Neurologia medico-chirurgica
Online ISSN : 1349-8029
Print ISSN : 0470-8105
ISSN-L : 0470-8105
Volume 53, Issue 9
Displaying 1-15 of 15 articles from this issue
The 71st Annual Meeting Special Topics—Part II: Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Vascular Injury
  • Hidetaka ONDA, Akira FUSE, Masahiro YAMAGUCHI, Yutaka IGARASHI, Akihir ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 573-579
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Traumatic cerebrovascular injury (TCVI) is a serious complication of severe head injury, with a high mortality rate. To establish a proper treatment strategy for TCVI, we investigated patients with a high risk of TCVI according to the Guidelines for the Management of Severe Head Injury (hereafter “the Guidelines”) to elucidate the validity of the criteria for TCVI in the Guidelines and the appropriate screening timing and methods. Of those transported to our facility between December 2008 and June 2012, 67 individuals with a high risk of TCVI were evaluated to reveal the proper timing and methods of vascular evaluation. Of the 67 patients, 21 had a diagnosis of TCVI based on cerebral angiography, three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3DCTA), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), accounting for 6.4% of all patients with severe head injury and as high as 31.3% of patients with a high risk of TCVI according to the Guidelines. In addition, according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), outcomes were three deaths due to primary brain injury, six cases of persistent vegetative state, five cases of severe disability, three cases of moderate disability, and four cases of good recovery. Although 3DCTA is a simple and convenient diagnostic method, cerebral angiography is necessary to evaluate dissecting lesions. If patients have any signs or symptoms of TCVI, as described in the Guidelines, cerebral angiography or 3DCTA should be performed as an initial screening method within 72 hours of admission, followed by cerebral angiography on postadmission Day 14 ± 2 to prevent failed diagnosis.
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Original Articles
  • —Biomechanical Analysis—
    Haruo MURAYAMA, Masahito HITOSUGI, Yasuki MOTOZAWA, Masahiro OGINO, Ka ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 580-584
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    To determine whether the use of an under-mat has an effect on impact forces to the head in Judo, a Judo expert threw an anthropomorphic test device using the Osoto-gari and Ouchi-gari techniques onto a tatami (judo mat) with and without an under-mat. Head acceleration was measured and the head injury criterion (HIC) values with or without under-mat were compared. The use of an under-mat significantly decreased (p = 0.021) the HIC values from 1174.7 ± 246.7 (without under-mat) to 539.3 ± 43.5 in Ouchi-gari and from 330.0 ± 78.3 (without under-mat) to 156.1 ± 30.4 in Osoto-gari. The use of an under-mat simply reduces impact forces to the head in Judo. Rule changes are not necessary and the enjoyment and health benefits of Judo are maintained.
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  • Joji INAMASU, Masashi NAKATSUKASA, Yuichi HIROSE
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 585-589
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    The outcomes of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) have been dismal. However, imaging modalities are improving rapidly and are expected to play a role in treatment of patients with TCA. In this retrospective study, whether obtaining computed tomography (CT) immediately after resuscitation had any clinical value was evaluated. Among 145 patients with TCA admitted to our institution during 4 years, hemodynamically stable return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 38 (26%). Brain and cervical spine CT was obtained prospectively, and the frequency and type of traumatic brain injury (TBI)/upper cervical spine injury (UCSI) were investigated. CT was performed uneventfully in all patients with an average door-to-CT time of 51.5 ± 18.6 min. Twenty (53%) had CT evidence of TBI. However, no patients underwent brain surgery because of lack of return of brainstem functions. Among the 18 patients without TBI, CT signs of hypoxia were present in 15 patients (39%), and CT was considered intact in 3 patients (8%). None of the 35 patients with abnormal CT findings survived, and the presence of such findings predicted fatality with high sensitivity and specificity. While 13 of the 38 patients (34%) had CT evidence of UCSI, concomitant TBI and USCI were uncommon. None of the 13 patients with UCSI underwent spine surgery because of lack of return of brainstem functions, and the presence of USCI might also be associated with fatality. Although obtaining CT was useful in the prognostication of TCA patients with ROSC, it did not have much impact in therapeutic decision making.
