ABSTRACT
Twenty five patients with post operative ischaemic deficits, following clipping of intracranial aneurysms, were studied. Hypertensive-hypervolaemic-haemodilution (triple H) therapy was given to all patients using colloids and crystalloids. CVP was used to monitor the fluid therapy. Dopamine was needed in 22 patients to elevate the systemic blood pressure. Vasospasm was confirmed in 20 patients with transcranial doppler studies (TCD). 20 (80%) patients survived, 10 (40%) with good outcome, 7 (28%) with fair, 2 (8%) with poor outcome and 1 (4%) with vegetative state. There were 5 (20%) deaths, 4 of which occurred due to infarct. All these patients had poor Hunt and Hess grade at admission, high Fisher grade haemorrhages in the initial CT scan and/or required prolonged temporary clipping at surgery. One death occurred due to central venous line induced septicaemia. The duration of 'triple H therapy' amongst the survivors varied from 2-7 days with an average of 4.6 days. The complications of 'triple H therapy' included hypokalaemia (3 patients), haemorrhagic infarct (1 patient) and septicaemia (1 patient). It is concluded that 'triple H therapy' is useful in treating vasospasm induced ischaemic deficits. It worsens brain oedema in presence of acute infarcts and hence is contraindicated in such patients. A further study involving a larger number of patients with strict haemodynamic and ICP monitoring is suggested to determine the usefulness of individual components of 'triple H therapy'.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Dopamine/therapeutic use , Female , Hemodilution , Humans , Hypotension/drug therapy , Hypovolemia/therapy , Intracranial Aneurysm/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Plasma Substitutes/therapeutic use , Postoperative Care , Postoperative Complications/drug therapy , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications , Survival Analysis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Vasospasm, Intracranial/etiologyABSTRACT
Gastrointestinal involvement in neurofibromatosis presenting with mechanical obstruction, hemorrhage or intussusception is known. Small bowel dysmotility and intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to neurofibromatosis is rare. A 23-year-old man with classical neurofibromatosis presented with intermittent episodes of intestinal pseudo-obstruction, small bowel bacterial overgrowth and steatorrhea. The patient had good symptomatic improvement with cisapride.