Propofol versus sodium thiopentone for the treatment of status epilepticus and refractory status epilepticus in dogs.

AIMS: To compare the effect on mortality and length of hospital stay of propofol with that of sodium thiopentone for the management of dogs with status epilepticus (SE) and refractory status epilepticus (RSE). METHODS: In this cohort study, medical records of a veterinary referral clinic in Argentina were retrospectively searched for dogs that were hospitalised and required induction of therapeutic coma (TC) with either propofol or sodium thiopentone for the management of SE or RSE of any cause. A logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the association between the type of anaesthetic used and in-hospital mortality adjusting for the type of epilepsy (idiopathic, structural, or reactive). Kaplan-Meier estimated survival curves for the length of hospital stay by the type of anaesthetic drug were compared using the log-rank test (deaths were considered censored events). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for time to hospital discharge, unadjusted and adjusted for type of epilepsy. RESULTS: A total of 24 dogs with SE were included in the study: eight treated with propofol and 16 treated with sodium thiopentone. Four dogs treated with propofol (proportion = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.15-0.84), and eight treated with sodium thiopentone (proportion = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.50-0.74) died during hospitalisation. The median hospitalisation time was 43 (IQR 24-56) hours for dogs that were treated with propofol and 72 (IQR 64-96) hours for dogs that were treated with sodium thiopentone. There was no evidence of a difference in the median duration of TC in dogs treated with propofol (12 (IQR 8-24) hours) or with sodium thiopentone (12 (IQR 7.5-20) hours; p = 0.946). In the logistic regression model, no evidence of association between the anaesthetic protocol for the management of RSE and in-hospital mortality, adjusted for the type of epilepsy, was found (OR 1.09 (95% CI = 0.17-6.87); p = 0.925). Cox regression analysis revealed a difference in the time to hospital discharge, adjusted by the type of epilepsy, between treatment groups (HR = 0.05 (95% CI = 0.01-0.54); p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The time spent in hospital before discharge was longer in dogs with RSE treated with sodium thiopentone compared to those treated with propofol. However, as the sample size was very small, the results obtained in the present study should be analysed with caution. Further studies including a greater number of dogs are required.

Relationship between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fluid responsiveness and volume status in hospitalised dogs with circulatory abnormalities.

AIMS: To evaluate the echocardiographic variable tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion normalised to body weight (TAPSEnorm) as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in hospitalised dogs with haemodynamic and tissue perfusion alterations and to investigate the association of left ventricular internal diameter in diastole normalised to body weight (LVIDdN) and aortic velocity time integral (VTIAo) with TAPSEnorm. METHODS: A single-centre, prospective study was carried out in a cohort of spontaneously breathing dogs, hospitalised for any reason, with severe haemodynamic and tissue perfusion alterations. The echocardiographic variables TAPSEnorm, LVIDdN, and VTIAO were measured. A bolus of 30 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution was administered and then VTIAo was subsequently remeasured. Patients were classified as fluid responsive if VTIAo increased by ≥15% after fluid expansion, or non-responsive if VTIAo increased by <15% after fluid expansion. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was generated to evaluate the ability of TAPSE to predict fluid responsiveness. Simple regression models were used to assess the linear relationship between TAPSEnorm and LVIDdN or VTIAO. RESULTS: TAPSEnorm was lower in fluid responsive dogs (mean 0.57 (95% CI = 0.50-0.64) cm/kg) compared to non-responsive dogs (mean 0.76 (95% CI = 0.62-0.90) cm/kg). The AUROC for TAPSEnorm was 0.827 (95% CI = 0.65-1.00). The optimal cut-off point was 0.76 with sensitivity of 80 (95% CI = 28.4-99.5)% and specificity of 86.7 (95% CI = 69.3-99.2)%, positive predictive value of 50 (95% CI = 15.7-84.3)% and negative predictive value of 96.3 (95% CI = 81-99.9)%. A monotonic linear relationship was observed between TAPSEnorm and LVIDdN (p<0.001) and between TAPSEnorm and VTIAo (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TAPSEnorm could be useful in determining those dogs that are likely to respond to a fluid bolus from those that are likely to be non-responsive. Additionally, a positive linear association between the LVIDdN and the TAPSEnorm suggests that TAPSEnorm decreases at lower preload values. The present study results suggest that TAPSEnorm could be a valuable tool for evaluating blood volume status and fluid responsiveness in hospitalised dogs.Abbreviations: AUROC: Area under the receiver operating characteristic; CO: Cardiac output; ICC: Intraclass correlation coefficient; LVIDd: Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole; LVIDdN: Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole normalised to body weight; TAPSE: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; TAPSEnorm: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion normalised to body weight; VTIAo: Aortic velocity time integral.