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  • Alessandro DI RIENZO, Maurizio IACOANGELI, Lorenzo ALVARO, Roberto COL ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 590-595
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Temporalis muscle reconstruction is a necessary step during frontotemporal cranioplasty ensuing decompressive craniectomy (DC). During this procedure, scarring between the temporalis muscle and the dural layer may lead to complicated muscle dissection, which carries an increased risk of dura and muscle damage. At time of DC, temporalis muscle wrapping by an autologous vascularized dural flap can later on facilitate dissection and rebuilding during the subsequent cranioplasty. In a span of 2 years, we performed 57 DCs for different etiologies. In 30 cases, the temporalis muscle was isolated by wrapping its inner surface using the autologous dura. At cranioplasty, the muscle could easily be dissected from the duraplasty. The inner surface was easily freed from the autologous dural envelope, and reconstruction achieved in an almost physiological position. Follow-up examinations were held at regular intervals to disclose signs of temporalis muscle depletion. Twenty-five patients survived to undergo cranioplasty. Muscle dissection could always be performed with no injury to the dural layer. No complications related to temporalis muscle wrapping were recorded. Face asymmetry developed in four cases but it was always with bone resorption. None of the patients with a good neurological recovery reported functional or aesthetic complaints. In our experience, temporalis muscle wrapping by vascularized autologous dura proved to be effective in preserving its bulk and reducing its adhesion to duraplasty, thereby improving muscle dissection and reconstruction during cranioplasty. Functional and aesthetic results were satisfying, except in cases of bone resorption.
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  • Kentaro MORI, Takuji YAMAMOTO, Masahiro MIYAZAKI, Yasukazu HARA, Nobuh ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 596-600
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    The effect of irrigation with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) containing various magnesium ion (Mg2+) concentrations on vasospastic arteries was investigated in the dog. Cerebral vasospasm was induced by the experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model in 15 beagle dogs. Cisternal irrigation was performed for 1 hour via a microcatheter placed in the cisterna magna with commercially available artificial CSF (ARTCEREB®) with physiological concentration of Mg2+ (2.2 mEq/l) (ACM group, n = 5), ARTCEREB solution without Mg2+ (ACR group, n = 5), and ARTCEREB solution with higher Mg2+ concentration (5 mEq/l) (ACMM group, n = 5). CSF electrolyte concentrations and the diameters of the basilar and vertebral arteries were measured. In the ACM group, no changes were detected in either CSF Mg2+ concentration or arterial diameters. In the ACR group, the CSF Mg2+ decreased significantly to 0.8 ± 0.07 mEq/l from the baseline value of 1.4 ± 0.03 mEq/l, and both basilar and vertebral artery diameters were significantly decreased to 0.61 ± 0.18 mm and 0.57 ± 0.23 mm from their baseline values of 0.74 ± 0.22 mm and 0.68 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. In the ACMM group, the CSF Mg2+ significantly increased to 2.4 ± 0.15 mEq/l from the baseline value of 1.4 ± 0.05 mEq/l, and both basilar and vertebral artery diameters were significantly increased to 0.84 ± 0.19 mm and 0.90 ± 0.22 mm from their baseline values of 0.71 ± 0.21 mm and 0.69 ± 0.24 mm, respectively. Irrigation with artificial CSF solution without Mg2+ causes vasoconstriction of the cerebral artery. Irrigation with artificial CSF with appropriate Mg2+ concentration is essential, especially in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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  • Tetsuo KOYAMA, Kohei MARUMOTO, Kazuhisa DOMEN, Hiroji MIYAKE
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 601-608
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Using magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we examined white matter changes within the brains of patients diagnosed with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). We analyzed data for 24 INPH patients who were presented with typical clinical symptoms (gait disturbance, dementia, and/or urinary incontinence) and Evans index > 0.3, and compared these with the control data from 21 elderly persons (≥ 60 years). DTI brain images were obtained with a 3T scanner. Fractional anisotropy (FA) brain maps were generated using a computer-automated method, and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were then applied to compare the FA brain maps of the INPH and control groups in standard space. The TBSS data were further investigated using region-of-interest (ROI) analyses. ROIs were set within the corpus callosum, the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), and the cerebral peduncle in reference to a standard brain template. Compared with the control group, FA values in the INPH group were significantly lower in the corpus callosum and just significantly higher in the PLIC, but no significant differences were evident in the cerebral peduncle. The much lower FA values in the corpus callosum, but not the slightly higher FA values in the PLIC, were associated with more severe clinical symptoms such as gait disturbance. The lower FA values in the corpus callosum may offer a clue to solve the pathophysiology of INPH.
