Functional Outcomes of Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Treatment of Malignant Infarctions of the Middle Cerebral Artery

Introduction: Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction is a devastating entity that is associated with up to 80% mortality. Decompressive Hemicraniectomy has been utilized to treat brain swelling and mass effect secondary to these infarctions in an attempt to improve functional outcome. Aim: To evaluate the functional outcome of decompressive hemicraniectomy in management of malignant MCA infarctions. Methods: The study included 30 patients with malignant MCA infarctions operated upon by decompressive hemicraniectomy and duroplasty with pericranium or fascia lata graft in the period from June 2016 to January 2019. Pre-operative neurological condition, associated morbidity, location and extent of the infarction were assessed. Surgery was performed within 48 hours of the onset of stroke or 12 hours within deterioration of conscious level. Pre-operative CT scan as well as sequential post-operative CT was done. Functional outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at the time of discharge and 3 months following surgery. Results: The study included 18 males and 12 females with a mean age of 54.7 years. The pre-operative GCS was <8 (5 - 7) in 11 patients and 8 or higher (8 - 13) in 19 patients. Good functional outcome (mRS 0 - 3) was achieved in 13 (43.3%) cases while poor outcome (mRS 4 - 5) occurred in 8 (26.7%) cases and mortality (mRS 6) occurred in 9 (30%) cases. Conclusion: Decompressive hemicraniectomy improves functional outcome in cases of malignant MCA infarction. Pre-operative GCS, age, volume of infarction, degree of midline shift, timing of surgery and associated morbidity are the most important factors affecting the outcome.

Validation of a Novel Method for Cardiac Output Estimation by CT Coronary Angiography

Background: Cardiac output can be estimated during retrospectively gated CT coronary angiography by anatomically determining left ventricular volumes;prospective triggering to minimize radiation precludes this methodology. We propose an alternative method for cardiac output estimation based on preclinical models suggesting that cardiac output may be inversely related to contrast washout from the aortic root during timing bolus scanning, as measured by peak aortic root contrast attenuation. Methods: 34 patients had CT coronary angiography timing bolus performed with 20 ml iodixanol at 5.5 ml/s followed by 20 ml normal saline at 5.5 ml/s through an 18-Ga antecubital catheter. Peak aortic root contrast attenuation was correlated to cardiac output calculated by echocardiography using heart rate stroke volume from biplane Simpson’s method.Results: Mean age was 58 ± 13 years;body surface area, 2.0 ± 0.5 m2. 53% were women. Stroke volume, cardiac output and cardiac index were 67 ± 19 ml, 4.5 ± 1.6 L/min, and 2.2 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, respectively. Peak aortic root contrast attenuation was 207 ± 46 HU and correlated to cardiac output and cardiac index with r = –0.64, p Conclusion: This novel method for cardiac output estimation by CTCA appears feasible. The CT physiologic parameters using the timing test-bolus data moderately correlated with echocardiographic assessment of cardiac output. The calculation of cardiac output adds important hemodynamic data to anatomic information provided by CTCA, and further development of this method may preserve assessment of left ventricular performance in prospective triggering.

Endoscopic Assisted Microscopic Surgical Removal of Craniopharyngioma

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor which represents 2% - 3% of all intracranial tumors, there are two types: childhood type which affects children between 5 and 10 years and adulthood type which affects patients 50 - 60 years old. The presenting symptoms develop over years and include visual, endocrine, hypothalamic, neurological and neurophysiological manifestations. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Postoperative radiotherapy, gamma-knife and intra tumoral injection of chemotherapeutic drugs have been used as an adjuvant therapy in some cases. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the role of endoscopy in assisting microscopic surgical removal of craniopharyngioma. Methods: Eleven patients were operated upon in Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt. All operations were done using microscope through the subfrontal approach. At the end of surgery, the endoscope was used to detect any residual tumor in the subchiasmatic and retrochiasmatic areas and to visualize the posterior part of the tumor which couldn’t be seen by the microscope to check if it was adherent to the hypothalamus and to evaluate whether to be removed or not. Results: The study included eleven cases, four of which were childhood type and seven adult type craniopharyngiomas. Total removal was achieved in six cases (five cases of adulthood type). Oumaya reservoir was inserted in five cases;ventriculoperitoneal shunt was needed in five cases. All cases suffered from temporary diabetes insipidus postoperatively, while only two cases developed permanent diabetes insipidus. Three cases presented preoperatively with pituitary hypofunction and two cases developed postoperative pituitary hypofunction, which necessitated hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion: Craniopharyngioma is one of the most difficult and challenging tumors for neurosurgeons due to its relation to optic nerve, hypothalamus and vascular system formed by Willis circle and its perforating branches. Endoscopy has a role in decision making after microscopic removal of craniopharyngioma.

Expanded Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEEA) for Clival Chordomas

Objective: To evaluate the role of expanded endoscopic endonasal approach in removal of clival chordomas. Patients & Methods: Nine patients with clival chordomas were operated upon in Cairo University hospital from September 2015 to September 2018 using the EEEA a recurrent case and seven new cases were involved in these study and ten operations were done. All patients had preoperative neurological and radiological examination. The study was focusing on the approach, efficacy of tumor removal, reconstruction of the base and complications related to this approach. Results: Nine patients were operated in this study in which ten operations were done. It included six males (66.6%) and three females (33.3%) with age ranging from 4 years to 63 years with average age 40.7 years. Headache and diplopia were the most common symptoms found in six patients (66.6%). Brainstem affection was found in two patients (22.2%). Lower cranial nerves affection was found in two patients (22.2%). One case developed CSF leakage postoperatively (11.1%). Two patients underwent tracheostomy. We achieve total removal in four patients (44.4%), near total removal in one patient (11.1%) and subtotal tumor resection in four patients (44.4%). Conclusion: EEEA for clival chordomas is safe and effective approach regarding the results of the incidence of complications, and the percentage of tumor resection.