[Anaesthetic management for caesarean delivery and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease]. / Anesthésie pour césarienne et maladie de Creutzfeldt-Jakob.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is the only form of prion diseases linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The surgical and anaesthetic management in patients having Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is rare. Maternofoetal and human transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is still unknown. The principles for managing these new risks are not described in obstetric recommendations. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman, who developed the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease during her pregnancy.

Hip-flexed postures do not affect local anaesthetic spread following induction of epidural analgesia for labour.

Hip-flexed postures enlarging the pelvic diameter are used to improve the obstetric course of labour. Although most investigations show that lateral and sitting positions do not affect the spread of epidural analgesia, the effect of recently introduced hip-flexed postures has yet to be confirmed. This prospective randomised study included 93 parturients. Ropivacaine 0.1% 12 mL plus sufentanil 0.5 micrograms/mL was administered epidurally over a period of 6 min in one of four postures: sitting, right hip-flexed left lateral position, left hip-flexed right lateral position and supine 30 degrees lateral tilt as a control group. Left and right cephalad and sacral epidural spread were measured every 2 min over a period of 30 min. Pain relief, motor blockade and maternal and fetal side effects were noted. The total epidural spread was 15+/-0.3 dermatomes and the upper level of thermo-algesic blockade T7-T8 (range T3 to T10) in all groups. There were no differences between groups in left or right total spread or upper level of epidural blockade, time to maximal block or pain relief. There was no motor block nor any maternal or fetal side effects. The power of the study (1 - beta) was 93%. We conclude that, for the three hip-flexed postures tested, position does not influence local anaesthetic spread or symmetry of thermo-algesic blockade after induction of obstetric epidural analgesia.

[Target-controlled infusion with propofol for neuro-anesthesia]. / Le propofol et l'AIVOC en neuro-anesthésie.

Propofol is an intravenous anaesthetic agent, which presents interesting features for its use in neuro-anaesthesia: it is a powerful hypnotic that does not increase the intracranial pressure. The delay of recovery is short even after several hours of continuous infusion. This is essential for a fast neurologic examination. Continuous infusion should be preferred to bolus in order to prevent hypotension and decrease of the cerebral perfusion pressure. Target-controlled infusion models based on effect site concentrations are now available through several softwares. This technique appears especially useful for awake craniotomy and functional neurosurgery. The level of consciousness is easily fixed between deep anaesthesia and light sedation permitting to ask the patient to move following orders. A sedation controlled by the patient himself is even possible.

[Amniotic fluid embolism suspected in a case of seizure and mild uterine haemorrhage with activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis]. / Embolie amniotique d'évolution favorable suspectée devant un tableau clinique atypique.

After a normal pregnancy and labour in a 29-year-old parturient, a single seizure followed by a transient headache was observed during the uterine revision for placental retention. Mild uterine haemorrhage of 150 ml per hour without any uterine atony was associated with activation of clotting and fibrinolysis (decrease of fibrinogen, elevated fibrin soluble complexes and D-dimers). A ten fold value of foetal blood cells in maternal serum suggested the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism. Atypical forms of amniotic fluid embolism and their diagnosis are discussed.

[Obstetrical analgesia and anaesthesia in multiple sclerosis]. / Analgésie et anesthésie obstétricale chez les patientes atteintes de sclérose en plaques.

OBJECTIVES: The use of epidural analgesia and anaesthesia is controversial in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) due to the potential neurotoxicity of local anaesthetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the place and the safety of epidural obstetrical analgesia in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 19 patients with MS was studied over 4 years, recording the type of anaesthesia and the obstetric and neurologic observations during the pregnancy and post-partum. RESULTS: Ten patients had epidural analgesia. One patient had a caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia. Five patients relapsed during the post-partum period. Only one of them had an epidural for a spontaneous vaginal delivery, without any evidence of a causal relationship. Spinal anaesthesia is generally not advocated in the presence of MS due to concerns relating to the stronger local anaesthetics required and was therefore not used. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that epidural analgesia is innocuous in this context. The important points are the precise evaluation of the existing neurological symptoms and the sparing of local anaesthetics thanks to the addition of opioids.

