大型脑动静脉畸形直接显微手术治疗的效果分析

目的通过总结大型脑动静脉畸形的显微手术经验,探讨脑动静脉畸形显微手术的效果以及正常灌注压突破对显微手术的影响。方法回顾性分析93例采用显微外科手术治疗的大型脑动静脉畸形病例,按照Spetzler—Martin分级,3级者37例,4级者35例,5级者21例。结果术后出现再出血及急性脑肿胀者3例（3．2％）,死亡2例。术后对91例患者进行随访,根据GOS分级,恢复良好82例（90．1％）,中残7例（7．7％）,重残2例（2．2％）。结论显微外科手术是治疗大型脑动静脉畸形的有效手段,术前精确的判断及术中精细的操作是手术成功的关键。正常灌注压突破对大型脑动静脉畸形直接显微手术无显著影响。     

Microsurgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute (recent experience)

Recently the number of AVM resections in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute has been increased dramatically. Aim of this study was to assess the results of open surgery in our clinic in modern neurosurgical era. Consecutive series if 160 patients with AVM treated using microsurgical technique since 2009 till 2011 was analyzed. Spetzler-Martin score distribution was: grade I--29 (18.1%) cases, grade II--84 (52.5%), grade III--38 (23.8%), grade IV--9 (5.6%). Patients with grade V AVMs were not operated. Treatment options included: AVM resection in 143 (89.4%) cases, embolization followed by resection in 15 (9.3%) and clipping of afferents in 2 (1.3%). Glasgow outcome scale score distribution was the following: V (good recovery)--70 (43.7%), IV (moderate disability)--71 (44.4%), III (severe disability)--16 (10%), II (vegetative state)--1 (0.6%) and I (death)--2 (1.3%). Microsurgery remains the primary option for radical treatment of cerebral AVMs. Careful selection of patients and planning of surgery are crucial for good outcomes.     

Surgical results in pediatric Spetzler-Martin grades I-III intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTS: The goal of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) therapy in pediatric patients should be complete resection or obliteration of the AVM to eliminate subsequent hemorrhage, because of high mortality and morbidity rates related to hemorrhage in addition to the longer life expectation. Despite advances in Gamma knife radiosurgery and in endovascular embolization, surgical resection is still the gold standard for treating cerebral AVMs. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2003, 20 children were surgically treated for cerebral AVMs. The AVMs were graded I, II, and III using the Spetzler-Martin (S-M) Grading Scale. Good recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients (90%) and only 1 patient was moderately disabled (5%). There was one mortality (5%) related to the preoperative deep comatose state of the patient. The total obliteration rate was 89% (17 out of 19). CONCLUSION: For S-M grade I-III AVMs, surgical resection is the treatment of choice, considering its high cure rate and low morbidity and mortality rates.     

Outcome following surgery for ophthalmic segment aneurysms

Ophthalmic segment aneurysms account for about 5% of all intracranial aneurysms. Anatomical complexity of the paraclinoid region makes surgical management of aneurysms arising from the ophthalmic segment challenging. This study was carried out to assess the presenting features, complications and outcomes after surgical treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms. The authors retrospectively analysed the clinical records of patients with ophthalmic aneurysms treated at our Institute from January 2001 to September 2008, which constituted about 9% (78/850) of all intracranial aneurysms. Of the 78 ophthalmic segment aneurysms, six patients (8%) had giant aneurysms and 19 (24%) patients had multiple aneurysms. Fifty-six patients underwent microsurgery, with direct clipping in most. The mean age was 42 years (range 12–75 years) and the mean follow-up was 8 months (range, 2–93 months). A good outcome was achieved in 46 (83%) patients (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score 4–5) and 17% had a poor outcome (GOS score 1–3) at last follow-up. The overall complication rate was 21% (12/56), most of which were transient complications, with 3.5% (2/56) mortality. Direct microsurgical clipping remains our preferred treatment approach, whenever possible, for ophthalmic segment aneurysms. This surgery has an acceptable complication rate and leads to a good outcome in more than 80% of patients with ophthalmic aneurysms. Use of modern microsurgical instrumentation and endovascular adjuncts can further reduce the surgical morbidity associated with these vascular lesions.     

