The Application of Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Patients with Chronic Subdural Haematoma

Summary  The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic changes of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and their clinical significance before and after surgical aspiration in patients with chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH).  Nineteen patients with CSDH (17 unilateral and 2 bilateral) received transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) examinations for cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) of the MCA prior to and 5 days after neurosurgical treatment. A total of 21 lesion and 10 non-lesion hemispheres were included. Cranial computerized tomography (CT) and clinical assessments were performed before and 3 months following surgery.  The preoperative TCD study revealed that the lesion hemisphere had a modest decrease in CBFv in the MCA as compared to the non-lesion hemisphere. Postoperatively, the CBFv significantly improved in the lesion hemisphere, but not in the non-lesion hemisphere, compared to the preoperative data (P<0.005). The improvement in CBFv showed no significant correlation with brain shift and haematoma volume of the initial cranial CT. Additionally, two patients, who were proved to have a postoperative complication of subdural pneumocephalus, failed to attend follow-up examinations of TCD.  Our results support TCD as an alternative follow-up examination for patients with CSDH, although it may not be sensitive enough as a preoperative screening tool. Postoperatively, improvements in the CBFv of the lesion hemisphere are characteristic. An unexplained difficulty of accessing cerebral basal arteries in follow-up TCD examinations should suggest pneumocephalus in the primary differential diagnosis.     

Comparison of transarterial and multiple nerve stimulation techniques for axillary block using a high dose of mepivacaine with adrenaline

BACKGROUND: High-dose transarterial (TA) technique results in high effectiveness of the axillary block. The technique is fast and simple, but does not produce a satisfactory success rate when using the manufacturer's recommended dose of mepivacaine. The multiple nerve stimulation (MNS) technique requires more time and experience. This double-blind study compared effectiveness, safety and the time used to obtain an effective analgesia in 101 patients, having an axillary block by either TA or MNS techniques. METHODS: Mepivacaine with adrenaline (MEPA), 850 mg, was used for the initial block. Five millilitres of 1% solution was injected subcutaneously. In the TA group, 20 mL of 2% solution was injected deep to, and 20 mL superficial to the axillary artery. In the MNS group, four terminal motor nerves were electrolocated in the axilla, and injected with 10 mL each. Analgesia was assessed every 10 min and, when needed, supplemented after 30 min. The block was effective when analgesia was present in all sensory nerve areas distal to the elbow. RESULTS: The MNS group required median 11 min for block performance compared with 8 min for the TA group (P < 0.001). Latency of the initial block was shorter and the frequency of supplemental analgesia lower in the MNS group (median 10 min and 6%) than in the TA group (30 min and 36%, respectively), P < 0.001. All incomplete blocks were successfully supplemented. However, the total time to obtain an effective block was shorter in the MNS group (23 min) than in the TA group (37 min), P < 0.001. Two patients in each group had signs and symptoms of systemic toxicity, the most serious being atrial fibrillation and temporary loss of consciousness in a cardiovascularly medicated patient. The local adverse effects (intravascular injections and haematomas) were fewer in the MNS group, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The MNS technique of axillary block by four injections of 10 mL of 2% MEPA produces faster and more extensive block than the TA technique by two injections of 20 mL. Therefore, the MNS technique requires fewer supplementary blocks and results in faster patient readiness for surgery. However, high doses of MEPA may result in dangerous systemic toxic reactions.     

迟发性外伤性脑内血肿的早期CT征象

本文对５６例迟发性外伤性脑内血肿（ＤＴＩＣＨ）的首次ＣＴ扫描影像进行了回顾性分析总结，其早期征象为：１．脑挫裂伤伴散在出血；２．外侧裂池积血征；３．脑沟积血征；４．脑挫裂伤伴前纵裂积血征；５．上述征象均伴有脑受压表现。ＤＴＩＣＨ最常见于对冲伤的额叶和颞叶，多发生于外伤的急性期。本文结合文献提出了早期确诊ＤＴＩＣＨ行ＣＴ复查或手术探查的指征。     

硬膜外血肿并天幕疝的CT研究

目的 分析硬膜外血肿并天幕疝的CT表现，探讨血肿体积与天幕疝程度的关系。资料与方法 对86例硬膜外血肿患者应用斜坡垂线扫描法进行研究。结果 斜坡垂线扫描图像上，36例显示天幕疝，其CT表现为：与颞叶脑组织相连的小脑幕内侧环池内软组织密度影。颞叶疝至幕下3mm以内者4例，3－6mm者12例，6mm以上者20例，相应血肿体积分别为30.99-34.81ml、32.84-41.76ml和39．15－69．54ml。结论 应用斜坡垂线扫描法，CT可对硬膜外血肿合并天幕疝作出准确诊断；血肿体积与疝入程度有关。     

特殊的肥厚性硬脑膜炎2例报告并文献复习

目的分析肥厚性硬脑膜炎(HCP)的临床特点,提高对该病的认识。方法对2例特殊的HCP患者的临床资料结合文献进行回顾性分析。结果 2例HCP患者均以头痛起病,其中1例初诊为静脉窦血栓形成,经治疗未见好转;另1例逐渐出现面神经麻痹和硬膜下积液,综合分析临床特点、影像学之后,最终确诊为HCP。经激素治疗后取得良好疗效。结论 HCP患者可发生静脉窦血栓形成和硬膜下积液。HCP少见,临床缺乏特征性,易被漏诊、误诊,应引起临床医生重视。     

The Comarr Memorial Award for Distinguished Clinical Service: The Legacy of A. Estin Comarr,MD

Abstract

Background

Subfascial wound suction drains are commonly used after spinal surgery to decrease the incidence of post-operative hematoma. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding their effectiveness.

