Ventricular-Peritoneal Shunt in Newborns in a High-Risk Maternity Unit: Case Series

Objective To identify factors related to ventricular-peritoneal shunt (VPS) complications in pediatric patients at a high-risk maternity hospital. Methods Prospective study, conducted between September/2018 and June/2019, with selected newborns without previous ventricular bypass who underwent neurosurgery for VPS placement in a high-risk maternity hospital in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Diagnosis of hydrocephalus occurred by transfontanelle ultrasound. The variables were analyzed by Student t-test, adopting p < 0.05 as statistical significance. Results Seven newborns participated in the study, 3 male and 4 female. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was considered a positive influencing factor in the 1st minute Apgar.Hydrocephalus secondary to premature hemorrhagewas present inmost newborns. Prematurity, 1st minute Apgar score < 7, and birth weight< 2,500 g did not represent a significant negative risk factor for prolonged hospitalization after neurosurgery. One newborn had cerebrospinal fluid infection and was the only one with heart disease. Conclusion This is the first scientific research that associates the benefits of maternal use of folic acid during pregnancy to better newborn Apgar scores. Only one newborn developed complications after neurosurgery, the only one with an associated comorbidity. Further studies are needed to provide more evidence on risk factors related to complications of VPS implantation in newborns. This neurosurgical procedure in a highrisk maternity contributed to the early management of hydrocephalus.

Comportamiento de las infecciones en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico "Dr. Miguel Enríquez" / Behavior of infections in the Neurosurgery Service of "Dr.Miguel Enríquez" Clinical and Surgical Hospital

Introducción: El estudio de las infecciones en la historia de la Medicina data de 1546, y se extiende su investigación hasta nuestros días. El abordaje quirúrgico del Sistema nervioso y la estadía hospitalaria subsecuente hace de esta entidad una amenaza constante para el éxito de la cirugía. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de las Infecciones en el Serviciode Neurocirugía del Hospital Universitario Dr. Miguel Enríquez. Material y Métodos: Se realizóun estudio prospectivo de 108 casos ingresados en el Serviciode Neurocirugía del Hospital Universitario Dr. Miguel Enríquezque tuvieron un cuadro infeccioso durante el período marzo 2013-agosto 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por todos los pacientes mayores de 18 años de ambos sexos ingresados en el servicio por diferentes rutas desde el cuerpo de guardia, unidades de terapia intermedia e intensivao ingresado directamente en sala. Se recopilóla información en una base de datos y se recogió el número de historia clínica, edad, sexo, diagnóstico, tipo de infección, estudio microbiológico indicado y germen aislado. Se construyeron tablas de frecuencias. Resultados: En esta serie hubo un predominio del sexo masculino (66.7 por ciento) en relación con el sexo femenino (33.3 por ciento); el grupo de edad de mayor riesgo fue entre la cuarta y sexta décadasde vida (75 por ciento); los gérmenesmás aislados fueron el Staphylococcus aureus, (18.5 por ciento), la Klebsiella (7.4 por ciento) y la Echerichia Coli. Los estudios más indicados para el diagnóstico fueron los cultivos de secreciones (56.48 por ciento) y el hemocultivo (19.4 por ciento). Conclusiones: El sexo masculino fue el más frecuente. Los intervalos de clases de edades 41-60 y más de 60 años fueron los grupos más infectados. Los gérmenes más aislados fueron el Estafilococus aureus, seguidos de la Klebseilla pneumoniae y la Echerichia coli. Los estudios más indicados para el diagnóstico fueron los cultivos de secreciones y el hemocultivo. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue el Hematoma Subdural Crónico. El tipo de sepsis fue la sepsis respiratoria y la flebitis(AU)