Infarct volume on apparent diffusion coefficient maps correlates with length of stay and outcome after middle cerebral artery stroke

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) can depict acute ischemia based on decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. ADC maps, unlike DWI (which have contributions from T2 properties), solely reflect diffusion properties. Recent studies indicate that severity of neurological deficit corresponds with degree of ADC alteration. PURPOSE: To determine whether infarct volume on ADC maps correlates with length of hospitalization and clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. STUDY POPULATION: Forty-five consecutive patients with acute (3 SDs below the average ADC value of a contralateral control region. Infarct volume was correlated with length of hospitalization and 6-month outcome assessed with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Modified Rankin Score (mRS), Barthel Index (BI) and a dichotomized outcome status with favorable outcome defined as GOS 1, mRS or=95. RESULTS: Infarct volume on ADC maps ranged from 0.2 to 187 cm(3) and was significantly correlated with length of hospitalization (p < 0.001, r = 0.67). Furthermore, ADC infarct volume was significantly correlated with GOS (r = 0.73), mRS (r = 0.68), BI (r = 0.67) and outcome status (r = 0.65) (each p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression revealed a statistically significant correlation between ADC infarct volume and outcome status (p < 0.05), but none for Canadian Neurological Scale score, age and gender (p >0.05 each). CONCLUSION: Infarct volume measured by using a quantitative definition for infarcted tissue on ADC maps correlated significantly with length of hospitalization (as a possible surrogate marker for short-term outcome) and functional outcome after 6 months. ADC infarct volume may provide prognostic information for patients with acute ischemic MCA stroke.     

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: outcome analysis with use of the modified arteriovenous malformation scoring system

Radiosurgery has long been an accepted modality for definitive treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Efforts to improve the therapeutic ratio for this indication include use of staged volume procedures and hypofractionation. This study reviews our experience with a cohort of patients treated with hypofractionated radiosurgery. Over a 3 year period, 38 patients harboring 39 cerebral AVM were treated with hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. Seventeen of these patients presented due to hemorrhage, four were asymptomatic unruptured lesions and the remainder were symptomatic unruptured lesions. The median AVM volume was 11.43 cc and median modified Radiosurgery-Based Arteriovenous Malformation Score (mRBAS) was 2.02. The median follow-up was 7.32 years. Four patients harboring four AVM were lost to follow-up before a result could be ascertained leaving 35 AVM for analysis. Excellent outcomes (AVM obliteration without new deficits) occurred in 17 of 34 (50%) patients and in 18 of 35 (51%) AVM treated. AVM obliteration was seen in 26 of 35 (74%) lesions treated. Two patients died during the follow-up period (6%). A poor result (major deficit without obliteration) was seen in one patient. Of 19 patients harboring AVM with mRBAS >2.0, an excellent outcome was achieved in eight (42%). Hypofractionation for cerebral AVM can result in satisfactory obliteration rates, but with risk of significant complications commensurate with mRBAS. Further study of this technique will be needed to ascertain the degree of incremental improvement, if any, over other radiosurgery treatment methods.     

Early decompressive craniectomy may be effective in the treatment of refractory intracranial hypertension after traumatic brain injury