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Case Reports
  • Tomoya HIROSE, Naoya MATSUMOTO, Osamu TASAKI, Hajime NAKAMURA, Fuyuko ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 609-612
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    The mechanisms accounting for the development of tissue damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been studied for several decades. A variety of mediators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which play a crucial role in edema formation after TBI, have been identified. We experienced a case of brain edema that progressed continuously at least until 13 days after head injury. The brain edema occurred around the hemorrhage from an intracerebral contusion. The evacuated hematoma was investigated based on the inference that the unexpected expansion of edema was induced by the mediators within the hematoma itself. A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital following a traffic injury. Left brain contusion was revealed by head computed tomography (CT) on admission. Three hours later, formation of an intracerebral hematoma became evident. Serial CT examination revealed that brain edema had developed progressively till 13 days after the injury. A hematoma removal operation was performed on Day 13. The hematoma was centrifuged and the supernatant was analyzed for the expression of VEGF and MMP-9. The values of both (4400 pg/ml and 920 ng/ml, respectively) were extremely high compared with values reported previously in serum and cerebrospinal fluid collected from patients with intracranial infection or injury. This case suggested that the delayed exacerbation of edema following traumatic intracranial hemorrhage was possibly induced by secretory factors such as VEGF and MMP-9 released from within and around the hematoma.
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  • Kosuke KATAYAMA, Norihito SHIMAMURA, Yukari OGASAWARA, Masato NARAOKA, ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 613-615
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    An 18-year-old male suffered a penetrating skull base injury caused by a metal rod. We made translucent three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) for clearing the injury site. This method has revealed that right carotid artery was compressed directly by the foreign body, and internal carotid artery trapping was carried out based on hemodynamics as revealed by angiography. This patient achieved modified Rankin scale score of 1 at discharge. Cases of trauma involve a variety of circumstances and therefore require a case-by-case evaluation that depends on the patient’s condition. Translucent 3D CT was useful in considering the treatment strategy of the penetrating skull base injury.
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  • Ryosuke MATSUDA, Yasuo HIRONAKA, Hisashi KAWAI, Young-Su PARK, Toshiak ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 616-619
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy is well known as a symptom of microvascular infarction and intracranial aneurysm, but unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as an initial manifestation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare clinical condition. We report a rare case of an 84-year-old woman with bilateral CSDH who presented with unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as the initial symptom. The patient, who had a medical history of minor head injury 3 weeks prior, presented with left ptosis, diplopia, and vomiting. She had taken an antiplatelet drug for lacunar cerebral infarction. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed bilateral CSDH with a slight midline shift to the left side. She underwent an urgent evacuation through bilateral frontal burr holes. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) after evacuation revealed no intracranial aneurysms, but constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) ran much more anteriorly and inferiorly compared with the right PCA and the left oculomotor nerve passed very closely between the left PCA and the left superior cerebellar artery (SCA). There is the possibility that the strong compression to the left uncus, the left PCA, and the left SCA due to the bilateral CSDH resulted in left oculomotor nerve palsy with an initial manifestation without unconsciousness. Unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as an initial presentation caused by bilateral CSDH without unconsciousness is a rare clinical condition, but this situation is very important as a differential diagnosis of unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.
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  • Alessandro DI RIENZO, Maurizio IACOANGELI, Lorenzo ALVARO, Roberto COL ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 620-624
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Spinal subarachnoid hematoma (SSH) is a rare condition, more commonly occurring after lumbar puncture for diagnostic or anesthesiological procedures. It has also been observed after traumatic events, in patients under anticoagulation therapy or in case of arteriovenous malformation rupture. In a very small number of cases no causative agent can be identified and a diagnosis of spontaneous SSH is established. The lumbar and thoracic spine are the most frequently involved segments and only seven cases of cervical spine SSH have been described until now. Differential diagnosis between subdural and subarachnoid hematoma is complex because the common neuroradiological investigations, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are not enough sensitive to exactly define clot location. Actually, confirmation of the subarachnoid location of bleeding is obtained at surgery, which is necessary to resolve the fast and sometimes dramatic evolution of clinical symptoms. Nonetheless, there are occasional reports on successful conservative treatment of these lesions. We present a peculiar case of subarachnoid hematoma of the craniocervical junction, developing after the rupture of a right temporal lobe contusion within the adjacent arachnoidal spaces and the following clot migration along the right lateral aspect of the foramen magnum and the upper cervical spine, causing severe neurological impairment. After surgical removal of the hematoma, significant symptom improvement was observed.
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  • Yoji TAMURA, Yoshitaka YAMADA, Adam TUCKER, Tohru UKITA, Masao TSUJI, ...