Introduction: In the history of Medicine, the study of infections dates from 1546 and extends to the present. The surgical approach of the Nervous System and the subsequent hospital stay makes this entity a constant threat for surgical success. Objective: To describe the behavior of infections in the Neurosurgery Service of Dr. MiguelEnríquez University Hospital. Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 108 patients admitted to the Neurosurgery Service of Dr.Miguel Enríquez University Hospital who had infectious diseases from March 2013 to August 2015. The universe was composed of all patients older than 18 years of age, of both sexes, who were admitted to the service from different hospital areas: Emergency Room, Intermediate and Intensive Care Units, or directly admitted to the ward. Information was collected and included in a database, which compiled data such as number of the clinical history, age, sex, diagnosis, type of infection, indicated microbiological study, and the isolated germ. Tables of frequencies were built. Results: In this series, there was a predominance of the male sex (66.7 percent) in relation to the female sex (33.3 percent); the age group at highest risk was between the fourth and the sixth decades of life (75 percent); the most isolated germs were Staphylococcus aureus (18.5 percent), Klebsiella (7.4 percent), and Echerichia Coli. The most indicated studies for the diagnosis were the culture of secretions (56.48 percent), and blood cultures (19.4 percent). Conclusions: The male sex was the most frequent one. Age ranges from 41-60 and over 60 years of age were the most infected groups. The most isolated germs were Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Echerichia coli. The most indicated studies for the diagnosis were the culture of secretions and blood cultures. The most frequent diagnosis was Chronic Subdural Hematoma. The type of sepsis was respiratory sepsis, and phlebitis(AU)

Tratamiento neuroendovascular del ictus cerebral: reporte de caso / Neuroendovascular treatment of cerebral stroke: case report

El ictus cerebral isquémico es una de las principales patologías crónicas de mayor prevalencia a nivel mundial, con tasas altas de mortalidad y discapacidad. El campo de la neurocirugía endovascular se ha incorporado al manejo de enfermedades vasculares, siendo una de las opciones más efectivas para su tratamiento por el impacto que tiene sobre la vida y autonomía del paciente. Se presenta a continuación el reporte de caso del primer paciente con tratamiento neuroendovascular para ictus cerebral realizado en el país. Paciente masculino de 62 años que inicia con signos clínicos de afasia, hemiplejía derecha, de 7 horas de evolución. Al examen neurológico con puntaje NIHSS de 16 puntos, con RMN con lesiones isquémicas agudas multifocales en región cortical del lóbulo frontal y parietal izquierda, cápsula interna y núcleo lenticular ipsilateral. Se decide realizar tratamiento endovascular de rescate cerebral. Se realizan tomas angiográficas observando trombos a nivel de rama témporo-parietal de la ACM y ramas distales de ACA derecha. Se realiza trombólisis química intraarterial superselectiva con rTPA, logrando recanalización satisfactoria TICI 2b. Paciente cursó hospitalización durante 3 días; a su egreso con puntaje NIHSS de 5 puntos y a los 30 días de 1 punto. El tratamiento neuroendovascular de ictus cerebral es una alternativa efectiva en pacientes que ingresan fuera del periodo de ventana para manejo convencional con rTPA IV o que tiene contraindicación para su administración...(AU)

Ischemic cerebral stroke is one of the major chronic pathologies with great prevalence worldwide, with high rates of mortality and disability. The field of endovascular neurosurgery has been incorporated into the management of vascular diseases, being one of the most effective options for its treatment because of the impact it has on the life and autonomy of the patient. This is the case report of the first patient with the neuroendovascular treatment for cerebral stroke performed in our country and is presented below. A 62-year-old male patient who started with clinical signs of aphasia and right hemiplegia presented with 7 hours of evolution. On neurological examination he scored 16 point at NIHSS and had multifocal acute ischemic lesions in the cortical region of the frontal lobe and left parietal lobe, internal capsule and ipsilateral lenticular nucleus on MRI. It was decided to perform endovascular treatment of cerebral rescue. Angiographicaly we observed thrombi at the level of temporomandibular branch of the MCA and distal branches of right ACA. Superselective intra-arterial chemical thrombolysis was performed with rTPA, achieving satisfactory recanalization TICI 2b. Patient was hospitalized for 3 days; at his exit he was with NIHSS score of 5 points and the 30 days scored was of 1 point. Cerebrovascular neurosurveillance is an effective alternative in patients entering outside the window period for conventional management with rTPA IV or when it is contraindicated for administration...(AU)

