Initial Level Of Consciousness Research Articles

How to predict the outcome of primary brainstem hemorrhage: Six-year results of a single-center retrospective analysis.

Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBH) is one of the most fatal intracranial hemorrhages, evaluating the prognosis in the early stage is vital for appropriate therapeutic planning. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality and 90-day functional recovery of PBH. Data from 63 patients with PBH admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between 2016 and 2022 were retrieved for this study. We grouped the patients according to 30-day survival or 90-day functional recovery. Independent risk factors of 30-day mortality and 90-day functional recovery were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. 31 patients (49.2%) died within 30 days and 22 patients (34.9%) achieved better functional recovery. By multivariate analysis, Glasgow coma scale <9 on admission and tachycardia were significantly associated with 30-day mortality, while the hematoma volume >5 mL was an independent risk factor for 90-day functional recovery. Initial level of consciousness, tachycardia, massive hematoma were risk factors for prognosis, which must be seriously evaluated for therapeutic planning.

A New Strategy for the Treatment of Patients With Prolonged Impairment of Consciousness Using Xenon. Prospective Pilot Study

In addition to high mortality, craniocerebral injuries have another danger, a long rehabilitation period and a high percentage of disability with the development of cognitive impairment. This is primarily associated with the processes of neuroinflammation, which development, according to recent data, leads to a long-term impairment of consciousness. The anti-inflammatory effects of xenon inhalation anesthetic, which have been repeatedly shown in previous studies, have the potential to beneficially affect the level of consciousness in these patients by targeting key links of neuroinflammation.AIM OF STUDY To evaluate the effect of oxygen-xenon mixture inhalation on the level of consciousness recovery and the severity of spastic activity in patients after traumatic brain injury.MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective randomized clinical trial of the effect of inhaled xenon sedation on the level of consciousness and spastic activity in patients with post-coma long-term impairment of consciousness was conducted. Patients were randomized into two equal groups. In group I (comparisons, n=15) (in addition to the standard treatment after a traumatic brain injury), each patient included in the study underwent 7 sessions of inhalation of an air-oxygen mixture with an oxygen content of at least 30 vol% for 30 minutes. In group II (study, n=15) (in addition to standard treatment), each patient included in the study inhaled an oxygen-xenon gas mixture (xenon content 30 vol%) for 7 days 1 time per day. Before and after the course of treatment (on the 7th day), patients were assessed using the CRS-R scale and the modified Ashworth scale.RESULTS The final evaluation included 12 patients from the comparison group and 12 patients from the study group. Three patients were excluded from each group as a result of critical incidents not related to the type of the therapy. In the comparison group on the 7th day, the level of consciousness was score 9 [7; 11] and did not differ statistically significantly from the baseline (p&gt;0.05), which was score 8 [6; 10]. Spastic activity also did not change statistically significantly. In group II, the initial level of consciousness was 9 [7; 10], and on the 7th day — score 15 [12; 17], which was statistically significantly higher both in relation to the level of consciousness by the 1st day (p=0.021) within the group, and in relation to it on the 7th day in group I (p=0.038). When comparing spastic activity on the 1st and 7th days, we did not obtain a statistically significant difference in any of the groups.CONCLUSION Our method of xenon inhalation made it possible to have a beneficial effect on the level of consciousness of patients after traumatic brain injury, but this did not affect the final level of spastic activity in any way.

The impact of previous health on the mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: analysis of a prospective Swedish multicenter study

PurposeThere is an an increasing awareness of the importance of health and lifestyle for stroke diseases like spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the importance of pre-existing medical conditions for clinical course and mortality after SAH has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to identify pre-existing conditions contributing to mortality after SAH.MethodsData were extracted from a Swedish national prospective study on patients with SAH. Variables were defined for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), clinical condition at admission, and for 10 pre-existing medical conditions. Models predicting mortality in three time intervals with all possible subsets of these variables were generated, compared and selected using Akaike’s information criterion.Results1155 patients with ruptured aneurysms were included. The mortality within 1 week was 7.6%, 1 month 14.3%, and 1 year 18.7%. The most common pre-existing medical conditions were smoking (57.6%) and hypertension (38.7%). The model’s best predicting mortality within 1 week and from 1 week to 1 month included only the level of consciousness at admission and age, and these two variables were present in all the models among the top 200 in Akaike score for each time period. The most predictive model for mortality between 1 month and 1 year added previous stroke, diabetes, psychiatric disease, and BMI as predictors.ConclusionMortality within the first month was best predicted simply by initial level of consciousness and age, while mortality within from 1 month to 1 year was significantly influenced by pre-existing medical conditions.

