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  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Acta neurochirurgica 138 (1996), S. 829-834 
    ISSN: 0942-0940
    Keywords: Shunt infection ; hydrocephalus ; infection ; ventriculo-peritoneal shunt ; external ventricular drainage
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunction may be caused by shunt infection which may not be clinically apparent as the cause of the malfunction by standard diagnostic criteria. This suggests that the real incidence of infected shunts might be higher than previously suspected. In order to study the relationship between infection and shunt malfunction, we followed a protocol over five years (54 V-P shunts) consisting of (1) removal of the malfunctioning shunt and replacement in the same surgical procedure with a new one or institution of an external ventricular drainage for 8 days (if there were clear signs of infection), (2) culturing of CSF and every part of the removed shunt, and (3) intravenous antibiotic treatment (Vancomycin 1g./12h + Ceftriaxone 1g./12h) for five days after the new V-P shunt had been inserted. In those cases in which an external ventricular drainage had been placed, its tip and a portion of the new V-P shunt were also cultured. The results showed that although CSF cultures were negative in 49/54 cases (90.7%), cultures of the removed shunts were positive in 32/54 (59.2%), most of them (21/32, 65.6%) for Staphylococcus coagulase negative organisms. The CSF samples obtained by puncturing the reservoir on admission to Hospital were positive only in 5 out of 54 cases (9.2%), only in those showing clinical features of infection. In the remaining cases, 27 out of 54 (50%) the CSF cultures were negative but the shunt cultures proved positive and required further treatment. For the newly inserted shunts (173) CSF was collected through the shunt during the surgical procedure, and a small piece of the extra-tube from the ventricular and from the peritoneal catheter were obtained and cultured. All the six shunts (6/173, 3.4%) that showed positive cultures after insertion had to be replaced within a period of three to four weeks due to malfunction (range 26±7 days), indicating that the systematic culture of CSF and tubing helps to predict which shunts will soon need to be replaced due to infection. We conclude that CSF culture alone does not rule out infection in cases of shunt malfunction. The percutaneous CSF obtained from the shunt reservoir on admission is particularly prone to show negative cultures even when the shunt is colonized by bacteria.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    ISSN: 0942-0940
    Keywords: Cranioplasty ; bone graft ; bone transplantation ; autoclaving ; bone resorption
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary When a bone flap is raised in the course of a craniotomy, the ideal is to replace it at the end of the procedure. When it is invaded by tumoural cells, it cannot be replaced due to the risk of tumoural recurrence. In these cases we have autoclaved the bone flap to be able to replace it with no fear of tumoural recurrence. Between October 1989 and October 1995 sixty-two patients required autoclaving of the bone flap in the course of a craniotomy due to tumoural invasion (thirty-five meningiomas, sixteen bone tumours, five metastases, and eight scalp tumours). The infiltrated bone flaps were removed, cleaned, autoclaved for 20 minutes at 134 °C and 1 kg/cm2 and re-implanted. Patients were followed-up for 10 to 58 months (average 41 months). At every follow-up visit skull x-ray studies, clinical examination, and photographs were done. When needed a CT scan was performed to assess the thickness of the bone flap. On follow-up roentgenograms partial resorption was observed in twelve cases (19.3%). CT scan studies showed loss of thickness in another thirty-five cases (56.4%). Meanwhile the external aspect remained unchanged. In six cases (3.2%) biopsies of the bone flaps were taken at a second surgical procedure. They showed newly formed bone partly re-populated by osteocytes but retaining areas of sequestered bone. We conclude that autoclaved bone, if replaced with direct contact with living bone, it is gradually repopulated with osteocytes. Cranial vault autoclaved autologous bone flap is a good alternative when the original bone flap is invaded but not destroyed by tumoural cells.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 3
    ISSN: 0942-0940
    Keywords: Cranioplasty ; bone transplantation ; cryopreservation ; bone resorption ; bone substitutes ; bone graft
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In cranioplasty complexity is proportional to the size of the defect, particularly if greater than 50 cm2. If the patient's own bone flap is not available, allogenic frozen bone graft can be used instead. Between June 1990 and June 1995 twenty cranioplasties with allogenic frozen bone grafts were performed. Age of patients ranged between 23 and 63 years (average 38.4 years). Male/female ratio was 2 ∶ 1.7. Size of craniectomy ranged between 65 and 150 cm2 (average 83.3 cm2). Follow-up ranged between 10 and 58 months (average 41 months). Donors were tested to rule out transmissible diseases, infections, sepsis and/or cancer. Bone grafts were removed under aseptic conditions, microbiological cultures were taken, wrapped in a gauze soaked with Gentamicin sulphate and Bacitracin, sealed in three sterilised vinyl plastic bags, and stored in a deep freezer for a minimum of 30 days (range 36–93 days, average 67 days), at a temperature of −80 °C. Grafts were placed in the defect after a step was carved on its borders to facilitate the contact between host and graft. Vancomycin 1 g. IV/12 hours and Ceftriaxone 1 g. IV/12 hours were administered for five days. Grafts were covered by means of scalp flaps. Only one required a musculocutaneous free flap. None was exposed, extruded or had to be removed. Plain skull X-ray studies showed progressive remodelling of the grafts. Partial resorption was observed in two (2/20, 10%) and loss of thickness in another 3/20 (15%), but with no changes in the contour. Biopsies were taken in 3/20 (15%) cases at a second surgical procedure. Areas of osteoclastic resorptive activity mixed with others of osteoblastic bone apposition, showed replacement with new bone. We conclude that cranial vault frozen allografts are a good alternative to autologous bone when the latter is absent or not present in sufficient amount.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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