Post-Traumatic Cerebral Infarction Following Low-Energy Penetrating Craniocerebral Injury Caused by a Nail

Post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI) is a secondary insult which causes global cerebral hypoxia or hypoperfusion after traumatic brain injury, and carries a remarkable high mortality rate. PTCI is usually caused by blunt brain injury with gross hematoma and/or brain herniation. Herein, we present the case of a 91-year-old male who had sustained PTCI following a low-energy penetrating craniocerebral injury due to a nail without evidence of hematoma. The patient survived after a decompressive craniectomy, but permanent neurological damage occurred. This is the first case of profound PTCI following a low-energy penetrating craniocerebral nail injury and reminds clinicians of possibility this rare dreadful complication for care of head-injured patients.     

双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术对特重型颅脑伤致双瞳散大患者的救治

目的 探讨双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术在治疗特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大患者中的作用.方法 对我科2005年1月至2010年12月收治的58例单侧损伤灶所致特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大手术患者进行回顾性分析,其中2005年1月至2007年9月仅行病灶侧去骨瓣减压术30例(A组),2007年10月至2010年12月采用双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术28例(B组),分析并比较两组患者颅内压、预后及并发症情况.结果 采用双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术者较仅对血肿侧去骨瓣减压者颅内压下降差异有统计学意义;死亡率下降了25.2%,预后良好率上升了26.9%.结论 双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术可有效降低特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大患者的颅内压,减少急性脑膨出和脑梗死的发生率,降低死亡率.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the effect of bilateral balanced decompressive craniectomy in treatment of the most severe brain injured patients with bilateral mydriasis. Methods Fifty - eight cases of the most severe brain injury due to unilateral lesions with bilateral mydriasis were analyzed retrospectively from Jan 2005 to Dec 2010. Thirty were treated by unilateral decompressive craniectomy from Jan 2005 to Sep 2007(group A) and 28 by bilateral balanced decompressive craniectomy from Oct 2007 to Dec 2010(group B). The intracranial pressure, prognosis and complications were compared. Results Postoperative ICP was significantly lower in group B than group A; patients in group B had a lower mortality and better outcome than in group A. Conclusion Bilateral balanced decompressive craniectomy can efficiently reduce the values of ICP, occurrence of acute encephalocele and brain infarction and mortality of the most severe brain injured patients with bilateral mydriasis.     

双侧平衡去骨瓣治疗双瞳散大患者的救治经验

目的探讨双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术在治疗特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大患者中的作用。方法对我科2005年1月至2010年12月收治的58例特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大手术患者进行回顾性分析,其中2005年1月至2007年9月仅行病灶侧去骨瓣减压术30例(A组),2007年10月至2010年12月采用双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术28例(B组),分析并比较两组患者颅内压、预后及并发症情况。结果采用双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术者较仅对血肿侧去骨瓣减压者颅内压下降有统计学意义(P<0.01);死亡率及预后良好率均明显好于后者(P<0.05)。结论双侧平衡去骨瓣减压术可有效降低特重型颅脑外伤致双瞳散大患者的死亡率及急性脑膨出和脑梗死的发生率,并提高其生活质量。     

Early decompressive craniotomy in children with severe traumatic brain injury

Introduction Decompressive craniectomy remains a controversial procedure in the treatment of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with post-traumatic brain swelling. Although there are a number of studies in adults published in the literature on this topic, most commonly as a salvage procedure in the treatment of refractory raised ICP, there are few that investigate it primarily in children with head injuries.Aim Our aim was to report the experience with decompressive craniotomy in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the Red Cross Children's' hospital.Methods This study reports five patients in whom decompressive craniectomy or craniotomy with duraplasty was used as an early, aggressive treatment of raised ICP causing secondary acute neurological deterioration after head injury. The rationale was to save the patient from acute cerebral herniation and to prevent exposure to a prolonged course of intracranial hypertension.Results All patients benefited from the procedure, demonstrating control of ICP, radiological improvement and neurological recovery. Long-term follow-up was available, with outcome assessed at a minimum of 14 months after injury.Discussion The early approach to the use of decompressive craniotomy in the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with secondary deterioration due to raised ICP is emphasised. A favourable outcome was achieved in all of the cases presented. The potential benefit of decompressive craniectomy/craniotomy in the management of children with severe TBI is discussed.     

