Paradoxical herniation associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy after decompressive craniectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)can cause paradoxical herniation is still unclear.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old patient who was comatose due to brain trauma underwent decompressive craniotomy and gradually regained consciousness after surgery.HBOT was administered 22 d after surgery due to speech impairment.Paradoxical herniation appeared on the second day after treatment,and the patient’s condition worsened after receiving mannitol treatment at the rehabilitation hospital.After timely skull repair,the paradoxical herniation was resolved,and the patient regained consciousness and had a good recovery as observed at the follow-up visit.CONCLUSION Paradoxical herniation is rare and may be caused by HBOT.However,the underlying mechanism is unknown,and the understanding of this phenomenon is insufficient.The use of mannitol may worsen this condition.Timely skull repair can treat paradoxical herniation and prevent serious complications.

Which Type of Decompressive Craniectomy Is Better? Advantages and Challenges of Fresh Cadaver Practices Based on Experiences from the Last 20 Years. The Effect of Jesus Prayers in Science

Aim of Study: Reviewing the large number of publications about DC in the case of severe traumatic brain swelling, there is no clear position on which one is preferable for the patient. Bifrontal or bilateral fronto-parieto-temporo-partial occipital craniectomy. One of the most critical points, the behaviour of brainstem and its vascular structures during the protrusion of the traumatized swelling brain, which can expand in different directions, depending on where the skull has been opened. Method: After the high ICP created on a simple fresh cadaver model, we examined the brainstem displacements and compressions with the help of an endoscope-guided transnasal transsphenoidal transclival and analyzed their possible harmful effects on brainstem structures and blood vessels. Results: In bilateral bifronto-parieto-temporo-partial occipital craniotomy, no significant bulging or forward movement of the brainstem was detected. In the course of bifrontal craniectomy, significant forward movement and thus compression of vascular structures and pons were detected. Conclusion: Our assumption has been confirmed. In bifrontal craniectomy, the expansion is not parallel to the course of the brainstem, but perpendicular so that the pons and the blood vessels running along its anterior surface are compressed by moving forward against the clivus, which leads to circulatory compression and damage to the brainstem. In bilateral DC, the expansion is axially parallel to the course of the brainstem. Based on the fresh cadaver model, the use of the latter method is preferable for the traumatized swelling brain. In both cases, bridging veins of the protruding brain at the bone edge must be protected by the vascular tunnel method against compression. We examined this scientific question not only from a neurosurgical perspective but also in terms of the general ethical possibilities and psychological difficulties of conducting fresh cadaver practices. Additionally, we provided an answer on how we can ease the work of research doctors practicing on the deceased through the power of spiritual exercises and prayer. The dissection room offers fantastic opportunities for surgeons to discover new paths.

Combination of dura turning-over and decompressive craniectomy： a new pattern of surgery for cerebral infarction caused by craniocerebral gunshot injury

Background:Craniocerebral gunshot injury refers to a wound caused by a bullet passing through or lodged in brain tissue,resulting in the loss of function of a certain area or other fatal damage to the human brain.Craniocerebral gunshot injury is usually life-threatening and is very common in modern warfare,accounting for the majority of battle casualties.Most of the patients suffer from acute cerebral infarction caused by vascular injury.Lack of early and solid battlefield emergency medical interference adds to the risk of death among the wounded.Case presentation:We present a 24-year-old man who was shot with a shotgun from a distance of 15m in an accidental injury.Forty-seven grape shots were found on his body surface by physical examination.A computed tomography(CT)scan demonstrated large areas of low-density shadows in his right parietal lobe and right temporal lobe with the midline shifting to the left side 2 days later.Afterwards,the patient was transferred to our emergency medical center at Changzheng Hospital in Shanghai.Cranial computed tomography angiography(CTA)showed a high-density shadow in the initial part of the right middle cerebral artery.The branches after the initial part were obliterated.Prompt medical attention and decompressive craniotomy(DC)surgery contributed to the final recovery from cerebral infarction of this patient.Conclusion:Bullets can penetrate or be lodged in the brain,causing intracranial hypertension.The bullets lodged in the brain can result in stenosis and embolism of a cerebral artery,causing acute cerebral infarction.Combining dura turning-over surgery with DC surgery can not only decrease intracranial pressure,which can increase the blood supply for hypertension-induced vessel stenosis,but also help vessels outside the dura mater grow into ischemic areas of the cerebral cortex.However,this new pattern of surgery needs further support from evidence-based medicine.

