'Noises in the head': a prospective study to characterize intracranial sounds after cranial surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients often report sounds in the head after craniotomy. We aim to characterize the prevalence and nature of these sounds, and identify any patient, pathology, or technical factors related to them. These data may be used to inform patients of this sometimes unpleasant, but harmless effect of cranial surgery. METHODS: Prospective observational study of patients undergoing cranial surgery with dural opening. Eligible patients completed a questionnaire preoperatively and daily after surgery until discharge. Subjects were followed up at 14 days with a telephone consultation. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one patients with various pathologies were included. Of these, 47 (31 %) reported hearing sounds in their head, lasting an average 4-6 days (median, 4 days, mean, 6 days, range, 1-14 days). The peak onset was the first postoperative day and the most commonly used descriptors were 'clicking' [20/47 (43 %)] and 'fluid moving' in the head [9/47 (19 %)]. A significant proportion (42 %, 32/77) without a wound drain experienced intracranial sounds compared to those with a drain (20 %, 15/74, p < 0.01); there was no difference between suction and gravity drains. Approximately a third of the patients in both groups (post-craniotomy sounds group: 36 %, 17/47; group not reporting sounds: 31 %, 32/104), had postoperative CT scans for unrelated reasons: 73 % (8/11) of those with pneumocephalus experienced intracranial sounds, compared to 24 % (9/38) of those without pneumocephalus (p < 0.01). There was no significant association with craniotomy site or size, temporal bone drilling, bone flap replacement, or filling of the surgical cavity with fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Sounds in the head after cranial surgery are common, affecting 31 % of patients. This is the first study into this subject, and provides valuable information useful for consenting patients. The data suggest pneumocephalus as a plausible explanation with which to reassure patients, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence, as has been the case to date.

Germinoma recurrence in the conus medullaris 12 years after remission of primary intracranial lesion in the pituitary.

Intracranial germinomas are rare primary central nervous system tumours that are highly sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recurrences are infrequent, with the majority occurring within 5 years. Although multidisciplinary treatments have resulted in good event-free survival, long-term outcomes, over decades, are relatively poorly reported. We present a rare case of a recurrence in the conus medullaris 12 years after complete remission of the primary pituitary germinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first case of a significantly delayed spinal recurrence, occurring at a very distant and uncommon site, from the primary tumour. This case highlights the importance of long-term follow-up, even after complete remission, in order to identify and limit disability from late spinal recurrences in a relatively young patient population. We consider the literature regarding identifying high risk patients, and the role of craniospinal irradiation in limiting late spinal recurrences.

Trends in hospital admissions and surgical procedures for degenerative lumbar spine disease in England: a 15-year time-series study.

OBJECTIVES: Low back pain (LBP), from degenerative lumbar spine disease, represents a significant burden on healthcare resources. Studies worldwide report trends attributable to their country's specific demographics and healthcare system. Considering England's specific medico-socioeconomic conditions, we investigate recent trends in hospital admissions and procedures for LBP, and discuss the implications for the allocation of healthcare resources. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics data relating to degenerative lumbar spine disease in England, between 1999 and 2013. Regression models were used to analyse trends. OUTCOME MEASURES: Trends in the number of admissions and procedures for LBP, mean patient age, gender and length of stay. RESULTS: Hospital admissions and procedures have increased significantly over the study period, from 127.09 to 216.16 and from 24.5 to 48.83 per 100,000, respectively, (p<0.001). The increase was most marked in the oldest age groups with a 1.9 and 2.33-fold increase in admissions for patients aged 60-74 and ≥ 75 years, respectively, and a 2.8-fold increase in procedures for those aged ≥ 60 years. Trends in hospital admissions were characterised by a widening gender gap, increasing mean patient age, and decreasing mean hospital stay (p<0.001). Trends in procedures were characterised by a narrowing gender gap, increasing mean patient age (p=0.014) and decreasing mean hospital stay (p<0.001). Linear regression models estimate that each hospital admission translates to 0.27 procedures, per 100,000 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.30, r 0.99, p<0.001; r, Pearson's correlation coefficient). Hospital admissions are increasing at 3.5 times the rate of surgical procedures (regression gradient 7.63 vs 2.18 per 100,000/year). CONCLUSIONS: LBP represents a significant and increasing workload for hospitals in England. These trends demonstrate an increasing demand for specialists involved in the surgical and non-surgical management of this disease, and highlight the need for services capable of dealing with the increased comorbidity burden associated with an ageing patient group.