Dwarakanath Srinivas

The incidence of postoperative meningitis in neurosurgery: An institutional experience

INTRODUCTION Meningitis is the most dreaded cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgical patients. The reported incidence of postoperative meningitis is quite varied 0.5-8%. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study cohort included all the patients who underwent neurosurgery at the department of neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences, Bangalore, India over a period of seven years (2001 - 2007). Patients with culture positive meningitis were included for analysis. The incidence of postoperative meningitis was analyzed depending on the type of surgery performed and the microbiological profile of the organisms, and their sensitivity pattern. RESULTS Of the 18,092 patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures during the study period, 415 patients developed infection. The overall incidence of meningitis was 2.2%. The incidence of meningitis was high (7.7%) in patients who had a pre-existing infection like post-pyogenic meningitis or tuberculosis hydrocephalus. The procedure mainly performed in this subgroup was shunt. The most common organisms causing meningitis were non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacillus followed by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated in 2.6% of the patients. Ninety-one strains were multi-drug resistant, among which four strains were resistant to all antibiotics tested. The overall mortality in patients with meningitis was 5%. CONCLUSION Meningitis remains one of the most dreaded complications of neurosurgical procedures and is common in patients with preexisting infection. Gram-negative organisms are the most common causative pathogens of postoperative meningitis.

The role of decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

OBJECT Studies on the role of decompressive craniectomy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in the literature are scanty. Randomized trials face a lot of drawbacks, including ethical issues. In this article the authors discuss their experience with this procedure for CVST and review the available literature. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for CVST between August 2006 and June 2008 at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. The cases were evaluated for demographic and clinicoradiological features, operative findings, and outcome of surgery. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. The data for each patient were obtained from the database of the department. Follow-up data were obtained either through direct clinical evaluation or mailed self-report questionnaire. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the Rankin Disability Scale were used to assess the outcome. RESULTS A total of 34 patients (13 men and 21 women) were included; their mean age was 31.6 years, with a range from 18 to 65 years. In univariate analysis, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score prior to surgery and that in the immediate postoperative period had a statistically significant correlation with poor outcome. The GCS score immediately postoperatively was the only independent, significant predictor of poor outcome on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Decompressive craniectomy in a selected cohort of patients had a good outcome in a majority of the patients: 26 of 34 in this study had a GOS score of 4 or 5. In this series, which is the largest in the available literature, the authors review their experience and recommend usage of this procedure in selected patients.

Cerebellar abscesses in children: excision or aspiration?

OBJECT Cerebellar abscesses are common neurosurgical emergencies in developing countries, and have a distressingly high mortality rate of 10 to 15% even today. There is still no consensus on the standard approach to these lesions, and controversy persists over whether these lesions should be treated with primary excision or aspiration. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 82 cases of cerebellar pyogenic abscesses in children treated at their institution over a period of 10 years. This represents the largest such series being described in literature. All lesions except 1 were otogenic in origin. The clinical and radiological features are discussed. RESULTS Primary excision was undertaken in 66 patients (80%) and aspiration in 16 patients (20%). Five patients in whom the abscesses were initially treated with aspiration subsequently underwent elective excision. Nine (12.6%) of 71 patients in whom the abscesses were excised had residual abscesses on postoperative imaging; in those who had undergone aspiration as the primary treatment, 6 (54.5%) of 11 patients had recurrent abscesses. There were no deaths among the patients who underwent excision of the abscess. Also, excision of posterior fossa abscesses required fewer repeated procedures with lower recurrence rates, and statistically lower rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS Compared to primary aspiration, the authors found that primary excision is the preferred method for treating cerebellar abscesses.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus central nervous system infections - Analysis and outcome

