Posición semisentada en cirugía del ángulo pontocerebeloso: análisis de sus complicaciones y cómo evitarlas / Semisitting position for cerebello-pontine angle surgery: Analysis of complications and how to avoid it

Objetivo: Analizar las complicaciones asociadas a la posición semisentada en pacientes intervenidos de patología del ángulo pontocerebeloso (APC).MétodosEstudio retrospectivo, se analizaron los pacientes operados de patología tumoral del APC por un abordaje retrosigmoideo en posición semisentada. Se analizó la incidencia, gravedad, momento de aparición, forma de resolución, duración y repercusiones del embolismo aéreo venoso (EAV), neumoencéfalo, hipotensión postural y otras complicaciones. Se analizó el tiempo de estancia en unidad de críticos (TUCRI), tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (TEH) y puntuación en escala de Rankin a los seis meses.ResultadosSe intervinieron 50 pacientes, once (22%) presentaron EAV (8 ± 4,5 minutos duración media): cinco (10%) durante la resección tumoral, cuatro (8%) durante la apertura dural. Diez (20%) se resolvieron tapando el lecho quirúrgico, aspirando burbujas y aplicando compresión de yugulares, uno (2%) requirió cambio de posición. Uno (2%) tuvo repercusión hemodinámica intraoperatoria. La única variable asociada con desarrollar EAV fue una anatomía patológica de meningioma OR = 4,58, p = 0,001. El TUCRI fue superior en pacientes con EAV (5,5 ± 1,06 vs. 1,9 ± 0,20 días, p = 0,01). No hubo diferencias en la escala Rankin. Todos presentaron neumoencéfalo posquirúrgico con buen nivel de consciencia, salvo uno (2%) que requirió de evacuación. Siete pacientes (14%) presentaron una hipotensión arterial, tres (6%) tras la colocación y uno (2%) tras un EAV, todos revertieron con vasoactivos. No se registraron otras complicaciones asociadas a la posición ni mortalidad en esta serie. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the primary complications related to semisitting position in patients undergoing cerebelo-pontine angle surgery.MethodsRetrospective data analysis from patients undergoing elective tumoral cerebelo-pontine angle surgery in a semisitting position. The incidence, severity, occurrence moment, treatment, duration, and outcomes of venous air embolism (VAE), pneumocephalus, postural hypotension, and other complications were recorded. Neurointensive care unit (NICU), length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and modified Rankin scale scores were calculated six months after surgery.ResultsFifty patients were operated on. Eleven (22%) presented VAE (mean duration 8 ± 4.5 min): five (10%) during tumor resection, and four (8%) during dural opening. Ten (20%) were resolved by covering the surgical bed, air bubbles aspiration, jugular compression, and one (2%) tilted to a steep Trendelenburg position. One (2%) had intraoperative hemodynamic instability. The only variable associated with VAE was meningioma at histopathology OR = 4.58, P = 0.001. NICU was higher in patients with VAE (5.5 ± 1.06 vs. 1.9 ± 0.20 days, P = 0.01). There were no differences in the Rankin scale. All patients presented postoperative pneumocephalus with a good level of consciousness, except one (2%) who required evacuation. Seven patients (14%) showed postural hypotension, three (6%) after positioning, and one (2%) after developing a VAE; all were reversed with usual vasoactive drugs. No other position-related complications or mortality were registered in this series. (AU)

