Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-associated intracerebral hemorrhage in the very elderly : clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) associated intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods The clinical manifestations,treatment and prognosis of CAA associated intracerebral hemorrhage were analyzed in 4 patients who were identified as CAA-related hemorrhage (CAAH) by pathology.Results All of the 4 patients showed massive lobar intracranial hemorrhage,and underwent craniotomy evacuation of hematoma.One patient had postoperative hemorrhage,and 2 patients were treated with recombinant activated factor Ⅶ after operation.In the next 6 months,re-hemorrhage was found in 3 patients in whom one patient died due to massive hemorrhage.Conclusions CAAH has varied clinical manifestations with high risk of cerebral hemorrhage,and pathological diagnosis is necessary for a definite diagnosis.The very elderly patients with CAAH can benefit from the craniotomy evacuation of hematoma.Although surgery for massive hemorrhage has risks in very elderly patients,it is a better treatment to save their lives.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To discuss the operative techniques of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for the resection of pituitary adenoma in elderly patients.Methods From June 2003 to June 2012,a retrospective analysis of 42 elderly patients with pituitary adenoma was conducted.Computed tomography (CT) scan,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan,and endocrinological examinations were performed in all patients before operation.All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for the resection of pituitary adenoma.Results The tumors were totally removed in 25 cases (59.5％),sub-totally removed in 8 cases (19.1％) and partly removed in 9 cases (21.4％).1 patient died after operaion.Patients were followed up for 6-36 months.The visual acuity and visual field were improved.Hormone replacement therapy were needed in 20 patients due to hypopituitarism.Tumor residuals were found in 12 patients,among whom 5 patients were treated by γ-knife radiosurgery.Conclusions The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal operation is minimally invasive and safe for the treatment of pituitary adenoma in elderly patients.The strengthening of perioperative management is the key to the successful operation.

Distinguish reasons for the variety of intraoperative transcranial magnetic motor evoked potential: the anaesthesia or the operative injury / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a way to discriminate operative reason from anaesthesia reason for the changes of intraoperative transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials (MEPs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 26 patients under Etomidate/Fentanyl anesthesia from February 2001 to June 2004, MEPs elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from tibialis anterior muscles, simultaneously bispectral index (BIS) and train-of-four stimulation (TOF) were used to monitor the anesthesia depth and neuromuscular blockade respectively. MEP, BIS and measurements of TOF at different anesthesia depth and muscular relaxation were recorded synchronously, statistical analysis of this data set was done in order to find the inherent relationship between these variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under anesthesia, MEP amplitude was always positively correlated with the corresponding BIS and TOF value. A regression equation could be built, with which the MEP amplitude could be reckoned based on realtime BIS and T(1)/T(c). In case of spinal cord injury, the measured amplitude value would significantly deviate from predicted one, which suggested that the change of MEP was because of the operation, but not the anaesthesia or neuromuscular blockade. Each patient had his or her own regression equation, which was different from each other.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The establishment of regression equation from MEPs, BIS and TOF is very useful to distinguish reasons of the changes of transcranial magnetic MEPs during surgery, and with this technique, the intraoperative MEP monitoring should be more reliable and practicable.</p>

Microsurgery for trigeminal neuralgia in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of microsurgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in elderly patients.Methods Totally 143 patients with intractable primary TN who received microsurgery were retrospectively analyzed.There were 92 cases in the elderly group with age of 65-82 years,and the other 51 cases in control group with age of 40-62 years.All the patients in both groups were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Scale Grade 1 to 3.After suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy,microvascular decompression (MVD) was performed in 136patients and partial sensory trigeminal rhizotomy in 7 patients.The complications and efficacy were compared between the two groups.Results 87 cases in the elderly group and 49 cases in control group underwent MVD procedure,complete and part pain relief were achieved in 78 cases and 9 cases in the elderly group,45 cases and 4 cases in control group,respectively.After an average follow-up period of 2.6 and 2.1 years,4 cases (5.1％) among 79 follow-up cases and 3 cases (6.5％) among 46follow-up cases experienced TN recurrences in the elderly and control groups,respectively.No statistically significant differences existed in the efficacy and recurrence rate between the two groups (P＞0.05).There were 3 cases with aseptic meningitis,1 cases with hearing decrease,1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage,1 case with pulmonary infection and 1 cases with deliration in the elderlygroup,meanwhile,1 cases with aseptic meningitis,1 case with tinnitus and 1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery in control group (P＞0.05).No facial hypoesthesia appeared in the patients receiving MVD.5 cases in the elderly and 2 cases in control group underwent partial trigeminal rhizotomy with facial hypoesthesia,but the pain released,and no recurrence was found.There were no dead cases in both groups.Conclusions With cautious and proper treatment,microsurgical procedure can be performed safely and effectively in the elderly TN.

The utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a retrospective study, 47 patients with cavernous malformations were involved from January 1995 to December 2010. Fourteen cases admitted into hospital from January 1995 to December 2002 were treated without neuronavigation (conventional group), the focus localization was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, anatomic landmarks, and the experiences of the neurosurgeon. In the other 33 cases admitted after February 2002 to December 2010, surgeries were performed with neuronavigation using the Medtronic Stealth Station TREON or TRIA system (neuronavigation group). Excision of the cavernomas were all performed microsurgically, surrounding gliotic rim and hemosiderin stained tissue were resected in the case of epilepsy, and a few patients underwent extended hippocampal resection or multiple subpial transection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the use of neuronavigation, the extent of craniotomy reduced from 5.2 cm to 3.6 cm (P < 0.01), and deeper cavernoma focuses could be treated surgically. There were no changes with regard to the mean size of the cavernomas, the mean time of surgery and hospital stay (P > 0.05), but the mean time of anaesthesia was prolonged from 164 min to 197 min (P < 0.01). Cavernomas were resected completely in all 47 cases, which was confirmed by postoperative MRI recheck. The conditions of all patients were improved or remain unchanged, and no significant differences in the clinical outcome could be evaluated between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Application of neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery of intracranial cavernous malformations surgery, helps reduce the surgical trauma, and has security and reliability.</p>

The utility of transcranial magnetic motor evoked potential monitoring during spinal surgery / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the practicability and validity of transcranial magnetic motor evoked potential monitoring (TMS-MEP) during spinal surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2001 to June 2004, 37 patients undergoing spinal surgery were involved, anaesthesia was maintained with volatile anesthetics in 11 operations and etomidate in 26. Analgesia was provided with fentanyl, and non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was given intermittently. MEPs elicited with transcranial magnetic stimulations were recorded from tibialis anterior muscles, simultaneously bispectral index (BIS) and train-of-four stimulation (TOF) were used to monitor the anesthesia depth and neuromuscular blockade respectively. The variety of MEP and its effect on surgical operation at different anesthesia depth and muscular relaxation were observed, and the muscle strength of the patients before and after operation were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 11 cases anesthetized with isoflurane or enflurane gave no response to TMS, the other 26 cases in which anaesthesia was maintained with etomidate and fentanyl gave satisfactory TMS-MEPs, but with significantly attenuated amplitudes and prolonged latencies (P < 0.05). Intraoperative MEP showed a grossly unchanged waveform, and its amplitude and latency had little fluctuation when anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade maintained stable. When T(1) value of TOF at 40% - 60%, a steady MEP could be acquired and the muscular contraction after TMS should not interfere the operation.Seven of 26 cases had a MEP amplitude drop up to 50% or more during the operation, the surgical team was notified to avoid further spinal injury, at last only 1 case had a worsen muscle power after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Myogenic TMS-MEP is a valid and practicable technique for intraoperative monitoring, and the etomidate + fentanyl technique is adequate for its anesthesia. BIS and TOF monitoring are helpful to maintain the steadiness of the anesthesia and MEPs, which is very important for monitoring the changes of the MEPs.</p>

Clinical analysis of diagnosis and treatment for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the diagnosis, treatment strategies and clinical outcomes of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients. Methods A total of 68 patients aged over 60 years presenting with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage underwent cerebral angiography. And 72 intracranial aneurysms were detected in 60 patients, among whom 47 patients with 59 aneurysms underwent endovascular coil embolization, 6 aneurysms in 6 patients were clipped in microneurosurgery operation, and 7 patients chose conservative treatment. Results A total of 57 aneurysms (96.6%) were embolized successfully, among which 40 aneurysms (70.2%) reached dense occlusion and 17 aneurysms (29.8%) reached incomplete occlusion. Among 47 patients undergoing endovascular treatment, 39 patients (83.0%) were evaluated as good, 7 patients (14.9%) were moderately to seriously disabled according to Glasgow Outcome Scale when they were discharged, and one patient died. Conclusions Active treatment such as endovascular coil embolization can acquire good outcome in elderly patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially in elderly patients detected with aneurysms.

