Suresh N. Mathuriya

Growing skull fractures: A clinical study of 41 patients

SummaryGrowing skull fractures are rare complications of head injury, occurring almost exclusively in infants and children under the age of three. A retrospective review at our Institute yielded 41 patients with this entity over a period of 20 years (1975–1995). The age at presentation ranged from less than 1 year to 62 years, with 33 (80.5%) patients being less than 5 years of age. The cause of injury was either a fall from a height (93%) or a road traffic accident. The most common location of a growing skull fracture was either parietal or frontoparietal (56%). One patient had a posterior fossa growing skull fracture. CT scan was performed in 19 patients which demonstrated an underlying porencephalic cyst, hydrocephalus or a cyst communicating with the ventricle.In 5 children, a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt alone was performed. Twenty four patients underwent a duro- and cranioplasty while a duroplasty alone was performed in 8 patients. The material used for cranioplasty included acrylic, wire mesh, steel plates or autologous bone. Three patients died, one due to an anaesthetic complication and two as a result of postoperative meningitis. Post-operative CSF leaks occurred in 3 patients, which were managed by a lumbar drain. Six patients had local wound infection.

Tethered cord syndrome in adults.

BACKGROUND The tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is usually diagnosed in childhood and its symptomatic onset in adult life is not common. In the present study, we analyzed the data of patients who presented with TCS in adulthood with the aim of studying the clinical spectrum and management strategies. CLINICAL MATERIAL Over a 5-year period, 18 adult patients (more than 18 years of age) with TCS were investigated with MRI and were operated on. Patients with adult TCS could be divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients who were asymptomatic in childhood and presented for the first time in adult life (10 patients). The second group was comprised of patients with preexisting static skeletal/neurological deformities who presented in adult life with new or progressive symptoms (eight patients). Eleven patients had cutaneous stigmata, 15 had motor or sensory deficit, nine had back/leg pain, eight had leg atrophy, and six had sphincter disturbances. The most frequent MRI finding was a low lying cord with an intradural and/or extradural lipoma. The cord was detethered surgically and the tethering lesion excised. Pain was usually relieved after surgery (8 out of 9), but only a few patients (2 out of 6) had improvement of sphincter dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The late presentation of TCS is possibly related to the degree of tethering and the cumulative effect of repeated microtrauma during flexion and extension. Adult patients with persistent back/leg pain and/or neurological or skeletal deformities should be investigated with MRI to establish an early diagnosis. Surgery should be performed in all adult patients with TCS, once the diagnosis is established.

Controversies in the management of subdural empyema. A study of 41 cases with review of literature.

SummaryForty one cases of subdural empyema treated between 1977 and 1988 at the Postgraduate Institue of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, have been analysed. The patients ranged from 9 days to 80 years of age. There were 22 children, including 11 infants. Fever, altered sensorium and seizures were the most common symptoms present for 1 day to 6 months. Otogenic infection was the commonest aetiological factor followed by postoperative and post-traumatic causes. Thirty seven patients had supratentorial empyemas, including 4 with parafalcine collections, three had infratentorial empyemas, and in one there was extension of the empyema from the supratentorial to the infratentorial compartment. Therapeutic modalities used included percutaneous needle aspirations in infants and burr hole evacuation and craniotomies in adults. A wide spectrum of organisms was detected. Mortality in this series was 24%, which was mainly attributable to the deteriorated neurological status prior to treatment.A detailed review of the literature has been given, highlighting various controversies in the management of SDE. Important prognostic factors and a treatment plan are suggested.

Nonaneurysmal nonperimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage: is it a benign entity?

BACKGROUND Although the clinical profile of patients with PMN SAH is well documented, there are scarce data available for patients with nonaneurysmal n-PMN SAH. In the present study, the clinical characteristics of patients with n-PMN SAH were analyzed and compared with those of PMN SAH and aneurysmal SAH. METHODS Patients with spontaneous SAH, in whom the initial DSA or 3-dimensional CTA result was normal, underwent another investigation (CTA/DSA). If the results of both of these were negative, a second DSA was done after 4 to 6 weeks. Patients in whom even the second DSA failed to reveal an aneurysm or any other vascular abnormality were labeled as nonaneurysmal SAH. Within this group, 2 different types were identified: PMN SAH and n-PMN SAH. RESULTS There were 61 patients in whom the results of the first DSA and CTA were both negative. In 2 of these patients, an aneurysm was demonstrated at a second DSA. Seven patients died before a second DSA could be done. After excluding these, there were 18 patients with PMN SAH and 34 with n-PMN SAH. There was no mortality in these patients; and at a mean follow-up of 1.8 years, all patients with PMN SAH and 94.1% of patients with n-PMN SAH had a good outcome. Associated comorbid illnesses were more frequent in patients with PMN SAH and n-PMN SAH as compared with the aneurysmal SAH patients. CONCLUSIONS Once an aneurysm is definitely excluded, patients with n-PMN SAH have a good outcome, and like PMN SAH, have a benign clinical course. However, a second DSA is mandatory to avoid missing an aneurysm or any other vascular lesion.

