Vaner Köksal

Effect of Inner Membrane Tearing in the Treatment of Adult Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Comparative Study

The postoperative results of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) procedures using catheterization and tearing of inner membrane (CTIM) technique have not previously been discussed in the literature. This article compares the effects of CTIM technique on brain re-expansion and re-accumulation with cases operated on with a burr-hole craniotomy and outer membrane incision (BCOMI) technique. The study involved operations on 144 patients (Group 1) using the CTIM technique and 108 patients (Group 2) using the BCOMI technique. In the operations using the CTIM technique in Group 1, the mean effusion measured in the subdural space (SDS) was 10.0 ± 0.2 mm, and for Group 2, 14.3 ± 0.6 mm in the postoperative period on the first and third days and this difference was found to be significant (p < 0.05). The means were 6.6 ± 0.2 mm for Group 1 and 10.3 ± 0.5 mm for Group 2 on the seventh day (p < 0.05). Recurrence rate was 8.3% in Group 2 and 0 in Group 1. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0001). The length of hospital stay was 7.0 ± 0.1 days for the Group 1 and 8.8 ± 0.2 days for Group 2 and this difference was significant (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the CTIM technique is preferable because it results in earlier re-expansion, lower recurrence, less subdural effusion and pneumocephalus, and shorter hospital stays.

Controversies in the differential diagnosis of Brown-Sequard syndrome due to cervical spinal disease from stroke: A case series

Stroke is generally considered to be the first preliminary diagnosis in patients presenting with acute hemiparesia in the emergency department. But rarely in unexpected spontaneous neurological pathologies that may lead to hemiparesis. The data from 8 non-traumatic patients who underwent surgical treatment for brown-sequard syndrome (BSS) were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were initially misdiagnosed with strokes. Two of the patients had spinal canal stenosis, two had spinal epidural hematomas, one had an ossified herniated disc and three had soft herniated discs. None of the patients complained of significant pain at the initial presentation. All of the patients had a mild sensory deficit that was initially unrecognized. The pain of the patients began to become evident after hospitalization and, patients transferred to neurosurgery department. Cervical spinal pathologies compressing the corticospinal tract in one-half of the cervical spinal canal may present with only hemiparesis, without neck and radicular pain. If its too late, permanent neurological damage may become inevitable while it is a correctable pathology.

Unexpected Rupture of a Giant Lobulated Thrombotic Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm and Emergency Surgical Treatment With Thrombectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction The treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms is one of the most challenging cerebrovascular problems of neurosurgery. We report the rupture of a giant, lobulated, and almost completely thrombosed middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm that is the ninth such report in the literature. We also investigated additional solutions used in the treatment of this patient. Case Presentation A 58-year-old man had been admitted with headache 8 years previously (in 2005), and a giant MCA aneurysm was detected. Two separate endovascular interventions were performed, and both failed. The patient began to live with the giant aneurysm. As there was a large thrombosis filling the aneurysm lumen during the previous endovascular procedures, the aneurysm was not expected to rupture. However, a rupture eventually occurred, in 2013. Even if an aneurysm is very large, lobulated, old, and almost completely thrombosed, it can suddenly bleed. During surgery on this patient, we observed severe cerebral vasospasm caused by a giant thrombosed aneurysmal rupture. Despite the complications, surgery is a life-saving treatment for this emergency when other strategies are not possible. Thrombectomy and clipping are approaches that require a great deal of courage for the neurosurgeon, in terms of entering the risky area within the aneurysm. Conclusions We believe that it would be more appropriate to plan for combined treatment with surgical and endovascular approaches before the emergency condition could occur.

A calvarial acute subdural hematoma migrating into the spinal canal in a young male.

It is not common for an acute subdural hematoma (SDH) in the supratentorial region to show rapid resolution or migration during the clinical course. In this report, we present a rare case where the SDH in the supratentorial region was observed to rapidly migrate into the lumbar spinal canal, leading to severe radiculopathy. A 20-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with severe headache after head trauma. The patients overall condition was good, whereas his Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15 and blood pressure was normal. He had vomited 3 times after the onset of pain. No stiff neck was found, and the computed tomography showed an ASDH over the outer layer of the right hemisphere, causing a 7- to 8-mm shift. During the follow-up, the headache regressed and eventually resolved after 12 hours; however, another severe pain occurred in the lumbar region and in both legs. The pain worsened over time, progressing to sciatica in both legs. Acute SDH associated with a minor head trauma may migrate from the supratentorial compartment into the spinal canal by the help of elastic cerebral tissues in young adults and children.