Brain-derived neutrophic factor, glutamate and markers of apoptosis in the blood of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness

Aim of the work was to analyze the content of factors with neuroprotective, neurotoxic and apoptotic eff ects in the blood of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC), depending on the level of consciousness disorder and neuroprotective therapy.Material and methods. Research included 53 patients with pDOC, who were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 19 vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) patients, group 2–34 minimally conscious state (MCS “minus” and “plus”) patients. Firstly at admission and then at the end of treatment course (after 1 month on average), plasma concentrations of brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF), apoptosis antigen (APO-1), apoptosisinducing ligand (Fas-L) and glutamate were studied. Control group consisted of 16 patients without measured once.Results. Decrease of BDNF serum level was revealed in patients with pDOC,which was less pronounced those who had TBI as a etiological factor of pDOC. BDNF level signifi cantly increased after a month against the background of neuroprotective therapy. Glutamate level was higher in the fi rst group (VS/UWS). No signifi cant diff erence in the content of apoptosis factors was observed.Conclusion. In patients with pDOC, decrease serum BDNF level was observed, less pronounced in TBI as etiology of pDOC. In patients who matched MCS criteria at the admission, there was a signifi cant increase of BDNF serum level during treatment course, which could indicate that patients with a higher initial level of consciousness have better potential for realizing the eff ect of neuroprotective therapy. Levels of apoptosis factors did not correspond to the consciousness level.

Primary Brainstem Hemorrhage: A Review of Prognostic Factors and Surgical Management.

Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBSH) is the most fatal subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage and is invariably associated with poor prognosis. Several prognostic factors are involved, of which the two most predominant and consistent are the initial level of consciousness and hemorrhage size. Other predictors, such as age, hyperthermia, and hydrocephalus, are generally not dependable indicators for making prognoses. Scoring systems have now been developed that can predict mortality and functional outcomes in patients suffering from PBSH, which can thus guide treatment decision-making. A novel grading scale, entitled “the new primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) score,” represents the latest approach in scoring systems. In this system, patients with a score of 2–3 points appear to benefit from surgical management, although this claim requires further verification. The four main surgical options for the treatment of PBSH are craniotomy, stereotactic hematoma puncture and drainage, endoscopic hematoma removal, and external ventricular drainage. Nevertheless, the management of PBSH still primarily involves conservative treatment methods and surgery is generally not recommended, according to current practice. However, the ongoing clinical trial, entitled Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Treatment in Severe Primary Pontine Hemorrhage Evacuation (STIPE), should provide additional evidence to support the surgical treatment of PBSH. Therefore, we advocate the update of epidemiological data and re-evaluation of PBSH treatment in a contemporary context.

Factors associated with the use of anesthetic drug infusion in patients with status epilepticus and their relation to outcome: a prospective study.

Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most dreadful neurological emergencies; unfortunately, studies targeting SE are still inadequate. This study aims to identify factors associated with the use of CIVAD in patients presenting with status epilepticus and detect those impact the clinical outcome. A prospective study involving 144 episodes of SE in 144 patients. Patients were categorized according to whether or not they received CIVAD. Subjects underwent clinical assessment, brain imaging, and EEG. The consciousness level was assessed using the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and the Full outline of responsiveness (FOUR) scale. SE severity score (STESS) and Epidemiology-based mortality score (EMSE) were used as scales for outcome prediction. Continuous IV anesthetic drug infusion was initiated in 36% of patients (+ CIVAD). Such groups showed a significantly worse initial level of consciousness (< 0.001), an unstable course of seizure evolution (0.009), and all of them showed abnormal EEG patterns. A significantly higher number of patients (+ CIVAD) developed complications (< 0.001), had higher outcome prediction scores (< 0.001), and mortality rates (< 0.001) compared to those who did not need CIVAD (-CIVAD). Mortality was associated with acute symptomatic etiology and higher total doses of propofol. Among the study population, mortality among patients who received CIVAD was associated with acute symptomatic SE and prolonged propofol infusion rather than any clinical parameters or predictor scores.