Objective

To report four cases of post-operative spinal epidural hematoma causing massive neurological deficit in patients who had subfascial suction wound drains.

Methods

During an 8-year period, a retrospective review of 1750 consecutive adult spinal surgery cases was performed to determine the incidence, commonalities, and outcomes of catastrophic neurological deficit caused by post-operative spinal epidural hematoma.

Findings

Epidural hematoma causing major neurological deficit (American Spinal Injury Association B) was identified in 4 out of 1750 patients (0.23%). All four patients in this series had subfascial wound suction drains placed prophylactically at the conclusion of their initial procedure.

Results

Three patients developed massive neurological deficits with the drain in place; one patient had the drain removed at 24 hours and subsequently developed neurological symptoms during the following post-operative day. Significant risk factors for the development of hematoma were identified in two of the four patients. Average time to return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation was 6 hours (range 3–12 hours). Neurological status significantly improved in all four patients after hematoma evacuation.

Conclusions

Post-operative epidural hematoma causing catastrophic neurological deficit is a rare complication after spinal surgery. The presence of suction wound drains does not appear to prevent the occurrence of this devastating complication.     

颅内破裂动脉瘤合并脑内血肿的复合手术治疗

目的 探讨复合手术治疗颅内破裂动脉瘤合并脑内血肿的疗效。方法 回顾性分析簧圈栓塞术后行颅骨钻孔血肿腔引流术治疗的5例颅内破裂动脉瘤合并脑内血肿的临床资料。结果 5例头颅CT均表现为典型蛛网膜下腔出血（SAH）合并脑内血肿;DSA发现动脉瘤位于大脑前动脉A2段分叉部1例、大脑前动脉A2段1例、前交通动脉1例、颈内动脉后交通动脉1例、大脑中动脉分叉部1例;术前Hunt-Hess分级Ⅱ级2例,Ⅲ级2例,Ⅳ级1例。引流术后3~4 d血肿大部分引流干净,无再出血、感染及脑梗死。术后6个月GOS评分3分1例,4分1例,5分3例。结论 对合并脑内血肿的自发性SAH,首先应考虑动脉瘤破裂出血可能,需尽早行DSA检查明确诊断;复合手术对于部分未发生脑疝又合并脑内血肿的破裂动脉瘤是可行的,能取得良好的疗效。     

CT联合MRI在华法林致非创伤性自发性小肠壁内血肿的临床应用

目的探讨CT联合MRI在华法林致非创伤性自发性小肠壁内血肿的临床应用。方法选取14例华法林致非创伤性自发性小肠壁内血肿患者的临床资料,分析影像学表现。结果本组14例患者CT原发征象:1)肠壁增厚;2)肠壁密度增高。CT继发征象:1)肠腔狭窄;2)肠壁积气;3)肠周改变及其他伴发征象。MRI表现:T+1黏膜下层高信号,T+2信号不同程度增高,DWI呈弥漫高或稍高信号,T₂^*呈低信号。治疗情况:未经正确治疗的3例复查均表现为原征象无改善或加重。正确治疗的11例复查,10例原征象减轻或消失。结论对正在接受抗凝治疗的患者,突发腹痛伴凝血功能异常,CT显示肠壁增厚及密度增高、腹腔积血,伴肠腔狭窄、肠梗阻、肠周和肠系膜区积血,高度提示本病可能,MRI上T₁WI呈同心环或弹簧样高信号,DWI呈弥漫高信号,T₂^*呈低信号。     

彩色超声对重型颅脑损伤术中急性脑膨出的诊断及治疗价值

目的 探讨彩色超声对重型颅脑损伤术中急性脑膨出的诊断及治疗价值.方法 回顾性分析2013-12至2018-12武警北京总队医院和武警四川总队医院收治的32例重型颅脑损伤术中发生急性脑膨出患者的临床资料,术中采取超声检查的方法,诊断脑膨出的病因及进一步指导手术治疗方案.观察记录术中超声诊断脑膨出的病因类别、部位特点(包括...     

不同种类他汀药物对慢性硬膜下血肿治疗的临床效果

目的探讨不同种类他汀药物对慢性硬膜下血肿治疗的临床效果。方法选择2015年12月～2017年12月本院收治的慢性硬膜下血肿患者120例,按照使用他汀类药物不同分为三组,均为40例。所有患者均行对症支持处理,A组使用辛伐他汀(40 mg/d,晚间顿服),B组使用匹伐他汀(口服,每次1 mg,每天1次),C组使用阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d),比较各组患者的临床治疗效果,比较各组慢性硬膜下血肿治疗效果及各组硬膜下血肿吸收时间。结果 C组总有效率显著高于A组和B组(P0.05),C组硬膜下血肿吸收时间为(25.1±0.3)d;B组硬膜下血肿吸收时间为(38.2±1.6)d,A组硬膜下血肿吸收时间为(41.2±1.8)d;C组硬膜下血肿吸收时间优于A组和B组(t=19.814,P=0.0000.05)。结论针对慢性硬膜下血肿使用40 mg/d的阿托伐他汀治疗,能更好地提高患者临床治疗效果,促进神经功能恢复,值得推广。