Efficacy of a new video-based training model in spinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: An important part of neurosurgical training is the improvement of surgical skills. Acquiring microsurgical skills follows a learning curve, influenced by specific exercises, feedback, and training. Aim of training should be rapid learning success. The study shows the way in which video-based training can influence the learning curve. METHODS: Over a period of 18 months (2011-2012) 12 residents were evaluated in spinal surgery (12 cases per resident) by a skilled evaluator based on different criteria. The evaluation criteria (exposition of important anatomy, intraoperative bleeding, efficacy of using bipolar cauterization) were weighted and added to a single quality-score. The participating residents were divided into two groups. Only one group (n = 5) received video-based training. RESULTS: Residents showed an individually different but explicit increase in microsurgical skills. The quality-score during the first surgery compared with the end point of the study demonstrated a faster improvement of surgical skills in the group with video-based training than in the group without special training. Considering all residents together, the video-training group displayed a steeper gradient of microsurgical success. Comparison of the single resident's microsurgical skills showed individual disparities. Various biases that influence the learning success are under examination. CONCLUSION: Video-based training can improve microsurgical skills, leading to an improved learning curve. An earlier entry of the learning curve plateau in the video-training group promotes a higher acquisition of surgical skills. Because of the positive effect, we plan to apply the video-based training model to other neurosurgical subspecialties, especially neurovascular and skull base surgery.

Three dimensional rotational angiography in surgical planning of aneurysm clipping.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) angiography is increasingly used in the diagnostics of brain aneurysms. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3D angiograms with respect to its value for preoperative planning of aneurysm clipping. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 3D angiograms of 42 patients with subarachnoid bleeding caused by aneurysm rupture of the anterior circle of Willis and the intradural carotid have been compared to intraoperative photographs of the aneurysms. RESULTS: Neighbouring vessels, aneurysm anatomy, arteries originating from the aneurysm wall were accurately shown decreasing the surgical risk of aneurysm clipping. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D images enabled a perfect preoperative planning through the operation by illuminating the aneurysm anatomy, neck localisation and shape and relation of the aneurysm to neighbouring vessels. Operative approach, use of an accurate clip and avoidance of clipping arteries close to the aneurysm have become predictable and safer by the use of 3D angiography.

Resistant vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage treated with continuous intraarterial nimodipine infusion.

Cerebral vasospasm complicating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a well-known medical entity. The delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) as a result of vasospasm remain the main cause of morbidity among patients who manage to survive this severe disease pattern. When the traditional treatment options, either medical or interventional, fail to reverse vasospasm, continuous intraarterial infusion of nimodipine through catheters directly into the spastic arteries presents a promising treatment modality. Of 73 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2008 and 2009, a total of 27 had Hunt and Hess grades of 4 and 5. Fifteen percent of them showed refractory vasospasms and were treated with continuous nimodipine infusion via catheters in both internal carotid arteries. We present the method's indications and possible complications.

Transorbital impalement injury with massive intracranial lesion not detected by cranial CT scan.

An extraordinary case of transorbital penetration injury is presented. A 24-year-old male patient was involved in a fight and was pushed against a shelf. He immediately lost consciousness and was brought to hospital. A cranial computed tomogaphy (CT) scan showed a hemorrhage and brain edema over the left hemisphere with orbital roof fracture. A decompressive craniectomy was performed. Intraoperatively, an orbital roof fracture with penetration of the frontobasal dura could be seen which could not be explained by the trauma mechanism. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with susceptibility-weighted image (SWI) showed two injury tracks from the orbit through the brain which appeared to be penetration injuries. The forensics department was consulted and penetration by a falling candleholder was found to be the cause of the injuries. In this case, the cranial CT alone did not show any indication of a penetration injury. Only MRI revealed the penetration track, which stresses the diagnostic value of this modality and especially the SWI in cases where the trauma mechanism does not correspond to the injury shown in the CT scan.

Outcome of craniocerebral gunshot injuries in the civilian population. Prognostic factors and treatment options.

