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Sclerosing spinal pachymeningitis. A complication of intrathecal administration of Depo-Medrol for multiple sclerosis.

Reported complications of intrathecal steroid therapy include aseptic meningitis, infectious meningitis, and arachnoiditis. We report a case of sclerosing spinal pachymeningitis complicating the attempted intrathecal administration of Depo-Medrol for multiple sclerosis. The lesion is characterised by concentric laminar proliferation of neomembranes within the subdural space of the entire spinal cord and cauda equina, resulting from repeated episodes of injury and repair to the spinal dura mater by Depo-Medrol. There is clinical and laboratory evidence that Depo-Medrol produces meningeal irritation and that the vehicle is the necrotising fraction.

Adult↗

[Case of postoperative subdural tension pneumocephalus].

In this paper, a case with subdural tension pneumocephalus secondary to bifrontal craniotomy and VP shunt for ruptured Acom aneurysm is reported. In this patient, the mechanisms for entry of air into the subdural space and producing mass effect (Tension pneumocephalus) seem to be one way valve mechanism and negative pressure due to excess of CSF drainage owing to shunting system. Only 29 reported cases of tension pneumocephalus following surgery were found in an extensive review of the literature. We discussed about the clinical symptoms and signs, therapy, and especially about the mechanisms leading to this condition, and prevention for it.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

Alleviation of intracranial air using carbon dioxide gas during intraventricular tumor resection.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSES: Postoperative vomiting occurs more frequently in patients after intraventricular surgery than after other intracranial surgeries. This has been attributed to intracranial air. Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) has properties beneficial to the treatment of some medical disorders, displaying a higher specific gravity and more rapid absorption into surrounding tissues than air. We therefore, attempted to replace air with CO2 during intra- and paraventricular tumor resections. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether intracranial air after intraventricular surgery could be alleviated safely using CO2, and investigate its clinical usefulness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CO2 was introduced into the subdural space at 2l/min through a silicon tube from time of dural incision to closure. Subjects comprised 40 patients alternately assigned to one of two groups: the trial group (n=20) receiving CO2 treatment; and controls (n=20) without CO2 treatment. RESULTS: Intra- and postoperatively, no patients showed complications caused by CO2 treatment. Postoperatively, intraventricular gas shown on CT scans disappeared significantly sooner in the trial group than in controls. Frequency of postoperative vomiting was significantly lower in the trial group than in controls. CONCLUSION: Intracranial air after intraventricular surgery can be safety alleviated using CO2.

Adolescent↗

[Postoperative air embolism caused by pneumatocephalus following occlusion of the posterior fossa. A rare complication indicative of a bridging vein disruption].

Many neurosurgeons prefer the sitting position for patients undergoing surgery in the posterior fossa because of the easier access and better conditions for haemostasis. Pneumatocephalus is a possible consequence of surgery in the posterior fossa with the patient in the sitting position. When this occurs air may enter the subarachnoid space, the cisternae, the ventricular system or the subdural space; it becomes more likely when any of the following is/are present: loss of CSF, a large cavity resulting from surgery, external or internal drainage of CSF, osmotic diuresis, and hyperventilation. Distances of 1-2 cm between cranium and brain may be found. The rupture of bridging veins may cause a subsequent subdural haematoma. Air embolism due to pneumatocephalus via the same vein after closure of the cranium is in this paper for the first time. Case report. A 37-year-old man with known Hippel-Lindau disease presented for posterior fossa surgery for treatment of a haemangioblastoma of the right cerebellar hemisphere. Surgery was done with the patient in a sitting position. Apart from one short episode of air embolism without haemodynamic changes no intraoperative complications occurred. After closure of the cranium and galea an unexpected and inexplicable air embolism of 10 min duration occurred again. TEE demonstrated the air looking like a string of beads in the right atrium. As complete skin had already been closure no explanation for the air embolism could be found. The patient was positioned supine, and air was no longer detectable in the right heart after 1 min. Approximately 1 h later both pupils were dilated and unreactive to light.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Anatomical study of the superior cerebral veins].