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 625-629
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    Pineal cysts of the third ventricle presenting with acute obstructive hydrocephalus due to internal cystic hemorrhage are a rare clinical entity. The authors report a case of a 61-year-old man taking antiplatelet medication who suffered from a hemorrhagic pineal cyst and was treated with endoscopic surgery. One month prior to treatment, the patient was diagnosed with a brainstem infarction and received clopi-dogrel in addition to aspirin. A small incidental pineal cyst was concurrently diagnosed using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging which was intended to be followed conservatively. The patient presented with a sudden onset of headache and diplopia. On admission, the neurological examination revealed clouding of consciousness and Parinaud syndrome. Computerized tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a hemorrhagic mass lesion in the posterior third ventricle. The patient underwent emergency external ventricular drainage with staged endoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy using a flexible videoscope. Histological examination revealed pineal tissue with necrotic change and no evidence of tumor cells. One year later MR imaging demonstrated no evidence of cystic lesion and a flow void between third ventricle and prepontine cistern. In patients with asymptomatic pineal cysts who are treated with antiplatelet therapy, it is important to be aware of the risk of pineal apoplexy. Endoscopic management can be effective for treatment of hemorrhagic pineal cyst with obstructive hydrocephalus.
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  • Zongli HAN, Yanli DU, Hui QI, Wei YIN
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 630-634
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    To add a further contribution to the literature supporting the relationship between previous head trauma and the development of glioma. We present the first case of pregnancy-related post-traumatic malignant glioma in a 29-year-old female who was admitted because of left sided hemiplegia and epilepsy due to a malignant glial tumor. She had been operated for a right frontal hematoma caused by a motorbike accident 9 years before. Neuroimaging showed a large neoplasia in the right frontal region beneath the material used for cranialplasty, and postoperative pathological revealed a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in continuity with the scar resulting from the trauma. While epidemiologic studies may not be conclusive, a pathologic basis has been suggested which show that trauma act as a cocarcinogen in the presence of an initiating carcinogen. Our case fulfilled the widely established criteria for brain tumors of traumatic origin. We believe that in specific cases it is reasonable to acknowledge an etiological association between head trauma and glioma. And additional factors such as pregnancy may promote the manifestation of the clinical symptoms.
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Technical Notes
  • Yoshinori SAKATA, Hiromu HADEISHI, Junta MOROI
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 635-637
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    A frontotemporal craniotomy is usually performed using a “keyhole,” made at the union of the zygomatic arch and frontal bone. Consequently, skull depression may occur postoperatively, leading to temporal area deformities and poor cosmetic results. To prevent these complications, we describe our technique for frontotemporal craniotomy using an osteotome to prevent cosmetic deformities. After the temporal muscle is dissected and reflected with the scalp flap, a total of 3 burr holes are made in the frontal and temporal bones. In the lateral greater wing of the sphenoid, where a keyhole is usually made, a bone incision is made anteriorly-posteriorly with an osteotome. The bone flap is lifted upward, and the osteotome is inserted from behind to continue the incision. At craniotomy closure, the bone flap is fixed using a cranial bone flap fixation clamp. This procedure involves almost no removal of frontal or inferior temporal bone, resulting in virtually no bone defect. The absence of skull depression or deformity in the temples postoperatively leads to excellent cosmetic results. Our technique for frontotemporal craniotomy using an osteotome does not create bone defects, and use of titanium clamps for bone flap fixation provides normal skull bone alignment. This procedure provides excellent postoperative cosmetic results.
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  • —Technical Note
    Totaro TAKEUCHI, Shintaro FUKUSHIMA, Daigoro MISAKI, Satoshi SHIBATA
    2013 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 638-643
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: September 25, 2013
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
    The objective of the study is to introduce the surgical procedure of the lumbosubarachnoid–lumboepidural (L–L) shunting performed as treatment for idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and its follow-up. The subjects were five patients with probable iNPH (aged 78–85 years; mean age 81 years; four males and one female) who were judged to be at high risk from general or lumbar anesthesia due to their systemic complications and age. The L–L shunt operation was performed for all the patients under local anesthesia using Codman–Hakim Programmable Valve® (Codman & Shurtleff, Inc., Raynham, Massachusetts, USA). The initial pressure for all patients was set at 8 cmH2O. The evaluation of shunt efficacy and the lumbar epidural space cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption test (injection of contrast media into epidural space) were performed both on the operation day and during follow-up period (9–12 months). The shunt operation was judged to be effective in four out of five patients (regarded as shunt responders), whereas no improvement in symptoms was seen in one patient (regarded as shunt nonresponder) where the shunting had no effect after the initial pressure was changed to 4 cmH2O. The lumbar epidural space CSF absorption test both on the operation day and during the follow-up period confirmed absorption in all patients. The L–L shunting is useful for patients with probable iNPH who are at high risk from general or lumbar anesthesia due to their systemic complications and age. CSF was continuously absorbed in the lumbar epidural space during postoperative follow-up period. A longer follow-up is required to establish this surgical procedure.
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