Introduction We compared the effect of early decompressive craniectomy (<24 h) vs non-operative treatment on the outcome of children with refractory intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury.Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive patients treated between 1999 and 2001 for refractory intracranial hypertension after isolated severe head injury without any intracranial haematomas. In all patients, treatment included sedation, paralysis and IV mannitol under intracranial pressure monitoring. Early decompressive craniectomy was carried out in six patients (mean age: 13 years) at mean time from injury of 7 h (range: 2–18 h), whereas six patients (mean age: 11.5 years) were managed with non-operative treatment. The Marshall Grading system was used to score the severity of radiological abnormalities in CT scans. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 1-year follow-up was used as outcome measure.Results The mean Marshall grade was 3 in the craniectomy group and 2 in the non-operative group. All patients in the craniectomy group survived: four patients scored 5 and two patients scored 4 on the GOS. In the non-operative group, two patients (33%) died, one of whom received late decompressive craniectomy at 9 days, while three patients scored 5 and one patient scored 3 on the GOS.Conclusion In children who suffered severe head injury with refractory intracranial hypertension without intracranial haematoma, early decompressive craniectomy employed in the first few hours after injury before the onset of irreversible ischaemic changes may be an effective method to treat the secondary deterioration that commonly leads to death or severe neurological deficit.Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Monaco, 17 September 2003     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured posterior circulation cerebral aneurysms. Clinical and angiographic outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to describe the clinical outcome and angiographic results obtained in the endovascular therapy of ruptured posterior circulation cerebral aneurysms using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) over a 7-year period. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 112 patients evaluated at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center between June 1991 and August 1998. The Hunt-Hess grade at presentation of treated patients was I in 26 patients (24%), II in 24 (22%), III in 27 (25%), IV in 24 (22%), and V in 8 (7%). Clinical follow-up for the total population was achieved in 104 of 109 patients (96%), with a mean duration of 13.1 months. Angiographic follow-up for the subset excluding parent vessel occlusion cases was obtained in 93% of cases, with a mean duration of 7.2 months. RESULTS: Technical success, defined as the ability to catheterize and embolize the aneurysm with GDC, was achieved in 109 of 112 of cases (97%). The mean angiographic occlusion rate, or projected area of the aneurysm occluded by the coils, for all 110 successfully treated aneurysms was 94.6%. At latest clinical follow-up, 81 of 109 patients (74%) achieved good recovery with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of I, 10 of 109 (9%) were moderately (GOS II) and 5 of 109 (5%) were severely (GOS III) disabled, 1 of 109 (1%) remained in a vegetative state (GOS IV), and 12 of 109 (11%) were dead. Of the subset of 77 patients with Hunt-Hess grades I to III, 68 (88%) achieved a good clinical outcome (GOS I). A statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between Hunt-Hess grade at presentation and final GOS outcome score (chi(2)=41.4, P<0.0005). Procedure-related permanent morbidity was 2.8% (3/109 patients). Repeated hemorrhage was observed in a single patient (0.9%) with a partially treated aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: The observed favorable outcome and low morbidity in this group of high-risk patients point to GDC embolization as an effective method for the endovascular management of patients with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms.     

脑动静脉畸形的血管内栓塞治疗研究

目的：探讨脑动静脉畸形的血管内栓塞治疗。方法：回顾性地分析１９５例ＡＶＭｓ患者的血管栓塞治疗过程。结果：血管内栓塞治疗１５９例,２９７次,治疗后临床症状消失,完全恢复正常生活、工作者３２例,占２０％,临床症状明显好转１２３例（占７７．４％）。结论：血管内栓塞治疗是一种脑ＡＶＭｓ首选并且有效的治疗方法,尤其终末型供血者。     

Assessment of prognostic factors in severe traumatic brain injury patients treated by mild therapeutic cerebral hypothermia therapy

This study analyzed the predictable factors of outcome such as neuro-parameters and systemic complications to elucidate the indications for therapeutic hypothermia. In our institute, 35 patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-7) were treated with mild hypothermia therapy (33 degrees-35 degrees C). Twenty-two of these 35 patients underwent complete neuromonitoring and outcome assessments by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at three months after injury. GOS of hypothermia group was significantly better than another patient group which was treated without mild hypothermia therapy. The hypothermia group was divided into two groups: good outcome (GOOD) (good recovery or moderate disability; n = 9, 40.9%) and poor outcome (POOR) (severe disability, vegetative state, or death; n = 13, 59.1%). The mean age (mean 30.2 years, range 9-46) was significantly lower in GOOD than in POOR (mean 45.2 years, range 17-62). Patients aged over 50 years had poor outcome. CPP was significantly higher in GOOD during hypothermia. All patients with thrombocytopenia had poor outcome. Hypothermia therapy can improve outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury who are younger than 50 years old, without severe brain damage, and if improvement of cerebral perfusion is expected. Systemic complications must be prevented as far as possible by combination with other therapies.     

