Surgical complications secondary to decompressive craniectomy in patients with a head injury: a series of 108 consecutive cases

Decompressive Craniectomy Increases Brain Lesion Volume and Exacerbates Functional Impairment in Closed Head Injury in Mice

Decompressive craniectomy has been widely used in patients with head trauma. The randomized clinical trial on an early decompression (DECRA) demonstrated that craniectomy did not improve the neurological outcome, in contrast to previous animal experiments. The goal of our study was to analyze the effect of decompressive craniectomy in a murine model of head injury. Male mice were assigned into the following groups: sham, decompressive craniectomy, closed head injury (CHI), and CHI followed by craniectomy. At 24 h post-trauma, animals underwent the Neurological Severity Score test (NSS) and Beam Balance Score test (BBS). At the same time point, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and volume of edema and contusion was assessed, followed by histopathological analysis. According to NSS, animals undergoing both trauma and craniectomy presented the most severe neurological impairment. Also, balancing time was reduced in this group compared with sham animals. Both edema and contusion volume were increased in the trauma and craniectomy group compared with sham animals. Histopathological analysis showed that all animals that underwent trauma presented substantial neuronal loss. In animals treated with craniectomy after trauma, a massive increase of edema with hemorrhagic transformation of contusion was documented. Decompressive craniectomy applied after closed head injury in mice leads to additional structural and functional impairment. The surgical decompression via craniectomy promotes brain edema formation and contusional blossoming in our model. This additive effect of combined mechanical and surgical trauma may explain the results of the DECRA trial and should be explored further in experiments.

Decompressive craniectomy in severe traumatic brain injury: prognostic factors and complications

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, complications and factors associated with the prognosis of severe traumatic brain injury among patients who undergo a decompressive craniectomy.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients seen in an intensive care unit with severe traumatic brain injury in whom a decompressive craniectomy was performed between the years 2003 and 2012. Patients were followed until their discharge from the intensive care unit. Their clinical-tomographic characteristics, complications, and factors associated with prognosis (univariate and multivariate analysis) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 64 patients were studied. Primary and lateral decompressive craniectomies were performed for the majority of patients. A high incidence of complications was found (78% neurological and 52% nonneurological). A total of 42 patients (66%) presented poor outcomes, and 22 (34%) had good neurological outcomes. Of the patients who survived, 61% had good neurological outcomes. In the univariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with poor neurological outcome were postdecompressive craniectomy intracranial hypertension, greater severity and worse neurological state at admission. In the multivariate analysis, only postcraniectomy intracranial hypertension was significantly associated with a poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

This study involved a very severe and difficult to manage group of patients with high morbimortality. Intracranial hypertension was a main factor of poor outcome in this population.

Simultaneous cranioplasty and subdural-peritoneal shunting for contralateral symptomatic subdural hygroma following decompressive craniectomy

BACKGROUND

Contralateral subdural hygroma caused by decompressive craniectomy tends to combine with external cerebral herniation, causing neurological deficits.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Nine patients who underwent one-stage, simultaneous cranioplasty and contralateral subdural-peritoneal shunting were included in this study. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale as well as Glasgow Coma Scale, muscle power scoring system, and complications.

RESULTS

Postoperative computed tomography scans demonstrated completely resolved subdural hygroma and reversed midline shifts, indicating excellent outcome. Among these 9 patients, 4 patients (44%) had improved GOS following the proposed surgery. Four out of 4 patients with lethargy became alert and orientated following surgical intervention. Muscle strength improved significantly 5 months after surgery in 7 out of 7 patients with weakness. Two out of 9 patients presented with drowsiness due to hydrocephalus at an average time of 65 days after surgery. Double gradient shunting is useful to eliminate the respective hydrocephalus and contralateral subdural hygroma.

CONCLUSION

The described surgical technique is effective in treating symptomatic contralateral subdural hygroma following decompressive craniectomy and is associated with an excellent structural and functional outcome. However, subdural-peritoneal shunting plus cranioplasty thoroughly resolves the subdural hygroma collection, which might deteriorate the cerebrospinal fluid circulation, leading to hydrocephalus.

Symptomatic contralateral subdural hygromas after decompressive craniectomy: plausible causes and management protocols

OBJECT

Contralateral subdural hygromas are occasionally observed after decompressive craniectomies (DCs). Some of these hygromas are symptomatic, and the etiology and management of these symptomatic contralateral subdural collections (CLDCs) present surgical challenges. The authors share their experience with managing symptomatic CLSDCs after a DC.

