Empiema subdural y su relación con hematomas subdurales: experiencia local y revisión de la literatura / Subdural empyema and its relationship to subdural hematomas: local experience and literature review

RESUMEN: Los empiemas subdurales, tanto los de aparición espontánea o como complicación en la evolución de un hematoma subdural (HSD), son infrecuentes y de los cuales existen pocas publicaciones en la literatura(1). En este trabajo se revisa una serie de 15 casos operados en el Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP) en un período de 15 años. Se observó que en general tienen buena evolución con el tratamiento instaurado en forma oportuna y que son larvados en su presentación, pudiendo llegar a ser diagnosticados incluso en el intraoperatorio. No se observó diferencia en su evolución cuando se operaron a través de una craniectomía o de una craneotomía (plaqueta)(2). No se encontró tampoco diferencia cuando se trataron con o sin drenaje. Como consenso general, deben ser tratados con antibioticoterapia prolongada de al menos 3-4 semanas para controlar el foco infeccioso(2). Ninguno de los casos revisados requirió de reintervención.

ABSTRACT Subdural empyemas, both spontaneous or as a complication in the evolution of subdural hematomas, are an uncommon fact of which there are few publications in literature. In this review we analyze a retrospective serie of 15 cases operated in HUAP in a period of 15 years. In general we don't observed differences in the outcome using different surgical techniques, both in those treated by craniectomy as those treated by craniotomy. Also we don't observed differences in those treated with or without drainage. In the same way is clear that the optimal period of antibiotic treatment must be 3-4 weeks to fully cover them. None of the cases treated, needed reintervention.

Logistic Regression Analysis of the Mechanism of Blunt Brain Injury Inference Based on CT Images / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the correlation between CT imaging features of acceleration and deceleration brain injury and injury degree.@*METHODS@#A total of 299 cases with acceleration and deceleration brain injury were collected and divided into acceleration brain injury group and deceleration brain injury group according to the injury mechanism. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS), combined with skull fracture, epidural hematoma (EDH), subdural hematoma (SDH) and brain contusion on the same and opposite sides of the stress point were selected as the screening indexes. χ2 test was used for primary screening, and binary logistic regression analysis was used for secondary screening. The indexes with the strongest correlation in acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism were selected.@*RESULTS@#χ2 test showed that skull fracture and EDH on the same side of the stress point; EDH, SDH and brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point; SAH, GCS were correlated with acceleration and deceleration injury (P<0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of EDH on the same side of the stress point was 2.697, the OR of brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point was 0.043 and the OR of GCS was 0.238, suggesting there was statistically significant (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#EDH on the same side of the stress point, brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point and GCS can be used as key indicators to distinguish acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism. In addition, skull fracture on the same side of the stress point, EDH and SDH on the opposite of the stress point and SAH were relatively weak indicators in distinguishing acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism.

Uso de fator protrombínico no tratamento de hematoma subdural espontâneo: relato de caso / Prothrombin Factor Use in the Treatment of Spontaneous Subdural Haematoma: Case Report

A warfarina é amplamente utilizada na condução de pacientes com patologias cardiovasculares, apesar do risco de sangramentos potencialmente graves. Quando tais sangramentos ocorrem, é necessária rápida reversão da anticoagulação. No presente relato descreve-se um paciente que desenvolveu hematoma subdural espontâneo associado ao uso de warfarina, necessitando intervenção cirúrgica emergencial. É dada ênfase aos mecanismos de produção deste fenômeno e à sua condução clínica.

Warfarin is widely used on the treatment of cardiovascular pathology, although there are risks of potentially lethal bleeding. When such bleeding occurs, it is imperative a rapid reversal of anticoagulation. A case of a spontaneous subdural hematoma during the use of warfarin and requiring emergent surgical treatment is reported. Emphasis is given to the mechanisms of this phenomenon and its clinical conduction.

