Creatine kinaseBB-activity after head trauma related to outcome

Summary The brain-type isoenzyme of creatine kinase was determined in serum (S) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 37 patients with severe head injury, and a correlation was made with the Glasgow coma score and Glasgow outcome score. All patients with normal S-CK_BB and CSF-CK_BB activities had a coma score of 15,i.e., no neurological deficits, at six hours after the trauma and a good outcome. All 15 patients with a significant increase in the enzyme in serum and CSF had a coma score less than 15. The outcome was still good for five of these patients, while six were moderately disabled, two were severely disabled, and two died. There was no correlation between the individual CK_BB-values and the outcome.     

Emergency neurosurgery by general surgeons at a remote major hospital

BACKGROUND: Due to the geographical remoteness of Darwin, which has no resident neurosurgeon, emergency transfer of patients for neurosurgery is usually impractical. In Darwin emergency neurosurgery must be undertaken by general surgeons. METHODS: Data from the operating theatre, Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit were prospectively recorded on all patients who underwent an emergency neurosurgical procedure between January 1992 and June 2004. Outcomes were assessed by retrospective case note review. RESULTS: Three hundred and five neurosurgical procedures were performed upon 258 patients (average 26.5 procedures per year), including 130 craniotomies, 88 burr holes, 3 posterior fossa craniotomies, 2 decompressive frontal lobectomies, 4 decompressive craniectomies, 25 elevations of fracture and 33 ventricular drains only. Assault/domestic incident (31%) was a more common aetiology than motor vehicle accidents (29%). Outcome was best for extradural haematoma (82% good/moderate) and chronic subdural haematoma (84% good/moderate). In contrast, 44% with acute subdural haematoma and 77% with intracerebral haematoma died. Irrespective of type of bleed, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation was a reliable predictor of outcome following surgery (61% correlation): 60% with GCS less than 9 died whereas 79% with GCS over 11 had a good recovery. Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation, version 2 and Simplified Acute Physiology Score, version 2 scores were also independent predictors of outcome. Time from presentation to operation for extradural haematoma and acute subdural haematoma was prolonged (more than 4 h) in 48% and was associated with worse outcome (P = 0.0001). Neither extremes of age nor the particular surgeon performing the operation affected outcome. CONCLUSIONS: General surgeons undertake a substantial number of procedures across a broad spectrum of emergency neurosurgery in Darwin. Outcomes following surgery appear acceptable.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and gender difference in outcome after severe traumatic brain injury

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common causes of death and dismal outcome among children and young adults. The morbidity and mortality differ but more aggressive monitoring and more designated neuro intensive care units have improved the results. Studies have demonstrated a connection between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and outcome after TBI, but few are prospective and none is from northern Europe. APOE has three alleles: ?2, ?3 and ?4. Methods: A total of 96 patients with Glasgow coma score (GCS) ≤8 were prospectively and consecutively included. APOE genotypes were all analyzed at the same laboratory from blood samples by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: All patients were assessed at 1 year with Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Barthel daily living index. The genotype was available in all patients. Twenty‐six patients expressed APOE ?4 while 70 patients did not. Outcome demonstrated that patients with APOE ?4 had worse outcome vs. those lacking this allele. When subdividing patients into gender, males with APOE ?4 did worse, a difference not detected among female patients. Conclusions: APOE ?4 correlated to worse outcome in TBI patients. We also found that males with APOE ?4 had poor outcome while females did not. Thus, the results indicate that genetic polymorphism may influence outcome after TBI.     

Significance of serum neuron-specific enolase in patients with acute traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the extent of brain damage and the outcome after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: The release patterns of serum NSE in 78 patients after acute TBI were analyzed by using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of NSE were compared with Glasgow coma scale, the category of brain injury and the outcome after 6 months of injury. RESULTS: There were different NSE values in patients with minor (12.96 microg/L+/-2.39 microg/L), moderate (23.44 microg/L+/-5.33 microg/L) and severe brain injury (42.68 microg/L+/-4.57 microg/L). After severe TBI, the concentration of NSE in patients with epidural hematomas was 13.38 microg/L+/-4.01 microg/L, 24.03 microg/L+/-2.85 microg/L in brain contusion without surgical intervention group, 55.20 microg/L+/-6.35 microg/L in brain contusion with surgical intervention group, and 83.85 microg/L+/-15.82 microg/L in diffuse brain swelling group. There were close correlations between NSE values and Glasgow coma scale (r=-0.608, P<0.01) and the extent of brain injury (r=0.75, P<0.01). Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher initial and peak NSE values than those with good outcome (66.40 microg/L+/-9.46 microg/L, 94.24 microg/L+/-13.75 microg/L vs 32.16 microg/L+/-4.21 microg/L, 34.08 microg/L+/-4.40 microg/L, P<0.01, respectively). Initial NSE values were negatively related to the outcome (r=-0.501, P<0.01). Most patients with poor outcomes had persisting or secondary elevated NSE values. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NSE is one of the valuable neurobiochemical markers for assessment of the severity of brain injury and outcome prediction.     

