Can videolaryngoscopy be a first option in a patient with laryngeal amyloidosis? / ¿Puede la videolaringoscopia ser una primera opción en paciente con amiloidosis laríngea?

Amyloidosis is a term that involves a group of diseases characterised by deposition of extracellular monoclonal light-chain fibrillar immunoglobulin aggregates in the body, including many organs, with the larynx among them. A case is presented of a 78 year-old man who was referred to our institution for strangulated umbilical hernia treatment. He suffered from progressive hoarseness and dysphagia for 5months. He had a history of primary laryngeal amyloidosis. Awake intubation was performed successful with the King Vision® video-laryngoscopy. Sedation was achieved using a remifentanil infusion and midazolam. Haemorrhagic lesions are caused by deposition of amyloid in and around vessels, resulting in increased vascular fragility. Therefore, anaesthetists should take care in intubating the tracheas of these patients.

Use of King Vision® videolaryngoscope in an unanticipated difficult airway in an adult patient with giant vallecular cyst, a case report. / Uso del videolaringoscopio King Vision® en una vía aérea difícil no esperada por un quiste vallecular gigante en un adulto, a propósito de un caso.

Laryngeal cysts are largely asymptomatic and typically described in the context of incidental discovery on routine laryngoscopy. These cysts, in adults are even rarer and can have catastrophic consequences in an anaesthetized patient if airway management is inappropriate. We describe a case of difficult endotracheal intubation and the treatment of an adult patient with an asymptomatic, giant vallecular cyst that was discovered during rapid-sequence induction of general anesthesia in urgent surgery. In conclusion, vallecular cysts can cause extreme problems in securing the airway. It is important to avoid complications associated with repeated attempts at intubation, airway loss, or cyst rupture causing difficulty visualizing vocal cords and aspiration. The use of King Vision® videolaryngoscope is a good alternative in these cases. Close attention to logistics and the immediate availability of an otolaryngologist is vital.

Use of Clarus Video System® in expected difficult airway in a patient with Rett syndrome. / Uso del Clarus Video System® en una vía aérea difícil en paciente con síndrome de Rett.

Difficult airway management remains one of the key points in our specialty, as the difficulty or impossibility of tracheal intubation is the main cause of morbidity/mortality attributable to anaesthesia. Rett syndrome is a severe and incapacitating neurological disease. We present the case of a 21-year-old girl affected by this syndrome, with significant psychomotor retardation and difficult airway predictors, who was scheduled to have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. We decided on one attempt of Clarus Video System® fiberoptic intubation as primary intervention. Intubation was successfully performed with the help of this optical stylet. The use of optical stylets is gaining prominence and finding a place in the latest algorithms of difficult airway management. We highlight the growing role these devices play in managing difficult airway, therefore we review the current situation of videolaryngoscopes in the management of the predicted difficult airway.

Demora en la llegada de pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea a un hospital terciario / Delays in the arrival of patients with subarchnoid haemorrahage at a tertiary hospital

Introducción. Se recomienda que los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea se remitan precozmente a un hospital terciario. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo estudiar la demora en la llegada de estos pacientes a un centro terciario de La Habana. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea que ingresaron en la Unidad de Ictus del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2007. Se determinó el momento de llegada al hospital, y se compararon los pacientes que llegaron después de las 72 horas con aquéllos que lo hicieron antes. Resultados. Se estudiaron 94 pacientes. Sólo 34 (36%) llegaron en los primeros tres días, mientras que 13 (13,8%) lo hicieron en las primeras 24 horas. Ninguna de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas evaluadas se asoció a la remisión temprana. La estancia hospitalaria de los pacientes recibidos en las primeras 72 horas fue de 14,9 días, mientras que en el resto fue de 17,57 días (p = 0,248). El impacto mayor de la remisión precoz al centro terciario fue sobre el resultado a la salida en la escala de Rankin, que fue inferior en los que llegaron temprano en relación con el resto de los casos (p = 0,05), al igual que la mortalidad, que fue del 5,9% en los que llegaron en las primeras 72 horas, frente al 11,7% en el resto (p = 0,04). Conclusiones. Sólo un tercio de los casos se recibió en las primeras 72 horas, y este grupo tuvo una evolución más favorable (AU)

