Intraoperative intracranial aneurysm rupture.

119 patients with surgically treated intracranial aneurysm between December 18, 1984 and October 1997 were analyzed resulting in nine patients with intraoperative aneurysm rupture. These nine cases formed the basis of this study. The incidence of intraoperative aneurysm rupture was 7.6 per cent. The mortality was 33.3 per cent. In our institution, maneuvers used to control profuse hemorrhage include induced hypotension, suction dissection, and temporary clips at the parent vessels. Some controversies exist regarding the effect of timing of surgery on intraoperative aneurysm rupture and ischemic consequence from induced hypotension. The argument is whether early surgery, within 72 hours, increases the incidence of intraoperative aneurysm rupture.

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus: experience in 17 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculomegaly after head injury is one of controversial debate. Currently there is no definite way to distinguish post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) from cerebral atrophy. The favourable outcome is only from CSF shunting in patients with true post-traumatic hydrocephalus, not hydrocephalus exvacuo. METHOD: 17 patients with post-traumatic hydrocephalus were retrospectively reviewed from January 1993 to February 1996 to determine risk factors and guidelines for the management of this problem. RESULTS: These 17 patients represented 1.6 per cent of the 1080 head-injured patients seen at Songklanagarind Hospital during that period. 385 patients were classified as severe head injury in whom 7 were complicated with post-traumatic hydrocephalus. Our study found a high incidence of correlation between PTH and decompressive craniectomy. The late effect of decompressive craniectomy may cause CSF blockage around the convexities and hydrocephalus. The diagnoses were based on clinical manifestations and CT scan appearances. The outcome was related closely to the initial GCS score and the method used for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus was 1.8 per cent in patients with severe head injury. Late neurological deterioration confirmed by CT scan findings was more useful than CT scan findings alone. CSF shunting was effective in patients with ventriculomegaly who had clinical signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure from post-traumatic hydrocephalus.

Multiple intracranial aneurysms in Songklanagarind Hospital.

We retrospectively reviewed the 107 patients on whom direct surgery was performed for intracranial aneurysms between December 18, 1984 and July 25, 1996. The incidence of multiple intracranial aneurysms in our hospital is 6.5 per cent (7/107 cases). There were 16 aneurysms in 7 cases with multiple aneurysms. There were 2 and 5 patients with 3 and 2 aneurysms respectively. The most common site was at the junction of posterior communicating artery (PCoA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). The preoperative conditions of the patients were closely related to the operative results. We performed direct surgery on bilateral aneurysms by bifrontal approaches. There was no mortality.

Treatment of severely head injured patients with absence of basal cisterns on initial CT scans.

Sixty-four severely head injured patients with absence of basal cisterns on initial CT scan were studied from January 1986 to March 1989. None had good recovery at 6 months follow-up period. The result from logistic regression analysis pointed to the GCS at 24 hours following injury as an independent, significant outcome predictor. Conventional treatment is not suitable for these patients. Earlier and more aggressive therapy should improve their outcome.

Results of delayed operations for ruptured supratentorial aneurysms in 22 consecutive patients.

Twenty-two patients with surgically treated ruptured aneurysms were reviewed retrospectively regarding age, sex, aneurysm site distribution, clinical grading, rebleeding, timing of surgery and long term results. The most common aneurysm site was in the Anterior Communicating artery (44%). The mean time between aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and surgery was 20 days. There were 4 cases with intraoperative rupture. The outcome was favorable in 63.6 per cent after a mean follow-up of 21 months. The overall mortality rate was 22.7 per cent. The results may be improved by an early, well planned operation.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the spinal cord: a case report.

A 14-year-old boy with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the spinal cord who presented with progressive enlarged bilateral inguinal masses, difficulty in urination, walking and paresthesia in the left lower extremity and perineum is reported. Radiographic studies and computerized axial tomography of T12 to L2 spines showed destruction of the vertebral body of L1 and left-sided paravertebral soft tissue mass extending into the vertebral canal with complete block of the dural sac at the level of L1 spine. The operative finding was an extradural mass at the anterolateral aspect of L1 to L2 spines. After surgical removal of the lesion and chemotherapy with vincristine, prednisolone, 6-MP and methotrexate for 15 months, his neurological deficit improved and there has been no evidence of recurrent disease during his two years follow-up. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a possible cause of spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome and should be considered after excluding other more common causes.

The surgical treatment of intracranial meningiomas at Songklanagarind Hospital.

The characteristics of our meningiomas are the same as in the literature. It is the fruit of hard labor of a new center in the South of Thailand. The recurrence and mortality rate is very low, but the follow-up periods are too short to assess this aspect cogently.

TSH secreting pituitary adenoma in children: a case report.

The clinical presentation of TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma in an 11-year-old boy is reported. Hyperthyroidism, signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure with the elevation of TSH, T3, T4 were the clues for suspecting this disorder. Bilateral carotid angiogram was performed which disclosed a suprasellar mass, and pituitary surgery was performed. Electron microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of TSH secreting pituitary tumor.

Intracranial tuberculoma in Thailand: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of cerebellar tuberculoma in an adult treat at Songkhlanagarind hospital is presented. The total number of well-documented cases in Thailand is 14. The exact incidence is unknown. The epidemiology, clinical and diagnostic features are reviewed.