METHODS

During a 10-month period, 306 patients underwent a DC. Of these patients, 266 had a head injury, 25 a middle cerebral artery infarction (that is, a thrombotic stroke), and 15 an infarction due to a vasospasm (resulting from an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH]). Seventeen patients (15 with a head injury and 2 with an SAH) developed a CLSDC, and 7 of these patients showed overt symptoms of the fluid collection. These patients were treated with a trial intervention consisting of bur hole drainage followed by cranioplasty. If required, a ventriculo- or thecoperitoneal shunt was inserted at a later time.

RESULTS

Seven patients developed a symptomatic CLSDC after a DC, 6 of whom had a head injury and 1 had an SAH. The average length of time between the DC and CLSDC formation was 24 days. Fluid drainage via a bur hole was attempted in the first 5 patients. However, symptoms in these patients improved only temporarily. All 7 patients (including the 5 in whom the bur hole drainage had failed and 2 directly after the DC) underwent a cranioplasty, and the CLSDC resolved in all of these patients. The average time it took for the CLSDC to resolve after the cranioplasty was 34 days. Three patients developed hydrocephalus after the cranioplasty, requiring a diversion procedure, and 1 patient contracted meningitis and died.

CONCLUSIONS

Arachnoid tears and blockage of arachnoid villi appear to be the underlying causes of a CLSDC. The absence of sufficient fluid pressure required for CSF absorption after a DC further aggravates such fluid collections. Underlying hydrocephalus may appear as subdural collections in some patients after the DC. Bur hole drainage appears to be only a temporary measure and leads to recurrence of a CLSDC. Therefore, cranioplasty is the definitive treatment for such collections and, if performed early, may even avert CLSDC formation. A temporary ventriculostomy or an external lumbar drainage may be added to aid the cranioplasty and may be removed postoperatively. Ventriculoperitoneal or thecoperitoneal shunting may be required for patients in whom a hydrocephalus manifests after cranioplasty and underlies the CLSDC.

Decompressive craniectomy for arteriovenous malformation-related intracerebral hemorrhage

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the cause of approximately 2-3% of ICH and is an important factor in the significant morbidity and mortality in patients with AVM. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical procedure to relieve malignant elevation of intracranial pressure. The use of DC to treat patients with AVM-ICH has been much less common. The present study describes our experience with DC for AVM-ICH and discusses the safety of this procedure. The present retrospective analysis compared 12 consecutive patients treated with DC for AVM-ICH with 23 patients treated with DC for hypertensive ICH. Nine patients were male and three were female, aged from 11 to 53 years (mean, 31.7 years). Hematoma volumes ranged from 50 to 106 ml (mean, 75.8 ml). The outcomes were good recovery in one patient, moderate disability in three, severe disability in seven, and vegetative state in one. Complications after DC included subdural hygroma in four patients, hydrocephalus in one, intracranial infection in two, and intracranial hemorrhage in one. No significant difference was found in the incidence of complications between DC for large AVM-ICH and DC for hypertensive ICH. In conclusion, the present study found no significant difference in the incidence of complications between DC for large AVM-ICH and DC for hypertensive ICH. Further investigations including a prospective randomized trial are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of DC for the treatment of large AVM-ICH.

Primary or Secondary Decompressive Craniectomy: Different Indication and Outcome

Background:

Intracranial hypertension can cause secondary damage after a traumatic brain injury. Aggressive medical management might not be sufficient to alleviate the increasing intracranial pressure (ICP), and decompressive craniectomy (DC) can be considered. Decompressive craniectomy can be divided into categories, according to the timing and rationale for performing the procedure: primary (done at the time of mass lesion evacuation) and secondary craniectomy (done to treat refractory ICP). Most studies analyze primary and secondary DC together. Our hypothesis is that these two groups are distinct and the aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the differences in order to better predict outcome after DC.

Methods:

Seventy patients had DC over a period of four years at our center. They were divided into two groups based on the timing of the DC. Primary DC (44 patients) was done within 24 hours of the injury for mass lesion evacuation. Secondary DC (26 patients) was done after 24 hours and purely for the treatment of refractory ICP. Pre-op characteristics and post-op outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results:

There was a significant difference in the mechanism of injury, the pupil abnormalities and Marshall grade between primary and secondary DC. There was also a significant difference in outcome with primary DC showing 45.5% good outcome and 40.9% mortality and secondary DC showing 73.1% good outcome and 15.4% mortality.

Conclusions:

Primary and secondary DC have different indications and patients characteristics. Outcome prediction following DC should be adjusted according to the surgical indication.

Decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury: the relationship between surgical complications and the prediction of an unfavourable outcome

OBJECT

To assess the impact that injury severity has on complications in patients who have had a decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study included all patients who underwent a decompressive craniectomy following severe TBI at the two major trauma hospitals in Western Australia from 2004 to 2012. All complications were recorded during this period. The clinical and radiological data of the patients on initial presentation were entered into a web-based model prognostic model, the CRASH (Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head injury) collaborators prediction model, to obtain the predicted risk of an unfavourable outcome which was used as a measure of injury severity.