The authors describe the number, courses, fixations and dispositions of the superior cerebral veins at the levels of the subdural space and of the superior sagittal sinus. It was observed that the superior cerebral veins have different courses to the superior sagittal sinus, and that these vascular walls are fixed to the intern face of the cranial dura-mater and to the lateral wall of the sinus. Frequently, the wall of the posterior vein adheres to the falx cerebri, presenting ascendant trajet to the inferior wall of the sinus. It was noted that the anterior veins open into the superolateral angle of the superior sagittal sinus, forming an acute forwards and right angle with it; the middle veins open near to the inferior angle of the sinus, with which they form an acute forwards or a right angle; the posterior veins enter the inferior angle of the sinus, forming an acute forwards angle with it. The authors confirm the superior cerebral veins draining into the superior sagittal sinus in sense favorable the current of the blood within it.

Adult↗

No specific brain protection against thermal stress in fever.

Knowledge about human brain temperature is still very limited, despite evidence demonstrating the critical influence of mild increases in temperature on the ischaemic brain. It has been suggested that in passive and exercise hyperthermia the brain may be protected against thermal damage by a mechanism of selective brain cooling (SBC). It is said to bring about suppression of the temperature of the brain, rendering it significantly lower than trunk and arterial blood temperature. Yet very little is known about the possible role of this mechanism in fever, a condition fundamentally different from "physiological" hyperthermia, especially when it occurs in brain-damaged patients. In our investigation we retrospectively analysed the results of direct recordings of cerebral temperature within the subdural space (Tsd) and within the brain parenchyma (Tbr-16 cases) in 63 unanaesthetized patients following neurosurgical procedures, including 23 with fever > 38 degrees C. The difference between trunk temperature, measured in the rectum (Tre) or in the oesophagus (Tes), and the intracranial temperature, were calculated in all subjects. A statistically significant reduction of these differences, in step with increasing fever, would be compatible with demonstrating a process of selective brain cooling. The offsets Tre-Tsd, Tre-Tbr, and Tes-Tsd were plotted against Tre over a wide range of body temperature and near zero correlation was found. This finding suggests that brain temperature in fever was not selectively suppressed by any specific thermolytic mechanism and that dissipation of the main bulk of cerebral metabolic heat both in normothermia and in fever depends on heat uptake by arterial blood. The results suggest that the brain in fever can be seriously jeopardized by heat stress and no specific cooling mechanism exists, to reduce it below body temperature in feverish neurosurgical patients. Tbr and/or Tsd remained the highest body temperature in 14 out of the 23 patients during fever.

Aged↗

Intracranial injection of human meningioma cells in athymic mice: an orthotopic model for meningioma growth.

OBJECT: Although human meningioma cells have been heterotopically implanted in nude mice, introducing these cells into intracranial locations seems more likely to reproduce normal patterns of tumor growth. To provide an orthotopic xenograft model of meningioma, the authors implanted a controlled quantity of meningioma cells at subdural and intracerebral sites in athymic mice. METHODS: Malignant (one tumor), atypical (two tumors), or benign (three tumors) meningiomas were placed into primary cell cultures. Cells (10(6)/10 microl) from these cultures and from an immortalized malignant meningioma cell line, IOMM-Lee, were injected with stereotactic guidance into the frontal white matter or subdural space of athymic mice. Survival curves were plotted for mice receiving tumor cells of each histological type and according to injection site. Other mice were killed at intervals and their heads were sectioned whole. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of these sections revealed the extent of tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: The median length of survival for mice with malignant, atypical, or benign tumors was 19, 42, or longer than 84 days, respectively. Atypical and malignant tumors were invasive, but did not metastasize extracranially. Malignant tumors uniformly showed leptomeningeal dissemination and those implanted intracerebrally grew locally and spread noncontiguously to the ventricles, choroid plexus, convexities, and skull base. Tumors formed in only 50% of mice injected with benign meningioma cells, whereas injection of more aggressive cells was uniformly successful at tumor production. The three types of human meningiomas grown intracranially in athymic mice maintained their relative positions in the spectrum of malignancy. However, atypical meningiomas became more aggressive after xenografting and acquired malignant features, implying that there had been immune constraint in the original host. Tumor cells injected into brain parenchyma migrated to more optimal environments and grew best there. This model provides insights into the biology of meningiomas and may be useful for testing new therapies.

