Intracranial hypertension

A relação entre o conteúdo da caixa intracraniana e o seu volume determina a pressão intracraniana (PIC), que tem como referência a pressão atmosférica. Em condições normais, a pressão intracraniana tem flutuações determinadas pelos ciclos respiratório e cardíaco. Várias doenças determinam o aumento da pressão intracraniana, sendo a mais freqüente o traumatismo craniencefálico. Para o diagnóstico da hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) deve-se valorizar o quadro clínico, constituído de cefaléia, vômitos e papiledema. Dos exames subsidiários, os mais importantes são os métodos de imagem principalmente Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) e Ressonância Nuclear Magnética (RNM). Para os casos graves de HIC, o ideal durante o tratamento é que a PIC esteja monitorizada. Diversas modalidades podem ser utilizadas, como a hipocapnia induzida pela hiperventilação, os diuréticos osmóticos, a hipotermia e cuidados especiais no tratamento geral dos pacientes.The relation between the volume of the brain and the skull determines the intracranial pressure, that has as reference the atmospheric pressure. In normal conditions the intracranial pressure has oscillations determined by the breathing and heart cycles. Several pathologies determine the increase of the intracranial pressure, the most frequent the head trauma. Should be valued for the diagnosis of the intracranial hypertension (ICH) the clinical picture of headache, vomiting and papilledema. The most important subsidiary exams are the image methods mainly the Computed Tomography (CT) and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Monitorization of the intracranial pressure is important for severe cases of ICH. Several therapeutic modalities can ben used, as hypocarbia induced by hyperventilation, osmotics diuretics, barbiturates, hypothermia and special general measures with the patient

A comparison between magnetic resonance angiography at 3 teslas (time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced) and flat-panel digital subtraction angiography in the assessment of embolized brain aneurysms

PURPOSE: To compare the time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced- magnetic resonance angiography techniques in a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance unit with digital subtraction angiography with the latest flat-panel technology and 3D reconstruction in the evaluation of embolized cerebral aneurysms. INTRODUCTION: Many embolized aneurysms are subject to a recurrence of intra-aneurismal filling. Traditionally, imaging surveillance of coiled aneurysms has consisted of repeated digital subtraction angiography. However, this method has a small but significant risk of neurological complications, and many authors have advocated the use of noninvasive imaging methods for the surveillance of embolized aneurysms. METHODS: Forty-three aneurysms in 30 patients were studied consecutively between November 2009 and May 2010. Two interventional neuroradiologists rated the time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography, the contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography, and finally the digital subtraction angiography, first independently and then in consensus. The status of aneurysm occlusion was assessed according to the Raymond scale, which indicates the level of recanalization according to degrees: Class 1: excluded aneurysm; Class 2: persistence of a residual neck; Class 3: persistence of a residual aneurysm. The agreement among the analyses was assessed by applying the Kappa statistic. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement was excellent for both methods (K = 0.93; 95 % CI: 0.84-1). Inter-technical agreement was almost perfect between time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography (K = 0.98; 95 % CI: 0.93-1) and between time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography (K = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93-1). Disagreement occurred in only one case (2.3%), which was classified as Class I by time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and Class II by digital subtraction angiography. The agreement between contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography was perfect (K = 1; 95% CI: 1-1). In three patients, in-stent stenosis was identified by magnetic resonance angiography but not confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. CONCLUSION: Digital subtraction angiography and both 3T magnetic resonance angiography techniques have excellent reproducibility for the assessment of aneurysms embolized exclusively with coils. In those cases also treated with stent remodeling, digital subtraction angiography may still be necessary to confirm eventual parent artery stenosis, as identified by magnetic resonance angiography

Surgical management of foramen magnum meningiomas

The objective of the study is to describe our experience in the surgical management of foramen magnum meningiomas with regard to the clinical-radiological findings, the surgical approach and the outcomes after mid-term follow up. Over a 5-year period, 15 patients presenting with meningiomas of the foramen magnum underwent surgical treatment. The medical records were reviewed in order to analyze the clinical-radiological aspects, as well as the surgical approach and the outcomes. Based on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging exams, the tumors were classified as anterior or anterolateral in the axial slices and clivospinal or spinoclival in the sagittal slices. The lateral approach was used in all cases. However, the extent of bone removal and the management of the vertebral artery were tailored to each patient. Fourteen patients were females, and one was male, ranging in age from 42 to 74 years (mean 55,9 years). The occipital condyle was partially removed in eight patients, and in seven patients, removal was not necessary. Total removal of the tumor was achieved in 12 patients, subtotal in two, and partial resection in one patient. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 56 months (mean 23.6 months).There was no surgical mortality in this series. The extent of the surgical approach to foramen magnum meningiomas must be based on the main point of dural attachment and tailored individually case-by-case. The differentiation between the clivospinal and spinoclival types, as well as anterior and anterolateral types, is crucial for the neurosurgical planning of foramen magnum meningiomas

Endovascular therapy for selected (most non-surgical) intracranial aneurysms in a Brazilian University Hospital Tratamento endovascular de aneurismas selecionados (maioria não cirúrgicos) em um hospital universitário brasileiro

