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Objective Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (pSEH) with symptomatic compression of nervous structures after spinal decompression surgery is a rare complication. Delayed evacuation may result in severe neurologic impairment. We present a large single-center analysis of the prevalence, potential risk factors, and functional recovery after pSEH. Methods A retrospective review of our institutional database of spinal decompression surgery over 15 years yielded 6,024 consecutive patients. A total of 42 patients who had undergone surgical revision due to postoperative neurologic deterioration or intractable radiating pain and radiographically confirmed pSEH were allocated to the pSEH group. A matched 3:1 control group was formed (126 patients with the same surgical procedure, same year, same sex, and similar age). Charts, surgical reports, and radiographic data were reviewed for demographics, duration of symptoms, history of medical treatment, medication, comorbidities, radiographic extension, surgical strategy, and pre- and postoperative neurologic performance. Median follow-up was 3 months. Risk factors for pSEH, complete recovery, and recovery of neurologic symptoms were analyzed with univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results The prevalence of pSEH in this population was 0.69% (n = 42) with these locations: 7 of 1,284 (0.54%) cervical, 1 of 774 (0.12%) thoracic, and 34 of 3,966 (0.85%) lumbar. Use of anticoagulants (p = 0.003), pathologic coagulation values in the preoperative blood test (p = 0.034), and cigarette smoking (p = 0.003) were identified as independent risk factors of pSEH. Surgery in more than one level showed a trend toward an increased risk of pSEH. Pain as the only symptom (p = 0.0001) was a significant predictor of complete recovery. Patients symptomatic with paraplegia (p = 0.026) had a significantly higher risk of a poor neurologic outcome without full recovery of neurologic symptoms. Conclusion The prevalence of pSEH was lower than previously reported incidences. Use of anticoagulants, pathologic coagulation values, and cigarette smoking were identified as independent risk factors of pSEH. Functional outcome was related to the duration between hematoma evacuation and the clinical presentation of symptomatic pSEH.

Objective Cranioplasty reshapes the neurocranium and viscerocranium after craniectomy. Different materials have been used for cranioplasty. However, no consistent data are yet available comparing these different materials regarding indications, complications, and outcome. We report our experience with preformed titanium implants and freehand molded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants for cranioplasty. Methods This retrospective single-center analysis included 120 consecutive cranioplasty patients who had been operated between 2006 and 2013. A total of 60 patients (27 women, 33 men; mean age: 54 years) had received a preformed titanium implant and 60 patients (22 women, 38 men; mean age: 46 years) a freehand molded PMMA implant. We evaluated all demographic and procedure-related data, indications, and outcome. The longest follow-up was 5.5 years. Results The most frequent indications for cranioplasty were trauma (n = 48 [40%]), malignant infarction (n = 27 [23%]), tumor (n = 22 [18%]), spontaneous intracerebral or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 16 [13%]), revision surgery (n = 5 [4%]), and empyema (n = 2 [2%]). PMMA implants were more often associated with wound-healing disorders (p Conclusion Cranioplasty with preformed titanium implants seems to be superior to freehand molded PMMA implants regarding surgical morbidity, revision rate, and aesthetic results.

Epidermoid cysts are benign lesions. The goal of this surgery is complete removal while preserving cranial nerves. Here, we illustrate the case of a 31-year-old male who presented with persistent headache following a short period of impaired consciousness. Imaging revealed a mass at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) which at surgery proved to be an epidermoid cyst. In this video, we present the key steps of surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was symptom-free at the 3 months of follow-up.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/0xwpkKwQoLI.

Background An elevated body mass index (BMI) is suggested to be a risk factor for a poor outcome after intracranial aneurysm rupture and is considered to be associated with cerebral infarction in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to analyze the association between permorbid BMI and neurological outcome. Methods In this retrospective study, the patients' BMI at the time of their admission to hospital was correlated to their neurological outcome as measured by the Glasgow outcome score after two weeks and two months of treatment. Results In contrast to other studies, there were no significant correlations between premorbid BMI and neurological outcome, shunt requirement, tracheotomy requirement and duration of stay on the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusions Overweight patients have no higher risk of a poor neurological outcome after aneurysmal SAH if premorbid risk factors such as hypertension and hyperglycemia are carefully modified throughout the period of critical care.

In neurosurgical practice, the operative treatment of deep or infected wounds caused by auto-mutilation is quite rare, especially in the neurocranium. We present an extraordinary case of an auto-aggressive 51-year-old female suffering from a deeply ulcerated wound on the right frontal skull with consecutive brain abscess, caused manually with needles and forceps over a period of 8 months. The clinical course is present ed together with a description of the conservative and surgical regimen and is illustrated with photographs and CT and MRI images.

Today, intracerebral infections by gas forming bacteria are very rare. They are mostly seen after penetrating injuries and more rarely after trivial trauma. Although prognosis of this kind of infection is severe, the general outcome of these patients after surgical and antibiotic treatment is good. We report a ten months old boy suffering a pecking injury just above the left ear with perforation of the temporal bone and dura. In between 48 hrs he developed a rapidly progressive gas gangrene encephalitis due to infection with C. perfringens and died despite of surgical and antibiotic treatment due to massive brain swelling and cardio-pulmonary failure.