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Introduction Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (ioDSA) allows early treatment evaluation after neurovascular procedures. However, the value and efficiency of this procedure has been discussed controversially. We have evaluated the additional value of hybrid operating room equipped with an Artis Zeego robotic c-arm regarding cost, efficiency and workflow. Furthermore, we have performed a risk-benefit analysis and compared it with indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. Methods For 3 consecutive years, we examined all neurovascular patients, treated in the hybrid operating theater in a risk-benefit analysis. After using microdoppler and ICG angiography for best operative result, every patient received an additional ioDSA to look for remnants or unfavorable clip placement which might lead to a change of operating strategy or results. Furthermore, a workflow-analysis reviewing operating steps, staff positioning, costs, technical errors or complications were conducted on randomly selected cases. Results 54 patients were enrolled in the risk-benefit analysis, 22 in the workflow analysis. The average duration of a cerebrovascular operation was 4 h 58 min 2 min 35 s accounted for ICG angiography, 46 min 4 s for ioDSA. Adverse events occurred during one ioDSA. In risk-benefit analysis, ioDSA was able to detect a perfusion rest in 2 out of 43 cases (4,7%) of aneurysm surgery, which could not have been visualized by ICG angiography before. In arterio-venous-malformation (AVM) surgery, one of 11 examined patients (7,7%) showed a remnant in ioDSA and resulted in additional resection. The average cost of an ioDSA in Ulm University can be estimated with 1928,00€. Conclusion According to our results ioDSA associated complications are low. Relevant findings in ioDSA can potentially avoid additional intervention, however, due to the high costs and lower availability, the main advantage might lie in the treatment of selected patients with complexes neurovascular pathologies since ICG angiography is equally safe but associated with lower costs and better availability.

Cerebral vasospasm (CV) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) are major factors that limit good outcome in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Continuous therapy with intra-arterial calcium channel blockers has been introduced as a new step in the invasive treatment cascade of CV and DCI. Sedation is routinely necessary for this procedure. We report about the feasibility to apply this therapy in awake compliant patients without intubation and sedation. Out of 67 patients with invasive endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm due to spontaneous SAH, 5 patients underwent continuous superselective intracarotid nimodipine therapy without intubation and sedation. Complications, neurological improvement, and outcome at discharge were summarized. Very good outcome was achieved in all 5 patients. The Barthel scale was 100 and the modified Rankin scale 0-1 in all cases at discharge. We found no severe complications and excellent neurological monitoring was possible in all cases due to patients' alert status. Symptoms of DCI resolved within 24 h in all 5 cases. We could demonstrate the feasibility and safety of selective intracarotid arterial nimodipine treatment in awake, compliant patients with spontaneous SAH and symptomatic CV and DCI. Using this method, an excellent monitoring of neurological function as well as early detection of other complications is possible. It might be an important step in the risk reduction of invasive CV therapy to improve the outcome with CV and DCI after SAH in selected patients.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains a challenging neurosurgical disease. The ryanodine receptor type 1 Ca2+ channel (RyR1) plays a crucial role in vasoconstriction and hemostasis. Mutations of the encoding gene, RYR1, are known to cause susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH). Recently, a RYR1 mutation was found to be associated with abnormal bleeding times. Therefore, an assessment of the RYR1 gene might be of high relevance in patients with aneurysmatic SAH. In the presented pilot study, we screened 10 patients suffering from SAH for RYR1 variants and, for the first time in SAH, performed an assessment of pathogenicity of these variants using protein prediction software. Four of the patients showed a RYR1 variant. For three of the variants, p.Glu79Lys, p.Arg885C, p.Glu2635 Val, all three programs predicted pathogenicity. Their prevalence in the general population is very low i.e. under 0.005%. For the fourth variant, p.Pro4501Leu (RS73933023), the results of the prediction programs were discrepant and the prevalence in the general population was high, i.e. almost 0.5%, which is too frequent to be associated with the rare SAH phenotype. Clinical evaluation revealed that no differences concerning neurological outcome, presence of vasospasm, ischemic deficits and mean hospital stay between patients with and without variants were found. However, in our series SAH patients have an increased frequency of rare RYR1 variants. Hence, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of SAH. Further data is needed to confirm this preliminary result.

This paper explored the potential mediating role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and the oxytocin (OT) systems in hemorrhagic shock (HS) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Morbidity and mortality after trauma mainly depend on the presence of HS and/or TBI. Rapid “repayment of the O2 debt” and prevention of brain tissue hypoxia are cornerstones of the management of both HS and TBI. Restoring tissue perfusion, however, generates an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury due to the formation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species. Moreover, pre-existing-medical-conditions (PEMC’s) can aggravate the occurrence and severity of complications after trauma. In addition to the “classic” chronic diseases (of cardiovascular or metabolic origin), there is growing awareness of psychological PEMC’s, e.g., early life stress (ELS) increases the predisposition to develop post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) and trauma patients with TBI show a significantly higher incidence of PTSD than patients without TBI. In fact, ELS is known to contribute to the developmental origins of cardiovascular disease. The neurotransmitter H2S is not only essential for the neuroendocrine stress response, but is also a promising therapeutic target in the prevention of chronic diseases induced by ELS. The neuroendocrine hormone OT has fundamental importance for brain development and social behavior, and, thus, is implicated in resilience or vulnerability to traumatic events. OT and H2S have been shown to interact in physical and psychological trauma and could, thus, be therapeutic targets to mitigate the acute post-traumatic effects of chronic PEMC’s. OT and H2S both share anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and vasoactive properties; through the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway, where their signaling mechanisms converge, they act via the regulation of nitric oxide (NO).