Early surgical treatment for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: a randomized feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The safety and the effectiveness of the surgical treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain controversial. To investigate the feasibility of urgent surgical evacuation of ICH, we conducted a small, randomized feasibility study of early surgical treatment versus current nonoperative management in patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH. METHODS: Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH who presented to 1 university and 2 community hospitals were randomized to surgical treatment or best medical treatment. Principal eligibility criteria were ICH volume >10 cm(3) on baseline CT scan with a focal neurological deficit, Glasgow Coma Scale score >4 at the time of enrollment, randomization and therapy within 24 hours of symptom onset, surgery within 3 hours of randomization, and no evidence for ruptured aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. The primary end point was the 3-month Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). A good outcome was defined as a 3-month GOS score >3. RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized over 24 months, 9 to surgical intervention and 11 to medical treatment. The median time from onset of symptoms to presentation at the treating hospitals was 3 hours and 17 minutes, the time from randomization to surgery was 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 8 hours and 35 minutes. The likelihood of a good outcome (primary outcome measure: GOS score >3) for the surgical treatment group (56%) did not differ significantly from the medical treatment group (36%). There was no significant difference in mortality at 3 months. Analysis of the secondary 3-month outcome measures showed a nonsignificant trend toward a better outcome in the surgical treatment group versus the medical treatment group for the median GOS, Barthel Index, and Rankin Scale and a significant difference in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (4 versus 14; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Very early surgical treatment for acute ICH is difficult to achieve but feasible at academic medical centers and community hospitals. The trend toward less 3-month morbidity with surgical intervention in patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH warrants further investigation of very early clot removal in larger randomized clinical trials.     

颅颈交界区占位性病变的临床特点及显微外科治疗策略

目的 探讨颅颈交界区占位性病变的临床特点、诊断、显微治疗策略及预后.方法 回顾性分析43例颅颈交界区占位性病变患者的临床资料,并结合相关文献进行分析.结果 43例患者均行显微手术治疗,经枕下后正中入路29例,远外侧入路14例.全切除35例,次全切除5例,部分切除3例,出院时按GOS评分,预后良好（4～5分）38例,差（2～3分）4例,死亡（1分）1例.结论 应用显微神经外科技术治疗颅颈交界区占位性病变,依据术前MRI检查,采取合适的手术入路,可以取得良好的治疗效果.     

Long-term neurological and neuropsychological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Background

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictors for neurological and neuropsychological long-term outcome in patients with severe TBI treated according to an intracranial pressure (ICP-) targeted therapy.

Methods

From 08/2005 to 12/2008, 46 patients with severe TBI and more than 12 h of intensive care treatment were included in this study. Neurological outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Neuropsychological performance assessing 9 different domains was evaluated at long-term follow-up (median 20.5 months; range 10–46). Logistic regression was used to identify favourable outcomes according to the GOS and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify predictors of severe neuropsychological impairments at follow-up.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were available for neuropsychological assessment at long-term follow-up. Only 2 out of 29 patients presented normal or average neuropsychological findings throughout all 9 neuropsychological domains at long-term follow-up. The percentage of a favourable outcome (GOS 4-5) increased from 13.8% at hospital discharge to 75.8% at rehabilitation discharge to 79.3% at long-term follow-up, respectively. Age ≤40 was found to be a strong predictor of favourable outcome at follow-up (OR 5.95, 95% CI 1.41 25.00, p = 0.015). The GOS at hospital discharge was not a predictor for severe impairments in any of the 9 different neuropsychological domains (all p-values were p > 0.268). In contrast, the GOS at rehabilitation discharge was found to be a predictor of severe impairments at follow-up in all but one domain assessed (all p-values less than p < 0.038).

