The role of decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of uncontrollable post-traumatic intracranial hypertension.

The benefit of decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of uncontrolled post-traumatic intracranial hypertension seems to be encouraging if medical management fails. We present our experience in 22 cases of cerebral edema due to head trauma. The edema alone was rarely the direct consequence of head trauma. Frequently it was associated with an acute subdural or extradural hematoma and contusion (with or without mass effect). First of all we treated the mass effect of the hematoma and contusion when the diameter was more than 3 cm. Intracranial pressure was monitored in the majority of patients. Bone decompression was performed in the operating theatre depending on the values of intracranial pressure. In our series 41% of patients had a good recovery, 18% a severe disability, 23% a vegetative state and 18% died. The findings showed that the bony decompression must be performed early before the situation becomes irreversible. We suggest that if intracranial pressure values remain greater than 30 mmHg with cerebral perfusion pressure below 70 mmHg, despite vigorous anti-edema therapy, decompressive craniectomy should be considered.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a lumbosacral intradural-extramedullary mass.

The subject of this paper is a 2-year-old child with progressive paraparesis. MRI showed a large lumbosacral intradural-extramedullary mass and the histological diagnosis was Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The histopathological and neuroradiological findings are discussed.

Osteoma of the frontoethmoidal sinuses: craniofacial resection and reconstructive strategy.

Frontoethmoidal involvement by benign tumors may lead to aesthetic and functional sequelae. The key for removal of such lesions is a proper planned craniofacial approach based on the preoperative evaluation. If total extirpation requires resection of part of the forehead or orbit, immediate reconstruction is mandatory. In recent years, craniofacial techniques and strategies have become popular. Among these are the use of split cranial bone, rotation of skull bones, the use of galeal-pericranial flaps, and the introduction of internal rigid fixation. We present a case of frontoethmoidal osteoma treated with a combined craniofacial approach. For the reconstruction, modern principles of craniofacial surgery have been applied.

Frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele. A one-stage correction, reconstruction, and plating by means of the micro system.

This case report on one stage surgical treatment of meningoencephalocele offers the opportunity for a revision of the most recent trends expressed by other authors on this topic. Surgical technique involved a system of rigid fixations by means of microplates which, according to our experience in other cases, is particularly advisable in pediatric age. We find that the simultaneous utilization of calvarial bone grafts facilitates a better reconstruction of the cranial base, and also offers greater stability in results.

Trigeminal evoked potentials in patients undergoing percutaneous microcompression of gasserian ganglion.

22 patients undergoing percutaneous microcompression of Gasserian ganglion for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia were monitored intraoperatively by means of trigeminal evoked potentials (TEPs). The second trigeminal branch was stimulated at the maxillary foramen; evoked responses were recorded using subcutaneous electrodes placed over the scalp. TEPs presented several short-latency waves (called W1, W2, W3, P4, N5, P6, N10) which are generated before and after the ganglion (W1, W2, W3), in the brain stem (P4, N5, P6) and possibly in the cortex (N10); other waves occur within 150 ms after the stimulus (late waves). During compression, W1 did not change, while W2 and W3 as well as P4, N5, P6, N10 and late waves decreased in amplitude: this pattern was noted in the patients who presented with pain relief during the follow-up period. On the contrary, the patients who suffered from pain recurrence did not show similar intraoperative TEP changes. In conclusion, intraoperative TEP derangements may be related to the effectiveness of the compression on the Gasserian ganglion.

Pressure monitoring inside Meckel's cave during percutaneous microcompression of gasserian ganglion.

During percutaneous microcompression of the gasserian ganglion for the relief of trigeminal neuralgia, a computerized technique for monitoring the pressure inside Meckel's cave was employed in 22 patients. A dedicated transducer connected to a computer records the balloon inflation pressure. Its variations are discernible within tenths of a bar and are plotted in relation to time. The intraoperative pressure inside Meckel's cave is from 0.9 to 2.4 bars. When pressure was low, there was recurrence of pain. The highest values of pressure (1.9-2.4 bars) were observed in most of the patients suffering from untoward side effects. The clinical results seem to be influenced by the level of the intraoperative intracavitary pressure.

[Cranio-facial resections]. / Resezioni cranio-facciali.

Four basic steps should be considered in craniofacial tumor surgery: dismantling and re-assembling of preservable bone structures to reach the tumor; en bloc resection of the "box" in malignancies (i.e., the unaffected boundaries surrounding and including the tumor), internal rigid fixation and, reconstruction by using whenever possible regional structures. In benign tumors and so-called pseudotumors, the treatment is total removal and immediate reconstruction of all structures, including the bone. The primary goal of craniofacial surgery for malignancies is to create an entrance to the box that is to be resected. This necessitates the dismantling and reassembly of some uninvolved skeletal structures. Among these are the nose, the maxilla, the nose and maxilla en bloc, the nose and the maxilla bilaterally to the mandible. The introduction of internal rigid fixation by using plates and screws has facilitated the realignment of the pedicled bone fragments in a correct position. After cranial base resection, the communication between neuro- and splanchno-cranium must be closed with viable flaps. Many techniques have been described. The horizontal forehead flap is certainly effective but results in a significant secondary defect. Where there is an orbital resection en bloc with the cranial base, the temporalis muscle flap is effective in providing vascularized coverage and simultaneously obliterating the orbital cavity. The galeal frontal flap is versatile and easy to use. It has been used to cover anterior and lateral defects with good results. The orbit is another area that requires immediate reconstruction so that there is no resulting external defect. The temporalis muscle flap, with or without a skin island, can be used to repair it. Distant flaps can likewise be used. If the resection includes the maxilla, reconstruction of the defect can be performed immediately, or it can be delayed. The authors prefer to use the temporalis muscle flap if it has not already been used. On the basis of 10 years of experience in craniofacial surgery the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. Craniofacial surgery is not a single concept. Therefore, the surgeon who deals with facial tumors involving the cranial base must have expertise in the entire field. Oncology must be part of his basic biological education. 2. Complications functional and aesthetic consequences are minimal if some basic principles are applied, both in the resection and the primary reconstructive phase. 3. In the past few years, surgical techniques have been modified and improved considerably, resulting in an operation that combines an excellent approach, oncological resection, low postoperative morbidity, good aesthetic results and improved prognosis.

