Malignant bihemispheric cerebral edema after cranioplasty - An extension of the Monro-Kellie doctrine and predictive factors.

Background: Several changes in normal pressure dynamics on the brain occur with a decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty. Dead space volume is an important factor contributing to intracranial volume postcranioplasty. A decrease in this volume due to negative suction drain along with relative negative pressure on the brain with the loss of external atmospheric pressure may lead to fatal cerebral edema. Case Description: A 52-year-old gentleman with a 210 mL volume and middle cerebral artery territory infarction underwent an emergency craniectomy and 6 months later a titanium mold cranioplasty. Precranioplasty computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation revealed a sunken skin flap with a 9 mm contralateral midline shift. Immediately following an uneventful surgery, the patient had sudden fall in blood pressure to 60/40 mmHg and over a few min had dilated fixed pupils. CT revealed severe diffuse cerebral edema in bilateral hemispheres with microhemorrhages and expansion of the sunken right gliotic brain along with ipsilateral ventricular dilatation. Despite undergoing a contralateral decompressive craniectomy due to the midline shift toward the right, the outcome was fatal. Conclusion: Careful preoperative risk assessment in cranioplasty and close monitoring postprocedure is crucial, especially in malnourished, poststroke cases, with a sinking skin flap syndrome, and a long interval between decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty. Elective preventive measures and a low threshold for CT scanning and removal of the bone flap or titanium mold are recommended.

The Honorable "Honorary system" in teaching/university public hospitals - An ideal blend of academics and prosperity for the medical professional.

The options available for a specialist in India today can be broadly divided into joining a public teaching institution in the capacity of lecturer or higher, freelancing, and taking up a full-time corporate position. Whereas public teaching institutions have an abundance of academics, skill and mastery development potential, corporate positions and freelancing offer better monetary stability. From an ideal blend of both systems, stems the honorary system. This article elaborates on and exemplifies the same with several doyens who have been involved, and have been a product of the honorable "honorary system."

Migrainous facial palsy (MFP): the introduction of a new concept of neurovascular conflict and its preliminary clinical evidence.

BACKGROUND: Facial palsy and migraine have frequently been reported to occur in conjunction. We report a case series and propound a theory to explain the same. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To postulate an anatomico-pathophysiological association in the causative factor of lower motor neuron type of facial palsy in cases with migraine without aura. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preliminary experiences and observations in 12 cases suffering from facial palsy following an attack of migraine without aura, mainly in the occipital and posterior auricular region, are elaborated. RESULTS: Facial palsy occurred on the ipsilateral side as the headaches in a majority of the cases (83.33%) and in rare cases of bilateral headaches (16.67%), it lateralised to the side the headaches were more severe. In most of these cases (75%), a complete clinical recovery was noted within 6 months. CONCLUSION: We concluded that neurogenic inflammation of the facial nerve trunk caused by its proximity to the dilated posterior auricular/stylomastoid/occipital and superficial temporal arteries during a migraine attack leads to a temporary lower motor neuron type of paresis of the muscles supplied by the facial nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: This pathophysiological understanding of the disease mechanism could open new avenues as to the treatment of this condition. This proposition indicates in clearer light than before, a possible mechanism to explain the higher incidence and risk of facial palsy in migraineurs.

Transtentorial Brain Herniation After Lumbar Drainage in Patient Planned for Cranioplastic Reconstruction: Catastrophic Play Between Atmospheric and Intracranial Pressure.

BACKGROUND: The sinking skin flap syndrome, also known as the syndrome of the trephined or the trephination syndrome, occurs in patients who have undergone a decompressive craniectomy. As opposed to this, persistent brain herniation also occurs in patients after a decompressive craniectomy and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage procedure is one of the therapies used to reduce it. A continuous lumbar CSF drainage procedure can upset the pressure dynamics of the atmosphere versus intracranial pressures to a point of fatal clinical deterioration and hence needs to be closely monitored. CASE DESCRIPTION: Our case report speaks of persistent brain herniation in which drainage of CSF led to a trephination syndrome, which was reversed once again, by measures to increase CSF production and intracranial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Timely intervention eventually led to a favorable outcome and avoidance of a catastrophy.

Ultra-extended euthermic pulsed radiofrequency for the treatment of ophthalmic neuralgia: A case report with elaboration of a new technique.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed radiofrequency although present for many years has been used little compared to ablative procedures for pain relief. Its use in trigeminal neuralgia is sparse and unreported in the ophthalmic division, where the possibility of sensory loss can lead to high morbidity. We wished to explore the potential of this reportedly safe modality for a prolonged duration in a highly sensitive anatomic neural location, however, in a very secure, structured, and staged manner. CASE DESCRIPTION: A patient suffering from ophthalmic division (V1) medically uncontrolled neuralgia with a preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score of 9/10 was subjected to a percutaneous pain relief procedure. The patient was treated with prolonged duration pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for 40 min, with corneal sensation monitoring under conscious sedation keeping a low voltage (7 V) and tip temperature at 37°C. The patient obtained immediate relief, which was verified on the operation table itself. Postoperative VAS score of 0/10 was recorded. More than 6 months after the procedure, the patient is completely free from neuralgic pain and continues to have a VAS score of 0/10. CONCLUSION: As opposed to conventional PRF where mostly a tip temperature of 42°C and high voltage have been used for 2 to a maximum of 8 min, PRF with a tip temperature of 37°C and a safe voltage of 7 V over an ultra-extended duration of 40 min can give a more distinct and effective but equally safe result. Although our case verified the safety and efficacy of prolonged duration PRF in sensitive anatomic locations, more studies are warranted for establishing this as a standard line of treatment. The specific use of PRF in ophthalmic division neuralgia in the manner described in our case report has hitherto not been reported in medical literature and will open a new vista in the minimally invasive treatment of this disease.

Intraventricular tuberculoma.

A 38-year-old female presented with headaches, fever, and malaise. Computed tomography showed an intraventricular peripheral ring-enhanced lesion with central necrosis. The lesion was totally excised. Histological examination revealed a tuberculoma. The patient was treated with antituberculous chemotherapy. The patient was asymptomatic at 9 months. Ventricular involvement in neurotuberculosis is rare, but should be considered in the presence of other indicators of tuberculous infection.

Flare up of tuberculous abscess following stereotactic aspiration--case report.

A 16-year-old non-immunocompromised and otherwise healthy patient presented with a tuberculous brain abscess. The abscess was aspirated stereotactically. Following the aspiration the disease process flared up and multiple daughter abscess cavities were discovered. The daughter abscesses were removed via craniotomy. Stereotactic aspiration requires care to prevent such flare up of the disease.

Basilar invagination and Chiari malformation associated with cerebellar atrophy: report of two treated cases.

We report two patients with an unusual complex of anomalies wherein the basilar invagination and Chiari malformation was associated with marked cerebellar atrophy. Both patients presented with relatively severe lower cranial nerve deficits and showed clinical improvement following a posterior foramen magnum bony decompression. The pathogenesis of the anomalies is discussed and the rationale of treatment is analysed.