Citations

Abstract A 6-year retrospective analysis of incidental intracranial aneurysm surgery was conducted at 12 medical centers (1975-1981). The surgical facilities and techniques were comparable at the institutions surveyed. From a total of 1671 aneurysms operated upon, 119 in 107 patients were unruptured and were discovered incidentally. Among these 107 patients, there was no operative mortality. Operative morbidity occurred in 7 cases (6.5%). Surgical treatment of large aneurysms in less accessible locations incurred the greatest operative morbidity. Presenting symptoms of cerebral ischemia seemed to be associated with increased operative morbidity, whereas repair of aneurysms incidental to other ruptured aneurysms had a uniformly low morbidity. These surgical results compare favorably with the risks of hemorrhage from unruptured intracranial aneurysms as defined by recent reports. The low morbidity without mortality supports a recommendation for surgical management of incidental aneurysms in the anterior circulation at centers equipped for modern aneurysm surgery.

Abstract Hematoporphyrin derivative accumulates in malignant brain tumors and, when activated by light, can produce a cytotoxic reaction. A system for utilizing this concept in the treatment of human malignant brain tumors has been developed and tested in a small series of patients. No significant adverse reactions have occurred, and further development and research are planned.

Abstract A case of intraventricular tension pneumocephalus occurring as a complication of paranasal sinus surgery is presented. The pathophysiology of tension pneumocephalus is discussed and emphasis is placed on the potentially life-threatening increase in intracranial pressure that occurs. Tension pneumocephalus requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract A patient with traumatic bilateral carotid-cavernous fistulae was successfully treated by an entirely extracranial approach. The larger fistula on the left was exposed via a transethmoidal, trans-sphenoidal route and was directly opened and packed while the cavernous carotid artery was stented open by an intraluminal balloon catheter. The balloon catheter provided temporary hemostasis and was removed after the fistula had been packed. The left carotid artery remained patent, and the smaller fistula on the right was subsequently obliterated by a balloon catheter. The fistulae have remained cured, and the left internal carotid artery supplies the cerebral circulation.

Abstract In a review of 417 intracranial astrocytomas treated radiotherapeutically at the Mayo Clinic from 1960 through 1969, the well-known correlation of tumor grade with survival was verified. Totally unexpected was the finding that age was fully as important a discriminant as tumor grade. Another unexpected finding was that patients treated with biopsy only followed by radiation therapy did as well as or slightly better than those subjected to resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy. We could not verify the importance to survival of either large dose or large volume radiotherapy, which has been emphasized by some. Patients receiving less than 1400 rets did just as well as or slightly better than those receiving more than 1400 rets. With low grade astrocytomas, survival beyond 4 years was significantly worse (higher death rates) in the group receiving more than 1400 rets. This suggested the possibility of radiation damage with delayed manifestations. We also could not verify an increased effectiveness for the generally accepted use of total brain irradiation for high grade gliomas.

Abstract Between 1935 and 1974, 3598 episodes of head trauma among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents resulted in 1097 skull fractures. Of these, 53% were simple, 16% were depressed, 12% were compound, and 19% were basilar. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of skull fractures was 44.3 per 100,000 person-years overall, was somewhat greater in the urban than in the rural areas of Olmsted County, and was relatively stable for the final 30 years of the study. Age-specific incidence rates were highest for the very young, and simple linear fractures were the predominant type of skull fracture in this age group and among the elderly. The male:female ratio of incidence rates varied from 2.1:1 to 4.5:1 depending on fracture type. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 38% of the skull fractures and were a particularly important cause among young males. Falls accounted for 37% of the skull fractures and were the major cause of fractures in the elderly and pediatric age groups. The results of this population-based study may be helpful in formulating recommendations for the evaluation and management of head-injured patients.

Abstract The pathogenesis of postlaminectomy spinal deformity and instability in children was evaluated by reviewing appropriate roentgenographic findings. First, we reviewed spine roentgenograms of patients below 40 years of age who underwent spinal fusion for deformity and instability of the spine developing after a multiple level laminectomy. Two types of deformity were recognized on the roentgenograms: increased mobility between the vertebral bodies and wedging deformity of the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies. Second, we did a follow-up study of another group of patients who had undergone laminectomy. We found the same two types of deformity in children, but not in adult patients. The incidence of deformity was higher after laminectomies of the cervical or cervicothoracic region than after lumbar laminectomies. Our data suggest that postlaminectomy spinal deformity can develop in children without irradiation or facet injury. The deformity is due to a wedging change in the cartilaginous portion of the vertebral body and to the viscoelasticity of ligaments in children. When treatment of this complication becomes necessary, anterior fusion may be effective in arresting progression. Prophylactic measures against the development of deformity are discussed. Our hypothesis concerning the mechanism of development of this complication supports the rationale of osteoplastic laminar resection and reconstruction instead of laminectomy, particularly in the management of children.