The diagnosis and treatment of ventriculitis following ventricular-peritoneal shunt / 中国综合临床

Objective To study the bacteriology, clinical characteristics and treatment of ventriculitis fol-lowing ventricular-peritoneal shunt. Methods The clinical data and bacteriological results of eight patients with ven-triculitis following ventricular-peritoneal shunt from April 1998 to April 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Shunt de-vice was removed in all patients. Intraventricular and intravenous antibiotics were given until the infection was con-trolled,and a secondary shunt device was placed. Results In eight patients,five were infected by Staph. Epidermi-dis,one by a mixed infection of Staph. Aureus and Pseudomonas acruginosa,one by Staph. Aureus,and one by E. Co-li. All patients were given intraventricular and intravenous antibiotics therapy. 8 cases recovered well after treatment. Conclusion Ventriculitis following ventricular-peritoneal shunt is a dangerous complication and is not easy to cure. After the removal of shunt device, a satisfactory result could be achieved by the administration of intraventricular and intravenous antibiotics.

Treatment of multisegmental intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the possibility of microneurosurgery techniques in the treatment of multisegmental intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 26 cases of multisegmental intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas patients was reviewed and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 14 cases of cervical spinal cord ependymomas, 12 cases of cervical and thoracic spinal cord ependymomas. 4.5 spinal cord segments were involved in average. Incompletely inferior paraplegia was in 18 cases, incompletely high paraplegia in 8 cases, dyspnea in 6 cases, sphincter dysfunction in 10 cases. MRI detected syringomyelia formation in 24 cases. Vertebral lamina reposition were done in 20 cases. Muscle strength recovered in 21 cases, no change in 4 cases, aggravated in 1 case. All cases had total resection and 1 cases vertebral had instability in MRI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Total resection of intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas can be achieved by microneurosurgery. Most of the symptoms can be released after microsurgical treatment. After multisegmental laminotomy, the vertebral plate reposition should be done to ensure the stability.</p>

Experimental research of myogenic motor evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation for spinal cord monitoring / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the validity of intraoperative magnetic MEP (motor evoked potentials) monitoring in a spinal-cord-menaced surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>32 rabbits were employed in weight-drop spinal cord contusion model. After anesthetized with a combination of Ketamine and Droperidol the spinal cords were surgically exposed with the dura intact, and the contusion injuries were delivered except the rabbits in control group. The MEPs were recorded and the relationship between the variation of the MEPs and the residual locomotor capacity after spinal cord injury was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 6 rabbits in mild-spinal-cord-injury group experienced transient attenuation of their TMS-MEPs, and the locomotor capacity remained intact (scores of 5) in almost all rabbits (5 of 6) when assessed 24 hours later; In the moderate-spinal-cord-injury group the 8 rabbits lost their TMS-MEP immediately after the weight-drop contusion, but they regained them partly in 1 hour one after another and scored 4 or 5 in the assessment of muscle power next day except for one score of 2; 8 rabbits had their spinal cords impaired severely in the contusion procedure and lost their TMS-MEP too but without recovery, their locomotor capacity outcomes were very poor, 5 of them had no response to transcranial magnetic stimulation next day, and in the other 3 rabbits we only found some polyphase waves with variant latency and lower amplitude which did not resemble common compound muscle action potential (CMAPs) evoked by TMS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Myogenic TMS-MEPs was very sensitive to the spinal cord injury and should be a valid technique for intraoperative monitoring, and a slight change of them, even if a transient lose, should be unnecessarily related to a severe movement disorder. The warning threshold for a given patient should depend on the malady itself.</p>

Microsurgical management of tethered cord syndrome / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the results of 26 patients with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) after microsurgical operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients with TCS were treated microsurgically and their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>72% of the patients with TCS showed significant improvement. Surgical outcome was excellent in relieving pain and sensorimotor deficits, but bladder dysfunction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early diagnosis and adequate surgical release are the keys to a successful outcome.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical pituitary apoplexy: report of 21 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate clinical manifestations of 21 patients with subclinical pituitary apoplexy and their diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Clinical data from 21 patients with subclinical pituitary apoplexy treated from October 1989 to November 2001 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Their clinical manifestations included chronic headache, visual deficit and field cut. Three patients showed no clinical signs. Microsurgery was performed in 20 patients, of whom 3 were treated by emergency operation. Microsurgery included transsphenoidal decompression in 17 patients, and transpterioral approach in 3. One patient was given conservative therapy, and 12 were given endocrine replacement therapy. Nineteen patients recovered with marked visual improvement (7), partial improvement (8), no changes (4); deterioration was noted in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Subclinical pituitary apoplexy characterized by atypical clinical manifestations may be misdiagnosed or in appropriately treated. MRI is superior to CT scan for the diagnosis of subclinical pituitary apoplexy. Patients with persistent chiasmatic syndromes are indicated for emergency surgery. Endocrine replacement and transsphnoidal decompression are effective for the improvement of severe visual disturbance.</p>