Uncontrollable Intracranial Hypertension Research Articles

Substantially elevated serum glutamate and CSF GOT-1 levels associated with cerebral ischemia and poor neurological outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

Brain injury and cerebral vasospasm during the 14 days after the subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are considered the leading causes of poor outcomes. The primary injury induces a cascade of events, including increased intracranial pressure, cerebral vasospasm and ischemia, glutamate excitotoxicity, and neuronal cell death. The objective of this study was to monitor the time course of glutamate, and associated enzymes, such as glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT1), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, shortly after SAH, and to assess their prognostic value. A total of 74 participants participated in this study: 45 participants with SAH and 29 controls. Serum and CSF were sampled up to 14 days after SAH. SAH participants' clinical and neurological status were assessed at hospitalization, at discharge from the hospital, and 3 months after SAH. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the ability of GOT1 and glutamate levels to predict neurological outcomes. Our results demonstrated consistently elevated serum and CSF glutamate levels after SAH. Furthermore, serum glutamate level was significantly higher in patients with cerebral ischemia and poor neurological outcome. CSF GOT1 was significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled intracranial hypertension and cerebral ischemia post-SAH, and independently predicted poor neurological outcomes.

Surgical treatment and operation time in human immunodeficiency virus-negative cryptococcal meningitis.

There are still no unified guidelines of surgical treatment and timing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM).The clinical data and follow-up data were collected from HIV-negative CM patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2009 to November 2018, and 42 patients who were treated with surgical intervention were enrolled in the present study. These 42 patients were divided into ventriculoatrial (VA) group, ventriculoperitoneal group, external ventricle drainage (EVD) group, hydrocephalus (HYC) group, non-HYC group, EVD group, and non-EVD group (VA/ ventriculoperitoneal) according to different surgical procedures. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 19.0, Chicago, IL).Signs of headache, fever, and loss of consciousness in the VA group were significantly improved compared with the EVD group at 1 week after operation (P < .05). The mortality rate of the VA group was significantly lower than that of the EVD group (P < .05). Moreover, male patients were more prone to have HYC (P < .05). Younger patients tended to develop HYC (P < .05). Cerebrospinal fluid sugar in the non-HYC group was significantly lower compared with the HYC group (P < .05). Time of CM-to-operation in the non-HYC group was markedly shorter compared with the HYC group (P < .01).VA procedure could be one of the first choices for the treatment of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension caused by CM. Severe uncontrollable headache, loss of consciousness, and cerebral hernia were indications of emergency surgery. Repeated headache, hearing impairment, and especially progressive loss of vision were indications of early surgery to avoid permanent damage to nerve functions of HIV-negative CM patients.

Therapeutic Hypothermia in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High Quality Randomized Trials.

To investigate the effect of the application of therapeutic hypothermia (32-35°C) on survival and major clinical endpoints in critically ill patients. We searched online database and clinical trial registries dated up to April 30, 2019, and references of relevant studies. Low risk of bias randomized trials which compared hypothermia applied for at least 24 hours and conventional therapy in critically ill patients were included. We excluded trials investigating therapeutic hypothermia in indications already supported by international guidelines (adult cardiac arrest and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of newborns) or intraoperative hypothermia. Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two authors. If the articles seemed eligible, full-text articles were reviewed, and data were abstracted using a structured template. Our search retained 14 low risk of bias randomized trials (2,670 patients) performed in three different settings: traumatic brain injury, serious infections, and stroke. Therapeutic hypothermia was associated with an increase in mortality at longest follow-up available (432/1,375 [31%] vs 330/1,295 [25%]; risk ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.39; p = 0.0004; I = 0%). Pooled results showed no difference of good neurologic outcome among survivors between the two treatment arms (493/1,142 [43%] vs 486/1,067 [46%]; risk ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12; p = 0.27; I = 1%). Arrhythmias were significantly increased among patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. We found no difference between groups in pneumonia, serious infections, any infection, hemorrhage, renal failure, deep vein thrombosis, and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension. High-quality randomized evidence indicates that therapeutic hypothermia is associated with higher mortality and no difference in good neurologic outcome compared with normothermia in critically ill patients. Although there still might be a possibility that therapeutic hypothermia is beneficial in a specific setting, routine application of therapeutic hypothermia would better be avoided outside the settings indicated by international guidelines (adult cardiac arrest and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of newborns).

