Cranially Migrated Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Patient with Bilateral Subdural Empyema.

A right-sided ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed in patient with congenital hydrocephalous in the first month of life. Three-month review visit showed no improvement and after evaluation and computerised tomogram (CT) scan brain, another VP shunt was placed on the left side without handling the previous right sided VP shunt. Patient did not improve and again presented with fever and fits. CT scan brain with and without contrast was repeated, which showed bilateral subdural empyema and right-sided cranially migrated VP shunt. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis demonstrated infection. Bilateral burr hole drainage of subdural empyema with subsequent removal of right-sided migrated VP shunt was done. Cranial end of left-sided VP shunt was converted into external ventricular drain (EVD) and its abdominal end removed. Patient was placed on intravenous as well as intraventricular antibiotics through the EVD. Later, right-sided VP shunt was placed after clearance of infection. Regular follow-up showed that the patient is doing well.

AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF HUGE MENINGIOMA EXTRUDING OUT OF SKULL.

Scalp masses are commonly seen in clinical practice. They range from simple sebaceous cyst to malignant neoplasms. Clinical presentation is straight forward in most of the cases. Simple subcutaneous swelling till erosion of scalp and skull all can occur. However very few intracranial masses present with exophytic scalp swelling. This is because they have to erode dura, thick skull bone and all the layers of scalp to appear out on scalp. It is very unusual that an intracranial mass present like a scalp swelling. Some of the intracranial masses have tendency to erode skull. Dermoid & meningioma are among the most common.

LYMPHOCYTIC HYPOPHYSITIS: A RARE AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER PRESENT IN A LARGE SUPRA SELLAR MASS HAVING COMPLETE RESOLUTION WITH STEROIDS.

Significant proportion of sellar masses is seen in clinical practice. They range from most common pituitary adenomas to rare inflammatory lesions. Presentation can vary and depends if it secretes any hormone or imparts a pressure effect upon the surrounding vital structures. Radiological imaging coupled with histopathology is important tools of diagnosis. Management options depend upon type of disease.

Serum electrolyte derangements in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Electrolyte derangements are common sequel of traumatic brain injury. Use of intravenous fluids, diuretics, syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion and cerebral salt washing are some of the factors responsible for this. Proper in time detection followed by appropriate treatment not only improves neurological status but also decrease morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to know serum derangements of different electrolytes in patients with traumatic brain injury. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. Islamabad, Pakistan from Feb 2009 to Feb 2010. All adult patients with traumatic brain injury who presented to Neurosurgical department with severe head injury (GCS < 8) and who need monitoring in high dependency unit, were included in this study. Initially twice daily serum electrolyte monitoring for one week then once daily for remaining period of hospital stay was carried out. All samples were sent to Pathology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Patients who need corrective measures for imbalance had repetition of sampling after giving appropriate therapy. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS-16. RESULTS: Total 215 patients presented with severe head injury that were managed in high dependency unit. Out of which 127 (59.1%) were male and 88 (40.9%) were females. Most of them were adults between 21-40) years of age (21.4%; 24.7%). Sodium was the main electrolyte that underwent change & out of which hyper-natremia was major abnormality that occurred in 140 (65.1%) of patients. This is followed by hypo-kalemia that occurred in 79 (36.7%) of patients. Serum calcium & magnesium levels show little derangements. CONCLUSION: Electrolyte imbalance following traumatic head injury is an important cause to look for in patient monitoring. Sodium is the chief electrolytes of concern. Serum potassium and calcium levels also under goes notable changes.

Effect of tunnel length on infection rate in patients with external ventricular drain.

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drain involves catheter placement in ventricles of brain. It is used for various purposes. Basic theme is to drain cerebrospinal fluid so as to control intracranial pressure. This study was carried out to see the effect of tunnel length on rate of infection. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Department of Neurosurgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad during 14 months from 1st December 2008 to 31 January 2010. External ventricular drain was placed in admitted patients after meticulous aseptic technique in operation theatre at right Kocher's point. It was carried out through a scalp tunnel and was connected to drainage bag through a drip set. Both long (> 5 Cm) and short (< 5 Cm) tunnels were randomly made. Infection rate was estimated in patients who had change of cerebrospinal fluid colour or developed fever (as per protocol to have minimum handling of drain). All patients received prophylactic Ceftriaxone. RESULTS: Among 76 patients long tunnel was made in 44 (57.9%) and short in 32 (42.1%). Three patients (3.9%) with long tunnel while 6 (7.9%) patients with short tunnel had infection. The overall infection was in 9 (11.8%) patients. CONCLUSION: External ventricular drain tunnel length strongly influences the rate of infection.

Culture and sensitivity pattern in patients with external ventricular drain infection.

BACKGROUND: External ventricular (EVD) is a life saving procedure and involves insertion of a catheter in ventricular space to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our objective of this study was to determine the culture and sensitivity (C/S) pattern in patients with EVD infection. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Neurosurgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from December 1, 2008 to January 31, 2010. All admitted patients who had acute hydrocephalus, underwent EVD insertion after excluding meningitis and ventriculitis by physical examination and per operative CSF sampling. The EVD was done at right Kocher's point. Prophylactic third generation antibiotic (Ceftriaxone) was started and continued till EVD was in place. C/S was sent to PIMS laboratory on first documented fever and or change of CSF color or when plan was to replace EVD with Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VP). Once infection was there CSF was sent for C/S initially and routine examination (R/E) daily. Antibiotics were changed according to C/S report and continued till they were needed. Infection rate was also estimated. RESULTS: Among 76 patients 41 (53.9%) were male and 35 (46.1%) were females. Most were adults and were between 31 to 40 years of age. Mean duration of EVD was 11.41 days. Overall infection rate was 11.8%. Among causative organisms Staphylococcus Aureus (44.4%) was most common followed by Acenitobacter and Enterobacter and commonly used prophylactic antibiotic (Ceftriaxone) had considerable resistance. CONCLUSION: EVD is a simple and life saving procedure. Most common organisms causing infection are Staphylococcus Aureus followed by Acenitobacter. Conventional used antibiotic Ceftriaxone has considerable resistance.