1/4. Rapid fluctuations in conscious state in a patient with an extensive spinal dural fistula.A man with a spontaneous spinal dural fistula and significant fluctuations in level of consciousness is discussed. The presentation was that of headache and vomiting followed by an initially enigmatic acute reduction in the level of consciousness. This required urgent evacuation of bilateral chronic subdural haematomas, believed to be causative. Following mobilisation, several episodes of presumed orthostatic intracranial hypotension occurred rendering the patient rapidly unconscious. A large spinal extradural CSF collection extending through the full length of the vertebral canal was later diagnosed however, the precise location of the fistulous leak could not be found radiologically. Non-operative management was successful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak of this magnitude. The case, pathogenesis, investigations and management of this rare entity are considered and the literature reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = consciousness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Acute obstructive hydrocephalus associated with infratentorial subdural hygromas complicating Chiari malformation Type I decompression. Report of two cases and literature review.Obstructive hydrocephalus complicating foramen magnum decompression (FMD) for a Chiari malformation (CM) Type I is rare. Two female patients (17 and 55 years old) presented with strain-related headaches. In both cases magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies confirmed a CM Type I, which was accompanied by syringomyelia in one case. Both patients underwent uncomplicated FMD with good initial recovery. Unfortunately, conditions in both patients deteriorated, with severe headaches occurring between Days 5 and 6 post-FMD. Decreased consciousness occurred in one case. In both patients, computerized tomography scanning demonstrated an acute obstructive hydrocephalus associated with bilateral infratentorial extraaxial fluid collections (EAFCs). In addition, left parafalcine and convexity EAFCs were present in one case. An emergency external ventricular drain was required in one patient, with delayed conversion to a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Spontaneous resolution occurred in the other patient without neurosurgical intervention. In both cases, MR imaging confirmed that each EAFC was subdural, resembled cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and had distorted the superior cerebellum anteroinferiorly. Despite upper fourth ventricle/aqueduct compromise in one case, normal aqueduct flow artifacts were apparent on examination. All EAFCs resolved spontaneously. Obstructive hydrocephalus complicating FMD is rare but invariably associated with infratentorial EAFCs, which were confirmed to be subdural hygromas in this report. The authors assert that hydrocephalus results from upper fourth ventricle/aqueduct compromise as a result of CSF subdural dissection following a pinhole arachnoid tear on durotomy. Because such hygromas spontaneously resolve, permanent shunt insertion should be avoided.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = consciousness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension resulting in coma: case report.OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a potentially severe condition characterized by a distinct clinical picture caused by low cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Although coma has been reported previously as a presentation of this condition, this is the first report in which misdiagnosis of this condition and unwarranted surgery led to coma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man presented with a history of headache, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral chronic subdural hematomas. After evacuation of the hematoma, the patient's condition deteriorated into a state of profound depression of consciousness. Repeated cranial computed tomographic scans showed intracranial air, and intracranial pressure monitoring showed negative recording. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated epidural cerebrospinal fluid leaks at the middle and lower thoracic levels. INTERVENTION: Epidural blood patch resulted in almost immediate improvement in the patient's condition, and he was fully awake 24 hours later. CONCLUSION: This case report expands the presently known clinical spectrum of this uncommon and generally benign illness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = consciousness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Posterior fossa subdural effusion due to head trauma.We report 3 cases of posterior fossa subdural effusion resulting from head trauma, and we review 20 previously reported cases. All patients with the acute type presented with progressive deterioration of consciousness associated with stiff neck, seizure, and dyspnea (apnea). By contrast, in the subacute or chronic type, persistent headache, multiple cranial nerve pareses, and ataxia were characteristic. occipital bone fracture was common in the acute type, and supratentorial subdural effusion was more frequently associated with the subacute or chronic type. Evacuation of the subdural fluid collection through a burr hole is the most common and effective treatment, but subdural-peritoneal shunting or closed drainage of the subdural fluid collection may be necessary. The prognosis of posterior fossa subdural effusion after head trauma is relatively good.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = consciousness (Clic here for more details about this article) |