Evaluation of Accuracy and Reliability of a Smartphone Stereotactic Coordinates Checking Application.

BACKGROUND: Surgical assistance applications for smartphones have the potential to be used in daily practice; however, regular reviews of these tools are required. StereoCheck (Mevis, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil) is a mobile application (app) designed to compute stereotactic coordinates as a checking tool. The present study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of the StereoCheck app. METHODS: The present observational and prospective study included 26 patients who had undergone frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy. A standard stereotactic planning software (Framelink, version 5.0 [Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA]) was used to define the target coordinates. The surgical planning images were transferred to StereoCheck using 2 image input methods: photographs of the screen monitor and digitally exported images of the screen monitor. Five examiners performed the target coordinate definitions using StereoCheck on 2 occasions. The accuracy and reliability of the app were evaluated in tests that compared the planning methods (app vs. standard software), multiple examiners, and sequential tests. RESULTS: The StereoCheck accuracy using photographs of the screen was 2.71 ± 0.86 mm (95% confidence interval, 2.37-3.06). Using the digitally exported images, it was 0.82 ± 0.61 mm (95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.07). The accuracy between the 2 methods was greater using the exported images (P < 0.01) and was not affected by the clinical and radiological features. The accuracy of StereoCheck among multiple examiners and in sequential tests showed a mean distance between the targets and coordinates of <1.00 mm. Thus, an excellent level of reliability for the StereoCheck coordinates (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.8) was verified in all contexts. CONCLUSION: StereoCheck showed satisfactory accuracy and reliability. The use of photographs to compute the coordinates could lead to a significant decrease in the accuracy of the app.

Percutaneous Biopsy of Lesions in the Cavernous Sinus: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: A wide variety of lesions may develop in the cavernous sinus region, including tumors or pseudotumors of inflammatory origin. Sometimes imaging is insufficient to ascertain a pathologic diagnosis. Percutaneous biopsy performed through the foramen ovale route may aid therapeutic decision making, avoiding unnecessary open surgery when lesions are confirmed to be nonsurgical or unresectable. We conducted a systematic review to determine the efficacy of percutaneous biopsy of cavernous sinus lesions. METHOD: A systematic search in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus yielded 4495 potentially eligible abstracts. Fourteen studies describing 75 biopsy procedures for lesions in the cavernous sinus region were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was diagnostic success. Data were analyzed according to standard systemic review techniques. RESULTS: A diagnosis was obtained in 65 of the 75 cases described in the literature. Among all series, only 3 patients had permanent deficits. No individual studies reported mortality. The histopathologic evaluation revealed neoplastic diseases in 58 lesions. Meningiomas were found in 26 biopsy samples. Nonneoplastic diseases, originating from infectious, inflammatory, or deposition diseases, accounted for 6 biopsy samples. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous biopsy of cavernous sinus lesions is effective for diagnosis. Biopsy can be performed in patients with cavernous sinus masses, especially when neuroimaging fails to provide sufficient histopathologic data.

Efficacy and safety of a porcine collagen sponge for cranial neurosurgery: a prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of dural grafts is very useful when primary dural closure cannot be achieved. Our primary objective was to study the incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, including fistula and pseudomeningocele, and postoperative infection by comparing autologous material and a new collagen graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized study with a new collagen-based product derived from porcine cells (Peridry) was performed. It was used for dural replacement in 50 patients who underwent a variety of neurosurgical procedures requiring the use of a dural graft. These results were compared with a control group of 50 patients who were treated with autologous duraplasty material. The follow-up period was 3 months. RESULTS: Postoperative overall cerebrospinal fluid fistula occurred in 6% of both groups. No patient in the collagen group developed any sort of infection. One patient in the control developed osteomyelitis in the bone flap. CONCLUSION: The new collagen-based product derived from porcine cells (Peridry), compared with an autologous tissue, is safe, effective, easy to use, as well as time saving in cranial neurosurgery.