Abstract Introduction. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-associated infections are potentially devastating and fatal. It has two distinct pathogenic mechanisms: postoperative and spontaneous. In the study presented here, we review the epidemiology, clinical features, response to treatment, and outcome of MRSA central nervous system infections at our tertiary referral institute. Material and methods. In this analysis, we reviewed the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with S. aureus meningitis between January 2010 and December 2012. Clinical information included predisposing factors, past medical history, comorbidities, mode of acquisition of infection, as well as therapeutic management, length of treatment, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results. A total of 34 cases of MRSA meningitis were diagnosed during the study period. There were 28 (82.4%) cases of postoperative meningitis and 6 (17.6%) cases of spontaneous meningitis. A majority (24/28) of the patients had one or the other predisposing conditions for the infection. Compared with patients with postoperative meningitis, patients with spontaneous meningitis had a significantly older (31.93 yrs vs 55.8 yrs; p = 0.021) and higher frequency of community-acquired infection (100% vs. 39%; p = 0.007). In patients with postoperative meningitis, the median postoperative day when the infection manifested clinically was day- 19 (range, 3–90 days). A total of 25/34 (74%) patients received definitive antibiotic (vancomycin and/or linezolid based) therapy. Nine patients were continued on empirical antimicrobial therapy (combination of ceftriaxone, amikacin, and metronidazole), as the organism was sensitive to those drugs. There were no in-hospital mortalities in our series, though 3/34 patients (8.8%) were discharged with Glasgow coma score (GCS)< 8 and 8/34 patients (23.5%) were discharged with GCS 9–12 from the hospital. Conclusion. In acute bacterial meningitis, there is a progressive shift from methicillin-sensitive strains to methicillin-resistant strains in recent years. Although most patients have a favorable response to vancomycin and linezolid, the beneficial effect of combined antimicrobial therapy or alternative antibiotics needs to be evaluated.

Malignant triton tumor of cervical spine with hemorrhage

Malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumours (MPNST) with a rhabdomyomatous component are referred to as malignant triton tumours. Cervical tritons are rare, with only one previous report. We present a 28-year-old male patient with a malignant triton tumor involving the cervical spine with neurofibromatosis Type 1 presenting with symptoms of rapidly progressive cord compression. Radiology was suggestive of a MPNST with hemorrhage at the C2-C3 level. He underwent surgery with decompression of the intradural, and a small part of the extradural, component. To our knowledge this is the first report of a cervical triton tumor presenting with an intratumoral bleed.

Multicompartmental Trigeminal Schwannomas: Management Strategies and Outcome

Trigeminal schwannomas (TS), though the second most common intracranial schwannomas, represent only 0.8 to 8% of all Schwannomas. Advancement in imaging and microsurgical techniques has led to a remarkable improvement in the outcome of these benign tumors. Multicompartmental TS, though extensive, have an excellent outcome after surgery. In this article, we present our experience in the management of multicompartmental TS (types middle/posterior [MP], middle/extracranial [ME], and middle/posterior and extracranial [MPE]) and outcome in this rather uncommon group of tumors. This retrospective study included all the cases of multicompartmental TS operated at our institute from 1999 to 2009. The medical data were analyzed retrospectively. The demographic profile, clinical features, radiological findings, management strategies, postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, and outcome were noted. Follow-up data were collected from outpatient department records. The range and average duration of follow-up were noted. There were a total of 43 patients with TS operated over this period. Among them, 4 were type B, 5 type C, 11 type D, 18 type E, and 5 type F. The study included 26 patients (4 type B, 18 type E, and 4 type B). A variety of approaches were used to approach the tumor. Of 26, 23 patients had a gross total or near-total excision while 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Among the three patients who had a near-total excision and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed a small residual tumor, two are on close follow-up with no increase in the size of the tumor over a follow-up period of 3 years, the other patient is a 5-year-old boy who is too young for radiosurgery and is on follow-up. There was no mortality while four patients have had fresh permanent postoperative deficits. Multicompartmental TS are a rare, complex but eminently treatable group of tumors. A variety of surgical approaches can be used to excise the tumor. The choice of approach needs to be individualized with total excision providing excellent results.

SUNCT syndrome treated with gamma knife targeting the trigeminal nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion

SUNCT syndrome, an abbreviation for short lasting-unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing is one of the most debilitating unilateral headache syndromes often refractory to medical therapy [1]. We report a case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed with refractory SUNCT syndrome having a near complete response to gamma knife surgery targeting the trigeminal nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion.