Introduction. Patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage should be referred to a tertiary hospital as early as possible. The aim of this research was to study how long these patients take to reach a tertiary care centre in Havana. Patients and methods. We conducted a prospective study of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage who were admitted to the Stroke Unit at the Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras between January 2005 and December 2007. The time of arrival at the hospital was determined and a comparison was carried out between patients who arrived after 72 hours and those who reached the hospital sooner. Results. The sample studied comprised 94 patients. Only 34 (36%) arrived during the first three days, whereas 13 (13.8%) reached the hospital within the first 24 hours. None of the sociodemographic and clinical variables that were studied was associated with early remission. The length of time spent in hospital by patients admitted during the first 72 hours was 14.9 days, while in the other cases it was 17.57 days (p = 0.248). The greatest impact on early remission to the tertiary centre was on the outcome at discharge on the Rankin scale, which was lower in those who arrived early compared to the rest of the cases (p = 0.05); the same was true of mortality, which was 5.9% in those who arrived within the first 72 hours versus 11.7% in the others (p = 0.04). Conclusions. Only a third of the cases reached hospital during the first 72 hours and this group had a more favourable course (AU)

[Delays in the arrival of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage at a tertiary hospital]. / Demora en la llegada de pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea a un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage should be referred to a tertiary hospital as early as possible. The aim of this research was to study how long these patients take to reach a tertiary care centre in Havana. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage who were admitted to the Stroke Unit at the Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras between January 2005 and December 2007. The time of arrival at the hospital was determined and a comparison was carried out between patients who arrived after 72 hours and those who reached the hospital sooner. RESULTS: The sample studied comprised 94 patients. Only 34 (36%) arrived during the first three days, whereas 13 (13.8%) reached the hospital within the first 24 hours. None of the sociodemographic and clinical variables that were studied was associated with early remission. The length of time spent in hospital by patients admitted during the first 72 hours was 14.9 days, while in the other cases it was 17.57 days (p = 0.248). The greatest impact on early remission to the tertiary centre was on the outcome at discharge on the Rankin scale, which was lower in those who arrived early compared to the rest of the cases (p = 0.05); the same was true of mortality, which was 5.9% in those who arrived within the first 72 hours versus 11.7% in the others (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Only a third of the cases reached hospital during the first 72 hours and this group had a more favourable course.

[Pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus. Transcranial transcavernous approach]. / Adenomas hipofisarios con invasiòn intracavernosa. Resultados del abordaje trancraneal al seno cavernoso.

UNLABELLED: Pituitary adenomas represent a significant proportion (+o-13%) of all intracranial tumors. Surgical treatment is as rule performed by transsphenoidal approach. However, a small but not insignificant subgroup of pituitary adenomas (5 to 7%) invade the lateral parasellar structures and the cavernous sinus in particular, and poses obvious problems to the therapeutic strategy, since transsphenoidal removal of these adenomas is usually incomplete. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of transcranial removal of a consecutive series of pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of 9 patients harbouring pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus who had been submitted to transcranial surgery was conducted. These patients were operated on in the time span June 1999 - December 2003, in the Nuova Clinica Latina (now NCL- Neurological Centere of Latium), Rome Italy, and the Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras", La Habana, Cuba, using a fronto-orbitozigomatic (FOZ) craniotomy, anterior clinoidectomy and a limited dissection of the cavernous sinus through the antero-medial triangle. RESULTS: Total macroscopical removal was achieved in 8 cases, partial in 1, who showed improvement or normalization of the hormonal levels and of the preoperative symptoms. Transitory complications occurred in 6 patients, one of them showed a permanet neurological deficit (paresis of the III cranail nerve). CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial transcavernous approach is an effective technique for attempting total removal of intracavernous pituitary adenomas. It allows to achieve remission of symptoms and hormonal control in the medium-long term. However complications are relatively frequent, and permanent sequelae are not negligible.

