Complications of invasive subdural grid monitoring in children with epilepsy

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1017-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çagatay Önal ◽  
Hiroshi Otsubo ◽  
Takashi Araki ◽  
Shiro Chitoku ◽  
Ayako Ochi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Intracerebral Hematoma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acceptable Risks ◽  
Grid Monitoring ◽  
Superficial Wound ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks ◽  
Sick Children ◽  
Fine Print

Object. This study was performed to evaluate the complications of invasive subdural grid monitoring during epilepsy surgery in children. Methods. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 35 consecutive children with intractable localization-related epilepsy who underwent invasive video electroencephalography (EEG) with subdural grid electrodes at The Hospital for Sick Children between 1996 and 2001. After subdural grid monitoring and identification of the epileptic regions, cortical excisions and/or multiple subpial transections (MSTs) were performed. Complications after these procedures were then categorized as either surgical or neurological. There were 17 male and 18 female patients whose mean age was 11.7 years. The duration of epilepsy before surgery ranged from 2 to 17 years (mean 8.3 years). Fifteen children (43%) had previously undergone surgical procedures for epilepsy. The number of electrodes on the grids ranged from 40 to 117 (mean 95). During invasive video EEG, cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred in seven patients. Also, cerebral edema (five patients), subdural hematoma (five patients), and intracerebral hematoma (three patients) were observed on postprocedural imaging studies but did not require surgical intervention. Hypertrophic scars on the scalp were observed in nine patients. There were three infections, including one case of osteomyelitis and two superficial wound infections. Blood loss and the amounts of subsequent transfusions correlated directly with the size and number of electrodes on the grids (p < 0.001). Twenty-eight children derived significant benefit from cortical resections and MSTs, with a more than 50% reduction of seizures and a mean follow-up period of 30 months. Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that carefully selected pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy can benefit from subdural invasive monitoring procedures that entail definite but acceptable risks.

Recurrent spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks and intracranial hypotension: a prospective study

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 840-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
M. Marcel Maya ◽  
Mary Riedinger
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks ◽  
The Mean ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Intracranial hypotension due to a spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an increasingly recognized cause of postural headaches, but reliable follow-up data are lacking. The authors undertook a study to determine the risk of a recurrent spontaneous spinal CSF leak. Methods. The patient population consisted of a consecutive group of 18 patients who had been evaluated for consideration of surgical repair of a spontaneous spinal CSF leak. The mean age of the 15 women and three men was 38 years (range 22–55 years). The mean duration of follow up was 36 months (range 6–132 months). The total follow-up time was 654 months. A recurrent spinal CSF leak was defined on the basis of computerized tomography myelography evidence of a CSF leak in a previously visualized but unaffected spinal location. Five patients (28%) developed a recurrent spinal CSF leak; the mean age of these four women and one man was 36 years. A recurrent CSF leak developed in five (38%) of 13 patients who had undergone surgical CSF leak repair, compared with none (0%) of five patients who had been treated non-surgically (p = 0.249). The recurrent leak occurred between 10 and 77 months after the initial CSF leak, but within 2 or 3 months of successful surgical repair of the leak in all patients. Conclusions. Recurrent spontaneous spinal CSF leaks are not rare, and the recent successful repair of such a leak at another site may be an important risk factor.

Long-term results after lateral canthal advancement for unilateral coronal synostosis

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helio R. Machado ◽  
Harold J. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Successful Result ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Coronal Synostosis ◽  
Sick Children ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The procedure of lateral canthal advancement was carried out to correct unilateral coronal synostosis in 39 consecutive patients at The Hospital for Sick Children during a 20-year period. Thirty-seven children were available for follow-up study, and results were considered to be good or excellent in 81% of them. Liberation of the supraorbital margin and release of stenotic skull base sutures are crucial for a successful result. The severity of the process and the age of the patient were not restrictive factors in regard to indication for this procedure. Some patients showed a continuous improvement with time. Morbidity was minimal. It is suggested that lateral canthal advancement is the procedure of choice for unilateral coronal synostosis.

Development of multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations documented in an adult by serial angiography

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshio Miyasaka ◽  
Kuniaki Nakahara ◽  
Hiroshi Takagi ◽  
Hiroyuki Hagiwara
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Angiography ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Intracerebral Hematoma ◽  
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hematoma Evacuation ◽  
Cerebral Avms ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A 50-year-old woman with a parietal intracerebral hematoma was initially treated by hematoma evacuation. Initial preoperative and follow-up angiograms obtained 6 months later demonstrated no pial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). She suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage 8 years later. Results of follow-up cerebral angiography revealed the development of previously undetected multiple cerebral AVMs. This appears to be the first reported case of the development of multiple cerebral AVMs in an adult, demonstrated on serial angiography.