AIM: Gunshot wounds to the head are rare in Europe. They may be inflicted by low-velocity handguns, captive bolt guns and tear gas cartridges and mostly result from suicide attempts. The experience of neurosurgeons with this kind of traumatic injury is decreasing; the aim of this study was therefore to analyse prognostic factors which help to decide whether or not to operate and to discuss treatment options. METHODS: Thirty patients with gunshot head injuries treated in our hospital from 1993 to 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, pupil reactivity, lesion localisation, number of bone fragments, intracranial pressure (ICP), midline shift, hypotension, and dural penetration were analysed for their prognostic value. Surgically and non-surgically treated patients were evaluated separately. Complications were registered. RESULTS: A low GCS of 3-8, fixed pupils, >2 bone fragments, bilobar or posterior fossa/brainstem lesions and ICP >45 mmHg were indicators of a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with a GCS of 3-8 and two non-reactive pupils should not be operated. If one or both of the pupils are reactive, surgery should be performed irrespective of the GCS score, except in patients with translobar/transventricular wounds. Even if there are no clear contraindications to surgery, the outcome is expected to be poor in patients with a low GCS score, midline shift >10 mm, >2 bone fragments in the brain, and a bilobar, posterior fossa/brainstem or ventricular lesion and ICP >45 mmHg. When surgery is performed the wound and the missile or bone track should be debrided meticulously, the wound and dura should be closed in a watertight fashion and antibiotic prophylaxis as well as tetanus serum should be given.

Acute subdural hematoma in the elderly; clinical and CT factors influencing the surgical treatment decision.

OBJECTIVE: Acute subdural hematomas (aSDH) are severe traumatic brain injuries. Older patients have a higher mortality rate. In the present study the computed tomography (CT) and neurological deficits caused by aSDH were used as prognostic factors to define the outcome and surgical treatment indication in older patients. METHODS: The affect of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on initial presentation, pupil abnormalities, parenchymal lesions, SDH-thickness, midline shift and intracranial pressure (ICP) in the outcome of older patients (>or=65 years old) admitted to our hospital between 1993 and 2006 with aSDH was evaluated. The outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). The data were collected retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Older patients have a high mortality after aSDH. A low GCS score (3-8), pupil abnormalities, the presence of contusions and subarachnoid bleeding, midline shift>aSDH thickness as well as a highly elevated ICP>40 mmHg are unfavorable factors in the prognosis of aSDH. CONCLUSION: Patients with a GCS of 13-15 can be observed clinically (the expected outcome is very good). Comatose patients (GCS 3-8) with bilateral dilatation of the pupils should not be operated (very high mortality rate). If the GCS score is <13 and both pupils or only one are reactive to light and the midline shift<10 mm, surgery is indicated. If the midline shift is >10 mm and aSDH thickness>midline shift, surgery is also indicated. If in the same patient group midline shift>SDH thickness and ICP>40 mmHg, surgery is not indicated.

Vertebral artery decompression in a patient with rotational occlusion.

We report a patient who suffered drop attacks during head reclination. Computer tomography of the cervical spine demonstrated a stenotic right vertebral artery at C4/5. However, Doppler ultrasonography of the vertebral artery showed no abnormality. Angiography confirmed complete occlusion of the left vertebral and a stenosis of the right vertebral artery. Dynamic angiography indicated occlusion of the stenotic region on the right side during reclination of the head. Surgery using a posterior approach with decompression of the vertebral artery, lead to an excellent outcome and the patient left the hospital without any symptoms. Therefore, in patients with drop attacks and normal ultrasonography, a stenosis of the vertebral artery caused by a spondylophytic compression could still be the cause. At worst, the stenosis could lead to brain infarction if left untreated. Dynamic angiography is crucial for the diagnosis and surgical decompression has excellent results.

Metastatic low-grade inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) in the central nervous system of a 29-year-old male patient.

