scholarly journals Decompressive Craniectomy for Acute Stroke: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of it

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-352
Author(s):  
Dhaval Shukla ◽  
Amit Agrawal

Abstract Large hemispheric infarctions have malignant course and constitute a major cause of severe morbidity and mortality after stroke. The medical management is usually not effective in these cases. Decompressive craniectomy is a salvage therapy for medically refractory ICP. This paper discusses the merits and demerits of decompressive craniectomy for large hemispheric infarctions. Hemicraniectomy is a life-saving but non-restorative surgery. Surgery should be done before clinical signs of brain herniation to obtain maximum benefit. The relatives of the patient should be explained clearly about possibility of survival with disability before offering the surgery.

Author(s):  
Navneet Singla ◽  
Archit Latawa

AbstractDecompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure done for innumerable etiologies. Though, not a technically demanding procedure, it has its own complications. Among many, sinking flap syndrome or syndrome of the trephined or paradoxical herniation of brain is frequently underestimated. It results from the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the intracranial pressure causing the brain to shift inward at the craniectomy site. This can present with either nonspecific symptoms leading to delay in diagnosis or acute neurological deterioration, memory disturbances, weakness, confusion, lethargy, and sometimes death if not treated. Cranioplasty is a time validated procedure used to treat paradoxical brain herniation with good and early neurological recovery. We, here in, are going to describe a case report in which the paradoxical herniation occurred after cranioplasty which has not been described in literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abtin Mojarradi ◽  
Sofie Van Meervenne ◽  
Alejandro Suarez-Bonnet ◽  
Steven De Decker

Abstract Background Naso-ethmoidal meningoencephalocele is usually a congenital anomaly consisting of a protrusion of cerebral tissue and meninges into the ethmoidal labyrinth. The condition is a rare cause of structural epilepsy in dogs. We report the clinical presentation, surgical intervention, postoperative complications and outcome in a dog with drug resistant epilepsy secondary to a meningoencephalocele. Case presentation A 3.3-year-old male neutered Tamaskan Dog was referred for assessment of epileptic seizures secondary to a previously diagnosed left-sided naso-ethmoidal meningoencephalocele. The dog was drug resistant to medical management with phenobarbital, potassium bromide and levetiracetam. Surgical intervention was performed by a transfrontal craniotomy with resection of the meningoencephalocele and closure of the dural defect. Twenty-four hours after surgery the dog demonstrated progressive cervical hyperaesthesia caused by tension pneumocephalus and pneumorrhachis. Replacement of the fascial graft resulted in immediate resolution of the dog’s neurological signs. Within 5 months after surgery the dog progressively developed sneezing and haemorrhagic nasal discharge, caused by sinonasal aspergillosis. Systemic medical management with oral itraconazole (7 mg/kg orally q12h) was well-tolerated and resulted in resolution of the clinical signs. The itraconazole was tapered with no relapsing upper airway signs. The dog’s frequency of epileptic seizures was not affected by surgical resection of the meningoencephalocele. No treatment adjustments of the anti-epileptic medication have been necessary during the follow-up period of 15 months. Conclusions Surgical resection of the meningoencephalocele did not affect the seizure frequency of the dog. Further research on prognostic factors associated with surgical treatment of meningoencephaloceles in dogs is necessary. Careful monitoring for postsurgical complications allows prompt initiation of appropriate treatment.


