Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage After Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), possibly due to reperfusion, after evacuation of a cranial chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a known phenomenon. However, it is sparingly reported and not well understood. METHODS: An illustrative case series is presented. A literature review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines to identify all previously reported cases. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases were analyzed. Males were 85.4% of the population, and the mean age was 67.5 years. Pre-existing head trauma and hypertension were the most common comorbidities. Headache was a presenting symptom in 60.4% of cases. Midline shift was explicitly stated in 54.2% of cases. Initial burr hole alone was performed 75.0% of the time, whereas craniotomy alone was performed in 16.7% of cases. Any initial craniotomy patients were associated with a modified Rankin Scale score of 5 (P = 0.03). The IPH was located in the cerebral hemisphere in 62.5% of cases and more likely to occur ipsilateral to a unilateral cSDH (P = 0.02). The IPH occurred a mean 1.9 days after surgery, and 50.0% occurred within 24 hours of initial intervention. The median modified Rankin Scale at discharge was 2. The mortality rate was 25%. Lastly, a multifactorial reperfusion pathophysiology was proposed. CONCLUSION: IPH after cSDH evacuation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition, regulating blood pressure, controlling the amount and rate of extra-axial fluid drained, and a meticulous surgical technique are critical to optimize the care of patients with cSDH and reduce the rate of postoperative IPH.

A randomized phase II study of docetaxel with or without vandetanib in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN).

OBJECTIVES: There are limited chemotherapeutic options for advanced recurrent or metastatic SCCHN. The efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel with or without vandetanib was investigated in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with pathologically confirmed, recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who had progressed on platinum based therapy given as definitive or palliative treatment, were randomized in this open label, multicenter phase II study of docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV Q3 weeks) with or without vandetanib (100 mg PO daily). The primary objective was response rate (RR) and secondary objectives were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR) and duration of response (DOR). RESULTS: 29 analyzable patients were enrolled, 14 in docetaxel arm and 15 in combined arm. PR was achieved in 1 patient in the docetaxel arm and 2 patients in the combined arm. The objective RR was 7% (1/14) (95% CI 0.2-33.8%) in the single and 13% (2/15) (95% CI 1.6-40.4%) combined arm. The median PFS was 3.21 (95% CI 3.0-22.0) and 9 (95% CI (5.86-18.1) weeks; median OS was 26.8(95% CI 17.7-100.7+) and 24.1 (95% CI, 16.4-171.1+) weeks. Most common adverse events were fatigue, dysphagia, diarrhea or constipation, cytopenias and alopecia. CONCLUSIONS: Although an initial benefit in response was noted and statistical criteria met there was only a minor trend towards improved PFS for the combined arm. The study was designed with low threshold for activity in each arm and results were deemed not to be of enough clinical significance in this group of patients to continue accrual.