A case of myofibrosarcoma (IMT) of the brain and lung as well as the spinal cord is described. A 29-year-old male patient presented with fever (40 degrees C), malaise, vomitus, meningism and leukocytosis. Computer tomography identified a bleeding in the left frontal lobe. A bleeding angioma was suspected and an operation was performed. The histological examination could not reveal an exact diagnosis. Eight months after complete recovery from the first bleeding, the patient had a second intracranial temporo-occipital bleeding on the right side which has been removed operatively. A new lesion was seen in the left parietal white matter of the brain. A growing cavernoma was suspected and resection of the lesion was planned. Pre-operatively the patient suffered from hemoptysis and fever. The X-ray of the chest showed a pulmonary lesion in the left lower lobe. In the CT of the chest a large tumor in the left lower lobe of the lung and additionally a cystic structure in the mediastinum was seen. The histological examination of this tumor identified an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). The left parietal lesion has been resected after the thoracic operation. The brain lesions were estimated to be metastases of the IMT of the lung. In the further clinical history the patient developed a large spinal cord metastasis of the thoracic spine. The metastatic development of the tumor reported in this case is unusual. The current therapy of these tumors consists of complete tumor resection and further clinical controls. However, due to the localization and the extension of some lesions in the present case, the complete resection has not been possible. There is no proven role of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The patient died due to the pulmonary deterioration.

The presence of antibodies against virus-like particles of epidermodysplasia verruciformis-associated humanpapillomavirus type 8 in patients with actinic keratoses.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis-associated human papillomaviruses (EV-HPVs) are possibly involved in the development of actinic keratoses and may play a part in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, as the DNA of these viruses is frequently detected in biopsies of such lesions. Properly designed epidemiological studies, using serological tests to investigate the role of infection with EV-HPVs in cutaneous oncogenesis, are still rare. An IgG-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using virus-like particles composed of the major capsid protein L1 of the EV-specific HPV 8 (HPV 8 VLPs) was developed and used to test the seroprevalence of HPV 8 in 114 inhabitants of a tropical island, of whom 13 had developed SCC, and 19 had developed basal cell carcinoma. Gender, age, eye and hair colour, sun exposure and number of actinic keratoses were recorded for all individuals. The presence of antibodies against HPV 8 VLPs was associated with the development of large numbers of actinic keratoses. After adjusting for gender, age, eye and hair colour, and sun exposure, the odds ratio to develop 37 (the median in this dataset) or more actinic keratoses in the presence of antibodies against HPV 8 VLPs was 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.0; 5.3). Similarly, after adjustment for the same factors, the presence of these antibodies was associated with SCC with an odds ratio of 3.1 (0.74; 13.3), but the small number of individuals with SCC does not permit any definite conclusions. The presence of these antibodies did not appear to be associated with basal cell carcinoma as, after adjustment for the same factors, the odds ratio was 0.73 (0.23; 2.4). This study provides serological evidence that infection with EV-HPVs may play a part in the pathogenesis of actinic keratoses. The role of EV-HPVs in the development of SCC, however, remains to be elucidated.

Prevalence of antibodies against virus-like particles of Epidermodysplasia verruciformis-associated HPV8 in patients at risk of skin cancer.

There is increasing evidence for widespread occurrences of infection with Epidermodysplasia verruciformis-related human papillomaviruses, both in the general population and in immunosuppressed patients. In order to test for the prevalence of antibodies directed against the native L1 epitopes exposed on the surface of the virions, we have established an IgG-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with L1 virus-like particles of the Epidermodysplasia verruciformis-specific human papillomavirus 8 as antigen to screen 567 representative serum samples from the general population and immunosuppressed/dermatologic patients. Among healthy European donors (n = 210), 7.6% were found to be seropositive. In a group of renal transplant recipients (n = 185) the antibody prevalence was elevated to 21.1%, irrespective of the presence or absence of skin cancer. High positivity rates could be detected among (i) immunocompetent patients with nonmelanoma skin tumors (45.6%, n = 79) and (ii) Psoralene/UVA treated psoriasis patients (42.9%, n = 42). In contrast, anti-human papillomavirus 8-virus-like particle antibodies were found in only 6.8% of Hodgkin lymphoma patients (n = 44).