Bulky supernumerary bone of the falx cerebri: case report and literature review.

We present a rare case of ossification of the falx cerebri in a 25-year-old man, discovered incidentally on a craniofacial computed tomodensitometry (CT) scanner. This ossification presented a true cortico-medullary differentiation and pushed aside the right frontal lobe. There was no associated clinical manifestation.

Comparison of 3% Hypertonic Saline and 20% Mannitol for Reducing Intracranial Pressure in Patients Undergoing Supratentorial Brain Tumor Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we hypothesized that 3% hypertonic saline (HS) is more effective than 20% mannitol to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) and to modify brain bulk in patients undergoing an elective supratentorial craniotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, patients scheduled to undergo supratentorial craniotomy were enrolled into this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The patients were monitored for routine hemodynamic parameters, depth of anesthesia, and ICP. They received 5 mL/kg 20% mannitol (n=20) or 3% HS (n=19) as infusion for 15 minutes. The patients' ICP values were monitored during hypertonic fluid infusion and throughout 30 minutes after infusion as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were hemodynamic variables, serum sodium value, blood gases, and surgeon brain relaxation assessment score (1=relaxed, 2=satisfactory, 3=firm, 4=bulging). In addition, the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: Demographic and tumor characteristics were similar between groups. The basal (before hypertonic infusion, ICPT0) and last (30 min after hypertonic infusion finished, ICPT45) ICP values were 13.7±3.0 and 9.5±1.9 mm Hg, respectively, for the M group, which were comparable with the corresponding levels of 14.2±2.8 and 8.7±1.1 mm Hg in the HS group (P>0.05). The median amount of ICP reduction between T0 and T45 timepoints were 4 (1 to 7) and 5 (1 to 9) mm Hg for group M and group HS, respectively (P=0.035). Baseline central venous pressure, pulse pressure variation, and serum sodium and lactate values were similar between groups, but the last measured pulse pressure variation and lactate value were lower, and sodium value was higher in group HS than in group M (P<0.05). Duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 3% HS provided more effective ICP reduction than 20% mannitol during supratentorial brain tumor surgery.

A Comparison of the Effects of 20% Mannitol and 3% NaCl on Coagulation Parameters In Vitro using ROTEM: A Prospective Randomized Crossover Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of 20% mannitol and 3% NaCl on blood coagulation in vitro using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). METHODS: Twenty-millilitre blood samples were obtained from 15 volunteers. In each group, 2 mL blood samples were collected into both polypropylene tubes and EDTA tubes for ROTEM and hemogram analysis. After sampling, blood samples were diluted with test solutions. Group C (control): Only blood, Group M (mannitol): 7% vol 20% mannitol concentration in the blood, Group hypertonic saline (HS): 7% vol 3% hypertonic saline (NaCl) in the blood, Group M/H (mannitol and hydroxyethyl starch solutions [HES]): 6% vol 20% mannitol concentration and 8% vol HES in the blood and Group HS/H (hypertonic saline and HES): 6% vol 3% hypertonic saline concentration and 8% vol HES in the blood. The following thromboelastometric parameters were measured automatically: clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT) with intrinsic activation by tissue factor (InTEM), CT, CFT and maximum clot firmness (MCF) with extrinsic activation by tissue factor (ExTEM) and MCF with FibTEM. RESULTS: The ExTEM CT value was found to be significantly longer in the M/H group than in the controls. The ExTEM CFT median and percentile values were: group C: 85 s (70-95 s), group M: 115 s (94-128 s), group HS: 102 s (84-114 s), group M/H: 128 s (110-144 s) and group HS/H: 118 s (107-132 s). In all the groups, FibTEM MCF values were significantly lower than the control and also there was a significant difference between groups M and HS according to FibTEM MCF values. CONCLUSION: Whole-blood coagulation disorder induced by these solutions is mainly dependent on fibrinogen and fibrin interaction. However, 3% HS has much less negative effect on coagulation.

Pulse Pressure Variation and Weight-Loss Percentage Predict Hypotension After Anesthesia Induction in Neurosurgery Patients: A Prospective, Observational, Blinded Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension after anesthesia induction is a common problem and is partly related to patient volume status. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between blood pressure change and pulse pressure variation (PPV), and percentage of weight loss while determining threshold for hypotension by receiver operating characteristic analysis. METHODS: We analyzed 231 neurosurgery patients. In all patients, propofol was used for standard anesthesia induction. Patient demographics, medical histories, fasting duration, percentage weight loss, baseline blood pressure, and PPV during normal tidal volume breathing and that during forced inspiratory breathing (PPVfi) were recorded. Hemodynamic changes within 10 minutes of intubation were observed. Patients developing hypotension and severe hypotension were determined; lowest mean arterial pressure (MAP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) values were recorded, and their differences relative to baseline values were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension was 18.6%. Both percentage weight loss and PPVfi were correlated with the changes in MAP and SAP. A PPVfi>14 identified all observed hypotensive episodes with 86% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity, whereas percentage weight loss >1.75% identified all observed hypotensive episodes with 81.4% sensitivity and 70.7% specificity. Furthermore, PPVfi>16.5 identified severe hypotension with 85% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity, whereas percentage weight loss >1.95% identified severe hypotension with 85% sensitivity and 73% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Percentage weight loss and PPVfi are good predictors of hypotension after anesthesia induction and, thus, may allow anesthesiologists to adopt preventative measures and ensure safer anesthesia induction.