Vertebral compression fractures managed with brace: risk factors for progression.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for vertebral compression fracture (VCF) progression in patients treated conservatively with a brace. Then, a case-control study was designed. METHODS: All patients over 50 years old with diagnosis of thoracic or lumbar VCF (T5 to L5) in absence of underlying oncological process, treated conservatively with brace, and consecutively attended at our department from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively selected for analysis. Patients missed for follow-up or dead during the first 3 months of follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-two consecutive patients were recorded. Incomplete follow-up excluded 74 patients and other 19 died in the first three months after diagnosis, so 489 cases were finally analyzed. Median follow-up was 21 (IQR 13;30) weeks. Increased collapse of the vertebral body was found in 29.9% of VCFs with a median time to progression of 9 (IQR 7;13) weeks. Male gender (OR 1.6), type A3 fracture of the AOSpine classification (OR 2.7), thoracolumbar junction location (OR 1.7), and incorrect use of the brace (OR 3.5) were identified as independent risk factors for progression after multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Male gender, type A3 fracture of the AOSpine classification, thoracolumbar junction location, and incorrect use of the brace were identified as independent risk factors for VCF progression, which resulted in worse pain control, when treated with brace. Thus, other treatments such as percutaneous vertebral augmentation could be considered to avoid progression in selected cases, since collapse rate has been demonstrated lower with these procedures.

Flipped classroom applied to Neurosurgery in undergraduate medical education.

PURPOSE: To compare the academic achievement obtained in Neurosurgery in a class of undergraduate students according to the pedagogical methodology employed: flipped classroom (FC) versus traditional lecture. Students' satisfaction with the FC model is also analyzed. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was designed. The traditional lecture was the pedagogical method employed in teaching units (TUs) 1, 2, and 3 (61, 60, and 66 enrolled students, respectively), whereas TU 4 (69 enrolled students) used the FC methodology. RESULTS: The dropout rate was lower, whereas the academic achievement and the rate of correct answers were higher in TU 4 compared to the rest of the TUs, but these results were not statistically significant. However, the mean score obtained in Neurosurgery was significantly higher in TU 4 compared to the rest of the TUs (p = 0.042). Active learning activities based on clinical cases were positively emphasized. The main weakness was with the time consumed for video-recorded lecture viewing. CONCLUSIONS: The FC approach showed better academic results than traditional lectures when comparing students in the same Medical School during the same academic year undergoing the same exam. The students rated the FC approach positively, considering it stimulating and useful for learning.

Non-communicating hydrocephalus from pork tapeworm obstructing the foramina of Monro and its endoscopic management; a case report from Europe.

Introduction: Taenia solium is the main causative agent of neurocysticercosis. The tapeworm can manifest inside the ventricles, usually in the form of intracranial hypertension. We present a case of hydrocephalus as a result of a neurocysticercosis lesion obstructing both foramina of Monro. Research question: A comprehensive review of the management is provided, as well as video footage (an invaluable resource to compare, critique and learn with other institutions). Material and methods: A 23-year-old female from Honduras presented with a 7-day complaint of headache. On exam, she was hyperreflexic, but otherwise normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a non-specific lesion at the level of the foramina of Monro, with associated hydrocephalus. Additional testing was normal. Results: The patient underwent an endoscopic ventriculoscopy with partial excision of the lesion and subsequent implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. On postoperative MRI, hydrocephalus resolved and pathological analysis identified the parasite as Taenia solium. Albendazole was administered for 14 days. Discussion and conclusion: Neurocysticercosis should be considered in patients presenting with hydrocephalus, especially those from endemic areas. The long-term prognosis of ventricular neurocysticercosis might be favourable, provided that adequate care is given timely. Endoscopic surgery seems to be effective for the removal of parasitic lesions. However, studies comparing open versus endoscopic surgery are lacking. The majority of cases in the literature correspond to America and Asia. This case shows that neurocysticercosis is also present in Europe, and that a high index of suspicion is necessary.

