Magnitude of pedestrian head injuries & fatalities in Bangalore, south India: A retrospective study from an apex neurotrauma center.

Background & objectives: Pedestrians contribute to 30-40 per cent of all road traffic injuries in India. However, there is a paucity of literature on pedestrian head injury as compared to two wheeler trauma. The purpose of the present study was to study the pattern of pedestrian injuries and their outcome with a special focus on head injuries. Methods: The study was conducted in two parts in the Trauma Center at National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. A retrospective study was conducted at the casualty services of the hospital in which 529 consecutive pedestrians who sustained injury in a road traffic accident were studied from June to September 2009. In the second part, records from the hospital mortuary were retrospectively analyzed from 2007 to 2009. An analysis of 326 patients who died as a pedestrian in road accidents during this period was performed. Results: Patients in both paediatric and elderly age groups constituted 47.6 per cent (252/529) of all casualty admissions. Majority of the pedestrian injuries (41.7%, 221/529) occurred between 1600 - 2100 h; 87.1 per cent of all patients received some primary care before admission. The most common offending vehicle was a two wheeler (49.1%, 260/529). At the time of admission, 55.2 per cent (292/529) patients had sustained a moderate or severe head injury (GCS 3-13), and 40.5 per cent (214/529) had an abnormal CT scan. In addition, 90.4 per cent (478/529) patients had also sustained associated injuries. Major thoracoabdominal trauma was seen in 4 per cent and spine injury in 2.3 per cent of the patients. The mortality rate was 6.6 per cent. In the postmortem group, pedestrian deaths constituted 26.2 per cent of all the postmortems conducted. Two wheelers were the offending vehicle in the majority of the fatal crashes (39.9%). Interpretation & conclusions: Pedestrian injuries form a major part of the workload of a neurotrauma emergency. Majority of them sustained moderate to severe head injury. More attention, infrastructure and strict implementation of rules may help reduce this burden.

Sodium butyrate modulates pRb phosphorylation and induces cell death in human vestibular schwannomas in vitro.

In the present study, effect of Na-Bu on the pRb phosphorylation was analysed in the primary cultures of 12 VS tumors. Primary cultures of VS tumors were established from the fresh tumor tissues removed surgically and were treated with Na-Bu. Na-Bu treatment for 48 h led to morphological changes and apoptotic cell death in VS tumor cells. Na-Bu treatment decreased level of total pRb and phosphorylated form of pRb and caused specific dephosphorylation at Ser 249/Thr 252 and Ser 567. In the untreated and Na-Bu treated cells (when present), pRb was localised in the nucleus. Moreover, in Na-Bu treated cells the nucleus appeared highly condensed as compared to untreated cells. Results of the present study indicated that Na-Bu treatment modulated pRb phosphorylation status and caused apoptotic cell death in VS tumors.

Does CSF composition predict shunt malfunction in Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background: Hydrocephalus secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM) continues to be a challenging condition to treat for neurosurgeons in developing countries. Shunt complications are reportedly more frequent in patients undergoing ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in patients with TBM than in those undergoing shunt surgeries for other causes. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition on shunt malfunction. Methods: We compared the CSF composition of 53 patients who had shunt malfunction during a five year period with that of 137 matched controls. Results: Patients who had shunt malfunction had a significantly higher concentration of CSF protein. The CSF cellularity and glucose concentration did not have any significant bearing in predicting shunt malfunction. Patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL had a four times higher risk of having shunt malfunction than those with a concentration of less than 100 mg/dL. Patients with CSF protein in the 100-200 mg/dL range represent an intermediate zone. Conclusion: To conclude, patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL have a significantly higher risk of shunt malfunction and hence have to be followed up closely.

Spinal intramedullary tuberculoma and abscess: a rare cause of paraparesis.

Five cases of spinal intramedullary tuberculomas (IMT) and one case of spinal intramedullary tuberculous abscess (ITA) are presented. Gd enhanced MRI revealed ring enhancing lesion with central hypodensity, suggesting granulomatous pathology. Surgical excision of the intramedullary lesions was carried out in four cases, while two patients received presumptive anti-tuberculous chemotherapy only. Repeat MRI after completion of anti-tuberculous therapy showed total resolution of the lesion. In other cases following surgical excision, the patients improved significantly. The management of these rare lesions is discussed and the literature reviewed.

Spinal subdural epidermoids - a separate entity: report of 3 cases.

Intradural extramedullary epidermoid cysts are rare tumors especially those not associated with spinal dysraphism. We report 3 cases of spinal intradural extramedullary epidermoid cysts. In all the cases, the lesion was situated at dorsal level. The clinical features, MRI characteristics and surgical treatment of such rare intradural extramedullary benign tumors are discussed and relevant literature is reviewed.

Tuberculoma en plaque: a case report.

A 14 year old girl presented with a 6-month history of headaches and visual blurring. CT showed a right tentorial enhancing lesion. Angiogram showed no enhancement. Histopathological examination of the excised material was consistent with tuberculoma. The presentation of such unusual intracranial tuberculoma is reported and the literature reviewed on the subject.

Thoracic cord compression due to ossified hypertrophied ligamentum flavum.

Ossified ligamentum flavum is increasingly appreciated as an important cause of thoracic myeloradiculopathy. Fifteen patients with age ranging from 30-61 years were studied. Fourteen presented with spastic paraparesis, and radiculopathy was the only complaint in one patient. Routine skiagrams and myelograms showed non-specific changes. Baseline CT and CT myelogram, however, documented the ossification of ligamentum flavum comprehensively. MRI was done in three patients. Multiple levels of the disease were seen in two cases. Four patients had ossified posterior longitudinal ligament. Thickened ligamentum flavum should be considered as an important cause of thoracic cord compression.