OBJECTIVEAcute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a leading entity in brain injury. Rodent models mostly lack standard intensive care, while large animal models frequently are only short term. Therefore, the authors developed a long-term, resuscitated porcine model of ASDH-induced brain injury and report their findings.METHODSAnesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented pigs with human-like coagulation underwent subdural injection of 20 mL of autologous blood and subsequent observation for 54 hours. Continuous bilateral multimodal brain monitoring (intracranial pressure [ICP], cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP], partial pressure of oxygen in brain tissue [PbtO2], and brain temperature) was combined with intermittent neurological assessment (veterinary modified Glasgow Coma Scale [MGCS]), microdialysis, and measurement of plasma protein S100β, GFAP, neuron-specific enolase [NSE], nitrite+nitrate, and isoprostanes. Fluid resuscitation and continuous intravenous norepinephrine were targeted to maintain CPP at pre-ASDH levels. Immediately postmortem, the brains were taken for macroscopic and histological evaluation, immunohistochemical analysis for nitrotyrosine formation, albumin extravasation, NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and GFAP expression, and quantification of tissue mitochondrial respiration.RESULTSNine of 11 pigs survived the complete observation period. While ICP significantly increased after ASDH induction, CPP, PbtO2, and the MGCS score remained unaffected. Blood S100β levels significantly fell over time, whereas GFAP, NSE, nitrite+nitrate, and isoprostane concentrations were unaltered. Immunohistochemistry showed nitrotyrosine formation, albumin extravasation, NOX2 expression, fibrillary astrogliosis, and microglial activation.CONCLUSIONSThe authors describe a clinically relevant, long-term, resuscitated porcine model of ASDH-induced brain injury. Despite the morphological injury, maintaining CPP and PbtO2 prevented serious neurological dysfunction. This model is suitable for studying therapeutic interventions during hemorrhage-induced acute brain injury with standard brain-targeted intensive care.

In the porcine model discussed in this review, the acute subdural hematoma was induced by subdural injection of autologous blood over the left parietal cortex, which led to a transient elevation of the intracerebral pressure, measured by bilateral neuromonitoring. The hematoma-induced brain injury was associated with albumin extravasation, oxidative stress, reactive astrogliosis and microglial activation in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Further proteins and injury markers were validated to be used for immunohistochemistry of porcine brain tissue. The cerebral expression patterns of oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, cystathionine-γ-lyase and cystathionine-β-synthase were particularly interesting: these four proteins all co-localized at the base of the sulci, where pressure-induced brain injury elicits maximum stress. In this context, the pig is a very relevant translational model in contrast to the rodent brain. The structure of the porcine brain is very similar to the human: the presence of gyri and sulci (gyrencephalic brain), white matter to grey matter proportion and tentorium cerebelli. Thus, pressure-induced injury in the porcine brain, unlike in the rodent brain, is reflective of the human pathophysiology.

Background The presence of residual tumor is crucial in decision-making for low-grade gliomas (LGGs), because patients older than 40 years of age with residual tumor are considered for adjuvant treatment. There are hints that early postoperative fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T2 (within 48 hours) may overestimate residual tumor volume in LGG. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without subsequent resection or ultra-early postoperative MRI may assess the amount of residual tumor more adequately. To evaluate the utility of postoperative imaging in LGG, we volumetrically analyzed intraoperative, early, and late (3–4 months after surgery) postoperative MRIs of LGGs. Patients and Methods A total of 33 patients with LGG were assessed retrospectively. Residual tumor was defined as signal-enhanced tissue in T2 and FLAIR. Volumetric assessment was performed with intraoperative, early, and late postoperative T2/FLAIR via Brainlab-iPlan 3.0. Wilcoxon and χ 2 tests were used for statistical analysis. Results A significant difference of FLAIR/T2 abnormalities was found in intraoperative and early postoperative MRIs (FLAIR mean volume = 5.433 cm 3 , T2 mean volume = 3.374 cm 3 vs. FLAIR mean volume = 14.090 cm 3 , P = 0.002, T2 mean volume = 7.597 cm 3 , P = 0.006). There was no significant difference between intraoperative and late postoperative FLAIR/T2 abnormalities (late postoperative FLAIR/T2 mean volume = 5.560 cm 3 and 2.370 cm 3 , P = 0.520, P = 0.398), whereas a significant difference was detected between early and late postoperative images (FLAIR, P P Conclusion Intraoperative MRI without further resection or ultra-early postoperative MRI seems to reflect the actual volume of residual tumor in LGG more precisely compared with early postoperative MRI and therefore seems to be more useful regarding decisions for adjuvant therapy.

Object This study sought to determine the role of different intraoperative imaging modalities and intraoperative neuromonitoring in BAVM surgery, describing a current prospective surgical series. Methods Prospective series of 23 BAVMs treated with the adjunct of intraoperative MRI (iMRI) (n = 12), intraoperative angiography (iOA) (n = 11), intraoperative Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography (n = 23) and intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) (n = 13). Assessment of each imaging modality in view of resection control for BAVMs. Illustration of peculiar aspects of the various imaging modalities in neurovascular surgery. Correlation of IOM and postoperative patient course. Results We observed a marked drop of signal-to-noise ratio in intraoperative TOF-MRA, due to the effects of general anaesthesia on cerebral blood flow velocity. 2 false negative MRI-findings occurred (16.7%). IOA turned out as safe, time-efficient with standard diagnostic image quality. ICG appeared not suitable to assess residual BAVM due to infratentorial or deep-seated location in 3 patients. It helped to detect residual AV-Shunt in 3 patients, invariably SM 3 and 4. 3 false-negative ICG-findings occurred (15.0%). IOM allowed correct localization of the central sulcus in 3 cases and reliable motor monitoring in the whole study group. No complications occurred attributable to the applied intraoperative imaging or monitoring techniques. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that iMRI currently does not appear appropriate to detect residual nidus in BAVM surgery. DSA remains the intraoperative imaging modality of choice in BAVM surgery even in times of ICG. ICG can be regarded as valuable complementary tool. IOM, at least in our small series proved to reliably localize and monitor the motor system.