Conceptos básicos sobre la fisiopatología cerebral y la monitorización de la presión intracraneal / Basic concepts about brain pathophysiology and intracranial pressure monitoring

Introducción: Muchos procesos encefálicos que causan la muerte de los pacientes que los presentan están mediados por hipertensión intracraneal (HIC). La historia natural de la misma conduce inexorablemente a esta muerte encefálica. El objetivo de este trabajo estriba en realizar una revisión de la fisiopatología cerebral y de la monitorización de la presión intracraneal (PIC). Desarrollo: El estudio de las ondas de PIC, su monitorización y el registro de las mismas nos informan sobre la existencia de procesos que tienen como común denominador la HIC. Conclusiones: El correcto registro de la PIC es fundamental para diagnosticar la HIC y, lo que resulta aún más importante, poder instaurar un tratamiento adecuado a tiempo (AU)

Introduction: Many brain processes that cause death are mediated by intracranial hypertension (ICH). The natural course of this condition inevitably leads to brain death. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic review of cerebral pathophysiology and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Development: Studying, monitoring, and recording ICP waves provide data about the presence of different processes that develop with ICH. Conclusions: Correct monitoring of ICP is fundamental for diagnosing ICH, and even more importantly, providing appropriate treatment in a timely manner (AU)

Basic concepts about brain pathophysiology and intracranial pressure monitoring.

INTRODUCTION: Many brain processes that cause death are mediated by intracranial hypertension (ICH). The natural course of this condition inevitably leads to brain death. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic review of cerebral pathophysiology and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. DEVELOPMENT: Studying, monitoring, and recording ICP waves provide data about the presence of different processes that develop with ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Correct monitoring of ICP is fundamental for diagnosing ICH, and even more importantly, providing appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

Angiomas cavernosos epidurales espinales / Spinal epidural cavernous angiomas

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Combined staged therapy of complex arteriovenous malformations: initial experience.

OBJECTIVES: Definitive treatment of complex supratentorial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has been classically assigned to ruptured or progressively symptomatic cases. The aim of this study is to report our initial experience in the treatment of complex AVMs by means of staged embolization with Onyx followed by microsurgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients with supratentorial Spetzler-Martin grades III, IV and V AVMs were treated between January 2009 and June 2010. Mean age at the beginning of the therapy was 34. All patients were symptomatic. Mean AVM size was 48 mm, and mean volume prior to embolization was 47 ml. RESULTS: Mean number of endovascular procedures was 3, and mean volumetric obliteration prior to surgery was 79.2%. Mean time between two embolizations was 24 days. One patient showed a non-disabling complication after endovascular procedures. Mean time between the last embolization and surgery was 42 days. Two patients showed disabling complications after surgery, and one patient showed a non-disabling complication. Follow-up angiography showed the complete removal of permeable AVM in all patients. According to the modified Rankin Scale, all patients were non-dependent concerning daily life activity at 6-month follow-up. One-year follow-up angiography has been performed in 11 patients so far showing an absence of permeable AVM in spite of the remainder intravascular Onyx. CONCLUSIONS: Staged preoperative embolization with Onyx followed by microsurgery has made possible 100% cure of complex AVMs with 0% mortality, 15.4% disabling complications and 15.4% non-disabling complications. Complete Onyx resection is not essential to achieve the cure of the patient.

Cerebrospinal fluid diversion devices and infection. A comprehensive review.

Hydrocephalus is a common neurosurgical disease affecting approximately 40 per 100,000 people. Cerebrospinal fluid diversion devices are essential in the management of this pathology. These devices include internal shunts and external ventricular drains. Infection is the most significant complication resulting from the high frequency of appearance and the consequences it involves, since it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It also involves increased hospital costs (approximately 40,000 euro per episode). In the present report the authors make a comprehensive review of cerebrospinal fluid diversion devices and their most important complication: infection. The authors make special emphasis on the epidemiology, aetiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, symptoms and signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infection.

Hematoma crónico expansivo intracerebral / Chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma

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[Experimental models of traumatic brain injury]. / Modelos experimentales de traumatismo craneoencefálico.