Adenomas hipofisarios con invasiòn intracavernosa. Resultados del abordaje transcraneal al seno cavernoso / Pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus. Transcranial transcavernous approach

Los adenomas hipofisarios representan el 13% delos tumores intracraneales. Generalmente el abordaje transesfenoidal es suficiente para su manejo, pero de un 5 a un 7% de los mismos se comporta de forma invasiva. El tratamiento de este subgrupo ha sido tradicionalmente incompleto (exéresis transesfenoidal parcial + radioterapia) y conduce a una elevada tasa de recidivas. Objetivos. Evaluar los resultados obtenidos con el abordaje transcavernoso en los adenomas hipofisarios con extensión intracavernosa. Material y método. Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 9 pacientes, cuya lesión fue abordada a travésdel triángulo antero medial mediante craneotomía fronto-órbito-zigomática en la Nuova Clinica Latina de Roma y el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de Ciudad dela Habana entre Junio del 1999 y Junio del 2003.Resultados. En 8 casos se logró la exégesis total microscópicamente y parcial en 1. Con mejoría y/o normalización de los niveles hormonales y de la sintomatología preoperatoria. Se observaron complicaciones transitorias en 6 pacientes y la secuela más importante fue la paresia del III nervio craneal. Conclusiones. La exéresis transcavernosa es una técnica eficaz cuando se pretende resecar radicalmente la lesión, lograr remisión de los síntomas y conseguir descenso hormonal en el caso de los productores, aunque las complicaciones y secuelas pueden ser importantes

Pituitary adenomas represent a significant proportion (+o-13%) of all intracranial tumors. Surgical treatment is as rule performed by transsphenoidal approach. However, a small but not insignificant subgroup of pituitary adenomas (5 to 7%) invade the lateral parasellar structures and the cavernous sinus in particular, and poses obvious problems to the therapeutic strategy, since transsphenoidal removal of the seadenomas is usually incomplete. Objective. To evaluate the results of transcranial removal of a consecutive series of pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus. Material and method. A retrospective study of 9patients harbouring pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus who had been submitted to transcranial surgery was conducted. These patients were operated on in the time span June 1999 - December 2003, in the Nuova Clinica Latina (now NCL- Neurological Centere of Latium), Rome Italy, and the Hospital "HermanosAmeijeiras", La Habana, Cuba, using a fronto-orbitozigomatic(FOZ) craniotomy, anterior clinoidectomy and a limited dissection of the cavernous sinus through the antero-medial triangle. Results. Total macroscopical removal was achieved in 8 cases, partial in 1, who showed improvement or normalization of the hormonal levels and of the preoperative symptoms. Transitory complications occurred in6 patients, one of them showed a permanent neurological deficit (paresis of the III cranail nerve).Conclusions. Transcranial transcavernous approach is an effective technique for attempting total removal of intracavernous pituitary adenomas. It allows to achieve remission of symptoms and hormonal control in the medium-long term. However complications are relatively frequent, and permanent sequelae are not negligible

[Transsphenoidal approach to prolactinomas]. / Cirugia transeptoesfenoidal en adenomas hipofisarios productores de prolactina.

INTRODUCTION: Transeptal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors is a well established surgical technique. In particular the use of medical treatment in patient with prolactinomas has induced the control of hiperprolactinemia and the shrinkage of the tumor in the great majority of the patients, for that reason the treatment of the prolactinomas is controversial. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the results of transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment of prolactin secreting adenomas at our Unit. METHODS: We made a retrospective analysis of 63 patients operated on via transsphenoidal microsurgical technique for prolactin secreting adenomas between 1996 and 2003. Age, sex, symptoms, tumor size, hormonal levels, complications and postsurgical outcome were considered. RESULTS: There was a female predominance of 86% of the cases and middle aged patients were more commonly seen. 31 patients had tumors more than 10mm in diameter on the CT scan. The most frecuent complication was transient diabetes insipidus (11 cases). Prolactin levels were reduced to non tumoral values in 90.6% of microadenomas (29 cases) and in 67.7% of macroadenomas (21 cases). Headache was the most frecuent complain in our patients with amelioration after surgery in 82% (36 cases). Campimetric visual defects were reduced in 69% (18 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Transsphenoidal adenomectomy is a safe treatment option for patients with prolactin secreting adenomas with surgical indication.