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis

BackgroundPersistent and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension (ICH) and difficulty in reducing Cryptococcus count are severe problems in cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients. The therapeutic effects of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) in non-HIV CM patients are not fully known, and the procedure is somewhat unusual. Here, our study offers a review to investigate the role of VPS in non-HIV CM.MethodsWe retrospectively collected data on 23 non-HIV CM patients with and without ventriculomegaly from 2010 to 2016. Their demographic data, clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) features and outcomes were analysed.ResultsWe found that non-HIV CM patients without ventriculomegaly were older, had earlier treatment times and had shorter symptom durations than CM patients with ventriculomegaly. In both groups, headache, vomiting, fever and loss of vision were the most common clinical features. CSF pressure and Cryptococcus count were significantly decreased after operation. VPS could provide sustained relief from ICH symptoms such as headache. 13% of patients had poor outcomes because of serious underlying disease, while 87% of patients had good outcomes.ConclusionsThe use of a VPS is helpful in decreasing ICH and fungal overload in non-HIV CM patients, and VPS should be performed before CM patients present with symptoms of severe neurological deficit.

Retraction Note: Decompressive craniectomy without durotomy for traumatic coma and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension

The Publisher has retracted this article [1] because it appears that the authors did not obtain the necessary consent to publish their case details from the patients described. The article is no longer available online in order to protect the patients’ privacy. Darlene Lobel has agreed to retraction, Daniel Miller could not be reached by the journal for comment on the retraction.

Clinical monitoring scales in acute brain injury: assessment of coma, pain, agitation, and delirium.

Serial clinical examination represents the most fundamental and basic form of neurological monitoring, and is often the first and only form of such monitoring in patients. Even in patients subjected to physiological monitoring using a range of technologies, the clinical examination remains an essential tool to follow neurological progress. Key aspects of the clinical examination have now been systematized into scoring schemes, and address consciousness, pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD). The Glasgow Coma Scale has been the traditional tool to measure consciousness, but the full outline of unresponsiveness (FOUR) score has recently been validated in a variety of settings, and at present, both represent clinically useful tools. Assessment of PAD in neurologically compromised patients present special challenges. For pain, the Numeric Rating Scale is the preferred initial approach, with either the Behavioral Pain Scale or the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool in subjects who are not able to respond. The Nociception Coma Scale-Revised may be useful in patients with severe disorders of consciousness. Conventional sedation scoring tools for critical care, such as the Richmond Area Sedation Scale (RASS) and Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) may provide reasonable tools in some neurocritical care patients. The use of sedative drugs and neuromuscular blockers may invalidate the use of some clinical examination tools in others. The use of sedation interruption to assess neurological status can result in physiological derangement in unstable patients (such as those with uncontrolled intracranial hypertension), and is not recommended.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts for treating increased intracranial pressure in cryptococcal meningitis with or without ventriculomegaly.

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycosis, especially in patients that are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, and frequently involves the central nervous system. We assessed the potential of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) in preventing mortality due to uncontrollable intracranial hypertension (ICH) in 15 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cryptococcal meningitis. After 2 weeks of antifungal therapy consisting of amphotericin B deoxycholate with or without fluconazole, patients with persistent ICH underwent VPS, despite having persistent Cryptococcus neoformans infection. In 12 patients, the uncontrollable ICH was resolved by VPS. Patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis who have ICH must be considered for VPS even with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures.

ABSTRACT 337

Background and aims: The herniation paradoxal is consequence of the trephined syndrome that is a subacute complication of large craniectomies. Aims: We report a case of a 4-year-old male child who presented major trauma brain injury after motor vehicle accident versus pedestrian. Methods: He had a crushing lesion on the right side of the skull. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 11T at the hospital admission. His initial CT scan showed frontal comminuted fracture of the right facial bones, frontal, temporal, parietal and nasal bones. Plus skull base fracture throught the temporal floor, soft tissue edema and large pneumocephalus. TBI guidelines was used and intracranial pressure monitoring. After 4 days he presented an uncontrollable intracranial hypertension and signs of severe infection of the brain. A new CT showed reducing size of the lateral ventricles, sulci and cisterns, mildline shift and transcalvarial herniation of the right temporal lobe. The decompressive craniectomy and dural repair was performed. His skul frontal, temporal and parietal right bones were necrotic and were removed. The ICP was controlled on post injury day 7. After 3 weeks his medical condition deteriorated with tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, worsening of nasal cerebrospinal fluid leak and decerebrate posture. CT scan showed paradoxal herniation with uncal herniation, brainstem compression and midline shift. Results: The medical management was to increase intracranial pressure by placing into Trendelenburg positioning and increasing hydratation. Conclusions: Our proposal was to bring attention to early diagnosis of paradoxal herniation whose outcome is severe acute neurological deterioration and death.