AIM: To provide a summary of the different experimental models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) designed under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. A comprehensible review of the specific types of brain lesions induced, as well as the technical details to reproduce each model at the laboratory is given. DEVELOPMENT: Outcome of patients suffering from a TBI has significantly improved with the rapid application of vital supporting measures in addition to a strict control of blood and intracranial pressure at the intensive care units. However no specific treatment for post-traumatic brain lesions has proven as efficacious in the clinical settings. A deeper knowledge of the physiopathological events associated with TBI is necessary for the development of new specific therapies. Due to the heterogeneity of the human TBI, each experimental model has been designed to reproduce a different type of brain lesion. Experimental TBI models allow the study of the dynamic evolution of brain injuries under controlled conditions. Usefulness of experimental models is limited by their reliability and reproducibility among different researchers. Small rodents have been the preferred animals to reproduce TBI injuries, mainly due to the similar cerebral physiology shared by these animals and the human beings. CONCLUSION: The use of experimental models of TBI is the most appropriate tool to study the mechanisms underlying this type of injury. However their simplicity precludes an exact reproduction of the heterogeneous cerebral damage observed in clinical settings. This could be the main reason for the discrepancies observed in the therapeutic effects of treatments between experimental and clinical studies.

Modelos experimentales de traumatismo craneoencefálico / Experimental models of traumatic brain injury

Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una revisión de los diversos modelos experimentales de traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) que se han desarrollado para la investigación del daño cerebral traumático tanto en condiciones in vivo como in vitro, así como detallar los principales conocimientos fisiopatológicos obtenidos a partir de su aplicación. Se expone de forma sintética tanto el tipo de lesión cerebral traumática que cada modelo reproduce como los detalles técnicos necesarios para su utilización por investigadores en el campo del trauma cerebral. Desarrollo: El pronóstico de los pacientes que han sufrido un TCE ha mejorado gracias a las medidas iniciales de estabilización hemodinámica y control de la vía aérea, pero no existe todavía ningún tratamiento específico y eficaz para detener o limitar las lesiones cerebrales causadas por el traumatismo, exceptuando las medidas de control de la presión arterial y la presión intracraneal. Entender la fisiopatología del TCE es el paso básico y fundamental para desarrollar posibles abordajes terapéuticos con aplicación clínica. El daño cerebral traumático en humanos es una patología heterogénea y muy compleja. Por ello, cada modelo experimental se ha desarrollado con el objetivo de reproducir un tipo concreto de las diferentes lesiones cerebrales observadas en pacientes tras un TCE. El uso de estos modelos ha permitido ampliar el conocimiento sobre la fisiopatología del daño cerebral traumático, incluyendo las alteraciones inducidas a nivel celular y molecular. Conclusión: Los modelos experimentales suponen actualmente la mejor herramienta para el estudio de los mecanismos subyacentes a las lesiones cerebrales traumáticas, pero su simplicidad y por lo tanto su incapacidad de reproducir exactamente el daño heterogéneo observado en la práctica clínica puede ser uno de los motivos que explique la discrepancia en la respuesta terapéutica entre los estudios experimentales y clínicos (AU)

Aim: To provide a summary of the different experimental models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) designed under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. A comprehensible review of the specific types of brain lesions induced, as well as the technical details to reproduce each model at the laboratory is given. Development: Outcome of patients suffering from a TBI has significantly improved with the rapid application of vital supporting measures in addition to a strict control of blood and intracranial pressure at the intensive care units. However no specific treatment for post-traumatic brain lesions has proven as efficacious in the clinical settings. A deeper knowlegde of the physiopathological events associated with TBI is necessary for the development of new specific therapies. Due to the heterogeneity of the human TBI, each experimental model has been designed to reproduce a different type of brain lesion. Experimental TBI models allow the study of the dynamic evolution of brain injuries under controlled conditions. Usefulness of experimental models is limited by their reliability and reproducibility among different researchers. Small rodents have been the preferred animals to reproduce TBI injuries, mainly due to the similar cerebral physiology shared by these animals and the human beings. Conclusion: The use of experimental models of TBI is the most appropiate tool to study the mechanisms underlying this type of injury. However their simplicity precludes an exact reproduction of the heterogeneous cerebral damage observed in clinical settings. This could be the main reason for the discrepancies observed in the therapeutic effects of treatments between experimental and clinical studies (AU)

[Hemangiopericytoma of the posterior fossa: case report]. / Hemangiopericitoma de la fosa posterior: a propósito de un caso.