Психологические аспекты формирования коллокационной компетенции

In connection with the use of the communicative method in foreign language teaching, the collocational competence development becomes especially relevant. Based on the analysis of the researchers’ works on the topic, it is revealed that one of the problems of the collocational competence development is not following the principle of the learning consciousness. The essence of this principle is that the provision of all theoretical information should precede the practice of a foreign language. Perception is highlighted as the initial level of consciousness. It is noted that the perception of the language material by the native speaker and the learner is different. Weak con-nections between the elements of the learner’s mental vocabulary explain why learners “mix” col-locations. Noticing is the next level of consciousness. The analysis of scientific literature has shown that noticing is an important component of the successful study of a foreign language. The conditions that affect operations upon noticing are highlighted. Understanding is the last level of consciousness. The next logical step in the collocational competence development, following the principle of learning consciousness, is the use of communicative and pseudocommunicative tasks to consolidate the conscious theoretical material.

Sedation and analgesia during manipulation in children

The article provides an overview of modern methods of sedation and analgesia during therapeutic and diagnostic manipulations in children, indicates indications and contraindications. Special attention is paid to the assessment of sedation and anaesthesia effectiveness, scales used for this purpose in children of different ages are described, criteria of sedation depth are given, equipment and measures necessary to ensure patient safety during manipulation are described. It has been noted that BIS index values correlate with sedation scales in children and adults, but values that determine deep sedation in children are currently not clearly defined, which requires further research. Drugs for sedation, their main characteristics and limitations for use are presented. The differences between sedation and monitored anesthesiology care (MAC), which can be provided only by a qualified anesthesiologist, are described in detail. It has been demonstrated that monitored anesthesiologic care implies deep sedation with control of vital functions, control of breathing and hemodynamics during manipulation, and it is noted that capnography is a mandatory element of monitoring in this type of anesthesiologic care in order to detect apnea as early as possible. Criteria for recovery of consciousness after completion of sedation are specified, which include normal airway, adequate ventilation, stability of hemodynamic, restoration of initial level of consciousness, motor activity and possibility to receive liquids through mouth in absence of vomiting. It is noted that the average time from the end of procedural sedation to the restoration of the original state is about 2 hours.

Assessment and identification of predictors of performance of early rehabilitation of patients in the general intensive care unit. Article

Introduction. Currently, there are no universal criteria for assessing the volume of predicted functional recovery of patients during rehabilitation in intensive care units. Objective. To identify independent predictors of efficiency of rehabilitation of patients after a critical illness. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of a general ICU in 2017–2019. Patients with a short course of rehabilitation (≤ 7 days), deep impairment of consciousness (≤ 7 points on the Glasgow coma scale), decompensated multiple organ failure were excluded from the study. Clinical and laboratory data of 82 patients were retrospectively analyzed, including baseline severity of the condition, degree of functional independence and mobility, assessment of neurological deficit, incidence of depression and delirium, duration of mechanical ventilation and terms of hospitalization. We used a calculated indicator to analyze the effectiveness of rehabilitation — the rehabilitation potential index (RPI). Patients were assigned to the group of effective rehabilitation (ER) or ineffective rehabilitation (IR) depending on the level of RPI. Results. The duration of mechanical ventilation, the frequency of impaired consciousness and the duration of hospitalization were higher in the IR group than in the ER group. Сonsciousness impairment was found to be an independent predictor of low efficacy of the rehabilitation (odds ratio 4.53; confidence interval 95 % 1.63–12.6; p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. RPI can be used as a tool for assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation of patients after a critical illness. The duration of mechanical ventilation has a negative effect on the functional outcome at discharge from the intensive care unit. The initial level of consciousness can be a benchmark for predicting the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Further prospective studies are needed to identify predictors of the effectiveness of early rehabilitation.