Performance of the fixed pressure valve with antisiphon device SPHERA® in the treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus and prevention of overdrainage / Efeito da válvula de pressão fixa com antisifão SPHERA®no tratamento da hidrocefalia de pressão normal e prevenção de hiperdrenagem

ABSTRACT Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is characterized by the triad of gait apraxia, dementia and urinary incontinence associated with ventriculomegaly and normal pressure of cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment is accomplished through the implantation of a ventricular shunt (VPS), however some complications are still frequent, like overdrainage due to siphon effect. This study analyses the performance of a valve with anti-siphon device (SPHERA®) in the treatment of patients with NPH and compares it with another group of patients with NPH who underwent the same procedure without anti-siphon mechanism (PS Medical® valve). 30 patients were consecutively enrolled in two groups with 15 patients each and followed clinically and radiologically for 1 year. Patients submitted to VPS with SPHERA® valve had the same clinical improvement as patients submitted to VPS with PS Medical®. However, complications and symptomatology due to overdrainage were significantly lower in SPHERA® group, suggesting it as a safe tool to treat NPH.

RESUMO A hidrocefalia de pressão normal (HPN) é caracterizada pela tríade de sintomas de apraxia de marcha, demência e incontinência urinária. O tratamento padrão é realizado através de implantação de derivação ventricular, porém várias complicações são frequentes, como a hiperdrenagem secundária ao efeito sifão. Este estudo avaliou o resultado da válvula SPHERA® no tratamento desses pacientes em comparação com um grupo controle (PS Medical®). 30 pacientes foram consecutivamente alocados em dois grupos de 15 e seguidos por 1 ano. Pacientes com a válvula SPHERA® tiveram o mesmo grau de melhora clínica em comparação ao grupo controle, no entanto as complicações diagnósticadas e sintomatologia secundária à hiperdrenagem foi significativamente inferior no grupo da válvula SPHERA® group, sugerindo-a como uma ferramenta segura e aplicável.

Bilateral subdural hematoma secondary to accidental dural puncture / Hematoma subdural bilateral secundário a punção dural acidental / Hematoma subdural bilateral secundario a punción dural accidental

We report the case of a 25-year-old woman, who received epidural analgesia for labor pain and subsequently presented post-dural puncture headache. Conservative treatment was applied and epidural blood patch was performed. In the absence of clinical improvement and due to changes in the postural component of the headache, a brain imaging test was performed showing a bilateral subdural hematoma. The post-dural puncture headache is relatively common, but the lack of response to established medical treatment as well as the change in its characteristics and the presence of neurological deficit, should raise the suspicion of a subdural hematoma, which although is rare, can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated at the right time.

Apresentamos o caso clínico de uma paciente de 25 anos na qual uma técnica peridural foi aplicada durante o trabalho de parto e posteriormente apresentou cefaleia com características de cefaleia pós-punção dural. Foi iniciado tratamento conservador e tampão de sangue peridural. Devido à ausência de melhoria clínica e à mudança do componente postural da cefaleia, decidiu-se fazer um exame de imagem cerebral que demonstrou a presença de hematoma subdural bilateral. A cefaleia pós-punção dural é relativamente frequente, mas a falta de resposta ao tratamento médico instaurado, assim como a mudança em suas características e a presença de foco neurológico, deve levantar a suspeita de presença de um hematoma subdural que, embora infrequente, pode chegar a ser devastador se não for diagnosticado e tratado oportunamente.

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 25 años de edad, a quien se le realizó una técnica epidural durante el trabajo de parto y posteriormente presentó cefalea con características de cefalea pospunción dural. Se inició tratamiento conservador y se realizó parche hemático epidural. Ante la falta de mejoría clínica y debido al cambio en el componente postural de la cefalea, se decidió realizar una prueba de imagen cerebral que demostró la presencia de hematoma subdural bilateral. La cefalea pospunción dural es relativamente frecuente, pero la falta de respuesta al tratamiento médico instaurado, así como el cambio en sus características y la presencia de focalidad neurológica, deben hacer sospechar la presencia de un hematoma subdural que, aunque infrecuente, puede llegar a ser devastador si no se diagnostica y trata oportunamente.

