Risk factors of deterioration in patients of head injury with non-operative management on first neurosurgical consultation.

Objectives: In most of the emergency trauma intensive care units (ICUs) of India, neurosurgical opinion is sought for patients presenting with head trauma after earliest possible resuscitation to determine the further line of management. This study aimed to identify common risk factors, leading to neurological deterioration in conservatively managed patients of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients admitted with acute TBI and traumatic intracranial hematoma under emergency trauma care ICU who did not require neurosurgical operation within 48 h of trauma. The recorded data were analyzed to determine the predictors of neurological deterioration using univariate and binary logistic regression analysis in SPSS-16 software. Results: Medical records of consecutive 275 patients of acute TBI presenting to the emergency department were studied. One hundred and ninety-three patients were afflicted with mild TBI (70.18%), 49 patients had moderate TBI (17.81%), and 33 had severe TBI (12%). In the outcome, 74.54% of patients were discharged, and operative decision was made on 6.18% of patients and 19.27% died. Severe TBI is the independent predictor of neurological deterioration during their stay in ICU. Progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) showed neurological deterioration in 86.5% of patients. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was present in 93.5% of patients who had deteriorated neurologically. Dyselectrolytemia was the biochemical derangements seen in 24.36% of cases. Conclusion: This study revealed severe TBI, PHI, and SIRS to be strong and independent risk factors of neurological deterioration.

Anchoring the Temporalis Muscle with an Intact Fascial Layer Along the Superior Temporal Line in Pterional Craniotomy: A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: Manipulation of the temporalis muscle during pterional and frontotemporal approaches poses major cosmetic and functional issues postoperatively. The temporalis muscle has usually been secured in its normal position using implants or by leaving a thin rim of muscle and fascia attached along the superior temporal line. In the present report, we have described a pure tissue-based method of anchoring the intact temporalis muscle precisely along the superior temporal line. METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive cases of pterional or frontotemporal craniotomy were performed by single surgeon (SKR). A subfascial dissection technique was used to expose the transition zone of the frontal pericranium with the temporalis fascia. These were then separated by sharp dissection along the superior temporal line at which the muscle is attached. The temporalis muscle and fascia were repositioned during closure, precisely at their original anatomical location by passing multiple anchoring sutures along the free edge of the muscle and fascia lying along the superior temporal line. RESULTS: Temporalis muscle reattachment was achieved in all 30 cases with good cosmesis and functional outcome without temporalis muscle-related complications at 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The approximation of sutures running through the free edge of the temporalis muscle with intact fascia along the superior temporal line from anteriorly to posteriorly restored the muscle and fascial layer to its original position. Avoidance of the formation of any potential dead space during surgical exposure will prevent periorbital edema and/or subgaleal collection postoperatively. The described inexpensive technique avoids implant-related complications, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. A comparative study is needed to establish the superiority of this procedure over other techniques.

Cervico Medullary Junction "Intramedullary Schwannoma" Masquerading As Glioma: A Surprise During Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary schwannomas (IS) at cervicomedullary junction (CMJ) are exceedingly uncommon. There is hardly any clinicoradiological marker for preoperative diagnosis and prognostication. CASE: We report a case of a 17-year-old boy with progressive spastic quadriparesis of six months duration. On radiology, there was a contrast-enhancing lesion expanding the cord extending from the medulla to C5 level. During surgery, the cord was expanded and the tumor was eccentric. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were suggestive of schwannoma. In view of the ill-defined plane of separation from the normal neural tissue, only subtotal resection could be achieved. CONCLUSION: Schwannoma should be considered as a remote differential of intramedullary lesions. The extent of resection should be tailored according to the plane of dissection and intraoperative neuromonitoring guidance. Though a masquerader, schwannoma carries better prognosis than rest of the pathologies.

Silent stellate ganglion paraganglioma masquerading as schwannoma: A surgical nightmare.

A 28-year-old normotensive female presented with Horner's syndrome and paresthesia over the left side of the chest. Imaging study showed a large heterogeneous enhancing lesion in short-T1 inversion recovery sequence with flow voids in T2W sequence of magnetic resonance imaging. The lesion was located in the left-sided D1 and D2 regions extending into the neural foramina and apical part of the lung. During surgery, even minimal dissection of the tumor resulted in marked fluctuation in hemodynamic parameters, requiring temporary suspension of the surgery multiple times until hemodynamic parameters were brought under control by the anesthesiologist with drugs. The massive fluctuation in hemodynamic parameters in an unprepared and unanticipated scenario was a challenge for the anesthetist and surgeon. The tumor was radically excised with improvement of paresthesia in the immediate postoperative period, but Horner's syndrome persisted. After 18-months of follow-up, she was relieved of all symptoms including Horner's syndrome. Histopathological examination confirmed our suspicion as paraganglioma.

Modified Ipsilateral Endonasal Endoscopic Trans-Sphenoidal Approach to Sphenoid Sinus Lateral Recess Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Management in Two Cases: A Technical Note.

Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the sphenoid sinus lateral recess (SSLR) is very rare. Majority prefer transpterygoid approach which is extensive and time consuming. Two such cases were managed with least possible dissection/destruction of paranasal sinus. Methods Two cases of SSLR were accessed through the ipsilateral nostril from the side of CSF leak. Wide ipsilateral anterior sphenoidotomy was done preserving intersinus septum of sphenoid sinus. Middle turbinate was lateralized and remaining paranasal structures were preserved. Two handed single nostril approach was done in both the cases by 45- and 70-degree endoscope along with angled instruments. SSLR defects were visualized and packed with autologous fat graft and glue. Results SSLR defects could be visualized and packed with fat graft in both the cases from ipsilateral side. Both cases had uneventful outcome with no leak with mean -follow-up of 11.5 months. Conclusion Modified ipsilateral endonasal endoscopy trans-sphenoidal approach is least invasive technique for SSLR leak. Use of angled scope and instruments help in defect visualization, avoiding extensive paranasal sinus dissection and bony removal. Tedious time-consuming reconstructive procedures can be avoided with simple fat graft with good outcome.

Optimizing Burr Hole Placement for Craniotomy: A Technical Note.

Objective Usually, burr holes are placed along the line of a craniotomy. We describe a novel technique of burr hole placement to obtain smooth and beveled bony margin without any troughs and crests. Dural separation is obtained by minimizing the number of burr holes required. Methods Fifty craniotomies of diameter ranging from 3.5 to 11.5 cm were accomplished by placing burr hole in the center of bone flap rather than along the craniotomy line permitting 360 degrees of dura separation dependent on the length of dura separator. Craniotomy < 9  cm in diameter was performed by placing a single burr hole and a larger size craniotomy was performed with two burr holes. Parasagittal craniotomy was performedby placing burr hole not > 2.5  cm away from expected craniotomy site, namely superior sagittal sinus area enabling separation of adhered dura and venous sinuses. The bone cutter was used in a particular fashion to create smooth margin and beveled edges. Results Craniotomy < 9  cm in diameter was possible with single burr hole in 34 cases. Craniotomy larger than 9  cm in size was performed in 16 cases with double burr hole by strategically placing burr in the center of the desired bone flap. The craniotomy was achieved in all cases without damaging dura and venous structures. Conclusions An optimally placed single burr hole is sufficient for small to moderately large size craniotomy. Larger size craniotomy is possible with minimum numbers of burr holes. This achieves good cosmesis and avoids sinking of the bone flap.