Objectives: Concomitant injuries play an important role when it comes to clinical management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We examined the incidence of concomitant injuries and their relevance with respect to hospitalization. Methods: Children aged between 0 - 18 years hospitalized for treatment of TBI (ICD 10; S06.0 - 9) during 2010-2011 were included. The data relating to concomitant injuries and the course of treatment were evaluated. Statistical analysis included multivariate regressions at a level of significance of p ≤ 0.05. Results: 794 children were treated for head injury in our hospital. Head injury with other associated injuries had been sustained by 158 (19.9%) children. The face and the extremities were the areas of the body most often affected (p = 0.001). Boys represent the majority within the cohort of multiple injured children (p = 0.0001). The older the child, the higher the percentage of children with concomitant injuries (r = 0.27; p = 0.034). There was a significant correlation between the severity of the head injury and the occurrence of concomitant injuries (r = 0.19; p = 0.046). Children with concomitant injuries were found to suffer significantly more falls (N = 82; 51.9%) than road traffic accidents (N = 68; 43%) (p = 0.0001). A comparison of different variables revealed that age (7 to 10 years), severity of head injury (mild TBI), and trauma mechanism (fall) were most influential (KB = ?1.55; p = 0.023) for concomitant injuries. Children with concomitant injuries have a significant longer stay in hospital than those without: mean stay 2.5 to 4.5 days (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Concomitant injuries are hints for more severe head injuries and children should be examined with special care.

OBJECTIVEDelayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major factor contributing to the inferior outcome of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Nimodipine and induced hypertension using vasopressors are an integral part of standard therapy. Consequences of the opposite effect of nimodipine and vasopressors on blood pressure on patient outcome remain unclear. The authors report the detailed general characteristics and influence of nimodipine and vasopressors on outcome in patients with SAH.METHODSThe authors performed a 2-center, retrospective, clinical database analysis of 732 SAH patients treated between 2008 and 2016. Demographic and clinical data such as age, sex, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade, BMI, Fisher grade, history of arterial hypertension and smoking, aneurysm location, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and detailed dosage of vasopressors and nimodipine during the treatment period were evaluated. Clinical outcome was analyzed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 6 months after treatment. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Additionally, mean arterial pressure (MAP), age, nimodipine, and vasopressor dose cutoff were evaluated with regard to outcome. The level of significance was set at ≤ 0.05.RESULTSFollow-up was assessed for 397 patients, 260 (65.5%) of whom achieved a good outcome (defined as an mRS score of 0–3). Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that nimodipine (p = 0.049), age (p = 0.049), and CRP level (p = 0.002) are independent predictors of good outcome. WFNS grade, Fisher score, hypertension, initial hydrocephalus, and total vasopressor dose showed significant influence on outcome in univariate analysis, and patient sex, smoking status, BMI, and MAP showed no significant association with outcome. A subgroup analysis of patients with milder initial SAH (WFNS grades I–III) revealed that initial hydrocephalus (p = 0.003) and CRP levels (p = 0.001) had significant influence on further outcome. When evaluating only patients with WFNS grade IV or V, age, CRP level (p = 0.011), vasopressor dose (p = 0.030), and nimodipine dose (p = 0.049) were independent predictors of patient outcome. Patients with an MAP < 93 mm Hg, a nimodipine cutoff dose of 241.8 mg, and cutoff total vasopressor dose of 523 mg had better outcomes.CONCLUSIONSAccording to the authors’ results, higher doses of vasopressors can safely provide a situation in which the maximum dose of nimodipine could be administered. Cutoff values of the total vasopressor dose were more than 3 times higher in patients with severe SAH (WFNS grade IV or V), while the nimodipine cutoff remained similar in patients with mild and severe SAH. Hence, it seems encouraging that a maximum nimodipine dosage can be achieved despite the need for a higher vasopressor dose in patients with SAH.

Quality of life is an important factor in the decision making for the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). The data dealing with QoL in patients after the treatment are spare. We have evaluated QoL of patients after endovascular or surgical treatment of incidental intracranial aneurysm.We performed a prospective analysis of retrospectively collected data. All patients received 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), German questionnaire for self-perceived deficits in attention (FEDA) and not standardized questionnaire analyzing personal job-related situation, family circumstances and chronic illnesses.177 patients were treated during the evaluated period. 79 (44.6%) patients responded. In this cohort, 62.03% of patients underwent coiling. Complications were noted in 13.9% of patients. Stroke was the most common complication (7.6%). All SF-36 related data except for pain showed significant lower mean, if compared to the standard German population (p0.01). For both genders, anxiety (males, P = 0.003 and females, P = 0.002) but not depression was more common than in the standard population. According to the FEDA test, treated patients showed significant difference only for fatigue in comparison to healthy population (P 0.001). 54.4% of patients suffered from chronic illnesses, and among them only 1 patient (1.3%) had aneurysm associated chronic disease. No significant differences were found between treatment modalities.The risk for depression and pain is not significantly increased after elective treatment of UIA. According to our results, decreased QoL is common in this cohort of patients but often related to factors not associated with aneurysm treatment.

Background This study sought to examine health-related quality of life several years after spontaneous nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Recent studies report impairments to be improved as far as normal levels. We question such an improvement in our own patient population over a period of 10 years. Methods The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item and Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Surveys on health-related quality of life were used to question 236 patients and 235 proxies. The patients were assigned to 5 groups according to the time that had elapsed since their hemorrhage: 1 year N = 22, 2 years N = 36, 5 years N = 86, 8 years N = 61, and 10 years N = 31. Analyses of variance (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis) and correlation (Spearman, Kendall tau) were used in an exploratory approach. Significance was established as P ≤ 0.05. Results Over a period of 10 years, health-related quality of life is found to be impaired, and is reported as such by the patients themselves and their proxies. Comparison of the mean values between the groups, ie, 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, revealed no significant differences in health-related quality of life. The calculations with a view to correlations between the group means and time since hemorrhage also produced only very weak correlations of no significance. Conclusions Health-related quality of life is impaired over a period of 10 years. Spontaneous nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage should be regarded as a chronic cerebrovascular condition.