Neurocirugía endovascular en el abordaje de pacientes con evento cerebrovascular isquémico / Endovascular neurosurgery in the approach of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular event

El evento cerebrovascular isquémico es una de las principales patologías crónicas de mayor prevalencia a nivel mundial, con tasas altas de mortalidad y discapacidad, con impacto significativo en el ámbito laboral, familiar, social, personal y sanitario. El campo de la neurocirugía endovascular se ha incorporado en las últimas décadas al manejo de enfermedades vasculares, siendo una de las opciones más eficientes para el tratamiento de las mismas por el impacto que tiene sobre la vida del paciente. El presente trabajo de revisión tiene como principal objetivo describir el abordaje de la enfermedad cerebrovascular isquémica aguda, desde su enfoque endovascular, basado en evidencia científica actual y lineamientos vigentes. Se realizó un análisis de los resultados obtenidos en estudios clínicos y de los protocolos más recientes publicados en artículos de revisión de bibliotecas virtuales y revistas científicas con rigurosas normas de publicación. Conforme a la revisión realizada, el tratamiento de la enfermedad cerebrovascular isquémica aguda puede abordarse de dos maneras dependiendo del tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de los síntomas. Si únicamente han transcurrido 4.5 horas desde el inicio de los síntomas y el paciente cumple con criterios bien establecidos, el tratamiento de elección será trombólisis IV (tratamiento estándar). Si han transcurrido más de 4.5 horas (máximo 12 hrs.) o paciente presenta alguna contraindicación para recibir el tratamiento estándar, se deberá manejar con trombólisi intraarterial, trombólisis combinada, trombectomía mecánica o angioplastía con stent (cirugía de precisión); todos ellos definidos como tratamiento endovascular, según sea el caso. El tratamiento endovascular ha permitido ampliar el periodo de atención del evento cerebrovascular isquémico, demostrando su efectividad y reduciendo la discapacidad y mortalidad asociadas...(AU)

The ischemic cerebrovascular event is one of the most important chronic diseases because of its highest prevalence worldwide. It has high rates of mortality and disability, with a significant impact in the labor, family, social, personal and health areas. The field of endovascular neurosurgery has been incorporated in the last decades to the management of vascular diseases; being one of the most efficient options for their treatment because of its effect in patient´s life expectancy. The main objective of this review was to describe the endovascular approach to acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease based on current scientific evidence and guidelines. An analysis of clinical studies and recent protocols was done. According to this review, treatment of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease can be approached in two ways depending on the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms. If only 4.5 hours have elapsed since the onset of symptoms and the patient meets all inclusion criteria, the treatment of choice will be IV thrombolysis (standard treatment). If more than 4.5 hours have elapsed (maximum 12 hours) or patient has any contraindication to receive standard treatment, it should be treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis, combined thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy or angioplasty with stenting; all defined as endovascular treatment. The endovascular treatment has allowed to extend the period of attention of the ischemic cerebrovascular event, demonstrating its effectiveness and reducing the associated disability and mortality...(AU)

Caracterización del paciente neuroquirúrgico no traumático en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Characterization of the nontraumatic neurosurgical patients in the intensive care unit

