Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
ReviewSurgical anatomy of the sacral hiatus for caudal access to the spinal canal.
The sacral hiatus is used for access to the spinal canal in many neurosurgical and anesthesiologic procedures. The aim of the present paper is to give a review of its anatomical characteristics relevant to permit correct and uncomplicated accesses. ⋯ The mean sacral space depth has been observed to be 4.6 mm in adults and 3.5 mm in infants. On the basis of anatomical measurements of the sacral hiatus, lower insertion angles have been suggested in infant with respect to adult subjects (21° vs. 58°).
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
ReviewPeriduroscopy: general review of clinical features and development of operative models.
Myeloscopy is a useful approach for both diagnosis and treatment of back pain. However clinicians have underestimated its potential. From the nineties myeloscopy has been used only as a diagnostic tool, without any improvement of the technique. Racz's method is nowadays still used for the lysis of adherence by applying medical solutions without a direct vision inside the spinal channel. In 1998 we showed the limitations of Racz's approach, and in 1999 we developed a new technique, introducing a Fogarty balloon to remove the occlusions of the spinal canal and the resaflex for the lysis of adherence at low temperature (Raffaeli-Righetti technique). In this paper we report a general review of our experience with periduroscopy for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and spinal stenosis. ⋯ myeloscopy technique enlightens pain-triggering mechanisms otherwise unrevealed; it has specific therapeutic value, whereas on the diagnostic side it has not revealed relevant pathologies. Its effectiveness in FBSS patients is high, with the advantage of its relatively easy implementation, limited invasiveness and repeatability.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
Review Randomized Controlled TrialIntravenous magnesium sulfate after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: current status.
Delayed ischemic neurological deficit or clinical vasospasm remained a major cause for delayed neurological morbidity and mortality for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Magnesium is a cerebral vasodilator. In experimental model of drug or SAH-induced vasospasm, magnesium blocks voltage-dependent calcium channels and reverses cerebral vasoconstriction. ⋯ Using random effects model (Mantel-Haenszel, Robins-Breslow-Greenland), the pooled odds ratio for symptomatic vasospasm or delayed cerebral ischemia is, 0.620, 95% CI 0.389-0.987, statistically significant. Similarly, the pooled odds ratio for favorable outcome is 1.598, 95% CI 1.074-2.377, statistically significant. There are two multi-center phase III studies (IMASH and MASH2) being carried out to assess the clinical effects, in which IMASH has finished data collection on 30th June 2009.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
Clinical TrialRole of controlled lumbar CSF drainage for ICP control in aneurysmal SAH.
a prospective study of lumbar CSF drainage in the setting of raised intra-cranial pressure refractory to medical management and ventriculostomy placement is presented. There has been increasing data that this may be a effective and safe intervention for reduction of ICP. ⋯ we have shown that controlled lumbar drainage is a safe, efficacious and minimally invasive method for treatment of elevated ICP which refractory to medical management. Ventriculostomies are always placed before utilizing lumbar drains to minimize the risk of cerebral herniation. We would advocate making controlled lumbar drainage a standard part of ICP control protocols.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
The gamut of blood flow responses coupled to spreading depolarization in rat and human brain: from hyperemia to prolonged ischemia.
Cortical spreading depolarizations (SD) have been shown to occur frequently in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and are associated with delayed ischemic brain damage. In animal models the link between SD and cell damage is the microvascular spasm coupled to the passage of SDs, resulting in spreading ischemia. Here we compared the hemodynamic changes induced by SD between human and rat cerebral cortex. ⋯ The spectrum ranged from normal hyperemic responses to prolonged cortical spreading ischemia with intermediate forms characterized by biphasic (hypoemic-hyperemic) responses. The bandwidths of rCBF responses were comparable and the relative response magnitudes of hypo- and hyperperfusion phases did not differ significantly between rats and humans. The correspondence of the rCBF response spectrum to SD between human and animal brain underscores the importance of animal models to learn more about the mechanisms underlying the early and delayed pathological sequelae of SAH.