Primary cerebellar glioblastomas multiforme in children

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhaya V. Kulkarni ◽  
Laurence E. Becker ◽  
Venita Jay ◽  
Derek C. Armstrong ◽  
James M. Drake
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Therapy ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Tumor Spread ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Craniospinal Radiation ◽  
Sick Children ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Primary cerebellar glioblastomas multiforme are exceedingly rare in children. The authors therefore retrospectively characterized the clinical behavior and pathological features of these tumors. A review of the database at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada revealed four patients with cerebellar tumors that displayed significant pleomorphism, hypercellularity, mitoses, and necrosis with pseudopalisading. The authors performed a detailed clinical, radiological, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis of the tumors in these four children (three boys and one girl; average age at presentation 7 years; range 21 months–15 years). Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography most commonly revealed a large lesion with minimal edema, inhomogeneous contrast enhancement, and a discrete border. Tumor resection was subtotal in one patient and gross total in three patients. Immunostaining of the tumor cells with antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin was positive in varying degrees. Initial adjuvant therapy consisted of local radiation only (one patient), chemotherapy only (one patient), and radiation and chemotherapy (one patient). One patient received no adjuvant therapy. Tumor recurrence was documented in all patients: two local recurrences (at 3.5 and 7 months), one spinal recurrence (at 14 months), and one local recurrence with ventricular and spinal spread (at 8 months). Ultimately, three of the four patients developed leptomeningeal tumor spread. Patient follow up ranged from 8 to 17 months (mean 12.5 months). Three patients were dead at last follow up with a mean survival of 15 months.The prognosis for patients with cerebellar glioblastomas is extremely poor, and the tumor has a tendency for cerebrospinal fluid dissemination. The optimal management of patients harboring of these difficult-to-treat tumors, including the role of craniospinal radiation and chemotherapy, has not yet been achieved.

Aggressive surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in children

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold J. Hoffman ◽  
Marcia De Silva ◽  
Robin P. Humphreys ◽  
James M. Drake ◽  
Mary Lou Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Control ◽  
Total Excision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Sick Children ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The cases of 50 patients with craniopharyngioma operated on at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto between January, 1975, and December, 1989, are reviewed. All patients were under 18 years of age (mean 9.39 years). Headaches, endocrine deficiences, and visual deficits were the most common symptoms on admission. Forty-five patients underwent what was considered by the surgeon to be total excision of their tumor, and five had subtotal excision. Tumors recurred in 17 patients (mean time of recurrence 32.6 months after surgery). One patient died in the postoperative period and three have been lost to follow-up study. Of the remaining 46 patients, 28 are leading a normal or nearly normal life, although all are receiving endocrine replacement and some have required help to overcome mild deficits in memory or visual acuity. Twelve patients are able to function reasonably well and attend school despite being hampered by intellectual or visual deficits or problems with weight control; four have a significant handicap, and two have died.

Follow-up study of 103 American soldiers who sustained a brain wound in Vietnam

1974 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 542-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Carey ◽  
Harold F. Young ◽  
Berkley L. Rish ◽  
Jacob L. Mathis
Keyword(s):  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Pulmonary Emboli ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
War Zone ◽  
Bone Fragments ◽  
Brain Abscesses ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report a follow-up study of 103 American soldiers who were treated for brain wounds at one neurosurgical facility in Vietnam. The estimated mortality after evacuation from the war zone was 6% to 8%. Severe brain wounds, meningitis, and pulmonary emboli accounted for the majority of the late deaths. Thirty-four per cent had post-debridement complications such as retained bone fragments (16%), infection (15%), cerebrospinal fluid leaks or wound dehiscence (2%). Removal of retained intracerebral bone was associated with occasional complications but unquestionably prevented several late brain abscesses; only two patients in this series developed a late brain abscess. About half of those who were evacuated from Vietnam with retained intracerebral bone harbored fragments that were contaminated with bacteria.

Overall outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Säveland ◽  
Jan Hillman ◽  
Lennart Brandt ◽  
Göran Edner ◽  
Karl-Erik Jakobsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Intracerebral Hematoma ◽  
Early Referral ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Protocol ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The present prospective study, with participation of five of the six neurosurgical centers in Sweden, was conducted to evaluate the overall management results in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The participating centers covered 6.93 million (81%) of Sweden's 8.59 million inhabitants. All patients with verified aneurysmal SAH admitted between June 1, 1989, and May 31, 1990, were included in this prospective study. A uniform management protocol was adopted involving ultra-early referral, earliest possible surgery, and aggressive anti-ischemic treatment. A total of 325 patients were admitted during the study period, 69% within 24 hours after hemorrhage. On admission, the patients were graded according to the scale of Hunt and Hess: 43 patients (13%) were classified in Grade I, 119 (37%) in Grade II, 53 (16%) in Grade III, 76 (23%) in Grade IV, and 34 (II%) in Grade V. Nimodipine was administered to 269 of the 325 patients: intravenously in 218, orally in 15, and intravenously followed by orally in 36. At follow-up examination 3 to 6 months after SAH, 183 patients (56%) were classified as having made a good neurological recovery, 73 patients (23%) suffered some morbidity, and 69 (21%) were dead. Surgery was performed in 276 (85%) of the patients; emergency surgery with evacuation of an associated intracerebral hematoma was carried out in 30 patients. Early surgery (within 72 hours after SAH) was performed in 170 individuals, intermediate surgery (between Days 4 and 6 post-SAH) in 29 patients, and late surgery (Day 7 or later after SAH) in 47 individuals. Of 145 patients with supratentorial aneurysms who were preoperatively in Hunt and Hess Grades I to III and who were treated within 72 hours, 81 made a good recovery; in 5.5% of patients, the unfavorable outcome was ascribed to delayed ischemia. It is concluded that, among patients with all clinical grades and aneurysmal locations, almost six of 10 SAH victims referred to a neurosurgical unit can be saved and can recover to a normal life.