Computed tomography of epidural fibrosis after discectomy: a comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

The evaluation of patients with symptoms recurrent after disc surgery is a difficult diagnostic problem. The most common causes are recurrent herniation and postoperative scarring; routine x-ray and myelographic differentiation between herniation and scarring is difficult or impossible. High resolution computed tomography (CT) has shown some results in the evaluation of postoperative patients, but the role of epidural fibrosis in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is not clear. Some knowledge of the "normal" CT physiological healing and scarring after disc surgery is necessary. We scanned 20 asymptomatic operated patients and 20 patients with recurrent sciatic nerve pain after disc surgery who did not have bony stenosis, recurrent disc herniation, or other causes of FBSS. Our observations showed no important differences in the fibrosis demonstrated by CT between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The degree and type of fibrosis are not related to recurrent symptoms.

Isolated fracture of occipital condyle. Case report.

Fractures of the occipital condyle occur very rarely. Plain cervical spine films are not able to detect them. Tomography and CT scan of atlanto-occipital joint are, in these cases, very important. The Authors report a case of a young girl who had a head trauma associated to a fracture of the right occipital condyle. The value of CT and tomography are emphasized.

Computed tomography after lumbar disc surgery: a comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

The evaluation of patients with recurrent symptoms after lumbar disc surgery, is a difficult diagnostic problem. The causes of failure may include recurrent disc herniation, postoperative scarring, arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, infection and mechanical instability. The most common causes are recurrent herniation and postoperative scarring; the routine x-ray and myelographic differentiation between them is difficult or impossible. High resolution CT has shown some results in the evaluation of the postoperative patients. It requires some knowledge of CT findings of "normal" pictures of the physiologic healing and scarring after disc surgery. We scanned 30 asymptomatic operated patients and 30 patients with recurrent sciatic nerve pain after disc surgery. From our observations result that it is quite impossible to distinguish "normal" scar from asymptomatic fibrosis. The degree and type of fibrosis are not related to recurrent symptoms.

Our experiences in early aneurysm operations: a preliminary report.

Twenty-seven patients affected by ruptured aneurysms and operated on within three days of the first haemorrhage, are presented. At operation 22 patients were graded I-II; a six months follow-up showed a 22% mortality rate. Five patients were graded III-IV at operation and none survived. The results of early operation in our series are examined and discussed. In our opinion it is necessary to know the results of other larger series in order to obtain a final evaluation of early operations on aneurysms.

Sclerosing orbital pseudotumor.

Sclerosing orbital pseudotumor is a particular type of idiopathic inflammatory process, frequently located at the orbital apex. Both from clinical and from instrumental examination the diagnosis of these forms is difficult. The ineffectiveness of steroid treatment and the progressive visual loss in these patients favors surgical exploration. We report on 5 patients who underwent exploration yielding the diagnosis of sclerosing orbital pseudotumor. Surgery allowed correct histological diagnosis and improvement of ocular symptoms.

The posterior approach to cervical rizopathy.

The posterior approach to cervical rizopathy is a widely acquired technique; however only recently it encountered more favorable consideration. After a brief review of the literature, the Authors present some details of surgical approach, discuss its value and its limits with a comment on their own series.

Radical excision of a craniobasal tumor involving the middle cranial fossa. Technical note.

Craniobasal tumors affecting the middle cranial fossa are rarely treated radically; the main problem to solve is the presence of important nervous and vascular structures in this region. The Authors report a case of complete removal of a malignant tumor involving the temporal bone and the middle cranial fossa. Surgery was performed by the cooperation of the neurosurgical and the ENT teams.

Aneurysm of azygos anterior cerebral artery.

A case of an aneurysm of an azygos anterior cerebral artery operated on successfully is reported. The embryo-genetic features of this rare vascular malformation and the diagnostic and surgical problems are discussed.

Aneurysms of anterior cerebral artery: a review of a personal series.

In this paper we report a series of 9 patients with ACA aneurysms successfully operated on. Their incidence, anatomical location, clinical signs, surgical approach and results are reviewed.

Breathing alterations in head injured patients.

Breathing abnormalities in patients affected by acute cerebral damage are herein studied as neurological signs of localizing value for the neurological diagnosis of the level of the lesion. Incidence and types of abnormal breathing pattern correlate with neurological syndromes, and in a given neurological syndrome the presence of these alterations entails a more severe outcome. Tachypnea shows the most significant correlations from a diagnostic and prognostic point of view.