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate technical, clinical and angiographic results of a nonsurgical series of intracranial aneurysms treated by endovascular approach at Hospital das Clínicas of Medical School of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo. METHOD: Between August 2005 and November 2008, 137 aneurysms in 106 patients were endovascularly treated. Of these, 101 were unruptured in 75 patients and 36 aneurysms in 31 patients were treated during the acute phase. The data were prospectively studied. RESULTS: Sixty three aneurysms (46%) were treated with coils alone, 52 (38%) with balloon remodeling, 15 (10.9%) with stent remodeling, and 7 (5.1%) with therapeutic occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Six clinical complications (5.7%) were related to the procedures, 3 (2.8%) transitory and 3 (2.8%) permanent. Angiographic follow-up was available for 97 aneurysms (70.8%), clinical monitoring for 77 patients (72.6%) and telephone contact for 97 (91.5%). CONCLUSION: The technical, clinical and angiographic results found in this study are similar to those reported in the literature<br>OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os resultados técnicos, clínicos e angiográficos de uma série de aneurismas intracranianos não cirúrgicos tratados por via endovascular no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo e comparar com os dados disponíveis na literatura atualmente. MÉTODO: Entre agosto de 2005 e novembro de 2008, 137 aneurismas foram tratados por via endovascular em 106 pacientes. Destes, 101 eram não rotos em 75 pacientes e 36 aneurismas foram tratados em 31 pacientes durante a fase aguda de ruptura. Os dados foram incluídos de maneira prospectiva. RESULTADOS: Sessenta e três aneurismas (46%) foram tratados com técnica simples, 52 (38%) com remodelagem por balão, 15 (10,9%) com remodelagem por stent e 7 (5,1%) por oclusão terapêutica da carótida interna. Seis complicações clínicas ocorreram (5,7%), 3 (2,8%) transitórias e 3 (2,8%) permanentes. Seguimento angiográfico foi realizado para 97 aneurismas (70,8%), clínico para 77 pacientes (70,8%) e contato telefônico para 97 pacientes (91,5%). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados encontrados nesta série, em termos técnicos, clínicos e angiográficos, são semelhantes aos encontrados na literatur

Surgical management of glomus jugulare tumors: a proposal for approach selection based on tumor relationships with the facial nerve Clinical article

Object. The goal of this paper is to analyze the extension and relationships of glomus jugulare tumor with the temporal bone and the results of its surgical treatment aiming at preservation of the facial nerve. Based on the tumor extension and its relationships with the facial nerve, new criteria to be used in the selection of different surgical approaches are proposed. Methods. Between December 1997 and December 2007, 34 patients (22 female and 12 male) with glomus jugulare tumors were treated. Their mean age was 48 years. The mean follow-up was 52.5 months. Clinical findings included hearing loss in 88%, swallowing disturbance in 50%, and facial nerve palsy in 41%. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass in the jugular foramen in all cases, a mass in the middle ear in 97%, a cervical mass in 85%, and an intradural mass in 41%. The tumor was supplied by the external carotid artery in all cases, the internal carotid artery in 44%, and the vertebral artery in 32%. Preoperative embolization was performed in 15 cases. The approach was tailored to each patient, and 4 types of approaches were designed. The infralabyrinthine retrofacial approach (Type A) was used in 32.5%; infralabyrinthine pre- and retrofacial approach without occlusion of the external acoustic meatus (Type B) in 20.5%; infralabyrinthine pre- and retrofacial approach with occlusion of the external acoustic meatus (Type C) in 41 W. and the infralabyrinthine approach with transposition of the facial nerve and removal of the middle ear structures (Type D) in 6% of the patients. Results. Radical removal was achieved in 91% of the cases and partial removal in 9%. Among 20 patients without preoperative facial nerve dysfunction, the nerve was kept in anatomical position in 19 (95%), and facial nerve function was normal during the immediate postoperative period in 17 (85%). Six patients (17.6%) had a new lower cranial nerve deficit, but recovery of swallowing function was adequate in all cases. Voice disturbance remained in all 6 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 6 patients (17.6%), with no need for reoperation in any of them. One patient died in the postoperative period due to pulmonary complications. The global recovery, based on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), was 100% in 15% of the patients, 90% in 45%, 80% in 33%, and 70% in 6%. Conclusions. Radical removal of glomus jugulare tumor can be achieved without anterior transposition of the facial nerve. The extension of dissection, however, should be tailored to each case based on tumor blood supply, preoperative symptoms, and tumor extension. The operative field provided by the retrofacial infralabyrinthine approach, or the pre- and retrofacial approaches. with or without Closure of the external acoustic meatus, allows a wide exposure of the jugular foramen area. Global functional recovery based on the KPS is acceptable in 94% of the patients. (DOI: 10.3171/2008.10.JNS08612

Tomografia computadorizada em pacientes portadores de neurocisticercose com hipertensão intracraniana por hidrocefalia obstrutiva: comparação com ventriculografia com Dimer-X

Estudo das alterações observadas nas tomografias computadorizadas (TCs) de 16 casos de neurocisticercose, com hipertensão intracraniana por hidrocefalia. Todos os casos foram submetidos a radiografias simples do crânio e 12, à ventriculografia com Dimer-X. Nas radiografias simples foram observados sinais de hipertensão intracraniana em 7, calcificações em um, e d foram normais. A TC mostrou parênquima cerebral normal em 9 casos e nos 7 restantes áreas hipodensas arredondadas de tamanho variado, com ou sem retenção de contraste na periferia, e/ou calcificações esparsas no parenquima. Hidrocefalia foi a única alteração observada no sistema ventricular nos casos em que o exame foi realizado previamente à derivação do LCR. As ventriculografias foram analisadas em trabalho anterior e permitiram localizar e determinar as características da obstrução e a presença de massas ocupando espaço dentro dos ventrículos. A comparação das ventriculografias e TCs realizadas na mesma época evidenciou que a primeira fornece melhores informações sobre o sistema ventricular mas, por outro lado, a tomografia fornece informações adicionais sobre o parênquima cerebral. A TC e a ventriculografia são exames que se completam na avaliação e no diagnóstico destes pacientes