Low-grade gliomas associated with intractable epilepsy: seizure outcome utilizing electrocorticography during tumor resection

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Saadi Ghatan ◽  
Michael M. Haglund ◽  
Jill Dobbins ◽  
George A. Ojemann
Keyword(s):  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Complete Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Grade Gliomas ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Seizure Foci

✓ Adults and children with low-grade gliomas often present with medically refractory epilepsy. Currently, controversy exists regarding the need for intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) to identify and, separately, resect seizure foci versus tumor removal alone to yield maximum seizure control in this patient population. Forty-five patients with low-grade gliomas and intractable epilepsy were retrospectively analyzed with respect to preoperative seizure frequency and duration, number of antiepileptic drugs, intraoperative ECoG data (single versus multiple foci), histology of resected seizure foci, and postoperative control of seizures with or without antiepileptic drugs. Multiple versus single seizure foci were more likely to be associated with a longer preoperative duration of epilepsy. Of the 45 patients studied, 24 were no longer taking antiepileptic drugs and were seizure-free (mean follow-up interval 54 months). Seventeen patients, who all had complete control of their seizures, remained on antiepileptic drugs at lower doses (mean follow-up interval 44 months); seven of these patients were seizure-free postoperatively, yet the referring physician was reluctant to taper the antiepileptic drugs. Four patients continued to have seizures while receiving antiepileptic drugs, although at a reduced frequency and severity. In this series 41% of the adults versus 85% of the children were seizure-free while no longer receiving antiepileptic drugs, with mean postoperative follow-up periods of 50 and 56 months, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.016). Therefore, based on this experience and in comparison with numerous retrospective studies involving similar patients, ECoG is advocated, especially in children and in any patient with a long-standing seizure disorder, to maximize seizure control while minimizing or abolishing the need for postoperative antiepileptic drugs.

Treatment of intracerebral hematomas caused by aneurysm rupture: coil placement followed by clot evacuation

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 843-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Niemann ◽  
Andrew D. Wills ◽  
Nicholas F. Maartens ◽  
Richard S. C. Kerr ◽  
James V. Byrne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aneurysm Rupture ◽  
Intracerebral Hematoma ◽  
World Federation ◽  
Treatment Combination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Valuable Alternative ◽  
Surgical Evacuation ◽  
Clot Evacuation ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment combination of coil embolization and clot evacuation in patients presenting with an intracerebral hematoma (ICH) caused by the rupture of an aneurysm. Methods. Twenty-seven patients were prospectively recruited in this study between 1996 and 2000. Endovascular treatment of the putative ruptured aneurysm was performed as soon as practical after diagnosis and before surgical evacuation of the ICH. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used during follow up. Despite admission World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grades of IV or V in 25 patients (92%), 13 (48%) recovered well with GOS scores of 1 or 2, whereas six patients (21%) died. Conclusions. The combined result of a favorable outcome in 48% of the patients and a mortality rate of 21% indicates that this treatment may be a valuable alternative for this patient group and warrants further study.

Evaluation of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other tremors: survival of neurons adjacent to the thalamic lesion after gamma thalamotomy

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Ohye ◽  
Tohru Shibazaki ◽  
Junji Ishihara ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Reaction ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Thalamic Lesion ◽  
Mr Images ◽  
Unsatisfactory Result ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rhythmic Discharge ◽  
Latent Interval ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The effects of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other kinds of tremor were evaluated. Methods. Thirty-six thalamotomies were performed in 31 patients by using a 4-mm collimator. The maximum dose was 150 Gy in the initial six cases, which was reduced to 130 Gy thereafter. The longest follow-up period was 6 years. The target was determined on T2-weighted and proton magnetic resonance (MR) images. The point chosen was in the lateral-most part of the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus. This is in keeping with open thalamotomy as practiced at the authors' institution. In 15 cases, gamma thalamotomy was the first surgical procedure. In other cases, previous therapeutic or vascular lesions were visible to facilitate targeting. Two types of tissue reaction were onserved on MR imaging: a simple oval shape and a complex irregular shape. Neither of these changes affected the clinical course. In the majority of cases, the tremor subsided after a latent interval of approximately 1 year after irradiation. The earliest response was demonstrated at 3 months. In five cases the tremor remained. In four of these cases, a second radiation session was administered. One of these four patients as well as another patient with an unsatisfactory result underwent open thalamotomy with microrecording. In both cases, depth recording adjacent to the necrotic area revealed normal neuronal activity, including the rhythmic discharge of tremor. Minor coagulation was performed and resulted in immediate and complete arrest of the remaining tremor. Conclusions. Gamma thalamotomy for Parkinson's disease seems to be an alternative useful method in selected cases.

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