Objective Cell-mediated inflammation is critical in the development of cerebrovascular complications after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We analyzed the course for activated CD16 bright CD56 dim cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells in cerebrospinal fluid of 15 patients. Methods Patients were classified by occurrence of cerebral vasospasm (CV) and delayed cerebral ischemia. NK were monitored by flow cytometry between day 1 and 14 after hemorrhage. Results Twelve patients (80%) developed CV with a mean day of detection at 3.9 ± 1.6. In those patients, cell count for NK increased from 1.40 ± 1.42 cells/μL on day 1 to a peak of 11.66 ± 11.56 cells/μL on day 6.1 ± 2.9 ( P = 0.001). An increase of mean cerebral blood flow velocity in transcranial Doppler from 71.33 ± 12.93 cm/second to 166.20 ± 20.19 cm/second ( P P n = 4, 33.3%), activated NK counts were significantly higher than in patients who did not have CV (23.18 ± 13.92 cells/μL vs. 0.02 ± 0.01 cells/μL; P = 0.029). NK counts were significantly different between patients with grade 1 and grade 3 CV ( P = 0.04). Patients who did not have CV who showed low NK counts achieved better functional outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score, 4.6 ± 0.6) at discharge than did patients with CV grade 2 (GOS score, 3.3 ± 0.5) and CV grade 3 (GOS score, 2.3 ± 0.5) who showed increased NK cell counts (CV grade 0 vs. CV grade 2, P = 0.048; CV grade 0 vs. CV grade 3, P = 0.001). Activated CD16 bright CD56 dim cytotoxic NK CSF cell counts showed a mean maximum (14.15 ± 12.21 cells/μL) when delayed cerebral ischemia occurred. Conclusions The increase of activated CD16 bright CD56 dim cytotoxic NK cells in cerebrospinal fluid after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage suggests an increased risk of CV and delayed cerebral ischemia.

Objective To determine the strength of the correlation between the Hunt and Hess scale, Fisher score, Brussels coma score, World Federation of Neurosurgeons score, and Glasgow coma score and health-related quality of life. Methods Evaluable questionnaires from 236 patients (5.6 years [± standard deviation, 2.854 years] on average after hemorrhage) were included in the analysis. Quality of life was documented using the MOS-36 item short form health survey. Because of the ordinal nature of the variables, Kendall tau was used for calculation. Significance was established as P ≤ 0.05. Results Weak and very weak correlations were found in general ( r ≤ 0.28). The strongest correlations were found between the Glasgow coma score and quality of life ( r = 0.236, P = 0.0001). In particular, the "best verbal response" achieved the strongest correlations in the comparison, at r = 0.28/ P = 0.0001. The Fisher score showed very weak correlations ( r = −0.148/ P = 0.012). The Brussels coma score ( r = −0.216/ P = 0.0001), Hunt and Hess scale ( r = −0.197/ P = 0.0001), and the World Federation of Neurosurgeons score ( r = −0.185/ P = 0.0001) revealed stronger correlations, especially in terms of the physical aspects of quality of life. Conclusions The Glasgow coma scale revealed the strongest, and the Fisher score showed the weakest correlations. Thus the Fisher score, as an indicator of the severity of a hemorrhage, has little significance in terms of health-related quality of life.

Anamnese und Befund | Eine 79-jahrige Patientin litt seit Jahren unter Schmerzen der Halswirbelsaule (HWS) mit Ausstrahlung in beide Schultern. Eine Rezidivstruma war bekannt, eine Behandlung geplant. Seit 8 Monaten bemerkte die Patientin zunehmende Atemnot. Es kam zur notfallmasigen, stationaren Aufnahme mit inspiratorischem Stridor und Attacken hochster Luftnot. Die Betroffene konnte nur unter Tragen einer Halsorthese ausreichend atmen. Es fand sich ein erheblicher, inspiratorischer Stridor. Neurologische Defizite bestanden nicht. Untersuchungen | Die Tracheoskopie zeigte eine dorsale Raumforderung. Die darauf hin organisierte zervikale Diagnostik mittels Nativaufnahmen, MRT und Computertomografie der HWS bestatigte eine ausgepragte Spondylophytenbildung an den Vorderkanten mit Ventralisierung des Osophagus und einer uber 50 %igen, dorsalen Einengung des Tracheallumens. Therapie und Verlauf | Es erfolgte eine Thyreoidektomie unter Monitoring des N. vagus. In gleicher operativer Sitzung wurde anschliesend die mikrochirurgische Resektion der Spondylophyten durchgefuhrt. Ein Jahr nach Operation ist die Dyspnoe nicht mehr aufgetreten. Folgerungen | Bemerkenswert war die Koinzidenz von Struma und ventraler HWS-Spondylose mit erheblicher Dyspnoe. Die Krankenvorgeschichte stellte das eigentliche Problem dar: Die Patientin war zur Operation der grosen Struma bereits geplant und zunachst als internistischer Notfall aufgenommen worden. Uber die Tracheoskopie wurde dann die HWS-Spondylose erkannt. Der Fallbericht mahnt dazu, gerade bei der Kombination aus Struma und Dyspnoe an zusatzliche HWS-Veranderungen zu denken. Es besteht immer die Moglichkeit, die Situation mit einer HWS-Nativaufnahme schnell zu klaren. Das Ubersehen der komprimierenden HWS-Stenose kann dramatisch werden, es wurden Falle beschrieben, die in einer notfallmasigen Tracheotomie endeten.

The exact cause of cognitive deficits following intracranial haemorrhage is unclear. This prospective study examines the abilities after spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and chronic subdural haematoma (SDH) to elucidate the cognitive outcome.Ninety-nine patients with SAH (N = 60), ICH (N = 25), and SDH (N = 14) were followed up for an average of 6 and 12 months post-haemorrhage. Cognitive tests were used to examine attention, memory, concentration, and executive function. Following were used for analysis: 1. the percentage of patients falling below the 25th percentile per test, 2. the general development from the first to second test point and 3. the incidence of significant changes between the test points. Significance was established as p ≤ 0.05.All three types of haemorrhage resulted in deficits as concerns abstract language (53%-75%). The processing speed was below the normal levels in more than 70% of the patients tested. The cognitive performance of SAH patients was similar to that of patients with SDH and ICH patients after 6 months. The number of patients with outcomes falling below the 25th percentile (to some extent more than 75% in patients post-SAH) is high in all patient groups and mostly decreases over the course. Nevertheless, patients with SAH reveal improvements in many more areas than with ICH and SDH (p ≤ 0.006).The cognitive impairments following SAH, ICH and SDH deficits appear to develop in a similar way regardless of the type of haemorrhage. Cognitive improvement is most pronounced in patients with SAH.

