Comparative analysis of the risk factors influencing recovery of function from Oculomotor nerve Palsy in unruptured and ruptured Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

AIM: Few studies have analyzed and compared the risk factors responsible for the recovery of function from oculomotor nerve palsy (OMNP) between cases with unruptured and ruptured posterior communicating artery (PCOM) aneurysms. We also have assessed these risk factors and simultaneously compared the benefits of procedures (clipping vs. coiling) in the recovery of function from OMNP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the 225 cases of aneurysm treated in our department between July 2018 and February 2020, 25 patients with PCOM aneurysm with OMNP (unruptured: n = 13; ruptured: n = 12) were retrospectively analysed . RESULTS: The average duration from onset of symptoms to treatment in unruptured PCOM aneurysm cases was 13.33 ± 3.76 days compared with 7.41 ± 2.42 days in ruptured aneurysm cases. Moreover, an 80% improvement was observed when OMNP was treated within 17 days with the earliest improvement noticed in 33.05 ± 18.75 days in unruptured aneurysm cases compared with 39.66 ± 31.75 days in ruptured PCOM aneurysm cases. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the type of aneurysm (better recovery in unruptured aneurysm cases) was a significant risk factor (p = 0.0126), but not the procedure (clipping vs. coiling) performed, for function recovery from OMNP. CONCLUSION: Patients with unruptured PCOM aneurysms with OMNP have a better recovery rate than those with ruptured PCOM aneurysms. No procedural (clipping vs. coiling) advantages were observed on the recovery of function from OMNP. Transmitted pulsation reduction significantly affects the recovery of function from OMNP.

Giant Calcified Cavernous Hemangioma Managed with Modified Double Concentric Craniotomy.

Giant calcified cavernous hemangioma is uncommon, and calvarial invasion with intracranial extension and dural breach is rare. Radiological resemblance to lesions like meningioma is unreported. Surgical excision of such lesions is technically challenging. A 35-year-old female presented with recurrent generalized tonic-clonic seizures for 2 years. Imaging suggested a highly vascular lesion arising from the skull, mimicking intraosseous meningioma, sarcoma, metastases, and so on. Double concentric craniotomy was done with lifting of bones separately around sinuses with radial cuts of dura to visualize tumor-cortical interface to safeguard neurovascular structures, and complete excision was achieved. Histopathology was suggestive of calcified cavernous hemangioma. The patient was asymptomatic at 1 year of follow-up.Differentiating angiomatous and intraosseous meningioma from calcifying giant hemangioma and other mimicking lesions may be difficult on imaging. Modified double concentric craniotomy, although used uncommonly, can be a useful technique safeguarding the neurovascular structures in its proximity.

Modification of neurosurgical practice during corona pandemic: Our experience at AIIMS patna and long term guidelines.

BACKGROUND: First case of covid-19 was confirmed on 30th January 2020 in India. Our state, Bihar reported its first confirmed case of covid on 22nd march 2020 at AIIMS Patna. For safety, Electives surgeries and outpatient department was suspended temporary since 25th March. Standard operating procedure (SOP) was framed for covid suspected, covid positive and negative patients. Neurosurgery department formulated their own strategy for successful and covid free management of neurosurgical patients along with zero transmission rate among doctors and staff. METHODS: All Neurosurgical patients who got attended, admitted and operated from 25th March to 30th June 2020 (Period of lockdown) were taken in this study. Categorizations of the patients were done according to the urgency and elective nature of pathology after corona screening and RT-PCR testing of covid-19. A proper training to all neurosurgical staff and residents were given for management of patients (admission to operation to discharge). RESULTS: Total 133 patients were attended and 90 were admitted. We operated 76 cases (major - 52, minor - 24) during the lockdown period. Out of this 2 were corona positive (both eventually succumbed) and rest 74 was corona negative. One patient who was operated with corona negative report became positive after 10 days of surgery inward. All the residents, faculty and nursing staff remain asymptomatic throughout the lockdown period with zero infection rate and zero transmission rate. CONCLUSION: Following a properly made standard operating procedure and strictly implementing it can avoid any type of misadventure in neurosurgery during corona pandemic.