Decompressive Craniectomy in Extensive Ischemic Stroke. An Experience in a Single Institution / Craniectomia descompressiva no acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico extenso. Uma experiência em uma única instituição

Introduction Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a valuable treatment for reducing early lethality in malignant intracranial hypertension (IH); however, it has been shown that the decision to implement DC in patients with extensive ischemic stroke should not be based solely on the detection of IH with the use of intracranial pressure (ICP) devices. Objective To establish the usefulness of DC in patients with extensive ischemic stroke who came to the emergency room during the period between May 2018 and March 2019. Methods This was an analytical, prospective, and longitudinal study whose population corresponded to all patients with a diagnosis of extensive ischemic stroke. Results The sample consisted of 5 patients, of which 3 were female and 2 males, the average age was 62.2 years old (minimum 49 years old, maximum 77 years old). Of all the patients who underwent DC, it was found that 80% of the patients did not present an increase in intracranial pressure. Decompressive craniectomy was not performed in a case that responded adequately to medical treatment. The mean values of ICP were 25 mmHg with a minimum value of 20 mmHg and a maximum value of 25 mmHg; in patients with a moderate value, the ICP averages were < 20 mmHg. The mortality was of 40% (RANKIN of 6 points). Conclusions Decompressive craniectomy is useful in extensive ischemic stroke. The decision to implement DC in patients with extensive stroke rests on clinicoradiological parameters. The monitoring of the IPC was not particularly useful in the early detection of the neurological deterioration of the patients studied.

Fundamento A craniectomia descompressiva (CD) é um tratamento valioso para reduzir a letalidade precoce na hipertensão intracraniana (HI) maligna; no entanto, foi demonstrado que a decisão de implementar a CD em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) isquêmico extenso não deve ser baseada apenas na detecção de HI com o uso de dispositivos de pressão intracraniana (PIC). Objetivo Estabelecer a utilidade da CD em pacientes com AVC isquêmico extenso que chegaram ao pronto-socorro no período entre maio de 2018 e março de 2019. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo analítico, prospectivo e longitudinal cuja população correspondeu a todos os pacientes com diagnóstico de AVC isquêmico extenso. Resultados A amostra foi composta por 5 pacientes, sendo 3 do sexo feminino e 2 do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 62,2 anos (mínimo 49 anos, máximo 77 anos). De todos os pacientes que realizaram CD, verificou-se que 80% dos pacientes não apresentaram aumento da pressão intracraniana. Não foi realizada uma CD que tenha respondido adequadamente ao tratamento médico. Os valores médios de pressão intracraniana foram de 25 mmHg, com o valor mínimo de 20 mmHg e o valor máximo de 25 mmHg; em pacientes com escala moderada, as médias de PIC foram < 20 mm Hg. A mortalidade foi de 40% (RANKIN de 6 pontos). Conclusões A DC é útil no AVC isquêmico extenso. A decisão de implementar uma CD em pacientes com AVC extenso depende de parâmetros clínico-radiológicos. O monitoramento do PCI não foi muito útil na detecção precoce da deterioração neurológica dos pacientes estudados.

Utility of Intraoperative Ultrasound in Neurosurgery

Objective The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasound guidance as a technique for the assessment, in real time, of tumor resection and as a navigation aid during intra-axial brain lesion removal on patients admitted in the Neurosurgical Department at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela, in 2018. Methods A total of 10 patients were enrolled, each with intra-axial brain lesions with no previous neurosurgical procedures and a mean age of 49 years old, ranging from 29 to 59 years old. Results A male predominance was observed with 7 cases (70%) over 3 female cases (30%). Six patients had lesions in the dominant hemisphere. The frontal lobe was the most commonly affected,with 5 cases, followed by the parietal lobe,with 4 cases. After craniotomy, ultrasound evaluation was performed previously to dural opening, during tumor resection and after tumor removal. The mean tumor size in axial, coronal and sagittal views was 3.72 cm, 3.08 cm and 3.00 cm, respectively, previously to dural opening with intraoperative ultrasound. The average tumor depth was 1.73 cm from the cerebral cortex. The location and removal duration from the beginning of the approach (ultrasound usage time) was 83.60 minutes, and the average surgery duration was 201 minutes. Navigation with intraoperative ultrasound served to resect intra-axial tumors more precisely and safely. There was no postoperative complication associated with the surgery in this series of cases. Conclusions Intraoperative ultrasound guidance for intra-axial subcortical tumor resection is a technique that serves as a surgical and anatomical orientation tool.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la espondilitis tuberculosa (enfermedad de Pott). Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Surgical treatment of tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease). Case report and literature review