RESULTS

Complications after decompressive craniectomy for severe TBI were common. The predicted risk of unfavourable outcome was strongly associated with the development of neurological complications such as herniation of the brain outside the skull bone defects (median predicted risk of unfavourable outcome for herniation 72% vs. 57% without herniation, p=0.001), subdural effusion (median predicted risk of unfavourable outcome 67% with an effusion vs. 57% for those without an effusion, p=0.03), hydrocephalus requiring ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (median predicted risk of unfavourable outcome 86% for those with hydrocephalus vs. 59% for those without hydrocephalus, p=0.001), but not infection (p=0.251) or resorption of bone flap (p=0.697) and seizures (0.987). We did not observe any associations between timing of cranioplasty and risk of infection or resorption of bone flap after cranioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical complications after decompressive craniectomy including herniation of the brain outside the skull bone defects, subdural effusion, and hydrocephalus requiring ventriculo-peritoneal shunt were more common in patients with a more severe form of TBI when quantified by the CRASH predicted risk of unfavourable outcome. The CRASH predicted risk of unfavourable outcome represents a useful baseline characteristic of patients in observational and interventional trials involving patients with severe TBI requiring decompressive craniectomy.

The influence of decompressive craniectomy on the development of hydrocephalus: a review

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is widely used to treat intracranial hypertension following traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral vascular disease. Many studies have discussed complications of this procedure, and hydrocephalus is a common complication of DC. To further evaluate the relationship between DC and hydrocephalus, a review of the literature was performed. Numerous complications may arise after DC, including contusion or hematoma expansion, epilepsy, herniation of the cortex through a bone defect, CSF leakage through the scalp incision, infection, subdural effusion, hydrocephalus and “syndrome of the trephined”. Several hydrocephalus predictors were identified; these included DC, distance from the midline, hygroma, age, injury severity, subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage, delayed time to craniotomy, repeated operation, and duraplasity. However, results differed among studies. The impact of DC on hydrocephalus remains controversial.

Evaluation of simultaneous cranioplasty and ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedures

Object

Some patients with severe brain swelling treated with decompressive craniectomy may develop hydrocephalus. Consequently, these patients require cranioplasty and a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to relieve the hydrocephalus. However, there is no consensus as to the timing of the cranioplasty and VP shunt placement in patients requiring both. The authors assessed the results of performing cranioplasty and VP shunt placement at the same time in patients with cranial defects and hydrocephalus.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 51 patients who had undergone cranioplasty and VP shunt operations after decompressive craniectomy for refractory intracranial hypertension between 2003 and 2012 at the authors' institution. Patient characteristics, data on whether the operations were performed simultaneously, brain bulging, hydrocephalus, cranial defect size, and complications were analyzed.

Results

The overall complication rate was 43% (22 of 51 patients). In 32 cases, cranioplasty and VP shunt placement were performed at the same time. Complications included subdural hematoma, subdural fluid collection, and infection. The group undergoing cranioplasty and VP shunt placement at the same time had higher complication rates than the group undergoing the procedures at different times (56% vs 21%, respectively). The severity of complications was also greater in the former group. Patients with severe brain bulging had higher complication rates than did those without brain bulging (51% vs 0%, respectively). Cranial defect size, severity of hydrocephalus, indication for decompressive craniectomy, age, sex, and interval between decompressive craniectomy and subsequent operation did not affect complication rates.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing cranioplasty and VP shunt placement at the same time had higher complication rates, especially those with severe brain bulging.

Surgery for bilateral large intracranial traumatic hematomas: evacuation in a single session

Objective

Management guidelines for single intracranial hematomas have been established, but the optimal management of multiple hematomas has little known. We present bilateral traumatic supratentorial hematomas that each has enough volume to be evacuated and discuss how to operate effectively it in a single anesthesia.

Methods

In total, 203 patients underwent evacuation and/or decompressive craniectomies for acute intracranial hematomas over 5 years. Among them, only eight cases (3.9%) underwent operations for bilateral intracranial hematomas in a single session. Injury mechanism, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, types of intracranial lesions, surgical methods, and Glasgow outcome scale were evaluated.

Results

The most common injury mechanism was a fall (four cases). The types of intracranial lesions were epidural hematoma (EDH)/intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in five, EDH/EDH in one, EDH/subdural hematoma (SDH) in one, and ICH/SDH in one. All cases except one had an EDH. The EDH was addressed first in all cases. Then, the evacuation of the ICH was performed through a small craniotomy or burr hole. All patients except one survived.