Microsurgical Treatment of Spontaneous and non-Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Haematomas: Neurological Outcome in Relation to Aetiology

Summary  Background. This retrospective study evaluated the neurological outcome of 26 patients with spontaneous and non-spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma (SEH) who underwent microsurgical clot removal. It was the objective of the present study to investigate whether the aetiology of the SEH has an influence on the neurological outcome.  Methods. The medical records and radiological investigations of 26 patients with SEH were re-examined, and the latency between symptom onset and operation, and the size of the haematoma were determined. Motor and sensory function had been evaluated before surgery and 90 days after discharge.  Findings. Fourteen patients with non-spontaneous SEH and 12 patients with spontaneous SEH were identified. After surgery, neurological deficits improved in 9 of the patients with spontaneous (75%) and in 13 of the patients with non-spontaneous SEH (93%). In cases of spontaneous SEH, the median latency between symptom onset and operation was longer (72 hrs vs 7 hrs) and the median extent of the haematoma was larger (3.5 vs 2 spinal segments), than in the non-spontaneous cases.  Interpretation. Neurological outcome seems to be related to the aetiology of the SEH. Better outcome was observed in patients with surgically treated non-spontaneous SEH. Two explanations for this finding are worth considering. First, patients with non-spontaneous SEH usually are already under medical surveillance and can undergo medullary decompression more rapidly. Second, the compression of the spinal cord is possibly less severe in non-spontaneous SEH because of their smaller size.     

Extraction of angiogenesis factor from chronic subdural haematomas. Significance in capsule formation and haematoma growth

The extraction of angiogenesis factor (AGF) from the contents of chronic subdural haematomas was attempted in order to explain the angiogenesis in the capsule. AGF was extracted from eight patients using the modified Phillip's method, which has previously been used for the extraction of tumour angiogenesis factor. The thickness of the haematoma capsule was measured immediately after removal. The Hounsfield units were evaluated as the average value of three areas in the haematoma on CT scans. Chromatographic separation of the treated contents gave five fractions. The highest activity was observed in the fourth fraction on bioassay by the air sac method. The intensities of AGF activity varied from patient to patient. Although no correlation existed between the degree of AGF activity and thickness of the capsule, a positive correlation was seen between the activity and the density of the contents as indicated by Hounsfield's units on a CT scan. This may indicate the existence of a sequence of cause and effect between increase in the AGF activity and haemorrhage in the capsule of the haematoma. AGF activity increases after haemorrhage in the haematoma capsule, leading to acceleration of angiogenesis in the capsule, which promotes the haemorrhagic cause in the haematoma. Thus, a vicious circle between AGF in the haematoma, angiogenesis in the capsule and haemorrhage in the haematoma is established. It is considered that this gives rise to growth of the haematoma.     

Use of the bispectral index during the early postresuscitative phase after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Non-invasive and real-time measures of neurological status after cardiac arrest are needed to be able to make an early determination of the postresuscitative outcome. We investigated whether the bispectral index (BIS) predicts the postresuscitative outcome in 10 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We measured the BIS after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the emergency room and on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). We determined the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission to the emergency room and the ICU and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) on discharge from the ICU. The BIS increased after about 30 min of ROSC or reached a plateau in patients rated as achieving a good recovery or moderate disability, but it did not increase to >80 in patients rated as being in a permanent vegetative state/dead. The GCS on admission to the ICU was the same as that on admission to the emergency room. The BIS values were significantly lower in the nonsurviving group than in the surviving group. There was a positive correlation between the BIS on admission to the ICU and the GOS on discharge from the ICU. The BIS can thus be used to predict the postresuscitative outcome of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.     