Delayed bilateral craniectomy for treatment of traumatic brain swelling in children: case report and review of the literature

Introduction Head injury is the leading cause of accidental death in children. Recent reports have shown the benefit of decompressive craniectomy in children and the role of early timing has been emphasized. However, there is still a lack of data to determine the optimal time for performing craniectomy.Case report In contrast to most reports in the literature, this case report demonstrates successful bilateral decompressive craniectomy in a 10-year-old girl with multiple posttraumatic intracranial lesions and massive traumatic brain swelling on the 8th posttraumatic day.Conclusions Various pathophysiological mechanisms in the genesis of posttraumatic brain swelling make different treatment strategies necessary. Continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP), as well as serial cranial computed tomography (CCT), can help to differentiate between these mechanisms. Furthermore, repeated clinical and neurophysiological investigations are important for the timing of craniectomy.A commentary on this paper is available at     

小脑幕裂孔切开联合大骨瓣减压治疗小脑幕切迹疝

目的研究小脑幕裂孔切开联合常规大骨瓣减压手术在小脑幕切迹疝病人中的临床疗效与实际应用价值。方法120例术前已发生小脑幕切迹疝的重型颅脑损伤及脑出血病人,按照患者入院顺序依次分为3组：标准大骨瓣减压组、内减压组和小脑幕裂孔切开组,每组40例,分别按照不同的手术原则进行手术。术后48h复查头颅CT,比较各组间的死亡率及脑干周围池改善率,对比各组间术后2周、4周GCS评分及术后24周GOS评分。结果术后小脑幕裂孔切开组死亡率显著低于标准大骨瓣减压组（P〈0.05）,但与内减压组比较无统计学显著性差异（P〉0.05）。脑干周围池改善率,小脑幕裂孔切开组显著高于大骨瓣减压组及内减压组（P〈0.01）。术后2周、4周GCS评分及术后24周GOS评分小脑幕裂孔切开组显著优于大骨瓣减压组及内减压组（P〈0.01）。结论小脑幕裂孔切开联合常规大骨瓣减压术治疗小脑幕切迹疝疗效肯定,可以显著降低病人的死亡率和伤残率,改善其预后,值得临床推广。     

骨窗加压包扎防治去骨瓣减压术后并发硬膜下积液的疗效分析

目的观察颅脑损伤去骨瓣减压术后行骨窗加压包扎预防和治疗硬膜下积液的临床疗效。 方法选取荆州市第二人民医院神经外科自2009年9月至2015年4月55例颅脑损伤行去骨瓣减压术病例随机分为骨窗加压包扎组（n=26）和常规组（n=29）,两组术后均行常规治疗,加压包扎组自术后行绑带骨窗加压包扎1个月,两组定期复查头颅CT,对出现硬膜下积液者及时骨窗加压包扎,对两组患者硬膜下积液的发生率,出现硬膜下积液的时间和术后GOS评分进行比较分析,观察硬膜下积液患者行骨窗包扎干预的疗效。 结果骨窗加压包扎组硬膜下积液发生率为7.7%（2/26）明显低于常规组27.6%（8/29）,出现硬膜下积液时间为术后评均（38.5±3.7）d明显长于常规组（13±2.9）d,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,骨窗加压包扎组GOS评分>3分例数18例（69.2%）,常规组为21例（72.4%）,两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。10例硬膜下积液病例,发现积液后行骨窗加压包扎干预平均23.9d后积液均吸收,无需手术病例。 结论骨窗加压包扎可明显降低颅脑损伤去骨瓣减压术后硬膜下积液的发生率,对术后硬膜积液有很好的预防和治疗作用,该方法简单易行,安全有效,值得临床推广应用。     

Paradoxical transtentorial herniation caused by lumbar puncture after decompressive craniectomy