Conclusion

Bilateral intracranial hematomas that should be removed in a single-session operation are rare. Epidural hematomas almost always occur in these cases and should be removed first to prevent the hematoma from growing during the surgery. Then, the other hematoma, contralateral to the EDH, can be evacuated with a small craniotomy.

Calvarial fracture patterns on CT imaging predict risk of a delayed epidural hematoma following decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The development of a delayed epidural hematoma as a result of decompressive craniectomy represents an urgent and potentially lethal complication in traumatic brain injury. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of delayed epidural hematoma and whether patterns of skull fractures on the preoperative CT scan could predict risk of a delayed epidural hematoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated medical records and imaging studies for patients with acute traumatic brain injury who underwent a decompressive craniectomy during a 9-year period. We compared patterns of skull fractures contralateral to the side of the craniectomy with the occurrence of a postoperative delayed epidural hematoma.

RESULTS

In a series of 203 patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for acute traumatic brain injury, the incidence of a delayed epidural hematoma complication was 6% (12 of 203). All 12 patients who developed a delayed epidural hematoma had a contralateral calvarial fracture on preoperative CT at the site where the delayed epidural hematoma subsequently formed. A contralateral calvarial fracture has perfect sensitivity (100%) for subsequent development of delayed epidural hematoma in our study population. Moreover, a contralateral calvarial fracture involving 2 or more bone plates had an especially high diagnostic odds ratio of 41 for delayed epidural hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of skull fracture patterns associated with delayed epidural hematoma following decompressive craniectomy may reduce morbidity and mortality by prompting early postoperative intervention in high-risk situations.

Neurological susceptibility to a skull defect

BACKGROUND

There continues to be considerable interest in the use of decompressive craniectomy in the management of neurological emergencies. The procedure is technically straightforward; however, it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is associated with significant complications. One complication that has received relatively little attention is the neurological dysfunction that can occur due to the absence of the bone flap and the subsequent distortion of the brain under the scalp as cerebral swelling subsides. The aim of this narrative review was to examine the literature available regarding the clinical features described, outline the proposed pathophysiology for these clinical manifestations and highlight the implications that this may have for rehabilitation of patients with a large skull defect.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database (1966 to June 2012). The following keywords were used: Hemicraniectomy, decompressive craniectomy, complications, syndrome of the trephined, syndrome of the sinking scalp flap, motor trephined syndrome. The bibliographies of retrieved reports were searched for additional references.

RESULTS

Various terms have been used to describe the different neurological signs and symptoms with which patients with a skull defect can present. These include; syndrome of the trephined, posttraumatic syndrome, syndrome of the sinking scalp flap, and motor trephined syndrome. There is, however, considerable overlap between the conditions described and a patient's individual clinical presentation.

CONCLUSION

It is becoming increasingly apparent that certain patients are particularly susceptible to the presence of a large skull defect. The term "Neurological Susceptibility to a Skull Defect" (NSSD) is therefore suggested as a blanket term to describe any neurological change attributable to the absence of cranial coverage.

Asymmetric optic nerve sheath diameter as an outcome factor following cranioplasty in patients harboring the 'syndrome of the trephined'

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is gaining an increasing role in the neurosurgical treatment of intractable intracranial hypertension, but not without complications. A rare complication is the "syndrome of the trephined" (ST). It occurs when the forces of gravity overwhelm intracranial pressures, leading the brain to become sunken.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the usefulness of asymmetric optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) as an outcome factor after cranioplasty.

METHOD

We followed-up 5 patients submitted to DC and diagnosed with ST. All were submitted to brain MRI to calculate the ONSD.

RESULTS

Only two patients presented an asymmetric ONSD, being ONSD larger at the site of craniectomy. Surprisingly these patients had a marked neurological improvement after cranioplasty. They became independent a week after and statistically earlier than others.

CONCLUSION

It is presumed that the presence of an asymmetric ONSD in trephined patients is an independent factor of good outcome after cranioplasty.

Decompressive craniectomy for management of traumatic brain injury: an update

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) for the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a long history but remains controversial. Although DC has been shown to improve both survival and functional outcome in patients with malignant cerebral infarctions, evidence of benefit in patients with TBI is decidedly more mixed. Craniectomy can clearly be life-saving in the presence of medically intractable elevations of intracranial pressure. Craniectomy also has been consistently demonstrated to reduce "therapeutic intensity" in the ICU, to reduce the need for intracranial-pressure-directed and brain-oxygen-directed interventions, and to reduce ICU length of stay. Still, the only randomized trial of DC in TBI failed to demonstrate any benefit. Studies of therapies for TBI, including hemicraniectomy, are challenging owing to the inherent heterogeneity in the pathophysiology observed in this disease. Craniectomy can be life-saving for patients with severe TBI, but many questions remain regarding its ideal application, and the outcome remains highly correlated with the severity of the initial injury.