Is decompressive craniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction of any worth?

Objective: Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction is characterized by mortality rate of up to 80%. The aim of this study was to determine the value of decompressive craniectomy in patients presenting malignant MCA infarction compared with those receiving medical treatment alone. Methods: Patients with malignant MCA infarction treated in our hospital between January 1996 and March 2004 were included in this retrospective analysis. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)was used to assess neurological status on admission and at one week after surgery. All patients were followed up for assessment of functional outcome by the Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (RS) at 3 months after infarction. Results: Ten out of 24patients underwent decompressive craniectomy. The mean interval between stroke onset and surgery was 62.10 h. The mortality was 10.0% compared with 64.2% in patients who received medical treatment alone (P<0.001). The mean NIHSS score before surgery was 26.0 and 15.4 after surgery (P<0.001). At follow up, patients who underwent surgery had significantly better outcome with mean BI of 53.3, RS of 3.3 as compared to only 16.0 and 4.60 in medically treated patients. Speech function also improved in patients with dominant hemispherical infarction. Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy in patients with malignant MCA infarction improves both survival rates and functional outcomes compared with medical treatment alone. A randomized controlled trial is required to substantiate those findings.

Clinical Outcome of Decompressive Craniectomy Operation for the Management of Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) on the postoperative clinical state of the patient to define a line of management of these cases. Take in considerations the surrounding circumstances of the patient till he reaches the ER in Egypt and the hospital resources. Methods: 200 patients suffering from acute traumatic brain injury causing DCL resulted from different pathologies causing increased ICP. In group A, patients with acute TBI were managed by surgical intervention in the form of Decompressive Craniectomy and in the control group B, patients were managed by medical treatment. The age range was from 8 to 65 with no history of associated medical disorders with exclusion criteria of non-traumatic causes of increased ICP. Results: Data collected showed: male to female ratio of 3:1. The most common mode of injury was falling from height. Mean time from injury to operative intervention was 4 hours. The leading initial symptoms were DCL. In group A the overall mortality was 60%, functional recovery rate was 30%, and left severely disabled or vegetative was 10%. 50% of the cases had associated injury. 20% suffered from post-operative complications. Conclusion: DC is the ideal solution for the management of acute TBI with persistent increased ICP when the other medical management fails, given an early intervention and taking into consideration other factors affecting surgical outcome.

Paradoxical herniation after decompressive craniectomy provoked by mannitol:A case report

BACKGROUND Paradoxical transtentorial herniation is a rare but life-threatening complication of cerebrospinal fluid drainage in patients with large decompressive craniectomy.However,paradoxical transtentorial herniation after rapid intravenous infusion of mannitol has not been reported yet.CASE SUMMARY A 48-year-old male suffered from a right temporal vascular malformation with hemorrhage.In a coma,the patient was given emergency vascular malformation resection,hematoma removal,and the right decompressive craniectomy.The patient woke up on the 1st d after the operation and was given 50 g of 20% mannitol intravenously every 8 h without cerebrospinal fluid drainage.On the morning of the 7th postoperative day,after 50 g of 20% mannitol infusion in the Fowler’s position,the neurological function of the patient continued to deteriorate,and the right pupils dilated to 4 mm and the left to 2 mm.Additionally,computed tomography revealed an increasing midline shift and transtentorial herniation.The patient was placed in a supine position and given 0.9% saline intravenously.A few hours later,the patient was fully awake with purposeful movements on his right side and normal communication.CONCLUSION Paradoxical herniation may occur,although rarely,after infusing high-dose mannitol intravenously in the Fowler’s position in the case of a large craniectomy defect.An attempt should be made to place the patient in the supine position because this simple maneuver may be life-saving.Do not use high-dose mannitol when the flap is severely sunken.

Cranioplasty after Decompressive Craniectomy Caused an Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Case Report

Decompressive craniectomy is a common practice for patients with intracranial hypertension. Secondary rigid structural reconstruction following craniectomy can release the effects of atmospheric pressure on the brain, and the brain can become dilated. Although some cases with complications induced by cranioplasty, such as intracranial hematoma, have been reported, no clinical cases with intracerebral hemorrhage after rigid reconstruction have been reported. This case report describes a 39-year-old man with a skull defect following clipping with simultaneous decompressive craniectomy for a subarachnoid hemorrhage. About 25 months later, cranioplasty using a custom-made hydroxyapatite (HAP) ceramic implant was performed. Immediately after the operation, intracerebral hemorrhage was detected on the opposite side by computed tomography (CT). However, there were no physical or neurological findings, the hematoma was completely absorbed within 3 weeks postoperatively, and the skull retained a good shape. This case suggests that rigid reconstruction of a skull defect can influence intracranial conditions, and early postoperative CT is important to detect complications.