Author(s):  
Jan Mraček ◽  
Jan Mork ◽  
Jiri Dostal ◽  
Radek Tupy ◽  
Jolana Mrackova ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has become the definitive surgical procedure to manage a medically intractable rise in intracranial pressure. DC is a life-saving procedure resulting in lower mortality but also higher rates of severe disability. Although technically straightforward, DC is accompanied by many complications. It has been reported that complications are associated with worse outcome. We reviewed a series of patients who underwent DC at our department to establish the incidence and types of complications. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of complications after DC performed in 135 patients during the time period from January 2013 to December 2018. Postoperative complications were evaluated using clinical status and CT during 6 months of follow-up. In addition, the impact of potential risk factors on the incidence of complications and the impact of complications on outcome were assessed. Results DC was performed in 135 patients, 93 of these for trauma, 22 for subarachnoid hemorrhage, 13 for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction, and 7 for intracerebral hemorrhage. Primary DC was performed in 120 patients and secondary DC in 15 patients. At least 1 complication occurred in each of 100 patients (74%), of which 22 patients (22%) were treated surgically. The following complications were found: edema or hematoma of the temporal muscle (34 times), extracerebral hematoma (33 times), extra-axial fluid collection (31 times), hemorrhagic progression of contusions (19 times), hydrocephalus (12 times), intraoperative malignant brain edema (10 times), temporal muscle atrophy (7 times), significant intraoperative blood loss (6 times), epileptic seizures (5 times), and skin necrosis (4 times). Trauma (p = 0.0006), coagulopathy (p = 0.0099), and primary DC (p = 0.0252) were identified as risk factors for complications. There was no significant impact of complications on outcome. Conclusions The incidence of complications following DC is high. However, we did not confirm a significant impact of complications on outcome. We emphasize that some phenomena are so frequent that they can be considered a consequence of primary injury or natural sequelae of the DC rather than its direct complication.


2006 ◽  
Vol 172 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Walmsley ◽  
M.E. Herrtage ◽  
R. Dennis ◽  
S.R. Platt ◽  
N.D. Jeffery

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristan Ferry ◽  
Cécile Batailler ◽  
Aubin Souche ◽  
Cara Cassino ◽  
Christian Chidiac ◽  
...  

Exebacase, a recombinantly produced lysin has recently (i) reported proof-of-concept data from a phase II study in S. aureus bacteremia and (ii) demonstrated antibiofilm activity in vitro against S. epidermidis. In patients with relapsing multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. epidermidis prosthetic knee infection (PKI), the only surgical option is prosthesis exchange. In elderly patients who have undergone several revisions, prosthesis explantation could be associated with definitive loss of function and mortality. In our BJI reference regional center, arthroscopic debridement and implant retention with local administration of exebacase (LysinDAIR) followed by suppressive tedizolid as salvage therapy is proposed for elderly patients with recurrent MDR S. epidermidis PKI with no therapeutic option or therapeutic dead end (for whom revision or transfemoral amputation is not feasible and no other oral option is available). Each use was decided in agreement with the French health authority and in accordance with the local ethics committee. A written consent was obtained for each patient. Exebacase (75 mg/mL; 30 mL) was administered directly into the joint during arthroscopy. Four patients (79–89 years old) were treated with the LysinDAIR procedure. All had several previous prosthetic knee revisions without prosthesis loosening. Three had relapsing PKI despite suppressive antibiotics following open DAIR. Two had clinical signs of septic arthritis; the two others had sinus tract. After the LysinDAIR procedure, no adverse events occurred during arthroscopy; all patients received daptomycin 8 mg/kg and linezolid 600 mg bid (4–6 weeks) as primary therapy, followed by tedizolid 200 mg/day as suppressive therapy. At 6 months, recurrence of the sinus tract occurred in the two patients with sinus tract at baseline. After >1 year follow up, the clinical outcome was favorable in the last two patients with total disappearance of clinical signs of septic arthritis even if microbiological persistence was detected in one of them. Exebacase has the potential to be used in patients with staphylococci PKI during arthroscopic DAIR as salvage therapy to improve the efficacy of suppressive antibiotics and to prevent major loss of function.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Yang ◽  
Xianjian Huang ◽  
Junfeng Feng ◽  
Li Xie ◽  
Jiyuan Hui ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Expeditiously surgical evacuation of acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) is an attainable gold standard and is often expected to have a good clinical outcome for patients with surgical indications. However, controversy exists on the optimal surgical treatment for AEDH, especially for patients with brain herniation. Neurosurgeons are confronted by the decision to evacuate the hematoma with decompressive craniectomy or craniotomy. Here, we present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial targeted at comparing the outcome and economic benefits of decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with cerebral herniation undergoing evacuation of AEDH.Methods/design: Patients of both genders, aged from 18 to 65 years, presenting to the emergency room with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of AEDH with herniation, comply with other inclusion and exclusion criteria are enrolled. Clinical information, including diagnosis of AEDH, clinical radiological information and treatment procedures, follow-up data of 1, 3 and 6 months post injury are collected on 120 eligible patients, randomized into groups of decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy in a 1:1 ratio among 51 centers. The primary outcome is the Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended (GOSE) at 6 months post-injury. Secondary outcomes include incidence of post-operative cerebral infarction, incidence of additional craniocerebral surgery, and other evaluation indicator within 6 months post-injury.Discussion: This study is expected to help neurosurgeons make a better decision to evacuate the epidural hematoma with or without a DC, especially for patients with brain herniation, and improve current situation of lack of general evidence.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 04261673 (Registration date: 04 February 2020)