Ventriculite por acinetobacter baumannii multiresistente / Multiresistant acinetobacter baumannii ventriculitis

Entre as bactérias Gram-negativas, o Acinetobacter sp tornou-se um importante patógeno hospitalar, devido ao aumento do número de cepas multi-resistentes. Esta espécie é responsável por um número crescente de infecções pósoperatórias caracterizadas por alta mortalidade. A ocorrência de bactérias Gram-negativas multirresistentes levou a um aumento no número de infecções do sistema nervoso central. Em particular, a ocorrência de bactérias resistentes à cefalosporinas de quarta geração e carbapenênicos resultou em uma redução significativa de opções terapêuticas para o tratamento destas infecções. Acinetobacter baumannii é um importante agente hospitalar e sua resistência aos antibióticos mais modernos aumenta a cada dia, o que é uma grave ameaça aos pacientes infectados. Descrevemos um caso de um paciente submetido a neurocirurgia e colocação de derivação ventricular externa evoluindo com ventriculite por Acinetobacter baumannii resistente a cefalosporinas de quarta geração e meropenem.

Uso da abordagem lateral para introdução de máscara laríngea durante craniotomia em paciente acordado: relato de caso / Use of the lateral approach for laryngeal mask insertion during awake craniotomy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Durante uma craniotomia em que se realiza o teste de Afasia de Aachen com o paciente acordado e cooperativo, é necessário o uso da técnica anestésica "dormindo-acordado-dormindo". O objetivo deste relato de caso foi descrever a técnica anestésica utilizada em paciente com sinais de via aérea difícil. RELATO DO CASO: Descreveu-se o caso de um paciente submetido à ressecção de um tumor no lobo temporal esquerdo, no giro de Wernicke, com sinais clínicos de via aérea difícil. Foi utilizada a técnica "dormindo-acordado-dormindo", com infusão contínua de propofol e remifentanil. A via aérea foi mantida com o uso da máscara laríngea, por abordagem lateral. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica utilizada foi eficaz para a obtenção de um paciente acordado e cooperativo no intra-operatório, tendo sido assegurada permeabilidade da via aérea com o uso da máscara laríngea. A inserção desse dispositivo por abordagem lateral é de especial interesse por se tratar de um paciente com possível dificuldade de acesso à via aérea, em procedimento cirúrgico em que era necessário evitar deslocamento do paciente e contaminação do campo cirúrgico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During an awake craniotomy in which the Aachen Aphasia test is performed, it is necessary to use the "asleep-awake-asleep" anesthetic technique. The objective of this case report was to describe the anesthetic technique used in a patient with signs of difficult airway. CASE REPORT: The case of a patient who underwent resection of a tumor in the left temporal lobe, in the Wernicke gyrus, with clinical signs of difficult airway is reported. The "asleep-awake-asleep" anesthetic technique, with continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil, was used. A laryngeal mask, inserted by the lateral approach, was used to keep the airways patency. CONCLUSIONS: The technique used was effective in obtaining an intraoperative awake and cooperative patient, and the airways were maintained patent with a laryngeal mask. Insertion of this device by the lateral approach is especially interesting since this was a patient who presented difficult airway and underwent a surgical procedure in which in which the patient must remain immobile and the surgical field cannot be contaminated.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Durante una craniotomía en que se realiza la prueba de Afasia de Aachen con el paciente despierto y cooperativo, se necesita el uso de la técnica anestésica "durmiendo-despierto-durmiendo". El objetivo de este relato de caso fue el de describir la técnica anestésica utilizada en paciente con señales de vía aérea difícil. RELATO DEL CASO: Se ha descrito el caso de un paciente sometido a la resección de un tumor en el lobo temporal izquierdo, en el giro de Wernicke, con señales clínicos de vía aérea difícil. Fue utilizada la técnica "durmiendo-despierto-durmiendo", con infusión continua de propofol y remifentanil. La vía aérea se mantuvo con el uso de la máscara laríngea, a través de abordaje lateral. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica utilizada fue eficaz para la obtención de un paciente despierto y cooperativo en el intraoperatorio, habiendo sido asegurada la permeabilidad de la vía aérea con el uso de la máscara laríngea. La inserción de ese dispositivo a través del abordaje lateral es de especial interés por tratarse de un paciente con una posible dificultad de acceso a la vía aérea, en procedimiento quirúrgico en que era necesario evitar desplazamiento del paciente y contaminación del campo quirúrgico.