Although decompressive craniectomy is an effective treatment for various situations of increased intracranial pressure, it may be accompanied by several complications. Paradoxical herniation is known as a rare complication of lumbar puncture in patients with decompressive craniectomy. A 38-year-old man underwent decompressive craniectomy for severe brain swelling. He remained neurologically stable for five weeks, but then showed mental deterioration right after a lumbar puncture which was performed to rule out meningitis. A brain computed tomographic scan revealed a marked midline shift. The patient responded to the Trendelenburg position and intravenous fluids, and he achieved full neurologic recovery after successive cranioplasty. The authors discuss the possible mechanism of this rare case with a review of the literature.     

A randomized trial of very early decompressive craniectomy in children with traumatic brain injury and sustained intracranial hypertension

Object: The object of our study was to determine, in children with traumatic brain injury and sustained intracranial hypertension, whether very early decompressive craniectomy improves control of intracranial hypertension and long-term function and quality of life. Methods: All children were managed from admission onward according to a standardized protocol for head injury management. Children with raised intracranial pressure (ICP) were randomized to standardized management alone or standardized management plus cerebral decompression. A decompressive bitemporal craniectomy was performed at a median of 19.2 h (range 7.3–29.3 h) from the time of injury. ICP was recorded hourly via an intraventricular catheter. Compared with the ICP before randomization, the mean ICP was 3.69 mmHg lower in the 48 h after randomization in the control group, and 8.98 mmHg lower in the 48 hours after craniectomy in the decompression group (P=0.057). Outcome was assessed 6 months after injury using a modification of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and the Health State Utility Index (Mark 1). Two (14%) of the 14 children in the control group were normal or had a mild disability after 6 months, compared with 7 (54%) of the 13 children in the decompression group. Our conclusion was that when children with traumatic brain injury and sustained intracranial hypertension are treated with a combination of very early decompressive craniectomy and conventional medical management, it is more likely that ICP will be reduced, fewer episodes of intracranial hypertension will occur, and functional outcome and quality of life may be better than in children treated with medical management alone (P=0.046; owing to multiple significance testing P <0.0221 is required for statistical significance). This pilot study suggests that very early decompressive craniectomy may be indicated in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Received: 5 May 2000 Revised: 2 September 2000     

Decompressive craniectomy: A new complication

There is an increasing amount of published literature supporting the use of decompressive craniectomy in the management of raised intracranial pressure and it appears that this procedure will become established as a method by which intracranial hypertension can be treated. While technically fairly straightforward, a decompressive craniectomy is not without complications. A further complication is presented here, which has not been previously reported. A 56-year-old male fell backwards from a bar stool and struck his occiput. He had a decompressive craniectomy and was making an excellent recovery when he fell and injured the unprotected craniectomy site. He suffered further cerebral injury and subsequently died. Following a detailed review of the case a number of recommendations were made and a specific post-decompressive craniectomy operational policy for the assessment and management of these patients was implemented. While we accept that these particular guidelines are specific to a particular institution, this case highlights the need to view these patients as a particularly high risk and recommend that institutions review or establish a specific policy regarding their management.     

Sinking bone flap due to overdrainage of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A case report and review of the literature

The widespread use of decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty has led to a better understanding of its complications. However, cases of a sunken bone flap have hardly ever been described. We present the eighth case reported up to date and perform a review of the literature of this sporadic complication.A 40-year-old Caucasian male suffered a traumatic brain injury that required a decompressive craniectomy. One month after initial trauma autologous cranioplasty was performed. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was also placed. Neurological status progressively improved but his therapist noted cognitive status decline 8 months later. Follow-up computed tomography showed a progressive sinking bone flap. The patient underwent bone flap removal and a custom-made calcium phosphate-based implant was inserted, leading to symptoms resolution.Bone resorption has been described as the main cause of sinking bone flap following cranioplasty. This entity may manifest with symptoms of overdrainage in patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunt devices.     