Objective To examine the influence of cerebral vasospasm on health-related quality of life after subarachnoid hemorrhage. An additional objective was to determine how the timing of nimodipine therapy can influence health-related quality of life. Methods Patients treated between 1998 and 2008 for nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages were sent a standardized questionnaire for the purposes of documenting their health-related quality of life. Initially the patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without cerebral vasospasm after hemorrhage (radiologically confirmed). They were then differentiated according to four types of treatment options for vasospasm: 1) nimodipine since admission (N = 179); 2) nimodipine since diagnosis of vasospasm (N = 14); 3) no nimodipine/no vasospasm (N = 34); and 4) no nimodipine despite vasospasm (N = 5). Significance was established as P ≤ 0.05. Results Evaluable questionnaires were returned by 236 patients (68% women, mean age 56.35 ± 12.68 years; 32% men, mean age 54.57 ± 12.20 years). Health-related quality of life generally appeared to be impaired. Yet with the exception of the subscale (1 of 8) of physical role ( P = 0.019), there were no differences between patients with and without vasospasm. Variations in the different treatment options revealed significant effects in terms of the component summaries and subscales: physical role and pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, mental health, and mental component summary ( P ≤ 0.04). Conclusions Cerebral vasospasm had little influence on health-related quality of life in our patient population. Health-related quality of life cannot be used as the only argument in favor of treating cerebral vasospasm with nimodipine.

Hintergrund Das neurogene Thoracic-outlet-Syndrom (nTOS), gilt im Hinblick auf Diagnose und Therapie unverandert als umstritten, ursachlich hierfur ist in erster Linie das Fehlen klar definierter Diagnosekriterien.

Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease with a 5-year survival rate below 5%. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced tumor stage and existence of distant metastases. However, involvement of the central nervous system is rare in pancreatic cancer. We retrospectively analyzed all cases of brain metastases in pancreatic cancer reported to date focusing on patient characteristics, clinical appearance, therapy and survival. Including our own, 12 cases of brain metastases originating from pancreatic cancer were identified. In three patients brain metastases were the first manifestation of pancreatic cancer. All other patients developed brain metastases during their clinical course. In most cases, the disease progressed rapidly and the patients died within weeks or months. However, two patients showed long-term survival. Of note, both patients received resection of the pancreatic cancer as well as curative resection of the metachronous brain metastases. Brain metastases in pancreatic cancer are a rare condition and usually predict a very poor prognosis. However, there is evidence that resection of brain metastases of pancreatic cancer can be immensely beneficial to patient’s survival, even with the chance for cure. Therefore, a surgical approach in metastatic pancreatic cancer should be considered in selective cases.

The primary objective of the study was to test whether there is a general downward trend in the number of head injuries in Europe. The research design of the study was a retrospective, explorative orientating analysis. A comparison of 27 European countries is presented. They have been sourced from the World Health Organization. The mean percentage of all hospital admissions for intracranial trauma in Europe is 0.855 % (±SD 0.550; range 0.03 to 2.82 %). The highest rates of treatments due to intracranial injuries are found in the Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania, whereas in the new member states of the European Union, such rates have been falling since entry, and there has been an increase in countries such as Germany, Finland and Cyprus. The mean length of in-hospital stay due to intracranial trauma in Europe is 6.79 days (±SD 2.95). There is no general decrease in the number of treated patients due to head injuries. There are serious regional differences and there is a need for preventive and informative action throughout Europe.

To clarify the predictive power of the Glasgow coma score (GCS) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in the context of brain stem lesions.In 143 patients who had suffered severe TBI, the GCS was correlated to brain damage as visualized by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technique evaluates the damage to the brain stem in particular. The Brussels coma score (BCS) was also used.The GCS was not significantly correlated to brain stem lesions when it was only scored at the time of admission. When MRI was not used later on, the GCS showed a poor ability to predict the outcome. After 24 h, and on the day of MRI screening, the GCS was significantly correlated with two parameters: outcome (the higher the GCS, the better the outcome) and the frequency of patients without injuries to the brainstem in MRI (the higher the GCS, the higher this frequency). These correlations were much more evident when the BCS was used. The prognostic power of the GCS was found to vary over time; for example: a GCS of 3 at admission was associated with a favorable prognosis; a GCS of 4 signified a poor prognosis, irrespective of the time point at which the GCS was scored; and the prognostic power of a GCS of 5 deteriorated from the day of the MRI onwards, whereas the prognostic power of a GCS of 6 or 7 varied little over time.We only recommend the use of the GCS for prognostic evaluation in a multidimensional model. Study protocols should contain additional brain stem function parameters (BCS, pupil condition, MRI).

Aim To identify whether increased numbers of brainstem lesions are found in the presence of a post-traumatic pupillary function disturbance and classify them anatomically. Materials and methods In this study, a diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed within 8 days after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in patients who had been unconscious for more than 24 hours post-TBI. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was evaluated 6 months after TBI. The data obtained from 140 consecutively enrolled patients between 2005 and 2011 were analysed. The clinical study parameter comprised the development of post-traumatic anisocoria at least once over the course between onset of trauma and diagnostic MRI, as a yes/no decision. Significance was presumed at p ≤0.05. Results A total of 57 patients (41%) were found to have a lesion at MRI without involvement of the brainstem; in 83 (59%) the brainstem was (multiple) affected. Of the latter, 66 (46%) of patients had lesions in the midbrain, 38 (27%) in the pons, and seven (5%) in the medulla oblongata. By the time of MRI, anisocoria had been diagnosed in 45 (32%) patients. Mortality was highest, at 58%, in patients with anisocoria and a midbrain lesion, whilst it was 23% in those with anisocoria and no lesion in the midbrain. Mortality was 33% in relation to a midbrain lesion without anisocoria. Conclusion Overall, the study demonstrated that there is a significant correlation between midbrain lesions and post-traumatic anisocoria in unconscious trauma patients. A brainstem lesion in this case can be assumed to be a pathomorphological correlate of anisocoria. The rate of damage to the midbrain was approximately 50% in cases of transient anisocoria. It can be assumed in this situation that there are functional disorders of the peripheral oculomotor nerve or identifiable/unidentifiable lesions of the brainstem.