Multipattern botulinum toxin therapy of post-comatose long-term consciousness disorders: central effects

The data of electroencephalography, evoked potentials of the brain and positron emission tomography are analyzed before and 3 weeks after the multipattern botulinum toxin therapy of spasticity in 25 patients with post-comatose long-term consciousness disorders, including one patient who died against the backdrop gradual improvement of consciousness from acute heart failure four months after the end of second course of multipattern botulinum toxin therapy. Found that improvements of the brain functional state against the backdrop of reduced spasticity were observed regardless of primary brain damage origin, level of consciousness and of multipattern botulinum toxin therapy course repeatability. The observed dynamics of neurophysiological indicators had a normalizing direction, some differences associated with the initial level of consciousness. Electrophysiological changes during the improvement of consciousness against the background of multipattern botulinum toxin therapy were not specific. Features of improving energy metabolism in the certain areas of the brain could be caused by just such treatment, and reflected the contribution of pathological sensorimotor integration in maintaining impaired consciousness. Postmortem neuromorphological study of the patient brain identified progenitor stem and proliferating cells and newly formed neurons in brain areas whose in-life functional state was continuously improving, newly formed neurons migrating flow through the corpus callosum and diffuse activation of axonogenesis. We assume that the central effect of multipattern botulinum toxin therapy associated with improvement of consciousness, may be a double. The first is immediate, due to a decrease in pathological afferentation from the muscles, the second - apparently deferred and prolonged, manifested in the activation of functional neurogenesis and axonogenesis in the brain. The continuation of complex multimodal research on the study of post-comatose long-term consciousness disorders seems promising.

Influence of the initial level of consciousness on early, goal-directed mobilization: a post hoc analysis.

Early mobilization within 72h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission improves functional status at hospital discharge. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of early, goal-directed mobilization in critically ill patients across a broad spectrum of initial consciousness levels. Post hoc analysis of the international, randomized, controlled, outcome-assessor blinded SOMS trial conducted 2011-2015. Randomization was stratified according to the immediate post-injury Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (≤ 8 or > 8). Patients received either SOMS-guided mobility treatment with a facilitator or standard care. We used general linear models to test the hypothesis that immediate post-randomization GCS modulates the intervention effects on functional independence at hospital discharge. Two hundred patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The significant effect of early, goal-directed mobilization was consistent across levels of GCS without evidence of effect modification, for the primary outcome functional independence at hospital discharge (p = 0.53 for interaction), as well as average achieved mobility level during ICU stay (mean achieved SOMS level) and functional status at hospital discharge measured with the functional independence measure. In patients with low GCS, delay to first mobilization therapy was longer (0.7 ± 0.2days vs. 0.2 ± 0.1days, p = 0.008), but early, goal-directed mobilization compared with standard care significantly increased functional independence at hospital discharge in this subgroup of patients with immediate post-randomization GCS ≤ 8 (OR 3.67; 95% CI 1.02-13.14; p = 0.046). This post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial suggests that early, goal-directed mobilization in patients with an impaired initial conscious state (GCS ≤ 8) is not harmful but effective.

CAN FULL OUTLINE OF UNRESPONSIVENESS SCORE (FOUR) REPLACE GLASGOW COMA SCALE (GCS) IN HEAD INJURY?: VALIDATION AT TERITIARY CARE CENTRE IN NEPAL