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm arising from Zimmerman's pericytes, which usually locates in soft tissues. Meningeal hemangiopericytoma accounts for less than 1% of all intracranial tumours. Typically, it behaves aggressively, showing distinct tendency to recur locally or distantly along the neural axis and to present extraneural metastases. We describe a 74-year-old patient who presented unspecific symptoms and whose physical exam revealed a painless retroauricular mass which was adhered to skin. Neuroimaging studies showed a large posterior fossa tumour with intense enhancement after contrast infusion that caused striking occipital-mastoid osteolysis and which was exclusively fed by external carotid artery branches. The patient underwent gross total resection of the tumour, and once the histological diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma was confirmed, she underwent initial adjuvant radiotherapy. Sixteen months after surgery, the patient remains recurrence free. The treatment of choice of intracranial hemangiopericytoma is gross total resection, which must be attempted when technically feasible, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy providing total doses over 50 Gy. This combination has demonstrated increasing recurrence- free interval in these patients. Close and longterm follow-up is mandatory in order to achieve early diagnosis of recurrence or metastases in these patients, since they can appear several years, even decades, after initial proper treatment.

Hemangiopericitoma de la fosa posterior: a propósito de un caso / Hemangiopericytoma of the posterior fossa: case report

El hemangiopericitoma es un tumor mesenquimalinfrecuente originado de los pericitos de Zimmerman,que habitualmente asienta en tejidos blandos. Suvariante meníngea supone menos del 1% de todos lostumores intracraneales. Característicamente presentaun comportamiento agresivo, con marcada tendencia arecurrir localmente y a lo largo del neuroeje, así como ametastatizar en localizaciones extraneurales.Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 74 años quedebutó con clínica inespecífica, observándose durantela exploración física una masa retroauricular no dolorosaa la palpación, adherida a la piel. El estudio deneuroimagen demostró una lesión de gran tamaño localizadaen la fosa posterior que realzaba intensamentetras la administración de contraste, asociada a llamativaosteolisis occípito-mastoidea y cuya vascularizaciónprovenía exclusivamente de ramas de la arteria carótidaexterna. La paciente se sometió a la resección quirúrgicacompleta de la lesión, administrándose radioterapia inicialadyuvante una vez confirmado histológicamenteel diagnóstico de hemangiopericitoma. Dieciséis mesesdespués de la intervención, la paciente se encuentralibre de enfermedad.El tratamiento de elección del hemangiopericitomaintracraneal es su resección quirúrgica completa, siempreque sea técnicamente posible, seguida de radioterapiaadyuvante con dosis superiores a los 50 Gy. Estacombinación ha demostrado aumentar el intervalo detiempo libre de recurrencia. Un estrecho seguimiento alargo plazo de estos pacientes es esencial para detectarrecurrencias o metástasis a distancia precozmente,pudiendo aparecer incluso décadas después del adecuadotratamiento inicial (AU)

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon mesenchymalneoplasm arising from Zimmerman’s pericytes, whichusually locates in soft tissues. Meningeal hemangiopericytomaaccounts for less than 1% of all intracranialtumours. Typically, it behaves aggressively, showingdistinct tendency to recur locally or distantly along theneural axis and to present extraneural metastases.We describe a 74-year-old patient who presentedunspecific symptoms and whose physical exam revealeda painless retroauricular mass which was adhered toskin. Neuroimaging studies showed a large posteriorfossa tumour with intense enhancement after contrastinfusion that caused striking occipital-mastoid osteolisisand which was exclusively fed by external carotid arterybranches. The patient underwent gross total resectionof the tumour, and once the histological diagnosis ofhemangiopericytoma was confirmed, she underwentinitial adjuvant radiotherapy. Sixteen months after surgery,the patient remains recurrence free.The treatment of choice of intracranial hemangiopericytomais gross total resection, which must beattempted when technically feasible, followed by adjuvantradiotherapy providing total doses over 50 Gy.This combination has demonstrated increasing recurrence-free interval in these patients. Close and longtermfollow-up is mandatory in order to achieve earlydiagnosis of recurrence or metastases in these patients,since they can appear several years, even decades, afterinitial proper treatment (AU)

Quiste aracnoideo extradural no comunicante en la región dorsolumbar / No disponible

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