Objective The predictive quality of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has for many years been a matter of debate. We correlate ICP data comparing MRI data with the outcome after severe traumatic brain injury to evaluate their prognostic potency. Methods This study compares the results of ICP monitoring, MRI, coma duration and outcome according to Glasgow Outcome Scale obtained in 32 patients having suffered severe TBI. Level of significance was set to p ≤ 0.05 in statistical tests. Results The MRI results were closely correlated with coma duration and Glasgow Outcome Scale, but the ICP measurements were not. With the exception of severe, bipontine lesions, there is no other region of the brain in which increased evidence of traumatogenic lesions emerges as the intracranial pressure rises. Just bipontine lesions that proof to be infaust correlate with elevated ICP values. Conclusion ICP monitoring does not allow individual prognostic conclusions to be made. Implantation of an intracranial pressure sensor alone for making a prognostic estimate is not advisable. The use of intracranial pressure measurements in the retrospective appraisal of disease progress is highly problematic. However, MRI diagnostic in patients with severe TBI improves prognostic potency of clinical parameters.

Background We compare the outcome after decompressive craniectomy for various neurologic diseases with the final common pathway of coma, compression of the basal cisterns, a midline shift, or refractory intracranial hypertension. Methods Between January 2005 and June 2009, 134 patients underwent decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury ( n = 74), intracerebral hemorrhage ( n = 21), spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage ( n = 11), malignant cerebral infarction ( n = 27), or encephalitis ( n = 1). The outcome was classified at discharge and up to 12 months after treatment in accordance with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), as well as the Glasgow Coma Scale, Marshall classification, or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Significance was established as P ≤ 0.05. Results Median and mean scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale at time of neurosurgical assessment in all patients were ≤7. Midline shift was reduced in each subset as a result of surgery (mean, 0.26–0.46 cm; P ≤ 0.049). Overall outcome based on the median GOS score at discharge ranged from death to severe disability. After 12 months, the median range narrowed to a range of death to persistent vegetative state. At various time points, mean GOS score was not found to differ significantly between the subsets. Unfavorable outcome after 3 months was found in a smaller group of patients after traumatic brain injury than was found in patients with other diseases ( P = 0.016). Conclusions The outcome after decompressive craniectomy does not differ significantly in different diseases once the final pathophysiologic pathway of refractory intracranial hypertension, coma, compression of the basal cisterns, or midline shift has been reached.

Primary objective The number of head injuries is not generally falling, but rather rising in some European countries. We want to certify the age and sex proportion in the number of head injuries in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 250 patients who had been unconscious post-trauma for at least 24 hours. The frequency and the characteristics of injuries to the upper cervical myelon were determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2009, MRI was carried out within 8 days of trauma. RESULTS: No lesions of the upper cervical medulla were found without accompanying damage to the medulla oblongata. Two groups were found to have a lesion in the upper cervical myelon. (i) In 3.2 % of the patients in a state of deep coma MRI revealed lesions in the entire brain stem. These died without waking from coma. (ii) 2 % of the patients were found to have additional damage to the distal medulla oblongata. These victims of high-speed traumas awoke from coma after 2-3 days. They revealed frontal contusions of the brain and traumatic subarachnoidal hemorrhages. Injuries to the bony upper cervical spine and/or the skull base were frequent. Four of them died, one patient survived with severe disabilities. CONCLUSION: Two types of lesions involving the upper cervical myelon could be differentiated, both of which occur only in association with lesions in the medulla oblongata. Language: de

Hintergrund Die Studie untersucht den Stellenwert von Dekompressionsoperationen nach kindlichem Schadel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT), die sekundar im Verlauf der Intensivtherapie durchgefuhrt wurden.

AIM The ABBREVIATED INJURY SCORE (AIS) for the head is mostly coded on the basis of cranial computed tomography (CT). It defines, to a large extent, the predictive potency of the INJURY SEVERITY SCORE (ISS). The present study investigates whether the predictive capacity of the ISS can be improved by the systematic use of data from cranial MRI. METHOD 167 patients, who had been in a coma for at least 24 hours following trauma, underwent an MRI examination within 8 days. All had been found to have an intracranial injury on initial CT. 49 % had also suffered extracranial injuries. The GLASGOW OUTCOME SCALE (GOS) was determined 6 months post trauma. AIS, ISS and GOS values were rated as ordinal measurements. A contingency table was used as the statistical method of analysis, with a significance assumed as p

With the aim of determining long-term outcome, the authors approached 38 families (average 2.1 years after trauma) with a questionnaire, following the acute-clinical treatment of head trauma of their children. Long-term damage was restricted almost exclusively to patients presenting with a Glasgow Coma Score ≤8. Paresis (16%), cranial nerve damage (13%), incontinence (5%), or coordinative disturbances (18%) continued. The older children stated that they influenced their life to a great extent (11%). Furthermore, many had mental and cognitive problems that occur quite frequently even in children with light head trauma and often only manifest after release from hospital. This causes problems and results in inferior performance (26%), especially at school, which is further complicated through lengthy periods of absence. The parents, especially, mentioned behavioral problems such as social withdrawal or aggressive demeanor, which led to tension also inside the family. A persistent vegetative state is rare after head trauma in children.

To evaluate the correlation of lesions of the brain as visualized in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the ability of spontaneous respiration.In a prospective concept, cranial MRI after traumatic brain injury or spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage was performed in 250 subjects at an early stage. All MRI findings were correlated with respiratory conditions on the day of examination. Sedation was performed only to facilitate toleration of the artificial ventilation, as and when necessary. Spontaneous respiration could hence be registered clinically.Thirteen subjects (5.2%) had no spontaneous respiration. In these cases, a bilateral lesion of the distal medulla oblongata could be displayed. In four of these cases, no additional injuries of the brainstem were detected. These subjects awoke 2 days after the impact with tetraparesis and apnea. Combined lesions of the medulla oblongata and other brainstem regions were found in nine subjects. All these patients died without awakening. In the absence of a bilateral lesion of the caudal medulla oblongata, spontaneous respiration was always possible. A unilateral lesion of the caudal medulla oblongata was visualized in one patient who had the ability of spontaneous respiration.This work confirms the presence of autonomous respiratory centers within the caudal medulla oblongata that allows sufficient adequate respiration in coma. Respiration ceases in the presence of a bilateral lesion of this area.