Spinal subdural haematoma as a complication of cranial surgery

Summary ?Background. Spinal subdural haematoma is a rare condition usually associated with several precipitating factors including coagulopathy, lumbar puncture, trauma, vascular malformation and previous spinal surgery. In this paper we report spinal subdural haematoma related to cranial surgery which is a previously unknown precipitating factor. Method. The medical records of six patients in whom spinal subdural haematoma developed after cranial surgery was reviewed retrospectively for clinical presentation, radiological findings, treatment, and outcome. Findings. Six patients presented with low back pain and radiculopathy in the lower extremity after surgery for intracranial lesions. Symptom onset was between 2 and 9 days after cranial surgery. Initial cranial procedures were craniotomy and tumour removal in 1 patient, clipping of aneurysm in 1, temporal lobectomy for epilepsy in 4. None of the patients had previously known precipitating factors for spinal subdural haematoma. In all of them, the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and the spinal segment involved was the lower lumbar and sacral level except for one patient with a wide distribution of haematoma over the thoracolumbar region. All patients recovered completely without surgical intervention. Interpretation. Spinal subdural haematoma is a rare but possible complication of cranial surgery. It should be considered in patients with back pain and radiculopathy in the lower extremity developing after surgery for intracranial lesions. Unlike spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma with other precipitating factors, spinal subdural haematoma developing after cranial surgery takes a benign clinical course and resolves spontaneously over several days to 2 weeks without surgical intervention. Published online May 19, 2003     

Traumatic epidural haematomas of nonarterial origin: analysis of 30 consecutive cases

Summary Background. The purpose was to analyse the clinical and radiological findings, and management approaches used in 30 consecutive cases of traumatic epidural haematoma of nonarterial origin treated at one centre. Method. Medical records for 30 patients surgically treated for epidural haematoma of nonarterial origin between 1997 and 2003 were reviewed. Epidural haematoma of nonarterial origin was diagnosed based on computed tomography (CT) and the bleeding source was confirmed intra-operatively. Admission status, outcome, fracture location, haematoma location/size/volume, and additional intracranial pathology were among the data noted. Two groups were formed for analysis: venous sinus bleeding (group 1) and other venous sources (group 2). Findings. The 30 cases accounted for 25% of the total number of traumatic epidural haematomas (n = 120) treated during the same period. The epidural haematomas of nonarterial origin locations were transverse sigmoid sinus (n = 11; 36.7%), superior sagittal sinus (n = 6; 20%), venous lakes (n = 5; 16.6%), diplo? (n = 5; 0.16%), arachnoid granulations (n = 2; 6.7%), petrosal sinus (n = 1; 3.3%). There were 12 postoperative complications in 9 patients: recurrence (n = 4; 13.3% of the 30 total), pneumonia (n = 4; 13.3%), meningitis (n = 2; 6.7%), hydrocephalus (n = 1; 3.3%) and subdural effusion (n = 1; 3.3%). All recurrence cases were re-explored. Six (20%) patients died. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores (mean follow-up 13.3 ± 7.8 months) revealed 22 (73.3%) patients with favourable results (GOS 4–5) and 8 (26.7%) had poor results (GOS 1–3). Conclusions. Cases of epidural haematoma of nonarterial origin differ from the more common arterial-origin epidural haematomas with respect to lesion location, surgical planning, postoperative complications, and outcome. Epidural haematoma of nonarterial origin should be suspected if preoperative CT shows a haematoma overlying a dural venous sinus or in the posterior fossa and convexity. The sinus-origin group had a high frequency of fractures which crossed the sinuses, and this might be diagnostically and surgically useful in such cases.     

The Prognostic Importance of the Volume of Traumatic Epidural and Subdural Haematomas Revisited

Summary  The size of a traumatic intracranial haematoma at the moment of diagnosis can be impressive. Haematoma thickness is an inaccurate estimator of haematoma volume, and association with patient outcome is controversial. In this study computerized volumetry of off-line digitized CT scans was used to relate haematoma volume with both patient characteristics on admission and at the six months outcome.  This retrospective study covered the time period 1981/1990. Ninety eight patients operated upon for an epidural haematoma and 91 patients operated upon for an acute subdural haematoma were analyzed. The relative importance of clinical data, CT scan parameters, and calculated haematoma volumes was determined by multivariate analysis.  Volume of the haematoma did not correlate with preoperative neurological condition or the six months outcome in either group, and consequently is not of additional prognostic value.     

