Tag: intracranial hypertension

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Dynamic Craniotomy With Khanna NuCrani Plates as an Alternative to Craniotomy With Fixed Plates in Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurosurgery 96:1353–1363, 2025

Dynamic craniotomy using Khanna NuCrani expandable plates allows reversible outward bone flap movement, accommodating postoperative brain swelling in traumatic brain injury. This technique reduced intracranial pressure, avoided repeat surgeries, and improved outcomes compared to fixed plate craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy.

• Dynamic craniotomy with Khanna NuCrani plates allows reversible outward movement of the bone flap, accommodating postoperative brain swelling and hemorrhage in traumatic brain injury patients.

• In a series of 25 patients, 84% experienced postoperative swelling, all compensated by outward bone flap migration, with no need for reoperation, cranioplasty, or wound healing complications.

• All patients had normal postoperative intracranial pressures, and 84% achieved good outcomes; mortality was 16%, related to injury severity and age, not surgical failure.

• Dynamic craniotomy reduced the need for repeat surgeries compared to fixed plate craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy, and avoided complications like bone flap failure and syndrome of the trephined.

• Bone flaps retracted to anatomic positions after swelling resolved, with no cosmetic complaints reported.

• Dynamic plates prevent the bone flap from sinking and tolerate significant increases in intracranial volume while maintaining normal ICP.

• The technique may offer substantial cost savings by reducing repeat surgeries and complications, with estimated savings of $68,000 to $85,000 per patient.

• Dynamic craniotomy is proposed as a hybrid alternative to fixed plate craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy, offering immediate intracranial volume expansion and fewer complications.

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The Technique for Transorbital Ventricular Puncture: An Anatomic Approach

Operative Neurosurgery 26:64–70, 2024

Transorbital ventricular puncture is a minimally invasive described procedure with poor landmarks and anatomic references. This approach can be easily performed to save patients with intracranial hypertension, especially when it is secondary to an acute decompensated hydrocephalus. This study aims to describe anatomic structures and landmarks to facilitate the execution of transorbital puncture in emergency cases.

METHODS: We analyzed 120 head computed tomographies to show the best area to perform the procedure in the orbital roof. Two adult cadavers (4 sides) were punctured in the predetermined area. Angles, distances, landmarks, and anatomic structures were registered. This approach to the ventricular system may be performed at bedside to relieve intracranial hypertension only in specific cases.

RESULTS: The perforation point is 2.5 cm (female) or 3.0 cm (male) lateral to the midline and immediately inferior to the superciliary arch. A vertical line, parallel to midline, was drawn on the outer edge of the patient’s forehead, the needle was 45°inferiorly and 20°medially and then progressed 2.0 cm backwards to reach the bone perforation point. After that, it was advanced another 4.5cm approximately until it reached the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle.

CONCLUSION: Based on statistical and experimental evidences, we were able to establish reliable anatomic reference points to access the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle through transorbital puncture.

 

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External Lumbar Drainage following Traumatic Intracranial Hypertension

Neurosurgery 89:395–405, 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP) that are refractory to standard therapies. Several studies have investigated the utility of external lumbar drainage (ELD) in this setting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ELD or lumbar puncture with regard to immediate effect on ICP, durability of the effect on ICP, complications, and neurological outcomes in adults with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted beginning with a comprehensive search of PubMed/EMBASE. Two investigators reviewed studies for eligibility and extracted data. The strength of evidence was evaluated using GRADE methodology. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled estimates.

RESULTS: Nine articles detailing 6 studies (N = 110) were included. There was moderate evidence that ELD has a significant immediate effect on ICP; the pooled effect size was –19.5 mmHg (95% CI –21.0 to –17.9 mmHg). There was low evidence to indicate a durable effect of ELD on ICP up to at least 24 h following ELD. There was low evidence to indicate that ELD was safe and associated with a low rate of clinical cerebral herniation or meningitis. There was very low evidence pertaining to neurological outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Given preliminary data indicating potential safety and feasibility in highly selected cases, the use of ELD in adults with severe TBI and refractory intracranial hypertension in the presence of open basal cisterns and absence of large focal hematoma merits further high-quality investigation; the ideal conditions for potential application remain to be determined.

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Chiari type 1—a malformation or a syndrome?

Acta Neurochirurgica (2020) 162:1513–1525

As the understanding of pathophysiology behind Chiari malformation still is limited, the treatment of Chiari malformation type 1 remains rather empirical. This may result in suboptimal treatment strategy and outcome in many cases. In this review, we critically address whether the condition known today as Chiari malformation type I should rather be denoted Chiari syndrome.

Methods The current knowledge of Chiari malformation type 1 is summarized from the historical, etymological, genetic, clinical, and in particular pathophysiological perspectives.

Results There are several lines of evidence that Chiari malformation type 1 represents a condition significantly different from types 2 to 4. Unlike the other types, the type 1 should rather be considered a syndrome, thus supporting the reasons to reappraise the traditional classification of Chiari malformations.