Evidences in the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus / Evidências no tratamento da hidrocefalia de pressão normal idiopática.

Summary Introduction: idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is characterized by gait apraxia, cognitive dysfunction and urinary incontinence. There are two main treatment options: ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). However, there are doubts about which modality is superior and what type of valve should be applied. We are summarizing the current evidence in INPH treatment. Methods: an electronic search of the literature was conducted on the Medline, Embase, Scielo and Lilacs databases from 1966 to the present to obtain data published about INPH treatment. Results: the treatment is based on three pillars: conservative, ETV and VPS. The conservative option has fallen into disuse after various studies showing good results after surgical intervention. ETV is an acceptable mode of treatment, but the superiority of VPS has made the latter the gold standard. Conclusion: well-designed studies with a high level of appropriate evidence are still scarce, but the current gold standard for treatment of INPH is conducted using VPS. .

Resumo Introdução: a hidrocefalia de pressão normal idiopática (HPNI) é caracterizada por apraxia da marcha, disfunção cognitiva e incontinência urinária. Existem duas principais opções terapêuticas: derivação ventriculoperitoneal (DVP) e terceiro ventriculostomia endoscópica (TVE). No entanto, há dúvidas sobre qual modalidade é superior e que tipo de válvula deve ser aplicada. Este artigo resume as evidências atuais no tratamento de HPNI. Métodos: uma busca eletrônica da literatura foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline, Embase, SciELO e Lilacs, de 1966 até o momento presente para revelar os dados publicados sobre o tratamento da HPNI. Resultados: o tratamento é baseado em três pilares: conservador isolado, TVE e DVP. A opção conservadora caiu em desuso depois de vários estudos revelarem bons resultados após a intervenção cirúrgica. A TVE é uma modalidade de tratamento aceitável, mas a superioridade da DVP torna-a o padrão-ouro. Conclusão: estudos com evidência de alto nível, adequados e bem desenhados, ainda são escassos. O tratamento padrão-ouro atual de HPNI é realizado com DVP. .

Performance of fixed-pressure valve with antisiphon device SPHERA® in hydrocephalus treatment and overdrainage prevention / Desempenho da válvula de pressão fixa com antissifão SPHERA® no tratamento da hidrocefalia e na prevenção da ocorrência de hiperdrenagem

Patients with hydrocephalus and risk factors for overdrainage may be submitted to ventricular shunt (VS) implant with antisiphon device. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate for two years the clinical and tomographic results of the implant of fixed-pressure valves with antisiphon device SPHERA® in 35 adult patients, with hydrocephalus and risk factors for overdrainage. Of these, 3 had congenital hydrocephalus in adult patients with very dilated ventricles (Evans index >50%), 3 had symptomatic overdrainage after previous VS implant (subdural hematoma, hygroma or slit ventricle syndrome), 1 had previous chronic subdural hematoma, 15 had normal pressure hydrocephalus with final lumbar pressure <5 cm H2O after tap test (40 mL), 6 had pseudotumor cerebri, and 7 had hydrocephalus due to other causes. Clinical improvement was observed and sustained in 94.3% of the patients during the two-year period with no computed tomography (CT) evidence of hypo or overdrainage, and no immediate early or late significant complications.

Pacientes com hidrocefalia e fatores de risco para hiperdrenagem podem ser submetidos ao implante de derivação ventricular (VS) com mecanismo antissifão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar prospectivamente os resultados clínicos e tomográficos do implante de válvulas de pressão fixa com antissifão SPHERA® em 35 pacientes adultos, com hidrocefalia e risco de hiperdrenagem, acompanhados por dois anos. Destes, 3 apresentavam hidrocefalia congênita em adulto, com ventrículos muito dilatados (índice de Evans >50%); 3 tinham hiperdrenagem sintomática pós-derivação ventricular prévia (hematoma subdural, higroma ou síndrome dos ventrículos colabados; 1 apresentava hematoma subdural crônico pregresso; 15 apresentavam hidrocefalia de pressão normal com pressão lombar final <5 cm H2O após tap test (40 mL); 6 apresentavam pseudotumor cerebral; e 7, devido a outras causas. A melhoria clínica foi detectada e sustentada em 94,3% dos pacientes no período de dois anos, sem indícios tomográficos de hipo ou hiperdrenagem e sem complicações significativas imediatas, precoces ou tardias.

