Post-operative Status of Facial Nerve in Cerebello-Pontine Angle Lesion via Retro-Sigmoid Approach; Complications and Outcome

  Objective:  To assess the post-operative status of Facial Nerve in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) lesion via retro-sigmoid approach and also its complications and outcome. Materials & Methods:  This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, JPMC Karachi from a period of 10-12-2021 to 10-06-2022.The sample size of our study was 37 patients. All the patients were operated for CPA lesions and followed for three months to assess the outcome efficacy. Results:  Our study showed that the mean age was 37 years, with a range of 27 to 65 years, in which the males were 18 (48.6%) and the females were 19 (51.4%). Out of 37 patients, 28 (75.7%) were diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma, while 6 (16.2%) were meningiomas, and 3 (8.1%) were epidermoid cysts. Gross total resection was performed in 14 (37.8%) patients, while subtotal resection (STR) in 23 (62.2%). Facial nerve function in terms of House-Brackmann at 3 months was found to be grade I in 26 (70.3%), grade II in 9 (24.3%), grade III in 1 (2.7%), and grade IV in 1 (2.7%). Conclusion:  The CPA is a small corridor through which important neurovascular structures pass. Identification of CN VII is important in large CPA tumours to preserve facial motor nerve function.  For all kinds of CPA lesions, gross total excision should be the aim of surgery

Pattern of Skull Fractures and Its Outcome in Pediatric Head Injury Patients

Objective: Skull fractures are common in pediatric age group. The surgical management of paediatric patients with a skull fracture differs among institutions and surgeons. Our object of this study was to assess the pattern of skull fractures and outcome in paediatric population. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of neurosurgery of a tertiary care hospital from June 2018 to April 2020. We included 152 children between ages 5 to 11 years who were brought with the head trauma and diagnosed to have skull fracture on computerized tomography (CT) Scan brain. Results: The mean age of patients was 6.91 + 1.84 years. There were 59.8% males and 40.1% females. The most common type of fracture at presentation was depressed fracture in 42% patients, followed by linear (35%) and compound fractures (23%). Parietal fractures were the commonest (63.1%) in our study. Associated intracranial hematomas were seen in 37.5% patients, epidural hematoma being the most common. Surgically treated patients were 36%. Good recovery was seen in 73% patients while mortality was 10.5%. Conclusion: Isolated skull fractures are overall benign conditions. Linear parietal skull fractures have good outcome amongst all fracture types

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic and Histopathological Findings in the Supratentorial Brain Space Occupying Lesions

Objective:  Diagnosis of supratentorial space occupying lesion is a frequent dilemma in neurosurgical practice. MR spectroscopy that is an advanced MR imaging sequence can prove to be decisive in such cases. The objective of the study is to determine diagnostic accuracy of MRS in differentiating supra-tentorial brain space occupying lesions taking histopathology as gold standard Material and Methods:  The cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from August 2018 to July 2019. A calculated sample size of 156 patients aged between 18-50 years after informed consent. All patients underwent MR Spectroscopy pre-operatively. Surgery was performed and histopathological findings were compared with spectroscopic findings. Results:  The average age of the patients was 32.41 ± 10.02 years. There were 84 (53.84%) males and 72 (46.15%) females. The sensitivity of MRS was 90.69% with a specificity of 97.34%. Conclusion:  MR Spectroscopy is an accurate diagnostic tool for establishing pre-operative differentiation between neoplastic and inflammatory lesion. It should be performed in all cases where contrast MRI is inconclusive in establishing the diagnosis. Keywords:  , Brain Abscess, Supratentorial lesion, Brain Tumo

Outcome in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective:  To determine the outcome of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt in normal pressure hydrocephalus. Material and Methods:  This study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) were included. Gender distribution, presentation of symptoms and post-operative outcome based on the Stein Langfitt Scale were assessed. CSF was sent for microbiological and biochemical analyses. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and compared postoperatively during 6 months duration for improvement and any associated complication. Results:  In this study, we had 47 patients, 38 were male and 9 were female. 22 patients presented with dementia, 18 with urinary incontinence, 17 with gait disturbance 17, while 21 had headache based on Stein and Langfitt Scale. The 78.8% patients had an excellent outcome, 17% had a good outcome and 4.2% had poor results. Conclusion:  Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt had promising results selected on history and examination of normal pressure hydrocephalus and improved radiological in Evan’s ratio CT brain scan. Keywords:  Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), VP Shunt, Stein and Langfitt Scale