Conclusion We propose that Chiari malformation type 1 should rather be denoted Chiari syndrome, while the notation malformation is maintained for types 2–4.

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Implementation of cisternostomy as adjuvant to decompressive craniectomy for the management of severe brain trauma

Acta Neurochirurgica (2020) 162:469–479

Objective To evaluate the value of an adjuvant cisternostomy (AC) to decompressive craniectomy (DC) for the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).

Methods A single-center retrospective quality control analysis of a consecutive series of sTBI patients surgically treated with AC or DC alone between 2013 and 2018. A subgroup analysis, “primary procedure” and “secondary procedure”, was also performed. We examined the impact of AC vs. DC on clinical outcome, including long-term (6 months) extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOS-E), the duration of postoperative ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality, Glasgow coma scale at discharge, and time to cranioplasty. We also evaluated and analyzed the impact of AC vs. DC on post-procedural intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain tissue oxygen (PbO2) values as well as the need for additional osmotherapy and CSF drainage.

Results Forty patients were examined, 22 patients in the DC group, and 18 in the AC group. Compared with DC alone, AC was associated with significant shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, as well as better Glasgow coma scale at discharge. Mortality rate was similar. At 6-month, the proportion of patients with favorable outcome (GOS-E ≥ 5) was higher in patients with AC vs. DC [10/18 patients (61%) vs. 7/20 (35%)]. The outcome difference was particularly relevant when AC was performed as primary procedure (61.5% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.04). Patients in the AC group also had significant lower average postsurgical ICP values, higher PbO2 values and required less osmotic treatments as compared with those treated with DC alone.

Conclusion Our preliminary single-center retrospective data indicate that AC may be beneficial for the management of severe TBI and is associated with better clinical outcome. These promising results need further confirmation by larger multicenter clinical studies. The potential benefits of cisternostomy should not encourage its universal implementation across trauma care centers by surgeons that do not have the expertise and instrumentation necessary for cisternal microsurgery. Training in skull base and vascular surgery techniques for trauma care surgeons would avoid the potential complications associated with this delicate procedure.

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Lumboperitoneal and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Demonstrate Comparable Failure and Complication Rates

Neurosurgery 86:272–280, 2020

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension results in increased intracranial pressure leading to headache and visual loss. This disease frequently requires surgical intervention through lumboperitoneal (LP) or ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative outcomes between LP and VP shunts, including failure and complication rates.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using a national administrative database (MarketScan) to identify idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients who underwent LP or VP shunting from 2007 to 2014. Multivariate logistic and Cox regressions were performed to compare rates of shunt failure and time to shunt failure between LP and VP shunts while controlling for demographics and comorbidities.

RESULTS: The analytic cohort included 1082 IIH patients, 347 of whom underwent LP shunt placement at index hospitalization and 735 of whom underwent VP shunt placement. Rates of shunt failure were similar among patients with LP and VP shunt (34.6% vs 31.7%; P=.382). Among patients who experienced shunt failure, the mean number of shunt failures was 2.1±1.6 and was similar between LP and VP cohorts. Ninety-day readmission rates, complication rates, and costs did not differ significantly between LP and VP shunts. Patients who experienced more than two shunt failures tended to have an earlier time to first shunt failure (hazard ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.85; P = .013).

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LP and VP shunts may have comparable rates of shunt failure and complication. Regardless of shunt type, earlier time to first shunt failure may be associated with multiple shunt failures.

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Biomechanics of a novel reversibly expandable dynamic craniotomy bone flap fixation plate

J Neurosurg 132:560–567, 2020

Biomechanical evaluation of a novel expandable cranial fixation plate was assessed in cadavers. The dynamic craniotomy procedure uses low-profile reversibly expandable plates that allow cranial decompression by providing for intracranial volume expansion without removal of the bone flap. The plates allow reversible outward movement of the bone flap upon an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) and also retract the bone flap and prevent it from sinking inside the cranium once the ICP normalizes.

METHODS A comparative evaluation of the extent of ICP control with an increase in intracranial volume between various bone flap fixation techniques was undertaken along with testing of the expandable plate compliance. Static compression tests of the plates were performed to assess bone flap fixation and prevention of sinking. Quasi-static shear tension testing of the plates was undertaken to test the tolerance of the plates for expansion. Fatigue shear tension evaluation of the plates was undertaken to assess tolerance for repetitive expansion and contraction.

RESULTS The dynamic craniotomy provided superior control of ICP with an increase in intracranial volume compared to the hinged craniotomy and standard craniotomy techniques (p < 0.001). Static compression results revealed that the plates withstood bone flap sinkage with a mean peak load of 643.3 ± 26.1 N and a mean inward bone flap displacement of 1.92 ± 0.09 mm. Static shear tension results indicated that the plates could withstand a peak expansion of 71.6 mm. Dynamic shear tension testing of the plates with repetitive 15-mm outward expansion and retraction for a total of up to 500 cycles revealed no cracking and no failure points.

CONCLUSIONS The reversibly expandable plates provide for a low-profile bone flap fixation with rigid restriction of bone flap sinking and also enable cranial decompression with a high tolerance for repetitive expansion and contraction.

