The marked release of catecholamines during subarachnoid hemorrhage is an important aspect of the pathobiology following aneurysmal rupture. This narrative review aims to identify how catecholamines influence aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) outcomes. aSAH is a critical neurological condition characterized by hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space, leading to severe neurological deficits and mortality. Catecholamines, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are the body's stress responses, which can lead to secondary injuries following aSAH. This review was conducted through a targeted literature search of relevant studies examining the relationship between aSAH, catecholamines, and clinical outcomes. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and CINAHL, including publications up to July 2024. Search terms combined keywords and subject headings related to “subarachnoid hemorrhage” or “aSAH,” “catecholamines,” “epinephrine,” “norepinephrine,” “dopamine,” and outcome-related terms such as “prognosis,” “mortality,” and “neurological outcome.” Articles were selected based on relevance, and key findings were synthesized descriptively to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge in this area. Elevated levels of catecholamines are observed following aSAH and are associated with increased sympathetic nervous system activity. This catecholamine surge contributes to pathological processes, including vasospasm, blood-brain barrier disruption, cerebral edema, and neuronal damage. The review highlights the implications of catecholamine levels; where higher concentrations correlate with poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for secondary injury due to catecholamines surge following aSAH shall facilitate the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent secondary brain injury and improve outcomes.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, potentially fatal genetic disorder characterized by an unexplained elevation of expired carbon dioxide despite increased minute ventilation, muscle rigidity, and rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, tachycardia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia. It can be triggered by many pharmacological agents such as potent inhalation agents (halothane/ isoflurane/ sevoflurane/ desflurane), the depolarizing muscle relaxant (succinylcholine), and extreme physiological conditions such as vigorous exercise and working excessively in a hot and dry environment. Prompt and early recognition of the condition and rapid initiation of treatment measures are necessary to salvage the patient. Since MH is commonly encountered in the operating room or early postoperative period, anesthetists and surgeons need to keep themselves updated regarding the same. This review article aims to summarize our understanding of MH's pathophysiology, current diagnostics, management, and treatment strategies, along with a brief review of literature of published cases in Indian Subcontinent.

Historically, obesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases including stroke; however, a theory called “The Obesity Paradox” has been recently considered. The paradoxical theory is that obese or overweight patients (according to body mass index score) can have better outcomes compared to leaner or malnourished patients. The paradox was initially discovered in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this manuscript was to investigate whether this paradox also applies to stroke patients, according to information available in the current literature.

Flow diverters have become a critical instrument for complex aneurysms treatment. However, limited data are currently available regarding short and long-term outcomes for the Silk flow diverter. The objective of the study is to determine neurological prognosis and mortality rates for the Silk flow diversion device used in intracranial aneurysms. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed using databases. The following descriptors were used for the search: “SILK”, “Flow Diverter”, “Mortality”, and “Prognosis”. The following data were extracted: mortality, good functional outcome, Glasgow outcome scale, complete or near-complete occlusion rates, rate of retreatment, and complications (thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications). A total of 14 studies were selected. Among the 14 studies, 13 were retrospective observational cohort studies and 1 was a prospective observational cohort study. The mortality rate was 2.84%. The clinical good outcomes rate was 93.3%. The poor outcome rate was 6.6%. The overall thromboembolic complication rate was 6.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00–6.37, P=0.12, I2=3.13%). The total hemorrhagic complication rate was 1.62% (95% CI 0.00–5.34, P=0.28, I2=1.56%). The complete aneurysm occlusion rate was 80.4% (95% CI 8.65–9.38, P<0.0001, I2=9.09%). The Silk diverter device has a good safety and efficacy profile for treating intracranial aneurysms with high complete occlusion rates.

Craniocerebral gunshot injuries (CGI) are increasingly encountered by neurosurgeons in civilian and urban settings. Unfortunately this is a prevalent condition in developing countries, with major armed conflicts which is not very likely to achieve a high rate of prevention. Management goals should focus on early aggressive, vigorous resuscitation and correction of coagulopathy; those with stable vital signs undergo brain computed tomography scan. Neuroimaging is vital for surgical purposes, especially for determine type surgery, size and location of the approach, route of extraction of the foreign body; however not always surgical management is indicated, there is also the not uncommon decision to choose non-surgical management. The treatment consist of immediate life salvage, through control of persistent bleeding and cerebral decompression; prevention of infection, through extensive debridement of all contaminated, macerated or ischemic tissues; preservation of nervous tissue, through preventing meningocerebral scars; and restoration of anatomic structures through the hermetic seal of dura and scalp. There have been few recent studies involving penetrating craniocerebral injuries, and most studies have been restricted to small numbers of patients; classic studies in military and civil environment have identified that this is a highly lethal or devastating violent condition, able to leave marked consequences for the affected individual, the family and the health system itself. Various measures have been aimed to lower the incidence of CGI, especially in civilians. It is necessarily urgent to promote research in a neurocritical topic such as CGI, looking impact positively the quality of life for those who survive.
Arm ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Cicatrix ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Debridement ; Decompression ; Developing Countries ; Foreign Bodies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Military Personnel ; Neuroimaging ; Neurons ; Quality of Life ; Resuscitation ; Scalp ; Vital Signs ; Wounds and Injuries