Introduction : Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major cause of severe disability and death world wide.The mortality rate in these patients largely depends on initial severity of trauma. In TBI, initial level of consciousness is most important prognostic indicator. The commonest scale is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Despite its widespread use, the GCS has some significant limitations, including variations in inter rater reliability and predictive validity. In order to overcome deficiencies of the GCS, an alternative scale called FOUR (Full Outline of Unresponsiveness score) has been developed and validated in several neurosurgical centers in North America. This study was an attempt to validate this score in Nepalese Setting. This study was carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. The main objective ofthe study was to compare the FOUR with GCS in predicting outcome in patients with Traumatic brain injury.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe head injury aged 2: 16 years admitted in the Department ofNeurosurgery were eligible to participate in the study.The GCS and FOUR score were measured at the earliest possible time during admission by the single observer. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was measured at discharge and at 3 months follow up. Mortality was used as the primary outcome measure.RESULTS: Total of 122 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 38.7 ± 18 years. Mean GCS score among survivors was higher than that among non-survivors which was statistically significant (10.9 ± 2 vs. 6 ± 1.12 (p &lt;0.001). Similarly mean FOUR score among survivors was significantly higher than that among non-survivors ( 12. 8±2.49 vs. 6.08 ± 1.72 (p&lt; 0.001). The cut off point for GCS and FOUR score were ≤ 7and ≤ 8 respectively. The area under ROC curve for GCS for prediction of mortality was 0.975 (95% CI; 0.947-1.000; p&lt;0.001) and for FOUR score was 0.981 (95% CI; 0.960-1.000; p&lt;0.001) suggesting good discrimination ability ofboth models.The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of GCS were 91.67%, 91.82%, 55% and 99% respectively while that for FOUR score were 100%, 91.82%, 57.1 % and 100%respectively.CONCLUSION: The outcome measurement of FOUR score was comparable with the GCS in traumatic brain injury and both the scores correlated well.Journal of Universal College of Medical SciencesVol. 6, No. 1, 2018, Page: 32-39

Dysphagia screening after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background Dysphagia screening is recommended after acute stroke to identify patients at risk of aspiration and implement appropriate care. However, little is known about the frequency and outcomes of patients undergoing dysphagia screening after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods We used the Ontario Stroke Registry from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2013 to identify patients hospitalized with acute stroke and to compare dysphagia screening rates in those with ICH and ischemic stroke. In patients with ICH we assessed predictors of receiving dysphagia screening, predictors of failing screening, and outcomes after failing screening. Results Among 1091 eligible patients with ICH, 354 (32.4%) patients did not have documented dysphagia screening. Patients with mild ICH were less likely to receive screening (40.4% of patients were omitted, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.63). Older age, greater stroke severity, speech deficits, lower initial level of consciousness, and admission to intensive care unit were predictive of failing the screening test. Failing screening was associated with poor outcomes, including pneumonia (aOR 5.3, 95% CI 2.36-11.88), severe disability (aOR 4.78, 95% CI 3.08-7.41), and 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.38-3.17). When compared to patients with ischemic stroke, patients with ICH were less likely to receive dysphagia screening (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54-0.76) and more likely to fail screening (aOR 1.98, 95% 1.62-2.42). Conclusion One-third of patients with ICH did not have documented dysphagia screening, increasing to 40% in patients with mild clinical severity. Failing screening was associated with poor outcomes. Patients with ICH were less like to receive screening and twice as likely to fail compared to patients with ischemic stroke, and thus efforts should be made to include ICH patients in dysphagia screening protocols whenever possible.

Favorable results after conservative management of 316 valproate intoxicated patients.

Background:Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective antiepileptic drug widely used worldwide. Despite several studies indicating the usefulness of intravenous L-carnitine in the treatment of VPA poisoning, this drug is not readily available in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine whether supportive care without antidote would result in acceptable outcomes in VPA poisoned patients.Materials and Methods:In an observational, retrospective, single-center case series, all patients >12-year-old with VPA overdose who had referred to a tertiary center between 2009 and 2013 were consecutively enrolled. Patients’ demographic and presenting features, physical examinations, clinical management, laboratory data, and outcomes were recorded.Results:A total of 316 patients were enrolled with pure VPA toxicity. The most common presenting signs/symptoms were drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, vertigo, and headache. In the course of the disease, 14 patients (4.4%) were intubated and three (0.9%) required hemodialysis with mean dialysis sessions of two. Fourteen patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit, and seizures occurred in five. The initial level of consciousness was lower in patients with poor outcome. The median ingested dose of VPA in patients who required dialysis was significantly higher (20 vs. 6 g; P = 0.006). Multivariate analyses revealed that coma on presentation was associated with a worse outcome (P = 0.001; odds ratio = 61.5, 95% CI = 5.8-646.7).Conclusion:Prognosis of VPA poisoned patients appears to be good even with supportive care. According to our study, older age, ingestion of higher amounts of VPA and lower PCO2, HCO3, base excess, and CPK levels prone the patients to more severe toxicities in univariate analysis, but the main poor prognostic factor is coma on presentation in multivariate analysis.