Cirugìa transfenoidal en adenomas hipofisiarios productores de prolactina / Transsphenoidal approach to prolactinomas

Para un gran nùmeros de tumores pituitarios, la cirugpia es el tratamiento de primera lìnea y el abordaje trnasfenoidal microquirurgico, el proceder màs utilizado...(AU)

Transeptal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors is a well established surgical technique...(AU)

Cirugía transeptoesfenoidal en adenomas hipofisarios productores de prolactina / Transsphenoidal approach to prolactinomas

Introducción. Para un gran número de tumores pituitarios, la cirugía es el tratamiento de primera línea y el abordaje transesfenoidal microquirúrgico el proceder más utilizado. El tratamiento actual de los prolactinomas es bastante controversial, por los buenos resultados alcanzados con los nuevos agonistas dopaminérgicos; no obstante la adenomectomía selectiva se incluye entre las modalidades de tratamiento para aquellos prolactinomas que no respondan a dicho tratamiento dopaminérgico. Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados del tratamiento microquirúrgico por vía transepto esfenoidal de los adenomas productores de prolactina en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital “Hermanos Ameijeiras”. Material y método. Presentamos un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 63 pacientes intervenidos por vía sublabial transepto esfenoidal microquirúrgica, portadores de este tipo de adenomas, y tratados en nuestro servicio desde 1996 hasta el 2003. Se analizan edad, sexo, cuadro clínico, tamaño de las lesiones, niveles hormonales, complicaciones y evolución postoperatoria. Resultados. Se encontró un franco predominio del sexo femenino, 86% (54 pacientes). Se operaron 31 pacientes con macroadenomas y 32 con microadenomas. La complicación más común en el postoperatorio fue la diabetes insípida transitoria (11 enfermos), siendo de poca trascendencia. Se logró reducir las cifras iniciales de prolactina a valores no tumorales en el 90.6% de lo microadenomas (29 casos) y en el 67.7% de los macroadenomas (21 casos). Los síntomas más frecuentes que aquejaban a nuestros pacientes mejoraron, sobre todo la cefalea en el 82% (36 casos) y los trastornos visuales en el 69% (18 casos). Conclusiones. Se concluye que la adenomectomía transeptoesfenoidales un proceder seguro y eficaz como opción de tratamiento para pacientes con adenomas secretores de prolactina que tengan indicación quirúrgica

Introduction. Transeptal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors is a well-established surgical technique. In particular the use of medical treatment inpatient with prolactinomas has induced the control of hiperprolactinemia and the shrinkage of the tumor in the great majority of the patients, for that reason the treatment of the prolactinomas is controversial. Objective. We evaluate the results of trassphenoidal microsurgical treatment of prolactin secreting adenomas at our Unit. Methods. We made a retrospective analysis of 63 patients operated on via transsphenoidal microsurgical technique for prolactin secreting adenomas between1996 and 2003. Age, sex, symptoms, tumor size, hormonallevels, complications and postsurgical outcome were considered. Results. There was a female predominance of 86%of the cases and middle aged patients were more commonly seen 31 patients had tumors more than 10mmin diameter on the CT scan. The most frecuent complicationwas transient diabetes insipidus (11 cases).Prolactin levels were reduced to non tumoral values in 90.6% of microadenomas (29 cases) and in 67.7% of macroadenomas (21 cases). Headache was the most frecuentcomplain in our patients with amelioration after surgery in 82% (36 cases). Campimetric visual defects were reduced in 69% (18 cases).Conclusions. Transsphenoidal adenomectomy is a safe treatment option for patients with prolactin secreting adenomas with surgical indication

[Transnasal-transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery of the sellar region]. / Cirugía transnasal transesfenoidal endoscópica en afecciones de región selar.