[Use of the lateral approach for laryngeal mask insertion during awake craniotomy: case report.]. / Uso da abordagem lateral para introdução de máscara laríngea durante craniotomia em paciente acordado: relato de caso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During an awake craniotomy in which the Aachen Aphasia test is performed, it is necessary to use the 'asleep-awake-asleep' anesthetic technique. The objective of this case report was to describe the anesthetic technique used in a patient with signs of difficult airway. CASE REPORT: The case of a patient who underwent resection of a tumor in the left temporal lobe, in the Wernicke gyrus, with clinical signs of difficult airway is reported. The 'asleep-awake-asleep' anesthetic technique, with continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil, was used. A laryngeal mask, inserted by the lateral approach, was used to keep the airways patency. CONCLUSIONS: The technique used was effective in obtaining an intraoperative awake and cooperative patient, and the airways were maintained patent with a laryngeal mask. Insertion of this device by the lateral approach is especially interesting since this was a patient who presented difficult airway and underwent a surgical procedure in which in which the patient must remain immobile and the surgical field cannot be contaminated.

[Cavernous malformations: surgical management in Belo Horizonte Santa Casa Hospital]. / Cavernomas: conduta no serviço de neurocirurgia da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte.

The better understanding of the natural history of the cavernous malformations and the improvement of diagnostic methods and of microsurgical techniques have made the management of cavernous malformations possible through the conservative treatment, radiosurgery, and microsurgical resection. We present 33 cases operated at our service at Santa Casa Hospital, Belo Horizonte, from 1992 to 2001. Cortical and subcortical cavernomas manifested by epilepsy (57.5%) or mainly by hemorrhage (15.1%) were surgically approached. The deep lesions (basal ganglia, thalamus and brain steam) represented 27.7% of our cases. They should only be operated when located near the pial or ependimary surface. The resection of spinal cord lesions (5.5%) and of deep brain lesions is also recommended when they present progressive focal deficit (13.8%) or recurrent episodes of hemorrhage (13.8%). Small and deep seated cavernomas that do not present bleeding must be conservatively treated. There has been no evident favourable result related to radiosurgery so far.

Cavernomas: conduta no serviço de neurocirurgia da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte / Cavernous malformations: surgical management in Belo Horizonte Santa Casa Hospital

A melhor compreensão da história natural dos cavernomas, o aprimoramento dos métodos diagnósticos e das técnicas microcirúrgicas tornaram possíveis as seguintes condutas: tratamento conservador, radiocirurgia e ressecção cirúrgica. Apresenta-se revisão de 33 pacientes operados no serviço de Neurocirurgia da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, no período de 1992 a 2001. Cavernomas corticais e subcorticais que se manifestaram por crises convulsivas de difícil controle (57,5 por cento) ou principalmente por hemorragia (15,1 por cento) foram tratados cirurgicamente. As lesões profundas (gânglios basais, tálamo e tronco encefálico) somaram 27,7 por cento. Estas, atualmente, só devem ser operadas quando estão próximas à superfície ependimária ou pial. Indicou-se ainda a ressecção de lesões medulares (5,5 por cento) e cerebrais profundas, que apresentaram déficit focal progressivo(13,8 por cento) ou episódios recorrentes de hemorragia(13,8 por cento). As lesões pequenas e profundas que não apresentam hemorragia devem ser tratadas conservadoramente.Não existe, no momento, evidência de resultados favoráveis com a radiocirurgia.