Glue Embolization of Ruptured Anterior Thalamoperforating Artery Aneurysm in Patient with Both Internal Carotid Arteries Occlusion

Thalamoperforating artery aneurysms are rarely reported in the literature. We report an extremely rare case of ruptured distal anterior thalamoperforating artery aneurysm which was treated by endovascular obliteration in a patient with occlusion of both the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) : A 72-year-old woman presented with severe headache and loss of consciousness. Initial level of consciousness at the time of admission was drowsy and the Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan was performed which revealed intracerebral hemorrhage in right basal ganglia, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage. The location of the aneurysm was identified as within the globus pallidus on CT angiogram. Conventional cerebral angiogram demonstrated occlusion of both the ICAs just distal to the fetal type of posterior communicating artery and the aneurysm was arising from right anterior thalamoperforating artery (ATPA). A microcatheter was navigated into ATPA and the ATPA proximal to aneurysm was embolized with 20% glue. Post-procedural ICA angiogram demonstrated no contrast filling of the aneurysm sac. The patient was discharged without any neurologic deficit. Endovascular treatment of ATPA aneurysm is probably a more feasible and safe treatment modality than surgical clipping because of the deep seated location of aneurysm and the possibility of brain retraction injury during surgical operation.

A priority treatment of the intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) should be performed in the patients suffering intracerebral hemorrhage with large IVH

Background In patients suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with ventricular hemorrhage (IVH), the IVH severity is thought to be associated with prognosis. Therefore, treating IVH may be a beneficial therapeutic target. In this study, by examining the associations among IVH severity, hydrocephalus, initial level of consciousness and prognosis, we attempted to identify which grade of IVH severity should be considered for surgical treatment. Methods One hundred twenty-nine patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH treated in our hospital between 2005 and 2006 were screened in this study. Of these patients, 100 with an ICH volume less than 60 ml were categorized into either the ICH patients without IVH (no-IVH) group ( n = 65) or the ICH patients with IVH (IVH) group ( n = 35). The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale assessed at the time of discharge was employed as an outcome index, and a KPS score of ≤40 was defined as the bedridden state. Age, gender, hemorrhage location, volume of ICH, IVH grade (according to the Graeb score), acute hydrocephalus, surgical ICH removal, and ventricular drainage were selected for univariate analyses with logistic regression. Results Elderly patients, IVH volume, acute hydrocephalus, and poor initial level of consciousness were significantly associated with an unfavorable prognosis in the IVH group. Poor level of consciousness was significantly dependent on acute hydrocephalus, and significantly more occurrences of acute hydrocephalus were found in patients with a high IVH volume (Graeb score ≥6) than in patients with low to moderate IVH volume (Graeb score ≤6). Conclusions IVH severity influenced the occurrence of acute hydrocephalus and initial level of consciousness, which was significantly associated with prognosis. Our results suggest that priority treatment of the IVH should be given to those ICH patients with IVH admitted with a Graeb score of 6 or more.

Spinal Epidural Abscess: Result of 39 Patients and Evaluation of Prognostic Factors

Objective: Despite advances in neuroimaging and neurosurgical care, spinal abscess remains a challenging problem with high morbidity rate. So we conducted a retrospective study to define its clinical feature and to evaluate its prognostic factors. Methods: The charts of 39 patients with spinal epidural abscess over a 6-year period (from January 2001 to December 2006) were reviewed and analyzed. Results: The 39 spinal epidural abscess included 22 men and 17 women with a mean age of 58 years. Localized spinal pain, paralysis, fever/chilling were the common manifestations. The most common pathogens were Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but we could not found pathogen in 19 cases. Decreased initial level of consciousness (drowsy-stupor) may predicted a poor prognosis, but no statistic significance. Conclusion: Localized back pain in a febrile patient with significant risk of epidural abscess warrants an immediate evaluation. Good neurological recovery can be obtained despite severe neurologic deficit when treated by early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. (J Kor Neurotraumatol Soc 2009;5:68-73)

