Incidence of emergency neurosurgical TBI procedures: a population-based study

Background The rates of emergency neurosurgery in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients vary between populations and trauma centers. In planning acute TBI treatment, knowledge about rates and incidence of emergency neurosurgery at the population level is of importance for organization and planning of specialized health care services. This study aimed to present incidence rates and patient characteristics for the most common TBI-related emergency neurosurgical procedures. Methods Oslo University Hospital is the only trauma center with neurosurgical services in Southeast Norway, which has a population of 3 million. We extracted prospectively collected registry data from the Oslo TBI Registry – Neurosurgery over a five-year period (2015–2019). Incidence was calculated in person-pears (crude) and age-adjusted for standard population. We conducted multivariate multivariable logistic regression models to assess variables associated with emergency neurosurgical procedures. Results A total of 2151 patients with pathological head CT scans were included. One or more emergency neurosurgical procedure was performed in 27% of patients. The crude incidence was 3.9/100,000 person-years. The age-adjusted incidences in the standard population for Europe and the world were 4.0/100,000 and 3.3/100,000, respectively. The most frequent emergency neurosurgical procedure was the insertion of an intracranial pressure monitor, followed by evacuation of the mass lesion. Male sex, road traffic accidents, severe injury (low Glasgow coma score) and CT characteristics such as midline shift and compressed/absent basal cisterns were significantly associated with an increased probability of emergency neurosurgery, while older age was associated with a decreased probability. Conclusions The incidence of emergency neurosurgery in the general population is low and reflects neurosurgery procedures performed in patients with severe injuries. Hence, emergency neurosurgery for TBIs should be centralized to major trauma centers.

P.074 Management, timing of anticoagulation and outcomes of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a single centre chart review

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) accounts for <1% of all strokes. Our objectives were to describe the clinical features and examine the association between timing of anticoagulation therapy and outcomes in CVST patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to Hamilton Health Sciences from 2015 – 2020 with imaging confirmed CVST. Results: We included 96 patients, mean age of 47.9 (SD 18.1). The most common clinical presentation was headache (43.8%). Brain trauma was the most common identified risk factor (15.6%), while 27% of individuals had no identified cause. Most patients (57.3%) received anticoagulation within 24hrs of identified CVST, while 26% had a delay (≥48hrs) and 16.7% were not anti-coagulated. The rationale for delaying or not starting anticoagulation included traumatic brain injury (31.8%), neurosurgical procedure (9.1%), presence of venous infarct and/or haemorrhage (27.1%) and unclear rationale (31.8%). At a median of 8 days, more patients without clear indications for delayed or no anticoagulation were disabled (defined by modified Rankin Scale, mRS, score ≥ 2) or dead (mRS 6), compared to those anti-coagulated in 24hrs (87.5% versus 31.8%; RR 2.75; 95% CI 1.74 – 4.35). Conclusions: Unjustified delay in anticoagulation may result in poorer clinical outcomes in CVST patients.

Peroral Trigeminal Rhizotomy Using a Novel 3-Dimensional Printed Patient-Specific Guidance Tool

BACKGROUND Ganglion Gasseri rhizotomy is a viable therapeutic option for trigeminal pain (TP). For this neurosurgical procedure, different potential operative and technical nuances exist. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a novel peroral trigeminal rhizotomy method and 3-dimensional printed patient-specific guidance tool (3D-PSGT) with respect to their applicability and safety. METHODS Between March 2018 and February 2021, 20 peroral balloon compression rhizotomy procedures with a 3D-PSGT were performed in 18 consecutive TP patients (13 female, mean age 58 yr). We registered the procedure duration, side effects, complications, and trigeminal function. The therapeutic effect was gauged from reduction of TP and use of analgesics. RESULTS All catheter insertions and rhizotomy procedures were successful at the first attempt. Apart from fluoroscopy, no auxiliary material was necessary. The average length of surgery was 19 min (range, 11-27 min). In total, 8 patients indicated complete analgesia and 6 patients pain relief; in 4 patients, persistence of TP was observed during follow-up examinations of up to 20 mo. In total, 6 patients reported of new mild to moderate facial hypesthesia affecting the trigeminal branches V2, V3, or V1-3. No masticatory musculature or corneal affections and device-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION The peroral 3D-PSGT trigeminal rhizotomy is straightforward for the neurosurgeon. This operative approach allows for rapid, safe, and simple foramen ovale cannulation in TP patients and reduces the use of additional equipment, radiation exposure, and procedure time.