[Evaluation of verification of brain death and coordination with hospital organ procurement at the University Hospital at Lille]. / Evaluation du recensement des morts encéphaliques par la coordination hospitalière de prélèvement au CHU de Lille.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of brain death (BD) and to evaluate the registration of potential organ donors (PD) by the organ procurement team (OPT). STUDY DESIGN: Two-year prospective audit in the French university hospital of Lille. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All deaths occurring in the intensive care units or the emergency department were studied. If death was consecutive to brain damage, on-site review of medical records and charts was performed. Death cause, presence of criteria for brain death and reference to the OPT were recorded for each death. A medical expert staff evaluated the incidence of and reasons for unsuitability for organ donation. After 12 months of observation, a protocol for "systematic alert of the OPT when brain death is suspected" was broadcast and evaluated during the next 12 months. RESULTS: During the first period, 277 BD occurred and 119 PD were suitable for organ donation. The OPT recorded 80 PD (67.2% of all PD) and 45 multi-organ procurements (MOP) were performed. Physicians opposed two major reasons for not calling OPT: anticipation of a non-validated medical contraindication in 18 cases and approach of the family without the OPT team in 21 cases. After broadcast of the protocol, 110 PD were identified and the OPT was called in 93 cases (84.5% of all PD, p < 0.004 versus first period). Fifty-three MOP were performed. CONCLUSION: The OPT was not called to manage one-third of the PD. The protocol for "systematic alert of the OPT when brain death is suspected" improves the call of the OPT and increases MOP.

[Contraction-relaxation coupling of skeletal muscle in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia]. / Etude du couplage contraction-relaxation du muscle squelettique de patients susceptibles à l'hyperthermie maligne.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether halothane exposure could influence contraction-relaxation coupling of human skeletal muscle with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. STUDY DESIGNED: Laboratory investigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Muscle biopsies from 14 patients, including six classified as susceptible to MH (MHS) and eight as classified as non-susceptible (MHN) according to criteria of the European MH group. Mechanical parameters of strips were obtained before and after 3 vol% halothane exposure. The contraction and relaxation parameters were measured under isotonic and isometric conditions: maximum shortening and lengthening velocities (respectively maxVc and maxVr); peak of the positive (+dP/dtmax) and negative (-dP/dtmax) twitch tension derivative; ratio R1 = maxVc/maxVr and ratio R2 = (+dP/dtmax) (-dp/dtmax). RESULTS: In MHN muscle, halothane markedly increased maxVc and maxVr, so that the ratio R1 was unchanged. Both +dP/dtmax and -dP/dtmax increased such that the ratio R2 did not vary. In MHS muscle, halothane induced a significant decrease in maxVr (p < 0.05) without changes in maxVc, so that the ratio R1 increased significantly. +dP/dtmax remained unchanged whereas -dP/dtmax decreased significantly; the ratio R2 increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that, in MHN muscle the contractility property is improved with halothane exposure. In MHS muscle, halothane caused an impairment of relaxation. The mechanical abnormalities observed in this study might be related to sarcoplasmic reticulum dysfunction in MH diseases.

[Pneumocephalus after spinal anesthesia]. / Pneumencéphalie après rachianesthésie.

We report the case of a 76-year-old man who received a spinal anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair surgery. A cranial CT scan which was performed because the patient complained of postoperative headache and hemiparesis showed an important pneumocephalus. Because postoperative questioning revealed that the patient had a chronic and neglected rhinorrhea, we hypothesise that this pneumocephalus was secondary to an old unknown osteodural leak with intracranial air entry secondary to the spinal anaesthesia-releated decrease in CSF pressure.

[Postoperative analgesia in pediatric neurosurgery]. / Analgésie postopératoire en neurochirurgie pédiatrique.

Pain management in paediatric neurosurgery must be a daily concern for surgeons and anaesthetists. Pain assessment in infants and small children is difficult to perform because of limitations associated with these patients. The association of safe and effective analgesics allows good pain relief together with good safety conditions. However, neuropathic pain, which may occur following neurosurgical procedures, will require further studies.

[Follow-up study of head-injured children]. / Devenir de l'enfant traumatisé crânien.

The authors reviewed in a retrospective study 61 cases of severely head injury children who where admitted in the rehabilitation centre to evaluate the outcome 1 and 5 years after the brain injury. Neurologic and neuropsychologic status of children was assessed ad admission, 1 and 5 years later. Duration on intubation and age at time of head trauma were the worst functional prognosis.

[Anesthetic particularities of stereotaxic neurosurgery]. / Particularités anesthésiques de la neurochirurgie stéréotaxique.

Functional neurosurgery procedures are long and specific. Cooperation of the patient may be necessary during surgery. The interference of anaesthetic agents with electrophysiological monitoring should be as little as possible. Local anaesthesia combined with intravenous sedation is often used, but general anaesthesia is more comfortable and secure. Since awakening during the procedure is generally planed, it has to be quick, reliable and of excellent quality. These requirements are fulfilled by the association of propofol by target-controlled infusion (TCI) and a continuous infusion of remifentanil.