RESUMEN La espondilitis tuberculosa (enfermedad de Pott) representa del 1-5% de los casos de tuberculosis. Se presenta un caso clínico de una paciente femenina de 14 años de edad con esta patología complicada con fractura de cuerpos vertebrales T4, T7, T8 y T9; a quien se le realizó un abordaje por vía posterior, consistente en laminectomía completa bilateral de T3, T4, T7, T8, T9 preservando las articulaciones facetarias, mas artrodesis instrumentada con ganchos sublaminares en T1-T2, colocación de alambres sublaminares T5 y T6, tornillos transpediculares en T11 y dos barras de titanio. Con excelentes resultados postoperatorios. Además, se discuten las diferentes vías de abordaje quirúrgico de esta patología.

ABSTRACT Tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) represent 1-5% of tuberculosis cases. We present a clinical case of a female patient of 14 years of age with tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) complicated with vertebral body fracture T4, T7, T8 and T9, who underwent a posterior approach, bilateral complete laminectomy of T3, T4, T7, T8, T9 preserving the facet joints, more arthrodesis instrumented with sublaminar hooks in T1-T2 placement of sublaminar wires T5 and T6 placement of transpedicular screws in T11, and two titanium bars. With excellent postoperative results. In addition, the different surgical approaches to this pathology are discussed.

Riesgo de diabetes en una comunidad rural del Municipio Sotilo: Estado Monagas, Venezuela

Objetivo: Determinar el riesgo de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, en la comunidad rural de Apostadero, Municipio Sotillo. Estado Monagas. Venezuela. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal en Enero de 2013. Universo conformado por 163 personas mayores de 18 años. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas (peso, talla, índice de masa corporal [IMC], y circunferencia abdominal), glicemia capilar, tensión arterial y se aplicó la encuesta FINDRISC para estimar riesgo de diabetes en 10 años. Resultados: De una muestra de 41 voluntarios, 25 (61%) eran de género femenino y 16 (39%) de masculino. El promedio de IMC fue 28,08±5,69, la prevalencia de sobrepeso fue de 24,4% y de obesidad de 36,6%. El género femenino fue más afectado con IMC promedio de 29,52±6,04 vs masculino 25,84±4,37 (p<0,05). La prevalencia de pre-hipertensión fue de 31,7% y la de hipertensión arterial fue de 53,7%. La glicemia capilar media fue de 93,63±12,18 mg/dL y en cuanto al género no hubo diferencias significativas (p=0,17), la prevalencia de alteración de glicemia en ayunas fue de 24,4% y de Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 de 4,9%. El 21,95% de los encuestados estaban en alto riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus tipo 2, siendo las mujeres las más afectadas significativamente (p=0,047). Conclusión: La población tiene un elevado riesgo de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 en 10 años, siendo las féminas las más vulnerables.

Objective: To determine the risk of type 2 diabetes in the rural community of Apostadero, Sotillo Municipality. Monagas State. Venezuela. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in January 2013 was performed. The universe was composed of 163 people over 18 years. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference), capillary glucose and blood pressure were taken. The FINDRISC survey was used to estimate the risk of diabetes in 10 years. Results: From a sample of 41 volunteers, 25 (61%) were female and 16 (39%) male. The mean BMI was 28.08 ± 5.69, the prevalence of overweight was 24.4% and obesity was 36.6%. Female gender was more affected with an average BMI of 29.52 ± 6.04 vs 25.84 ± 4.37 in men (p <0.05). The prevalence of prehypertension was 31.7% and that of hypertension was 53.7%. The mean capillary blood glucose level was 93.63 ± 12.18 mg/dL without gender differences; the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 24.4% and type 2 diabetes mellitus of 4.9%. High risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus was observed in 21.95% of the participants, women being the most affected (p=0.047). Conclusion: The population has a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years, being women the most vulnerable.