Decompressive craniectomy: contralateral lesions and metabolic abnormalities

OBJECTIVE

To define the incidence of new contralateral intracranial lesions following decompressive hemicraniectomy for blunt traumatic brain injury, and explore the potential association with metabolic factors that contribute to coagulopathy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records and imaging of all patients treated with hemicraniectomy for blunt traumatic brain injury at our institution from May 2007 up to and including January 2012.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were identified during the time period to have undergone decompressive craniectomy for blunt head injury. The average age and Glasgow Coma Scale on presentation was 44.1 years (range: 19 – 72 years) and 6.5 (range: 3 – 14) respectively. All but one patient presented with an extra-axial hematoma as their surgical indication for craniectomy. Seven patients (35.0%) developed new contralateral lesions post-craniectomy. The average peri-operative pH, bicarbonate (HCO₃) and hematocrit (HCT) levels for those with new contralateral lesions were lower than those without new lesions. Five of the seven patients (71.4%) with new lesions had abnormalities on their laboratory results that have been know to be attributable to coagulopathy, with four (57.1%) having two or more abnormal results. Eight of 13 (61.5%) patients without new lesion had laboratory abnormalites, with five (38.5%) having two or more abnormalities identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of new contralateral lesions post-craniectomy for blunt head injury is 35.0% in our experience. There is an association between the metabolic derangements linked to trauma related coagulopathy and the formation of new lesions.

Contralateral acute subdural hematoma following traumatic acute subdural hematoma evacuation

Contralateral acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) occurring after removal of traumatic ASDH is a rare, but nearly devastating postoperative complication. We treated a 26-year-old male who developed a contralateral ASDH shortly after craniectomy for evacuation of a traumatic ASDH. Burr-hole craniotomy was performed before decompressive craniectomy, and the bleeding source was a cortex artery within the frontal lobe contusion. Despite supportive therapy with barbiturate and mild hypothermia he expired 3 days later of brain death. Literature review suggests that the old are more susceptible to contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH. Contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH is a rare but potentially lethal complication, so neurosurgeons should try to detect such contralateral hematoma formation and prevent clinical deterioration.

Study of the long-term results of decompressive craniectomy after severe traumatic brain injury based on a series of 60 consecutive cases

Background. Decompressive craniectomy can be proposed in the management of severe traumatic brain injury. Current studies report mixed results, preventing any clear conclusions on the place of decompressive craniectomy in traumatology. Methods. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of all decompressive craniectomies performed between 2005 and 2011 for refractory intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury. Sixty patients were included. Clinical parameters (Glasgow scale, pupillary examination) and radiological findings (Marshall CT scale) were analysed. Complications, clinical outcome, and early and long-term Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were evaluated after surgery. Finally, the predictive value of preoperative parameters to guide the clinician's decision to perform craniectomy was studied. Results. Craniectomy was unilateral in 58 cases and the mean bone flap area was 100 cm². Surgical complications were observed in 6.7% of cases. Mean followup was 30 months and a favourable outcome was obtained in 50% of cases. The initial Glasgow Scale was the only statistically significant predictive factor for long-term outcome. Conclusion. Despite the discordant results in the literature, this study demonstrates that decompressive craniectomy is useful for the management of refractory intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury.

Pontine encephalocele and abnormalities of the posterior fossa following transclival endoscopic endonasal surgery

OBJECT

Transclival endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has recently been used for the treatment of posterior fossa tumors. The optimal method of reconstruction of large clival defects following EES has not been established.

METHODS

A morphometric analysis of the posterior fossa was performed in patients who underwent transclival EES to compare those with observed postoperative anatomical changes (study group) to 50 normal individuals (anatomical control group) and 41 matched transclival cases with preserved posterior fossa anatomy (case-control group) using the same parameters. Given the absence of clival bone following transclival EES, the authors used the line between the anterior commissure and the basion as an equivalent to the clival plane to evaluate the location of the pons. Four parameters were studied and compared in the two populations: the pontine location/displacement, the maximum anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the pons, the maximum AP diameter of the fourth ventricle, and the cervicomedullary angle (CMA). All measurements were performed on midsagittal 3-month postoperative MR images in the study group.