Conclusions

The GOS at rehabilitation discharge should be regarded as a better predictor for neuropsychological impairments at long-term follow-up than the GOS at hospital discharge. Even in patients with favourable GOS after finishing a course of rehabilitation, three quarters of these patients may have at least one severe neuropsychological deficit. Therefore, it remains of paramount importance to provide long-term neuropsychological support to further improve outcome after TBI.     

颅内后循环动脉瘤的手术治疗(附35例分析)

目的探讨颅内后循环动脉瘤的临床特点和显微手术治疗策略及疗效。方法总结35例椎基底动脉系统动脉瘤的手术经验。共夹闭41个动脉瘤，动脉瘤孤立并切除2例，动脉瘤包裹1例。绝大部分病例术中采用了血管临时阻断技术，血管阻断的同时给予脑保护剂治疗，应用电生理监测。5例采用深低温停循环技术，在低温停循环条件下夹闭动脉瘤。结果28例术后行DSA检查，示动脉瘤夹闭满意27例。早期结果好（GOS4-5分）25例，差（GOS2-3分）7例，死亡3例。对31例随访3个月-8年，结果好27例，差2例．死亡2例。主要并发症有偏瘫、脑神经麻痹、脑脊液耳漏和颅内感染等。结论后循环动脉瘤中巨型和大型者较前循环动脉瘤更为常见。手术应从入路选择、术中脑保护、临时阻断载瘤动脉、合理处理动脉瘤、亚低温及深低温停循环的应用等方面综合考虑，以取得较满意效果。     

The microsurgical treatment of the supratentorial arteriovenous malformations. Part II--complications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was an analysis of complications after surgical treatment of the cerebral supratentorial arteriovenous malformations (AVM), assessment of their clinical sequelae, and attempt to find factors influencing their occurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 88 consecutive patients operated on for AVM in the years 1983-2000 were included in a retrospective study. In all patients microsurgical, selective removal of AVM was performed, without prior embolization. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of exact Fisher test and c2 test. RESULTS: Complications in the postoperative period were observed in 45.5%, including short-term deterioration (27.3%) and symptoms present till the day of discharge (18.2%). Mechanisms of deterioration were as follows: significant intraoperative hemorrhage (5.7%), hemodynamic disturbances after AVM removal (20.5%) and resection of AVM in the eloquent area (19.3%). Many variables that may contribute to the complications were studied. Factors increasing the risk of significant intraoperative hemorrhage are: steal effect visible in angiography (32% vs. 10%, p<0.05), intraventricular penetration of AVM (38% vs. 11%, p<0.05). Factors increasing the risk of hemodynamic disturbances are: feeding from the medial cerebral artery (MCA) (31% vs. 8%, p=0.02) and complex venous drainage (32% vs. 14%, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of postoperative deterioration are hemodynamic disturbances after AVM removal and manipulation in the eloquent area. Hemodynamic disturbances worsened the prognosis significantly, and were the only cause of mortality (3.4%). However, massive intraoperative hemorrhage and operation in the eloquent area did not influence the outcome significantly. Risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage are steal effect and intraventricular penetration of AVM. Risk factors for hemodynamic disturbances are feeding AVM from MCA and complex venous drainage.     