Clinicopathological factors associated with the presence of hypercapnia at admission in hospitalised cats with decompensated chronic kidney disease.

AIMS: To evaluate associations between clinicopathological variables and hypercapnia measured in cats with decompensated chronic kidney disease (CKD) on admission to a veterinary hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study of cats (n = 39) that presented to a tertiary veterinary hospital in Argentina between June 2015 and December 2017 with blood creatinine concentrations >140 µmol/L, and abdominal ultrasound results consistent with CKD. Data recorded included venous partial pressure of CO2 (PvCO2), blood pH, haematocrit and concentrations of glucose, potassium, sodium, corrected sodium (Na+c), and ionised calcium in blood. A logistic regression model was used to assess associations between the presence of hypercapnia (PvCO2 ≥ 44.7 mmHg) and the other clinicopathologic variables. The duration of hospitalisation was compared in cats with and without hypercapnia using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. RESULTS: The final study population comprised 39 cats. Eleven cats (28.2%) had hypercapnia. In the logistic regression model, two independent variables were associated with the presence of hypercapnia at admission in cats with CKD: the concentration of creatinine in blood (OR = 1.06 (95% CI = 1.016-1.108); p = 0.007) and Na+c (OR = 1.33 (95% CI = 1.08-1.63); p = 0.005). There were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There appears to be an association between elevated concentrations of creatinine and Na+c in blood, and hypercapnia in cats with CKD, suggesting careful assessment of blood gas and electrolyte parameters during hospitalisation is required. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the mechanisms behind this association and the association of hypercapnia with disease outcome including mortality.

Endoscopic surgery for monoventricular hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Monoventricular hydrocephalus is usually treated with extrathecal shunting. However, today endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum seems to be a very useful and less invasive technique. METHODS: Five patients with monoventricular hydrocephalus have been treated with neuroendoscopic techniques. In three cases with an excluded lateral ventricle due to contralateral shunt overdrainage, the normal-sized ventricle was first cannulated and fenestration of the septum pellucidum from the normal to the enlarged lateral ventricle was performed. RESULTS: Complete remission of intracranial hypertension symptoms and decrease in size of the enlarged ventricle were observed in all five patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum is the technique of choice for treating monoventricular hydrocephalus. We advise first cannulating the normal lateral ventricle and then performing a septostomy from it to the enlarged ventricle. This approach allows one to easily recognize the protruding septum pellucidum and perform fenestration without difficulty using a direct trajectory. In exceptional cases of choroid plexus cyst obstructing one foramen of Monro, fenestration of the cyst wall is sufficient.

Chronic hydrocephalus and suprasellar arachnoid cyst presenting with rhinorrhea.

Spontaneous CSF leak with rhinorrhea may be secondary to many intracranial congenital and acquired conditions. However, no cases of chronic hydrocephalus and suprasellar arachnoid cyst presenting with rhinorrhea as the unique clinical manifestation are reported in the literature. A 29-year-old-man with four-month history of episodic rhinorrhea had a large suprasellar arachnoid cyst with chronic hydrocephalus on magnetic resonance. Endoscopic ventricular fenestration of the cyst failed to obtain remission of the CSF leak, because it was not possible to fenestrate the cyst with the almost completely obliterated suprasellar cistern. Clinical remission occurred after restoration of the CSF flow from the cyst to the cisternal spaces by a direct approach. The CSF leak in this case was secondary to the chronic compression over the dural and bone structures of the sellar region by the cyst or chronic hydrocephalus.

