Introduction Between 20-50% of neurosurgical patients may develop early perioperative complications, and 25% have more than one clinical complication. The most commons are high blood pressure (25%) and cardiovascular events (7%). Intraoperative hypertension is characterized by an increase of 20% in basal blood pressure. Objectives The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of perioperative hypertension in patients undergoing neurosurgery, and to propose one table with therapeutic options. Methods A review using Scielo, PubMed, Ebsco and Artmed databases with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles published from 1957 to 2015 were selected. Discussion Five factors were established as causes: arterial hypertension, clinical conditions, surgical procedures, and operative and anesthetic factors. Specific causes preoperative, intraoperative and posoperative. The pathophysiology may have some relationship with catecholamines and sympathetic nervous system stimulation. Conclusion Perioperative hypertension in neurosurgery may have many causes, some of them recognizable and preventable. This increased pressure may be associated with intracranial hematomas in some cases. The recognition and treatment of this disease can be helpful in the management of the postoperative period.

Introduction The observation of multiple lesions in a skull computed tomography (CT) scan is always cause for concern because of the frequent possibility of neoplastic etiology, although granulomatous, infectious, vascular, iatrogenic, demielinating, trauma, parasitic diseases, and strokes can produce a similar aspect on radiology. A wide range of non-neoplastic conditions can mimic a brain tumor, both clinically and radiologically, representing a potential pitfall for physicians involved in patient care. The study's goal is to alert specialists to the possibility of other neoplastic and nonneoplastic etiologies in the differential diagnosis of hypodense lesions in non-contrast. Methods We performed a literature review using PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, Embase, Clinical Trials, Ebsco, and Scielo. Articles were selected in the period of 1986 to 2015. Discussion Knowledge of various etiologies when with multiple lesions appear on computed tomography allows specialists to guide the diagnosis to appropriate treatment, avoiding the irradiation of non-neoplastic lesions and unnecessary surgeries. The most common lesions were the neoplasm (74% to 86%), especially gliomas, followed by infections (8% to 15%), and infarcts (0.6% to 6%), which represent nonneoplastic lesions.

Introduction Technical developments in spinal surgery have reduced the number of surgical incisions and of the length of time for the procedure. Objective Describe topographical landmarks, anatomy and characteristics of the Wiltse access, a paraspinal approach to the lumbar spine. Methods A review of the literature was performed using as databases: PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, the Cochran Database and Google Scholar. Total 22 papers met the inclusion criteria, and they were all published between 1959 and 2016. Discussion The Wiltse approach is performed by median skin incision with lateral muscle dissection between the multifidus and the longissimus muscles, in a natural pathway. This approach allows access to the pedicles and to the lateral recess, enabling the performance of posterior spinal fusion and decompression and minimally invasive discectomy techniques. This access is less traumatic than the median approach, and it is ideal for lower levels, like L4–5 and L5-S1. Conclusion The authors strongly encourage this approach because they believe that, when well-indicated, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and complications due to the fact that it is a less invasive procedure.

Introduction Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) is a hemorrhagic brain injury that persists for more than 21 days after its initial formation. The incidence is predominantly among the elderly population (> 65 years), and varies from 58 to 74/100,000 inhabitants. Spontaneous resolution is considered variable; in the literature series, it is < 1-20% of cases. Objectives To expose the CSH pathophysiological mechanisms of spontaneous resolution and some treatments that lead to hematoma volume reduction. Methods Literature review between 1971 to 2016, using the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scielo, LILACS and Cochrane databases using key-words, with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discussion Spontaneous resolution of the CSH pathophysiology is controversial; however, it can be attributed to four basic mechanisms: 1) outer capsule membrane maturation; 2) decreased fibrinolysis; 3) bidirectional flow of blood vessels; and 4) platelet plug. Some drugs, such as mannitol, corticosteroids, tranexamic acid and atorvastatin, contribute to CSH resolution, since they change the capsule membrane permeability, and inhibit the fibrinolytic and inflammatory systems. Conclusion Spontaneous resolution is unpredictable; in some cases, it has a large temporal evolution (of up to 6 years). It occurs in small or laminar collections, asymptomatic or with transient neurological symptoms, and the pathophysiology is still controversial to this day. Therefore, surgical treatment should remain the first option, even though the conservative management is adopted for some patients. Rigorous outpatient and radiological follow-up are recommended.

Specialists rarely perform neurosurgical procedures on patients in the semi-sitting position. This is due to several factors, most importantly, the perception of risks associated with this position and lack of practice in some services. Nevertheless, the benefit of this position is still the subject of controversy both in neurosurgery and neuroanesthesia. Our objective is to report on the benefits associated to its use for posterior fossa diseases and dorsal cervical spine procedures, through cases in the literature. We survey and analyze state-of -the art works that mention the semi-sitting position, based on searches in Pubmed, Scielo, Science Direct, and Lilacs. We found 46 original articles on the subject that we included in the review. This review demonstrates that the advantages for access in this position include gravitational drainage of venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid, easier surgical access to midline structures, as well as reduced cerebellar edema, surgery time and blood loss. This technique also allows ventilation with low pressure, less impairment of diaphragmatic motion, and better access to the tracheal tube. There are, however, some disadvantages, among which the most serious is paradoxical arterial embolism. We describe early detection methods of complications and discuss situations that can factor in to the choice of position. In summary, a semi-sitting position is safe and effective in neurosurgical posterior fossa and the upper cervical spine, provided there is a joint effort between neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists in selecting patients and complying with the technical standards favorable to this technique.