Outcome of survivors of acute stroke who require prolonged ventilatory assistance and tracheostomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical ventilation after stroke is associated with high mortality. However, little is known about survivors who require prolonged ventilatory assistance and tracheostomy. Our goal was to assess the rate of pulmonary complication, effect of early tracheostomy and prognosis of patients with stroke requiring prolonged ventilatory support. METHODS: Retrospective review of 97 patients with stroke who required ventilatory assistance and tracheostomy admitted to a single teaching hospital between 1976 and 2000. Outcome was defined using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). RESULTS: Poor outcome (GOS 1-3) occurred in 74% of patients at 1 year and it was associated with older age (p = 0.03), prior history of brain damage (p = 0.02), and neurological worsening after intubation (p < 0.01). However, long-term functional recovery (GOS 4-5) was possible and more likely after strokes involving the posterior circulation (p = 0.03). Pulmonary complications were prevalent and more frequent before tracheostomy (68 vs. 20% after tracheostomy) but did not determine functional outcome. Mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 11 +/- 19 days and did not significantly differ between outcome groups. Early tracheostomy correlated with shorter ICU and hospital stays (p < 0.01 in both cases). CONCLUSIONS: Surviving patients with stroke who require prolonged ventilatory assistance and tracheostomy can have a better outcome than previously reported. Aggressive care is justified in patients who do not continue to deteriorate neurologically. Pulmonary complications are frequent but treatable. Early tracheostomy can shorten ICU and hospital stays and reduce costs.     

立体定向伽玛刀治疗脑动静脉畸型研究

目的评估伽玛刀(γ-刀)立体定向放射手术治疗脑动静脉畸形(AVM)的疗效;探讨脑AVM的γ-刀治疗定位方法。方法用立体定向Leksellγ-刀放射外科治疗系统对216例脑AVM进行γ-刀立体定向放射手术,并随访17～31个月。男性患者162例,女性54例,年龄1.5～83岁(Md=26),Spetzler Martin分级:I级42例,Ⅱ级68例,Ⅲ级95例,Ⅳ级7例及Ⅴ级4例。AVM体积0.3～43.9cm3(Md=7.1),放射手术周边剂量12～30Gy,平均(21.2±6.4)Gy。用1.5Tesla磁共振行磁共振血管造影(MRA)定位156例,数字减影血管造影(DSA)定位22例,MRA与DSA联合定位38例。结果γ-刀治疗后的AVM闭塞情况和并发症的发生与其体积、分级、定位方法、周边剂量、剂量规划及质量控制等因素有关。对体积≤5.0cm3或Spetzler Martin分级<Ⅲ级及周边剂量≥20Gy者,其2年闭塞率超过78.5%。本组有4例γ-刀放射手术后出血,9例并发有明显症状的放射性脑水肿。结论γ-刀高科技手术是治疗脑AVM的一种安全、有效的方法,特别是Spetzler MartinI-Ⅱ级或体积≤5.0cm3的AVM及周边剂量≥20Gy者疗效较好;DSA结合MRA联合定位对提高AVM的闭塞率、降低并发症有帮助。     

Speed performance and long-term functional and vocational outcome in a group of young patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury

We studied specific aspects of speed performance in neuropsychological tests and functional and vocational long-term outcome among moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients admitted to a rehabilitation programme. A group of 140 patients with mild, moderate or severe TBI was followed up for a minimum of 5 years in a rehabilitation programme. Severity of TBI was estimated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on emergency hospital admission. The patients, grouped by age at injury into the categories: 7 or younger, 8-16 and 17 years of age or older, were tested five or more years post-injury with comprehensive neuropsychological tests, including a speed performance test with the Stroop material, the Purdue Pegboard (PB) test and simple visual and auditive reaction times. The outcome variables were functional outcome, as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score, and capacity for employment at the end of follow-up, i.e. on average 12 years post-injury. The patients with mild TBI were excluded from further analysis of outcome. The study was carried out at the Kauniala outpatient neurological clinic. In the Stroop test, patients with a GOS score of 3 and patients who were incapable of employment were slower (P = 0.0046 and P = 0.0015, respectively) than those with a GOS score of 1 or 2 and those capable of independent or subsidized employment, respectively. The PB test also differentiated significantly between the patients with a GOS score of 3 and those with a GOS score of 1 or 2 at the end of follow-up (P = 0.0413), and predicted incapacity for employment (P = 0.032), those with worse outcome being slower. Simple reaction times did not differ significantly between the GOS scores at the end of follow-up, and neither did they predict capacity or incapacity for employment. Our data suggest that the Stroop and PB tests can help estimate functional outcome, as measured by the GOS, among patients with initially moderate or severe TBI and who were referred to a rehabilitation programme. The same tests could also be useful in predicting long-term vocational outcome.     

