External lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. / Drenaje lumbar externo de líquido cefalorraquídeo en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de estudios controlados.

INTRODUCTION: External lumbar drainage is a promising measure for the prevention of delayed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-related ischemic complications. METHODS: Controlled studies evaluating the effects of external lumbar drainage in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. Primary outcomes were: new cerebral infarctions and severe disability. Secondary outcomes were: clinical deterioration due to delayed cerebral ischemia, mortality, and the need of definitive ventricular shunting. Results were presented as pooled relative risks, with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 6 controlled studies were included. Pooled relative risks were: new cerebral infarctions, 0.48 (95% CI: 0.32-0.72); severe disability, 0.5 (95% CI: 0.29-0.85); delayed cerebral ischemia-related clinical deterioration, 0.46 (95% CI: 0.34-0.63); mortality, 0.71 (95% CI: 0.24-2.06), and need of definitive ventricular shunting, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.51-1.24). Assessment of heterogeneity only revealed statistically significant indexes for the analysis of severe disability (I(2)=70% and P=.01). CONCLUSION: External lumbar drainage was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia-related complications (cerebral infarctions and clinical deterioration), as well as the risk of severe disability; however, it was not translated in a lower mortality. Nevertheless, it is not prudent to provide definitive recommendations at this time because of the qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity among included studies. More randomized controlled trials with more homogeneous outcomes and definitions are needed to clarify its impact in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

[Application of vancomycin powder into the wound during spine surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Aplicación de vancomicina en polvo dentro de la herida quirúrgica durante cirugías de columna: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of applying vancomycin powder within the surgical wound on the risk of surgical infections, pseudo-arthrosis and adverse events, in patients undergoing spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was carried out, including controlled studies that evaluated the risk of postoperative infections and/or pseudo-arthrosis in patients undergoing spinal surgery in which vancomycin powder was applied within the surgical wound. RESULTS: were presented as pooled relative risks, with its 95% confidence intervals. Additionally, the frequency of complications attributable to vancomycin was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of six controlled studies (3,379 subjects) were included. Pooled relative risks were: surgical site infection, 0.11 (95%CI: 0.05-0.25; P<.00001), and pseudo-arthrosis, 0.87 (95%CI; 0.34-2.21; P=.77). No statistically significant heterogeneity was found in both analyses. In 1,437 patients treated with vancomycin, there were no recorded vancomycin-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Application of vancomycin powder into the wound was associated with a significantly reduced risk of surgical site infections, without increasing pseudo-arthrosis or adverse events. However, randomized controlled trials are needed, in order to confirm the present results and make recommendations with more certainty.

[Chiari type I malformation in a patient with Poland's syndrome]. / Malformación de Chiari tipo I en un paciente con síndrome de Poland

Chiari malformation type I and Poland's syndrome are two rare diseases and their simultaneous presentation had not been previously described in the literature. We report the case of a 27 year old male with history of Poland's syndrome, who referred headache and motor impairment of the intrinsic muscles of the left hand. In a cervical spine MR a Chiari I malformation with syringomyelia from C1 to T2 was found, which was treated by foramen magnum decompression, dural plasty and removal of the posterior arch of the atlas. A discussion of the embryological mechanisms that might be involved in the coexistence of these two entities is presented, emphasizing the role of para-axial mesoderm.

[Intra-spinal clear cell meningioma. Case report and literature review]. / Meningioma de células claras intra-espinal. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Clear cell meningioma is a rare variety of meningiomas, occurring frequently at the cerebellopontine angle and spinal canal. A case of a female patient 28 years of age with a complete cauda equina syndrome was described. Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbo-sacral spine revealed a mass lesion occupying the spinal canal from L3 to S1. Subtotal resection was performed and pathological pathological examination revealed a clear cell meningioma. Radiotherapy was indicated, however, it was delayed because we discovered that the patient was pregnant. The recurrence was clinically evident at seven months and a new surgical resection previous complementary radiotherapy was necessary. A systematic review of literature was performed, exposing the behavior of clear cell meningioma in the spinal canal.

[Dural metastasis as the first manifestation of prostate cancer]. / Metástasis dural como manifestación inicial de cáncer de próstata.

Metastases of prostate cancer to intracranial meninges are rare and often confused with meningiomas or chronic subdural hematomas. These usually occur in patients with a known cancer diagnosis in advanced stages of the disease, and only in some rare cases do its manifestations precede the detection of the primary tumour. The clinical presentation is unspecific. However, due to the affinity of this tumour for the base of the skull, it must be included in the differential diagnosis of men over 70 years of age with cranial nerve palsy. The treatment of these lesions has not been standardized. Within the therapeutic options we find surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of these measures, and yet survival is poor. We present the case of a 77 year old male patient whose initial symptoms of prostate cancer were caused by a metastatic lesion to the dura, confirmed by histopathology. We also review the epidemiological, clinical and imaging highlights of this condition.