UNLABELLED: Transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica has recently become an option to the pituitary surgery which could predominate in a near future. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate through the analysis of our results whether it is possible to perform in our Hospital the endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the sella with results at least as good as those we obtain with the microscopic sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As the first stage of a three stage randomized trial, this is a prospective study of 10 patients operated on, using transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach between august 2002 and August 2003 at the department of neurosurgery of "Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital". RESULTS: Six patients had pituitary macroadenomas and four had cerebrospinal fluid leak through the sellar floor. In five of six macroadenomas total tumor resection was obtained and in the other one a subtotal resection was performed. Two of four patients with cerebrospinal fluid leak could be cured while the other two patients do not. Complications were present in 30% of cases, but in only 1 (10%) it reached the postoperatory period. CONCLUSIONS: Transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella can be done save enough in our Hospital to justify the start of the second stage of one randomized trial to determine if the endoscopic technique is better than the usual transsphenoidal approach.

Cirugìa transnasal transesfenoidal endoscòpica en afeciones de regiòn selar / s. t

Transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica has recently become an option to the pituitary surgery which could predominate in a near future. To evaluate through the analysis of our results whether it is possible to perform in our Hospital the endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the sella with results at least as good as those we obtain with the microscopic sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach...(AU)

Cirugía transnasal transesfenoidal endoscópica en afecciones de región selar / Transnasal-transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery of the sellar region

Introducción. Para un gran número de tumores pituitarios la cirugía es el tratamiento de primera línea y el abordaje transesfenoidal microquirúrgico el más utilizado. En estos momentos, el mismo se ejecuta tanto por la vía sublabial como por la transnasal. Recientemente, el abordaje transnasal endoscópico ha irrumpido como una opción en desarrollo, que pudiera llegar a predominar en un futuro próximo. Objetivos. Evaluar mediante el análisis de los resultados si es posible realizar en nuestro medio el abordaje transnasal transesfenoidal endoscópico para las lesiones de la región selar con resultados quirúrgicos, al menos, similares a los obtenidos con el método transesfenoidal tradicional. Material y método. Como fase I de un ensayo en 3 etapas se realiza una investigación limitada tipo cohorte, estrictamente controlada y prospectiva de 10 pacientes seleccionados según criterios de inclusión y a los cuales se les practicó el abordaje transnasal endoscópico como método de tratamiento quirúrgico entre Agosto del 2002 y Agosto del 2003 en el servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras". Resultados. Se operaron seis casos que tenían macroadenomas hipofisarios, tres productores de GH, uno secretor de PRL y otros dos no productores. A los otros cuatro se les había diagnosticado fístula de LCR a través del piso selar. De los seis macroadenomas, en cinco se logró exéresis total del tumor, mientras que en el otro se obtuvo exéresis subtotal. La rinorrea desapareció en 2 pacientes con fístula de LCR y se mantuvo en los otros 2. De las complicaciones observadas en el 30% de los casos, solo en 1 (10%) transcendieron más allá del transoperatorio. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos en la fase 1 con la utilización del método transnasal endoscópico, hacen que el procedimiento en nuestro medió sea lo suficientemente seguro como para justificar el pase a la fase II del ensayo (aleatorizada y controlada), en busca de información más consistente, en relación al valor real de la técnica a estas alturas del desarrollo de la cirugía hipofisaria

Transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica has recently become an option to the pituitary surgery which could predominate in a near future. Objectives. To evaluate through the analysis of our results whether it is possible to perform in our Hospital the endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the sella with results at least as good as those we obtain with the microscopic sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach. Material and methods. As the first stage of a three stage randomized trial, this is a prospective study of 10 patients operated on, using transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic aproach between august 2002 and August 2003 at the department of neurosurgery of "Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital". Results. Six patients had pituitary macroadenomas and four had cerebrospinal fluid leak through the sellar floor. In five of six macroadenomas total tumor resection was obtained and in the other one a subtotal resection was performed. Two of four patients with cerebrospinal fluid leak could be cured while the other two patients do not. Complications were present in 30% of cases, but in only 1 (10%) it reached the postoperatory period. Conclusions. Transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella can be done save enough in our Hospital to justify the start of the second stage of one randomized trial to determine if the endoscopic technique is better than the usual transsphenoidal approach