Introducción: la atención y seguimiento del paciente neuroquirúrgico representa un difícil reto para los médicos que trabajan en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Estos pacientes necesitan una vigilancia intensiva por la diversidad de complicaciones que pueden presentar en el posoperatorio inmediato. Los cuidados neurointensivos deben permitir la restauración y el mantenimiento de la homeostasia cerebral, como requisito fundamental para la supervivencia neuronal y recuperación de la función neurológica. Objetivos: caracterizar los pacientes neuroquirúrgicos no traumáticos ingresados en la UCI del Hospital Universitario General Calixto García de La Habana. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo, descriptivo y transversal, en el período comprendido entre el 1ro. de enero de 2012 y el 31 de diciembre de 2012; el universo fue de 55 pacientes, la muestra quedó constituida por los 55 pacientes. Resultados: se encontró una tendencia creciente de ingresos de pacientes neuroquirúrgicos no traumáticos en la UCI, con predominio del sexo masculino y edades comprendidas entre la quinta y séptima décadas de la vida. Los pacientes con mayor índice de ingreso fueron los de enfermedades como tumores cerebrales, las hemorragias intraparenquimatosas, las malformaciones arterio-venosas y los aneurismas cerebrales. Se encontró mayor estadía y mortalidad en las pacientes femeninas. Las complicaciones tuvieron una incidencia significativa en el estudio destacándose el edema cerebral, las disrritmias cardíacas, el sindrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistemica (SRIS) no relacionado con procesos infecciosos, el síndrome séptico en sus diferentes estadios y las anemias. Conclusiones: existe una tendencia creciente de ingresos de pacientes neuroquirúrgicos no traumáticos en la UCI(AU)

Introduction: Caring and monitoring neurosurgical patients represents a difficult challenge for doctors working in intensive care units (ICU). These patients need intensive surveillance due to the diversity of complications that can occur in the immediate postoperative period. The neurointensive cares should allow the restoration and maintenance of brain homeostasis, as an essential requirement for neuronal survival and neurological function recovery. Objectives: To characterize nontraumatic neurosurgical patients admitted to the ICU of General Calixto García University Hospital of Havana. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study was carried out in the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012; the sample group was 55 patients, and the sample was made up by 55 patients. Results: A growing trend of nontraumatic neurosurgical patient's admissions to ICU was found, predominantly male and at ages between the fifth and seventh decades of life. The neurosurgical events more frequently admitted were brain tumors, intraparenchymal bleeding, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebral aneurysms. Greater stay time and mortality were present in female patients. Complications had a significant impact on the study, particularly cerebral edemas, cardiac dysrhythmias, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) not related to infectious processes, the sepsis syndrome in its different stages, and anemias. Conclusions: There is a growing trend of nontraumatic neurosurgical patients' admissions to the ICU(AU)

Criptococoma cerebral e pulmonar em paciente imunocompetente: relato de caso / Cerebral and Pulmonary Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompetent Pacient: Case Report

Neurocriptococose é uma infecção fúngica do sistema nervoso central e sua principal apresentação clínica é a meningoencefalite. Lesões sólidas com aspecto tumoral, denominadas criptococoma, podem manifestar-se principalmente em imunodeprimidos. É relatado caso de paciente jovem, imunocompetente, com lesão tumoral frontal direita com grande efeito de massa e lesão menor em lobo occipital esquerdo, assim como lesão tumoral em pulmão direito. A paciente e seus cuidadores concordaram e autorizaram a publicação do caso. Foi feita revisão da literatura quanto à epidemiologia, tratamento e prognóstico. A paciente foi tratada comanfotericina B lipossomal e submetida à ressecção cirúrgica das lesões cerebrais e pulmonar, em tempos distintos, com bom desfecho clínico. A criptococose é infecção comum que pode acometer indivíduos tanto imunocomprometidos quanto imunocompetentes. Embora a meningoencefalite seja a forma mais comum de acometimento do SNC, existem outras formas mais raras como criptococoma cerebral. Há evidência de que a abordagem cirúrgica das lesões expansivas é benéfica e recomendada.

Neurocryptococcosis is a fungal infection of the central nervous system and its major clinical manifestation is meningoencephalitis. Solid tumor-like lesions, referred as cryptococcoma, usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. This paper reports a young immunocompetent female with a tumor-like lesion on the right frontal region and another one on the left occipital lobe, as well as a tumor lesion on her right lung. The patient and her caregivers have agreed and authorized the publishing of the case. Literature review wasmade regarding the epidemiology, treatment and prognosis. The patient was treated with anfotericine B and underwent surgical resection of the brain and lung lesions, at different times, with good clinical outcome. C. neoformans is a common fungal infection that can affect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Although meningoencephalitis is themost common presentation of CNS involvement, there are other rarer forms such as cerebral cryptococcoma. There is evidence that the surgical treatment of mass lesions is beneficial and recommended.