Does postdural puncture headache left untreated lead to subdural hematoma? Case report and review of the literature

The patient was a 39-year-old pregnant woman who was scheduled for cesarean section. Spinal anesthesia was induced using a 26-gauge needle with an atraumatic bevel. Postoperatively, the patient developed cranial subdural hematoma manifesting as severe non-postural headache, associated with right eye tearing, fifth cranial nerve palsy and left hemiparesis. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography scan. The patient was managed by careful neurological follow-up associated with conservative treatment and recovered fully after 12 weeks. Our report reviews the literature on 46 patients who developed a postdural puncture headache complicated by subdural hematoma following spinal or epidural anesthesia. It is possible that postdural puncture headache left untreated may be complicated by the development of subdural hematoma. Patients developing a postdural puncture headache unrelieved by conservative measures, as well as the change from postural to non-postural, require careful follow-up for early diagnosis and management of possible subdural hematoma. [c] 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Dissociated Horizontal Deviation after Traumatic Brain Injury

A 4-year-old boy visited the hospital with exotropia after brain hemorrhage caused by trauma. He had undergone decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty 18 months prior to presentation at our hospital. An alternate prism cover test showed more than 50 prism diopters (PD) of left exotropia when he was fixing with the right eye and 30 PD of right exotropia when he was fixing with the left eye at near and far distance. On the Hirschberg test, 60 PD of left exotropia was noted in the primary position. Brain computerized tomography imaging performed 18 months prior showed hypodense changes in the right middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery territories. Subfalcian herniation was also noted secondary to swelling of the right hemisphere. The patient underwent a left lateral rectus muscle recession of 7.0 mm and a left medial rectus muscle resection of 3.5 mm. Three weeks after the surgery, the Hirschberg test showed orthotropia. On alternate prism cover testing, 8 PD of left exotropia and 8 PD of right esotropia were noted at distance. We report a patient who developed dissociated horizontal deviation after right subfalcian subdural hemorrhage caused by trauma.

Síndrome del niño sacudido en Chile: una forma más de maltrato infantil / Shaken baby syndrome in Chile: another form of child abuse

Introduction: The shaken baby syndrome is the most common cause of death and severe neurological damage in abused children. Characterized by acute encephalopathy with sub dural and retinal hemorrhages, which occur in inappropriate situations or an inconsistent story The lesions are due to the increased size of the child's head, weak neck musculature and the abundance of non-myelinated brain tissue that allows excessive stretching of blood vessels associated with the mechanism of injury that involves application of rotational forces of acceleration slowdown. Our goal is to present the clinical features of children admitted to four hospitals in Chile in order to alert the clinician to the suspicion and search box. Methods: Clinical and imaging analysis of six patients with clinical criteria for shaken baby syndrome, as defined by the presence of intracranial or intraocular injury as a result of shocks, in the context of physical abuse in children under two years. Results: Six cases, four children, two girls. Ages 3 months to 16 months. The first symptom in one child was ophthalmoparesis, four with seizures, one of which was admitted in severe coma until he died. All had retinal hemorrhages. Brain Magnetic Resonance showed subdural collections in all of them with different data. The coagulation study was negative in all. Conclusion: The shaken baby syndrome is a reality in Chile and its high morbidity and mortality should place emphasis on prevention at all levels of health care.