2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Tangeman ◽  
Danielle Davignon ◽  
Reema Patel ◽  
Meryl Littman

Canine cryptococcosis cases are typically reported as neurologic, disseminated, or both. There have been few reports of other parenchymal organ involvement. Dogs infected with Cryptococcus spp. are likely to develop central nervous system involvement, and those that are severely affected are treated aggressively with surgery and/or amphotericin B. This report describes two cases of canine abdominal cryptococcosis: one boxer with primary alimentary cryptococcosis alone and one miniature schnauzer with pancreatic and disseminated cryptococcosis. The boxer is unique in that the dog suffered from primary alimentary cryptococcosis without dissemination, secondary anemia due to gastrointestinal losses, and is the second case to have Cryptococcus spp. identified on fecal examination as part of the diagnostic workup. Unlike previous reports, surgery was not performed in either case, and both dogs were treated with fluconazole alone. Currently, both dogs are free from clinical signs, and Cryptococcus spp. antigen titers are negative at 17 and 15 mo after initial presentation. These cases suggest fluconazole may be effective therapy alone for canine abdominal cryptococcosis, negating the need for high-risk therapy options such as surgery and/or amphotericin B in some cases.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Ahmadian ◽  
Ali A. Baa j ◽  
Michael Garcia ◽  
Carolyn Carey ◽  
Luis Rodriguez ◽  
...  

The authors present a case of extreme brain herniation encountered during decompressive craniectomy in a 21-month-old boy who suffered a trauma event that necessitated temporary scalp closure in which a sterile silicone sheet was placed. Although the clinical situation is usually expected to lead to brain death or severe disability, the patient's 3-year follow-up examination revealed a highly functional child with a good quality of life. The authors discuss the feasibility and advantages of temporary scalp expansion as a treatment option when extreme brain herniation is encountered during craniotomy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saffet Tuzgen ◽  
Baris Kucukyuruk ◽  
Seckin Aydin ◽  
Fatma Ozlen ◽  
Osman Kizilkilic ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Aim: The authors present their experience and the clinical results in decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2010, six patients underwent DC due to cerebral infarct and edema secondary to vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH. Four patients were male, and two were female. The age of patients ranged between 33 and 60 (mean: 47,6 ± 11,4). The follow up period ranged between 12 to 104 months (mean: 47,6 ± 36,6). The SAH grading according World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WFNS) score ranged between 3 to 5. Results: Last documented modified Rankin Score (mRS) ranged between 2 to 6. One patient died in the following year after decompression due to pneumonia and sepsis. Two patients had moderate disability (mRS of 4) and three patients continue their life with minimal deficit and no major dependency (mRS score 2 and 3). Conclusion: DC can be a life-saving procedure which provides a better outcome in patients with cerebral infarction secondary to vasospasm and SAH. However, the small number of the patients in this study is the main limitation of the accuracy of the results, and more studies with larger numbers are required to evaluate the efficiency of DC in this group of patients.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document