The Outcome of Subaxial Cervical Injury in Adult Patients Managed Surgically Through an Anterior Approach

Objectives:  We determined the Outcome of subaxial cervical injury management in adults through anterior approach open reduction and fixation injury < 72 hours. Material and Methods:  A total of 71 patients declared to have a recent chronicle of traumatic cervical spine injury with a conventional diagnosis of subaxial injury by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-Ray anteroposterior and lateral views. ASIA Impairment Scale was used for assessment and was done at the time of admission and after six months. Results: Mean age of the patients in our study was 38.54 ± 5.47 years. According to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, improvement by two grades was seen in 18 cases and improvement by one – grade was observed in 48 cases. Mortality was seen in 5 cases, where 2 deaths were related to associated injury, one related to a complication of surgery and other 2 died due to aspiration complications. Out of 66 cases, the outcome was good in 49 (74.29%) and fair in 17 (25.76%). Conclusion:  The study results revealed that Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is considered to be a better treatment choice for better anatomical stabilization of the spine with early reduction. Keywords:  Subaxial cervical injury, anterior approach, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) scoring

Transpedicular Fixation via Posterior Approach for Dorsal and Lumbar Spine Tuberculosis

Objective:  To determine the outcome of Transpedicular Fixation via Posterior Approach for Dorsal and Lumbar Spine Tuberculosis. Material/Methods:  This study was cross-sectional and conducted from 01/02/2015 to 30/7/2020 in the department of neurosurgery. A total of 36 patients with dorsal and lumbar spine tuberculosis were operated on for transpedicular fixation. Assessment scores were used pre-operative and post-operative and patients were kept on follow-up till six months after the surgical procedure. Variables like age, gender, spinal level, preoperative, and follow-up clinical status were calculated. Results:  There were 19 (53%) male and 17 (47%) female patients with a mean age of 27 ± 8. Thoracolumbar was the commonest segment involved in 17 (47%) patients, followed by lower thoracic in 8 (22%) and lumbar in 7 (19%). There were 7 (19%) patients on the preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale in grade B, 12 (33%) in grade C, 15 (42%) in grade D, and 2 (5%) in grade E. The follow-up assessment at 6 months showed that ASIA grade B was seen in 3 (8%), grade C in 4 (11%), grade D in 16 (44%), and Grade E in 13 (36%) patients. Preoperative and follow-up scores on the ASIA impairment scale, COBS ANGLE, and ESR showed a significant difference (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion:  We concluded that transpedicular fixation can restore the stability of the spine in thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. The procedure is important for the improvement of clinical symptoms, correction of kyphosis, and stabilization of the spinal column

The Surgical Outcome for Prolapsed Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Based on Visual Analog Scores

Objective:  To determine the surgical Outcome for a prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc based on a visual analog score. Materials and Methods:  A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. A total of 55 patients were included in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, presenting symptoms, and the level of the herniated discs. The patients underwent different surgical interventions and then these patients were followed for 2 weeks postoperatively and the surgical outcome was assessed using the Visual Analog Score (VAS). Results:  A total of 34 (61.8%) males and 21 (38.2%) females were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 36.14 ± 9.30 years. L5/S1 was the most commonly affected level. Laminar fenestration was the most common surgical procedure done in 23 (41.8%) patients followed by hemilaminectomy in 19 (34.5%) patients and bilateral laminectomy in 13 (23.6%). Post-operative pain was relieved in the majority of patients which is 43 (78.2%). Conclusion:  Medical management remains the mainstay in the majority of patients having lumbar disc prolapse. However, in cases where the pain is refractory to conservative management, surgery is considered after careful patient selection. It was seen that surgical intervention successfully reduced the intensity of pain and resulted in a symptomatically improved patient. Hence it is safe to conclude that surgery is an effective measure and ultimately enhances the quality of life