颅脑损伤去骨瓣减压术后脑积水危险因素分析及分流时机

目的 探讨颅脑损伤病人去骨瓣减压术后发生脑积水的危险因素及分流术时机。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月~2019年12月去骨瓣减压术治疗的128例颅脑损伤的临床资料。多因素logistic回归分析检验脑积水危险因素。结果 128例中,术后发生脑积水28例,发生率为21.9%。多因素Logistic回归分析结果表明,蛛网膜下腔出血、脑室出血、骨窗面积≥7 cm2是颅脑损伤去骨瓣减压术后继发脑积水的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。28例脑积水中,22例行脑室-腹腔分流术,按照分流中位时间的3.5 d分为早期分流组和晚期分流组,各11例;早期分流组术后颅内压改善效果更好（P<0.05）,颅内压恢复时间明显缩短（P<0.05）;但是两组脑脊液指标和并发症发生率均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 脑积水是颅脑损伤去骨瓣减压术后常见并发症,手术治疗前应充分评估脑积水发生的因素,一旦发生脑积水应查明原因并早期进行分流手术治疗     

低位颞部大骨瓣减压术与标准外伤大骨瓣减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤疗效比较

目的对重型颅脑损伤患者行低位颞部大骨瓣减压术与行标准外伤大骨瓣减压术的疗效比较。 方法回顾性分析2008年1月至2014年3月武警江西省总队医院神经外科收治的173例重型颅脑损伤患者实行低位颞部大骨瓣减压术（研究组）或标准外伤大骨瓣减压术（对照组）的资料。研究组（92例）行低位颞部去大骨瓣减压术;对照组（81例）行标准外伤大骨瓣减压术。观察2组GOS评分、并发症发生率及预后等指标并进行对比。 结果术后6个月,按照GOS评分,研究组患者预后良好率（27.2%）、中残率（15.2%）、重残率（29.3%）、植物生存率（8.7%）及病死率（19.6%）与对照组患者预后良好率（22.2%）、中残率（21.0%）、重残率（23.5%）、植物生存率（7.4%）及病死率（25.9%）相比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;研究组术后并发症平均发生率（8.1%）低于对照组（11.8%）,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论在重型颅脑损伤治疗中,低位颞部大骨瓣减压术可取得与标准外伤大骨瓣减压术相仿的预后,但能有效减少病发症,值得推广。     

Decompressive craniectomy: technical note

Quinn TM, Taylor JJ, Magarik JA, Vought E, Kindy MS, Ellegala DB. Decompressive craniectomy: technical note. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 239–244.© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Decompressive craniectomy is a neurosurgical technique in which a portion of the skull is removed to reduce intracranial pressure. The rationale for this procedure is based on the Monro‐Kellie Doctrine; expanding the physical space confining edematous brain tissue after traumatic brain injury will reduce intracranial pressure. There is significant debate over the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy despite its sound rationale and historical significance. Considerable variation in the employment of decompressive craniectomy, particularly for secondary brain injury, explains the inconsistent results and mixed opinions of this potentially valuable technique. One way to address these concerns is to establish a consistent methodology for performing decompressive craniectomies. The purpose of this paper is to begin accomplishing this goal and to emphasize the critical points of the hemicraniectomy and bicoronal (Kjellberg type) craniectomy.     

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     

Comparison of craniotomy and craniectomy in patients with acute subdural haematoma.

Despite the increasing acceptance of craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury, the value of early decompressive craniectomy in patients with acute subdural haematoma is still under debate. In this retrospective study, we reviewed 180 patients with traumatic acute subdural haematoma, 111 of whom were treated with haematoma evacuation via craniotomy and 69 of whom were treated with early decompressive craniectomy. Due to the higher incidence of signs of herniation for patients in the craniectomy group, the mortality rate in this group was higher than that in the craniotomy group (53% vs. 32.3%). However, overall there was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups. Age and clinical signs of herniation were significantly associated with an unfavourable outcome, regardless of the type of surgery. Decompressive craniectomy did not seem to have a therapeutic advantage over craniotomy in traumatic acute subdural haematoma.     