Evaluation of Decompressive Craniectomy

Background and Purpose: Decompressive craniectomy is a surgery used to remove a large bone flap and opening the dura to allow edematous brain tissue to bulge extracranially. However, the efficacy of decompressive surgery to reduce the mortality and improve the outcome in patients with refractory intra-cranial pressure is still unclear. We investigated whether decompressive crani-ectomy is associated with improved conscious state and survival in patients with severely raised intracranial pressure and resistant to conservative management. Methods: We studied 20 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of increased intracranial pressure & indicated for decompressive crani-ectomy. All patients were followed postoperatively in ICU with serial follow up (CT). Consciousness level was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale and Glasgow outcome score. Results: The overall mortality was 11 cases (55%), two cases remain in a vegetative state (10%), one case (5%) was severely disabled and six cases (30%) discharged with mild disability. Conclusion: In 20 cases with severely raised intracranial pressure resistant to conservative management Decompressive Craniectomy allowed (30 %) of cases to be discharged from hospitals with mild degree of disability for rehabilitation.

Drainage and Cranioplasty as a Treatment for Traumatic Subdural Hygroma Secondary to Decompressive Craniectomy

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is performed to accommodate life-threatening brain swelling when medical treatment fails. This procedure carries the risk of developing traumatic subdural hygroma (TSH) that can adversely affect the neurological status of the patient. The treatment for persistence of TSH includes drainage and shunt placement or drainage and membranectomy. In this paper, we present treatment of two patients whose TSH was effectively treated with simple drainage and cranioplasty. Case Presentation: Patient 1: The patient is a 34-year-old female who had bilateral craniectomy for brain swelling. Four weeks later she became less interactive. CT scan showed bilateral subdural hygroma with 2 cm midline shift to the left. Her clinical status improved and CT scans showed resolution of the hygroma after simple evacuation of the hygroma and cranioplasty. Patient 2: The patient is a 57-year-old male who had post-traumatic acute subdural hematoma and brain swelling on the left side. The clot was evacuated and the bone flap was left out. After showing initial improvement, 10 weeks after the initial surgery the patient progressively worsened and became unresponsive. CT scans showed a large subdural hygroma on the right with midline shift to the left. Simple evacuation of the hygroma and cranioplasty was done. This resulted in radiological and clinical improvement of the patient. Conclusions: Both patients underwent simple drainage and cranioplasty, which resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. This finding suggests that other procedures such as membranectomy and shunting may not be necessary to treat TSH.

Decompressive Craniectomy in Posterior Fossa Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic damage produced in the posterior cerebral territory causes significant morbidity and urgently must be considered if the patient need a surgical attitude. Surgical decompression by suboccipital craniectomy seams to be effective to treat secondary edema due to cerebellar damage or in posterior fossa, when medical treatment is not able to control side effects. We report a clinical case of a patient with a subacute ischemic infarction in the vertebro-basilar territory, with perilesional edema, and a posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy (DC) was carried out.

Mass brain tissue lost after decompressive craniectomy:A case report

BACKGROUND The brain is the most important organ to maintain life.However,the amount of brain tissue required for maintaining life in humans has not been previously reported.CASE SUMMARY A 33-year-old woman fell from the third floor three months before admission to our department.She received a decompressive craniectomy soon after injury.After the operation,operative incision disunion occurred due to the high pressure.Brain tissue flowed from the incision,and intracranial infection occurred.She fell into deep coma and was sent to our hospital.Her right temporal surgical incision was not healed and had a cranial defect of 10 cm×10 cm.Her intracranial cavity was observed from the skull defect,and the brain tissue was largely lost.In addition,no brain tissue was observed by visual inspection.Cranial computed tomography showed that only a small amount of brain tissue density shadow was compressed in the cerebellum and brainstem.Four days after hospitalization in our hospital,her parents transferred her to a hospital near her hometown.The patient died six days after discharge from our hospital.CONCLUSION This rare case provides some proof of the importance of the brainstem in the maintenance of cardiac rhythm and vascular tension.Neurosurgeons should carefully protect brainstem neurons during operations.Clinicians can maintain the cardiac rhythm of patients who lose their major brain tissue with modern technology,but the family of the patients should be aware of death and end-life care.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Standard Decompressive Craniectomy Combined with Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation Reconstruction in the Treatment of Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Objective:To observe and discuss the clinical effect of standard decompressive craniectomy combined with cerebrospinal fluid circulation reconstruction in the treatment of severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:Seventy patients who underwent surgery in our hospital were selected as subjects for this study.The time was from August 2016 to August 2018,and patients were divided into experimental group(35 cases)and control group(35 cases)according to the random number table method.The control group was treated with a single standard decompressive craniectomy according to clinical symptoms.The experimental group was treated with standard decompressive craniectomy combined with cerebrospinal fluid circulation reconstruction.The surgical treatment effect,GCS(Glasgow Coma Scale)score and operation time were compared between the two groups.Results:After comparison,the surgical treatment effect of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group and there was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).The GCS score and operation time of the experimental group were also better than of the control group and there was a significant difference the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of standard decompressive craniectomy combined with cerebrospinal fluid circulation reconstruction in the treatment of severe craniocerebral injury is more effective and worthy of widespread promotion and application.