Peripheral Neurectomy of Infraorbital Nerve -A Treatment Option for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Report.

Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is a commonly diagnosed facial pain syndrome with a female predominance and with peak occurrence in the age group of above 50 years. Treatment options range from conservative pharmacologic therapy to invasive surgical procedures. The mode of treatment is based on patient’s systemic health, compliance and severity of the disease. Peripheral neurectomy is the safest and simplest method that can be accomplished under local anesthesia with minimum risks and excellent pain relief to the patient. However, there are incidences where this mode of treatment also fails to manage the disease, and further surgical options must be considered. In this case report, we present a case of a 50-year-old female patient who has undergone peripheral neurectomy of infraorbital nerve.

Image Guided Neurosurgery by Using Neuronavigation Integrated with Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Ultrasound.

Introduction: Intra-operative ultrasound provides low cost real time imaging that is simple and rapid to use. In recent years there has been a signifi cant improvement in the quality of ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound integrated neuronavigation can be used to optimize the approach, and achieving safe maximal resection, thereby improving outcomes for patients with diff erent localization and histology of brain tumors, vascular patology, spontaneous intra-cerebral hemorrhage. Material and Methods: Since 2007 till 2010, in the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, 130 operations with application of 2D iUS have been performed. Starting from March till May 2012, 17 patients went under surgical treatment using the intraoperative ultrasound integrated neuronavigation system. Results: We applied ultrasound neuronavigation system in 17 cases on patients with diverse pathologies, including brain tumors (craniopharyngeoma, corpus callosum and intracerebral glioblastoma, intraaxial glioma), vascular patology (arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms), spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Application of ultrasound neuronavigation system aids in improving postoperative outcomes for these patients. Conclusions: Th e integration of 3D US with neuronavigation technology created an effi cient and inexpensive tool for intraoperative imaging in neurosurgery. Th e technology has been applied to optimize surgery of brain tumors, but it has also been found to be useful in other procedures such as operations for aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. iUS is easy to use and has a rapid learning curve which makes it a useful tool to the neurosurgeons intraoperative armamentarium.

The far-lateral craniotomy: tips and tricks / A craniotomia extremo-lateral: dicas e truques

This article intends to describe in a didactical and practical manner the suboccipital far-lateral craniotomy. This is then basically a descriptive text, divided according to the main stages involved in this procedure, and that describes with details how the authors currently perform this craniotomy.

O presente artigo visa descrever de forma didática e prática a realização da craniotomia suboccipital extremo-lateral. Trata-se, portanto, de um texto fundamentalmente descritivo, dividido conforme as principais etapas da realização dessa craniotomia, e que descreve com detalhes a técnica com que o presente grupo de autores evolutivamente veio a realizá-la.