Fur Patienten mit einem nach schwerem Schadel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT) todlichen Verlauf gelten folgende Todesursachen als haufig: die supratentorielle Herniation, der diffuse axonale Hirnschaden und extrazerebrale Komplikationen. Diese seit Jahrzehnten anerkannten Daten basieren auf autoptischen Untersuchungen bei noch am Unfallort Verstorbenen. Gegenstand dieser prospektiven Studie sind Todesfalle nach SHT im intensivmedizinischen Verlauf: Bei 30 Patienten einer Intensivstation, die nach SHT verstarben, wies eine zu Lebzeiten, innerhalb von 8 Tagen nach Unfall durchgefuhrte Kernspintomographie (MRT) in 26 Fallen (87%) eine Hirnstammlasion nach. Diese war vermutlich zu etwa 50% primartraumatischer Genese. Patienten, die bis zum Tode bewusstlos blieben, wiesen immer (und signifikant haufiger als Patienten, die zwischenzeitlich erwachten) Hirnstammlasionen auf, uberwiegend eine beidseitige Ponslasion. Betroffene, die intermediar vor dem Exitus aus dem Koma erwachten, wiesen zu 71% eine Hirnstammlasion auf. In dieser Gruppe war die Komadauer im Falle des Vorliegens eines Hirnstammschadens signifikant verlangert. Die traumatische Hirnstammlasion ist nach unseren Ergebnissen ein in Frequenz und Pathogenese entscheidender Faktor fur das Versterben nach SHT auf der Intensivstation; 50% dieser Lasionen scheinen primartraumatischer Genese zu sein. Die Beurteilung der Hirnstammveranderungen mittels MRT erlauben grundlegende Aussagen uber den zum Tode fuhrenden klinischen Verlauf.

Background Bleeding complications in neurosurgery often take alarming proportions without major hemodynamic effect or impairment of coagulation physiology because severe neurologic deficits are to be expected. Any measures used to stabilize or normalize coagulation are therefore of great interest. Administration of packed red cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet concentrates is associated with volume loading, which is suspected to multiply the secondary brain damage, for example, by the development of an edema. In this respect, the administration of rFVIIa may develop into a new option associated with low-volume administration. Case Descriptions We report on 5 neurosurgical patients to whom rFVIIa was given at doses of 51 to 202 μg/kg of body weight for the treatment of severe intraoperative bleeding (n = 3) or as prophylaxis of bleeding (n = 2). The operation was completed successfully in all patients after administration of rFVIIa, with stabilization of the coagulation status. Conclusion Therefore, reported cases constitute an approach in treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding complications in neurosurgery. There are reports of thromboembolic events in use of rFVIIa, particularly in unlabeled use. But according to our findings and current literature, there is no evidence of higher risk of thromboembolic adverse events in treatment with rFVIIa. However, the number of patients presented does not allow any final assessment to be made as to whether the properties of rFVIIa are of particular benefit for neurosurgical patients. Further studies with appropriate study design are required to verify effects observed in this investigation.

Die Rezidivblutung ist die haufigste Ursache fur das Versterben nach spontaner Subarachnoidalblutung und hat eine Letalitat von 90%. Die Prognose ist am schlechtesten bei Aneurysmen im hinteren Kreislauf, hier betragt die Letalitat annahernd 100%. Weitere Pradiktoren des Versterbens sind Komaeintritt, zentraler Atemstillstand und eine grose Blutmenge im Subarachnoidalraum. Der Fallbericht beschreibt einen Patienten mit Zusammentreffen all dieser Pradiktoren und einem dennoch guten Behandlungsergebnis.

Introduction. The secondary increase in the size of intracranial haematomas as a result of spontaneous haemorrhage or trauma is of particular relevance in the event of prior intake of platelet aggregation inhibitors. We describe the effect of desmopressin acetate as a means of temporarily stabilising the platelet function.Patients and Methods. The platelet function was analysed in 10 patients who had received single (N=4) or multiple (N=6) doses of acetylsalicylic acid and 3 patients (control group) who had not taken acetylsalicylic acid. All subjects had suffered intracranial haemorrhage. Analysis was performed before, half an hour and three hours after administration of desmopressin acetate. Statistical analysis was performed by applying a level of significance ofP≤0.05.Results. (1) Platelet function returned to normal 30 minutes after administration of desmopressin acetate. (2) The platelet function worsened again after three hours. (3) There were no complications related to electrolytes or fluid balance.Conclusion. Desmopressin acetate can stabilise the platelet function in neurosurgical patients who have received acetylsalicylic acid prior to surgery without causing transfusion-related side effects or a loss of time. The effect is, however, limited and influenced by the frequency of drug intake. Further controls are needed in neurosurgical patients.

INTRODUCTION: Linear array intraoperative ultrasound (lioUS) is an emerging technology for intracranial use. We evaluated sensitivity and specificity of lioUS to detect residual tumor in patients harboring a glioblastoma. METHODS: After near total resection in 20 patients, residual tumor detection using lioUS, conventional intraoperative ultrasound (cioUS), and gadopentetic-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced intraoperative MRI (iMRI) were compared. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on 68 navigated biopsies. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves and correlation with histopathological findings of each imaging modality were calculated. Additionally, results were evaluated in the subgroup of recurrent disease (23 biopsies in 8 patients). RESULTS: Sensitivity of lioUS (76 %) was significantly higher compared with iMRI (55 %) and cioUS (24 %). Specificity of lioUS (58 %) was significantly lower than in cioUS (96 %), while there was no significant difference to iMRI (74 %). All imaging modalities correlated significantly with histopathological findings. In the subgroup of recurrent disease, sensitivity and specificity decreased in all modalities. However, cioUS showed significant lower values than iMRI and lioUS. In ROC curves, lioUS showed a higher area und the curve (AUC) in comparison with iMRI and cioUS. We found similar results in the subgroup of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Tumor detection using a lioUS is significantly superior to cioUS. Overall test performance in lioUS is comparable with results of iMRI. While, the latter has a higher specificity and a significantly lower sensitivity in comparison with lioUS. ispartof: Neurosurgical Review vol:38 issue:3 pages:499-509 ispartof: location:Germany status: published

