World Neurosurg
-
Meta Analysis
Decompressive craniectomy for patients with traumatic brain injury: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is widely applied for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although previous studies have indicated that DHC can lead to similar or worse outcomes compared with medical treatment (MT) in patients with TBI, recent trials have suggested the benefit of DHC for neurologic function recovery. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and functional outcomes of DHC in patients with TBI. ⋯ Our results indicate that DHC could be effective in reducing the mortality rate, incidence of ICP, and hospital length of stay in patients with TBI. However, the proportion of patients surviving with unfavorable outcomes was significantly higher in the DHC group compared with the MT group. Despite the limitations of the meta-analysis, our findings target extremely important topic and provide important evidence to facilitate clinical decision making.
-
Aulus Cornelius Celsus lived in Rome during the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. He developed the scientific Latin, and his work De Medicina was the first medical textbook to be written in Latin, and subsequently the first medical treatise to be printed. He perhaps was a simple medical writer rather than a real physician, but his contributions to medical knowledge are outstanding. ⋯ He also provided the first description of brain swelling exceeding the level of the skull, described several surgical indications and craniotomy techniques, recommended treatment for depressed fractures (which had been previously considered untreatable), and detailed the surgical instruments employed. De Medicina was based on the previous Greek medical knowledge, but Celsus also provided original innovations, personal observations, and even comments and criticisms. Despite the fact that he was almost forgotten during the Middle Age, most of his concepts and surgical advices remained in the medical background of the following 2 millennia.
-
Observational Study
Asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms in the elderly: long-term clinical and radiological follow up of 193 consecutive patients.
Evidence is lacking regarding the role of radiologic surveillance for asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms (AIAs) in the elderly (≥65 years). We sought to establish if long-term clinical and radiologic observation is warranted for older patients with AIAs. ⋯ AIAs in older patients deemed suitable for conservative management do not require robust follow-up. The current study suggests a potential role for closer surveillance for patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms or aneurysms with bleb morphology.
-
Comparative Study
Discrepancy between internal and external intracranial pressure transducers: quantification of an old source of error in EVDs?
Intracranial pressure monitoring remains the foundation for prevention of secondary injury after traumatic brain injury and is most commonly performed using an external ventricular drain or intraparenchymal pressure monitor. The Integra Flex ventricular catheter combines an external ventricular catheter with a pressure transducer embedded in the tip of the catheter to allow continuous pressure readings while simultaneously draining cerebrospinal fluid. Discrepancies between measurements from the continuously reported internal pressure transducer and intermittently assessed and externally transduced ventricular drain prompted an analysis and characterization of pressures transduced from the same ventricular source. ⋯ This study suggests that the internal pressure transducer may be a more reliable estimate of intracranial pressure relative to bedside external transducers due to the inherent behavioral requirement of leveling.
-
Spine fractures, including associated spinal cord injury, account for 3%-6% of all skeletal fractures annually in the United States. Patients who undergo interhospital transfer after injury may have a greater likelihood of nonroutine disposition, longer hospital stay, and higher cost. We evaluated the effects of patient transfer on functional outcomes after spine trauma. ⋯ Interhospital transfer status did not diminish time to rehabilitation after injury or reduce functional recovery, suggesting early surgical treatment in community settings may have merit prior to transfer.