Incidence of deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery – A prospective cohort based study

Introduction: The exact incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the Indian neurosurgical patient population is uncertain. This situation is quite different from its well-documented incidence in the Caucasian population.This study aims to analyze the incidence, etiopathogenesis, and risk factors in the development of DVT in Indians. This will enable us to formulate country-specific guidelines for its appropriate and timely prophylaxis. Aims and Objectives: To study the incidence of deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort based study analyzing a total of 273 adult (>18 years) patients who underwent elective neurosurgery during a period of 1 year from November 2013 to December 2014.A preoperative baseline Doppler ultrasonography and coagulation profile was performed, followed by postoperative surveillance Doppler ultrasonography biweekly until discharge. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and Pearsons correlation analysis. Results: A total of 33 patients (12.08%) developed DVT in the postoperative period. Hypertension, frequent alcohol intake, smoking, and obesity were found to be the risk factors (P = 0.001). Significant association was observed between malignant tumors, meningiomas, and DVT (P = 0.001). Intraoperative supine and lateral position for more than 5 h, the severity of postoperative motor deficit, and ambulation delay of more than 2 days were significant risk factors (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study, one of the first of its kind, details the incidence and etiopathogenesis of DVT in the Indian neurosurgical population. We recommend an early usage of prophylaxis (mechanical and/or pharmacological) in the perioperative period for the high risk category of patients. We hope that this data can be used for preparing country-specific guidelines for DVT prophylaxis.

Surgically Managed Pediatric Intracranial Aneurysms: How Different Are They from Adult Intracranial Aneurysms?

Purpose: Intracranial aneurysms in children are rare compared to those in adults, and their causes, presentations, and outcomes also vary. Thus, they need to be studied intricately and as an independent entity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed intracranial saccular aneurysms in 44 children of <19 years of age who had been surgically treated during the last 30 years at our institute. We analyzed presentation, characteristics, size, multiplicity, cause, and eventual outcome, and compared these to the adult cases of aneurysms operated on during the same period. Results: The commonest site of aneurysm was the internal carotid artery (ICA), in 47.7%. Follow-up was available for 38 (86.4%) children. The median duration of follow-up was 14 months (range 1-89 months). A favorable outcome was seen in 31 cases (81.6%) and an unfavorable outcome (including 1 death) in 7 (18.4%). Conclusion: Intracranial aneurysms in children present with subarachnoid hemorrhage in a good grade. ICA bifurcation aneurysms are the commonest sites of occurrence. Surgery is safe and effective, and children seem to have a better outcome.

Sociodemographic and clinical profiles of homeless mentally ill admitted in mental health institute of South India: ‘Know the Unknown’ project

Objectives: A significant number of homeless mentally ill (HMI) patients without any personal, family or other identification details represent a unique problem in the psychiatric services of developing countries like India in the context of legal, humanitarian and treatment issues. These patients pose challenge to the mental health professional in diagnosis and management. Aims: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of HMI patients admitted under psychiatry. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of ‘HMI’ patients from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2015, who were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. Sociodemographic and clinical profiles of the patients were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Mean age of the sample was 34.6 years (±12.21 years), 42 (53.8%) were females, 74 (94.9%) were registered as Medico Legal Case and 53 (80.8%) were admitted under reception order issued by a magistrate. HMI patients brought by police were 32 (41.0%), by the public were 32 (41.0%) and 14 (18.0%) by nongovernmental organization /ambulance/social worker. In total, 51 (65.4%) of them had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, 24 (30.8%) had mental retardation and 23 (29.5%) had a comorbid substance use disorder. The mean Clinical Global Impression severity at admission was 5.07 (±1.7), and the mean duration of inpatient care was 15 weeks. Anemia and malnutrition were found in 34 (43.6%) and 25 (32.1%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that schizophrenia, comorbid mental retardation and substance use disorder are common causes of admission of HMI patients in psychiatry. It is an emerging problem, which needs urgent interventions, and there is a need for an efficient system, guidelines and collaboration with government and nongovernmental agencies.