RESULTS

Among 103 posterior fossa tumors treated with transclival EES, 14 cases (13.6%) with postoperative posterior fossa anatomy changes were identified. The most significant change was anterior displacement of the pons (transclival pontine encephalocele) compared with the normal location in the anatomical control group (p < 0.0001). Other significant deformities were expansion of the AP diameter of the pons (p = 0.005), enlargement of the fourth ventricle (p = 0.001), and decrease in the CMA (p < 0.0001). All patients who developed these changes had undergone extensive resection of the clival bone (> 50% of the clivus) and dura. Nine (64.3%) of the 14 patients were overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg/m(2)). An association between BMI and the degree of pontine encephalocele was observed, but did not reach statistical significance. The use of a fat graft as part of the reconstruction technique following transclival EES with dural opening was the single significant factor that prevented pontine displacement (p = 0.02), associated with 91% lower odds of pontine encephalocele (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.77). The effect of fat graft reconstruction was more pronounced in overweight/obese individuals (p = 0.04) than in normal-weight patients (p = 0.52). Besides reconstruction technique, other noticeable findings were the tendency of younger adults to develop pontine encephalocele (p = 0.05) and the association of postoperative meningitis with the development of posterior fossa deformities (p = 0.05). One patient developed a transient, recurrent subjective diplopia; all others remained asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant changes in posterior fossa anatomy that have potential clinical implications have been observed following transclival transdural EES. These changes are more common in younger patients or those with meningitis and may be associated with BMI. The use of a fat graft combined with the vascularized nasoseptal flap appears to minimize the risk of pontine herniation following transclival EES with dural opening.

Surgical management of traumatic brain injury: a comparative-effectiveness study of 2 centers

Object

Mass lesions from traumatic brain injury (TBI) often require surgical evacuation as a life-saving measure and to improve outcomes, but optimal timing and surgical technique, including decompressive craniectomy, have not been fully defined. The authors compared neurosurgical approaches in the treatment of TBI at 2 academic medical centers to document variations in real-world practice and evaluate the efficacies of different approaches on postsurgical course and long-term outcome.

Methods

Patients 18 years of age or older who required neurosurgical lesion evacuation or decompression for TBI were enrolled in the Co-Operative Studies on Brain Injury Depolarizations (COSBID) at King's College Hospital (KCH, n = 27) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU, n = 24) from July 2004 to March 2010. Subdural electrode strips were placed at the time of surgery for subsequent electrocorticographic monitoring of spreading depolarizations; injury characteristics, physiological monitoring data, and 6-month outcomes were collected prospectively. CT scans and medical records were reviewed retrospectively to determine lesion characteristics, surgical indications, and procedures performed.

Results

Patients enrolled at KCH were significantly older than those enrolled at VCU (48 vs 34 years, p < 0.01) and falls were more commonly the cause of TBI in the KCH group than in the VCU group. Otherwise, KCH and VCU patients had similar prognoses, lesion types (subdural hematomas: 30%–35%; parenchymal contusions: 48%–52%), signs of mass effect (midline shift ≥ 5 mm: 43%–52%), and preoperative intracranial pressure (ICP). At VCU, however, surgeries were performed earlier (median 0.51 vs 0.83 days posttrauma, p < 0.05), bone flaps were larger (mean 82 vs 53 cm2, p < 0.001), and craniectomies were more common (performed in 75% vs 44% of cases, p < 0.05). Postoperatively, maximum ICP values were lower at VCU (mean 22.5 vs 31.4 mm Hg, p < 0.01). Differences in incidence of spreading depolarizations (KCH: 63%, VCU: 42%, p = 0.13) and poor outcomes (KCH: 54%, VCU: 33%, p = 0.14) were not significant. In a subgroup analysis of only those patients who underwent early (< 24 hours) lesion evacuation (KCH: n = 14; VCU: n = 16), however, VCU patients fared significantly better. In the VCU patients, bone flaps were larger (mean 85 vs 48 cm2 at KCH, p < 0.001), spreading depolarizations were less common (31% vs 86% at KCH, p < 0.01), postoperative ICP values were lower (mean: 20.8 vs 30.2 mm Hg at KCH, p < 0.05), and good outcomes were more common (69% vs 29% at KCH, p < 0.05). Spreading depolarizations were the only significant predictor of outcome in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

This comparative-effectiveness study provides evidence for major practice variation in surgical management of severe TBI. Although ages differed between the 2 cohorts, the results suggest that a more aggressive approach, including earlier surgery, larger craniotomy, and removal of bone flap, may reduce ICP, prevent cortical spreading depolarizations, and improve outcomes. In particular, patients requiring evacuation of subdural hematomas and contusions may benefit from decompressive craniectomy in conjunction with lesion evacuation, even when elevated ICP is not a factor in the decision to perform surgery.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is devastating, with high mortality rates, but its optimum management has not been fully established. Decompressive hemicraniectomy is a surgical procedure used to relieve the malignant elevation of intracranial pressure. The application of decompressive hemicraniectomy in patients with hemispheric ICH has been much less common, although several studies have shown the usefulness of this procedure for large hemispheric ICH. In this review, the present knowledge of the safety and efficacy of this procedure are evaluated. The authors conclude that decompressive hemicraniectomy with hematoma evacuation for large ICH might be a safe and effective procedure in patients with severely disturbed consciousness and large hematoma volume.

