Hemorrhage of cerebral cavernous malformation in third trimester of pregnancy.

Cerebral cavernous malformation is a rare but important cause of cerebral hemorrhage in pregnancy and puerperium. In pregnancy, cavernomas can more easily bleed as a result of increased female hormones and growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor. We present the case of a pregnant woman who had been diagnosed with a cerebral cavernoma about ten years previously, after repeated headache episodes; at the 28th week of pregnancy the woman was hospitalized for epileptic seizures and active bleeding from the anterior cerebral artery. We describe the management of the case, the decision for a preterm delivery and for a resolutive neurosurgical procedure.

Vulvodynia: Pain Management Strategies.

Background: Vulvodynia is defined in this international consensus as persistent vulvar pain that occurs for >3 months without an identifiable cause and with several potential associated factors. At present there is no univocal consensus in the therapeutic treatment of vulvodynia. The methods of intervention are based on various aspects including, above all, the management of painful symptoms. Methods: a research on scientific database such as "Pubmed", "Medline Plus", "Medscape" was conducted, using the words "women's genital pain" and "vulvodynia" for the review of the scientific evidence on the assessment and treatment of women's genital pain. Results: Among the drugs with pain-relieving action, the most effective in the treatment of vulvodynia would seem to be those with antidepressant and anticonvulsant action, even if their mechanisms of action are not known and there are still insufficient studies able to demonstrate their real validity. Among the least effective are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. However, the ideal would seem to use a combined treatment with multiple types of drugs. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to draw up a unique therapeutic action plan that considers the stratification of patients with vulvodynia and the variability of the symptom.

Fatal Takotsubo syndrome in critical COVID-19 related pneumonia.

COVID-19 can involve several organs and systems, often with indirect and poorly clarified mechanisms. Different presentations of myocardial injury have been reported, with variable degrees of severity, often impacting on the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying cardiac damage in SARS-CoV-2 infection are under active investigation. We report the clinical and autopsy findings of a fatal case of Takotsubo Syndrome occurring in an 83-year-old patient with COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was admitted to Emergency Department with dyspnea, fever and diarrhea. A naso-pharyngeal swab test for SARS-CoV-2 was positive. In the following week his conditions worsened, requiring intubation and deep sedation. While in the ICU, the patient suddenly showed ST segment elevation. Left ventricular angiography showed decreased with hypercontractile ventricular bases and mid-apical ballooning, consistent with diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome. Shortly after the patient was pulseless. After extensive resuscitation maneuvers, the patient was declared dead. Autopsy revealed a subepicardial hematoma, in absence of myocardial rupture. On histology, the myocardium showed diffuse edema, multiple foci of contraction band necrosis in both ventricles and occasional coagulative necrosis of single cardiac myocytes. Abundant macrophages CD68+ were detected in the myocardial interstitium. The finding of diffuse contraction band necrosis supports the pathogenic role of increased catecholamine levels; the presence of a significant interstitial inflammatory infiltrate, made up by macrophages, remains of uncertain significance.

Cerebral cavernous malformation: Management and outcome during pregnancy and puerperium. A systematic review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral cavernomas malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations that occur with an incidence of 0,4-0,8 % in general population. The most feared complication is cerebral hemorrhage. Currently there are no guidelines for pregnant women with CCMs. Some authors claimed that many physiological changes related to pregnancy could be linked to an high risk of rupture and bleeding of the cerebral cavernoma. However, more recent studies highlight that the presence of cerebral cavernomatosis is not a contraindication for pregnancy and that the risk of bleeding is similar in pregnant and in non-pregnant women. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of our work is to analyze, through the study of controversial findings in literature, all the information currently available trying to establish a common approach for management of women with cerebral cavernomatosis in pregnancy, during childbirth and in the puerperium. FINDINGS: In accordance with existing literature, pregnancy does not appear to be a significant risk factor for the worsening of clinical manifestations associated with the presence of CCMs. Vaginal delivery is not contraindicated in patients with CCMs and there is no indication to perform cesarean section to reduce the incidence of hemorrhage. The only indication for neurosurgery of CCMs in pregnancy is the presence of rapidly progressive symptoms and should be postponed to the puerperium if arises after 30 weeks. The puerperium is a critical time for the woman with cavernomas for the possibility of bleeding and clinical observation must be continued. CONCLUSION: The patients with a diagnosis of a CCMs can have a pregnancy without any particular risk to themselves and the fetus but should be addressed to highly specialized obstetrics center to assesses the initial individual risk related to their pathology and to follow the pregnancy.