Spinal anestezi altında yapılan lomber disk cerrahilerinin retrospektif değerlendirmesi

Objective: We investigated feasibility, possible advantages and disadvantages of spinal anesthesia in lomber disc surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 100 patients operated for elective lomber spinal surgery under spinal anesthesia. Results: Spinal anesthesia was sufficient for lumbar disc surgery in 97 of 100 patients. Three patients received general anesthesia due to insufficient spinal block. Aller gic reaction was observed in one patient receiving general anesthesia, and treated with intravenous steroid and antihistaminic drugs. We observed bradycardia and hypotension necessitating ephedrine administration in eight patients, post dural puncture headache in 10 patients (two patients were discharged at 4 and 7 days later therefore), who received spinal anesthesia. Following spinal anesthesia, patients required first analgesic at 10th hour. Patients receiving general anesthesia demanded first an algesic in the post operative care unit. Conclusion: We are of the opinion that spinal anesthesia may be safely used in lumbar disc surgeries, provided that patients are not positioned until sufficient anxiolytic and spinal block are established. J Clin Exp Invest 2014; 5 (1): 54-58 Key word: Spinal anesthesia, spinal surgery, intraoperative complications, postoperative pain OZET Amac: Lomber disk cerrahisinde spinal anestezinin uygu

Split Rib Cranioplasty for Frontal Osteoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction Osteomas are benign bone tumors. They generally lead to a local thickness on the frontal bone in calvarium. When they occur on the forehead, they often cause a cosmetic disorder without any neurological symptoms. The significant problem is the repair method of the cranium defect. Case Presentation The rib of a 34-year-old female was split and used for a small cranium defect of 3 × 3.5 cm. The preferred method and the obtained results were presented under the guidance of the literature. Conclusions Along with the technological advancement, different materials are employed according to the size of the cranium defect and the age of the case. The application of split costa cranioplasty for the small cranium defects in the region of patient’s face is the method with the least possibility of complications, and its cosmetic and functional results are quite promising.

Which should be appropriate surgical treatment for subtentorial epidural empyema? Burr-hole evacuation versus decompressive craniectomy: Review of the literature with a case report.

Subtentorial empyema is a rare intracranial complication of chronic otitis media. Moreover, if not correctly treated, it is a life-threatening infection. Epidural and subdural empyemas on subtentorial space have different effects. This difference is not mentioned in literature. If the distinction can be made, surgical treatment method will be different, and the desired surgical treatment may be less minimal invasive. A 26-year-old male patient was found to have developed epidural empyema in the subtentorial space. We performed a burr-hole evacuation in this case because there was low cerebellar edema, Also, the general condition of the patient was good, the empyema was a convex image on the lower surface of tentorium on magnetic resonance images, and when the dura mater base is reached during mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media, we were observed to drain a purulent material through the epidural space. After 10 days from surgery increased posterior fossa edema caused hydrocephalus. Therefore, ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion was performed. The patient fully recovered and was discharged after 6 weeks. Complete correction in the posterior fossa was observed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Burr-hole evacuation from inside of the mastoidectomy cavity for subtentorial epidural empyema is an effective and minimal invasive surgical treatment.

Rapid onset mediastinal hematoma due to vertebral fracture and review of relevant literature

Patients with vertebral fractures are frequently encountered and those with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures are likely to have associated injuries. Detection of a widened mediastinum after trauma is very nonspecific and most of the time it is related to aortic injury or mediastinal hematoma. Vertebral or sternal fractures can also be the cause of mediastinal hematoma with or without aortic injury. This report reviews an unusual case of rapid onset mediastinal hematoma due to vertebral fracture after a fall. In the case, there was a mediastinal hematoma adjacent to a burst fracture of the T8 vertebral body. There was a rapid increase in identified hematoma during the emergency follow up and urgent erythrocyte transfusion was carried out. We would like to raise awareness of this infrequent presentation of mediastinal hematoma, as it is insidious and possibly fatal. In the evaluation of mediastinal hematoma, the detection of osseous injuries is a requirement.