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Objectives. Optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) is commonly used in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Here we will present our experiences of ONSF in 26 patients with special attention to indications, surgical techniques and results. Methods. The recorded data of patient management (with the result) who underwent ONSF were reviewed and studied retrospectively. Results. The total number of patients who underwent ONSF was 26. The male-female ratio was 1:12. Indications of ONSF were: 1. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)-23 cases; 2. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)-02 cases; 3. CNS Tuberculosis-01case. All patient underwent bilateral ONSF with post-operative continues lumbar CSF drain for 04 days. After fenestration gush of CSF came out with force in all-first operated eyes whereas 13-second operated eyes showed very little CSF flow after fenestration. Vision improved in different grades in all cases at discharge except in three cases. Preoperatively, visual acuity was either PL&PR or hand movement in 40 eyes where 04 eyes were preoperatively total blind (no PL&PR). Visual acuity improved in 48 eyes (92.3% eyes) where the patient can do his/her daily life activities including self-care. Improvement in IIH is 100% (23 cases i.e-46 eyes) whereas 01 case out of 02 cases in CVST. Though vision was improved dramatically fundal appearances changes very slowly and very less frequently returned to normal appearance. Conclusion. Due to the delicate and technically demanding nature of the surgery, safety is a major concern of the ONSF. Our experience showed ONSF is a technically safe operation with very good results where indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even after the failure of EC-IC bypass trial, EC- IC bypass can help many patients in preventing future stroke. Here we present a case series of patients with cerebral ischemia from different etiological modes who underwent EC-IC bypass with positive end results. Methods: Patients in these cases series with TIA/stroke/recurrent stroke were evaluated clinically for the history of TIA or recurrent/hemodynamic TIA (in rest or during work) or progressive hemiparesis/aphasia/visual disturbances or sudden hemiplegia/hemiparesis/aphasia with subsequent significant (days to a week) recovery. MRI of the brain was done in ischemic protocol in all cases. To see the arterial pathology dynamic CTA was also done in all cases except one case. DSA was done in 03 cases. When clinical features, cerebral ischemia on MRI and arterial stenosis/occlusion on angiogram were concordant with each other, only then cerebral revascularization was done. After bypass, all patients were followed up regularly. All recorded data were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Total no. of cases were 08. The most common presentation was hemiparesis. Etiologies were infective thrombosis of ICA, orbital cellulitis, thrombosed giant ICA aneurysm, single & multiple vessel occlusion and MCA stenosis. High flow EC-IC bypass was done in one case. STA- MCA bypass was done in rest of the cases. All patient were ambulant with static neuro-status without new stroke till last follow up. All bypasses were patent and functioning till last follow up (clinical, Doppler/Imaging). Conclusion: In carefully selected cases cerebral revascularization in ischemic conditions can result positive outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Penetrating nonmissile injuries to the head are far less common than missile penetrating injuries. Here we describe our experience in managing 17 cases of nonmissile injury to the head, likely the largest such series reported to date. We also highlight the surgical steps and techniques used to remove in situ objects (including weapons) in the penetrating wounds that have not been described previously. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of cases of nonmissile, low-velocity penetrating injuries of the head managed in our department. The recorded data of patients with penetrating head injuries were studied for the cause of the injury, type of object, type and extent of penetration, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission, other clinical issues, evaluation and assessment, interval from penetration to operation, surgical steps and notes, difficulty during the operation, major and minor complications, follow-up, and ultimate outcome. Results Our 17 cases included 6 cases of accidental penetration and 11 cases of penetration as the result of violence. Weapons and other foreign objects causing injury included a teta (a pointed metal weapon with a wooden handle and a barb near the tip, used for hunting and fishing) in 4 cases, a dao (a sharp metal cutting instrument with a wooden handle used for cutting vegetables, fish, meat, bamboo, wood, etc.) in 3 cases, a bamboo stick in 3 cases, a metal rod in 2 cases, a knife in 2 cases, a sharp stone in 1 case, a metal steam chamber cover in 1 case, and a long peg in 1 case. GCS on admission was between 13 and 15 in 15 cases. Only 1 patient exhibited limb weakness. Four patients with an orbitocranial penetrating injury had 1-sided vision loss; 2 of these patients had orbital evisceration, and 1 of these patients died. In 14 patients, the foreign object was in situ at presentation and was removed surgically. Computed tomography scan and plain X-ray of the head were obtained in all patients. Postoperatively, 2 patients (11.7%) needed support in the intensive care unit but died early after surgery. One patient developed late osteomyelitis. The remaining patients were doing well at the most recent follow-up. Conclusions The presenting picture of nonmissile penetrating injury to head may be daunting, but these cases can be managed with very good results with proper (clinical and radiologic) evaluation and simple neurosurgical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surgical removal of solid deep-seated haemangioblastomas remains challenging, because treatment of these lesions is often complicated by severe bleeding associated with the rich vascularity of this tumor and by severe neural tissue injury associated with the difficulty of en bloc resection. A 55 year-old man, was admitted to us with inability to stand & walk due to imbalance and altered level of conciousness .He has family history of Von Hippel Lindau(VHL) disease. He underwent microsurgery followed by gamma knife radiosurgery 13 years back for cerebeller haemangioblastoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intra-axial mass with multiple large cysts in cerebellum with severe compression on cerebellum and brainstem. Preoperative angiography revealed a hypervascular tumor in the posterior fossa, he underwent microsurgery through the previous midline suboccipital craniotomy involving the removal of the arch of C-1. Patient recovered slowly in post operative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In suboccipital craniectomy where the bone is not repositioned, there may be a significant cosmetic defect due to lack of skull bone in the suboccipital region. It may accompanied by sensory symptoms, including pain. To prevent any cosmetic defect and sensory symptoms we repositioned the bone chips at the craniectomy site in 42 suboccipital craniectomies before the closure of the scalp. At a mean follow-up of 22 months (range: 5-44 months), two patients complained of mild discomfort in the healed wound or of occasional local pain. One patient complained of mild itching at the site. In two patients, bone chips were accumulated at the lower part of the suboccipital craniectomy and failed to form a uniform bone cover at the operated site. In one patient, all bone chips were reabsorbed and there was no bone at the operated site. There was pseudomeningocele formation in one patient. In the rest of the cases there was satisfactory bone coverage at the operated site, both clinically and radiologically. The wound sites were aesthetically acceptable in 40 cases. Our study suggests that in the majority of cases where suboccipital craniotomy is not possible or not done, repositioning of the bone chips at the craniectomy site is associated with satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcome and formation of bone coverage at the operated site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]