Outcome of traumatic extradural haematoma in Hong Kong

AIM: Traumatic extradural haematoma (EDH) is a neurosurgical emergency and timely surgical intervention for significant EDH is the gold standard. This study aims to determine the incidence and mortality of consecutive patients with traumatic EDH admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH), a University Hospital Trauma Centre in Hong Kong. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for all consecutive trauma cases admitted through the ED during 2001-2004. EDH was diagnosed by CT in all cases. Both primary and delayed onset EDH were included, as were patients with combined EDH and other intracranial lesions (e.g. subdural haematoma). Age, sex, cause of injury, associated intracranial lesions, skull fracture, Glasgow Coma Scale, pupil reactivity, treatment, length of stay and clinical outcome were determined. RESULTS: Two thousand and two hundred and eight patients were in the trauma registry for 2001-2004. Total 1080 head injured patients; 89 patients had traumatic EDH, mean of 1.9 patients per month. Seventy (79%) patients were male, with a mean age of 37.7 years. Fifty (56%) patients were from road traffic crashes, 27 (30%) sustained falls, 10 (11%) had direct head trauma. On admission, 62 (70%) patients were GCS 13-15, 9 (10%) GCS 9-12 and 18 (20%) GCS 3-8. Sixty-six (74%) patients had a skull fracture. Thirty (34%) patients underwent neurosurgical operation. Overall, nine patients (10%) died; eight patients were GCS<8; five had bilateral fixed and dilated pupils; one had a single fixed and dilated pupil. Four patients died after neurosurgical operation, three of whom had fixed dilated pupils and were GCS 3 prior to surgery. Median length of hospital stay for survivors was 10.4 days. CONCLUSION: Survival from traumatic EDH was 90% (80/89) and 91% (73/80) of survivors had a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 or 5 (good or moderate). The combination of bilateral fixed dilated pupils and GCS 3 suggests severe primary brain injury. Emergency evacuation of intracranial haematomas is unlikely to improve the outcome for these patients. Even in an urban environment with short prehospital times and rapid access to neurosurgery, outcome in patients who are GCS 3 following EDH is likely to be poor.     

Traumatic acute subdural haematomas of the posterior fossa: clinicoradiological analysis of 24 patients

Background. We report 24 patients with a traumatic acute subdural haematoma of the posterior fossa managed between 1997 and 1999 at 8 Italian neurosurgical centres. Method. Each centre provided data about patients clinico-radiological findings, management, and outcomes, which were retrospectively reviewed. Findings. A poor result occurred in 14 patients (58.3%). Ten patients (41.7%) had favourable results. Patients were divided into two groups according to their admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. In Group 1 (12/24 cases; GCS score, 8), the outcome was favourable in 75% of cases. In Group 2 (12/12 cases; GCS score, <8), the outcome was poor in 91.6% of cases. Nineteen patients underwent posterior fossa surgery. Factors correlating to outcome were GCS score, status of the basal cisterns and the fourth ventricle, and the presence of supratentorial hydrocephalus. Multivariate analysis showed significant independent prognostic effect only for GCS score (P<0.05). Interpretation. acute posterior fossa subdural haematomas can be divided into two distinct groups: those patients admitted in a comatose state and those with a moderate/mild head injury on admission. Comatose patients present usually with signs of posterior fossa mass effect and have a high percentage of bad outcomes. On the contrary, patients admitted with a GCS of 8 or higher are expected to recover. In these patients the thickness of the haematoma (<1cm) seems to be a guide to indicate surgical evacuation of the haematoma.     

