Turk Neurosurg
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Ventriculostomy or external ventricular drain (EVD) placement by free-hand technique has a high malplacement rate. It is a blind procedure that often requires multiple attempts and revisions. To date, no neurological complication due to EVD malplacement has been reported in the literature. ⋯ Our discussion focused on various techniques that can improve the accuracy of EVD insertion. EVD insertion under image guidance provides better accuracy with limited disadvantages. We hypothesized that the patient's coma was due to the mass effect and irritation of the malplaced EVD exerted onto the ventral periaqueductal grey matter and the ascending neurons from upper brainstem.
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The aim was to investigate whether dexmedetomidine had a toxic effect on cerebral neurons when it was administered centrally into the cerebrospinal fluid by the intracisternal route. ⋯ In conclusion, dexmedetomidine had a toxic effect on cerebral neurons when it was administered centrally into the cerebrospinal fluid by the intracisternal route.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Pain is a common problem in these patients, yet inadequate or dissatisfactory management is prevalent. ⋯ CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy is an effective procedure that should be used in the treatment of cancer-related pain problems. We suggest that cordotomy should be preferred as soon as possible in patients who fail to respond to the classic analgesic therapy.
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Tension pneumocephalus is a rare and life threatening complication of intracranial surgical procedures, and requires immediate recognition and surgical intervention. Tension pneumocephalus following ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is extremely rare and commonly seen as a delayed complication. ⋯ We present a case of acute tension pneumocephalus following ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus, which was managed well with close neurological follow-up and rapid surgical intervention. The use of the portable CT scanner in this case saved significant time, without the transport of the patient to the radiology unit, made early surgical intervention possible, and prevented morbidity and mortality.
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We describe a patient presented with sequential events of hemifacial spasm, cerebral infarction and fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. All of them are seemingly separate entities. Radiological examination revealed that the cause was vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) coexisting with a giant saccular aneurysm of basilar artery. ⋯ The condition is very rare and its progression may result in compression of brainstem and cranial nerves, ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke. The treatment of such condition is difficult and further research on the risk stratification of VBD for predicting stroke. Close monitoring and aggressive surgical interventions might be needed for high-risk patients.