早期颅骨修补对行去骨瓣减压术的脑损伤及脑出血患者预后的影响研究

目的研究早期颅骨修补对行去骨瓣减压术的脑损伤及脑出血患者的术前术后神经功能缺损评分及并发症的影响。 方法选取深圳市宝安区沙井人民医院神经外科自2016年1月至2018年5月收治的76例行去骨瓣减压术的脑损伤及脑出血患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将入组患者分为早期组（35例）和对照组（41例）,早期组在去骨瓣减压术后4~6周内实施颅骨修补,对照组在术后3~6个月后实施修颅骨修补,对比2组患者术前术后的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分、术后并发症发生情况以及日常生活能力评分（ADL）和肢体运动功能评分（Fugl-Meyer）。 结果治疗前2组患者的NIHSS评分、ADL评分及Fugl-Meyer评分比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。治疗后2组患者的NIHSS评分均显著下降（P<0.05）,且早期组的NIHSS评分显著低于对照组;早期组的ADL评分和Fugl-Meyer评分显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;早期组的并发症发生率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论颅脑损伤患者实施去骨瓣减压术后,早期实施颅骨修补能够显著改善患者的神经功能缺损状况,并有助于降低术后并发症的发生,对于患者的临床治疗和预后恢复具有积极的影响。     

局部亚低温对颅脑损伤患者去骨瓣减压术后脑膨出并发症的影响

目的 探讨局部亚低温对颅脑损伤患者去骨瓣减压术后脑膨出并发症的控制作用.方法 选取行去骨瓣减压术治疗的重型颅脑损伤患者86例,术后给予常规治疗32例,在常规治疗的基础上加用局部亚低温辅助治疗54例.术后12 h亚低温治疗前对患者行格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS),检测颅内压(ICP)、脑灌注压(CPP)及血氧饱和度(SaO2).术后7d判定患者脑膨出情况并再次检测ICP及CPP. 结果常规治疗组与局部亚低温治疗组在年龄、性别、受伤至手术时间分布、亚低温治疗前GCS评分、ICP、CPP及SaO2方面的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).术后7 d亚低温治疗组患者脑膨出发生率、脑膨出程度及ICP均低于常规治疗组,CPP高于常规治疗组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 去骨瓣减压术后进行局部亚低温治疗有助于提高CPP、降低ICP,并且减少脑膨出的发生率和脑膨出程度,有利于脑损伤患者功能恢复.     

硬膜网格成形与常规减压影像学对比分析

目的比较重型颅脑损伤患者开颅术中应用硬脑膜网格成形与常规方法减压两种术式的术后影像学表现。方法60例重型颅脑损伤伴脑肿胀患者分为两组，均行开颅去大骨瓣减压手术治疗，术中分别应用硬脑膜网格成形与常规方法减压，统计两组患者术后影像学表现并进行对比分析。结果术中急性脑膨出及术后脑嵌顿发生率在两组间比较有差异；术后中线移位、环池受压情况及术后脑积水、硬膜下积液发生率比较均无明显差异。结论开颅去骨瓣减压术中运用硬脑膜网格成形技术有助于降低术中急性脑膨出，防止术后并发症。     

Ommaya囊在去骨瓣减压术后切口疝治疗中的临床应用

目的探讨0mmaya囊在去骨瓣减压术后切口疝治疗中的应用价值。方法对38例去骨瓣减压术后并发切口疝的患者行侧脑室穿刺-0mmaya囊皮下放置，然后经皮穿刺外引流脑脊液。结果38例患者切口疝均在1周内完全复位，术后并发脑积水6例，并发硬膜下积液3例。治疗后，38例患者神经功能障碍均明显改善，其中30例患者肌力恢复正常，2例重瘫，4N轻瘫，2例轻度运动性失语。结论侧脑室穿刺-0mmaya囊皮下放置，然后经皮穿刺引流脑脊液可有效降低颅内压；其手术创伤小，经皮穿刺持续引流时间长，便于护理，对预防和治疗切口疝有较好效果。