Adult Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in the Prehospital Setting

Background. Although the treatment of foreign body airway obstruction in adults has been well studied, few data exist on the characterization of prehospital experiences. Objectives. To describe the frequency, etiologies, andtreatments of foreign body airway obstruction in adults in the prehospital setting andto discuss the relative efficacies of treatments andpresenting factors that predict overall patient outcome. Methods. A San Diego County prehospital database was retrospectively reviewed for all adult patients over a 17-month period with data extracted on demographic characteristics, incident outcome, patient disposition, item involved in obstruction, location of episode, initial vital signs, initial level of consciousness, pertinent medical history, treatments initiated by bystanders andparamedics, andresponse to those treatments. Results. During the study period, there were 513 cases of foreign body airway obstruction in adults. Of these, 17 (3.3%) died. The mean age was 65.0 years, with increasing age correlating with worse outcome. The item causing obstruction varied widely, with medications andmeat being the most common items. The Heimlich maneuver was the most commonly used intervention, with an 86.5% rate of patient improvement. Magill forceps proved useful for three cases refractory to the Heimlich maneuver. Presenting vital sign aberrations, particularly with respiratory rate, correlated with poorer patient outcome. Conclusions. Foreign body airway obstruction represents a true emergency in adults, with a 3.3% mortality rate in the current study. The Heimlich maneuver was used frequently andwith good success. Key words: paramedic; choking; adult; foreign body.

Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency: Metabolic characteristics and new neurological aspects

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) deficiency is a rare metabolic disease. Recently, therapeutic possibilities have been introduced. We aimed to report the largest series of the B type of PC deficiency, focusing on some neurological aspects that have not yet been documented. We retrospectively studied nine patients with the severe neonatal form of PC deficiency diagnosed in our hospital. Detailed clinical features, brain imaging, biochemical characteristics, and global outcome are reported. All patients had axial hypotonia and tachypnea during the first hours of life. The initial level of consciousness was preserved in most patients. Abnormal movements (high-amplitude tremor and hypokinesia) and bizarre ocular behavior were the most common findings, whereas epilepsy was infrequent. Brain magnetic resonance imaging mostly disclosed cystic periventricular leukomalacia. Hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and hypercitrullinemia were invariably found. Hyperammoniemia, hypernatremia, and high proline and lysine were frequently detected. A rapid fatal outcome was observed in most patients. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of this deficiency are highly suggestive. Abnormal movements such as rigidity and hypokinesia (hypokinetic-rigid syndrome) are an important hallmark and may orientate to PC deficiency when associated with severe lactic acidosis.

Prognostic factors in the subacute phase after stroke for the future residence after six months to one year. A systematic review of the literature.

To identify evidence-based prognostic factors in the subacute phase after a stroke for future residence at six months to one year post stroke. Systematic literature search designed in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration criteria with the following data sources: (1) MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Current Contents, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycLIT and Sociological Abstracts. (2) Reference lists, personal archives and consultation of experts in the field. (3) Guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) cohort studies of patients with an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke; (2) inception cohort with assessment of prognostic factors within the first two weeks after stroke; (3) outcome measures for future residence; and (4) a follow-up of six months to one year. Internal, statistical and external validity of the studies were assessed using a checklist with 11 methodological criteria in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. From 1027 potentially relevant studies 10 studies involving a total of 3564 patients met the inclusion criteria. No prognostic factor was identified in at least two level A (i.e., a good level of scientific evidence according to the methodological score) studies, our standard for scientific proof. The following factors were found in at least one level A study: low initial ADL functioning, high age, cognitive disturbance, paresis of arm and leg, not alert as initial level of consciousness, old hemiplegia, homonymous hemianopia, visual extinction, constructional apraxia, no transfer to the stroke unit, nonlacunar stroke type, visuospatial construction problems, urinary incontinence and female gender. At present there is insufficient evidence concerning possible predictors in the subacute stage of stroke to make an evidence-based prediction of the future residence. In the scientific research until now social factors and their contribution to the possibility of living independently have not been investigated, or at least less well. None of the studies in this review described a conceptual framework as basis for the choice of the examined prognostic factors.