Contralateral delayed epidural hematoma following intracerebral hematoma surgery

BACKGROUND

Delayed epidural hematoma (EDH) is an uncommon finding in patients after intracranial hematomas evacuation. It occurs in 6.7-7.4% of cases. A total of 29 reports were found in literature. Between them were no cases of delayed contralateral EDH after intracerebral hematoma evacuation.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This paper represents a clinical case of a 28-year-old male patient with opened penetrating head injury, who underwent left frontal lobe intracerebral hematoma evacuation and one day later a contralateral EDH was found and successfully surgically treated.

CONCLUSION

Contralateral EDH is a life-threatening neurosurgical emergency case, which can occur during first 24 hours after decompressive craniectomy. Control CT scans must be performed next day after the operation to verify and treat contralateral EDH timely.

Decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury: is life worth living?

OBJECT

The object of this study was to assess the long-term outcome and quality of life of patients who have survived with severe disability following decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

The authors assessed outcome beyond 3 years among a cohort of 39 patients who had been adjudged either severely disabled or in vegetative state 18 months after decompressive craniectomy for TBI. Assessments performed included the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale, modified Barthel Index (mBI), Zarit Burden Interview, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The issue of retrospective consent for surgery was also assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 39 eligible patients, 7 died, 12 were lost to follow-up, and 20 patients or their next of kin consented to participate in the study. Among those 20 patients, 5 in a vegetative state at 18 months remained so beyond 3 years, and the other 15 patients remained severely disabled after a median follow-up of 5 years. The patients' average daily activity per the mBI (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = -0.661, p = 0.01) and SF-36 physical score (r = -0.543, p = 0.037) were inversely correlated with the severity of TBI. However, the SF-36 mental scores of the patients were reasonably high (median 46, interquartile range 37-52). The majority of patients and their next of kin believed that they would have provided consent for surgical decompression even if they had known the eventual outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial physical recovery beyond 18 months after decompressive craniectomy for severe TBI was not observed; however, many patients appeared to have recalibrated their expectations regarding what they believed to be an acceptable quality of life.

Hydrocephalus following decompressive craniectomy for ischemic stroke

Numerous studies on hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy (DC) for severe traumatic brain injury have been reported, whereas there have been only two reports on DC for hemispheric cerebral infarction. Here, we present the clinical details of 23 patients who underwent DC for hemispheric cerebral infarction and the incidence of hydrocephalus following DC. Of the 23 patients, 13 were male and 10 were female, with an age range from 34 to 75 years (mean, 60.8 years). The areas of hemispheric infarctions were those of the middle cerebral arteries in 12 patients and of the internal carotid arteries in 11 patients. The mean preoperative GCS score was 6. Nineteen patients (82.6 %) underwent cranioplasty. Pre-cranioplasty hydrocephalus was observed in 11 (47.8 %) patients. Four patients who had precranioplasty hydrocephalus were transferred or died without cranioplasty, and post-cranioplasty hydrocephalus occurred in 7 (36.8 %). Only one patient underwent a shunt procedure after cranioplasty. We consider that the explanation for the discrepancies between our study and the previous studies might lie in the definition of hydrocephalus and the indications for shunting.

Cranioplasty with custom-made titanium plates--14 years experience

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on which material is best suited for repair of cranial defects.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcomes following custom-made titanium cranioplasty.

METHODS

The medical records for all patients who had titanium cranioplasty at 2 major neurosurgical centers in Western Australia were retrieved and analyzed for this retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS

Altogether, 127 custom-made titanium cranioplasties on 113 patients were included. Two patients had 3 titanium cranioplasties and 10 patients had 2. Infected bone flap (n = 61, 54%), either from previous craniotomy or autologous cranioplasty, and contaminated bone flap (n = 16, 14%) from the initial injury were the main reasons for requiring titanium cranioplasty. Complications attributed to titanium cranioplasty were common (n = 33, 29%), with infection being the most frequent complication (n = 18 patients, 16%). Complications were, on average, associated with an extra 7 days of hospital stay (interquartile range 2-17). The use of titanium as the material for the initial cranioplasty (P = .58), the presence of skull fracture(s) (P > .99) or scalp laceration(s) (P = .32) at the original surgery, and proven local infection before titanium cranioplasty (P = .78) were not significantly associated with an increased risk of infection. Infection was significantly more common after titanium cranioplasty for large defects (hemicraniectomy [39%] and bifrontal craniectomy [28%]) than after cranioplasty for small defects (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

Complications after using titanium plate for primary or secondary cranioplasty were common (29%) and associated with an increased length of hospital stay. Infection was a major complication (16%), and this suggested that more vigorous perioperative infection prophylaxis is needed for titanium plate cranioplasty.