Study of landmarks in dried skulls in a Brazil population

Craniofacial bone variations, considered to be radiological landmarks, have been studied since the beginningof the century using dried skulls and cadavers. These pitfalls are important bone landmarks used in theplanning and execution of anesthetic and surgical procedures. The present study analyzed craniofacial bonevariations in dried skulls in terms of gender and laterality. Supraorbital foramen (SOF), mastoid foramen(MF), parietal foramen (PF), accessory oval foramen (aOF), anterior ethmoidal foramen (AEF), intermediateethmoidal foramen (iEF), posterior ethmoidal foramen (PEF), precondylar tubercle (PCT), metopism andsutural bones were assessed in male (n=20) and female (n=11) dried skulls by direct observation and using aMitutoyo caliper. No statistically significant differences were observed between genders as to SOF distancesto the medial nasal prominence and to superior orbital ridge, in both sides of skulls. The same was observedfor distances between FP and sagittal line and between FP and lambdoid suture. No multiple foramina weredetected. aOF was observed in 80.96% of skulls. Right aEF, iEF and PEF prevailed in female skulls. PCT wereseen in 35.5% of female skulls and in 64.5% of male skulls. MF occurrence was higher in right male skulls,and multiple foramina were present in 60% of male skulls (both sides), and in 36.4% of female skulls (bothsides). Only one skull presented sutural bone. No metopism was observed. The identification and recordingof craniofacial variations is important in the preparation of anesthetic blocks in surgical procedures and in theevaluation of regional neurovascular anatomy, to avoid misinterpretations in planning. This study confirms theexistence of significant morphological variations in terms of gender and side in a given population.

Transtorno de aprendizagem e alteração cognitiva secundária a hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius: relato de caso / Learning disorder and cognitive impairment secondary to hydrocephalus due to stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius é responsável por um terço dos casos congênitos de hidrocefalia.A hipertensão intracraniana com consequente dilatação ventricular pode comprometer o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Em crianças em idade escolar com alterações cognitivas ou comportamentais de início recente, sem causa aparente, este é um diagnóstico a ser pensado. Exames de imagem são fundamentais para a confirmação diagnóstica. Com tratamento adequado é esperada evolução favorável. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius como causa de transtorno de aprendizagem e alteração cognitiva e discutir seus aspectos clínicos, evolutivos e terapêuticos, ressaltando a importância da avaliação criteriosa de alterações neuropsiquiátricas em crianças em idade escolar. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 10 anos, apresentando quadro progressivo de baixo rendimento escolar, déficit de concentração e compreensão, apatia e isolamento social há cinco meses. Após o diagnóstico de hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius foi submetido à cirurgia para derivação liquórica ventrículo peritoneal, evoluindo com melhora progressiva. CONCLUSÃO: Os efeitos da hidrocefalia em crianças podem comprometer o desenvolvimento cerebral, portanto, o diagnóstico precoce, a fim de instituir a terapêutica adequada, são essências para a reabilitação neuropsicomotora nesses pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sylvius aqueduct stenosis accounts for one third of congenial hydrocephalus cases. Intracranial hypertension with subsequent ventricular dilatation may impair neuro-psychomotor development. In school-aged children with cognitive and/or behavioral alterations of recent onset, without apparent cause, this is a diagnosis to be considered. Imaging tests are of crucial importance for diagnostic confirmation. Favorable outcomes are expected with an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to report a case of hydrocephalus due to Sylvius aqueduct stenosis as a cause of learning disorders and cognitive impairment and to discuss its clinical, evolutionary and therapeutic aspects, emphasizing the importance of a careful assessment of neuropsychiatric alterations in school-aged children. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old male patient that presented progressive history of poor academic performance, deficits of concentration and comprehension, apathy and social isolation for five months. The diagnosis was hydrocephalus due to Sylvius aqueduct stenosis; the patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting surgery and there was significant improvement. CONCLUSION: The effects of hydrocephalus in children can impair brain development; therefore, early diagnosis to institute appropriate therapy is essential for neuro-psychomotor rehabilitationin these patients.

Aplicações de técnica estereotáctica para a neurocirurgia molecular: uma revisão / Use of stereotactic procedures in molecular neurosurgery: a review

Avanços consideráveis foram obtidos na compreensão das bases moleculares de várias doenças neurológicas. Embora a biologia molecular dos tumores cerebrais e doenças neurodegenerativas tenham se tornado mais conhecidas, a utilização desses conhecimentos para alcançar resultados terapêuticos melhores permanece um desafio. Os procedimentos estereotácticos na neurocirurgia molecular constituem um método adequado de introdução de material gênico na estrutura tissular cerebral. Numerosas doenças resistentes a qualquer tratamento são passíveis de cura em um futuro próximo devido a terapia genética incuráveis abrem perspectivas para num futuro próximo serem manuseadas pela terapia gênica, apesar das limitações no presente como a rejeição imunológica e a ausência de um vetor ideal.