Gradual and Controlled Decompression for Brain Swelling Due to Severe Head Injury

Patients suffering from uncontrollable intracranial hypertension due to posttraumatic brain swelling (BS) generally either die or survive in an extremely disabled state. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) with dural augmentation may be the best method to assist these patients. However, the efficacy of DC on functional outcomes remains controversial. One of the factors contributing to poor outcomes could be intraoperative brain extrusion, which is an acute potential complication of DC. The authors have adopted a new surgical technique for traumatic BS that can prevent and control massive intraoperative BS (IOS). In the past 3 years, the authors have used a unique technique, called "gradual and controlled decompression", in the treatment of posttraumatic BS. This procedure consists of creating numerous small dural openings and removing clots; enlarging fenestration in the frontal and temporal basal regions to detect and treat brain contusion; making U-shaped, discontinuous, small dural incisions around the circumference of the craniotomy; and performing an augmentation duraplasty through the discontinuous small opening with dural prosthetic substances. This technique has been employed in 23 patients suffering from posttraumatic BS. In all cases, IOS was prevented and controlled through gradual stepwise decompression, and expanded duraplasty was performed successfully. This new surgical approach for posttraumatic BS can prevent severe extrusion of the brain through the craniotomy defect and allows the gradual and gentle release of the subdural space. Further clinical studies should be conducted to estimate the impact of this new technique on morbidity and mortality rates.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Decompressive craniectomy without durotomy for traumatic coma and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension

Mortality in traumatic intracranial hypertension (ICH) unresponsive to medical therapy is nearly 100%. Efficacy of craniectomy for traumatic uncontrollable ICH is unproven. Standard decompressive craniectomy (DC) includes dural opening and duraplasty. Craniectomy without durotomy has not been studied. This analysis was performed to determine feasibility, efficacy, and complications associated with decompressive craniectomy without durotomy compared to standard craniectomy with duraplasty.

Endovascular Treatment of Children With Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Case Series

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a potentially serious condition affecting 0.56 to 0.67 per 100,000 children annually; adverse outcomes are common. The standard of care is anticoagulation with heparin. A proportion of patients, however, remain in a severe clinical condition and in these, endovascular therapy is an alternative treatment. There is little published literature on the use of endovascular treatments in children with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. We retrospectively reviewed case notes and imaging in a consecutive series of nine children treated using endovascular therapy after diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Clinical presentation, decision to escalate therapy, methods of recanalization, and clinical outcome were assessed. Nine children were treated (age range 18 months to 16 years). Diagnosis was made by computed tomography, computed tomography venography, magnetic resonance imaging, or magnetic resonance venography. Seven children were in a coma; one had signs of raised intracranial pressure with progressive cranial nerve palsies; and one was drowsy with a fluctuating hemiparesis. Eight children had been treated with heparin without improvement. Several endovascular methods were used including local tissue plasminogen activator, microguidewire and catheter disruption, balloon angioplasty, and thromboaspiration using the Penumbra device. Eight children had good functional outcomes. One child died as a result of uncontrolled intracranial hypertension secondary to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Endovascular therapy may have a role in the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children when medical therapy has failed and the patient is in a poor clinical condition.

Prolonged external ventricular drainage to treat Cryptococcus gattii induced intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus.

The use of prolonged external ventricular drainage to treat uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in patients with cerebral cryptococcomas without hydrocephalus is unique and remains largely unreported. This condition, however, can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and cerebrospinal fluid diversion techniques are important and are essential to survival and neurological function. We report a case of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus in a 21-year-old man which was successfully managed by prolonged external ventricular drainage.

Pathogenesis of Liver Injury in Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) represents the most severe damage an organ can sustain and can lead to shock, coagulopathy, altered mentation, cerebral edema, renal failure, infection, and, ultimately, multiorgan failure. The US Acute Liver Failure Study Group (ALFSG; available at: acuteliverfailure.org), convened a meeting on October 17 and 18, 2011, and included clinical, translational and fundamental investigators to discuss the pathogenesis of acute hepatocyte injury, how it occurs, and its downstream effects. The ALFSG has, for the past 14 years, carefully collected detailed clinical information and bio-samples from roughly 2000 patients with ALF at 24 tertiary medical centers across the United States. This meeting sought to summarize our current understanding of the pathogenetic factors that drive acute liver injury. These included consideration of (1) the contribution of innate immunity to liver injury, (2) the role of cytokine release in perpetuating liver injury and causing multiorgan failure, (3) mechanisms of apoptosis in ALF, (4) alterations in signal transduction with a focus on the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), (5) the contribution of infection to the pathogenesis of ALF, (6) the emerging centrality of inflammasome and sterile inflammation in the pathogenesis of ALF, (7) systems biology approaches to integrating and ordering the wide array of seemingly massively perturbed effectors in ALF, (8) host genetics and its contribution to ALF susceptibility, including a consideration of the power of next generation sequencing tools as they relate to ALF, and (9) contribution of liver regeneration to counteraction of ALF. Finally, we considered novel therapeutic strategies for ALF based on these pathogenetic concepts.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt for intracranial hypertension in cryptococcal meningitis without hydrocephalus

The use of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to treat uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in patients with cryptococcal meningitis without hydrocephalus is somewhat unusual and still largely unreported. However, uncontrollable intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus in these patients is a potentially life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis and shunt placement are essential to improve survival and neurological function. We report uncontrollable intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus in a 23-year-old woman, which was successfully managed by VP shunt placement.

