Objective: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is one of the commonly used treatment modalities for refractory intracranial hypertension after traumatic brain injury. The objective of this study is to assess the functional outcome following DC in closed traumatic brain injury based on Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Nepal, from September 2017 to October 2019. Data of the patients who had undergone DC for closed traumatic brain injury were reviewed from medical record files. Patients who had DC for nontraumatic causes were excluded from the study. Functional outcome was assessed using GOS at 3 months of follow-up. Results: Of the 52 decompressive craniectomies, 46 were included in the study. The majority was male (71.7%). The mean age and the mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation were 41.87 (standard deviation [SD] ± 15.29) and 7.59 (SD ± 2.97), respectively. The most common mode of injury was road traffic accident (76.1%). 60.9% had GCS score ≤8 while 39.1% had >8 GCS on admission. 34.8% had both the pupils reactive while 58.7% were anisocoric. Majority had Marshall IV and above grade of injury (67.4%). Sixteen (34.8%) had inhospital mortality. Favorable outcome was seen in 39.1%. GCS score >8 at presentation (72.2%, P < 0.001), bilaterally intact pupillary reflexes (75%, P < 0.001), Marshall grade injury ≤3 on computed tomography scan (90%, P < 0.001), and age <50 years (50%, P = 0.039) were significantly associated with favorable outcome. Procedure-related complications were seen in 36.9%. Conclusion: Favorable outcome was seen in 39.1%. Age <50 years, higher GCS score at presentation (>8), intact pupillary reflexes, and lower Marshall grade injuries were associated with favorable outcome. We recommend a larger prospective study to assess the long-term functional outcome after DC using extended GOS.

Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a common and potentially disabling pain syndrome, which affects the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve. The precise pathophysiology of Trigeminal neuralgia remains obscure. The disorder causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like face pain that lasts from few seconds to minutes and can be physically and mentally incapacitating. More than one nerve branch can be affected by the disorder. A 55-year-old female presented with pain over the left side of face for 10 years uncontrolled with carbamazepine. On examination the positive findings were reduced sensation by 25% over the left side of face with House and Brackman grade II facial nerve palsy. The corneal reflex was absent on left side. Magnetic resonance imaging showed left cerebellopontine angle (CPA) mass suggestive of an epidermoid involving the Vth nerve and Gasserian ganglion and extending into the middle cranial fossa. She underwent left suboccipital craniectomy and near total excision of the tumor with decompression of the Vth nerve which was fully engulfed by the tumor. Postoperative the VII nerve palsy increased to grade III and she had 50% loss of sensation over left side. She had no further attacks of pain and hence tapered off the carbamazepine. TN caused by cerebellopontine angle epidermoids is uncommon and should be kept in view in all cases presenting with TN. The aim of surgery for epidermoids is to decompress the cranial nerves and brain stem and not total removal with its attendant morbidity and mortality.

Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors account about 40% of all intraspinal tumors and mainly represented by nerve sheath tumors and meningiomas. These two tumors represent about 55% of IDEM tumors and other rare tumors are dermoid, epidermoid, lipomas, metastatic tumors, paragangliomas etc.Technical advances in imaging techniques, MRI and surgical procedures have brought about excellent clinical results of IDEM tumors after surgery in last two decades. However, a small percentage of patients still present poor postoperative neurological outcome due to delayed in diagnosis and surgical intervention, severity of preoperative neurological defi cits and adverse pathology.The aim of this study is to analyze and discuss about the surgical outcome of 65 IDEM tumors operated in twelve years’ period.This is a retrospective study of 65 patients who were operated for IDEM tumors, between 1999 and 2012 in Department of Neurosurgery. One patient who had IDEM arteriovenous malformation was excluded from the study.Neurological outcome was scaled by McCormick’s grading. Follow up period ranged for 5 years to 17 years.After the clinical evaluation, all the patients suspected of having spinal tumors were subjected for MRI with Gadolinium enhancement of presumed level of spine based on neurological findings. Total excision of all IDEM tumors was performed using operating microscope. No intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring was used.There were 40 male and 25 female and age ranged from 10 to 80 years. Most common IDEM tumors were nerve sheath tumors (44), meningiomas (13), hydatid cyst (2), dermoid/epidermoid (2), arachnoid cyst (2) and n were thoracic, cervical and lumbar spines.Total tumor excision was performed in all cases. Post operative Complications rate was 12.3% (7) and common complications included were CSF Leak (5), wound infection (2), meningitis (1).There was no surgery related mortality. Postoperatively 60 patients had improved neurological status, 5 patients had stable neurology. There was no postoperative neurological deterioration.On followed up period 2 patients showed features of recurrence of tumor in 5 years’ period and underwent resurgical treatment. Those two patients with recurrent tumors were nerve sheath tumors.Majority of IDEM tumors are benign and total cure is possible in almost all cases if tumor is excised totally. Excellent neurological recovery has been observed in more than 95% of cases.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 13, No. 2, 2016, Page: 73-80

No abstract