Introducción: El síndrome del niño sacudido es la causa más común de muerte y daño neurológico severo en niños maltratados. Caracterizado por encefalopatía aguda con hemorragias subduralesy retinianas, que ocurren en un contexto inadecuado o en una historia inconsistente. Las lesiones se explican por el mayor tamaño de la cabeza del niño, la debilidad de la musculatura cervicaly la abundancia de tejido encefálico no mielinizado que permite un excesivo estiramiento de los vasos sanguíneos asociado al mecanismo de injuria que implica aplicación de fuerzas rotacionales de aceleración-desaceleración. Nuestro objetivo es presentar las características clínicas de niños ingresados a cuatro hospitales de Chile para así alertar al clínico hacia la sospecha y búsqueda del cuadro. Método: Análisis clínico e imagenológico de seis pacientes con criterios clínicos para síndrome del niño sacudido, definido por la presencia de lesiones intracraneales o intraoculares como resultado de sacudidas, en el contexto de maltrato físico, en niños menores de dos a±os. Resultados: Seis casos, cuatro niños, dos niñas. Edades entre 3 meses y 16 meses. Uno debutó con oftalmoparesia, cuatro con crisis convulsivas de los cuales uno ingresó en coma evolucionando grave hasta fallecer. Todos presentaban hemorragias retinianas. La Resonancia Magnética cerebral mostró en todos ellos colecciones subdurales de distinta data. El estudio de coagulopatías fue negativo en todos. Conclusión: El síndrome del niño sacudido es una realidad en Chile y por su alta morbimortalidad se debiera insistir en la prevención de éste a todo nivel de la atención en salud.

A case report of chronic subdural haematomas in two elderly patients

The authors present two elderly patients with chronic subdural haematomas following minor trauma. The difficulty associated with making the diagnosis is discussed. A high index of suspicion and routine follow-up of such patients is recommended in order to promote early diagnosis and prompt treatment of this reversible cause of dementia.

Los autores presentan dos casos de pacientes ancianos con hematomas subdurales crónicos luego de sufrir traumas menores. Se discuten las dificultades asociadas con la realización del diagnóstico. Se recomienda un alto índice de sospecha y seguimiento de rutina en tales pacientes, a fin de promover el diagnóstico temprano para un pronto tratamiento de esta causa reversible de demencia.

Síndrome del niño sacudido: artículo de revisión / Shaken baby syndrome: review article

El maltrato infantil es un tema que permanece vigente en nuestro país. En el último tiempo hemos sido testigos de una forma infrecuente, pero no menos grave de maltrato; se trata del síndrome del niño sacudido. Esta entidad descrita ya en la década de los setenta ha sido objeto de numerosos estudios que han permitido una mejor comprensión de su patogenia. Las lesiones frecuentemente encontradas son el hematoma subdural y las hemorragias retinianas, en general sin otras lesiones externas y habitualmente en el contexto de una historia clínica inconsistente o variable en el tiempo. Los Tribunales de Familia, recién implementados en Chile, pretenden resolver de manera oportuna y eficiente ciertas materias, entre las cuales el maltrato infantil es tema prioritario. El objetivo del presente documento es revisar los aspectos médicos fundamentales de esta modalidad de agresión, además de orientar la conducta legal ante un niño maltratado.

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, cerebral vasculopathy and recurrent subdural hematoma.

Mucopolysaccharidoses are characterized by involvement of multiple organs, including blood vessels. We present a case of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB admitted with recurrent subdural hematoma; further evaluation and dural biopsy revealed an association with cerebral vasculopathy.

An extradural and subdural hematoma in a neonate.

Traumatic brain injury following birth is common in newborn but significant intracranial haematoma following birth injury is not that usual. Even busy pediatric trauma center have about only 1 to 3 % of admission that require neurosurgical care. Extradural haematoma (EDH) associated with intracerebral and subdural haematoma (SDH) is even more rare in newborn. If this is not detected and treated in time, the outcome may be fatal. A case of EDH with subdural and intracerebral haematoma in a 3 days old neonate is presented. Etiology and problems in diagnosis and management are discussed.

Subdural hemorrhage associated with falcine meningioma.

A case of falcine meningioma associated with acute subdural hemorrhage is reported. The possible mechanisms of hemorrhage in the case are discussed. We believe that an early recognition and surgery can prevent neurological deterioration.