Asian Journal of Neurosurgery最新文献

Objective  Pterion is an "H" shaped formation of sutures located in the temporal fossa of the skull. It is an important anatomical landmark and a craniometric point. The thinness of the skull and its inner relation with the middle meningeal artery make this anatomical landmark clinically significant. Variations in the pterion are imperative, especially for neurosurgeons in order to have the most suitable craniometric point to be minimally invasive. Materials and Methods  One hundred pterions were studied to report the variations in the type and location of the pterion. Murphy's classification was used to classify the pterion into four types on the basis of bone articulation-sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate, and epipteric. Results  All four types of pterions were observed, sphenoparietal being the most common. No significant gender difference was observed in terms of type and laterality of various pterions. The mean distance between the center of pterion to the superolateral point of zygomaticotemporal (PZT) suture and the anterolateral point of the frontozygomatic (PFZ) suture were 3.91 ± 3.79 cm and 3.68 ± 3.79 mm, respectively. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relation between PZT and PFZ sutures. Conclusion  Accurate data on the morphology and morphometry of bony anatomical points are crucial, while performing intracranial surgery using them as recognizable landmarks. The morphometric parameters may help in determining the soundness of the pterion as an identifiable landmark for performing interventions like burr hole and other neurosurgical procedures in this area.

Vertebro-vertebral fistulas (VVFs) are uncommon vascular pathology. It can be either primary (spontaneous) or secondary (iatrogenic or mechanical trauma). Spontaneous vertebral arteriovenous malformation is often associated with connective tissue disorders. Cases associated with neurofibromatosis type I (NF I) are even rarer. Management of VVF with covered stent is an emerging option for construction of vertebral artery. It not only preserves the flow of the parent artery but also has immediate exclusion of the fistula from the parent artery. A 30-year-old pregnant female patient presented with cervical bruit and left upper limb radiculopathy. She was a known case of NF I. Magnetic resonance imaging cervical spine revealed multiple flow voids compressing the cervical spinal cord and nerve roots. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a vertebral artery arteriovenous fistula. She underwent endovascular treatment in the form of a covered stent. Her clinical symptoms immediately improved. She was asymptomatic at the 1-year follow-up.

Introduction  Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition. Recent studies showed efficacy of atorvastatin in reducing the requirement of surgical treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in reducing the recurrence of CSDH after burr hole surgery. Methods  This prospective study included patients with CSDH who underwent burr hole surgery. Atorvastatin at 20 mg per day was administered to all patients for 4 weeks postoperatively. The major outcome was the recurrence rate of CSDH at 8 weeks following the operation. Results  Seventy-three patients who completed the 4-week course of atorvastatin were included. The mean age was 73.9 years. The most common cause of CSDH was falling. The mean hematoma volume was 106.3 mL. There was no adverse effect of atorvastatin in all of 73 patients. During the 8-week postoperative period, recurrent CSDH was found in 2 of 73 (2.7%) patients. In a comparison of the recurrence rate of CSDH between patients with use of atorvastatin from the present and previous studies (2.6-4.8%), and patients without use of atorvastatin from previous studies (9.8-19%), a marked reduction in recurrent CSDH after burr hole surgery was found in patients with use of atorvastatin. Conclusion  An administration of atorvastatin of 20 mg daily for 4 weeks following burr hole surgery is safe and may be helpful in reducing the recurrence rate of CSDH after burr hole surgery.

Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is the most frequent intracranial traumatic lesion requiring surgery in high-income countries. To date, uncertainty remains regarding the odds of mortality or functional outcome of patients with ASDH, regardless of whether they are operated on. This review aims to shed light on the clinical and radiologic factors associated with ASDH outcome. A scoping review was conducted on Medline database from inception to 2023. This review yielded 41 patient series. In the general population, specific clinical (admission Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS], abnormal pupil exam, time to surgery, decompressive craniectomy, raised postoperative intracranial pressure) and radiologic (ASDH thickness, midline shift, thickness/midline shift ratio, uncal herniation, and brain density difference) factors were associated with mortality (grade III). Other clinical (admission GCS, decompressive craniectomy) and radiologic (ASDH volume, thickness/midline shift ratio, uncal herniation, loss of basal cisterns, petechiae, and brain density difference) factors were associated with functional outcome (grade III). In the elderly, only postoperative GCS and midline shift on brain computed tomography were associated with mortality (grade III). Comorbidities, abnormal pupil examination, postoperative GCS, intensive care unit hospitalization, and midline shift were associated with functional outcome (grade III). Based on these factors, the SHE (Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly) and the RASH (Richmond Acute Subdural Hematoma) scores could be used in daily clinical practice. This review has underlined a few supplementary factors of prognostic interest in patients with ASDH, and highlighted two predictive scores that could be used in clinical practice to guide and assist clinicians in surgical indication.