Correlation between Glasgow coma scale and Jugular venous oxygen saturation in severe traumatic brain injury

BackgroundGlasgow Coma Scale (GCS) remains a key measure in neurological assessment after head injury and in most studies classification of the severity of the trauma is still based on the admission GCS.The aim of the workThe aim of the work was to correlate between Jugular venous oxygen saturation (Sjvo2) with GCS in cases with severe traumatic brain injury.Patients and methodsA 44 patients met the inclusion criteria, were included in the present study. They were selected from the neurosurgical and intensive care units at Al-Azhar University hospital during the period from June 2010 till June 2012. All therapeutic interventions were performed in accordance with Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. The following variables were collected: patients’ demographics, Sjvo2, ICP, MAP, CPP and GCS. All pressures were monitored invasively and with identical transducers connected to monitors, and expressed numerically in mmHg. Measurements were always performed at 8.00 a.m. At the same time, patients were neurologically examined and these data were expressed as GCS score.ResultsThere was statistically significant increase of GCS, MAP, CPP, Sjvo2 and Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) and decrease of ICP in survived in comparison to non-survived cases. In survived cases, there was positive significant correlation between Sjvo2 and GCS, MAP, CPP and GOSE, while there was significant negative correlation with ICT. On the other hand, in non-survived cases, there was only positive moderate, significant correlation between Sjvo2 and GCS. Running simple linear regression analysis, only GCS and Sjvo2 can predict mortality in studied cases.ConclusionResults of the present study proved that, Sjvo2 is proportionally correlated with GCS and both can predict the prognosis of severe traumatic injury.     

Minor Head Injuries: One Year Experience According to the New Italian Guideline

Summary  Background. The data concerning a consecutive series of 4,536 adult patients suffering from minor head injuries treated at the Department of Neurosurgery over a period of one year are reported.  Method. The patients' age, sex and the circumstances of the injury have been taken into consideration. The patients, according to the new method, were divided into four groups.  Group 0 (3,864 patients) included all patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 15. They did not present any clinical features such as loss of consciousness (LOC), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), headache or vomiting. No risk factors (RF) such as coagulopaties, alcoholism, drug abuse, epilepsy, previous neurological treatment or disabled elderly patients were detected.  Group 1 (600 patients) included patients with GCS score 15. The patients presented one or more clinical features (LOC, PTA, headache, vomiting). No RF were presented.  Group 2 (24 patients) included patients with GCS score 14 with or without clinical features (LOC, PTA, headache, vomiting) and with or without RF.  Group 0-1R (48 patients) included patients with GCS score 15 with or without clinical features (LOC, PTA, headache, vomiting). All of them presented RF.  The presence of focal neurological signs, open injury and GCS score≦13 were considered criteria for exclusion.  Findings. All the patients from groups 1, 0-1R, 2 and 187 patients from group 0 underwent CT scan for a total of 859 exams which are analyzed and discussed. 458 patients were admitted and are divided as follows: 216 from group 0, 192 from group 1, 26 from group 0-1R and all the 24 belonging to group 2. Six patients were treated surgically (3 extradural haematomas, 2 lobe contusions, 1 acute subdural haematoma) and one of them (0.02% of the total) died (extradural haematoma). The patients who were not admitted were sent home with an information sheet after at least a six hour observation period.  Interpretation. The authors draw the conclusion that they have evaluated the applicability and efficacy of guidelines, developed by the study group on head injury of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery [19]. A critical part of our guidelines is not only to identify all the intracranial lesions, but to identify patients harbouring relevant intracranial mass before clinical deterioration.     

Controversies in the management of spontaneous cerebellar haemorrhage a consecutive series of 49 cases and review of the literature

Summary We have reviewed our experience with a series of 49 consecutive patients with spontaneous cerebellar haematoma, treated according to a standardized management protocol. Seventeen patients were managed conservatively, 30 underwent ventricular drainage, and in six patients the haematoma was evacuated. The indications for the different modes of treatment are discussed. The most significant prognostic factors determining the outcome at one month were the grade of quadrigeminal cistern obliteration on the initial CT scan and the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission. Patients with normal cisterns had a good outcome, and only needed (temporary) ventricular drainage in case of hydrocephalus. Patients with totally obliterated cisterns had a bad outcome irrespective of treatment. In the patients with compressed cisterns, it is suggested that evacuation of the haematoma might improve outcome; treatment of hydrocephalus alone is insufficient in many cases in this group.     