Giant spinal cord ependymoma in a child. Case report.

Ependymomas of the spinal cord extending to more than ten vertebral segments are rare. A case of a 14-month-old child is described and the other 13 reported cases are reviewed. The finding of a very extensive tumor (from T5 to L5) after only 14 months of life suggests that in our case the tumor was present since birth. Magnetic resonance well shows the real extent of the tumor in height and its different components. Complete removal is often possible even in very extensive ependymomas and results in clinical improvement. Postoperative radiotherapy is necessary only for incompletely removed or malignant ependymomas.

Rapid growth of a brain-stem cavernous angioma.

A rare case of rapidly enlarging cavernous angiomas of the cerebral hemispheres and brain stem in a child is reported. Rapid growth of cavernous malformations of the brain is rarely observed; it may be due to different mechanisms, including enlargement of the vascular channels, hemorrhage and cysts formation. The possibility of progressive enlargement of cavernomas makes periodical MR studies necessary in all cases. When the growth is radiologically documented, surgical removal is imperative even in patients with trivial symptoms.

[Clinical evaluation of aztreonam in the prevention and therapy of infections in patients subjected to neurosurgical intervention]. / Valutazione clinica dell'aztreonam nella profilassi e terapia delle infezioni in pazienti sottoposti ad intervento neurochirurgico.

Twenty-six neurosurgery patients were given prophylactic treatment with Aztreonam at a dose of 1 g every 8 hours (30 mg/kg every 12 hours in children) for 8-12 days after the operation. In 18 cases 300 mg Clindamycin was also given every 8 hours for 8 days. No local or general infections arose in the postoperative period. Three patients with infections caused by susceptible bacteria were given 1 g Aztreonam every 6 hours (30 mg/kg every 8 hours in children) for 8 days. In all cases all clinical and microbiological signs of the infection had disappeared by the end of treatment. Apart from one episode of mild nausea no side effects were noted. Aztreonam is therefore considered a safe and effective drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of postoperative infections in neurosurgery.

Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of an unusual complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

A significant number of abdominal complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts have been reported. Laparoscopy has proved to be extremely useful in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of these cases. A rare case of abdominal wall perforation is described. At laparoscopy the route taken by the catheter was detected, and the latter freed from adhesions and repositioned in the peritoneal cavity, with optimal functional results.

[Experimental giant arterial aneurysm. Resection and reconstruction of the arterial wall]. / Anévrysmes artériels géants expérimentaux. Résection et reconstruction de la paroi artérielle.

The authors describe 3 experimental techniques for the treatment of giant arterial aneurysm, based on removal of the aneurysmal pouch and reconstruction of the arterial wall. The aneurysm is realized with a venous graft implanted with end-to-side anastomosis on the common carotid artery on the rabbit. In the first experimental model it is resected along its basis; the arterial wall is reconstructed by means of a patch of dural substitute (dacron coated with silicone rubber) fixed with biological glue (human fibrine). In the second model, the experimental aneurysm is hooded with a venous graft sutured to the adventitia of the artery with four angular stitches and biological glue. The artery is then clamped, the aneurysm is resected along its basis. The median incision in the venous graft is sutured, restoring the continuity of the arterial wall. In the third model, a small artery is implanted at the bottom of the aneurysmal sac, realizing a condition similar to a collateral vessel arising from an aneurysm. In this case, too, the aneurysm is hooded by a venous graft fixed only to the adventitia of the arterial wall with the above mentioned technique. The main and the collateral vessels are clamped, and this latter is severed; the aneurysm is resected along its basis; the median incision in the venous graft is sutured, restoring the continuity of the arterial wall; the collateral vessel is re-implanted along the suture line. These techniques aim to realize the reconstruction of the arterial wall without stenosis and shortening the clamping time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)