Congenital myopathy with central cores and fingerprint bodies in association with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility.

A 26-year-old man had proximal weakness in the shoulder and the pelvic girdle since infancy. His sister, aged 16 years, presented a similar phenotype with more pronounced pelvic weakness. His muscle biopsy showed dense non-reducing inclusions which had a lamellar pattern at the ultrastructural level. These structures showed the typical features of fingerprint inclusions which were widely distributed in the fibers. Several central cores and other structural changes such as Z-line streaming were also observed. In view of the central cores, the male patient was investigated for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. After exposure to halothane or caffeine, unusual intense contractures were observed on fiber preparations. The coexistence of central cores associated with fingerprint inclusions is suggestive of mixed congenital myopathy, which is in our case associated with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility.

Use of inhaled nitric oxide for emergency Cesarean section in a woman with unexpected primary pulmonary hypertension.

PURPOSE: Use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) could be of importance in emergency cases of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in pregnant patients during labour and delivery. iNO acts as a selective pulmonary bed vasodilator avoiding systemic hemodynamic effects due to its ease of administration. Pulmonary bed vasodilation improves right ventricular function directly and left ventricular function indirectly. CLINICAL FEATURES: We report the case of a pregnant patient with unexpected PPH in whom an emergency Cesarean section (CS) had to be performed. PPH was diagnosed on admission as she arrived in active labour at 34 weeks gestational age. An emergency CS was performed under epidural anesthesia for breech presentation . All along labour, delivery and the first 24 hr, iNO was administered via a noninvasive ventilation device. CS was uneventful. A severe pulmonary hypertensive crisis was observed 12 hr after delivery and resolved with an increase of iNO concentration and administration of isoprenalin. The patient and baby returned home on day ten. CONCLUSION: The ease of administration of iNO allowed the optimal control of pulmonary arterial hypertension. No interaction with epidural anesthesia was observed. Use of iNO can improve the management of urgent CS in women with unexpected PPH.

[Recombinant hirudin in neurosurgery]. / Hirudine recombinante en neurochirurgie.

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with paraplegia resulting from spinal cord compression secondary to an epidural haematoma. Because of an arrhythmia, a mitral valve replacement and the high risk of venous thrombosis, an anticoagulant treatment was introduced postoperatively. The patient having previously developed an type II heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia, a treatment by lepirudine was established successfully.

[Malignant hyperthermia: new developments in diagnosis and clinical management]. / Hyperthermie maligne: nouveautés diagnostiques et cliniques.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the current knowledge concerning anaesthetic malignant hyperthermia. DATA SOURCES: References were obtained from computerized bibliographic research (Medline), recent review articles, the library of the service and personal files. DATA SYNTHESIS: Knowledge to possess, about the diagnosis and treatment of the acute hyperthermia crises and about "safe-anaesthesia" for malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients, are explained. The pathophysiology chapter give information about the calcium's transport and the defect existing in MH. Molecular genetics of MH find linkage to the region encoding the RyR1. The profile of hyperthermia episodes has changed over time due to the endtidal carbon dioxide-monitoring. Clinical aspects of MH are exposed. The treatment of the acute hyperthermia crises consist mainly to stop all triggering agents instantly and infuse dantrolene sodium. The gold standard for the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility relies on the in vitro contracture test (halothane and caffeine). Associated to genetic studies, it could lead to an non-invasive screening of the MH susceptibility. A protocol for "safe-anaesthesia" is proposed. Some syndromes with features similar to those of MH should be known (central core disease and exertionnal rhabdomyolysis).

[Anesthetic management of obstetrical labor in a parturient with muscular carnitine palmitoyl transferase deficiency]. / Prise en charge anesthésique du travail obstétrical chez une parturiente atteinte d'un déficit musculaire en carnitine palmitoyl transférase.

We report a case of a patient with carnitine palmityl deficiency in active labour. We discuss the metabolic and energetic implications of obstetrical labour in regard with the mitochondrial myopathy and we propose an optimal management. Neuroaxial analgesia and glucose infusion are indicated in early labour because it is necessary to alleviate stress and pain in order to avoid rhabdomyolysis associated with CPT deficiency. Combined spinal epidural analgesia using intrathecal opioid alone then epidural naropein should be a relevant choice because of a minimal motor blockage. Monitoring of myolysis using serum creatinine phosphokinase levels must take in account CK and MB fractions releases to the circulation during obstetrical labour.