Clinical significance of large decompressive craniectomy to control intractable increased intracranial pressure in patients with traumatic brain injury

Objective To investigate the role of decompressive craniectomy (DC) to decrease intractable intracranial hypertension(ICH) due to diffuse brain swelling and / or cerebral edema after severe traumatic brain injury and the time window of DC to affect on prognosis. Methods The clinical record of 132 patients who underwent DC for posttraumatic intractable ICH in our hospital from July 2003 to

The effects of decompressive craniectomy on cerebral blood flow volume and brain metabolism in different aged patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective To explore effects of decompressive craniectomy on cerebral blood flow volume and brain metabolism in different aged patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods 71 cases were divided into three groups according age: group A( 【 30 years) ,group B ( 30 ～ 50 years) 。

重型创伤性脑损伤去骨瓣减压应用改良Paine点穿刺监测脑室内颅内压的优势

目的探讨重型创伤性脑损伤(TBI)开颅去骨瓣减压术(DC)中应用改良Paine点穿刺行脑室内颅内压(ICP)监测探头置入的优势。方法回顾性分析2020年4月-2022年4月嘉兴市第二医院收治的48例重型TBI患者的临床资料。所有患者均行DC联合脑室内ICP监护术,按照ICP监测术式的不同,分为观察组(23例)与对照组(25例),其中观察组行DC切口内改良Paine点穿刺脑室内ICP监测探头置入术,对照组行传统DC对侧切口颅骨钻孔经Kocher点脑室内ICP监测探头置入术。比较两组术前一般资料、手术用时、术后甘露醇使用剂量及持续时间、ICP监测持续时间、术后再出血率、颅内感染率、术后3个月时格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)。结果两组一般资料、甘露醇使用剂量、甘露醇持续时间和ICP监测持续时间比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组手术用时、术后再出血率、颅内感染率明显少于或低于对照组(P<0.05);两组术后3个月GOS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论相较传统的DC对侧切口颅骨钻孔经Kocher点行脑室内ICP监测探头置入术,重型脑外伤DC术中通过切口内改良Paine点穿刺行脑室内ICP监测探头置入术可缩短手术用时,降低术后再出血率、颅内感染率。

床旁经骨窗超声检查评估颅脑外伤去骨瓣减压术患者的预后

目的探讨床旁经骨窗超声检查对颅脑外伤去骨瓣减压术(DC)患者预后的评估价值。方法纳入2021年7月至2023年7月在上海健康医学院附属周浦医院重症医学科接受DC治疗的42例颅脑外伤患者为研究对象。分别于术后第1、2、3、5、7天经骨窗测量中线移位(MLS)以及大脑中动脉的收缩期血流速度(FVs)和舒张期血流速度(FVd),计算平均血流速度(FVm)和脉动指数(PI)。随访患者30 d,根据格拉斯哥预后评分分为预后不良组(≤3分)和预后良好组(>3分),比较两组患者的临床资料。采用Logistic回归分析影响患者预后的因素,绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析超声参数对患者预后的评估价值。结果42例患者中,预后不良23例,预后良好19例。预后不良组入院时格拉斯哥昏迷评分低于预后良好组(P<0.01),严重颅脑外伤比例和死亡率高于预后良好组(P<0.01)。预后不良组患者MLS大于预后良好组[6(2,9)mm比2(1,8)mm](P<0.01),FVs、FVd和FVm低于预后良好组[115(66,135)cm/s比132(112,144)cm/s、30(6,48)cm/s比48(42,57)cm/s、60(24,79)cm/s比77(65,86)cm/s](P<0.01),PI高于预后良好组[1.6(1.2,2.3)比1.0(0.9,1.1)](P<0.01)。ROC曲线分析显示,PI预测不良预后的曲线下面积最大,为0.861(95%CI 0.803~0.907),灵敏度为67.78%,特异度为95.79%。多因素回归分析显示,PI升高是颅脑外伤DC患者术后30 d预后不良的独立危险因素(OR=1.076,95%CI 1.048~1.105,P<0.01)。12例患者在DC术后第1~12天内死亡,死亡前均出现FVd消失。结论床旁经骨窗超声检查可用于预测颅脑外伤DC患者的预后。PI升高是预后不良的独立危险因素,而FVd消失预示着死亡。