Assessment of prognostic factors in severe traumatic brain injury patients treated by mild therapeutic cerebral hypothermia therapy

Abstract

This study analyzed the predictable factors of outcome such as neuro-parameters and systemic complications to elucidate the indications for therapeutic hypothermia. In our institute, 35 patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-7) were treated with mild hypothermia therapy (33° - 35°C). Twenty-two of these 35 patients underwent complete neuromonitoring and outcome assessments by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at three months after injury. GOS of hypothermia group was significantly better than another patient group which was treated without mild hypothermia therapy. The hypothermia group was divided into two groups: good outcome (GOOD) (good recovery or moderate disability; n = 9, 40.9%) and poor outcome (POOR) (severe disability, vegetative state, or death; n = 13, 59.1%). The mean age (mean 30.2 years, range 9-46) was significantly lower in GOOD than in POOR (mean 45.2 years, range 17-62). Patients aged over 50 years had poor outcome. CPP was significantly higher in GOOD during hypothermia. All patients with thrombocytopenia had poor outcome. Hypothermia therapy can improve outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury who are younger than 50 years old, without severe brain damage, and if improvement of cerebral perfusion is expected. Systemic complications must be prevented as far as possible by combination with other therapies.     

Results of treatment of non-traumatic cerebellar haemorrhages

AIM: Presentation of experiences in the treatment and tentative determination of factors of prognostic importance which could be useful in the selection of appropriate treatment of patients with non-traumatic cerebellar haemorrhage. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 35 consecutive patients treated in the years 1987-1996 were analysed retrospectively. Their condition on admission was assessed using Glasgow Coma Scale and the treatment results were assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale at the time of discharge. All patients had CT which was repeated, as necessary, and in some cases angiography was done. Ten patients were treated surgically and 25 only conservatively (in six of them temporary external ventricular drainage was performed due to hydrocephalus). The analysis included the influence of localisation and volume of haemorrhage, presence of hydrocephalus, intraventricular extension of haemorrhage fourth ventricle and quadrigeminal cistern appearance on the state of the patients and on treatment results. Non-parametric tests: Mann-Whitney and variance analysis of Kruskal-Wallis were used for determination of statistical significance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Six patients were in coma (4-7 GCS score), 6 had GCS score 8-12, 6 had GCS score 13-14, and 17 patients had no consciousness disturbances. Haematoma involved only cerebellar hemisphere in 21 cases, hemisphere and vermis in 12, cerebellum with brain stem extension in 2 cases. Haematoma volume was below 20 ml in 25 cases, over 20 ml in 5 cases, and in 5 case the volume could not have been determined. Hydrocephalus was present in 12 patients being related to CSF outflow block in 7 and to intraventricular haemorrhage in 5 cases. Intraventricular extension of haemorrhage occurred in 9 cases. Hydrocephalus presence (p = 0.005) and haematoma volume (p < 0.03) influenced significantly consciousness level on admission. In the surgically treated group 2 patients died and in 7 cases the result was satisfactory (GOS:MD + GR). In the group treated conservatively 4 patients died, 2 became disabled, and 19 left the hospital in good or very good condition (GOS:MD + GR). The total mortality was 17.2%, consciousness level on admission (p = 0.001), haematoma volume (p < 0.05), hydrocephalus presence (p < 0.008), intraventricular extension of haemorrhage (p < 0.008) had significant influence on treatment results. CONCLUSIONS: In the light of our experience it is suggested that patients in coma should be operated on for haematoma evacuation with or without temporary external ventricular drainage. In conscious patients with stable course of disease medical treatment can be considered.