[Endovascular treatment of spinal dorsal intradural arteriovenous fistulas]. / Tratamiento endovascular de las fístulas arteriovenosas intradurales dorsales espinales.

BACKGROUND: The dorsal spinal intradural arteriovenous fistulas (DSIAF) are infrequent and complex injuries are underdiagnosed condition and disability. The aim is to present our experience in the endovascular management. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective study of patients with DSIAF treated by endovascular therapy (EVT) with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate during the period 2007-2013. RESULTS: 15 patients, 12 men and 3 women, mean age 37 years, were included. In 12 cases, the presentation was progressive and insidious over a period between 6 months and one year, while 3 had bleeding. The lesion in the thoracic location had 73 % of cases, lumbar 20 % and cervical 7 %. Prior to treatment observed disability grades 5 and 4 in 73 %, and 67 % had micturition disturbances. Complications grade 3, only one patient had transient deterioration of alert 6 hours after the procedure. Improvement to grades 1 and 2 disability at 48 hours, 3 and 6 months, 53 %, 73 % and 87 % respectively was found. CONCLUSION: EVT has a short operating time, bleeding volume is very low and the hospital stay is short compared with other surgical techniques. EVT is a safe and significant effectiveness in treating DSIAF procedure. This is the first series of cases treated with EVT in Mexico.

Introducción: las fístulas arteriovenosas intradurales dorsales espinales (FAVIDE) son lesiones poco frecuentes y complejas que son subdiagnósticadas y condicionan discapacidad. El objetivo es presentar nuestra experiencia en el manejo endovascular. Métodos: estudio ambispectivo de pacientes con FAVIDE, tratados mediante terapia endovascular (TEV) con n-butil-cianoacrilato en el periodo de 2007 a 2013. Resultados: se incluyeron 15 pacientes con edad media de 37 años. En 12 casos la presentación fue progresiva e insidiosa en un lapso de entre 6 meses y un año, mientras que 3 presentaron hemorragia. La lesión tuvo localización torácica en 73 % de los casos, lumbar en 20 % y cervical en 7 %. Previo al tratamiento observamos discapacidad de grados 5 y 4 en 73 %, y 67 % tenían alteraciones de la micción de grado 3. Como complicaciones, solo una paciente tuvo deterioro del estado de alerta transitorio 6 horas después del procedimiento. Se encontró una mejoría hacia los grados 1 y 2 de discapacidad, a las 48 horas, 3 y 6 meses, de 53 %, 73 % y 87 %, respectivamente. Conclusiones: con la TEV se tiene un tiempo quirúrgico corto, el volumen de hemorragia es bajo y la estancia hospitalaria es corta, respecto de otras técnicas quirúrgicas. La TEV es un procedimiento seguro y con efectividad significativa en el tratamiento de FAVIDE. Esta es la primera serie de casos tratados con TEV en México.

Dispositivo para inserción percutánea del catéter distal en la derivación ventriculoatrial. Reporte técnico / No disponible

Introducción y objetivos El sistema de derivación ventriculoatrial está indicado en el tratamiento de algunos casos de hidrocefalia. El catéter distal se suele insertar a la aurícula derecha mediante la disección venosa cervical. La inserción percutánea ha sido descrita con éxito, sin embargo su uso no está mundialmente extendido. El objetivo es describir las modificaciones del catéter distal del sistema de derivación ventriculoatrial, la técnica para su colocación percutánea y la evolución clínica. Material y métodos Se modificó el catéter distal tras su uso en 4 especímenes animales. Se diseñó «sobre la guía» (over the wire) y se disminuyó su flexibilidad, y además se agregaron accesorios al equipo. Luego se utilizó en humanos bajo ligeras modificaciones de la técnica de punción yugular. Se evaluaron las complicaciones, el tiempo operatorio y la evolución durante 6 meses. Resultados Durante un año se trataron 6 pacientes adultos portadores de hidrocefalia en quienes el peritoneo ya no podía ser receptor del líquido cefalorraquídeo. No se presentaron complicaciones y el tiempo operatorio medio fue de 34min (incluyendo la colocación del catéter proximal). La hidrocefalia remitió. Conclusiones La técnica percutánea ha demostrado ser útil: disminuye el tiempo quirúrgico y presenta un muy bajo índice de complicaciones. Al parecer, las modificaciones hechas al catéter distal no provocan complicaciones y se evita el uso de otros materiales diseñados para otros propósitos. Se requieren más casos para realizar un análisis definitivo (AU)