CT indications for surgery and evaluation of prognosis in patients with spontaneous intracerebral haematomas

This study retrospectively analyzes the CT findings of 50 patients with spontaneous intracerebral haematomas and correlates them with the clinical condition at admission and the outcome. The volume of the haematoma was well correlated with the outcome and was a very useful indicator for surgery. In patients with haematoma volume lower than 25 ml and above 80 ml there was no indication for surgery; in patients with haematoma volume between 25 and 50 ml the operation does not significantly modify the survival rate, but favours a more rapid and complete recovery of the neurological deficits, whereas a haematoma volume between 50 and 80 ml favours the rate of survival.     

Clinical value of serial computed tomography with severe head injury

Serial computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed on 138 patients suffering from severe head injuries (i.e., with scores of 8 or less on Glasgow Coma Scale). Standard practice called for scans to be done upon admission (within hours of the injury) and after 1, 3, and 7 days and 1 month. Subsequent CT scans depended on the patient's condition. Clinical results at the time of discharge were graded according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. During the serial CT scan, there were new findings (not visualized on the initial CT scan but appearing on subsequent scans) in 91 of the 138 patients. These new findings were classified into seven types: (1) decreased density collection in the subdural space; (2) ventricular dilatation; (3) intracerebral hematoma; (4) intraventricular hemorrhage; (5) extracerebral hematoma; (6) edema; and (7) infarction. We defined intracerebral hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, extracerebral hematoma, edema, and infarction as new lesions. Of the 60 patients with new lesions, 12 had a good outcome and 48 had a poor outcome. Of 78 patients who did not have any new lesions, 60 had a good outcome and 18 had a poor outcome. A significant correlation was found between good outcome and the absence of new lesions and between bad outcome and the development of new lesions (p < 0.001; x² = 44.038). We conclude that serial CT scanning can help predict the outcome of patients with severe head injuries and may be very important in their examination and care.     

Inflation-deflation method for endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral haematoma

Summary   Background. Endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral haematoma (ICH) has the advantage of being less invasive than craniotomy, but limited visualisation and difficulties in haemostasis are still a concern. The collapse of the haematoma cavity limits the visualisation of the surgical field. Inflation of the haematoma cavity with saline irrigation improves visualisation and facilitates accurate intra-operative orientation. Method. A unique technique, the cavity inflation–deflation method can help in exploring the residual haematoma and accessing the bleeding points. We also developed a combined irrigation-coagulation suction tube that concentrates the capabilities of suction, irrigation and monopolar coagulation. Findings. The use of this multifunctional dedicated instrument and its application in the cavity inflation–deflation method allows for easy identification of residual haematoma and bleeding vessels. Secure haemostasis can also be accomplished under clear visualisation. No surgical complications and rebleeding occurred in any patient following the procedure. Our results show that the median haematoma evacuation rate was 99% and the surgical outcome was satisfactory. Conclusions. The inflation–deflation method using a combined irrigation-coagulation suction tube can facilitate optimal evacuation of ICH with secure haemostasis. Although further accumulation of patients and careful analyses are needed to be known whether this procedure improves the clinical outcomes in the patients, the preliminary results of its application have been promising. Correspondence: Toru Nagasaka, Department of Neurosurgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, 3-35 Michishita-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 453-8511, Japan.     

Strict Closed-System Drainage for Treating Chronic Subdural Haematoma

Summary. A comparative study chiefly of the recurrence rate of chronic subdural haematoma after two treatment modalities was conducted. Patients were divided into a burr hole strict closed-system drainage group (SCD group; n=56) and a burr hole closed-system drainage with irrigation group (CDI group; n=45). The burr hole strict closed-system drainage involved simply inserting a drainage tube into the haematoma cavity as quickly as possible after minimally incising the haematoma capsule. The introduction of air into the haematoma cavity was prevented, and irrigation was not performed. Symptoms in both groups disappeared soon after surgery, with no postoperative complications. Haematoma recurred in one patient (1.8%) of the SCD group compared with 5 (11.1%) of the CDI group. The rate of recurrence was significantly lower for the SCD than for the CDI group (p<0.05). In 4 of 5 recurrences in the CDI group, the volume of residual intracapsular air was sufficient after initial surgery. These results suggested that postoperative residual intracapsular air is a factor contributing to recurrence. Burr hole strict closed-system drainage is a simple, less invasive procedure with which to treat chronic subdural haematoma and the outcome is excellent. Furthermore, prevention of intracapsular air intrusion during surgery might help prevent recurrence.