PURPOSE: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the volume and weight of bone graft harvested using the curettage vs. the trephination technique from the anterior iliac crest. METHODS: Embalmed cadavers were studied in this experimental research. The right hemipelvis of each cadaver was used for the trephine bone harvesting technique, whereas the left hemipelvis was used for the conventional curettage technique. The weight and the volume of the harvested bone were measured and statistically compared between the 2 sides. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was employed to compare the graft volume and weight obtained from the right and left sides of the hemipelvis. RESULTS: Ten embalmed adult cadavers were used in this study. All subjects were Caucasian males with a mean age of 59.8 years (range 44 - 73 years) at the time of death. A total of 81 cylindrical bone grafts were harvested from the right iliac crest. In 9 out of 81 (11.1%), the cortex of the ilium was penetrated by the chisel. The mean weight of the bone graft harvested with the trephine technique (26.97 ± 2.32) g was heavier than that harvested with the curettage technique (23.74 ± 2.09) g (p = 0.007). Similarly, the volume of the bone graft was higher in the trephine technique (8.40 ± 0.84) cm³ compared to the curettage technique (6.60 ± 1.26) cm³ (p = 0.011). The trephination technique lasted a mean of (12.76 ± 1.87) min (range 10.30-16.10 min), while the curettage technique lasted a mean of (14.53 ± 0.89) min (range 13.50-16.00 min) (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Harvesting anterior iliac crest bone graft with the trephine technique provides a higher bone volume and weight than the conventional curettage technique. The trephine technique might be advocated over the curettage technique, especially when a large amount of autologous bone graft is required. However, a meticulous harvesting technique should be followed to prevent complications. In particular, the three-dimensional anatomy should be kept in mind, and the depth of trephination should be well-controlled. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Institutional Review Board registration: 2022/499.
Humans ; Ilium/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cadaver ; Curettage/methods* ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting/methods* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Adult ; Trephining/methods*

Treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is relatively straightforward, however, there is still some debate regarding the best strategy for treatment. The most practical recommendations of up to date were identified by a review of literature. The author reviewed the literature on CSDH management from the past to now to identify the best methods. Till 1970s, craniotomy was the most commonly used method. Burr hole (BH) became the most preferred method from 1980s. In 1977, twist drill (TD) craniostomy was introduced. Closed system drainage after a BH or a TD became the most frequently used surgical method. Although nonsurgical treatment is often successful, trephination has more advantages, such as rapid resolution of the symptoms and short period of hospitalization. Nonsurgical treatment is possible in asymptomatic patients with a small CSDH. For the symptomatic patients with CSDH, trephination is the treatment of choice, either by BH or TD. In gray zone between surgery and medical treatment, shared decision making can be an ideal approach. For the recurrent CSDHs, repeated trephination is still effective for patients with a low risk of recurrence. If the risk of recurrence is high, additional management would be helpful. For the refractory CSDHs, it is necessary to obliterate the subdural space.
Craniocerebral Trauma ; Craniotomy ; Decision Making ; Drainage ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Subdural Space ; Trephining

Spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) is rarely reported, and their simultaneous occurrence with intracranial SDH is even more rare. A 67-year-old male patient with a history of posterolateral fusion to treat an L2 burst fracture came to our outpatient clinic due to an inability to walk by himself over the previous 3 weeks. A neurological examination revealed that the patient was alert with occasional confusion and slight motor weakness in the lower extremities. Brain and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was then performed. A brain MRI revealed a large subacute SDH along the right cerebral convexity and falx cerebri with midline shifting, and a spine MRI revealed a right side-predominant subacute SDH extending from L4 to S1. For treatment, burr hole trephination of the intracranial SDH and fluoroscopy-guided lumbar puncture of the spinal SDH were performed and resulted in a favorable outcome. This is a report of a rare case of spontaneous intracranial and lumbar spine SDH. We include a review of the current literature and a discussion of the pathogenesis of this condition in this report.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Brain ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Examination ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Puncture ; Spine ; Trephining