About 10% of all cancer patients will develop brain metastases during advanced disease progression. Interestingly, the vast majority of brain metastases occur in only three types of cancer: Melanoma, lung and breast cancer. In this review, we focus on summarizing the prognosis and impact of surgical resection of brain metastases originating from gastrointestinal cancers such as esophageal, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The incidence of brain metastases is

The number of hospitalizations for head injuries in children is rising. The exact causes remain unclear. We analyzed data of children aged between 0 and 18 years who sustained a head injury between 2010 and 2011. The analysis focused on data related to demographics, trauma mechanism, clinical course, results of imaging scans, concomitant injuries, and outcome. A total of 794 inpatient cases of head injury were treated. The leading mechanism of injury was a fall (at home) primarily at the age of 1 to 4 years (46.5%), with the majority of the children sustaining a mild brain injury (764, 96.2%). Neurosurgery was performed in 21 (2.64%) cases; average hospital stay was 2.9 days (range: 0-68 days). This study is not able to confirm that children are increasingly being brought to the hospital by their parents because of new trauma mechanisms or parents’ uncertainty, nor can we confirm that the number of nonaccidental injuries is rising.

To determine the pathomorphological and clinical background to decerebrate posturing in humans following serious traumatic brain injury.One hundred and twenty patients who had been unconscious for more than 24 h underwent diagnostic MRI within 8 days after trauma. The presence of decerebrate rigidity as the clinical parameter was correlated to MRI findings, such as traumatic lesions in defined brain areas. Significance was presumed as p 0.05.On the day of MRI 43 (36%) patients exhibited decerebrate posturing: 19 (23%) cases were unilateral and 24 (77%) bilateral. There was a significant correlation between midbrain lesions and the presence of rigidity. If a midbrain lesion was found in the absence of pontine lesions, decerebrate rigidity could be concluded (p 0.05). There was no significant correlation to the rigidity in the case of midbrain lesions accompanied by pontine lesions, and no correlation to the rigidity could be detected for other regions of the brain. Both the occurrence of decerebrate posturing and the detection of brainstem lesions at MRI correlated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The combination of both parameters improved the probability of predicting the outcome.The rate of decerebrate posturing increases significantly in the presence of midbrain lesions. The presence of pontine lesions appears to be of secondary importance. The chances of predicting the Glasgow Outcome Scale are improved by the combination of clinical information (decerebrate posturing) and radiological parameters (type of brainstem lesion).

41 cases of cervical intradural disc herniation have been reported in the literature, none at the C7-T1 level. We describe a case of myelopathy after a fall. The female patient suffered an ataxia of the legs in combination with unilateral C8 cervicocephalgia and hypaesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying lesion at C7-T1, so we suspected a tumour. After a dorsolateral approach, an intradural disc herniation was found. Six months after the operation, the patient is free of complaints.

We report a case of fractured occipital condyle caused by minor trauma accompanied by light pain on palpation at the lateral cervical trigonum. A 15-year-old boy complained of nuchal pain, particularly pain on palpation at the left lateral cervical trigonum in the absence of neurologic deficits after head deceleration trauma. Computed tomography demonstrated a unilateral nonluxated fracture of the occipital condyle. Owing to consequent immobilization by means of cervical orthosis, pain disappeared after the first 48 hours. Follow-up examination 4 weeks later showed no neurologic deficits. The boy had no severe impairment of movements at the cervical spine.

Background Anatomical variants of the aortic arch and its branching patterns often appear as an incidental finding during routine computed tomography (CT) scanning. These variations can be of relevance when performing angiography or endovascular interventions and may cause symptoms such as dysphagia. Purpose To analyze common anatomical variations found within the arteries originating from the aortic arch in patients using contrast CT imaging techniques. Material and Methods A total of 2033 contrast CT scans were analyzed. To obtain a truly representative sample, cases were chosen from different hospital departments without previous knowledge of the patient history. Results The total percentage of variations within the analyzed patients was 13.3%. In 8.0% a truncus bicaroticus was found. 4.2% of the patients showed a left vertebral artery originating directly from the aortic arch, mostly proximal, and in 1 case distal to the left subclavian artery. In 1.0% we found an aberrant right subclavian artery. We also found a single case of a right descending aortic arch. Conclusion Variations of the aortic arch and its branching are frequently found, mostly as an incidental finding during routine diagnostic scanning. A contrast-enhanced CT scan is a good method with which to study the aortic arch and its associated branching pattern.

Objective Current literature only gives sparse account of aneurysm surgery in an intraoperative MRI environment. After installation of a BrainSuite® ioMRI Miyabi 1.5T at our institution the aim of the present preliminary study was to evaluate feasibility, pros and cons of aneurysm surgery in this special setting.

The objective of this study is to describe and to determine the preclinical situation and early in-clinical situation, diagnostic findings, and factors influencing the outcome of severe head trauma in children. Records of 48 children (0-16 years) were analyzed during a 3-year interval. Correlations with the outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale) were determined by focusing on different scales, clinical findings, biochemistry, and clinical course features. The initial shock index had a major relevance (P = .0089). Systolic blood pressure (P = .0002) and bradycardia (P = .035) were important factors. Assessing the severity of trauma according to the Glasgow Coma Score, the most accurate parameter for outcome is based on the detailed quality of ‘‘eye opening’’ (P = .0155). Pupillary motoricity at the accident site (P = .002) and emergency room (P = .0004) are strong predictors. Preclinical measurements of stabilization and oxygenation have the same impact as the in-clinical management.

To minimize the secondary brain damage, we analyzed the effect of cerebral perfusion pressure—orientated management and tried to find factors of clinical management and biochemical findings that influence clinical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcome. Management at intensive care unit was standardized. A standardized (short form 36 health survey) and nonstandardized split questionnaire explored long-term outcome. Glutamic-oxaloacetic-transaminase, creatine kinase MB or glucose are markers for bad outcome (P < .05). Patients with cerebral perfusion pressure values below the recommended standard for just a single occurrence had significantly worse outcome (P = .0132). Mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and heart rate alone do not correlate with outcome. At least 1 occurrence of mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure below the lower limits resulted in a poor outcome (P = .035). Cerebral perfusion pressure—guided therapy seems to prevent further brain damage and results in outcome scores that are comparable to those children with head trauma exhibiting symptoms of mild brain edema.