Spontaneous spinal extradural hematoma in children

Three young children who presented with acute backache and rapidly progressive neurological deterioration were investigated and found to have spontaneous spinal extradural hematoma (SSEDH). They were operated on soon after the diagnosis had been confirmed. The present report highlights the fact that in children progressive weakness of nontraumatic origin should be investigated thoroughly and as early as possible. Patients with SSEDH should be operated on immediately, as this is a curable condition. The pertinent literature has been reviewed.

Multiple pyogenic brain abscesses

SummaryThirty eight patients with multiple pyogenic brain abscesses constituted 11% of all the brain abscesses treated during a 12 year period. Sixty per cent (23) of the patients were in the first two decades of life, including 9 (24%) infants.The clinical presentation was similar to brain abscess in general. 21 patients had altered “sensorium” at the time of admission. Otogenic brain abscesses were the commonest (26%), followed by those associated with congenital cyanotic heart disease (18%).The abscesses were invariably large in size.The pus was sterile on culture in 11 (29%) patients, while Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism grown in 9 (24%) patients.Aspiration of the pus was required as a life saving measure, to control raised intracranial pressure, in 29 (76%) patients. Twelve (32%) of these patients underwent secondary excision of the abscess capsule.The overall mortality was 32% with failure to control intracranial and systemic infection as the major causes of mortality. Level of consciousness at the time of admission was the most significant factor affecting the outcome.Surgery has a definite therapeutic and life saving role in the management of multiple pyogenic brain abscesses. A systematic treatment plan for multiple abscesses is proposed.

Intracerebral infarcts following clipping of intracranial aneurysms: incidence, clinical correlation and outcome

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a significant health care problem. One of the major determinants of outcome following surgery of intracranial aneurysms is development of intracranial infarcts. All patients underwent clipping for aneurysms in one year in the department of neurosurgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh were studied. Data regarding age, sex, date of ictus, date of admission, any co-morbidity, clinical grades at presentation, CT findings, infarcts, intraoperative rupture, and clinical status in the postoperative period were recorded. Outcome at discharge was assessed by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). First, 174 patients were included in the study. Radiological cerebral infarctions occurred in 69 patients (39%). The most frequent location of infarct was deep perforator infarct followed by ACA territory infarct. 69.58% of patients developed infarct on the same side of aneurysm and 20.28% of patients developed infarct on opposite side, whereas 11% developed bilateral infarcts. Infarcts that occur early after surgery may be related to surgical factors whereas the late infarcts were probably as results of delayed ischemic deficits. Anatomical distribution of infarcts also showed two different patterns, infarcts limited to one vascular territory (more commonly seen in early onset infarcts) or multiple, cortical, bilateral infarcts (more commonly seen in late onset infarct). Patients with poor H&H grade, higher Fishers grade, intraoperative rupture and prolonged temporarory clipping had more chances of developing an intracranial infarct.

Intermittent low dose intrathecal sodium nitroprusside therapy for treatment of symptomatic aneurysmal SAH-induced vasospasm

Eight patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) received intrathecal sodium nitroprusside therapy (ITSNPT) in the form of intermittent bolus doses for delayed cerebral vasospasm after undergoing clipping of an aneurysm. Five patients were administered ITSNPT to combat refractory symptomatic vasospasm while three patients received prophylactic ITSNPT in view of the possibility of imminent clinical vasospasm. In five patients the therapy was instituted through the intraventricular route, while in three the drug was instilled into the basal cistern. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was administered at an interval of 3 - 12 h, in varying bolus doses ranging between 2 and 5 mg depending upon the (i) mean flow velocity values on transcranial Döppler study and (ii) clinical response. The end point of ITSNPT was either relief of vasospasm, any adverse effect or contraindication to continuation of ITSNPT. All except one patient survived. One patient had mild residual neurological deficit following an infarct. All the three patients who received prophylactic ITSNPT had good outcomes.

Intradural extramedullary tuberculous spinal mas

Summary Four cases of intradural extramedullary tuberculous spinal granulomas without bony involvement are presented. Both, the rarity of the disease, as well as the successful microsurgical resection with good recovery prompted this report. The pathogenesis with the controversies therein, is discussed and pertinent literature is reviewed.

Giant cell tumour of the clivus

Primary giant cell tumours of the craniospinal axes are rare lesions. These are benign, localized and lytic bony lesions with occasional malignant behaviour. Their clinical behaviour is unpredictable and, hence, management remains controversial. Radical excision of bony lesion, with adjuvant therapy helps in achieving the desired outcome. In the present communication, we present malignant giant cell tumour of clivus, managed successfully with surgical decompression and adjuvant therapy. Patient remains symptom-free at 2 years of follow-up.