[Device for percutaneous insertion of a distal catheter in ventriculo-atrial shunt. Technical report]. / Dispositivo para inserción percutánea del catéter distal en la derivación ventriculoatrial. Reporte técnico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A ventriculo-atrial shunt is indicated for the treatment of some hydrocephalus cases. The distal catheter is usually inserted into the right atrium through cervical venous dissection. Percutaneous insertion has been described with success; however its use is not widespread. The aim of this work is to describe modifications in the distal catheter of a ventriculo-atrial shunt, the technique for its percutaneous insertion and the clinical outcome of the process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The distal catheter was modified after its use in 4 animal specimens. It was designed «over the wire¼, with its flexibility being reduced and accessories being added. The device was subsequently used in humans, with slight modifications of the jugular vein catheterization technique. We evaluated complications, surgical time and outcome during 6months. RESULTS: In the course of one year, 6adult patients in whom the peritoneum was no longer receiving cerebrospinal fluid were treated for hydrocephalus. The mean operating time was 34minutes (including proximal catheter insertion). There were no complications and ventricular size improved. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous technique has proved useful: it reduces surgical time and has a very low rate of complications. Apparently, modifications made in the distal catheter caused no complications and avoided the use of other materials designed for other purposes. More cases are required to perform a definitive analysis.

[Traumatic arteriovenous pial fistula masquerading as a carotid-cavernous fistula: an uncommon disorder with an unusual presentation]. / Fístula arteriovenosa pial traumática que simula una fístula carotidocavernosa: una enfermedad infrecuente con una presentación excepcional.

Traumatic intracranial pial arteriovenous fistulae are infrequent lesions. Their cardinal signs have been related to mass effect and hemorrhage, but their clinical manifestations due to venous retrograde flow into ophthalmic veins has never been described. This phenomenon is usually seen in dural arteriovenous fistula draining to the cavernous sinus or carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.A traumatic intracranial pial arteriovenous fistula arising from the supraclinoid internal carotid artery in a young patient was revealed by aggressive behavior and ophthalmologic manifestations. The endovascular management included the use of coils, stent, and ethylene-vinyl alcohol with transient balloon occlusion of the parent vessel.

[Chronic nasal obstruction: ethmoidal encephalocele in an adult patient]. / Obstrucción nasal crónica: encefalocele nasoetmoidal en paciente adulto.

Nasal obstruction is a frequent cause of referral to the ear, nose and throat specialist. When this symptom is resistant to medical management and common causes have been ruled out, the presence of neural structures should be investigated In the nasoethmoidal meningoencephalocele, a congenital defect of the ethmoid lamina cribrosa allows the herniation of the intracranial contents into the nasal fossa. The key to clinical diagnosis is the presence of nasal obstruction with rhinorrhea and recurrent meningitis. We describe the case of a 33-year old female who was long treated for nasal polyposis and underwent a successful surgical treatment of ethmoidal meningoencephalocele.

[Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas. Preliminary results]. / Abordaje endonasal endoscópico transesfenoida en adenomas hipofisiarios productores de hormona de crecimiento. Resultados preliminares.

BACKGROUND: An endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach is reported as less invasive, allowing an earlier discharge. Published series have never focused on its use in acromegalic patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in the management of growth hormone-secreting adenomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutively operated patients were assessed with a prospective follow-up of one year. RESULTS: Sex ratio was 0.7/1 and gross total removal was obtained in 16 cases (84%), subtotal in three (16%). The only complication was a cerebrospinal fluid leak requiring spinal drainage. The median in-hospital stay was 2.5 days. Sixteen patients experienced clinical improvement (84%) and no changes were observed in three (16%). Residual tumor was seen in two cases (11%). Growth hormone levels < 2 ng/dl were seen in 17 cases (89%) and only two patients (11%) had a level >2 ng/dl. Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were normalized in 16 cases (84%) and remained elevated in three patients (16%). One patient presented an isolated elevated level of insulin-like growth factor-1. Patients with residual tumor and elevated growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels underwent complementary radiosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach seems to be useful in acromegaly, with a high rate of clinical and biochemical cure among other benefits.