Remarkable advances have been made in the understanding of the molecular basis of many neurological diseases. Although the molecularbiology of brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases are better understood, the use of this information to achieve better therapeutic resultsremains a challenge. The stereotactic procedure for molecular neurosurgery constitutes an adequate method of delivery of genetic material to cerebral tissue. A number of diseases resistant to any treatment are amenable to be cured in a short future due to genetic therapy although the present limitations that include immunological rejection and the lack of an ideal vector.

Manejo de malformaciones arterio venosas en servicio de neurocirugía Hospital Escuela Lenin Fonseca / Management of arterio venous malformations in neurosurgery service Lenin Fonseca Hospital School

El objetivo del trabajo es conocer el manejo de las malformaciones arteriovenosas en Nicaragua .queremos demostrar la vigencia del tratamiento quirúrgico de esta patología. Se analizo un periodo de cinco año del 2004 al 2008, se excluyeron todas las malformaciones epicraneales , cavernomas y telengectasia. Se recogió la información de 62 expedientes, llenando una ficha previamente elaborada, se analizaron los resultados en epiinfo versión 3.5.1. Se encontró un ligero predominio del sexo masculino, la edad predominante fue entre los 15 a 40 año . La principal forma de presentación fue la hemorragia intracraneal, la escala de espetzler predominante fue el grado III, la principal complicación postquirúrgica fue la hemorragia intracerebral, 24 de los 62 pacientes se trato de forma conservadora, la principal complicación transquirurgica fue la hemorragia masiva, las principales complicaciones se asociaron a la mala condición clínica al ingreso y escala de espetzler III, IV, V. Se recomienda protocolizar el tratamiento de este tipo de patología según la escala de espetzler...

¿Es la tricotomía necesaria en la práctica neuroquirúrgica habitual?: experiencia preliminar del Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago - Chile / Is the tricotomy needed in the usual neurosurgical practice?: preliminary experience of Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago - Chile

El corte del cabello en la preparación del paciente es frecuentemente usado en la mayorìa de los centros neuroquirúrgicos de Chile. Los fundamentos que lo avalan son el arraigo cultural, en la creencia de muchos neurocirujanos, que una herida limpia es una herida sin pelos, más que en el rigor cientìfico y en la medicina basada en la evidencia. Apoyados en que no existe un consenso en nuestro servicio respecto a este tema, es que pudimos tener dos grupos de pacientes y realizar un estudio prospectivo a contar del mes de Enero del año 2006. Se consideraron los primeros 25 pacientes de cada equipo para el trabajo. Concluimos que, pese a que la técnica no es aceptada por todos, no existe un mayor riesgo de infección de herida operatoria en aquellos sin corte de cabello respecto de aquellos tricotomizados y si una mejor calidad para el paciente en el postoperatorio y mayor aceptación del tratamiento quirúrgico. Sin embargo nuestro universo de pacientes aún es demasiado pequeño para tener conclusiones definitivas por lo que se presenta sólo como un trabajo preliminar. Describimos la técnica en el manejo de la herida operatoria sin corte de cabello, sus ventajas y desventajas.

Hair removal in elective cranial surgery is frequently used in most neurosurgical centers in Chile. The main reason of this procedure is the general belief that a wound is clean when it has no hair on it rather than a decision taken on the evidence based medicine. In our department there was not a single view on this issue so it was possible to make two groups of patients, one with hair removal and another one without it, and start prospective study from January 2006. For this report were included the first 25 patients of each group. We conclude that even though the tecnique is not worldwide accepted, there is no more risk of wound infection in the group without hair removal than in the other. However our sample is still samll to obtain definitive conclusions, so we present this as a preliminary report. The technique of wound management without hair removal is described.