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A comparison of lumboperitoneal and ventriculoperitoneal shunting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension

IIH

Neurosurg Focus 37 (5):E4, 2014

Complications following lumboperitoneal (LP) shunting have been reported in 18% to 85% of cases. The need for multiple revision surgeries, development of iatrogenic Chiari malformation, and frequent wound complications have prompted many to abandon this procedure altogether for the treatment of idiopathic benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), in favor of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. A direct comparison of the complication rates and health care charges between first-choice LP versus VP shunting is presented.

Methods. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for all patients with the diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 348.2) from 2005 to 2009. These data were stratified by operative intervention, with demographic and hospitalization charge data generated for each.

Results. A weighted sample of 4480 patients was identified as having the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), with 2505 undergoing first-time VP shunt placement and 1754 undergoing initial LP shunt placement. Revision surgery occurred in 3.9% of admissions (n = 98) for VP shunts and in 7.0% of admissions (n = 123) for LP shunts (p < 0.0001). Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were placed at teaching institutions in 83.8% of cases, compared with only 77.3% of first-time LP shunts (p < 0.0001). Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) significantly differed between primary VP (3 days) and primary LP shunt procedures (4 days, p < 0.0001). The summed charges for the revisions of 92 VP shunts ($3,453,956) and those of the 6 VP shunt removals ($272,484) totaled $3,726,352 over 5 years for the study population. The summed charges for revision of 70 LP shunts ($2,229,430) and those of the 53 LP shunt removals ($3,125,569) totaled $5,408,679 over 5 years for the study population.

Conclusions. The presented results appear to call into question the selection of LP shunt placement as primary treatment for IIH, as this procedure is associated with a significantly greater likelihood of need for shunt revision, increased LOS, and greater overall charges to the health care system.

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New Telemetric Intracranial Pressure-Monitoring System

Neurosurgery 70[ONS Suppl 1]:ons44–ons49, 2012 DOI: 10.1227/NEU.0b013e31822dda12 

The knowledge of intracranial pressure (ICP) is the basis of an appropriate neurosurgical treatment. Because clinical, fundoscopic, or radiological data alone are often elusive, a pre- or postoperative long-term monitoring of the ICP itself is desirable.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the first clinical experiences with a new telemetric ICPmonitoring device.

METHODS: The transducer of this telemetric intraparenchymal pressure probe is placed under the galea over the calvaria. ICP can be monitored via a special telemetric reader, placed over the intact skin, and the ICP values are stored in a small portable computer. The system does not require an intensive care environment and can be used in any ward or even at home. The system was successfully applied in 10 patients (age, 3- 56 years) in whom raised ICP due to hydrocephalus, shunt dysfunction, endoscopic third ventriculostomy failure, craniostenosis, or pseudotumor cerebri was suspected.

RESULTS: Continuous telemetric monitoring of ICP was performed for 2 to 24 weeks. In 7 patients, increased ICP values could be excluded, and further surgical maneuvers were avoided. In 3 patients, repeated plateaus or continuously raised ICP indicated surgery resulting in a normalization of ICP.

CONCLUSION: This new telemetric system was safe and effective for ICP measurement over a long period, including home monitoring. For the patients, it was easy to handle, and reliable data could be recorded over many weeks. Based on this preliminary experience, the authors consider the new system extremely advantageous in surgical decision making in particularly difficult cases of suspected abnormalities of ICP.

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Monitoring intracranial pressure in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: is it useful?

J Neurosurg 112:648–657, 2010. DOI: 10.3171/2009.7.JNS081677

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is increasingly used in the treatment of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. However, neurological deterioration may exist independent from intracranial hypertension. This study aimed to present the findings of continuous ICP monitoring in a cohort of patients with malignant MCA infarction and to correlate these findings with clinical and radiological features.

Methods. The authors studied a prospective cohort of 25 patients with malignant MCA infarction consecutively admitted to the neurotrauma intensive care unit of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital between March 2002 and September 2006. The patients were treated using a combined protocol of initial moderate hypothermia and hemi-craniectomy. The latter was performed when patients showed a midline shift (MLS) ≥ 5 mm or ICP > 20 mm Hg. Six patients had an MLS ≥ 5 mm on the first CT scan and underwent surgery without prior ICP monitoring. This study focuses on the subgroup of 19 patients who underwent intraparenchymatous ICP monitoring before surgery.

Results. Intracranial pressure readings were evaluated and correlated with pupillary abnormalities, MLS, and ischemic tissue volume. In 12 of the 19 patients, ICP values were always ≤ 20 mm Hg, despite a mean (± SD) MLS of 6.7 ± 2 mm and a mean ischemic tissue volume of 241.3 ± 83 cm3. In 2 patients with anisocoria, ICP values were also normal.

Conclusions. In patients with a malignant MCA infarction, pupillary abnormalities and severe brainstem compression may be present despite normal ICP values. Therefore, continuous ICP monitoring cannot substitute for close clinical and radiological follow-up in the management of these patients.

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