Cervical Subarachnoid Drain for the Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a common phenomenon encountered by the neurosurgeon. It is most commonly come across after a neurosurgical procedure, but it can be seen idiopathically. Treatment usually ranges from conservative management through cerebrospinal fluid diversion to direct surgical repair. Continuous CSF drainage provides a path for diversion and allowing the site of the dural injury to heal effectively.1 Cervical subarachnoid drain is a safe and effective alternative when lumbar access is contraindicated or not achievable.2 Here we present a case of a 22-yr-old female with progressive symptomatic positional headaches due to a CSF leak from a prior deformity surgery treated with a cervical subarachnoid drain after a failed attempt at a direct repair. This 2-dimensional video illustrates the technique used for the placement of a cervical subarachnoid drain for the treatment of symptomatic CSF leak. Patient consented to the procedure and for the publication of their image.

Iatrogenic Harlequin syndrome after thoracic spine surgery: a case report and literary review

Here we present a unique case of Harlequin syndrome without Horner syndrome after contralateral Th3 intradural tumor resection. Harlequin sign in our case presented probably to resection of sympathetic nerves while removing meningioma. Syndrome is rare in neurosurgical procedure, but we think that surgeons must be aware of it.

Association Between Intoxication and Urgent Neurosurgical Procedures in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Results From the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program

Background: The probability of undergoing surgery after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) varies significantly across studies and centers. However, causes of this variability are poorly understood. We hypothesized that intoxication may impact the probability of receiving an urgent neurosurgical procedure among patients with severe TBI. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to a Level I or II trauma center in the United States or Canada with an isolated severe TBI.2012-2016 Data were derived from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program dataset. An urgent neurosurgical procedure was defined as a procedure that occurred within 24 hrs of admission. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to examine the independent effect of intoxication on a patient’s likelihood of undergoing an urgent procedure, as well as the timing of the procedure. Results: Of 33,646 patients with an isolated severe TBI, 11,313 (33.6%) were intoxicated. An urgent neurosurgical procedure was performed in 8,255 (24.5%) cases. Overall, there was no difference in the probability of undergoing an urgent procedure between patients who were and were not intoxicated (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.94–1.06). While intoxication status had no impact on the probability of surgery among patients with the most severe TBI (head AIS 5: OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.98–1.15]), intoxicated patients on the lower spectrum of injury had lower odds of undergoing an urgent procedure (AIS 3: OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.66–0.97]). Among patients who underwent an urgent procedure, intoxication had no impact on timing. Conclusion: Intoxication status was not associated with differences in the probability of undergoing an urgent neurosurgical procedure among all patients with a severe TBI. However, in patients with less severe TBI, intoxication status was associated with decreased likelihood of receiving an urgent intervention. This finding underscores the challenge in the management of intoxicated patients with TBI.

966 Implementation of Regional Scalp Blockade for Painless Removal of ICP Bolts: A Quality Improvement Project

Introduction Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring through insertion of a bolt is a common neurosurgical procedure for diagnosing cerebrospinal fluid disorders. The first step of our quality improvement project identified ICP bolt removal the most painful part of the procedure. We implemented and tested the efficacy of a scalp nerve block for bolt removal. Method Two groups were identified: (A) receiving oral analgesia only and (B) receiving ipsilateral supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve blocks. We then retrospectively compared satisfaction ratings of insertion versus removal process for the two bolt types using a telephonic questionnaire Results Eighty-five patients had ICP bolts (32M:53F, mean age 42.7±16.0 SD). Fifty-four were removed with oral analgesia (A) and 31 with oral and regional anaesthesia (B). Removal experience was reported as worse for group A than for group B (p &lt; 0.01). Most patients (66%) reported would have preferred local anesthetic during removal. No complications occurred from the block. Conclusions Regional nerve blocks are a safe and effective adjuvant for the painless removal of frontal ICP monitoring bolts. The final stage of the project was to implement nerve blocks as standard practice for bolt removal, to improve patient experience.