Semisitting position for cerebello-pontine angle surgery: Analysis of complications and how to avoid it.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the primary complications related to semisitting position in patients undergoing cerebelo-pontine angle surgery. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis from patients undergoing elective tumoral cerebelo-pontine angle surgery in a semisitting position. The incidence, severity, occurrence moment, treatment, duration, and outcomes of venous air embolism (VAE), pneumocephalus, postural hypotension, and other complications were recorded. Neurointensive care unit (NICU), length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and modified Rankin scale scores were calculated six months after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty patients were operated on. Eleven (22%) presented VAE (mean duration 8±4.5min): five (10%) during tumor resection, and four (8%) during dural opening. Ten (20%) were resolved by covering the surgical bed, air bubbles aspiration, jugular compression, and one (2%) tilted to a steep Trendelenburg position. One (2%) had intraoperative hemodynamic instability. The only variable associated with VAE was meningioma at histopathology OR=4.58, p=0.001. NICU was higher in patients with VAE (5.5±1.06 vs. 1.9±0.20 days, p=0.01). There were no differences in the Rankin scale. All patients presented postoperative pneumocephalus with a good level of consciousness, except one (2%) who required evacuation. Seven patients (14%) showed postural hypotension, three (6%) after positioning, and one (2%) after developing a VAE; all were reversed with usual vasoactive drugs. No other position-related complications or mortality were registered in this series. CONCLUSIONS: The semisitting position is a safe option with the knowledge, prevention, detection, and early solution of all the possible complications. The development of VAE rarely implies hemodynamic instability or greater disability after surgery. Postoperative pneumocephalus is very common and rarely requires evacuation. Excellent cooperation between anesthesia, nursing, neurophysiology, and neurosurgery teams is essential to manage complications.

[Distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter migration into the pulmonary artery: a rare complication].

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is a common treatment for hydrocephalus, although not devoid of complications. We report a case of a 60-year-old male who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation for the treatment of post-traumatic hydrocephalus. Thirteen months post- surgery, after an initial clinical improvement, the patient manifested gait and cognitive disorders. Chest X-rays and computed tomography revealed that the distal shunt catheter had migrated into the pulmonary artery. The catheter was removed by reopening the previous retroauricular incision followed by manual traction, without incidents. A new peritoneal catheter was implanted with immediate clinical improvement and no further complications two years after the second surgery. We communicate a rare complication of a standard neurosurgical procedure that can be detected by different healthcare professionals, and review its various forms of presentation and multidisciplinary management strategies from 19 similar clinical cases found in the literature.

Migración de catéter de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal distal a arteria pulmonar: una complicación poco común / Distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter migration into the pulmonary artery: a rare complication

La derivación ventrículoperitoneal es un procedimiento quirúrgico habitual para eliminar el exceso de líquido cefalorraquídeo (hidrocefalia), asociado a distintas complicaciones. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 60 años con hidrocefalia postraumática al que se le implantó una derivación ventrículoperitoneal. Tras la mejoría clínica inicial, trece meses después desarrolló empeoramiento de la marcha y problemas cognitivos. Las radiografías y tomografía computarizada de tórax mostraron que el catéter distal de la derivación había migrado a la arteria pulmonar. Se extrajo quirúrgicamente el catéter mediante reapertura de la incisión retroauricular previa y tracción manual, sin incidencias. Se implantó un nuevo catéter peritoneal con mejoría clínica inmediata. Dos años después, el paciente permanece asintomático. Este caso ilustra una complicación infrecuente de un procedimiento neuroquirúrgico habitual que puede ser detectada por diferentes profesionales sanitarios; revisamos sus diferentes formas de presentación y estrategias de manejo multidisciplinar a partir de diecinueve casos similares publicados.(AU)

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is a common treatment for hydrocephalus, although not devoid of complications. We report a case of a 60-year-old male who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation for the treatment of posttraumatic hydrocephalus. Thirteen months post surgery, after an initial clinical improvement, the patient manifested gait and cognitive disorders. Chest X-rays and computed tomography revealed that the distal shunt catheter had migrated into the pulmonary artery. The catheter was removed by reopening the previous retroauricular incision followed by manual traction, without incidents. A new peritoneal catheter was implanted with immediate clinical improvement and no further complications two years after the second surgery. We communicate a rare complication of a standard neurosurgical procedure that can be detected by different healthcare professionals, and review its various forms of presentation and multidisciplinary management strategies from 19 similar clinical cases found in the literature.(AU)

Subluxación atlanto-axoidea secundaria a absceso retrofaríngeo en el adulto (síndrome de Grisel). Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso clínico / Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to retropharyngeal abcess in adults (Grisel's syndrome). Review of literature about a clinical case

