Effect of epidural methylprednisolone on post-operative pain and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Intraoperative epidural corticosteroids have been used to decrease post-operative pain post-discectomy. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of epidural corticosteroids on post-operative pain and length of post-operative hospital stay in patients undergoing unilateral lumbar microdiscectomy. METHODS: 150 consecutively treated, comparable patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation were prospectively allocated randomly to receive either a sponge soaked in epidural corticosteroids or saline at the end of the operative procedure. The intensity of spontaneous pain was quantified by using the Oswestry low back pain index pre-operatively, at discharge, at week 1 follow-up and at 1st month of follow up. At the same intervals, each patient underwent the passive straight leg-raising test (PSLRT) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) testing. The duration of hospital stay, time taken to return to daily life activities and quantity of analgesia consumed post-operatively were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was 1.3 ± 0.9 days in the corticosteroids group (group 1) compared to 3.2 ± 1.2 in the control group (group 2). The mean interval until return to daily life activities was 6.7 ± 2.1 days in group 1 versus 9.6 ± 4.1 days in group 2. No statistically significant difference was measured between the steroid-treated and control groups when the data were stratified for sex, age, and site of disc herniation. Differences in the OLBI scores were statistically significant at all post-operative intervals. At baseline (preoperatively), group 1 (DepoMedrol™ group) had an average score of 72.3% (±2.6%) compared to 74.6% (±3.1%) in group 2 (Control group) (P = 0.45). At discharge, OLBI scores declined to 49.7% (±4.5%) in group 1 compared to 63.5% (±3.9%) in group 2 (P = 0.034). At week 1 follow-up, OLBI scores further declined to 41.3% (±2.9%) in group 1 versus 54.2% (±5.3%) in group 2 (P = 0.014). After one month of follow-up, OLBI scores were 34.1% (±6.7%) in group 1 and 42.6% (±4.1%) in group 2 (P = 0.004). Results of VAS and PSLRT are also documented in the manuscript. The mean postoperative analgesic medications consumed was 15.6 ± 1.9 mg of morphine equivalent in the corticosteroid group versus 10.3 ± 1.8 mg of morphine equivalent in the control group. No complications of treatment occurred in either groups. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative application of epidural corticosteroids, Depomedrol, significantly reduces post-operative pain, length of post-operative stay and duration to return to daily living activities following lumbar discectomy.

Value of C-reactive protein after neurosurgery: a prospective study.

AIM: The aim of this manuscript is to review the current state of knowledge regarding C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics after standard neurosurgical procedures, and to determine the value of CRP as a screening test for early post-operative infectious complications as opposed to other more commonly used tests, and as a marker of peri-operative surgical insult. METHODS: Over 18 months period, CRP levels, alongside with ESR and WCC were assessed pre-operatively (at day 0) and post-operatively (at days 1,2,3,4 and 5) in 50 consecutive female patients and 50 consecutive male patients undergoing seven neurosurgical procedures. Each of the seven procedures involved a different level of intra-operative trauma. Factors of possible influences on CRP, including volume of blood transfused intra-operatively, type of anaesthetic administered, use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics levels were recorded. RESULTS: The median age of our study population was 29.1 (mean ± SD: 28.4 ± 10.2; range: 20.4-53.8). Of the 100 patients recruited for our study, 13 developed post-operative infectious complications. In these patients, a secondary CRP rise or failure to decrease as expected had sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of 100%, 93.1%, 100% and 68.4%, respectively, for detecting infectious complications. The mean post-operative CRP levels were highest in the most surgically traumatic procedure--lobotomy for epilepsy intervention, and lowest in the least surgically traumatic procedure--stereotactic brain biopsy (p < 0.001). Volume of blood transfused intra-operatively, type of anaesthetic administered, use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics levels did not affect CRP kinetics. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that CRP is a more reliable screening test for post-operative infectious complications in the practice of neurosurgery than other more commonly used tests (WCC and ESR). Furthermore, the results suggest that peak post-operative CRP levels mirrors the level of incurred intra-operative surgical insult.

Posterior cranial fossa gangliogliomas.

Ganglioglioma (GG) is an uncommon primary lesion of the central nervous system that is typically located supratentorially. There are only a few reports of GG arising from the cerebellum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of a cerebellar GG with supratentorial extension and a longstanding history before its recognition. In fact, this 29-year-old male presented with an 11-year history of intermittent headaches. A cranial computerized tomography (CT) performed at the onset of his complaints failed to reveal the tumor. After a particularly longstanding cephalalgic episode, the patient underwent a new CT scan that was also negative. However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain revealed a space-occupying lesion in the right cerebellar hemisphere with extension to the level of the superior colliculi and pineal recess. The tumor was partially removed through a midline suboccipital craniotomy and supracerebellar approach. Pathological examination of the tumor showed composition of atypical ganglion cells and astrocytes, indicating the diagnosis of cerebellar GG. At last follow-up, 24 months after surgery, the patient reported a marked improvement of his clinical condition with significant reduction of intensity and frequency of the headache. The present report illustrates how cerebellar GG may remain undetectable by CT and may therefore present with a longstanding history and nonspecific signs and symptoms. MR investigation can lead to the proper diagnosis. Even after partial removal the prognosis remains good and remission of the symptoms may be achieved. In this article, we review the literature and summarize the current understanding of infratentorial GGs.

Evaluation of a new concept for the management of skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas.

OBJECT: Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base are rare locally invasive tumors associated with high recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concept of microsurgical tumor volume reduction followed by early gamma knife surgery (GKS). METHODS: Thirteen patients with 15 tumors were treated between October 2000 and June 2003. There were three patients (23.1%) with chordomas and 10 (76.9%) with chondrosarcomas. There were nine men and four women who ranged in age between 19 and 69 years. All patients first underwent maximal tumor resection. Within 2 to 10 months after surgery they were treated with GKS. The mean postoperative tumor volume treated with GKS was 9.7 cm3 (range 1.4-20.3 cm3). Follow-up computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations with volumetric tumor analysis were performed every 6 months after GKS. The mean treatment dose was 17 Gy and the mean isodose was 52%. The mean follow-up duration was 17 months during which there was only one tumor recurrence at the margin of the radiation field. The mean volume reduction was 35.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this treatment strategy are encouraging but the efficacy of this multimodal treatment combining surgery and early GKS requires a longer follow up.