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We present the case of a 19-year-old man who suffered a penetrating injury to the brain with a large-calibre steel industrial prybar approximately 1 m long and 2.5 cm wide that was retained in his cranium. The management of this type of injury is discussed, based on our experience with penetrating brain injuries with large-calibre retained objects, from initial presentation to surgical removal of the object to post-operative care. Additionally, given the similarities of the injuries suffered by our patient with those of Phineas Gage, we discuss the extensive lessons learned in treating this type of large-calibre injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although empiric treatment of urinary tract colonized patients remains a frequent practice in neurosurgery, the value of this practice remains debatable., Objective: To analyze the effect of screening and treatment of bacteriuria on surgical site infections, incidence of Clostridium difficile, and mortality in neurosurgical trauma patients., Methods: Database queries and direct patient chart reviews were used to gather patient chart data. T-tests, chi-square tests, binary logistic regressions, and propensity matched cohorts comparisons were performed., Results: A total of 3563 admitted neurosurgical trauma patients were identified over an 8 yr period (1524 cranial, 1778 spinal, and 261 combined craniospinal diagnoses). Nine hundred ninety-one patients underwent an operative neurosurgical procedure. Urinalysis was significantly associated with antibiotics exposure in both operative and nonoperative patients (P < .001). Operative patients treated with empiric antibiotics did not have a reduced risk of wound infection (P = .21), including in a propensity matched cohort (P = .52). Patients treated with empiric antibiotics had significantly increased rates of C. difficile infection (P < .001). At last follow-up, neurosurgical trauma patients that developed C. difficile had an increased risk of death (P < .005); antibiotic exposure and death were also significantly associated (P = .018). The association of C. difficile with empiric antibiotics remained significant in a propensity-matched cohort (P = .0024)., Conclusion: The routine use of urinalysis and empiric urinary antibiotics for bacteriuria in neurosurgical trauma patients without urinary symptoms increases risk of exposure to antibiotics does not decrease rates of wound infection, and is associated with increased rates of C. difficile infection and death., (Copyright © 2018 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.)

Cerebral air embolism is a dreaded complication of invasive medical procedures. The mainstay of therapy for patients with cerebral air embolism has been hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high flow oxygen therapy, and anticonvulsants. We present a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of cerebral air embolism causing large vessel occlusion, using endovascular aspiration. Our patient developed a cerebral air embolism following sclerotherapy for varicose veins. This caused near total occlusion of the superior division of the M2 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. Symptoms included unilateral paralysis, unintelligible speech, and hemianopia; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on presentation was 16. The air embolism was treated using a distal aspiration technique. Angiography following aspiration showed Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B reperfusion. Following aspiration, the patient was re-examined; NIHSS at that time was 4. At 1 month follow-up, the modified Rankin Scale score was 1 and NIHSS was 1. Treatment of cerebral air embolism is discussed., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.)

Cerebral air embolism is a dreaded complication of invasive medical procedures. The mainstay of therapy for patients with cerebral air embolism has been hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high flow oxygen therapy, and anticonvulsants. We present a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of cerebral air embolism causing large vessel occlusion, using endovascular aspiration. Our patient developed a cerebral air embolism following sclerotherapy for varicose veins. This caused near total occlusion of the superior division of the M2 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. Symptoms included unilateral paralysis, unintelligible speech, and hemianopia; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on presentation was 16. The air embolism was treated using a distal aspiration technique. Angiography following aspiration showed Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B reperfusion. Following aspiration, the patient was re-examined; NIHSS at that time was 4. At 1 month follow-up, the modified Rankin Scale score was 1 and NIHSS was 1. Treatment of cerebral air embolism is discussed., (2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

A patient with a giant symptomatic vertebrobasilar aneurysm was treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus followed by treatment of the aneurysm by flow diversion using a Pipeline Embolization Device. After an uneventful procedure and initial periprocedural period, the patient experienced an unexpected fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage 1 week later. Autopsy demonstrated extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture (linear whole wall rupture). The patent Pipeline Embolization Device was in its intended location, as was the persistent coil occlusion of the distal left vertebral artery. The aneurysm appeared to rupture in a linear manner and contained a thick large expansile clot that seemed to disrupt or rupture the thin aneurysm wall directly opposite the basilar artery/Pipeline Embolization Device. We feel the pattern of aneurysm rupture in our patient supports the idea that the combination of flow diversion and the resulting growing intra-aneurysmal thrombus can create a mechanical force with the potential to cause aneurysm rupture., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