Diagnostic work up for language testing in patients undergoing awake craniotomy for brain lesions in language areas.

Awake craniotomy is the technique of choice in patients with brain tumours adjacent to primary and accessory language areas (Broca's and Wernicke's areas). Language testing should be aimed to detect preoperative deficits, to promptly identify the occurrence of new intraoperative impairments and to establish the course of postoperative language status. Aim of this case series is to describe our experience with a dedicated language testing work up to evaluate patients with or at risk for language disturbances undergoing awake craniotomy for brain tumour resection. Pre- and intra operative testing was accomplished with 8 tests. Intraoperative evaluation was accomplished when patients were fully cooperative (Ramsey < 3). Postoperative evaluation was scheduled at early (within 21 days) and long-term follow-up (3-6 months). Twenty consecutive patients were prospectively recruited. Preoperative language testings were normal in 9 patients (45%), showed mild to moderate language deficit in 8 (40%) and severe language deficit or aphasic disorders in 3 (15%). Broca's area was identified in 15 patients, in all cases by counting arrest during stimulation and in 12 cases by naming arrest. In this article we describe our experience using a language testing work up to evaluate - pre, intra and postoperatively - patients undergoing awake craniotomy for brain tumour resection with preoperative language disturbances or at risk for postoperative language deficits. This approach allows a systematic evaluation and recording of language function status and can be accomplished even when a neuropsychologist or speech therapist are not involved in the operation crew.

Transient facial nerve palsy after auriculotemporal nerve block in awake craniotomy patients.

In this case series, we describe transient postoperative facial nerve palsy in patients after awake craniotomy using selective scalp nerve blocks. In a 1-year period, 7 of the 42 patients receiving scalp nerve blocks at our institutions developed this complication. This is significant because there is only 1 previously reported case of postoperative facial nerve palsy related to scalp nerve blocks. The exact cause of transient postoperative facial nerve palsy after auriculotemporal nerve block is unknown and likely multifactorial. This technique may need to be refined to avoid such complications.

Training anesthesiology residents in providing anesthesia for awake craniotomy: learning curves and estimate of needed case load.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To measure the learning curves of residents in anesthesiology in providing anesthesia for awake craniotomy, and to estimate the case load needed to achieve a "good-excellent" level of competence. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room of a university hospital. SUBJECTS: 7 volunteer residents in anesthesiology. MEASUREMENTS: Residents underwent a dedicated training program of clinical characteristics of anesthesia for awake craniotomy. The program was divided into three tasks: local anesthesia, sedation-analgesia, and intraoperative hemodynamic management. The learning curve for each resident for each task was recorded over 10 procedures. Quantitative assessment of the individual's ability was based on the resident's self-assessment score and the attending anesthesiologist's judgment, and rated by modified 12 mm Likert scale, reported ability score visual analog scale (VAS). This ability VAS score ranged from 1 to 12 (ie, very poor, mild, moderate, sufficient, good, excellent). The number of requests for advice also was recorded (ie, resident requests for practical help and theoretical notions to accomplish the procedures). MAIN RESULTS: Each task had a specific learning rate; the number of procedures necessary to achieve "good-excellent" ability with confidence, as determined by the recorded results, were 10 procedures for local anesthesia, 15 to 25 procedures for sedation-analgesia, and 20 to 30 procedures for intraoperative hemodynamic management. CONCLUSIONS: Awake craniotomy is an approach used increasingly in neuroanesthesia. A dedicated training program based on learning specific tasks and building confidence with essential features provides "good-excellent" ability.

