Cent Eur Neurosurg
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Melatonin is an important antioxidant agent with a protective role in the prevention of oxidative stress. We designed an experimental study which focused on the potential neuroprotective effect of melatonin on peripheral nerve injury. ⋯ With its neuroprotective effect, as demonstrated in this experimental peripheral nerve injury, melatonin might be used successfully in clinical practice. Further studies on the correct dosage and possible side effects are necessary.
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Case Reports Randomized Controlled Trial
A multimodal concept in patients after severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: results of a controlled single centre prospective randomized multimodal phase I/II trial on cerebral vasospasm.
Recent publications suggest that a combination of head-shaking and cisternal irrigation might reduce symptomatic cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The present clinical prospective randomized phase I/II study was initiated in order to analyze the prophylactic effect of intracisternal lysis in combination with kinetic treatment followed by intrathecal nimodipine lavage. ⋯ A multimodal approach with translumbar lysis in combination with kinetic therapy followed by intrathecal nimodipine lavage proved to be effective against cerebral vasospasm and for clinical outcome. However, due to the observed complications with the occurrence of paraparesis in two patients of the study group the trial was stopped. Nevertheless, the promising preliminary results suggest a further development of the clinical protocol using a modified multimodal concept to prevent and treat cerebral vasospasm after severe SAH.
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Acute subdural hematomas (aSDH) are severe traumatic brain injuries. Older patients have a higher mortality rate. In the present study the computed tomography (CT) and neurological deficits caused by aSDH were used as prognostic factors to define the outcome and surgical treatment indication in older patients. ⋯ Patients with a GCS of 13-15 can be observed clinically (the expected outcome is very good). Comatose patients (GCS 3-8) with bilateral dilatation of the pupils should not be operated (very high mortality rate). If the GCS score is <13 and both pupils or only one are reactive to light and the midline shift<10 mm, surgery is indicated. If the midline shift is >10 mm and aSDH thickness>midline shift, surgery is also indicated. If in the same patient group midline shift>SDH thickness and ICP>40 mmHg, surgery is not indicated.
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The combination of paranasal sinus osteoma, mucocele and brain abscess is rare. Only one other case has been reported so far, where the cerebral abscess was diagnosed intraoperatively. We report here on a second patient with combined frontal sinus osteoma, intracerebral mucocele as well as cerebral abscess. However, in our case, the diagnosis of cerebral abscess was reached prior to surgery, which allowed for a tailored treatment strategy with abscess puncture under neuronavigational guidance and, after 3 weeks of antibiotic therapy with documented abscess shrinkage, osteoma and mucocele resection as well as reconstruction of the eroded dura.
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We present a preliminary report on the intra-operative use of a head-mounted microscope ("Varioscope" Leica HM500) in spinal neurosurgery. The Varioscope is a dynamic microscope mounted on a head-set. It weights 297 g and measures 73 x 120 x 63 mm (length x width x height). ⋯ The portable device can be packed in a suitcase and can travel with the consultant microsurgeon to different hospitals and distant units. The built-in video camera is ideal for patients, staff, assistant surgeons, and student education with real-time video monitoring of procedures from the microsurgeon's perspective. For daily microsurgery, we felt more comfortable with fixed, stationary operating microscopes.