Aged↗

[Role of serum fibrinogen penetrating the subarachnoid space in the pathogenesis of brief cerebral arteriospasm].

A mixture of fibrinogen (4 ml in a 1 per cent solutions) and thrombin (10 I.U.) were instilled into the cisterma magna of 18 dogs which led to the formation of a fibrin clot in the subarachnoid space. This fibrin clot produced a spasm of the large cerebral arteries, which resulted in a narrowing to 84.8 +/- 1.8 per cent of the initial value. The subsequent administration of 400 units of fibrinolysin into the cisterna magna led to the dissolution of the fibrin clot and the dilatation of the arterie to 116.3 +/- 2.5 per cent of the initial value. Experiments carried out in 15 cats showed that, after being brought in the subarachnoid space, the spasmogenic factor of the clot, which consisted of all blood components, passes through the arachnoid into the subdural space. The penetration of the spasmogenic factor from the blood clot located on the surface of the arachnoid from the subdural to the subrarachnoid space was not observed. The arachnoid proves to be a membrane which can only be passed in one direction by the spasmogenic blood factor.

Animals↗

[Chronic subdural hematoma: analysis of 35 cases].

Thirty five patients with chronic subdural hematoma were treated surgically between 1988 and 1995. The patients, aged 19 to 80 years, were graded retrospectively according to the Bender scale. The clots were removed via burr-holes with irrigation of the subdural space to ensure as complete an evacuation of subdural collection, and craniotomy with membranectomy. The mortality rate was 16.6% with craniotomy and 0% with burr-hole. The patients who died, 80% were in grade III or IV. The pathogenesis and surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma has been controversial, and still remains obscure.

Adult↗

[Middle fossa arachnoid cyst presenting an interesting clinical course: a case report].

The mechanism of the disappearance of arachnoid cysts is not fully understood. We report a case of arachnoid cyst which disappeared after head injury. A 28-year-old male was found to have an arachnoid cyst in the left middle fossa following head injury. We followed him up, because he had no symptoms. Two weeks later, he suffered from severe headache. CT image showed a dilatation of the subdural space, and his symptom deteriorated. We performed subdural-perifocal shunt, but one month after, he developed a subdural hematoma. The subdural hematoma was irrigated through a burr hole. His symptom disappeared post operatively. Two months later, CT image showed the disappearance of subdural hematoma and the arachnoid cyst. This case suggested one of the mechanisms involved in the disappearance of arachnoid cyst after head injury.

Adult↗

Epidural versus subdural spinal cord cooling: cerebrospinal fluid temperature and pressure changes.

BACKGROUND: Regional spinal cord cooling can increase the tolerable duration for spinal cord ischemia resulting from aortic clamping. We compared the efficacy of epidural and subdural cooling and the effect of the resulting cerebrospinal fluid-pressure (CSF) increases on spinal cord motor neuron function. METHODS: In 8 pigs, CSF temperature and pressure were assessed in the subdural space at L4, T15, and T7. Saline was infused at 333, 666, and 999 ml/h at four consecutive locations: L4 subdural, L4 epidural, T15 subdural, and T15 epidural. First, the influence of CSF-pressure increases during normothermic infusion on transcranial motor evoked potentials (tc-MEPs) was assessed. Then, hypothermic infusion (4 degrees C) was performed to assess CSF-temperature changes. RESULTS: During normothermic infusion, baseline CSF pressures increased uniformly from 6 +/- 4 mm Hg to 34 +/- 18, 42 +/- 17, and 50 +/- 18 mm Hg with increasing infusion rates (p < 0.001), and did not differ between epidural or subdural infusion. Tc-MEPs indicated spinal cord ischemia in 6 animals when CSF pressures reached 65 +/- 11 mm Hg. During hypothermic infusion, CSF temperatures decreased from 37 degrees to 35 +/- 1.2 degrees, 31 +/- 2.2 degrees, and 28 +/- 2.8 degrees C, but increasing CSF-temperature gradients were observed between the infusion location and distant segments. Subdural cooling resulted in lower CSF temperatures (p < 0.001), but caused larger CSF-pressure increases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Subdural and epidural infusion cooling produce localized spinal cord hypothermia in pigs. The concurrent pressure increases, however, are uniformly distributed and can result in tc-MEP evidence of ischemia.