醒脑静联合改良去骨瓣减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤患者的临床研究

目的探讨醒脑静联合改良去骨瓣减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤患者的效果。方法105例重型颅脑损伤患者根据治疗方法的不同分为两组。参照组行改良去骨瓣减压术治疗,联合组在参照组基础上给予醒脑静注射液治疗。比较两组炎性因子水平、脑代谢指标、不良反应及预后。结果术后2周,联合组的血清TNF-α、IL-2水平均低于参照组,PCT水平高于参照组,CCP、CEO_(2)及SVO_(2)均高于参照组(P<0.05)。两组的不良反应总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。联合组的预后良好占比高于参照组(P<0.05)。结论醒脑静联合改良去骨瓣减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤患者可减轻其炎性反应,改善脑代谢和预后。

转移皮瓣切口和标准切口应用于重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术患者的疗效对比研究

分析转移皮瓣切口和标准切口应用于重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术患者的疗效差异。选取钦州市第二人民医院2021年12月—2023年12月收治的80例重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术的患者为研究对象,随机将患者分为两组,分别为对照组和试验组。对照组患者行标准切口,试验组患者行转移皮瓣切口,对比两组患者的治疗效果。结果显示,试验组患者颅内压低于对照组(P<0.05);试验组患者的手术时间明显短于对照组,抢救成功率明显高于对照组(P<0.05);试验组患者术后CT影像中突出骨窗的脑体积明显大于对照组(P<0.05);试验组术后第1、2、3个月的格拉斯哥预后评分均高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究发现,在重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术中,转移皮瓣切口可有效地降低患者颅内压,缩短患者手术时间,可更好地暴露手术视野,促进患者恢复,具有较高的临床应用与推广价值。

重型颅脑损伤行去骨瓣减压术后常见并发症研究进展

去骨瓣减压术(decompressive craniectomy,DC)是救治重型颅脑损伤(severe traumatic brain injury,STBI)的主要手术方式之一,其手术方式主要为去除颅骨的一部分,并打开硬脑膜,代偿颅腔内容积,从而减少肿胀脑组织、血肿等对重要脑功能区和脑干等生命中枢的压迫。当STBI患者行DC后并发症比较多,如:颅内感染、硬膜下积液、脑积水、创伤性癫痫、脑膨出、切口疝、脑脊液漏、大面积脑梗死等,可能导致预后不良,现将STBI行DC术后并发症发生情况及处理等综述如下。

去骨瓣减压术后脑积水的治疗策略及疗效分析

目的通过对去骨瓣减压术(DC)后脑积水的治疗效果分析,探讨DC后脑积水的手术策略。方法回顾性分析山东省潍坊市益都中心医院2021年9月至2023年8月被诊断为DC后脑积水的51例患者临床资料及随访资料。按照治疗方式不同将其分为同期组(同时行脑室腹腔分流术与颅骨修补术,19例)与非同期组(32例),其中非同期组分为分流组(先行脑室腹腔分流术观察病情变化一段时间后再行颅骨修补术,20例)与修补组(包括先行颅骨修补术后脑室腹腔分流术10例与仅行颅骨修补术2例,12例)。比较不同治疗方案的效果及并发症发生率。结果同期组与非同期组的手术治疗有效率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。同期组的术后并发症发生率高于非同期组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。分流组与修补组的手术治疗有效率及术后并发症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论针对脑积水患者,建议分期行颅骨修补术与脑室腹腔分流术,而二者术式的先后选择对手术疗效及并发症并无明显影响,但如果条件允许,建议可优先行颅骨修补术。