Minimally Invasive Neuroendoscopic Surgery for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Review of the Rationale and Associated Complications.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a poor prognosis. Its mortality rate exceeds 40%, and 10-15% of survivors remain fully dependent. Considering the limited number of effective therapeutic options in such cases, the possibilities for surgical interventions aimed at removal of a hematoma should always be borne in mind. Although conventional surgery for deep-seated ICH has failed to show an improvement in outcomes, use of minimally invasive techniques-in particular, neuroendoscopic procedures-may be more effective and has demonstrated promising results. Although there are certain risks of morbidities (including rebleeding, epilepsy, meningitis, infection, pneumonia, and digestive tract disorders) and a nonnegligible risk of mortality, their incidence rates after neuroendoscopic evacuation of ICH compare favorably with those after conventional surgery. Prevention of complications requires careful postoperative surveillance of the patient and, preferably, treatment in a neurointensive care unit, as well as early detection and appropriate management of associated comorbidities.

Modified Transpetrosal-Transtentorial Approach for Resection of Large and Giant Petroclival Meningioma: Technical Nuance and Surgical Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas arising from the petroclival area remain a challenge for neurosurgeons. Various approaches have been proposed to achieve maximum resection with minimal morbidity and mortality. Also, some articles correlated preservation of adjacent veins with less neurologic deficits. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences in using a new technique to achieve maximal resection of petroclival meningiomas and preserving the superior petrosal veins (SPVs) and the superior petrosal sinus (SPS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 26 patients harboring a true petroclival meningioma with a diameter ≥25 mm and undergoing surgery with the modified transpetrosal-transtentorial approach (MTTA) was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of 22 patients complained of severe headache at presentation. There was also complaint of cranial nerve (CN) deficit, with CN VII deficit being the most common (present in 42% of patients). The average tumor size (measured as maximum diameter) was 45.2 mm, and most of the tumors compressed the brainstem. Total resection was achieved in 12 patients (46.2%), whereas the others were excised subtotally (54.8%). Most of the patients had WHO grade I (96.1%) meningioma; only one had a grade II (3.8%) meningioma. In addition, clinical improvement and persistence of symptoms were observed in 17 (65.4%) and 8 (30.7%) patients, respectively, and postoperative permanent CN injury was observed in 3 (11.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: Using the MTTA, maximal resection with preservation of the CNs and neurovascular SPV-SPS complex can be achieved. Therefore, further studies and improvements of the technique are required to increase the total resection rate without neglecting the complications that may develop postoperatively.

Active Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) makes 60-70% of gliomas and 15% of primary brain tumors. Despite the availability of standard multimodal therapy, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years survival rate of GBM are still low. Active immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment option for GBM that seems promising. METHODS: An electronic database search on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov was performed to include all relevant studies. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Reported parameters are OS, PFS, AEs, post treatment KPS, and 2 year mortality. RESULTS: Active immunotherapy provided better OS (HR = .85; 95% CI = .71-1.01; P = .06) and PFS (HS = .83; 95% CI= .66 - 1.03; P = .11) side albeit not statistically significant. Active immunotherapy reduces the risk of 2 year mortality as much as 2.5% compared to control group (NNT and RRR was 56.7078 and 0,0258, respectively). CONCLUSION: Active immunotherapy might be beneficial in terms of survival rate in patients with GBM although not statistically significant. It could be a treatment option for GBM in the future.

Lifesaving Decompressive Craniectomy for High Intracranial Pressure Attributed to Deep-Seated Meningioma: Emergency Management.

