortality in the group treated with Uk. Therefore, intraventricular Uk resulted in faster resolution of IVH with no adverse events.
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Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is usually produced by compression of the facial nerve by tortuous blood vessels at the root exit zone, including vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD). Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a variety of symptoms, affecting mainly the skin and nervous system. ⋯ We report a 38-year-old female patient with HFS produced by VBD with NF1 presenting with other cerebrovascular abnormalities associated with this disease. We discuss the possible association between these three entities, assuming that a causal relationship may be established and that VBD is part of the spectrum of vascular abnormalities caused by NF1 in this patient.
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The effect of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound monitoring of vasospasm on patient management following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) remains unclear. We reviewed our departmental use of TCD by retrospectively analysing 152 medical records. Results of investigations and management changes, including frequency of neurological monitoring and changes in triple H therapy, were examined. ⋯ Prospective validation in similar neurosurgical settings is needed to justify continued usage of TCD monitoring. Formal training for operators and a standard monitoring protocol should also be considered to increase TCD utility. Prospective evaluation of TCD at our centre has recently been completed.