Surgical neurology international
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Case Reports
Spontaneous pseudomeningocele associated with lumbar spondylolisthesis: A case report and review of the literature.
Pseudomeningocele, an extradural collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), has only been rarely reported to occur spontaneously in conjunction with isthmic spondylolisthesis (with lysis) in the lumbar spine. ⋯ Lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis may lead to changes in the elastic properties of the underlying dura mater. Rarely, this may lead to meningeal tears and formation of a pseudomeningocele. Historically, one must always check for a prior epidural injection that could have resulted in this complication. Additionally, as most likely the case here, the lysis defect was responsible for the foraminal dural laceration resulting in the pseudomeningocele.
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The placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for monitoring and treatment of increased intracranial pressure is not without risk, particularly for the development of associated ventriculitis. The goal of this study was to investigate whether changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, or clinical parameters are correlated with the development of ventriculitis before it occurs, allowing for the determination of optimal timing of CSF collection. ⋯ This study demonstrates no reliable tested CSF, serum, or clinical parameters that are effectively correlated with the development of ventriculitis in an EVD patient. Thus, we recommend and will continue to draw CSF samples from patients with in-situ EVDs on our current schedule for as long as the EVD remains in place.
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Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is important in many neurosurgical and neurological patients. The gold standard for monitoring ICP, however, is via an invasive procedure resulting in the placement of an intraventricular catheter, which is associated with many risks. Several noninvasive ICP monitoring techniques have been examined with the hope to replace the invasive techniques. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of all modalities that have been used for noninvasive ICP monitoring to date. ⋯ Although the intraventricular catheter remains the gold standard for monitoring ICP, several noninvasive modalities that can be used in settings when invasive monitoring is not possible are also available. In our opinion, measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter and pupillometry are the two modalities which may prove to be valid options for centers not performing invasive ICP monitoring.
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Catheter-associated inflammatory masses (CIMs) are a rare but serious complication of intrathecal drug delivery devices. CIM formation is influenced by local medication concentration, which is determined in part by flow dynamics at the catheter tip. Underlying spinal pathologies, such as neoplasms, may alter flow at the catheter tip, thereby contributing to CIM formation. Moreover, they may also complicate the clinical and radiologic diagnosis of a CIM. ⋯ In the described case, CIM formation likely resulted from a combination of, 1) an unusually high fentanyl concentration, and, 2) altered infusate flow due to spinal neurofibromas. Consideration of underlying spinal pathologies, particularly mass lesions, is critical to the management of intrathecal drug delivery devices.