Animals↗

An unusual cause of overdose after baclofen pump implantation: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Intrathecal baclofen delivery for the treatment of spasticity has been used for almost 20 years with a great deal of success. A wide variety of complications and pitfalls have been described. This report details a novel complication involving inadvertent and initially unrecognized canalization of the subdural space with the spinal catheter, which ultimately resulted in an overdose. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An intrathecal pump system was implanted in a 15-year-old girl with spasticity. This initially resulted in a lack of therapeutic effect. The diagnostic workup ultimately led to contrast administration through the pump system, which precipitated a baclofen overdose when sequestered medication in the subdural compartment was released into the intrathecal space. INTERVENTION: The spinal catheter was subsequently revised, and the patient made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: The possibility of a subdural catheter should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients who experience a lack of drug effect after pump implantation, despite increases in dosage. Close monitoring is required because of the risk of spontaneous or induced overdose, which may occur when a communication develops between the subdural and intrathecal compartments.

Adolescent↗

Estimation of topiramate in subdural cerebrospinal fluid, subcutaneous extracellular fluid, and plasma: a single case microdialysis study.

PURPOSE: To estimate topiramate (TPM) concentrations in subdural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), subcutaneous extracellular fluid (ECF), and plasma and to study the correlation of TPM concentrations in these three different compartments. METHODS: In this single case study of a patient with drug-resistant partial epilepsy undergoing presurgical evaluation with subdural EEG monitoring, we used microdialysis to estimate concentrations of unbound TPM in CSF of the subdural space and ECF of abdominal subcutaneous tissue. Blood samples were drawn for estimation of TPM concentrations in plasma. RESULTS: The correlation between unbound TPM concentrations in subdural CSF and abdominal subcutaneous ECF was good. The mean ratio of ECF/CSF TPM concentration was 0.93 (SD+/-0.03) and the correlation coefficient was 0.98. The mean ratio of ECF/total plasma TPM was 0.75 (SD+/-0.06), and the correlation coefficient was 0.99. The mean ratio of CSF/total plasma TPM was 0.81 (SD+/-0.06), and the correlation coefficient was 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming a protein binding of TPM of approximately 13%. it is concluded that, based on nine microdialysis samples from a single subject, TPM levels in the CSF at the cortical surface are approximately the same as the unbound plasma levels. Additional patients should be studied to confirm the results.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in a spinal abscess model. Preliminary report.

RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance (MR) scan technique and lesion detectability were evaluated using a newly developed spinal abscess model in the New Zealand White rabbit. METHODS: To create the lesion, an epidural needle was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance in the lumbar region and advanced to penetrate the ligamentum flavum. Next, polyethylene tubing was fed through the needle into the epidural space. A mixed suspension of Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan I) and blue polystyrene microspheres then was injected. Lesions were evaluated by MR imaging in four animals at multiple time points (3, 6, and 9 days). Imaging was performed at 1.5 tesla using a surface coil. Precontrast T2-and T1-weighted scans were first obtained. The T1-weighted scans were acquired both with and without fat saturation, and were repeated after intravenous contrast administration. The contrast agent used was gadoteridol (gadolinium HP-DO3A or ProHance) at a dose of 0.3 mmol/kg. RESULTS: On prospective film review, postcontrast scans proved superior for lesion detection. A spinal abscess could be identified postcontrast in all cases, irrespective of the use of fat saturation. The next best imaging technique for lesion detection was the T2-weighted scan, with 5 of 8 lesions noted thereon. Visualization of lesion margins proved to be a primary factor in prospective lesion identification. Region of interest image analysis demonstrated the postcontrast scans to be superior to all precontrast scan techniques for conspicuity of the interface between the abscess and the compressed spinal cord, with these results statistically significant. The lesions were characterized histologically by infiltrates of heterophils into the meninges and outer spinal cord with accompanying mild hemorrhage, fibrin exudation, and bacterial colonies. The lesions in three animals were confirmed to be in the epidural space, with the lesion in one animal in the subdural space. CONCLUSIONS: The current animal model was developed to study spine infection and, specifically, imaging characteristics and lesion detectability on MR. With the increased use of epidural catheters for pain management and the large number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases, epidural infection is becoming an increasingly important clinical problem. Imaging technique, in particular the use of intravenous contrast, is critical for lesion detection and evaluation.

Abscess↗

[Parasagittal meningioma simulating an extracerebral mass. Report of a case].

The case of a fronto-parietal parasagital "in plaque" meningioma which growed mainly in the subdural space is reported. The atipical angiographic picture of a subdural hematoma is described with comments on the mechanisms that occasioned this radiological appearance. The rarity of this finding and the need of angiographycal study of both internal and external carotid systems by the intracranial meningiomas are emphasized.

Aged↗

Contralateral development of acute subdural hematoma following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma--case report.

An unusual case of acute subdural hematoma developed after drainage of chronic subdural hematoma in a 71-year-old male. The acute subdural hematoma was located over a membranous layer in the subdural space similar to the outer membrane of the chronic subdural hematoma. Intraoperatively, bleeding from the bridging vein and oozing from the superior sagittal sinus were observed. The membranous layer probably separated from the dura mater following decompression after drainage of the contralateral hematoma, and this separation then damaged the bridging vein and superior sagittal sinus, resulting in the acute subdural hematoma.

Acute Disease↗

Cerebral cysticercus granuloma associated with a subdural effusion.

The association of a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma with a subdural effusion is being reported. The granuloma and the effusion resolved following albendazole therapy. We speculate that the spread of the inflammatory changes around the granuloma to the subdural space could have led to the development of the subdural effusion.

Adult↗

[Aspergillosis involving the thoracic spinal cord--an autopsy case].

A 63 year old male complained of persistent backache and productive cough. The chest X-ray revealed the fungus ball at the left apical-posterior segment and Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the sputum. He was treated on fulconazole and miconazole. Six months later, motor and sensory paralysis below the mamillary level and urinary and stool incontinence developed. A magnetic resonance image disclosed the destruction of the second thoracic spinal vertebra involved by the cavitated fungus ball of the left lung. Continuous peroral administration of antifungal drugs was not successful, and he expired with severe dyspnea. The autopsy revealed an extensive granulomatous and purulent change of the epidural and subdural spaces of the second to fifth thoracic spinal cord. Subdural inflammation extended to the lower thoracic and lower cervical level. Thoracic spinal cord revealed an extensive myelomalacia predominantly involving the left lateral white column, and also anterior and posterior columns. Small areas of the white matter were cystic. The left anterior horn cells revealed severe central chromatolysis. Moderate lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration was found around the vessels within the cord. A few thrombi were found in the vein near the anterior nerve root. Central nervous system involvement of pulmonary aspergillosis is quite uncommon. However, there are a few reports of patients with paraplegia secondary to the spinal extension by aspergillus infection. Sheth et al. described that epidural and subdural granulomatous change with aspergillus abscesses and spinal cord myelomalacia is comparable to metastatic carcinoma. However, the aspergillus infection in the spinal cord is more extensive and destructive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aspergillosis↗