OBJECTS: As the most common intracranial extra-axial tumor among adults who tend to grow slowly with minimal clinical manifestation, the patients with meningioma could also fall in neurological emergency and even life-threatening status due to high intracranial pressure (ICP). In those circumstances, decompressive craniectomy (DC) without definitive tumor resection might offer an alternative treatment to alleviate acute increasing of ICP. The current report defines criteria for the indications of lifesaving DC for high ICP caused by deep-seated meningioma as an emergency management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study collected the candidates from 2012 to 2018 at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sample included all meningioma patients who came to our ER who fulfilled the clinical (life-threatening decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS]) and radiography (deep-seated meningioma, midline shift in brain computed tomography [CT] >0.5 cm, and diameter of tumor >4 cm or tumor that involves the temporal lobe) criteria for emergency DC as a lifesaving procedure. GCS, midline shift, tumor diameter, and volume based on CT were evaluated before DC. Immediate postoperative GCS, time to tumor resection, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were also assessed postoperation. RESULTS: The study enrolled 14 patients, with an average preoperative GCS being 9.29 ± 1.38, whereas the mean midline shift was 15.84 ± 7.02 mm. The average of number of tumor's diameter and volume was 5.59 ± 1.44 cm and 66.76 ± 49.44 cc, respectively. Postoperation, the average time interval between DC and definitive tumor resection surgery was 5.07 ± 3.12 days. The average immediate of GCS postoperation was 10.07 ± 2.97, and the average GOS was 3.93 ± 1.27. CONCLUSION: When emergency tumor resection could not be performed due to some limitation, as in developing countries, DC without tumor resection possibly offers lifesaving procedure in order to alleviate acute increasing ICP before the definitive surgical procedure is carried out. DC might also prevent a higher risk of morbidity and postoperative complications caused by peritumoral brain edema.

Bilateral skull fracture with massive epidural hematoma secondary to pin-type head fixation in a pediatric patient: Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: A head fixation device containing pins is common equipment used in neurosurgical procedures. Previous reports analysed some of the complications associated with the application of this device for adults and children, even the indications for the use in pediatric are not well defined. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old girl diagnosed with non-communicating hydrocephalus, caused by posterior fossa tumor. During the surgery, complications were found in the form of acute epidural hematoma due to head fixation pins. So, the operation was stopped. Emergent CT scan was carried out and showed a bilateral skull fracture and a massive right-sided epidural hematoma. An emergency craniotomy for clot removal was performed and five days later, a second surgery was carried out uneventfully for the residual tumor. The patient fully recovered after the second surgery. DISCUSSION: Complications due to the use of a pin head fixation are easier to occur in pediatric patients, because the bones are thinner and need more carefull strategy when pinning. With promp identification of any complications and earlier treatment, the good outcome will be achieved. We compared our case report with published literature in order to suggest the way to prevent this complication. CONCLUSION: Skull fractures and associated epidural hematomas in pediatric patients need to be considered as possible complications of the pin-type head fixation application. The head fixation devices in pediatric need to be used with great caution and knowing the risk factors, safe technique for application and management of complications will prevent worse outcome.

Role of Hypertonic Sodium Lactate in Traumatic Brain Injury Management.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) following increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a neuroemergency case which should be managed promptly to prevent secondary brain injury. This will lead to a condition called cerebral energy dysfunction which is an important determinant factor toward worse outcome. Lactate, which was historically known as an end waste product, now is considered as an alternative cerebral energetic fuel. Hypertonic sodium lactate (HSL) is a promising hyperosmolar fluid which serves not only to decrease ICP but also to readily supply exogenous lactate to fulfill increased cerebral energy demand. Pioneer studies have shown the harmlessness and usefulness of HSL in treating pathological condition including TBI.

Interhemispheric and Infratentorial Subdural Empyema with Preseptal Cellulitis as Complications of Sinusitis: A Case Report.

Intracranial complications of paranasal sinusitis have become rare due to the use of antibiotics nowadays. However, several cases have been reported due the ability of paranasal sinusitis to cause serious complications. Once the infection spreads over the cranial structure, it could infect the orbits, underlying bones, meninges, adjacent veins, and brain. Subdural empyema is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication following paranasal sinusitis and should be considered as a neurological emergency. The location where subdural empyema may appear is a challenge in diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a 17-year-old boy who presented in a state of somnolence due to interhemispheric and infratentorial subdural empyema with preseptal cellulitis secondary to pansinusitis. Early diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic treatment combined with neurosurgical operation were mandatorily implemented. The case was managed using a multidisciplinary approach including the ENT, eye, and nutrition departments. The boy achieved clinical improvement, with impairment of eye movement as the only persistent symptom before discharge. Daily supervision at the primary health care center with continuous antibiotic treatment was recommended to the patient. Pertinent literature with controversies in the management of subdural empyema will be briefly discussed in this case report.