The Values of Cerebrovascular Pressure Reactivity and Brain Tissue Oxygen Pressure Reactivity in Experimental Anhepatic Liver Failure

We investigated in a porcine model of anhepatic acute liver failure (ALF), the value of two parameters describing cerebrovascular autoregulatory capacity, pressure reactivity index (PRx) and brain tissue oxygen pressure reactivity (ORx), regarding their power to predict the development of intracranial hypertension. In six pigs, hepatectomy was performed. Only one animal was sham operated. All animals received neuromonitoring including arterial blood pressure, intracranial pressure (ICP), and brain tissue partial oxygen pressure (P(br)O(2)). The average time of neuromonitoring was 31.0h. Cerebral perfusion pressures (CPP), cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index (PRx) and brain tissue oxygen reactivity index (ORx) were calculated. Perioperative disturbance of AR improved within 4h after surgery. From 6 to 16h post hepatectomy, ICP did slowly increase by 4mmHg from baseline; CPP remained stable around 40mmHg. PRx and ORx, however, indicated in this period a progressive loss of AR, reflected in a decrease of P(br)O(2) despite unchanged CPP. Beyond 16h, ICP rose quickly. At CPP levels below 35mmHg, P(br)O(2) fell to ischemic levels. The loss of cerebrovascular autoregulatory capacity, indicated by a rise of PRx and ORx precedes the final crisis of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in this animal model by hours. During this phase cerebral blood flow, as reflected in tissue oxygenation, deteriorates despite unchanged CPP. Monitoring of AR during ALF therefore seems to carry the power to identify a risk for development of critical CBF and intracranial hypertension.

Liver transplantation results in complete neurologic recovery from malignant hypertension secondary to fulminant hepatic failure: A case report

Uncontrolled intracranial hypertension can lead to cerebral herniation and death in patients with acute liver failure. A 26-year-old female was admitted for acute liver failure following inadvertent acetaminophen overdose. The pH on admission was 6.9. Her neurologic status precipitously deteriorated and she was listed for liver transplantation. An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring catheter was inserted, which revealed a pressure >60 mmHg. After neurointensive care treatment, ICP was lowered and an emergency left lobe living donor liver transplant was performed. Intraoperative management of the ICP, which rose to 80 mmHg during the explant phase, was achieved by therapy with barbiturates and hypothermia. After surgery, hepatic function improved initially, but 7 days post transplantation the graft showed signs of acute failure. The pathology report of a liver biopsy suggested acute rejection and liver retransplantation using a deceased donor liver was then carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient recovered completely without any residual neurologic deficits. This case states that favourable outcomes can result from sub-optimal starting points, and that the human brain has the ability to overcome extremely adverse conditions. Critical in this effort is the role of proper neuromonitoring which helps implement the appropriate treatment measures.

Chapter 3. Indications for intracranial pressure monitoring

Chapter 3. Indications for intracranial pressure monitoring

Chapter 11. Barbiturates

Chapter 11. Barbiturates

Chapter 8. Hyperosmolar therapy

Chapter 8. Hyperosmolar therapy

Comparison between single-step and balloon dilatational tracheostomy in intensive care unit: a single-centre, randomized controlled study

BackgroundBalloon dilatational tracheostomy using the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin device has recently been introduced as a modification of the Ciaglia technique. The aim of this study was to compare the new Dolphin system with the single-step dilatational tracheostomy (Ciaglia Blue Rhino) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. MethodsConsecutive patients admitted to the ICU of the Emergency Department (Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy) from January 2009 to October 2009, aged >18 years and with an indication for percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT), were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were infection/injury/malignancy of the neck, thyroid gland hypertrophy, severe head injury with uncontrolled intracranial hypertension, and coagulopathy. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo PDT using either the Ciaglia Blue Rhino (n=35) or the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin technique (n=35). Groups were compared according to tracheal puncture, tracheal tube placement time, procedure-related complications, and bleeding. ResultsBaseline clinical data were comparable between the two groups. Median procedure time was significantly shorter in the Rhino group compared with the Dolphin group (1.5 vs 4 min, P = 0.035). The presence of limited intra-tracheal bleeding at bronchoscopy examination after 6 h from PDT was more frequent in the Dolphin group than in the Rhino group patients (68.6% vs 34.3%, respectively, P = 0.008). No major bleeding occurred in either group. ConclusionsPDT using the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin technique is a feasible and viable option in ICU patients, but the Rhino technique had a shorter execution time and seemed to be associated with fewer tracheal injuries.