Unilateral Subfrontal Approach for Giant Olfactory Groove Meningiomas

Objective: Many approaches have been used for surgical removal of olfactory groove meningioma (OGM) as pterional, bifrontal, interhemispheric, and frontolateral approach. We evaluated the role of unilateral subfrontal approach for the removal of giant OGM “bigger than 6-cm”. Patients and Methods: Nine patients with giant OGM had unilateral subfrontal approach between 1st of January 2015 and December 2017 in Cairo University Hospitals. A retrospective study we done analyzing clinical data, neuroimaging, surgical result and extent of tumor resection. Results: Total tumor resection was achieved in seven cases “Simpson grade I and II”. Subtotal resection was achieved in two cases, one case there was enchasing of the anterior cerebral artery. The other case subtotal resection was achieved due to old age of the patient. The frontal air sinus and cribriform plate and ethmoidal sinus were repaired using fat, fascia lata and vascularized pericranium flab with the use of histoacryl: One case developed hydrocephalus which required the insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. One case developed wound infection and meningitis which required medical treatment only. There is no case of CSF leak or mortality in our series. Conclusion: The unilateral subfrontal approach is a safe and efficient approach for removal of giant olfactory groove meningioma. It combines the benefits of the bifrontal, frontolateral and pterional approach with early access to CSF drainage and early attack of the blood supply of the tumor.

Anticonvulsants for Preventing Seizures in Patients with Chronic Subdural Haematoma: Pilot Study

Introduction: There is increasing of the incidence of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH), due to increase of the elderly population with increase of intake oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet drugs in this category of patients. Seizures occur as a complication in 2.3% to 20.4% of the patients. There is a considerable side effect associated with using of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Aim of the Study: To rule the value of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs in prevention of seizures after surgical evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma. Methods: A prospective controlled non-randomized study was performed on 26 patients with chronic or subacute subdural hematoma that was surgically evacuated through burr-holes from April 2017 to June 2019. We divided the patients into 2 groups: group A patients received prophylactic antiepileptic drugs for 6 month and group B patients didn’t receive prophylactic antiepileptic drugs and the 2 groups were observed to detect occurrence of post-operative seizures for 6-month follow-up after surgery. Medical history, demographic data and imaging characteristics were recorded. Results: Seizure prevalence for all patients during hospitalization and 6-month follow-up was zero among the 13 patients who received prophylactic anti-seizure medications, and was 1 (7.7%) among the 13 patients who didn’t receive prophylactic anti-seizure medications. Conclusions: The incidence of post-operative seizures in patients with chronic subdural hematoma operated upon by burr holes evacuation is low. The administration of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs decreases the incidence of seizures after evacuation of CSDH, but the difference was not significant. So prophylactic antiepileptic drugs should not be routinely given for all patients with CSDH operated upon by burr hole evacuation unless there is risk factor for seizure development.

The Role of Trans-Cranial Approach in the Management of Spontaneous CSF Fistula

Background: Spontaneous descent of the CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid) from the nose is called rhinorrhea. The causes are defects in bones of the base or meningeal tear. The surgical management is still a challenge. The surgical repair is a must to prevent the complication which could be brain abscess, meningitis, or pneumocephalus. The available surgical management is either transnasal, or transcranial. The endonasal route represents an easy access but equally aggressive alternative and of limited access. Objective: We reviewed the clinical outcomes of thirteen cases of spontaneous CSF leakage managed by transcranial intradural approach. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study about the records of 13 patients who underwent transcranial intradural approach as a surgical management for spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea in our department in the period between November 2017 and October 2019. Results: CSF leakage stopped after initial surgery in 12 of 13 patients, giving a success rate of 92.3%. The remaining case did not agree for new surgery and the case resolved without surgery for this patient. Postoperative complications included superficial wound infection in one patient, and anosmia in one patient. No other neurological problems were encountered over the ten-months’ follow-up period. Conclusion: The transcranial route is the treatment of choice for patients with anterior cranial fossa spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. A satisfactory surgical outcome depends on exact diagnosis, proper operative approach, and the surgeon’s skills and experience.

Management of Spontaneous Spinal Discitis and Spondylodiscitis in Older People

Introduction: Spontaneous spinal infection is an uncommon disease, although the incidence is increasing in the last years. Absence of specific symptoms, and delayed diagnosis result in high morbidity, and mortality. Aim of the Study: To assess the clinical status of the patients, laboratory markers of inflammation, radiological findings, causative organisms, methods of management and their outcome. Patients and Method: Prospective study of 14 patients having spontaneous spinal infection from April 2017 to June 2019. Results and outcome: The study included eight males and six females with mean age of 43.1 years. On Denis pain score, six patients were P5 and eight patients were P4. Fever was found in nine patients. As regards ASIA score, seven patients were ASIA score E (normal motor, and sensory function), six patients were ASIA score D and one patient ASIA score C. Nine patients were found to be diabetic. Laboratory markers of inflammation were elevated in all patients. Two patients were managed conservatively (14.3%) (two cases were TB infection). Twelve patients were managed surgically (85.7%), six of them were TB infection (50%), three were nonspecific infection (25%), one patient was Staph aureus, one streptococci, and one brucella contributing to (8.3%) for each. There was improvement of neurological condition as eleven patients became ASIA score E, and three D and pain had also improved in all patients, ten patients became Denis P1, and four P2. Conclusions: Early diagnosis of spontaneous spinal infection depends on clinical sense to detect patients with back or cervical pain associated with fever and elevated laboratory markers of inflammation. A diagnosis was proved by MRI. Not all cases of Spinal infection need surgery. The indication of surgery is the presence of neurological deficit, spinal instability and failure of medical treatment in case of severe pain. Tuberculosis was the commonest organism as it is endemic in Egypt.