Potassium sparing diuretics as adjunct to mannitol therapy in neurocritical care patients with cerebral edema: effects on potassium homeostasis and cardiac arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Mannitol therapy to treat cerebral edema induces osmotic diuresis and electrolyte loss. In neurocritical care patients, potassium is the electrolyte that most often needs replacement. Objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding potassium sparing diuretic (canrenone) to mannitol therapy on potassium urinary excretion, potassium plasma levels, and incidence of new cardiac arrhythmias in patients receiving neurocritical care for cerebral edema. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were prospectively assigned to mannitol or mannitol plus i.v. canrenone. Potassium urinary excretion, potassium plasma levels, urinary volume, and the incidence of new cardiac arrhythmias were recorded during the first 8 days of therapy. RESULTS: In patients treated with mannitol the potassium urinary excretion was stable over the first 3 days and significantly increased, compared to baseline, on day 4th to 8th (baseline 20.3 ± 10.6 mEq/l/die, day 8th 24.6 ± 10.6 mEq/l/die, P < 0.05); while potassium plasma levels significantly decreased. In patients receiving mannitol plus canrenone potassium urinary excretion decreased from day 3rd to 8th (baseline 21.9 ± 11.6 mEq/l/die, day 8th 15.9 ± 10.9 mEq/l/die, P < 0.015) and potassium plasma levels increased but remained within normal values range. The incidence of new cardiac arrhythmias was higher in the mannitol group than the mannitol plus canrenone group (35.7 vs. 10.7%; P < 0.01). Urinary volumes, potassium balance, and sodium plasma concentration were similar in the 2 study groups. CONCLUSION: In patients receiving neurocritical care for cerebral edema, the adjunct of a potassium sparing diuretic (canrenone) to mannitol therapy reduces potassium urinary loss, prevents hypokalemia, and reduces the incidence of new cardiac arrhythmias.

Early postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium after anaesthesia with various hypnotics: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial--the PINOCCHIO trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium can result in increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, major demand for postoperative care and higher hospital costs. Hypnotics serve to induce and maintain anaesthesia and to abolish patients' consciousness. Their persisting clinical action can delay postoperative cognitive recovery and favour postoperative delirium. Some evidence suggests that these unwanted effects vary according to each hypnotic's specific pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics and its interaction with the individual patient.We designed this study to evaluate postoperative delirium rate after general anaesthesia with various hypnotics in patients undergoing surgical procedures other than cardiac or brain surgery. We also aimed to test whether delayed postoperative cognitive recovery increases the risk of postoperative delirium. METHODS/DESIGN: After local ethics committee approval, enrolled patients will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. In all patients anaesthesia will be induced with propofol and fentanyl, and maintained with the anaesthetics desflurane, or sevoflurane, or propofol and the analgesic opioid fentanyl.The onset of postoperative delirium will be monitored with the Nursing Delirium Scale every three hours up to 72 hours post anaesthesia. Cognitive function will be evaluated with two cognitive test batteries (the Short Memory Orientation Memory Concentration Test and the Rancho Los Amigos Scale) preoperatively, at baseline, and postoperatively at 20, 40 and 60 min after extubation.Statistical analysis will investigate differences in the hypnotics used to maintain anaesthesia and the odds ratios for postoperative delirium, the relation of early postoperative cognitive recovery and postoperative delirium rate. A subgroup analysis will be used to categorize patients according to demographic variables relevant to the risk of postoperative delirium (age, sex, body weight) and to the preoperative score index for delirium. DISCUSSION: The results of this comparative anaesthesiological trial should whether each the three hypnotics tested is related to a significantly different postoperative delirium rate. This information could ultimately allow us to select the most appropriate hypnotic to maintain anaesthesia for specific subgroups of patients and especially for those at high risk of postoperative delirium. REGISTERED AT TRIAL.GOV NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00507195.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction: toward the Alzheimer's disease pathomechanism hypothesis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic and progressive deterioration of memory and other cognitive domains, is the most common form of dementia. Because of related health and social impact, there is growing interest in assessing potential relationship between anesthesia and the onset and progression of chronic neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. Currently, preclinical and clinical research is addressed to identify underlying pathomechanisms, patient risk factors, and the use of the least provocative drugs and techniques, to minimize the incidence of chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Preclinical studies are providing an increasing body of evidences on some of the mechanisms that link anesthetics to neuronal programmed cell death (apoptosis) and accumulation of misfolded proteins in the aging brain. Therefore, risk factors and pathomechanisms of chronic neurodegenerative disorders, including AD, and persistent postoperative-postanesthesia cognitive dysfunction may overlap.