We describe a minimalist approach to perform in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve. Our technique employs a unique small skin incision strategically placed to minimize postoperative scarring over the ulnar nerve and potentially decrease the risk of iatrogenic injury to the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve. We retrospectively report the outcome of patients who have undergone this procedure at our institution, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, from January 1 2007 through November 29 2010. All individuals underwent in situ decompression via the previously described minimalist approach. Outcome variables were Louisiana State University Medical Center (LSU) ulnar neuropathy grade, patient satisfaction, subjective improvement, complications and re-operation rate. A total of 44 procedures were performed in this cohort of 41 patients. Overall, patients' postoperative LSU grades showed a statistically significant improvement (p=0.0019) compared to preoperative grades. Improvement of at least one grade in the LSU scale was observed in 50% of the procedures with a preoperative grade of four or less. Overall procedure satisfaction rate was 88% (39 of 44) with 70% (31 of 44) of the procedures resulting in improvement of symptoms. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. One patient required re-operation due to failure of neurological improvement. Our minimalistic approach to perform in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel is both safe and effective. We observed a statistically significant improvement in LSU ulnar neuropathy grades and a success rate comparable to those reported for other more extensive surgical techniques while providing the benefit of a smaller incision, less scarring, decreased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury and minimal complications., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A patient with a giant symptomatic vertebrobasilar aneurysm was treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus followed by treatment of the aneurysm by flow diversion using a Pipeline Embolization Device. After an uneventful procedure and initial periprocedural period, the patient experienced an unexpected fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage 1 week later. Autopsy demonstrated extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture (linear whole wall rupture). The patent Pipeline Embolization Device was in its intended location, as was the persistent coil occlusion of the distal left vertebral artery. The aneurysm appeared to rupture in a linear manner and contained a thick large expansile clot that seemed to disrupt or rupture the thin aneurysm wall directly opposite the basilar artery/Pipeline Embolization Device. We feel the pattern of aneurysm rupture in our patient supports the idea that the combination of flow diversion and the resulting growing intra-aneurysmal thrombus can create a mechanical force with the potential to cause aneurysm rupture., (2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Intracranial plasma cell tumors are extremely rare and can either be solitary lesions or part of systemic multiple myeloma. We report a 42-year-old woman who presented with a posterior fossa mass and successfully underwent surgical resection, leading to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple myeloma presenting as a posterior fossa mass lesion. This report highlights the importance of maintaining plasma cell tumor in the differential of intracranial mass with bony involvement. Furthermore, once the diagnosis is established, further work up is critical to evaluate for systemic disease., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Myofibroblastic tumors are soft-tissue neoplasms arising from myofibroblasts, ubiquitous cells sharing ultrastructural features of muscular and fibroblastic cells. Vasudev and Harris described a malignant counterpart of these benign tumors in 1978. Most reported cases of myofibroblastic sarcoma have arisen in the head and neck region and the soft tissues of the extremities. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been only 8 previous reports on primary myofibroblastic sarcoma of the bone. The authors report a new case of this rare tumor affecting the sacrum and ilium of a 15-year-old girl and discuss the role of total sacrectomy and lumbopelvic reconstruction for treatment of this disease.

The authors describe the case of a 36-year-old woman with bilateral internal jugular vein occlusion, hydrocephalus, and Dandy-Walker variant who presented with myelopathy that was ultimately attributed to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failure. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the head and neck revealed epidural venous engorgement within the cervical spine, greater that 50% narrowing of the C2-5 spinal canal, and compression of the cervical spinal cord. After successful shunt revision, postoperative CT angiography revealed decreased venous engorgement as well as decompression of the cervical spinal cord, and the patient's myelopathy improved. This case represents a fascinating clinical presentation of VP shunt failure, highlighting the physiological importance of the external jugular pathways involved in cerebral venous drainage.