Caries Spine: A Comparative Study between Medical Management Alone with Combined Medical and Surgical Management

Objective:  To compare short term outcome of combined surgical and medical management versus medical management alone in caries spine.Material and Methods:  This study was conducted from August 2015 to August 2018, on 68 patients randomly divided into two groups of 34 each. All were diagnosed cases of Caries spine based on history, clinical examination, ESR and imaging appearances. Group A underwent surgical intervention along with Anti-Tuberculous Treatment (ATT) while Group B received medical treatment (ATT) alone.  Results:  There were 37 (54.41%) males and 31 (45.59%) females with mean age of 34.84 ± 10.6 years. The thoracic spine was the commonest site in 33 (48.5%) patients, followed by lumbar in 20 (20.8%), dorso-lumbar in seven (10.3%) and cervical in four (5.88%) patients. The ESR fell from 85mm/hr to 24.46mm/hr in Group A and to 41.92mm/hr in Group B (p = 0.0124). Overall improvement in Frankel grade was seen in 25 (73.5%) patients in Group A and 12 (35.3%) in group B. In group A, improvement seen from grade A in two (8%), grade B in three (12%), grade C in 12(48%), Grade D in seven (28%) patients, (p = 0.000) while eight (23.5%) patients remained same and only one (2.5%) deteriorated from baseline neurological status. In Group B, 16 (47%) patients remained same and six (17.6%) deteriorated. Conclusion:  Surgery combined with antituberculous therapy was found to be beneficial in patients suffering from caries spine and to be recommended to patients desiring rapid recover

The Prevalence of Low Vitamin D3 Levels in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Its Relationship with Different Patient Parameters

Objective:  To determine the prevalence of low vitamin D3 levels in patients having proven lumbar disc herniation and its relationship with different patient parameters. Materials and Methods:  This is a prospective study carried out on 100 patients at the Neurosurgery department, Jinnah postgraduate medical center from Feb 2018 to April 2019. Serum Vitamin D levels and other characteristics were assessed in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs. Low levels of Vitamin D were defined as insufficiency (10 ng/ml – 30 ng/ml) and deficiency (< 10 ng/ml). Results:  Out of 100 patients in the study, only 21% had optimal serum vitamin D3 levels, and 79% had hypovitaminosis (57% insufficient and 22% deficiency). Low vitamin D levels were prevalent in all age groups, with deficiency more prevalent in the older age group (p-value = 0.004). The BMI (body mass index) of the patients showed a linear correlation with vitamin D levels. Conclusion:  Decreased vitamin D levels are prevalent in patients having herniated lumbar discs. The study showed that older-aged patients and high BMI exhibited severe vitamin D deficiency. As a result, recommendations are that preventive initiative for this specific hypovitaminosis target a broader population to intercept the occurrence of low vitamin D levels and the associated repercussions

Outcome of cranial firearm injuries in civilian population based on a novel classification system

Background: Cranial firearm injuries (CFAIs) are expected to be frequent during warfare; however, it is becoming increasingly common among civilian population in our part of the world. These injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in addition to financial loss. The objective of our study is to evaluate the pattern of gunshot injuries to cranium and their outcome.Methods: The study was conducted on 114 patients presenting with CFAIs to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, between June 2015 and January 2019. Patients were evaluated with respect to age, gender, pattern of injury, Glasgow coma scale on arrival, radiological and clinical assessment, surgical intervention, and Glasgow outcome score measured at 6 months follow-up.Results: Among patients with cranial gunshot, injuries most were males (76.3%). More than 50% patients aged between 18 and 35 years. About 46.5% of patients presented with moderate traumatic brain injury commonly involving the temporal lobe (36.8%). Of total 114 patients, 84.2% were managed conservatively but wound debridement was done in all patients. At 6 months, the overall mortality in our patients was 33.3%. Patients with good outcome (GOS 4 and 5) were 30.7% and 35.9% patients had bad outcome (GOS 2 and 3). Complication rate was 14.9% and the most common complication was disseminated intravascular coagulation in 5.2%.Conclusion: Surgical intervention has no significant benefit over conservative management on long-term mortality and should be limited to patients with large intracranial hematomas and intraventricular hematomas causing hydrocephalus