Evaluación comparativa de efectividad y costo/efectividad en terapias alternativas para algunas lesiones vasculares encefálicas: experiencia del autor y revisión de la literatura / Comparative assessment of effectiveness and cost/effectiveness in alternative therapies to vascular encephalic lesions: author experience and review

Las patologías vasculares encefálicas quirúrgicas (aneurismas, malformaciones arterio venosas) han experimentado uno de los avances más importantes dentro de la medicina en las últimas décadas en materias de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Técnicas de introducción relativamente reciente y contemporánea, como la micro neurocirugía, la terapia endovascular encefálica y la radiocirugía, lograron mejorar en magnitudes las posibilidades de diagnóstico y los resultados de los tratamiento en estas lesiones. En este contexto parece de suma importancia definir el rol que juega cada uno de estos tratamientos en el manejo de la patología; así como la participación de los profesionales involucrados en la toma de decisiones muchas veces complejas y no exentas de controversia. El análisis de los resultados clínicos, la efectividad y la relación costo/efectividad son fundamentales para tener claridad en nuestro enfrentamiento como neurocirujanos tratantes. Este análisis debe interpretar la experiencia internacional en estas materias y a la vez revisar la experiencia local, hecho de suma importancia, que muchas veces dejamos rezagado en nuestro medio. Este estudio revisa los tópicos mencionados, incluyendo la experiencia del autor y un análisis exhaustivo de la bibliografía universal. Los resultados y las conclusiones podrán servir como herramienta a la hora de buscar referentes locales y foráneos que avalen con solidez nuestras conductas diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Surgical vascular brain diseases (aneurysms, arterio venous malformations) have experienced one of the most important advances in medicine in the last decades related, to diagnosis and treatment. Recently and contemporary developed techniques, like micro neurosurgery, endovascular therapy and radiosurgery, have remarkably improved the diagnostic possibilities and the treatment outcomes in this lesions. In this context, it seems to be of the most importance to define the part that each treatment plays in the management of these diseases; and the participation of the professionals linked to the decision making in issues frequently complex and controversial. The analysis of clinical outcomes, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratio are basic to be clear in our approaches like neurosurgeons. This article reviews the international literature in these topics and, at the same time, the local experience, a fact of enormous importance that we use to left behind. The previously mentioned issues are reviewed, including the author's own experience and an exhaustive bibliographic analysis. Some of the results and conclusions included article should be useful tools when searching for local and foreign references to endorse with strength our diagnostic and therapeutic behaviour.

Laboratorio de microneuroanatomía y microcirugía: una necesidad real para la práctica neuroquirúrgica / Microneuroanatomy and microsurgery laboratory: a real need to the neurosurgery practice

En la formación de un neurocirujano es fundamental el conocimiento de la microanatomía cerebral, espinal y del sistema nervioso periférico, así como el entrenamiento en abordajes quirúrgicos y técnicas de microcirugía. El acceso a un laboratorio y a un programa docente permanente en microneuroanatomía y técnicas microquirúrgicas aporta enormes beneficios en la formación y práctica de la neurocirugía. En el presente artículo se presenta la experiencia del laboratorio de microneurocirugía del Departamento de Neurología-Neurocirugía del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile en las áreas de investigación, docencia y entrenamiento.

Abordaje transciliar: una opción neuroquirúrgica / Bording to transciliar a neurosurgical option

Con la utilización del microscopio quirúrgico se ha logrado reducir el tamaño de las incisiones, obtener magnificación, mejorar la iluminación, y por lo tanto, disminuir la retracción cerebral. Este abordaje, poco utilizado aún, ha ido adquiriendo mas utilidad para las lesiones neuroquirúrgicas del piso anterior de la base del cráneo y para neoplasias selares, supraselares, paraselares y actualmente para el clipaje de algunos aneurismas de la circulación anterior. Se presenta una serie de catorce pacientes con variada patología operados exitosamente por este abordaje. No se presentaron complicaciones. Se concluye que el abordaje quirúrgico es seguro eficiente no complicado y con muy buenos resultados...