We report 3 cases of arachnoid cysts (ACs) that completely disappeared after burr hole drainage, without cyst fenestration into the subarachnoid space or cystoperitoneal shunt. The first patient was a 21-year-old female with an AC of the right cerebral convexity, found incidentally. After endoscopic AC fenestration was performed, the patient complained of persistent headache. Two-month postoperative brain imaging revealed reaccumulated AC and associated multi-stage subdural hematoma. Burr hole drainage was performed to resolve the chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Three months later, brain computed tomography showed that the CSDH and the AC had disappeared. The second patient was an 11-year-old male who had a history of trauma 1 month prior to presentation at the clinic. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an AC in the left sylvian fissure with CSDH. We performed burr hole drainage to treat the CSDH first. Subsequently, the AC as well as the CSDH disappeared. The third case was an AC of the right parietal convexity, found incidentally. Only burr hole drainage was performed, following which, the AC disappeared. This case series shows that an AC can disappear naturally after rupture into the subdural space by trauma or the burr hole procedure.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Arachnoid ; Brain ; Child ; Drainage ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuroimaging ; Rabeprazole ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Space ; Subdural Space ; Trephining ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Chronic subdural hematoma drainage is one of the most common procedures performed in neurosurgical practice. Not only burr hole drainage but also small craniotomy (diameter 3–5 cm) is frequently used neurosurgical treatment of chronic subdural hematomas. We assessed to compare the postoperative recurrence rates between burr hole drainage versus small craniotomy with closed-system drainage for chronic subdural hematomas. METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2018, 75 patients who were treated with burr hole drainage and small craniotomy with closed system drainage for the symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma were enrolled. Pre and postoperative computed tomography (CT) were used for radiologic evaluation. The choice of procedure was decided by preoperative CT images. RESULTS: 60 patients out of 75 patients underwent burr hole drainage, whereas 15 patients underwent small craniotomy. The overall postoperative recurrence rate was 16%. The recurrence occurred in 8 patients out of 60 patients in burr hole drainage group (13.3%) and 7 patients out of 15 patients in small craniotomy group (46.7%). The number of days of hospitalization was 10.3 days in burr hole drainage group and 15.7 days in small craniotomy group. CONCLUSION: Burr hole drainage would be sufficient to evacuate chronic subdural hematoma with lower recurrence rate, but small craniotomy was also needed in some cases such as hematoma has solid portion or multiple septum.
Craniotomy ; Drainage ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Trephining

OBJECTIVE: The principle operation of acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a craniotomy with hematoma removal, but a trephination with hematoma evacuation may be another method in selected cases. Trephine drainage was performed for ASDH patients in subacute stage using urokinase (UK) instillation, and its results were evaluated. METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2018, the trephine evacuation using UK was performed in 9 patients. The interval between injury and operation was from 1 to 2 weeks. We underwent a burr hole trephination with drainage initially, and waited until the flow of liquefied hematoma stopped, then instilled UK for the purpose of clot liquefaction. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 71.6 years (range, 38–90 years). The cause of ASDH was trauma in 8 cases, and supposed a complication of anticoagulant medication in 1 case. Four out of 8 patients took antiplatelet medications and one of them was a chronic alcoholism. The range of the Glasgow Coma Scale score before surgery was from 13 to 15. Most of patients, main symptom was headache at admission. The Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 5 in 8 cases and 3 in 1 case. CONCLUSION: It is thought to be a useful operation method in selected patients with ASDH that the subdural drainage in subacute stage with UK instillation. This method might be another useful option for the patients with good mental state regardless of age and the patients with a risk of bleeding due to antithrombotic medications.
Alcoholism ; Craniotomy ; Drainage ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Headache ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Methods ; Trephining ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Eikenella corrodens rarely causes invasive head and neck infections in immunocompetent children. We report a case of epidural abscess caused by E. corrodens in a previously healthy 13-year-old boy who presented with fever, headache, and vomiting. On physical examination upon admission, there was no neck stiffness, but discharge from the right ear was observed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed approximately 4.5-cm-sized epidural empyema on the right temporal lobe as well as bilateral ethmoid and sphenoid sinusitis, right mastoiditis, and right otitis media. During treatment with vancomycin and cefotaxime, purulent ear discharge aggravated, and on follow-up brain MRI, the empyema size increased to 5.6×3.4 cm with interval development of an abscess at the right sphenoid sinus. Burr hole trephination was performed, and foul-smelling pus was aspirated from the epidural abscess near the right temporal lobe. Pus culture yielded E. corrodens. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy was also performed with massive pus drainage, and the same organism was grown. The patient was treated with intravenous cefotaxime for 3 weeks and recovered well with no other complications. Therefore, E. corrodens can cause serious complications in children with untreated sinusitis.
Abscess ; Adolescent ; Brain ; Cefotaxime ; Child ; Drainage ; Ear ; Eikenella corrodens ; Eikenella ; Empyema ; Epidural Abscess ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mastoid ; Mastoiditis ; Neck ; Otitis Media ; Physical Examination ; Sinusitis ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Sphenoid Sinusitis ; Suppuration ; Temporal Lobe ; Trephining ; Vancomycin ; Vomiting

A subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a common disorder with usually good prognosis. Most SDHs resolve with or without with minimal sequelae. We present a case report of a patient with SDH, who had delayed extensive white matter injury with disruptions of corticospinal tracts (CSTs) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and showed abysmal prognosis, despite long-term rehabilitation. A 62-year-old man with an SDH underwent burr hole trephination for hematoma removal. Within 7 days, the hemorrhage diminished. At 12 weeks after the onset, the patient's weakness did not improve, and a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive leukomalacia, especially in the white matter. The DTI for CST revealed severe injury of CST integrity. He did not re-gain muscle strength and functional independence, despite 3 months of inpatient rehabilitation. This case describes SDH with delayed extensive white matter injury and exceptional poor prognosis and urges caution in that the SDH may induce very variable functional recovery. Besides, DTI for CST would be useful in predicting the long-term functional prognosis in extensive white matter injury.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Prognosis ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Rehabilitation ; Trephining ; White Matter

OBJECTIVE: Despite recent advances in medicine, no significant improvement has been achieved in therapeutic outcomes for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the treatment of severe multiple traumas, accurate judgment and prompt action corresponding to rapid pathophysiological changes are required. Therefore, we developed the “All-in-One” therapeutic strategy for severe TBI. In this report, we present the therapeutic concept and discuss its efficacy and limitations. METHODS: From April 2007 to December 2015, 439 patients diagnosed as having traumatic intracranial injuries were treated at our institution. Among them, 158 patients were treated surgically. The “All-in-One” therapeutic strategy was adopted to enforce all selectable treatments for these patients at the initial stages. The outline of this strategy is as follows: first, prompt trepanation surgery in the emergency room (ER); second, extensive decompression craniotomy (DC) in the operating room (OR); and finally, combined mild hypothermia and moderate barbiturate (H-B) therapy for 3 to 5 days. We performed these approaches on a regular basis rather than stepwise rule. If necessary, internal ecompression surgery and external ventricular drainage were performed in cases in which intracranial pressure could not be controlled. RESULTS: Trepanation surgery in the ER was performed in 97 cases; among these cases, 46 had hematoma removal surgery and also underwent DC in the OR. Craniotomy was not enforced unless the consciousness level and pupil findings did not improve after previous treatments. H-B therapy was administered in 56 cases. Internal decompression surgery, including evacuation of traumatic intracerebral hematoma, was additionally performed in 12 cases. Three months after injury, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score yielded the following results: good recovery in 25 cases (16%), mild disability in 28 (18%), severe disability in 33 (21%), persistent vegetative state in 9 (6%), and death in 63 (40%). Furthermore, 27 (36%) of the 76 most severe patients who had an abnormal response of bilateral eye pupils were life-saving. Because many cases of a GOS score of ≤5 are included in this study, this result must be satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This therapeutic strategy without any lose in the appropriate treatment timing can improve the outcomes of the most severe TBI cases. We think that the breakthrough in the treatment of severe TBI will depend on the shift in the treatment policy.
Brain Injuries* ; Consciousness ; Craniotomy ; Decompression ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Intracranial Pressure ; Judgment ; Multiple Trauma ; Operating Rooms ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Pupil ; Trephining

We describe the case of a patient with an acute subdural hematoma (SDH) that was removed using urokinase irrigation after burr hole trephination in a limited situation where craniotomy was not possible. A 90-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a stuporous mental status. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a chronic SDH, and a burr hole procedure was performed. The patient's postoperative progression was good until the third day after surgery when we found that the acute SDH had increased on CT scans. The patient's guardian refused further surgery, and thus we drained the blood from the hematoma by injecting urokinase through a drainage catheter. We used urokinase for two days, and removed the catheter after confirming via CT scans that the hematoma was almost alleviated. The patient recovered gradually; she was discharged with few neurological deficits.
Aged, 80 and over ; Catheters ; Craniotomy ; Drainage* ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute* ; Humans ; Stupor ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trephining ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*