El síndrome de Grisel (SG) se trata de una subluxación atlanto-axoidea no traumática producida luego de un proceso inflamatorio, infeccioso o posquirúrgico de la región superior de cuello. Es una complicación característica, aunque actualmente infrecuente, de la faringitis bacteriana aguda en la edad pediátrica. La presentación en adultos es aún más infrecuente y requiere un manejo específico. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 68 años con antecedentes de leucemia mieloide crónica, que se presentó con poliartritis infecciosa, cervicalgia, tortícolis e impotencia cervical. La radiografía, la TC y la RM cervical demostraron una subluxación C1-C2 adyacente a un absceso faríngeo, diagnosticándose un SG. Al finalizar el tratamiento antibioticoterápico, la paciente debió ser intervenida quirúrgicamente debido al fracaso de la reducción cerrada. Debido a su incidencia tan baja, no existen guías clínicas para el manejo de estos pacientes; la colaboración interdisciplinaria es fundamental para establecer el diagnóstico oportuno que permita instaurar el tratamiento conservador y prevenir tanto la cirugía como las complicaciones y las secuelas de la fijación de la articulación atlanto-axoidea

Grisel syndrome (GS) is a non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation produced after an inflammatory, infectious or postsurgical process of the upper neck region. It is a characteristic, although currently uncommon complication of acute bacterial pharyngitis in the pediatric age. Presentation in adults is even more infrequent and requires specific management. We present the case of a 68-year-old patient with a history of chronic myeloid leukemia, who presented with infectious polyarthritis, cervicalgia, torticollis and cervical impotence. Cervical radiography, CT, and MRI showed a C1-C2 subluxation adjacent to a pharyngeal abscess, so GS was diagnosed. After antibiotic therapy, the patient had to undergo surgery due to the failure of the closed reduction. Due to its low incidence, there are no clinical guidelines for the management of these patients; The interdisciplinary collaboration is fundamental to establish the opportune diagnosis that allows to establish the conservative treatment and prevent the surgery, as well as the complications and sequelae of the fixation of the atlanto-axial joint

Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to retropharyngeal abcess in adults (Grisel's syndrome). Review of literature about a clinical case. / Subluxación atlanto-axoidea secundaria a absceso retrofaríngeo en el adulto (síndrome de Grisel). Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso clínico.

Grisel syndrome (GS) is a non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation produced after an inflammatory, infectious or postsurgical process of the upper neck region. It is a characteristic, although currently uncommon complication of acute bacterial pharyngitis in the pediatric age. Presentation in adults is even more infrequent and requires specific management. We present the case of a 68-year-old patient with a history of chronic myeloid leukemia, who presented with infectious polyarthritis, cervicalgia, torticollis and cervical impotence. Cervical radiography, CT, and MRI showed a C1-C2 subluxation adjacent to a pharyngeal abscess, so GS was diagnosed. After antibiotic therapy, the patient had to undergo surgery due to the failure of the closed reduction. Due to its low incidence, there are no clinical guidelines for the management of these patients; The interdisciplinary collaboration is fundamental to establish the opportune diagnosis that allows to establish the conservative treatment and prevent the surgery, as well as the complications and sequelae of the fixation of the atlanto-axial joint.

[Actinomycotic brain abscess in immunocompetent patient]. / Absceso cerebral actinomicótico en paciente inmunocompetente.

BACKGROUND: The actinomyces is germ commonly found in the normal flora of the oral cavity and gastro-intestinal and uro-genital tracts. Involvement in other locations is a very uncommon event. OBJECTIVES: To describe a patient with an actinomicotyc brain abscess CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a patient who suffered a seizure and decreased level of consciousness. Imaging tests revealed the presence of lesions both in the lung and in the brain. An urgent craniotomy was performed and the diagnosis of actinomicotyc abscess was obtained. CONCLUSION: We describe the differential characteristics of this type of infection, discussing the diagnostic process and management in detail.