Compartmentalization of immune responses during Staphylococcus aureus cranial bone flap infection

Decompressive craniectomy is often required after head trauma, stroke, or cranial bleeding to control subsequent brain swelling and prevent death. The infection rate after cranial bone flap replacement ranges from 0.8% to 15%, with an alarming frequency caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is problematic because of recalcitrance to antibiotic therapy. Herein we report the establishment of a novel mouse model of S. aureus cranial bone flap infection that mimics several aspects of human disease. Bacteria colonized bone flaps for up to 4 months after infection, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and quantitative culture, demonstrating the chronicity of the model. Analysis of a human cranial bone flap with confirmed S. aureus infection by scanning electron microscopy revealed similar structural attributes as the mouse model, demonstrating that it closely parallels structural facets of human disease. Inflammatory indices were most pronounced within the subcutaneous galeal compartment compared with the underlying brain parenchyma. Specifically, neutrophil influx and chemokine expression (CXCL2 and CCL5) were markedly elevated in the galea, which demonstrated substantial edema on magnetic resonance images, whereas the underlying brain parenchyma exhibited minimal involvement. Evaluation of immune mechanisms required for bacterial containment and inflammation revealed critical roles for MyD88-dependent signaling and neutrophils. This novel mouse model of cranial bone flap infection can be used to identify key immunologic and therapeutic mechanisms relevant to persistent bone flap infection in humans.

Surgery for contralateral acute epidural hematoma following acute subdural hematoma evacuation: five new cases and a short literature review

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of a contralateral acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) following removal of an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a rare but nearly devastating postoperative complication. Here, we describe a series of five patients with contralateral AEDH and provide a review of the literature to elucidate the characteristics and improve management of these patients.

METHODS

A total of 386 patients underwent ASDH evacuations in our hospital between August 2008 and July 2011. Five of these patients (1.3 %) developed AEDH that required surgery. Thirty-two additional patients were identified by a search of the PubMed database. Clinical features, surgical treatment, and outcomes (scored by Glasgow outcome scale, GOS) of the collective 37 AEDH cases were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Contralateral AEDH after ASDH evacuation occurred in 27 males (73 %) and 10 females (27 %) (mean age: 35.9 ± 14.2 years). Twenty-six patients (70 %) had unfavorable outcomes (GOS 1-3), and 11 patients (30 %) had favorable outcomes (GOS 4-5). Contralateral skull fractures and intraoperative acute brain swelling occurred in 30 (81 %) and 28 (76 %) patients, respectively. The preoperative Glasgow coma score (GCS) was significantly associated with outcome (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower preoperative GCS score is an independent risk factor for prognosis of contralateral AEDH after ASDH. Postoperative management should include assessment of AEDH in patients treated for contralateral skull fractures and who experienced intraoperative acute brain swelling. We recommend early decompression with a burr-hole craniotomy, immediately followed by a decompressive craniectomy. This strategy provides gradual decompression, while advancing the initial surgical time and preventing the suddle decreased tamponade effect. As such, it may help decrease the risk of contralateral AEDH associated with decompression.

Computed tomography after decompressive craniectomy for head injury

New findings (NF) on postoperative CTs are -occasionally found in patients who undergo surgery for traumatic brain injury (TBI). We conducted a retrospective -registry-based review of the care of 102 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC) for TBI to investigate the prognostic factors of new findings on CT early after -surgery. Of the 102 patients, the mean age was 50 years and 69.6 % were male. The overall survival was 72.5 %. The primary indication for DC included subdural hematoma in 72 (70.6 %), epidural hematoma in 17 (16.7 %), and intraparenchymal contusion in 13 (12.7 %). New findings on postoperative CTs were observed in 26 patients (25.5 %). The univariate analysis showed that a GCS score ≤8 (P = 0.012) and the absence of a basal cistern (P = 0.012) were significantly associated with NF on postoperative CT. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the GCS score ≤8 (P = 0.041; OR, 3.0; 95 % CI, 1.048-8.517) was the only significant factor. TBI patients with a low GCS score who underwent DC should undergo additional CT evaluations immediately after surgery.

Complications of post-injury decompressive craniectomy

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a useful technique for the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with intracranial hypertension (ICHT) resistant to medical treatment, increasing survival, although its role in the functional prognosis of patients is not defined. It is also a technique that is not without complications, and may increase the patient's morbidity and mortality. We report two cases of patients with TBI who required DC and suffered complications from the technique